Garden hose case goes before jury today

Written by Tom Giordano
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 11:22

The case of Ansonia police officer Mustafa Salahuddin, charged with stealing a $24.99 garden hose from the department, is expected to go to the jury today following closing arguments by the prosecution and defense.

Salahuddin, a black Muslim, faces up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted of the sixth-degree larceny charge. He has been on paid administrative leave since 2008 when he was charged with the crime.

Ansonia officer’s trial continues

Written by Tom Giordano
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 00:34

Ansonia Police Officer Mustafa Salahuddin, accused of stealing a $24.99 garden hose from the police department, was stripped of his uniform on the first day of his trial in Derby Superior Court on Monday.

Trial set to start Monday

Written by Susan Hunter
Friday, 12 March 2010 10:17

DERBY — The case of Ansonia Police Officer Mustafa Salahuddin heads to trial Monday, March 15 in Derby Superior Court.

A jury has been selected, comprised of three women and three men, said Salahuddin’s attorney, Rob Serafinowicz. A man was chosen as an alternate juror.

State Police charged Salahuddin with larceny in July 2008 for allegedly stealing a $20 garden hose from the Ansonia Police Department.

School employees top wage list

Written by Susan Hunter
Friday, 12 March 2010 09:45

ANSONIA — The two top administrators in the school system earned more money in 2009 than the city’s top earning employee.

School Supt. Carol Merlone’s wages for calendar year 2009 were $136,081, and Asst. Supt. Diane Conway took home $122,507.

Merlone’s earnings included a $6,798 tax-deferred annuity, said Business Manager James Gaskins. The wages for all top 10 wage earners include taxable fringe benefits for life insurance and other expenses.

School embraces world cultures

Written by Susan Hunter
Friday, 12 March 2010 09:37

ANSONIA — Infinity Davis and her classmates at Ansonia Middle School are gearing up to host “Culture Day,” an interactive event that aims to celebrate the Valley’s cultural diversity.

Infinity said she might show her friends how to do Salsa dancing that’s part of her Hispanic culture at the April 1 event that runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

The goal of the event is “to have everyone learn to accept the differences we all have,” said Infinity, an officer of the school’s Human Relations Club.

Derby loses a friend

Written by Susan Hunter
Thursday, 11 March 2010 14:32

DERBY -- Derby residents and city employees are mourning the loss of David Kostrey, who served as the city’s deputy director of the Office of Emergency Management.

Kostrey, 57, died in a fire in his home at 196 Derby Ave. early Wednesday morning.

Three guilty in Ansonia arms theft

Written by John Kovach
Thursday, 11 March 2010 13:04

A federal jury in New Haven Tuesday found two men guilty of conspiring to steal more than two dozen rifles from an Ansonia manufacturing company.

Officials ponder Tri-Town deal

Written by Susan Hunter
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 18:07

SEYMOUR — Town officials may be taking a significant step toward ending the stalemate at the mostly vacant Tri-Town Plaza as they weigh the options of a proposed settlement agreement

The Adams grocery store and Ames Department Store buildings represent a total 100,000 square feet of commercial space that has been empty for about seven years.

Things have been at a standstill in the plaza ever since developer Ron Spector filed a lawsuit against the town over the assessment of the Ames portion of the plaza. Spector believes the assessment is too high, and town officials have said it was correct.

Arrests due in Valley vandalism

Written by Susan Hunter
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 18:02

Police have arrested a juvenile, and expect to make more arrests in connection with a crime spree over the weekend in the Valley.

The vandalism that included shooting out car windows with a BB gun or pellet gun occurred in the early evening of Saturday, March 6, said Seymour Police Lt. Paul Satkowski.

The teenagers involved started the vandalism in the South Main and Pearl Street areas, and side streets in Seymour.

Man hospitalized after street fight

Written by Susan Hunter
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 17:59

DERBY -- A 53-year-old Derby man is recovering in Yale-New Haven Hospital after sustaining a head injury during a fight on Elizabeth Street at 1:45 a.m. Sunday.

The fight, which may have involved several people, broke out in the street outside Connie’s Restaurant, said Derby Police Lt. Sal Frosceno, and it appears the people involved in the altercation had just left the restaurant.

Police officers found the injured man unconscious, and he was taken to the hospital where he remained as of press time Tuesday.