Vigil today for murdered ECSU student

20-year-old Alyssiah Marie Wiley, the missing ECSU student who was found murdered – a vigil in her memory will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 20 at the clock tower on the Eastern campus in Willimantic, CT.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

A vigil will be held today (May 20) at 3 p.m. on the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University, to gather in memory of 20-year-old Alyssiah Wiley, who was found dead after weeks of searching.

Wiley was reported missing on April 24, but was last seen on Main Street in Willimantic on April 20. She had told friends and roommates she was going home, to West Haven, CT.

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Police arrest suspect in murder of ECSU student

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

CT State Police report that the remains found with the aid of police dogs on Friday in Trumbull near the Bridgeport line is the body of the missing Eastern Connecticut State University student Alyssiah Wiley.

Police also say they have arrested a suspect in connection with her death, a 30-year-old man, Jermaine Richards, of Bridgeport.

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Devastating fire in Willimantic at St. Mary’s Church

Smokes billows from St. Mary’s Church on Valley Street after a fire broke out sometime before 6:30 p.m. Photo copyright 2013 by Brenda Sullivan.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

While sounds of live music and other entertainment drifted from Main Street, coming from the first Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest of the season, huge clouds of brown smoke billowed from the nearby St. Mary’s Church on Valley Street.

Next door to this stately landmark, firefighters cut through the Willimantic Food Co-op fence in order to allow access to fire trucks.

Firefighters from surrounding towns – including Scotland and Storrs/University of Connecticut – as well as other departments in Windham were on the scene of the fire that was reported sometime before 6:30 p.m. on May 16.

Small crowds gathered on the Jillson Square green as well as on Maple Street – the back side of the church, which is where the majority of the smoke was pouring from.

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Paving Storrs Road – Route 195 in Mansfield

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Press Release

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

During this work, traffic will be restricted at times to alternating one-lane patterns.

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Coventry Farmers Market to pop up at Topmost Farm

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

Press Release

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

What to expect…

Drive down the dirt road leading to Topmost to find a gorgeous farm and more than 25 of our vendors offering gorgeous asparagus, rhubarb, greens and other spring produce, vegetable plants, eggs, meats, cheeses, artisan foods and more!

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New East Hampton Police Chief is ECSU graduate

New Police Chief Sean Cox of Mansfield, CT was sworn in at a Special Meeting of the East Hampton Town Council on May 2, 2013. A 21-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police, Cox’s most recent assignment was Commanding Officer of the Governor’s Security Detail for Gov. Malloy.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Approximately four months ago, East Hampton, CT launched a nationwide search for its next Chief of Police to replace longtime Chief Matt Reimondo, who retired in January but then was called back by the town to serve as interim police chief.

After receiving 52 applicants, the town undertook a two-part process running candidates through an oral board of current and former police chiefs and then reviewing the five proposed candidates with a small committee composed of local residents Dale Maynard and Greg Pugatch and Town Council members Kyle Dostaler, Barbara Moore and Sue Weintraub.

The Committee recommended two of the five candidates for Town Manager Michael Maniscalco to review.

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Jeepin for the Cause to benefit Windham Hospital

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5, 2013.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5.

Capitol Jeep has sponsored seven of these popular events and raised more than $43,000 for local charities.

“We offer three different trails of varying terrain and difficulty to maximize driver challenge and passenger enjoyment,” said Owner/President of Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep Scott Lewis.

“These rides are always a lot of fun. Our entire staff gets behind these events and we invite the community to join us on the trails, rain or shine,” Lewis said.

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Longtime ‘winningest’ ECSU coach calls it quits

Eastern Connecticut State University issued a press release today (April 26, 2013) announcing that longtime baseball coat Bill Holowaty, who also taught health and physical education, has retired, “after being suspended for throwing equipment.” Photo from Eastern athletics web page.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Eastern Connecticut State University issued a press release today (April 26, 2013) announcing that longtime baseball coach Bill Holowaty, who also taught health and physical education, has retired, “after being suspended for throwing equipment.”

Despite the circumstances, Eastern President Elsa Núñez said, “Coach Holowaty has left a legacy of loyalty and commitment to student athletes, which will be hard to follow. The university thanks Professor Holowaty for his 45 years of service to Eastern and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”

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CT State Police ID suspect vehicle in missing ECSU student case

State Police have identified a car, a black 2009 Nissan Altima with tinted windows, they say is related to the case of a missing ECSU student in Willimantic, CT. Photo provided by CT State Police.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

The Connecticut State Police Major Crime and Missing Person Unit Detectives are continuing the search for a young woman reported missing from the Eastern Connecticut State University campus in Willimantic, CT.

Now, State Police Detectives are asking for the public’s help locating a vehicle they say is related to the case – a black, four-door, 2009 Nissan Altima sedan with tinted windows and plate CT Reg 297-ZOY.

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CT Police issue Silver Alert for missing ECSU student

CT Police have issued a Silver Alert for ECSU student Alyssiah Marie Wiley who they say was last seen April 20, 2013. Photo courtesy of CT State Police.

Press Release

On Wednesday, April 24 2013, Connecticut State Police were contacted by Eastern Connecticut University Police regarding a student reported missing.

The missing student is identified as 21-year-old Alyssiah Marie Wiley (DOB:11/24/92) described as a Black female, 5’6”, about 150 lbs.

Police say she was last seen at ECSU on April 20, 2013.

University Police initiated a case after being told that the student could not be located by friends or family and have issued a Silver Alert.

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