North Branford-Based Pet, Garden Retailer Closing After 40 Years: 'We'll Miss Every Tail Wag'
A popular retailer of pet and garden supplies in southern New England is shutting down after four decades.
Smithland Pet & Garden Center will close all 13 of its stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the company said in a news release on Monday, May 5. Originally launching in 1985, Smithland was previously known as myAgway, as well as Dave's Soda and Pet City.
The chain offering pet supplies, gardening goods, wild bird seed, and backyard furniture will begin storewide sales on Tuesday, May 6.
"This is not a goodbye without deep gratitude," Smithfield said. "Our love f…
103 MPH On I-95 In Old Saybrook: Driver Had No License or Insurance, Police Say
A Connecticut man faces multiple charges after police say he was caught speeding more than 100 miles per hour on I-95 in Old Saybrook without a valid driver's license or insurance on the car.
Carlos Guaman Cevallos, 41, of New London, was arrested just before midnight on Sunday, March 23, on I-95, Connecticut State Police said. He was clocked at 103 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone.
He was charged with reckless driving, operating a vehicle on a suspended license, operating without a license, not having insurance on the vehicle, and falsifying marker, license plate, and/or registr…
70+ Dead Animals Found Inside Vacant Old Saybrook Home
More than 70 dead animals were found inside a vacant Connecticut home on Wednesday morning, Jan. 29, according to authorities.
Authorities said they found the animals inside a home on River Street in Old Saybrook. A call to Old Saybrook police was not immediately returned.
The animals were a menagerie of rabbits, chickens, opossums, cats, a dove, and a skunk, among others, police said in a release. None of the animals were alive.
“This morning, we walked in, and it was piled high with trash and dead animal carcasses,” Tanner Orlowski with Clean In Between told WTNH. “When we st…
Friends Remember Men Killed In Old Saybrook Boat Crash After Police ID Victims
Friends and family are remembering two victims of a Long Island Sound boat crash that killed three and sent six others to the hospital in Connecticut.
New London County residents Ian Duchemin, age 25, of Oakdale, and Ryan D. Britagna, age 24, of Waterford, were killed on Monday, Sept. 2, when their boat hit the break wall at the mouth of the Connecticut River, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. Searchers found their bodies on Friday, Sept. 6.
Middlesex County resident Christopher Hallahan, age 34, of Westbrook, also died in the crash ne…
1 Dead, 2 Missing In Old Saybrook Boating Accident
A man is dead, and two people are still missing following a boat accident in Connecticut.
The incident occurred in Middlesex County in Old Saybrook around 9:15 p.m., Monday, Sept. 2.
According to Will Healey, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Police, multiple agencies responded and found a single motorboat floating, half-submerged, near the Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook.
"There was significant damage to the boat, which hit the east-facing jetty at the mouth of the Connecticut River," said Healey.
A total of nine people were on the boat. An…
These CT Eateries Named Best Restaurants For Wine, New Rankings Say
Several Connecticut restaurants are the cream of the crop when it comes to their wine offerings, according to new rankings released by Wine Spectator.
A total of 36 eateries were recognized as winners of the 2024 Restaurant Awards released by Wine Spectator, a publication that serves as a leading authority on wine.
The restaurants named as winners of the awards, which were made public on Tuesday, June 25, are (by county):
Fairfield County:
L'Escale Restaurant, Greenwich;
Tony's at the J House, Riverside;
Barcelona Wine Bar, Stamford;
The Restaurant At Rowayton Seafood, …
CT Man Who Hit State Police Car Caught, Charged, Police Say
A man who allegedly hit a Connecticut State Police car and drove off has been located and charged, authorities said.
The Middlesex County incident occurred in Middletown on Friday, May 3.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., a Connecticut State Police (CSP) car was traveling north in the leftmost lane of Route 9, near Exit 21, when the vehicle had to slow down due to a prior accident on the roadway.
James Paternostro, age 30, who was driving behind the police car on the expressway, attempted to change lanes while the cop car was slowing down; while changing lanes, he allegedly struck the CSP car…
Pair Stole $164K From 94-Year-Old Connecticut Man's Checking Account, Police Say
A 94-year-old man from Connecticut lost $164,000 in thefts from his checking account, authorities said.
The alleged thieves included a pair from New Jersey, according to Old Saybrook Police.
Ashlee Crawford, age 33, of Plainfield, NJ, and Shannon Outlaw II, age 27, of North Brunswick, NJ,were charged with larceny and forgery, police said . Crawford also was charged with a second count of forgery.
The Middlesex County man, who resides in Old Saybrook, reported the theft to police in February after $164,284 disappeared from his checking account, police said.
Crawford was observed on vi…
NJ Pair Stole $164K From 94-Year-Old Connecticut Man's Checking Account: Police
A 94-year-old man from Connecticut lost $164,000 in thefts from his checking account, authorities said.
The alleged thieves included a pair from Middlesex County, according to Old Saybrook, CT, police.
Ashlee Crawford, 33, of Plainfield, and Shannon Outlaw II, 27, of North Brunswick, were charged with larceny and forgery, police said in a press statement. Crawford also was charged with a second count of forgery.
The Old Saybrook man reported the theft to police in February after $164,284 disappeared from his checking account, police said.
Crawford was observed on video surveillance f…
Police In CT Searching For Walmart $6K Lego Thief Who Threatened To Shoot Employee
Police are searching for a man who allegedly stole nearly $6,000 worth of Legos from a Walmart and threatened to shoot an employee who attempted to stop him in Connecticut.
The incident took in Middlesex County around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Old Saybrook Walmart.
According to Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael Spera, three people, one man, and two women entered the store, filled up two carriages of Legos, totaling more than $2,000, and left the store without paying.
As they were leaving, a Walmart loss prevention specialist attempted to stop them. The male susp…
Stratford Woman Wins $50K In CT State Lottery
Connecticut Lottery announced five new Powerball winners who claimed $50,000 prizes.
CT Lottery announced the winners between Monday, Nov. 7, and Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The lottery said the following individuals claimed $50,000 prizes:
Dana Pniewski, of Stratford, who won a Powerball prize from a ticket purchased at Stratford Cigar & Smoke Shop
Samiha Julakha, Plano, Texas, who won a Powerball prize from a ticket purchased at Daily Mart in Ansonia
Sara Salamone, of Old Saybrook, who won a Powerball prize from a ticket purchased at Henny Penny Saybrook Sunoco in Old Saybrook
Gar…
Local Man Wins $50K From Powerball Ticket Purchased At Town Of Fairfield Convenience Store
Connecticut Lottery announced a number of big winners, including two residents who claimed $50,000 prizes.
New Haven County resident Kenneth Procino, of Milford, won a $50,000 Powerball prize, CT Lottery announced on Friday, Oct. 14.
The ticket was purchased at Jay's Mobil Mart, located at 1271 Stratfield Road in Fairfield, the lottery said.
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the lottery also announced that Middlesex County resident James Dryfoos, of Deep River, claimed a $50,004 Powerball prize from a ticket purchased at Cumberland Farm, located at 602 Boston Post Road i…
