North Branford-Based Pet, Garden Retailer Closing After 40 Years: 'We'll Miss Every Tail Wag'
A popular retailer of pet and garden supplies in southern New England is shutting down after four decades.
Smithland Pet & Garden Center will close all 13 of its stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the company said in a news release on Monday, May 5. Originally launching in 1985, Smithland was previously known as myAgway, as well as Dave's Soda and Pet City.
The chain offering pet supplies, gardening goods, wild bird seed, and backyard furniture will begin storewide sales on Tuesday, May 6.
"This is not a goodbye without deep gratitude," Smithfield said. "Our love f…
Stafford Springs Man Killed In Somers Rollover Crash ID'd As 32-Year-Old
A 32-year-old Connecticut man was killed this week in a rollover crash after leaving the road, authorities said.
Paul Bowler, of Stafford Springs, died on Thursday, Jan. 16, when his car went off of Main Street in Somers around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, Connecticut State Police said.
Bowler's car veered off the road, hit a mailbox, an embankment, and a tree before coming to a rest of its roof. Paramedics rushed him to Johnson Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries, police said.
It's unclear what caused Bowler to crash, but investigators urge any…
2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases
Two Hampden County men who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting children in separate cases were sentenced to more than a decade in prison each, authorities said on Wednesday, May 22.
Thomas Ciccolini, 48, of Chicopee, admitted on May 9 to eight counts of aggravated rape of a child, two counts of posing a child in a sexual act, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and possession of child pornography, the Hampden District Attorney said.
He was sentenced to 12 to 14 years in prison. The prosecutor asked for up to 18 years.
Roberto Vasquez, 41, of Springfie…
Guns, Ammo Arsenal Found In Drunk Driver's Crashed Car In Western Mass: Police
Drunk, high, and armed to the teeth. That's how Massachusetts State Police described a Connecticut woman they arrested Thursday, Oct. 19, after she crashed her car into another vehicle in Hampden County while intoxicated.
Catherine Hansen, 45, of Enfield, Connecticut, faces a slew of charges after police said they found a pistol and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in her wrecked car in Agawam, authorities said.
Hansen is accused of speeding when she crashed into a car just before 1 p.m. at the Agawam Rotary on Route 57, State police said. Several people in the car she hit were injured. …
Sushi Sold At Supermarkets In CT, MA Recalled Due To Undeclared Allergens
A company has recalled several sushi products that were sold at supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Food, Standards and Product Safety issued a food safety warning on Thursday, Aug. 11, for EZ Noble Sushi, which was available for purchase during the week of Monday, Aug. 8, at Geissler’s Supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
EZ Noble Sushi recalled several products that contain undeclared eggs, wheat, and milk.
“Properly labeling food products is critical to protecting the health and safety of consumers," Consu…
Man Charged With Attempted Murder At Connecticut Hotel
A Western Massachusetts man is facing an attempted murder charge after allegedly attacking a family member with a blade during an altercation at a Connecticut hotel, police said.
Shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, officers from the Enfield Police Department in Hartford County responded to a reported stabbing at the Motel 6 on Hazard Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located a 63-year-old man in distress with a wound to his throat, police said, though he was able to identify his attacker, Alex Arslanian, of Agawam, Massachusetts in Hampshire County, who was located near the scene as his…
