Danbury, Fairfield County | featured news

RIDGEFIELD — A fire at a single-family home on Limekiln Road is under investigation by the fire marshal.

The fire, which was reported between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, caused heat damaged to two to three rooms and smoke damage throughout the house, Fire Chief Kevin Tappe said.

A woman who lives alone escaped the fire in the one-and-a-half story frame house without injury. The resident reported the fire, Tappe said.

The cause of the fire was not known Sunday night, Tappe said.

A resident of a Mill Plain Road condo complex was shocked Friday morning when she discovered a stranger sleeping on her couch, police said.

Danbury police said Kenneth Tucker Jr., 22 of New Street, told authorities he mistakenly entered the victim’s home thinking that it was his cousin’s residence.

Police said that the screen on the window was broken and that Tucker was found sleeping with a sheet pulled over him. Tucker, police said, admitted he had been drinking that night.

Tucker is charged with first degree burglary, third degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

After being arrested for driving an unregistered motor vehicle and misuse of a license plate on I-91, a 24-year-old man threatened to kill the trooper who busted him, State Police say.

The driver - Thomas Eldridge, of Wethersfield, was issued a misdemeanor summons to court for several motor vehicle charges including illegal tint, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating without insurance and misuse of license plates.

Eldridge made several other threatening statements regarding killing the trooper, state police posted on their Facebook page Saturday.

NEW MILFORD — When “Bully” heard that he wouldn’t get all his money from a cocaine deal, he and his friends invaded a New Milford condo, stole a gun and assaulted two men with a razor blade, police said. Christopher Valedon, 23, known as “Bully” in cocaine-dealing circles, appeared in state Superior Court in Bantam earlier this month, charged with five felonies including first-degree kidnapping, home invasion and first-degree assault.

BRIDGEPORT—The condition of the surviving occupant of a plane that crashed near the Brainard Airport in East Hartford has improved, officials confirm.

The survivor has been upgraded from “critical” to “fair” condition, and transferred to the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit, according to spokesman John Cappiello.

“Fair means stable, improving,” he said.

The FBI is currently investigating after indications that the plane crash was intentional, the AP has reported.

Staff writer Amanda Cuda contributed reporting.

DANBURY — Police said more forensic analysis is needed in the investigation of a woman and mother of four who was found dead with a gunshot wound in a South Street apartment Saturday. “The case is an active investigation which still requires more interviews, follow up and forensic analysis,” said Det. Lt. Chris Carroccio, a spokesman for the department. Sherrie Blount, 31, whose four young children were home at the time of the shooting, was found dead in a South Street apartment at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday from a single gunshot wound, police said.

Stackowitz, 71, had been running from police since he escaped in August, 1968 from the infirmary at the Carroll County Prison Work Camp in Georgia where he was serving 17-year prison sentencing for robbery by force.

The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles gave up their extradition request and granted Stackowitz a medical reprieve last month given that his health has continued to deteriorate since his arrest this spring.

According to his attorney, Stackowitz only has about two to four years to live and suffers from a variety of health conditions including has heart problems, cancer, f

Volunteers with the American Red Cross were traveling to the neighborhood to assist the homeowners.

Because the neighborhood lacks public water, fire crews were forced to use tanker trucks to bring water to the fire.

Crews with the city’s fire department used rescue jacks and air bags to lift the truck and remove the bicyclist, who authorities said was suffering from a heart attack at the time.

The police department’s accident investigation team was sent to the scene of the accident.

BETHEL — Fire Department crews are responding to a natural gas leak in the Berkshire Corporate Park near Stony Hill after a construction crew in the are ruptured a gas main.

According to reports, the Eversource gas company is asking that emergency officials evacuate the area surrounding 1 Park Ridge Road. Crews with the gas company are on their way to the scene.

The park is home to several notable businesses including the world headquarters for Duracell Corp.