Holyoke Man Guilty Of 1st-Degree Murder In Brutal Shooting Death Of 36-Year-Old Woman: DA
A 42-year-old western Massachusetts man faces a mandatory life sentence after a jury convicted him of murdering a woman who was found shot inside a Holyoke home more than four years ago.
Pablo Rivera-Ortiz, of Holyoke, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Friday, Nov. 6, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced.
The jury found Rivera-Ortiz guilty of killing Desiree Rivera-Lopez, 36, of North Haven, Connecticut, in July 2022. Jurors agreed that the murder involved both deliberate planning and extreme cruelty.
The case began just after midnight on July 23, 2022, wh…
UNH Hockey Captain Killed In Head-On I-95 Crash Was 'Great Leader, Caring Friend'
A University of New Haven hockey captain who dreamed of becoming an NYPD officer is being remembered as a great leader who wanted to help others after he was killed in an I-95 head-on crash.
Ryan O’Shea, 21, of Stony Point, New York, died Friday night, Oct. 16, after a wrong-way driver struck his car on I-91 in North Haven, Connecticut State Police said.
O’Shea was a senior captain of the university’s club hockey team, the Chargers. He studied criminal justice with a focus on police science, the university said.
“Ryan embodied everything that is good about being a Charger,” shared De…
Shot Fired On I-91 In North Haven: Bridgeport, Woodbridge Men Charged In Road Rage Incident
A single bullet tore through a car’s front pillar on I-91 south near Exit 10 in North Haven after a road-rage clash turned violent, Connecticut State Police say.
Andre Smith, 34, of Bridgeport, is accused of firing a round that the car driven by Jonathan Yanagisawa, 30, of Woodbridge, around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, but no one was hurt.
Yanagisawa called police after the shooting. He captured the license plate and vehicle on his dash camera, and police tracked down Smith soon after.
Smith surrendered his gun and, according to troopers, admitted “he was involved in a road rage i…
'She Gained Her Wings': Community Rallies Around Mom Of 2 Killed In North Haven I-91 Crash
A 33-year-old Connecticut mother of two who died in a rollover crash on I-91 is being remembered for her compassion, resilience, and unwavering strength. Now, the community is rallying around her grieving family.
Andrea Baquero, of New Haven, was killed on Tuesday, May 12, after her SUV veered across multiple lanes of traffic in North Haven before leaving the roadway near Exit 10 North and striking a tree, according to Connecticut State Police.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.
Baquero was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States in 1997. Acco…
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…
Cops ID North Haven Dad, Baby Killed In I-91 Crash With Fuel Tanker In Vermont
A Connecticut father and his 4-month-old son have been identified as the victims of a fatal crash with a fuel tanker on Interstate 91 over the weekend in Vermont.
Taylor Binnington, 39, of North Haven, was behind the wheel of a Hyundai with his wife and two young children, traveling north through Rockingham, Vermont, on Saturday, March 8, around 9:45 a.m., when he crashed into the rear of the tanker truck, Vermont State Police said.
Binnington died at the scene, and his infant son, Lake Perry, was airlifted to a hospital in New Hampshire, where he succumbed to his injuries soon after,…
Serial Retail Thief Tied to $365K in Stolen Goods Busted In North Haven: Cops
A man accused of orchestrating a massive string of retail thefts across New England totaling more than $350,000 in stolen goods was caught in Connecticut this week, police said.
David Pasquariello, 39, of Connecticut, was arrested Tuesday after police say he stole nearly $1,800 worth of electrical outlets from a home supply store in North Haven, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
According to investigators, Pasquariello has been linked to more than 200 thefts or attempted thefts across the region, with the total value of stolen goods exceeding $365,000. Detectives say he would enter st…
Drunk Driver Clocked At 127 MPH In Wallingford, Racing Another Car On I-91: Police
A Connecticut driver faces a long list of charges after police say he was caught racing another car at more than 125 miles per hour on I-91 while intoxicated.
Derrick R. Hannon, 43, of Cheshire, is charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, operating under the influence (OUI), and several traffic violations, Connecticut State Police said following his arrest on Friday, Dec. 13.
Police were monitoring traffic on I-91 northbound close to exit 11 near North Haven when two vehicles — a red Toyota 4Runner and a white sedan — sped past, weaving through cars in what appeared to be an il…
Naughty East Haven Drivers Could Get Gift Cards Instead Of Tickets
Police in six Connecticut towns are saying “Bah humbug” to boring traffic stops. This holiday season, drivers might find themselves on the “nice” list and getting a gift card instead of a ticket.
Officers from the South-Central Connecticut Traffic Unit, which serves East Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Branford, Guilford, and Madison, are adding a festive twist to their traffic stops for minor infractions.
“While our primary goal remains ensuring the safety of our roadways, we see this as an opportunity to give back to the community and show appreciation during the holiday season,…
