Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWATERBURY CT (WFSB) - Two people were arrested during an investigation in Waterbury last month Waterbury police say they arrested 20-year-old Felix Polo-Burgos and 26-year-old Lyshell Cora on a variety of charges They said they were conducting an investigation into drug activity on April 25 in the area of East Main and Rutledge streets Polo-Burgos was charged with third-degree trespass possession of marijuana with intent to sell and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition Cora had an active warrant out for disorderly conduct and third-degree criminal mischief She was taken into custody without incident SEE THE TOWN MEETING PAGE FOR TOWN MEETING STORIES Vermont State Police say a Moretown man will face charges in state criminal court next month for furnishing alcohol to two minors on multiple occasions and sending the juveniles inappropriate electronic messages Trooper David Lambert said state police on April 24 received a report of an individual providing a minor with alcohol in Waterbury.  police say that 47-year-old Terrance Coley of Moretown “furnished alcohol to two minors on numerous occasions over the previous months in a parking lot on Main Street in Waterbury.”  Lambert wrote that the investigation also found evidence that Coley sent both of the minors messages via Snapchat that included lewd and lascivious content.  Coley was issued a citation to appear in Washington County Superior Court-Criminal Division on May 22 Coley will answer to the charges of furnishing a minor with alcohol (six counts) and disorderly conduct by electronic communication Waterbury Roundabout is an online news site launched in May 2020 Our mission is to provide readers with news about local government work and play in and around the Waterbury region.Thank you for reading About Contact Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHARTFORD CT (WFSB) - The Office of the Child Advocate is recommending the state change its laws to give the state some oversight over children that are withdrawn from school for homeschooling The I-Team first told you last month, currently, there are no homeschooling regulations in Connecticut or any system in place to monitor students once they are removed from school Interim Child Advocate Christina Ghio started reviewing the state’s statutes following the arrest of Kimberly Sullivan Police say Sullivan locked her stepson away in their Waterbury home for two decades, with little food or water police found the survivor after they say he set fire to his home “multiple news reports indicated that school officials reported concerns of neglect prior to the boy’s removal from school in or around 5th grade” with the survivor telling police he was pulled out of school at age 11 titled “A Review of Children Withdrawn from School for Equivalent Instruction Elsewhere,” the Child Advocate found that parents who wish to withdraw their children from school need do nothing more than assert that they are homeschooling or sending their children to private school there is no further interaction with the public school system required There is no verification of enrollment in private schools In a letter written to the public last month, Sullivan’s stepson asked to be called “S.“ The Child Advocate noted in her report “S is not alone in the experience of abuse and neglect at the hands of a parent or caregiver following withdrawal from public school.” The Child Advocate said she wrote the report to highlight an ongoing “previously identified systemic issue that must be addressed by policy makers: that some parents and guardians withdraw their children from school shield themselves from reports to our child welfare agency and neglect or abuse their children.” Ghio says the state has enabled this to occur through its lack of statutory requirements and regulations it’s people using our lack of regulation to withdraw their children under that false pretense That’s what we’re really concerned about,” says Ghio Connecticut is one of very few states that does not have any requirements related to homeschooling Connecticut is the only New England state where a parent can simply notify the district they are withdrawing their child for homeschooling and do nothing more The Child Advocate says every other New England state requires some form of annual evaluation or assessment Connecticut can and must establish standards that ensure that children actually receive instruction while also respecting parents’ ability to choose to provide equivalent instruction through homeschooling The I-Team found that parents do not have to officially file a form to withdraw their students from the district can investigate and get the courts involved The state only recommends parents file a letter of withdrawal with their local school districts and further recommends parents show the state a completed academic portfolio each year The I-Team found these recommendations are not meaningfully enforced can be a positive experience for children and families Many families successfully homeschool their children Homeschooled children can be found on college campuses across the country and are represented in all professions Nothing in this report is a general criticism of homeschooling nor a suggestion that children should not be homeschooled not every parent who withdraws their child for the stated purpose of homeschooling is providing their children with an education some take advantage of Connecticut’s complete lack of oversight to isolate children and abuse them children are removed from regular contact with mandated reporters It is this ability to isolate a child that results in the greatest risk Connecticut must grapple with that reality.” 5,102 children under 18 were withdrawn from school for homeschooling during the three year period from July 1 The OCA noted that “because Connecticut does not specifically require enrollment in the local public school and approval prior to initiation of homeschooling Connecticut has no way of knowing how many children in Connecticut are actually homeschooled.” 2236 children under age 12 were withdrawn for the stated purpose of being homeschooled 30% were chronically absent and 19% percent were identified as special education students prior to their withdrawal from public school When OCA narrowed the list to exclude children under the age of seven 1547 children were withdrawn to be homeschooled 31% were chronically absent and 19% were children identified as students with special education needs prior to their withdrawal from public school From the list of 1547 children (ages 7-11) OCA then randomly selected 50% of the children (774 children) to cross reference with DCF records to understand the prevalence of contact with DCF 22.9% (177) of the children lived in families with at least one accepted DCF report 7.9% (61) lived in families with four or more accepted reports to DCF 9.6% (75) percent of the 774 children in our sample of the children lived in families with at least one substantiated DCF investigation 3.8% (30) lived in families with a caregiver on the DCF central registry OCA then sampled cases in which children had been removed for the stated purpose of homeschooling and who had four or more accepted reports coming to the conclusion that the state needs more regulation The Child Advocate also shared the story of “William.” According to the Child Advocate William was found locked away and being abused after his parents removed him from school for the stated purpose of homeschooling for whom we will use the pseudonym William was found in a room with a dead bolt on the exterior of the door and was observed to have numerous bruises He also had trauma to his ears and reported that he had lost weight William described being locked in a 4’ by 5’ closet for approximately one month The warrant alleges that William was removed from school to be homeschooled and William’s mother corroborated that the child was removed from school to hide evidence of injuries The family had a long extensive history with DCF Ghio recommends that the state adopt several basic statutory requirements that would ensure that children who are withdrawn from school receive an education while also ensuring that parents continue to have the right to choose to educate their children outside of public school Those recommendations include amending state statute to require “the parent and child appear annually to provide enrollment documentation that the child be independently evaluated annually for academic progress and that the parent provide initial and periodic assurances that the child is in good health For children receiving equivalent instruction in a private school annual proof of enrollment in the private school should be sufficient.” OCA also recommends that the annual evaluation requirement include a list of options for independent evaluation of academic progress from which the parent may choose This would allow the parent to select a form of evaluation that is most consistent with their choices regarding homeschooling and ensure that there are appropriate options for children with disabilities Ghio says policy makers should look to New Hampshire and Maine for examples The Child Advocate also wants the state to add a statutory requirement that districts upon receipt of a notice of intent to homeschool conduct an internal assessment to determine if the district previously made reports of suspected abuse and neglect and based on the totality of the information known to the district determine whether such notice gives rise to a reasonable suspicion that a child is abused or neglected and should be reported to DCF DCF should review its acceptance criteria and update the operational definition of educational neglect to ensure that it is consistent with updated law DCF should provide guidance and training on what is required for homeschooling and how the caseworker should assess to determine whether a child is in fact being homeschooled Many homeschooling groups tell us they have that they are coming under scrutiny for cases that have nothing to do with them It’s important to note the I-Team could find only one document alluding to Sullivan taking the child out of school for homeschooling police said they were asked by DCF to check on the child because his fellow classmates were worried when he didn’t show up to school said they believe Sullivan was homeschooling him There is no other documentation to suggest that publicly available at this time police say they found the boy to be healthy and happy Tirado’s sister was removed from Hartford Public Schools for the purpose of homeschooling The OCA says the withdrawal occurred just three months before Matthew died and despite the facts that the district previously made multiple reports on both children the mother had previously been found to have physically abused the child and the mother was placed on the DCF Central Registry DCF was not notified of the withdrawal and did not know the child was not attending school when they closed their case Homeschooling Advocates and some lawmakers have asked for an investigation into DCF following the Waterbury captivity case rather than focusing on homeschooling as the problem “I think the DCF issues are our issues here and they’re using that to regulate homeschooling,” says Republican State Representative Lezlye Zupkus ranking member of the Committee on Education feels the focus following the Waterbury captivity case The survivor told police he was pulled from school after two visits from the agency The I-Team found state policy does not require parents with current or past cases with DCF to notify them of homeschooling a school may not even know DCF ever investigated a family We asked if state law should be changed to allow more communication between DCF and schools And when I was ranking member on children’s that’s something we talked about,” says Representative Zupkus the Child Advocate sampled cases in which children had been removed for the stated purpose of homeschooling and who had four or more accepted DCF reports When a child is withdrawn for the stated purpose of homeschooling this generally does not come to the attention of DCF because the act of withdrawing alone is not an adequate basis for filing a report with DCF But the Child Advocate found that when there is a report to DCF the absence of regulation that confounds the child welfare system “While the statute requires that parents be able to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent structure CSDE’s existing guidance provides only suggestions for annual enrollment and portfolio review There is no required follow-up of any kind Without any required steps to show that the child is receiving instruction “If the allegation made to DCF is solely educational neglect and the parent states they are homeschooling DCF may make inquiries to seek confirmation of homeschooling but they may have no legal basis to take further action As evident in some of the case examples above DCF investigations can also be impacted by the parents’ level of cooperation Where parents exercise their right not to provide DCF with any information DCF may not have sufficient information to take action improving the quality of DCF’s investigations alone will not fully address this gap,” said Ghio excessive absenteeism through the child’s own intent despite the parent’s or caregiver’s efforts Rather this is truancy which is handled through the school district enrollment in homeschool is considered enrollment in an appropriate educational program This is consistent with state law but also appears to require no assessment of whether the child is receiving equivalent instruction Review of DCF cases suggests that caseworkers do make inquiries to confirm that the child is receiving instruction but do not assess the quality of the instruction Given the lack of statutory requirements or regulation by the State Department of Education DCF is not well-positioned to create its own standard and caseworkers do not have the appropriate training to judge the quality of education being provided.” The OCA says she is still investigating the case of Sullivan and his stepson and “continues to gather documentation and assess all of the system implications of this case OCA anticipates issuing a public report in the future which will include recommendations developed from that investigation DCF said they did not have any documentation from visits to the Sullivan’s home The OCA said she anticipates issuing a public report in the future Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Police in Connecticut have released photos from inside the home where they say a woman held her stepson against his will for over two decades Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested in March and accused of holding her 32-year-old stepson in captivity, subjecting him to "prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment," Waterbury police said in a Facebook post at the time of the arrest Court records show that Sullivan pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment USA TODAY obtained the photos from Waterbury police on Tuesday Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, objected to releasing the photos in a statement published by NBC Connecticut. "The release of sensitive evidence by the Waterbury Police Department in a pending and active investigation is shocking, offensive and quite frankly, ethically questionable," Kaloidis said. "Justice requires the protection of constitutional rights and ultimately, a fair trial. We call for an immediate investigation into the release of these photos and videos." The images released by the police department reveal a home cluttered and in disarray, and show the room where police say Sullivan's stepson started a fire, which led authorities to respond and find him. The stepson told first responders, "I wanted my freedom," police said. Send help right to the people and causes you care about Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of alleged domestic abuse After firefighters responded to a fire at a Connecticut home last month one of its occupants revealed that they hadn't only rescued him from the burning house — but from two decades of captivity is accusing his stepmother of keeping him locked inside a room in their Waterbury home — with minimal food and water dental care or a bathroom — from the time he was approximately 11 years old he told authorities that he had used hand sanitizer printer paper and a lighter to set the fire in his upstairs bedroom to escape "I wanted my freedom," he told first responders according to the Waterbury Police Department Waterbury police announced Wednesday that an investigation by their major crimes unit in collaboration with the Waterbury State's Attorney's Office determined that the victim "had been held in captivity for over 20 years "The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable," Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said in a statement crediting law enforcement with making sure "the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes." Police said they arrested the man's stepmother cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment told NPR over email that she would appear in court on Thursday "for the purposes of posting bond," which was set at $300,000 Kaloidis said Sullivan "maintains her innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to clear her name." Sullivan's stepson was rescued from the Feb 17 blaze "in a severely emaciated condition," according to police Medical records show he weighed just 68.7 pounds according to a police affidavit and arrest warrant that was filed in state superior court and obtained by NPR First responders who treated the man for smoke inhalation on the scene noticed that he was "extremely emaciated and his teeth all appear to be rotten," it says That's when he admitted to starting the fire and accused Sullivan of locking him inside his bedroom The affidavit says detectives later found burn patterns on the floor of his room and locks — as well as plywood — on his bedroom door that corroborate his account who was hospitalized in critical condition spoke with detectives on two separate occasions in February and March while recovering at a medical facility "In the three hours that MVI [Male Victim 1] was interviewed he provided details of the evolution of his life over the past twenty years that amounted to a life of captivity abuse and starvation," reads the court filing referring to the man as Male Victim 1 or MVI the man told detectives that some of his earliest memories are of sneaking out of his room at night to eat food — and drinking water out of the toilet — because he was hungry and thirsty he started getting locked in his room at night He said Connecticut's Department of Children and Families visited his home twice after his school contacted it out of concern that he always seemed hungry — he would steal others' food and eat out of the garbage he said Sullivan pulled him out of school permanently The man described the evolution of the locks on his door from a chain lock to a padlock to a slide bolt lock Police say the space he had been locked in since age 12 was not a bedroom but a "back storage space" measuring about 8 feet by 9 feet He told them that once he stopped going to school his routine remained the same for decades: He spent most of the day in his room and was only let out in the morning to complete various chores around the house which he said could take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours MVI was locked in his room between 22 to 24 hours a day," the affidavit reads He said he received up to two sandwiches and the equivalent of about two small bottles of water per day telling detectives that he was hungry "all day my entire life." He said he had not been to a doctor since childhood and that the only medicine he ever got was aspirin He said he was not provided soap and had not bathed in "a year or two." He described devising a system to dispose of his waste urinating into bottles — and funneling it through a series of straws out of a hole in the window — and defecating into newspapers on the ground He said he educated himself with a dictionary and the several books he was provided with each year kept track of time with a calendar and learned about the world almost exclusively through a small radio that was kept outside his room When asked why he didn't speak to anyone about his experience the man cited the threat of longer lockdowns and further withholding of food and the false hope that Sullivan would let him out more if he earned her trust "MVI stated that he thought of breaking the window (later learning that there was a storm window that could not be removed) but MVI stated that 'under pain of death no one was to see me,' " the document reads The man said in addition to Sullivan and his father his two half-sisters and late grandmother were aware of his captivity He said his late father would occasionally let him out of his room for longer periods to watch television with him or do yard work together He said the last time he left the property altogether was around age 14 or 15 to dump yard waste with his father — and that his "captivity and restraint got even worse" after his dad's death Sullivan's lawyer, Kaloidis, told reporters outside of the courthouse on Wednesday that the man's biological father was "the one that dictated how his son would be raised." you will see that [Sullivan]'s not the villain she's being made out to be," he added The affidavit says the victim came into possession of the fateful lighter "about a year earlier after his father had died." He was given some of his dad's clothing afterward — and the lighter happened to be in the pocket of an old jacket The man told detectives that the day he set the fire was relatively typical up until that point MVI hears Sullivan's bedroom door close and he thought 'same old "He added that he doesn't remember what time but did remember making the choice to set the fire." He told detectives he knew the fire would have to be serious enough that Sullivan wouldn't be able to put it out by herself When asked how he knew hand sanitizer was flammable The man said he started the fire on the floor by his door and a stack of games and "made him get up and go to the downstairs bathroom and wash his face" because "she did not want the fire department to know about his appearance." At one point "He stated that he stayed on the ground and he purposefully didn't get up so the fire department would be forced to get him," the filing reads "MVI believed this was the only way out of his situation." Kaloidis described the man's allegations as "completely untrue" and "outlandish" outside the courtroom on Wednesday He said Sullivan denies locking him in a room or restraining him in any way "These allegations seem to be based on the words of one individual "I did not see anything in the warrant to indicate any independent evidence to corroborate these allegations that they found holes from previous locks on the door jam and plywood attached to each side of the door "not only to reinforce it but to prevent any tampering of the outer locks." "You could also see the locks that were currently on it were functional and clearly meant to keep someone in The filings reviewed by NPR also include records from medical staff who examined the man after the fire and sworn testimony from an uncle who was concerned about him referring to a condition also called "wasting syndrome" that is characterized by significant involuntary weight loss and muscle mass deterioration Those records also indicate that the man spoke to medical staff about his experience prompting "concern of a hostage situation." provided a sworn statement to detectives explaining that he had not seen him since 2004 or 2005 He said that he attempted to reach out but got no response and grew increasingly concerned so much so that he contacted a private investigator about a decade ago He said the PI suggested he look for a death certificate Become an NPR sponsor 2025 at Waterbury Superior Court in Waterbury (Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP This photo provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows Kimberly Sullivan being taken into custody who was charged Wednesday with kidnapping and cruelty for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson captive for more than 20 years This photo provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows Kimberly Sullivan who was charged Wednesday The man told authorities his confinement began when he was about 11 years old He said he was locked in a room without heat or air conditioning nearly all day and night and given limited food and water including using a series of straws that led to a hole in a window Pieces of his teeth would break off when he did eat because of a lack of dental care He saved some of his daily ration of two small water bottles to bathe without soap and cut his own hair when he set fire to the house in Waterbury in a deliberate effort to save himself and told his story to responding police and firefighters according to the arrest warrant charging his stepmother with kidnapping Police are now trying to determine how this could have happened without anyone noticing and whether any warning signs were missed Investigators want to look at records from city schools and the state child welfare agency Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said at a news conference Thursday is identified as “Male Victim 1” in police records posted $300,000 bail Thursday and was released from custody after appearing in Waterbury Superior Court “I would encourage people not to rush to judgment,” Kaloidis said in a phone interview while his biological mother has not been a part of his life He and Sullivan lived in the home that he set on fire Medical personnel said the man was near starvation and had wasting syndrome a condition of weight loss and muscle deterioration He was treated for smoke inhalation and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression Spagnolo said the man faces a long road of physical and mental treatment including taking up a collection to buy him clothes and other items The man told police that he was constantly hungry In later years when he was out of school and confined to the house he would get two sandwiches a day and some water while locked in his room The police’s only interactions with the family were in 2005 One was a welfare check after children who attended school with him before he was pulled out expressed concern about him The second and final time was after the family made a harassment complaint against school officials for reporting them to state child welfare officials Officers who went to the home said that they spoke to the man and reported there was no cause for concern Officials with the state Department of Children and Families said Thursday that they have not found any records of agency involvement with the family but were continuing to look They added that reports of neglect or abuse deemed unsubstantiated are erased five years after investigations are complete “We are shocked and saddened for the victim and at the unspeakable conditions he endured,” the department said in a statement “The now adult victim has shown incredible strength and resilience during this time of healing and our hearts go out to him.” When the man attended a Waterbury elementary school as a child staff saw that he was extremely small and thin and made multiple calls to the stepmother and the Department of Children and Families Spagnolo said police did not have that information when they responded to the man’s house in 2005 Waterbury school officials did not immediately return email messages seeking comment Thursday CT (WFSB) - A woman faces kidnapping and cruelty to persons charges for holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree assault “Thirty years in law enforcement [and] this is the worst treatment of humanity that I’ve ever witnessed,” said Chief Fernando Spagnolo Defense attorney Ioannis Kaloidis on Friday pleaded with the public to have patience Kaloidis insisted that all of the facts would come out “The allegations obviously are shocking,” he said during an interview with Channel 3 “They’ve shocked not just this community but the country and the world even.” He said he understood the outrage centered on Sullivan “She went from living her normal life in Waterbury Connecticut to being in the spotlight across the country and the world with a lot anger directed towards her,” Kaloidis said Sullivan insists the crimes never happened “She denies these allegations,” Kaloidis said “She was surprised to hear the claims made against her.” Police argued that Sullivan’s denial was bogus They pointed out that there were external locks on the victim’s door “The existence of a latch on a door does not mean that someone was locked in a room for two decades,” he said “A latch on a door means there’s a latch on a door.” Police also said there was the fact that the victim was 5′9″ tall and weighed only 68 pounds Kaloidis said Sullivan does not need to explain everything and that prosecutors have to convince a jury that a crime was committed “Allegations and provable facts at trial are two different things,” he said “We intend to uphold the state to their burden at trial They’re going to have to prove this case.” Sullivan stood in handcuffs in front of a judge Thursday morning as her terms of probation were argued Prosecutors asked for 24/7 surveillance with an ankle monitor They also asked for her to be confined to her home The judge decided on supervised release by a probation officer That meant she would have to frequently report to that person about where she’s going and what she’s doing Sullivan’s attorney argued that his client was shocked by the allegations and denied them Spilka did not comment on how then her stepson ended up in such horrible conditions all of these allegations speak to one specific complainant there is not threat to the whole public,” Spilka said Sullivan’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 26 Her lawyer said she planned to enter a “not guilty” plea on that day officers investigated Sullivan years ago over treatment of the victim “It’s shuttering to think that someone would treat any person let alone a family member or someone who was entrusted with a guardian or parental figure Police revealed Thursday that they first investigated the family in 2005 when other children told Department of Children and Families workers that they were worried about the victim The victim had been pulled out of school around that time because they had contacted DCF DCF provided a statement on Thursday afternoon “We are shocked and saddened for the victim and at the unspeakable conditions he endured The now adult victim has shown incredible strength and resilience during this time of healing and our hearts go out to him the Department of Children and Families has looked extensively at our current and historical databases and have been unable to locate any records pertaining to this family nor any records connected to the names of others who have indicated they made reports to our Department it should also be noted that reports of neglect and abuse that have been investigated and not substantiated are expunged 5 years after completion of the investigation provided there are no other substantiated reports We will continue our search and ask anyone with additional information to contact the Waterbury Police Department These horrors serve as a reminder that it takes the diligent efforts of all members of the community - family and professionals - to protect children from abuse and neglect A reasonable suspicion of child maltreatment can be made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Careline by dialing 1-800-842-2288 Callers to the Careline can remain anonymous the Department will be as transparent as possible while working within the parameters of both federal and state confidentiality laws.” “They spoke to the victim at that time and there [was] no cause for any alarm or any conditions that existed that would have led officers to believe anything other than a normal childhood.” Police also went to the house because the family wanted to file a harassment complaint against members of the school district saying they were continuously reporting them to DCF A DCF spokesperson told Channel 3 that records pertaining to the family are unavailable they get rid of any paperwork pertaining to the case after five years Police just recently learned that the abuse continued after they left “There’s a lot of physical therapy that he’ll have to go through,” Spagnolo said “There’s a lot of healing that he’ll have to go through mentally.” Police said they were called to the home on Feb 17 for a report of an active fire at a home on Blake Street in Waterbury Sullivan says that her stepson was injured and was still inside Watch the bodycam video of when the fire happened: They said two people were home at the time was able to safely evacuate and was escorted away from the scene had to be helped out of the home by the Waterbury Fire Department Police said he suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire he said he had intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room He was then put into the back of an ambulance and he lit that fire while he was locked in that room from the outside He lit that fire very well knowing he could die but he had been locked in the room for 20 years and for 20 years he’d been trying to get out of that room,” said a prosecutor in court on Wednesday “As bad as the victim looked in that interview seeing him in person it felt ten times worse I don’t want to put a number on it but it took everybody off guard,” said Waterbury Detective Steven Brownell when he spoke with CT Insider The prosecutor also said that he had been held captive by Sullivan since he was approximately 11 years old Brownell added that the victim thanked first responders repeatedly for saving his life but recovering none the less,” he continued She did not restrain him in anyway,” Sullivan’s attorney argued “She provided food and she provided shelter and she was blown away by these allegations akin to a survivor of Auschwitz’s death camp,” the prosecutor said The Office of the Child Advocate announced that it will be doing a preliminary review of the case “Detectives determined that the victim had been held in captivity for over 20 years “He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time.” He was also provided with only minimal amounts of food and water which led to his extremely malnourished condition He told police he would be given only two cups of water a day and was sometimes forced to drink out of the toilet the man was only allowed outside to do chores for his stepmother which meant that he was outside of the room for about a minute a day He told police that he had no contact with anyone outside of his home The warrant said that the last two reports of well being checks were from April 2005 He said the last time he left the house was with his father when he was 14 or 15 years old he told police the threat of losing the minimal food he was given and longer lockdowns kept him from trying to break out The man also said that only his stepmother and deceased grandmother knew of his situation Sullivan was arraigned in court on Wednesday The victim continued to receive treatment at a medical facility “The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable This case required relentless investigative effort and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.” It was also found that Sullivan had filed for bankruptcy in 2007 She listed a 13-year-old son as a dependent at the time Zeffery Guarnera was home the night of the Feb and then when the investigator started asking me about a man that may look like a child ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,‘” Guarnera said his step daughter claimed that she saw the man in the window more than a decade ago I was just on the swing set and I looked up at the back window and he just smiled and waved at me and I waved back and when I turned my head and looked back from the window Both neighbors said they were shaken up by the news of what happened “I think I’ve kind of convinced myself that maybe I did just make him up all those years ago but I just hope he gets the help that he needs to heal from everything If you were at that window and you don’t tap on the window and scream or do something to ask for help that you had to resort to this I can’t imagine how horrible his conditions were.” One uncle said that he’s been estranged from the family for decades and hadn’t seen the victim since 2005 He did tell police that about 10 years ago he spoke to a private investigator who suggested going to VITA Statistics to look for a death certificate Governor Lamont also weighed in on the situation calling it horrifying and vowing to get to the bottom of what happened If there are folks at DCF that still work there Quite honestly if there are folks that don’t work there DCF has an obligation to pursue them and figure out what was done and what could’ve been done differently,” said Republican Senator Jason Perillo He is also a ranking member on the children’s committee which oversees DCF policies in the legislature Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury organized an online fundraiser for the victim “He is facing the immense challenge of rebuilding his life after such a traumatic experience,” Save Haven said The organization created a GoFundMe fundraiser Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Waterbury police learned of a stabbing this weekend after a man was left at the Saint Mary’s Hospital emergency room with multiple wounds Waterbury police said officers responded to the Franklin Street hospital just after 7:30 p.m the man was in stable condition on Sunday and is expected to survive Authorities have not released any information about where the attack occurred or the victim but the incident remains under investigation Investigators urge anyone with information to contact Waterbury detectives at 203-574-6941 or Crime Stoppers at 203-755-1234 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiA Waterbury Select Board member’s endorsement of an appointee to the Harwood School Board has prompted criticism and a call for an ethics investigation from a former select board member.  Last week, former Waterbury Select Board member Chris Viens criticized the role that Tori Taravella played recently in encouraging the Harwood School Board to disregard the select board’s recommendation to reappoint Elizabeth Brown to the school board.  “The choices were made by the Waterbury Select Board [of] who they felt should represent us at the school board level attended the school board meeting and weighed in on promoting Pam [Eaton],” Viens said referring to the candidate the Harwood board appointed.  Tori's effort was a clear overstep as a select board member – to the point of being a very egregious overstep – to the point of almost calling for resignation I think I'm going to call for an ethics investigation on this See what you find for yourselves,” he told the select board The Harwood Unified Union School District School Board on April 16 voted to fill two of its Waterbury seats that were vacant following the March election when no candidates ran for those offices State law allows the school board to appoint members to vacant seats in between elections to serve until the next local election The school board is to make the appointment in “consultation with the selectboard” in the town the vacant seat represents The provision allows for local input into the process; however the school board is not required to follow the town board’s recommendation.  The Waterbury Select Board on April 7 interviewed four applicants for the two open positions and recommended that the school board reappoint Dan Roscioli and Elizabeth Brown both of whom had served on the school board over the past year after they were appointed in April 2024 but both expressed interest in returning when the seats went unfilled by the voters.  The Waterbury board unanimously endorsed Roscioli’s return to the school board; it voted 3-2 with Taravella casting one of the negative votes.  who was recommended unanimously by the Duxbury Selectboard.)  Taravella appeared before the school board to recommend her friend and fellow attorney colleague Although Eaton was interviewed by the Waterbury Select Board it did not vote on her application – votes were taken on Roscioli and Brown’s applications first resulting in the board selecting them to recommend.  Taravella told the school board she did not get to share her endorsement of Eaton with the town board she did not mention that she has a personal connection with Eaton.  After attending the select board interviews, Viens said he watched the video recording of the school board appointment meeting He took issue with what Taravella left out of her comments to the school board given that she was just elected to the Waterbury Select Board in March after having served three years on the school board.  “You didn't divulge that you were a select board member and you didn't divulge that you were a former school board member,” he said addressing Taravella directly during public comment at the April 21 select board meeting “You weighed in on your opinion about Pam so much so that one of the other school board members made the statement … that ‘Tori's push’ representing Pam was certainly a reason that he voted yes for Pam.” Viens was referring to school board member Jonathan Young from Warren who nominated Eaton for the board seat He pointed to Taravella’s endorsement and Eaton’s experience as a lawyer as reasons for his choice.  Chris Viens (seated center) comments to the Waterbury Select Board at its April 21 meeting Around the table from left: Board members Kane Sweeney and Tori Taravella board members Mike Bard and Alyssa Johnson Taravella listened but did not respond to Viens’ remarks “Please don’t take it personally,” several times “It's all about the position and how you represent us,” he explained.  In addition to Taravella making a recommendation contrary to the Waterbury Select Board’s choice Viens also took issue with the school board’s process for filling the seats.  Weir nominated Roscioli and the board voted unanimously to appoint him Given the board’s system of weighted voting the resulting 7-1 vote on Eaton’s nomination failed to get over 50% support until the board chair weighed in to cast the deciding vote.  The single vote against Eaton at the school board was from Fayston member Mike Bishop who works for the town of Waterbury as zoning administrator He asked whether the town board shared any comments as to why Eaton was not recommended He also noted that Eaton’s law firm does some legal work for the town Waterbury Municipal Manager Tom Leitz later confirmed that but said Eaton herself had never worked on any town legal matters.    Viens said he believes both Waterbury recommendations deserved a vote “Dan and Elizabeth should have been the first two in line then there should have been the ability to nominate somebody else,” he said.  Chair Ashley Woods acknowledged that the process was not ideal She echoed Waterbury Select Board members’ sentiment that they all would prefer that the positions get filled by the voters on election day.  But she also defended the school board’s steps saying she interpreted the shift to vote on Eaton rather than Brown as the board’s preference.  Viens said he does not expect the school board’s choice to change but he would like local state legislators to review the statutes governing how future school board vacancies are filled Absent a candidate on the ballot for voters to select Viens said school boards should be required to accept the choice of the town board “I believe it should be the sole job of the selectboard to decide who they want to fill those seats “You have [representatives from] five other towns deciding who’s going to represent your town Viens served on the Waterbury Select Board from 2012-2023.  who supported Elizabeth Brown’s reappointment to the school board commented on the school board’s action in filling the Waterbury openings calling that process “flawed.” Short of changing the law he suggests that select boards avoid recommending just one applicant for an opening if there is more than one contender.  if the Waterbury Selectboard is asked our opinion I would recommend either giving a ‘qualified’ or ‘not qualified’ recommendation on all candidates,” he said.  The better solution though is for candidates to run for election the voters are better suited to choose who represents them not the school board or the selectboard.” As for the ethics complaint, the Waterbury Select Board in March adopted an updated Conflict of Interest Policy that was revised to incorporate a new state statute into an earlier policy that was on the books.  The state statute says municipalities need to have “procedures for the investigation and enforcement of complaints that allege a municipal officer has violated the Municipal Code of Ethics.”  Waterbury Municipal Manager Tom Leitz explained that formal procedures for addressing complaints still need to be adopted “The draft procedures did require that a complaint be made in writing,” he noted so it is not clear if Viens’ verbal request to the select board last week would be adequate.  Leitz said that the steps the town will likely put in place would involve a select board review that could take place in executive session (the policy also allows for the individual named in a complaint to request that the review happen in open session) It also might involve review by the town’s attorney the board’s conclusions would be communicated to the party that brought the complaint would be provided to the individual who issued the original complaint and only to that individual,” he explained The policy so far lays out enforcement steps ranging from discussing the matter in private with the individual in question to publicly calling for an elected official’s resignation or taking action in court to potentially remove an elected officer.  Regardless of whether a formal inquiry proceeds Bard said he believes the matter could have been handled with more transparency Taravella's recommendation may not be an overt conflict of interest it is always proper to disclose any relations one has in the process to let decision-makers aware of potential perceived conflicts,” he said “This is especially true with recent conflict-of-interest issues at the Selectboard.”  The select board in January responded to a conflict-of-interest concern regarding a $7,000 allocation of 2024 local option tax revenue to the nonprofit Waterbury Area Trails Alliance Waterbury resident Sandy Sabin raised a concern that Shea had a conflict The board ultimately re-voted on the matter with Shea abstaining and the outcome remained unchanged.  Bard said he would have preferred if Taravella disclosed her connection with Eaton to the select board and likewise clarified her role as a select board member in the school board setting “Disclosure at both the Selectboard level and at the School Board would have cleared up any ambiguity,” he said The newest member of the Waterbury Select Board Taravella has acknowledged the concerns raised regarding her recommendation to the school board She said she didn’t have an opportunity to elaborate to the select board about her connection with Eaton during the interview meeting calling the matter “a learning lesson.”   CT) - A Waterbury man has been arrested and charged with defrauding Medicaid by billing the government health care program for personal care assistant and independent living skills services he did not perform 2025 by Inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with two counts of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding the Public Community in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-122(a)(3) in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-442,  one count of Conspiracy to Commit Health Insurance Fraud in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §  53a-48 and § 53-442 and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §  53a-48 and 53a-122(a)(3) Marion was enrolled as a provider in the Connecticut Medical Assistants Program (CMAP) as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and also to provide Independent Living Skill Services The PCA program is a Medicaid-funded program which provides recipients who have permanent funds to hire PCAs to physically assist them with daily self-care activities that enable them to reside in their homes and remain in the community The Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program allows the same recipient to receive independent living skills training which is designed to improve the individual’s ability to live independently in the community Investigation showed that from June 2021 to August 2023 Marion billed for PCA and independent life skill services never provided to the recipient while he resided in Texas Marion was paid $109,655.55 by Medicaid for these unrendered services Investigation also revealed that between March 2021 to July 2023 Marion completed a job application for a co-conspirator and submitted timesheets on her behalf for PCA services she did not provide The co-conspirator received payment and then transferred a portion of that money to Marion The fraudulent money received for this scheme totaled $44,476.57 The money profited by Marion in the amount of $109,655.55 constitutes the crime of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community The submission of claims to the Department of Social Services provided by Marion contained false or misleading information which constitutes Health Insurance Fraud The money profited in the amount of $44,476.57 through the agreement with another person constitutes the crime of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community The agreement with another person to submit the claims to the Department of Social Services provided by Marion containing false or misleading information constitutes Conspiracy to Commit Health Insurance Fraud Marion is being held on a $200,000.00 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on April 23 The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty and Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community are each classified as a B felony and punishable by up to 20 years in prison The case was investigated by and will be prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit The Unit is grateful for the assistance it received in the investigation from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services – Office of Quality Assurance and the Waterbury Police Department The Connecticut Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,362,872.00 for the fiscal year of October 1 totaling $787,620.00 for the same fiscal year Anyone with knowledge of suspected fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at (860) 258-5986 © 2025 CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) - The victim who was allegedly held captive for 20 years in Waterbury is speaking out. It has been nearly two months since he was rescued from a fire and an alleged personal prison His stepmother Kimberly Sullivan is accused of holding him captive for more than 20 years “Please call me ‘S.’ This is not the name given to me by my parents when I was born and I will use that name as I reclaim control over my life and my future and it is the first of many choices I will make for myself now that I am free I am a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse I was held prisoner in my home from the time I was taken out of the fourth grade at age 11 until two months ago at age 31 when I purposely set the fire that helped set me free I am speaking out today to begin the process of reclaiming my life and to have my say in how my story is told I am much better and stronger than I was the day the first responders carried me out of my home I am beyond grateful for the care I have received since then To all the health care professionals who have helped and nurtured me I appreciated the chance to have my first ever birthday party to celebrate turning 32 the law enforcement investigators and everyone who is working to hold those responsible for my abuse accountable Thank you to everyone at Safe Haven Waterbury and everyone who has given to the GoFundMe page that will help cover some of the overwhelming expenses I will face in the weeks I am grateful to the conservator and my attorney who will help guide me through the legal process ahead and I am grateful for their tireless support Much has already been said that tells part of the story of the abuse I endured I ask everyone involved in my story to fully cooperate with the authorities who are helping me seek justice for these crimes I also ask the public and the media to respect those investigations and my privacy as this process plays out Thank you all for your thoughts and messages your support and your continued prayers as I recover Please forward any inquiries about my recovery or the process ahead to David Guarino at Survivors Say who has volunteered to serve as my spokesman The victim released the statement through Survivors Say “a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing survivors victims and their families with free strategic communications services and resources in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy advocate and spokesperson when — or if — they choose to tell their story.” The organization created a GoFundMe fundraiser Her attorney released a statement on Wednesday that was in response to the statement from “S.” “The worst thing that can happen to a human being in this life is to be the victim of a heinous crime Nearly its equivalent is the horror of being falsely accused It makes the accused an object of hate who is disparaged and cast from society put forth by his handlers - lacks both specifics and credibility It appears timed to sway public opinion and its only purpose can be to poison the well of a future jury panel rather than seek justice through proper legal channels Sullivan’s attorney I am obliged to denounce it as an unsavory tactic a rush to judgment prioritized over truth.” Where are the signs of restraint?” said Attorney Ioannis Kaloidis Other family members say they have been searching for the victim for years He shouldn’t have been thrown away like garbage,” said Heather Tessman CT (WFSB) – Four people died when a BMW crashed into a corner store in Waterbury Police identified the people who died as Nelson Torres Noel Torres was a student in the Waterbury Public School system The district said it has been offering counseling to other students A vigil was set up just steps away from the crash scene Its candles remained burning into Friday morning Officers responded to Cherry Street around 12:45 a.m They said the BMW sedan slammed into the Hernandez Market and partially collapsed the building Cherry Street was closed from East Main to Walnut streets Emergency responders remained on scene well into the daylight hours the driver headed down Baldwin Street onto Cherry Street and lost control They said three of the four people in the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene The fourth was transported to a hospital and died there No one was inside the business when it was hit Waterbury police Chief Fernando Spagnolo noted during a Thursday morning news conference that the vehicle did not appear to have been stolen “I have reviewed some surveillance footage of the particular accident speed is going to play a role in this particular investigation,” Spagnolo said “But they’ll be a lot more to it than that.” A nearby resident recorded footage of the immediate aftermath showed the vehicle overturned on its roof as firefighters worked to remove debris to reach anyone who might have been trapped inside The neighbor who recorded it told Channel 3 that he was playing video games inside his home when he heard screeching tires followed by a loud crash [I] woke up [Thursday] morning and started crying,” said Silvia Arroyo of Waterbury Arroyo said she was inside Hernandez Market and walking along Cherry Street just a couple hours before the crash Slow it down,” said Detriss Dawkins of Waterbury Dawkins said speed is a frequent problem in the neighborhood Isabelle Martinez said she owns a restaurant that shares the building “It’s sad that I can’t open right now and I don’t know if the building is safe,” Martinez said “We’re thinking about we don’t know what we are going to do.” “My workers came and told me that the whole building was down I came running to see what happened,” Martinez said Refresh page and watch Eyewitness News for updates Brooke O'Steen will be sworn in as Stowe Police Chief on Monday May 5 Stowe Police Department will have a new police chief on duty as Brook O’Steen is set to be sworn in early Monday morning Town Manager Charles Safford announced the choice of O’Steen on Friday saying the department was “entering a new chapter of leadership.” O’Steen has worked for the Stowe department in several capacities since 2016 when she was hired as a part-time officer and then in 2017 as a full-time paramedic with Stowe Emergency Medical Services when she was hired to be Morristown’s Chief of EMS while continuing to serve part-time with Stowe Police.  O’Steen’s 22-year career in law enforcement includes 13 years at the United States Park Police in Washington D.C where she moved up to the rank of sergeant with a squad of 22 officers prior to her move to Vermont in 2015 she went to work for the University of Vermont Police Service.  O’Steen received the Vermont ALS Provider of the Year Award in 2022 from Vermont Emergency Management The award recognizes licensed EMS personnel for excellence in clinical skills contributions to the development of other EMS professionals or other involvement in the health and safety of communities in addition to providing emergency care She also received a 2023 Vermont Law Enforcement Award Safford said he looks forward to O’Steen taking the leadership role at Stowe Police praising her as a skilled officer and “an engaged leader who inspires her team to achieve their full potential.” “I am optimistic about what lies ahead under Brooke’s leadership as the new chief of Stowe PD,” Safford said in the announcement.  O’Steen succeeds interim Police Chief Francis Gonyaw who was named in January to serve during the search for a permanent chief Former Chief Don Hull who retired after 12 years at the start of 2025.  Safford thanked the members of the advisory committee that assisted in choosing the new chief: Drew Clymer,  Neil Van Dyke, Norm Willliams, Scott Brinkman, Scott Reeves, Maura Wieler, Sgt. Dustin Pray, and Morristown Police Chief Jason Luneau. According to the Stowe Reporter the committee worked with consultant and retired Vermont State Police colonel Jim Baker of JW Consulting to conduct the search.  The town’s announcement notes that O’Steen and her wife have worked in public safety through policing and firefighting since moving to Vermont in 2015.  Monday in the Akeley Memorial Room at town hall.  My husband and I have always considered ourselves environmentalists we didn’t understand quite how vulnerable our small business was to climate change.  Our efforts to address climate change and the drastic weather that it creates began after we lost our original Waterbury brewpub to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 Flooding from that storm devastated our small business and permanently changed our lives and perspective depends on effective and meaningful climate action and we lost our only source of revenue – our restaurant But after several weeks of the dirtiest and toughest clean-up work you can imagine we were informed that nothing below street level would be covered by insurance we found out that only about 30% of our losses would be covered We found out the hard way that most insurance policies have fine print regarding floods (even when you have “flood” insurance) These financial blows were crushing – our loss exceeded $500,000 But then we encountered barriers to rebuilding our business that went beyond replacing what we’d lost.  and we discovered we could no longer have any new underground construction where our basement brewery had been located and our insurance company would not insure it what would it have cost you to reopen the pub “There is no amount that would have allowed us to reopen The door closed on our pub with that storm.” I understand the logic used by the bankers and the insurers – they were avoiding risk we are not doing enough to fend off the risks of climate disaster our first cans of Heady Topper rolled off our new canning line This is what ultimately saved our company – a lot of good luck and good timing if we had not had that new brewery up and running we would have run out of money and hit a wall And that is the cost of climate disaster to small businesses – sudden Heady Topper comes off the canning line at The Alchemist Brewery Severe storms and flooding all too easily kill the small businesses that give our state and our main streets so much character If it were not for our new business venture at the time retail shops and restaurants Vermont has lost to flooding these past two years The Alchemist would be something of the past If we want to protect our small businesses and employers we need to work together to take collective steps on climate action drastic weather caused by climate change is still the biggest threat to our business The three main ingredients in our beer – clean water and malt – are all threatened by climate change and droughts in the UK that devastate our malt growers Scott’s frequent saying – we need to keep finding ways to make Vermont more affordable we need to stay committed to a comprehensive climate action plan that works for all Vermonters.  and we need to support pragmatic legislation that will help build a cleaner and more sustainable Vermont.  We need to make proactive investments today that will protect us and save us money in the future Investments in flood and storm mitigation will only get more expensive in the years ahead; the time for action is now.  depends on swift and strategic climate action but so does the future of our entire economy and the health of Vermont Jen Kimmich is co-founder and CEO of The Alchemist Brewery Julia is a senior majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in climate and environmental justice with minors in Computer Science and Geography. She is the editor-in-chief of Headwaters Magazine Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application She was the devoted wife of the late Chester Klimaszewski for over 47 years until his passing in 1990 daughter of the late Gaetano and Jennie (Infanti) Amatruda Norine is the beloved mother of Veronica Puleo of Bethany; Geraldine (Ralph) Napp of Watertown; Theresa Roberge of Cheshire; Michael (Jennifer) Klimaszewski of Wallingford; Anne (Joseph) Trentacoste of Weston FL; Margaret Gray of Newington; Justina (Victor) D’Amato of Cheshire; and Colette (Joseph) Cherneskie of Cheshire She is also survived by her thirty two loving grandchildren; thirty three cherished great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews John and Gregory Klimaszewski; her sons-in-law Michael Roberge and James Puleo; and her brother Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Our websites may use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience. 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For more information, please see our University Websites Privacy Notice 'Mayor O’Leary recognized the potential of this structure when many considered it beyond saving' A downtown Waterbury landmark has entered the next phase of its history as the new home of several UConn academic and research programs complementing and expanding the wide range of offerings at the adjacent UConn Waterbury campus It also has a new name: The Neil O’Leary Building honoring the former longtime Waterbury mayor who shepherded the 130-year-old Odd Fellows Hall from ruin to renaissance in partnership with UConn including scores of lifelong Waterbury residents gathered last Thursday night at the building for the renaming and a ribbon-cutting event It included an open house and dedication ceremony with welcoming remarks from local and regional leaders including Lt “This is such an exciting time for UConn and our beautiful state and this building is a testament to what’s possible,” Bysiewicz said of the six-story building which had been unused and deteriorating for about 15 years before the restoration Green Hub Development III LLC purchased and renovated the landmark building through a public-private partnership in which O’Leary was one of the most enthusiastic proponents UConn is leasing about 26,300 square feet to expand the University’s offerings in nursing Thursday night’s event celebrated not only UConn Waterbury’s growing downtown presence but also O’Leary’s vision as the driving force in the rescue and reuse of the once-crumbling historic structure “Mayor O’Leary recognized the potential of this structure when many considered it beyond saving,” said Fumiko Hoeft UConn Waterbury’s dean and chief administrative officer “His vision – combined with the University’s leadership and strong partners – brought it back to life it stands ready to serve the community and generations of UConn students.” O’Leary knew it might be a hard sell to convince others of the potential he’d long seen in the structure He laughed Thursday as he recalled shepherding UConn leaders through its dank crumbling hallways – all wearing hard hats and face masks and carrying umbrellas to shield them from the rain that came in through the roof’s many holes It’s home to UConn’s clinic-style nursing and health care simulation rooms The building also houses Access Rehab Centers which held an open house during Thursday night’s event; and is home to the Waterbury Robotics Institute a collaboration between UConn and Waterbury Public Schools Although speaker after speaker at Thursday night’s event lauded O’Leary he said credit also goes to a wide range of partners that include Hoeft UConn trustees Tom Ritter and Marilda Gandara Waterbury’s current administration and legislative delegation what’s important is what we can do for the city’s and the state’s greatest assets – and that’s our students,” O’Leary said “We must do everything in our power to support our rising students and our partnership between our city and UConn is so strong.” The six-story building, originally built for the local chapter of the International Order of Odd Fellows social group, is in a prime downtown location and dates to 1895 Its renovation was funded through a state grant to the City of Waterbury along with Green Hub’s private funding It was modernized for today’s needs while retaining key elements of its history including Venetian Gothic exterior features overlooking the Waterbury Green and the ornate ceiling in its former banquet hall UConn’s plan to expand its nursing education programs into the building is particularly noteworthy given the high demand in that profession both statewide and specifically in Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley region a frequent and enthusiastic visitor to UConn Waterbury said Thursday night that the connections between the University and community go beyond the renovation of the Neil O’Leary Building and unity … There’s something very special about this place as a working-class community whose residents care deeply for each other,” Maric said The growth of UConn Waterbury’s campus and academic offerings also complements the UConn Strategic Plan which includes ensuring that the campuses in Waterbury and Avery Point offer signature programs that are destinations within UConn UConn’s Board of Trustees approved the expansion plans in 2023 which are part of a larger commitment to strengthen the University’s presence and partnerships in the Naugatuck Valley They include UConn’s deep involvement in the Waterbury Promise scholarship program, under which many dozens of Waterbury graduates are attending the University; and the establishment and growth of the allied health sciences major on the campus UConn Waterbury also prides itself on providing a tight-knit community that serves students’ individual needs while ensuring they can access world-class UConn programs in undergraduate and graduate-level fields that lead to strong UConn Waterbury’s new space in the Neil O’Leary Building will be ideal for serving current students while also advancing community partnerships with schools and community space that UConn is leasing also provides resources for humanities and social sciences That includes the HACER Lab, a hub for humanistic inquiry, research, and pedagogy developed in collaboration with Waterbury students and community partners; the Ideas + Impact initiative; and other learning communities focused on social impact These facilities will be used by programs in nursing it will serve as the home for the Haskins Global Literacy Hub and UConn Waterbury focused on promoting education and conducting innovative research to enhance literacy globally The Odd Fellows Building has a rich history in the City of Waterbury and its restoration and use by UConn carries strong emotional and economic significance to the area Built at a cost of $100,000 and said to be among the finest of its time in the region, the building’s opening in 1895 drew more than 5,000 members of the group from around the East Coast and was featured in the New York Times In fact, the opening was marked by a parade and the event was so important to the city that all factories and schools were closed for the day, and all business shut down at noon, according to another Times article A clothing store occupied the first floor for about its first five years in addition to the meeting rooms and social spaces used by the Odd Fellows and others on the higher floors Bissett & Holland department store was in the building from 1902 until the mid-1960s who joked that his role as Waterbury’s current mayor includes many ribbon-cuttings at projects that O’Leary initiated during his tenure said Thursday that the building’s revival is symbolic: Just as O’Leary envisioned a promising future for a crumbling building that building now provides a promising future for those who will use it That’s exactly what he saw in this building: a structure that had seen better days but which could be brought back to life and serve this community in a powerful way,” Pernerewski said “This building and all it’s going to bring to UConn Waterbury and to our city is a reflection of Neil’s vision for Waterbury: bold Details: cache-fra-eddf8230150-FRA 1746518385 1241995172 As the days get longer and the sun warms the forest floor These charming early bloomers captivated the writer and naturalist John Burroughs who extolled their “winsome grace” in his poem “Hepatica.”  Hepatica flowers close on cloudy days and when night falls to preserve their pollen for times when pollinators are most likely to be on wing the flowers are easy to spot amid the brown leaf litter of the past fall.  Hepaticas vary in color from white and pale pinks to deep purples and with many flowers displaying 5 to 7 sepals Their stems and new leaves are covered in long which are important for protecting the plant from the lingering cold.   are plants that emerge in early spring and disappear from sight by the time the canopy closes completing their whole life cycle before the leafed-out trees block sunlight from reaching the ground the term is also used more loosely to describe flowers that bloom within this time frame but may bear leaves throughout the season “The definition is not always consistent,” said Abby Yancy who studied the biogeography and phenology of spring ephemerals at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and is now completing her PhD at the University of Pittsburgh.  their leaves last until the following spring the plant can jumpstart photosynthesis the following spring providing the resources it needs to bloom as soon as things start to warm up.  the presence of overwintering leaves actually makes them evergreen,” Yancy said.  The three-lobed leaves are the key to their name The “doctrine of signatures,” an idea that became popular in the 16th century postulated that the healing properties of plants were divinely communicated through their appearance Though some plants have been critical in developing effective medicines scientists have found hepatica to be toxic in large quantities.  though botanists now place them in the Anemone genus with wood anemone and other windflower species.  Sharp-lobed hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) has Each of the three lobes on a leaf ends in a pointy tip while blunt-lobed hepatica (Anemone americana) has rounded lobes.  both species can be identified in any season the two species also have slightly different ecological niches Sharp-lobed hepatica grows in deciduous and often rocky forests where there is some enrichment in the soil One theory for their color variety is that different colors attract different pollinators Because resources are limited for pollinators at this time of year hepaticas don’t need to put any energy towards nectar production – when a pollinator finds a flower in a shade it likes meaning they contain both male and female parts and are capable of self-pollination.  they bend under the weight of their achenes an attached deposit rich in protein and fat which makes it an appealing meal for an insect Hepaticas rely on ant-dispersal (myrmecochory) and then discards the achene with other nutrient-rich waste meaning it’s in an ideal location to grow next year.  These achenes must be exposed to cold to successfully germinate so we have our winters to thank for their success.  So while you search the forest floor for hepatica flowers this spring and enjoy what Burroughs called a “concert sweet without sound,” remember that their namesake leaves will be here to remind us of the delights of this brief flowering season all year round.  Catherine Wessel is the assistant editor at Northern Woodlands. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation The Waterbury Police Department has just sent out an advisory on social media warning a specific group of vehicle owners that their car is being targeted by thieves over the past two weeks there has been a noticeable increase in the theft of rims and tires from 2019-2024 Honda Accord Sport models No specific locations around the city were given out with the advisory but Waterbury PD says that the thieves have been breaking windows in order to access wheel lock keys that you may have stored in your glove compartment Most of the thefts have been reportedly happening during the overnight hours In just the past few months in Connecticut a man from Hamden was accused of stealing multiple tires and rims from an automobile dealership in Torrington If you do have any information on the recent rash of wheel and rim thefts in Waterbury Rodriguez of the Waterbury PD at 203-574-6941 No specific locations around the city were given out with the advisory, but Waterbury PD says that the thieves have been breaking windows in order to access wheel lock keys that you may have stored in your glove compartment\nRead More The Waterbury Police Department has just sent out an advisory on social media warning a specific group of vehicle owners that their car is being targeted by thieves 2025 at 12:55 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A car flipped and struck a building early Thursday morning (Patch Graphics)UPDATE: The victims in the crash have been identified by police The four killed in the accident were: Jayden Torres Puszka is also referred to as Jonathan by family Police also corrected the name of Jayden Torres An early police investigation found that the car was driving north on Baldwin Street when it crossed the intersection with East Main Street The driver then lost control and the car struck the 35 Cherry St Cherry Street remained closed as of Thursday afternoon CT — Four people were killed when a car crashed into a Waterbury convenience store early Thursday morning Police believe speed played a role in the accident reporting a car colliding with Hernandez Market The building is at the corner of Cherry and Maple Street in Waterbury Three people were declared dead at the scene of the crash A fourth person was taken to the hospital and later died The driver of the car involved, a BMW, lost control before striking the building, according to WFSB 3-TV No one was inside the shop when it was struck Footage of the accident recorded by a neighbor shows the car overturned on its roof and engulfed in debris from the building, WFSB 3-TV reported Read More: Prominent TV News Anchor Leaving Station Part of Cherry Street was closed from East Main Street to Walnut Street "until further notice" due to the investigation Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said in a press conference Thursday morning that surveillance footage showed that speed played a role in the accident, according to video on WTNH News-8 Spagnolo said the investigation is in its early stages Police have not released the identities of those killed in the crash pending notification of next of kin The mixed-use building was constructed in 1900 and was sold in October 2023 for $400,000, according to Hearst Connecticut Media Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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