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Kathy Reakes
Reporter
kreakes@dailyvoice.com
Kathy Reaks has worked as a reporter in the local news business since 1984, starting as a news clerk and working her way up. She spent 17 years at Florida Today in Melbourne, Florida as a general assignment reporter, crime reporter, entertainment reporter and restaurant critic. She worked four years at Hometown News as a general assignment reporter, then another two years at Spacecoast Daily in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She attended Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Florida.
Fire Causes 'Catastrophic Damage' To CT Residence
A two-story, two-family home in Connecticut suffered "catastrophic" damage during a raging fire, according to state police.
The incident took place around 2:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at the home located in Middlesex County at 123 Falls Road, in the Moodus section of East Haddam.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire coming from the family residence, said the East Haddam Fire Department.
The home after the fire.East Haddam Fire Department
With help from numerous fire departments, the fire was under control by 4 a.m., the department said.
Mutual aid departments include:
Co…
'Sexiest Man Alive' Calls Hudson Valley Home
The newest "People" magazine "Sexiest Man Alive," lives and owns a business in the Hudson Valley, but he is having a hard time accepting the accolade.
Popular actor Paul Rudd, age 52, a resident of Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, told the magazine, he couldn't believe it when he was informed of this year's "hottie" decision.
“I do have an awareness, enough to know that when people hear that I’d be picked for this, they would say, ‘What?’” the actor said in the People magazine story announcing his top-ranking heartthrob honors, putting him in the company of Michael B. Jordan, George Clooney, a…
One Killed In Two-Vehicle CT Crash
Connecticut State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in which a man was killed by an alleged drunk driver.
The crash took place around about 12:45 a.m., Friday, Nov. 12, on I-91 in Enfield in Hartford County, said the state police.
According to troopers, Hampden County, Massachusetts resident Fernando Lebron, of Chicopee, was driving his 2004 Scion north in the right lane and Dominic Michael Grassetti, age 24, was driving his 2013 Hyundai Sonata behind him, state police said.
According to police Grassetti’s Hyundai struck the Scion from behind, sending both cars out of contr…
Police Officer Accused Of Stealing Cash During Large Fairfield County Drug Bust, Officials Say
A Fairfield County police officer has been accused of allegedly stealing cash during a large drug bust.
Bridgeport Police patrol officer Christopher Martin, age 54, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 11, and charged with larceny and tampering with evidence, said Scott Appleby, director of Emergency Management for Bridgeport.
According to Appleby, Martin, a 21-year veteran of the department, resigned as suspension paperwork was being prepared by the department.
The Bridgeport Police Department took immediate action by arresting him upon becoming aware of his actions," said Bridgeport Police Chi…
Ex-emt From Fairfield County Sentenced For Crash That Killed Woman
A Fairfield County man who hit and killed a woman walking her dog before fleeing has been sentenced to prison.
Declan Kot, age 24, of Easton, Nov. 10 was sentenced to 20 years, suspended after serving seven years. Five years of probation will follow that, along with 500 hours of community service, according to the Bridgeport Superior Court.
During the first three years of his probation, Kot will be also be required to install an ignition interlock device in his car and undergo substance abuse evaluations.
Marileidy Morel-Araujo, age 32, of Pennsylvania, was hit and killed while visit…
Alleged MS-13 Member Known As 'Shadow' Charged For Two More Long Island Murders
A Long Island alleged MS-13 gang member known as "Shadow" has been charged with more two new gang-related killings.
Raul Ponce, age 23, of Hempstead, pleaded not guilty to the new charges on Thursday, Nov. 11, bringing the total number of murder charges he is facing to four.
Following his plea in court, Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, commander of the Nassau County Police Department's homicide squad, said at a news conference that Ponce had always been "on the radar," for the killings that took place a couple of years ago.
The El Salvador native has been in prison on Long Island since 2018, …
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