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In this file photo Alexander Lee, 21, appears in superior court in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday , December 4, 2013. Photo: H John Voorhees III

DANBURY — Alexander Lee, 23, of New Milford, will spend at least eight years in jail after he was sentenced Friday in the hit-and-run death of a Weston cyclist in 2013.

After an emotional hearing at Superior Court in Danbury, Judge Dan Shaban sentenced Lee to 25 years in jail, with execution suspended after eight years, followed by a five-year probation.

Lee pleaded guilty last month to misconduct with a motor vehicle, tampering with physical evidence and evading responsibility leading to death. He was also sentenced for an unrelated narcotics charge.

Tom Steinert-Threlkeld, 59, a journalist and an avid cyclist from Weston, died in October 2013 after he collided with the passenger side of Lee’s car while riding on Route 302 in Bethel, according to court documents. The victim approached an intersection where Lee’s car made a left turn in front of him, causing him to hit the car and fall from his bicycle, police said.

Lee drove away and avoided apprehension for more than a month.

Steinert-Threlkeld’s widow, Kaite, their two sons, and the victim’s sister spoke during the hearing Friday.

“There was absolutely no reason my husband had to die in a horrific manner,” the widow told the court. “And it’s all because of you, Mr. Lee. You have created a living hell for me and my family.”

Lee apologized to the family in a brief statement before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

“There was no intention of me leaving my house and accidentally killing somebody,” he said. “I’m really sorry. I mean it.”

The portion of Laurel Hill Road between Old Route 7 and Station Road will be closed to traffic on Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., police said Friday.

Dakota Partners and their subcontractor are scheduled to deliver and set the Modular Units for the last of the three-building project at that time, according to Major James Purcell.

Only emergency vehicles, school buses and postal vehicles will be allowed to pass.

Questions regarding the closure can be directed to the Brookfield P.D. at 203-775-2575.

NEW MILFORD — A 20 year old local man is facing motor vehicle racing charges after his arrest Thursday on Danbury Road.

Caleb J. Feudi, of Wellsville Avenue, New Milford was stopped near DinerLuxe at 108 Danbury Road about 10:59 p.m. Thursday  engaged in street racing, police said.

Feudi, who was driving a 1996 black Volkswagen Golf, was charged with operating a motor vehicle engaged in motor vehicle racing and speeding to 70 mph on an access highway.

He was released on a written promise to appear in Bantam Superior Court on March 30.

NEW MILFORD — A one car crash Friday night led to drunken driving charges against a New Milford man.

Ryan Laurentus, 26, of Upper Reservoir Road, New Milford was arrested Friday about 10:30 p.m. when officers responded to the area of 612 Kent Road for a motor vehhicle accident with vehicle down an embankment.

After the investigation at the scene of the crash, Laurentus was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, police said. He was released on $500 bond with a court date March 30 in Superior Court in Bantam.

NEW MILFORD  – A 53 year old local man was arrested Saturday on a court issued failure to appear warrant from June 2007.

Jeffrey Simaleavich, of Geiger Road, New Milford was arrested on the warrant when police responded to a call Saturday. He was released on $2,500 bond with a court date March 30 in Superior Court in Bantam.

Simaleavich’s case file is sealed according to the state Judicial Website.

DANBURY — Kamden Dunne, 4-month-old, may have been the youngest Irishman at the St. Patrick’s Day festivities Sunday at the Danbury Irish Cultural Center.

Kamden donned a green knit Irish cap to celebrate the day and his parents, Brian and Kaitlin Dunne, and grandmother, Anne Marie Gorman, were proud to see the twinkle in his eye.

“The sun is out. It’s a little bit warmer this afternoon,” Gorman said. “It will bring people out to the parade and that’s what we want — people to come out and have a great time and celebrate with us.”

The 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was led by Irish bagpipers dressed in Irish tartan kilts. They made their way from St. Peter’s Church, along West Street and up Lake Avenue to the Cultural Center.

It may be a few days into spring, but winter temperatures are sticking around as high temperatures are expected to only reach the mid-30s on Monday in the Danbury area. Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the week and could reach 60 degrees by Thursday.

There are no major issues on the roadways in the Danbury area this morning, but a portion of Laurel Hill Road between Old Route 7 and Station Road in Brookfield will be closed Monday and Tuesday. The roadway will be closed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. as modular units are delivered for a development project.

BROOKFIELD — A 49-year-old Brookfield man is facing arson charges stemming from a March 11 incident at his residence.

James Masulo, of Junction Road, Brookfield was arrested March 18 on warrant charges of third-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment and failure to grant right of way on a private road/driveway.

Masulo’s arrest was the result of an arson investigation at his residence. Masulo was released on a $50,000 bond on arraignment March 18 in Superior Court in Danbury. His next court date is April 8 to enter a plea.

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The former site of Wykeham Rise girls school in Washington sold March 3 to the Pali-Group of Hollywood, CA. for $5.2 million

WASHINGTON — After struggling for years to get land use approval to build on their property at 101 Wykeham Road, the Klauers have sold the property to The Pali-Group, of Hollywood, CA.

The sale was recorded March 3 in the Washington Assessor’s office. The sale price was $5.2 million.

The Pali-Group acknowledged in fall 2014 that it was partnering with the Klauers to construct a high end inn on the former Wykehma Rise property. Now it seems the high end hotel chain will be sole owner of any future inn.

Two empty parked cars in the driveway of a home on Bennetts Farm Road in Ridgefield were found with bullet holes Monday morning, police said.

A single shot is believed to have passed through the body of one of the cars and then hit the other, police said. No injuries were reported.

The owner of the cars and the home called police at 7:35 a.m. Monday morning upon discovering the bullet marks. Police believe the incident occurred at 2 a.m. on Monday, although Public Information Officer Jeff Kreitz would not explain why because the investigation is ongoing.

The home is located near the intersection of Bennetts Farm Road and Old Stagecoach Road.

The Ridgefield P.D. is asking anyone with information to call 203-438-6531.

The Ridgefield assessor’s office is accepting applications until April 1 for its Elderly Tax Credit. The credit, which is not based on income, takes $1,048 off property tax bills for qualified homeowners.

To qualify, residents must have turned at least 65-years-old by Dec. 31, 2014. They also must have resided at and paid real estate taxes on their home for at least one year prior to applying, reside at their home at least 183 days of the year and are not receiving any other exemptions on properties.

Homeowners who already receive this benefit don’t need to reapply. To receive an application or to obtain more information, residents can call the assessor’s office at 203-431-2706.

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More than 1,600 people volunteered at the free, two-day dental clinic at West Conn. (Carol Kaliff)

The free dental clinic held at West Conn on Friday and Saturday provided $1.65 million in care to 1,997 patients, according to event organizers.

The eighth annual event, sponsored by the Connecticut Mission of Mercy, needed to shutter its doors early each afternoon because the O’Neill Center was filled to capacity.

The clinic was designed to aid people who don’t have access to affordable dental care or need a way to offset its costs. More than 1,600 volunteers served over the weekend, with 136 dental chairs servicing patients for cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, oral surgery and limited root canals.

The event rotates throughout Connecticut each year, and Danbury was the state’s first repeat host city.

NEW MILFORD — A speeding violation on Danbury Road led to a drug possession arrest for a 24-year-old local man.

Alhenise Rosa, of Flower Hill Road, New Milford was stopped Friday about 12:24 a.m. at near the Valero gas station on Danbury Road after an officer saw his 2002 Subaru Legacy speeding, police said.

During the traffic stop the New Milford Police Narcotics K-9 was called to the scene and located marijuana hidden inside the steering column, police said. The marijuana was packaged individually, according to police.

Rosa was arrested and charged with transport of cannabis with intent to sell and possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana. He was released on $1,500 bond with a court date March 30 in Superior Court in Bantam.

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Terrence Walker

DANBURY – A Danbury drug dealer and one of his associates were arrested Monday after a police search in their home turned up a “substantial” quantity of narcotics, police said.

The investigation began several weeks ago in response to complaints that Terrence “Ratchet” Walker, of Park Avenue, was selling illegal drugs from throughout the Danbury area, according to a news release.

Based on a surveillance of Walker, his vehicle and home, “which revealed activity consistent with drug trafficking,” police said, a judge from the Superior Court in Danbury authorized the search of his home, vehicle and person.

Police then seized Walker’s vehicle at about 5:40 p.m. Monday after he parked in a business parking lot on Germantown Road.  In the car, they found heroin and crack cocaine, which was prepared for sale, police said.

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Sonya Henry

After arresting Walker, members of the Danbury Police Department’s Special Investigations Division searched his home, where they found Sonya Henry, one of his associates, along with two school-age children, according to the release. At the house, police found a quantity of heroin, cocaine and money.

Henry was also arrested while the Department Children and Families was called for the children, police said.

Walker and Henry were charged with possession of narcotics, possession of crack cocaine, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, possession of narcotics with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and risk of injury to a child.

Walker was held in lieu of $250,000 bond. Henry was released on a promise to appear.

NEW MILFORD — A 38-year-old Danbury man is facing drunken driving charges after traffic stop in New Milford.

Edwin Ortega, West Street, Danbury was arrested Sunday about 12:13 a.m. after police responded to a report of erratic driving on Danbury Road. Ortega’s 1998 Honda Accord was found by police as he pulled into S. J. Barrington’s at 48 Kent Road.

Ortega was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and held for arraignment Monday. He was released on $1,000 court set bond following arraignment in Superior Court in Bantam. His next court date is April 22 to enter a plea.

Six teams from the Brookfield school district won their division at the Odyssey of the Mind state competition at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven on Saturday.

Two high school teams, along with four others, have been invited to represent Connecticut at the World Finals, which will be held at Michigan State University from May 20-24. Teams from throughout the U.S. and 25 other countries are scheduled to attend.

The team of Priya Chelladurai, Daisy Lowe, Sequoia Lowe, Heather McLoone, Emma Morton and Bibi Phadnis won the Experiencing Technical Difficulties problem in the Technical Performance category, while the group of Subhatra Chelladurai, Eli Jordan, Maddy Oldham, Kevin Sayour and Daisy Scott took the top prize in the Pandora’s Box problem in the Classic Performance category.

The Experiencing Technical Difficulties team also won the Jill Riggles Award, which is given to the team with the highest spontaneous score at the state meet.

Brookfield sent 13 teams consisting of 91 students to the state competition, and all teams placed in the top-10 in their category, according to co-coordinator Emily Menendez-Aponte.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

Complete results of the meet can be found here.

The teams that qualified for the World Finals have begun fundraising for their trip, which will average about $900 per student.

People who would like to contribute can contact Menendez-Aponte at emilymaponteom@gmail.com.

UPDATE: 4:30 P.M.

Police in Torrington have confirmed that the man fleeing from police on Route 7 this morning is suspected of robbing a TD Bank in that town.

They identified him as Torrington resident Christopher Basigalup:

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Christopher Basigalup

UPDATE: 3:12 P.M.

Connecticut State Police have released new information regarding this morning’s crash in New Milford.

A state trooper noticed a motor vehicle violation on a pickup truck traveling on Interstate 84 westbound near exit 6 in Danbury at about 10 a.m., according to a news release. The trooper tried to stop the truck using his cruiser’s lights and sirens, but the driver would not stop, police said.

The driver left the highway at exit 2 and then re-entered the highway on the eastbound side, continuing to engage the trooper in a pursuit, according to the release. Police said the truck driver left I-84 again at exit 7, entering Route 7 northbound. He eventually struck the rear of a box truck that was in slow-moving traffic in New Milford, according to police.

The suspect was extricated from his truck. He had serious injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital, police said. The driver of the box truck did not appear to be injured, but was transported to the Hospital for evaluation.

The suspect still has not been charged. A State Police spokesman said authorities are investigating whether the driver was involved in a bank robbery in Torrington Tuesday morning.

UPDATE: 1:28 P.M.

State Police were chasing a bank robbery suspect when the pursuit ended in a crash on Route 7 in New Milford Tuesday morning, according to a FoxCT report.

Police say the suspect robbed the TD Bank on High Street in Torrington at about 8:45 a.m., the report states. While they searched for the suspect, all Torrington schools were placed on lockdown, according to the report.

UPDATE: 11:55 A.M.

State Police have opened one lane in each direction of Route 7 in New Milford.

UPDATE: 11:29 A.M.

The northbound lanes on Route 7 in New Milford are still closed late Tuesday morning as State Police investigate the crash followed by a police pursuit shortly after 10 a.m., police said.

The male driver was injured in the crash and taken to Danbury Hospital, according to State Police.

UPDATE: 10:51 A.M.

A person was extricated from a vehicle following a serious crash on northbound Route 7 near the Brookfield and New Milford line, according to scanner and social media reports.

ORIGINAL POST: 10:30 A.M.

At least two lanes are closed on Route 7 after a crash near the New Milford and Brookfield line, according to State Police Troop A.

Police did not immediately provide any details but scanner reports indicate the crash took place on the northbound side of the highway, near exit 12.

More information as it becomes available.

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NEWTOWN – The home of Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza has been torn down, following the sentiment of the community that saw it as an unwanted reminder of the Dec. 14, 2012 massacre.

The white Colonial home where 20-year-old Lanza lived before he shot his mother to death and then killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School had been turned over to the town at no cost by the bank that held the mortgage.

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Adam Lanza

The town’s Legislative Council voted 10-0 in January to demolish the Yogananda Street home after neighbors said the home was an unwanted attraction on the street.

“All I want to say is I am glad it is done,” Legislative Council Chairman Many Ann Jacob said Tuesday.

A Danbury man was beaten and robbed after he “accidentally brushed up against” another man on Railroad Place Monday morning, police said.

The 57-year-old victim tried to walk away after the accident, but the suspect and two other men started yelling and him, pulled him back and punched him, according to the report.

Police identified the suspect as Mikayel Zullo, 19, of Aaron Samuels Boulevard, Danbury.

The victim was also hit from behind with what police believe was a bottle and he then fell to the ground, police said. The three males took an undisclosed amount of money from the victim, according to police.

Zullo was charged with second-degree assault, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and breach of peace. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond.

The victim was treated at Danbury Hospital.

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Art Colley

DANBURY – Brookfield’s former school finance director Art Colley is scheduled for arraignment in Superior Court in Danbury Wednesday morning.

Colley has been charged with with second-degree larceny and third-degree forgery after police said he tried to claim reimbursement for three iPads he never purchased.

The former administrator resigned from Brookfield Public Schools in February 2014 following reports that he overspent the district’s budget by nearly $1.2 million.

Colley is now being accused of submitting an invoice for $987 bearing his name and signature, accompanied by forged receipts.

Police said the district gave the invoice to police in January after an inventory failed to turn up the iPads.