Tis’ the season, city and Yale officials say
New Haven will become “a winter wonderland for the holidays,” City Hall spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga announced Thursday. Next Monday, Market New Haven Inc., a marketing organization that aims to improve the city’s image, will start its “2009 Holiday Campaign” with a launch event at the Shubert Theater. The event is expected to draw attendees such as Mayor John DeStefano Jr., as well as Market New Haven chair and University Vice President for New Haven and State Affairs and Campus Development Bruce Alexander ’65.
—Esther Zuckerman
Black firefighters file motion in Ricci case
Seven black firefighters filed a motion Monday to intervene in Ricci v. DeStefano, the court case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this past summer that a 2003 firefighters’ promotional exam administered by New Haven City Hall had discriminated against whites. Last Friday, both the city and the case’s 20 original plaintiffs argued in court filings that firefighters should be promoted based on the 2003 results. But if a federal judge approves the motion made Monday, the seven firefighters bringing the motion would force the court to judge whether the exam discriminated against minorities. The ensuing deliberations would further delay the promotion of any of the city’s firefighters.
—Colin Ross
Biden to attend Dodd fundraiser
Same state, same senator. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is following in the footsteps of President Barack Obama, who visited Stamford in October to help incumbent Sen. Chris Dodd raise $1 million for the 2010 election. Biden will be hosting a luncheon for Dodd at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford on Dec. 11. Tickets are $500 per person.
—Esther Zuckerman
911 call for New Haven burn victim released
The New Haven Police Department released the recording of a 911 call Thursday that reveals how a local woman tried to reach law enforcement officials while her boyfriend set her and her daughter on fire. A neighbor of the woman, 35-year old Christina Lee, called emergency dispatchers. According to the recording, during the call, Lee yelled, “He’s setting my daughter on fire.” Howard Steward, Lee’s boyfriend faces multiple charges, including arson and assault, and is being held on $2 million bail.
—Yale Daily News
911 call for New Haven burn victim released
The New Haven Police Department released the recording of a 911 call Thursday that reveals how a local woman tried to reach law enforcement officials while her boyfriend set her and her daughter on fire. A neighbor of the woman, 35-year old Christina Lee, called emergency dispatchers. According to the recording, during the call, Lee yelled, “He’s setting my daughter on fire.” Howard Steward, Lee’s boyfriend faces multiple charges, including arson and assault, and is being held on $2 million bail.
—Yale Daily News
Casino’s credit rating downgraded after default on debt
Connecticut-based Foxwoods Resort Casino on Tuesday received yet another credit downgrade after it paid just $14.2 million of a $21.25 million interest payment that was due Monday on $500 million worth of outstanding debt. Foxwood’s owner, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, said it will likely be unable to pay the balance of the debt within 30 days, and subsequently defaulted. The default caused the rating agency Standard & Poors to lower Foxwoods credit rating to D, the casino’s lowest rating. Last year, Foxwoods made a profit of more than $700 million.
—Yale Daily News