Home Invasion Shocks North Branford; Rain Turns River into Rapids; and More

NORTH BRANFORD – The community’s sense of security and safety was shaken this week when four masked men armed with guns invaded a Northford home, tied up the occupants, ransacked the residence and made off in the family’s truck.

Three of the occupants, including one child, were tied up during the home invasion, . One of the suspects reportedly poked the child with a knife, but no one was injured, according to police.

The suspects were described as four black males, police said. A search for them continues.

Meanwhile, a Wallingford man, , added an incentive to catch the suspects when his foundation donated $7,000 for the reward of their capture — putting the at $10,000.

MILFORD – The Monday morning blues were extra dreary this week when heavy rain resulted in flooding conditions throughout town.

About 80 percent of the 50 calls the Milford Fire Department responded to during a three-hour period Monday were attributable to the storm. From flooded basements, medical calls and cars stuck in water, the damage was evident.

But it was most visible in downtown Milford, where the Wepawaug River swelled several feet and turned the normally tranquil waterway into a rushing rapid. Milford Patch caught it on video.
 
BETHWOOD – Timing is everything. And for Woodbridge, town officials think moving its municipal elections from May to November would prove to be perfect timing.

Woodbridge is one of only a handful of Connecticut municipalities that holds elections in May. Neighboring Bethany is another. But officials in that town don’t see a reason to change — they think it sets them apart and has been working just fine.

For Woodbridge, it breaks down to numbers: voter turnout in May was 30.9 percent, compared to 95 percent in the 2008 presidential election, which took place in November. Holding elections in May can also cost a town more money.

Naugatuck, another town that holds elections in May, has already initiated the change via the formation of a charter revision commission. Woodbridge says it will also take that approach.