Fire Damages Popular Restaurant + Student Wins Gold Medal: CT News

Good Thursday morning Connecticut,

There was a lot of breaking news from across Connecticut this morning and here is a recap of the top stories at this hour and a live update on traffic conditions on the state's major roadways.

Fire damages popular restaurant

A two-alarm blaze that started inside Uncle D's Blazin BBQ on West Town Street in Norwich was extinguished late Wednesday, according to the New London Day. The full extent of the damage is not yet known, but firefighters said the fire began in the kitchen and spread, The New London Day reported. (Read more at The New London Day).

Car crashes into restaurant

A car crashed into the front of The Painted Pony eatery at 74 Main St. in Bethlehem Wednesday night, according to WTNH News 8. The car ended up in the bar area and minor injuries were reported. (Read more and see photos from the scene here).

Landlord agrees to pay fine to state: report

A landlord who owns property on Connecticut Avenue in Bridgeport, has agreed to pay the state a $10,000 fine after a party was held by his tenants in December 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, which at the time violated Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order, the Connecticut Post reported.

Two men were shot and killed at the party, the CT Post reported. The landlord has previously stated his tenants should pay the fine, the CT Post reported. As part of the agreement, the landlord is "neither admitting or acknowledging the violation," the CT Post reported. (Read More at CT Post).

Yale student wins gold medal

Yale University student Nathan Chen won the Olympic men's singles in figure skating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Yale Daily News posted on social media that: "It was a Nathan Chen ’24 masterclass as he earned the highest short-program score in Olympic history, won silver with Team USA and finished with a flourish to win gold." (You can read the entire Yale Daily News recap article on Chen's great night here).

Highway deaths rise in CT

New data released by the state Department of Transportation revealed that the number of deaths rose year over year. A total of 323 deaths were reported in 2021 on Connecticut roads, WTNH News 8 reported, and a staggering 67 were motorcyclists.

In the News 8 report, it states that there are 300 less state troopers patrolling roadways when compared to 2019. Also, State Police union leaders told News 8 that according to a new law they are not allowed to pursue vehicles. (Read the full story at WTNH News 8).

See also from across CT:

Woman Not Guilty Of Killing 5 Dogs In Connecticut Home, Judge Rules

The judge cited reasonable doubt in his verdict acquitting the woman who was accused of fatally neglecting five dogs.>>>Read More.

This Connecticut Restaurant Among 100 Most Romantic In America: Study

Ahead of Valentine's Day, OpenTable compiled a list of the most romantic restaurants in the country — and a local eatery made the cut.>>>Read More.

Controversial Sex Ed Assignment, Masks Dominate School Board Meeting

A Board of Education meeting devoted a considerable amount of time to concerns over masks and a controversial subject. At one point, the meeting was interrupted when someone brought several pizza boxes.>>Read More.

Own A Private 60-Acre Island In Connecticut For $100 Million

The largest private island ever to be offered for sale on the East Coast is up for sale in Connecticut.>>>Read More.

Traffic updates

NORWICH - Road Work on I-395 Southbound between Exits 11 and 6 (4.6 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The left lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 8:43 am.

MERIDEN - Road Work on I-691 Westbound between Exits 4 and 1 (4.2 miles) in effect today until 4:56 pm. Expect lane closures. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:56 am.

MERIDEN - Road Work on I-691 Eastbound between Exits 8 and 11 (1.3 miles) in effect today until 4:02 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:02 am.

CHESHIRE - Road Work on I-84 Eastbound between Exits 26 and 34 (11.5 miles) in effect today until 4:10 pm. Expect lane closures. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:10 am.

NEW BRITAIN - Road Work on I-84 Westbound between Exits 35 and 32 (4.3 miles) in effect today until 3:15 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:16 am.

NEWTOWN - Road Work on I-84 Eastbound between Exits 11 and 13 (2.7 miles) in effect today until 3:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:56 am.

WINDSOR LCKS - Road Work on I-91 Northbound between Exits 42 and 44 (1.3 miles) in effect today until 4:54 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 8:55 am.

MERIDEN - Road Work on I-91 Southbound between Exits 17 and 15 (2.8 miles) in effect today until 3:30 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:20 am.

NORTH HAVEN - Road Work on I-91 Northbound between Exits 12 and 13 in effect today until 4:00 pm. The left lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:26 am.

HARTFORD - Road Work on I-91 Southbound between Exits 29A and 27 (1.3 miles) in effect today until 3:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:49 am.

HARTFORD - Road Work on I-91 Northbound between Exits 29 and 33 (3.2 miles) in effect today until 4:31 pm. The 2 right lanes are closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:31 am.

N. STONINGTON - Road Work on I-95 Southbound between Exits 93 and 91 (6.9 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 8:41 am.

NEW LONDON - Road Work on I-95 Northbound between Exits 83 and 86 (1.8 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The 2 left lanes are closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:30 am.

WESTPORT - I-95 Southbound is congested between Exits 18 and 17 (2.4 miles) because of Road Work between Exits 17 and 16. Road Work in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:31 am.

GREENWICH - Road Work on I-95 Northbound between Exits 2 and 5 (5.0 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:05 am.

WESTPORT - I-95 Southbound is congested between Exits 18 and 17 (2.4 miles) because of Road Work between Exits 17 and 16. Road Work in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:31 am.

MILFORD - Road Work on RT15 Southbound between Exits 56 and 55 in effect today until 4:00 pm. The left lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:24 am.

MILFORD - Road Work on RT15 Southbound between Exits 54 and 53 in effect today until 4:00 pm. The left lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:25 am.

NORWALK - Road Work on RT15 Southbound between Exits 41 and 40B in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:09 am.

NORWALK - Road Work on RT15 Southbound between Exits 40A and 37 (3.5 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:12 am.

GLASTONBURY - Road Work on RT2 Eastbound area if Exit 7 in effect today until 3:55 pm. Expect lane closures. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:55 am.

NEW BRITAIN - Road Work on RT72 Westbound between Exits 6 and 1 (3.1 miles) in effect today until 4:32 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:32 am.

WATERBURY - Road Work on RT8 Southbound between Exits 30 and 29 (2.3 miles) in effect today until 4:44 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 8:48 am.

BERLIN - Road Work on RT9 Southbound between Exits 22 and 21 (0.3 miles) in effect today until 4:43 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 9:43 am.

DANBURY - Road Work on US7 Northbound between Exits 11 and 12 (3.3 miles) in effect today until 3:00 pm. The left lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 10 at 10:20 am.