Community Corner

The Towns Around Us

Missing Teen Returns Home Safe; Bald is Beautiful; Former Mayor Giving it Another Shot; Court Denies Komisarjevsky's Plea

 This week’s news has it all – suspense, drama, comedy, politics and a high-profile court case.
ORANGE – The heart-wrenching case of a missing 13-year-old couldn’t have ended any better.
Wednesday in an abandoned farm stand at the corner of Indian River and Prindle Hill roads in Orange, Conn., more than 72 hours after her parents reported her missing.
The news sent shockwaves through the community and resulted in a massive search that involved authorities from local, state and federal agencies. Patch tells the story of the search in text and through a photo slideshow.
The coverage culminates with a in which Isabella’s father, Roman Oleschuk, thanks emergency responders and residents for helping to bring his daughter home safe.


NORTH HAVEN – Bald has never been more beautiful.
Men and women of all ages rallied for a Saint Baldrick’s fundraiser at North Haven Middle School on March 21.
The 223 people who shaved their heads helped raise $54,570 for the volunteer-driven charity, which its website (www.stbaldricks.org) says is committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.You can watch the hair clippings fall and spirits rise in this .

EAST HAVEN – Joe Maturo hopes the second time is a charm.
After a four-year break, the Republican who served as East Haven’s mayor for the decade that spanned from 1997-2007 is taking another stab at the town’s highest elected office.
A primary could be in the making, too. Former Board of Ed Chair John Finkle, a Republican, has also announced his mayoral campaign. Whether a primary will take place will be determined when the party endorses a candidate in July.
Finkle has the support of Republican Party Chairman Lou Crisci - a position Crisci says will not waver “at this point.”
"I was quiet for three years. It wasn't my time. I sat back," Maturo said. "John's (Finkle) a great guy ... but I think I can win and I think I will win. But I need your support."
Click this to read the article and to watch Maturo deliver his statement.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


NEW HAVEN – With a ruling rendered this week, Joshua Komisarjevsky will face the possibility of the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Superior Court Judge Roland Fasano denied the defendant’s in exchange for a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Defense lawyers based their argument on painting co-defendant Steven Hayes as the real killer. Hayes was found guilty last year of the 2007 Cheshire home invasion case that claimed the lives of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11. He is now on death row.
Meanwhile, jury selection continues in the Komisarjevsky trial. Here’s the latest update.
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Rescued from 40-Degree Water
BRANFORD – Two men may have a Branford resident to thank for saving their lives.
When Bob Reinwald, saw a capsized canoe off Killman’s Point in Short Beach on Friday afternoon, he immediately called 911. Realizing the severity of the situation, Reinwald, the caretaker of Killams Point, hopped in his kayak and paddled out to the two men. One was able to pull himself out of the near-freezing water and into the kayak while the other held on to the kayak until emergency responders arrived.
The victims were transported to the hospital and treated for hypothermia. More information on the rescue, including photos, is available by clicking .

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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