Jet Skiers Rescue Teens; Neighbors Helping Family Displaced by Fire; K-9 Program Suspension Sparks Debate; Blaze Leaves Family Homeless

MILFORD – Three teenagers have two jet skiers to thank for saving their lives this week.

According to fire officials, the teens were trapped by a rising tide as they made their way out to Charles Island. They were forced to swim in the Long Island Sound – for about 15 minutes - until help arrived.

"We considered it an imminent threat to life," said Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia. "It was very, very serious."

"Another couple of minutes, some of them might not be here today," he added.

Read more about the rescue by clicking here.

STRATFORD – Something good has come from a tragedy. The community is rallying to help a family of seven whose home was nearly destroyed by a fire earlier this week.

Fire officials responded to the afternoon blaze Wednesday and quickly extinguished the fire, but not before enough damage had been done to leave the structure uninhabitable. The family – two parents and five children – are now staying in a hotel. Meanwhile, though, neighbors have organized an effort to help the family.

You can read about the effort by clicking here.

EAST HAVEN – The suspension of the police department’s K-9 program has resulted in a bit of an uproar.

The news was the subject of a joke on the Jimmy Fallon show, the police union posted something on its Facebook page about it and Town Hall was flooded with calls from residents concerned about the news.

According to the town, the program was dropped due to financial constraints.

The issue is also complicated by the fact that the officer who partners with the K-9 is out on leave and there is a debate about the program’s role in the department.

Check out this link for more on this story. 

CHESHIRE – A family of four found themselves without a place to stay after a fire ripped through their home last Friday evening.

Officials said no one was injured in the fire, but an adult and two children were home at the time. They got out safe, and a family cat and fish tank were also OK.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the fire started in the rear of the home, near a grill.

Here’s the full story.