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Local book review releases third issueThe New Haven Review celebrated the publication of its third issue Thursday night at Labyrinth Books. Founded by Yale Journalism Initiative Director Mark Oppenheimer ’96 GRD ’03, the Review features pieces by writers both in New Haven and across the nation, including famed novelists Amy Bloom and Alice Madison. Oppenheimer began the Review in August 2007. “I was thinking about how many amazing writers live in New Haven, and I had some time, so I thought I’d ask these writers to contribute some articles to the magazine,” he said. The New Haven Review is published biannually and is available at Labyrinth Books.

—Rustin Fakheri

Laundromat accused of drawing crime

Residents near Whalley Avenue and Ella T. Grass Boulevard protested the construction of a new laundromat at that corner during the Board of Zone Appeals meeting Wednesday, according to the New Haven Independent. Several residents arrived there to protest, saying the laundromat would encourage visitors to litter or commit crimes in the area. But Anthony Avallone — attorney for Precision Wash ’n’ Dry owners Frank and Louis Sproviero — said the only issue at hand for the BZA to decide was the “sufficiency of parking” at the site, according to the Independent. The BZA will vote on the matter in December.

—Victor Zapana

128 employees laid off in New Haven

Editor of the New Haven Register Jack Kramer confirmed Thursday that the paper will lay off 20 employees, a cut that will hit five newsroom writers: the entire editorial staff of the paper’s weekly arts section, Play, and two daily reporters. One, science writer Abram Katz, has been writing for the paper for decades.

H.B. Ives Co., a factory located in Wooster Square announced plans to shut down factory operations by late 2009. All 108 of its employees will lose their jobs.

—Amir Sharif and the Associated Press

After wiretap caught drug dealer in the act, resident sentenced to prison time

Keith Jenkins, a New Haven resident, was sentenced Wednesday in a Hartford court to 77 months in prison on federal drug charges, the New Haven Register reported Thursday. Known by his street name, “Coolio,” Jenkins was on state parole for drug charges when agents from the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force listening on a wiretap heard him discussing drug transactions on his cell phone. Jenkins was indicted by a federal grand jury March 26, and was arrested by Task Force agents the next day. He pled guilty in June.

—Colin Ross

Cable stolen from holiday lights display

Tuesday, thieves had stolen 1,800 feet of cable, worth $8,000, from New Haven’s Fantasy of Lights, an annual holiday display set to begin Nov. 22 at Lighthouse Point Park, the New Haven Register reported. The directors of the display told the Register they need donations to replace it and restore the holiday tradition to its full glow. The theft comes as New Haven is experiencing a rise in the theft of copper cables and wires. “It’s a real shame and it’s a sign of the financial times we’re in,” Sean Matteson, the chief of staff to Mayor John DeStefano Jr., told the Register.

—Colin Ross

Connecticut funds clean tech

Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced the establishment of a $9 million fund to invest in environmentally friendly technology companies throughout the state. The Connecticut Clean Tech Fund is to be run by Connecticut Innovations a semi-public organization investing in technology and innovation. She said the new program will “position Connecticut as the preferred location to grow clean tech jobs.” The Fund is to officially commence operation on Tuesday.

—Zeke Miller

RUSTIN FAKHERI
ZEKE MILLER
COLIN ROSS
AMIR SHARIF
VICTOR ZAPANA