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Kathy Reakes
Reporter
kreakes@dailyvoice.com
Kathy Reaks has worked as a reporter in the local news business since 1984, starting as a news clerk and working her way up. She spent 17 years at Florida Today in Melbourne, Florida as a general assignment reporter, crime reporter, entertainment reporter and restaurant critic. She worked four years at Hometown News as a general assignment reporter, then another two years at Spacecoast Daily in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She attended Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Florida.
Woman Struck, Killed By Car Near CT Intersection
A Connecticut woman crossing a busy roadway was hit and killed by a vehicle.
Yarillis Esteras, age 43, of Hartford, was hit around 11:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8 in the area of Franklin Avenue and Bliss Stree in Hartford.
According to Lt. Aaron Boisvert, of the Hartford Police, when officers arrived on the scene they found Esteras had been struck by a vehicle and was critically injured.
The vehicle involved, and its driver remained on scene, Boisvert said.
Esteras was transported to Hartford Hospital by ambulance, where she later died, he added.
Detectives from the Hartford Poli…
Sag Harbor Man Nabbed With Double-Barrel Shotgun, Police Say
A Long Island man has been arrested for allegedly possessing a gun in violation of an active order of protection.
Benjamin Lehmann, age 30, of Sag Harbor, was arrested by Riverhead Police on Friday, Dec. 31 during a traffic stop.
According to Det. Mark Stromski, of the Riverhead Police, during the stop, officers found Lehmann was in possession of a 12-gauge double-barreled shotgun in violation of the court order.
Lehmann was placed under arrest and charged with criminal contempt, criminal possession of a weapon, and various vehicle and traffic infractions, police said.
Lehmann w…
CT Man Sentenced For Possessing Gun, Drugs While On Federal Supervised Release
A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 4.25 years in prison for narcotics distribution and firearms possession, and for violating the terms of his prior supervised release.
Ronnell Rogers, age 28, of New Haven, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 5, to prison time, as well as three years of supervised release following his time in jail, said Leonard C Boyle, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, Rogers was released from federal prison after serving approximately 17 months for unlawful possession of ammu…
Man Nabbed Hiding In Parking Garage In Fairfield County Following Chase, Crash, Police Say
A Connecticut man was arrested after police found him in hiding in a hospital parking garage in Fairfield County following a police chase and crash that all started at a probation office.
The incident started around 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 5, when Bridgeport Police were notified by New Haven Police that a man identified as Christopher Hilton, age 20, of New Haven, had "recklessly" sped away from a probation officer.
Preliminary reports indicated Hilton may have a firearm and could be heading for the Bridgeport area, said Scott Appleby, director of Emergency Management of Bridgeport.
Bridge…
CT Residents Charged With Fabricating, Selling Numerous Ghost Guns
Two Connecticut men have been charged with federal firearms offenses related to the alleged illegal fabrication and sale of ghost guns.
John Lee Ortiz, age 28, and Audley Reeves, age 30, both of East Hartford, were charged on Wednesday, Jan. 5, said Leonard C Boyle, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in late 2021, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force learned that Ortiz and others were selling “ghost guns,” which are homemade firearms that do not contain serial numbers and can't be traced.
In December 2021,…
Popular CT Store Closing After 60 Years In Business
A popular Connecticut store is closing after 60 years in business.
Hartford County staple Amato's Toy and Hobby in New Britain, announced on Facebook Wednesday, Jan. 5, that they have decided to close the store after more than 60 years.
The last day of business is on Monday, Feb. 28.
"It was a tough decision to make," the owners said. "It’s been fun. I have run this business since 1974, fresh out of high school. When my parents, Vinnie and Phyllis Amato, decided to retire in 2011, after almost 80 years, my wife and I took over."
Steve and Sheri Amato who currently run the store, said they…
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