It was a violent weekend in some parts of the world, and we're monitoring the situation at the Nairobi mall today along with the rest of the world as the situation unfolds. In Connecticut, steady habits are keeping some of our attention in court, where Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas and East Haven police officers are busy today to kick off this first week of fall. Meanwhile, others in Middlebury were involved in some very unsteady habits. Read all about it in today's Wheelhouse Digest.
___________________________________________
VALLAS APPEALS
The school reformer argues that he's making progress.
The Connecticut State Supreme Court hears arguments today in a case questioning the qualifications of Bridgeport School Superintendent Paul Vallas. Vallas is appealing a June ruling by Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis, who told him to leave his job immediately when she found that he didn't meet state requirements to hold the position. Vallas lacks a state leadership certificate. He told reporter Linda Conner Lambeck that "school reform causes anxiety" and, "I don't think I am done yet."
Read more at The Connecticut Post.
___________________________________________
TRIAL FOR EAST HAVEN OFFICERS BEGINS
The two men face federal conspiracy charges in a racial profiling case.
Two East Haven police officers, Dennis Spaulding and David Cari, are expected to appear on trial today in U.S. District Court in Hartford. The men face charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice stemming from a federal racial profiling investigation. Spaulding is also charged with using excessive force against those taken into custody, particularly Latinos. Four officers were arrested and charged in 2012. Officer Jason Zullo has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and Sargeant. John Miller, former president of the police union, pleaded guilty to using unreasonable force.
Read more at The New Haven Register.
___________________________________________
HALLUCINOGEN SUSPECTED IN MASS COLLAPSE
Seven people went to the hospital in Middlebury on Saturday.
A group of people collapsed at a concert on Saturday at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury. Police say seven people were treated for suspected overdoses of the drug 2C-P, a powerful hallucinogenic. Four people remain hospitalized today. Acting Middlebury Police Chief Richard Wildman says ambulances responded Saturday night after four people collapsed at about the same time. Officers used CPR and a defibrillator to treat a teenage male who wasn't breathing. Wildman says 2C-P overheats the body and takes effect three to five hours after using it. One person was arrested on charges of interfering with police who were treating the victims.
