Connecticut

 More state news from Gannett    Norwich Bulletin

Friday, June 19

Thursday, June 18
Hartford - Jeffrey Garfield is retiring after 30 years as the executive director and general counsel of the state's Elections Enforcement Commission. His tenure spanned the administrations of five governors. The commission was created in 1974. Garfield was named to the top post in 1979.

Wednesday, June 17
Ansonia - State police are looking for vandals who targeted Emmett O'Brien Technical School over the weekend, damaging the roof of the building and trashing four buses. Drain covers on the roof were broken, causing a leak that damaged four computers. The cost of damages is being tallied.

Tuesday, June 16
Hartford - Connecticut Voices for Children released a study claiming state subsidies for the entertainment industry have been a losing cause. The report said data from the Commission on Culture and Tourism shows the state has awarded $2.73 in production tax credits for every dollar of spending on the production of films, TV shows, commercials and video games. Delaware: Smyrna - State Police detectives said they have arrested a man believed to be a major supplier of marijuana in Kent and Sussex counties. Troopers discovered about 2 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop and learned the drugs were bought at the home of Jeremy Desantis, 30. He is charged with trafficking and delivery of marijuana, among other charges. D.C.: Edward Hawkins died in July 2008, but his siblings said his parole officer is still looking for him, The Washington Post reported. The federal Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, which oversees the city's parolees, said a warrant is still out for Hawkins' arrest. Family members are frustrated by the agency's calls looking for their brother. CSOSA said the case is being reviewed.Florida: Miami - The African-American committee of Dade Heritage Trust held a community meeting to begin the search for descendants of people buried at a forgotten cemetery that was uncovered at a construction site in April. A search failed to uncover any names, records or documents. Some longtime residents said there was once an informal burial ground for blacks at the site. Georgia: Blackshear - The blueberry crop in the southeast part of the state is mostly ruined. The University of Georgia Agriculture Extension Service agents said colder-than-normal weather devastated high-bush blueberries early in the season and heavy rains over the past several weeks have ruined much of the rabbit-eye berries now in the field. Hawaii: Honolulu - The Capitol is getting a $1.7 million makeover that is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 21, when Hawaii celebrates 50 years of statehood. State officials say the renovations are necessary, but some argue the spending is wasteful at a time when budgets are tight and Hawaii public employees face furloughs.Idaho: Nampa - A growing number of idled boxcars and locomotives are filling the sidings, reflecting the economic downturn, Union Pacific spokeswoman Zoe Richmond said. Across the state, more than 1,000 rail cars are parked on sidetracks - and nationwide the railroad has parked 70,000 cars and 2,000 locomotives, Richmond said. The car total is up from about 20,000 late last year, Richmond said.Illinois: Chicago - An Irish company hoping to benefit from the Obama administration's emphasis on renewable energy purchased three Illinois wind farms near Chicago. Mainstream Renewable Power bought the farms for an undisclosed sum. It'll invest $1.69 billion to finish the projects. CEO Eddie O'Connor said he's encouraged by the billions being set aside for clean energy. Indiana: Elkhart - Police investigating a report of a possible suicide found an eye doctor under indictment for performing unnecessary surgeries dead along with his wife hours before they were scheduled to surrender to authorities. The bodies of Dr. Philip Gabriele, 44, and his wife, Marcella, 43, were found Monday. Lt. Ed Windbigler said they died from gunshot wounds. Iowa: Des Moines - Court of Appeals Judge John Miller, 66, of Burlington is retiring after a decade on the panel. Miller announced Monday he would retire July 23 after about 10 years on the court. Since getting his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1975, Miller, 66, has held a number of positions as a lawyer and judge in the state. Gov. Chet Culver will fill the court opening.Kansas: Topeka - Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh announced Monday he is ending his bid to be the state's next governor 14 months before the Republican primary. In issuing his statement, Thornburgh said "a run for governor is not meant to be." That leaves U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback as the leading Republican in the race. Thornburgh remains secretary of State through Jan. 11, 2011. Kentucky: Frankfort - State Senate President David Williams said he's not running for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Williams, a Republican, said he doesn't have time to focus on a U.S. Senate bid. Instead, he's seeking another state Senate term and looking to retain the Republican lead in that chamber. U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning currently holds the post and said he's seeking another term. Louisiana: Baton Rouge - Gov. Bobby Jindal said he will strip from the budget bill $278 million in spending that was tied to other pieces of legislation. Jindal said Monday he will use his line-item veto to remove those dollars because they are linked to legislation he doesn't expect to gain final passage from lawmakers. The Senate reversed planned cuts to several public colleges, health services and other programs. Maine: Auburn - TD Banknorth said it plans to open a new customer-service call center that will employ 300 workers, with another 200 new jobs coming from a TD Banknorth facility in Lewiston. A former Steve & Barry's clothing store at Auburn Mall will be renovated at a cost of $16 million. Renovation will start later this year, with the opening planned in mid-2010. Maryland: Cumberland - Ridership is down on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. General superintendent Frank Fowler said there were about 3,292 riders in May 2008, but only 2,763 in May 2009. That's a drop of about 16%, and a 5% drop is expected in June.

Monday, June 15