DeStefano Won't Seek Reelection As New Haven mayor

 For the first time in two decades, New Haven is going to have a new mayor. Published reports say John DeStefano will announce today that he will not run for an eleventh term. The New Haven Independent and the New Haven Register both say DeStefano sent out an email last night inviting the public to an announcement at a downtown restaurant, then he made phone calls to certain people letting them know that announcement will be that he will not run for mayor this November. DeStefano's legacy will almost certainly be New Haven's schools. He made it a priority to either rebuild or completely renovate every one of them, and he's almost done. DeStefano also ran for Governor in 2006 and lost to Jodi Rell. He's always easily won re-election as mayor, except two years ago when a relatively unknown candidate gave him a scare in the primary.

Police Push For Background Checks On Gun Purchases

Law enforcement leaders who met with President Barack Obama are urging him to improve the mental health system and strengthen background checks, but did not unify on more controversial gun control measures. Leaders of the Major County Sheriffs' Association said they told the president Monday to focus on the mental health system. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says there was broad agreement on the need to require stronger background checks for gun purchases. Ramsey is president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which backs an assault weapons ban. The message reflects the political reality in Congress that the assault weapons ban Obama is pushing is likely to have a hard time winning broad support. But the president may have more hope for getting universal background checks.

Connecticut Task Force To Examine Mental Health Issues

A legislative subcommittee is taking testimony on mental health services in Connecticut following the deadly school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. The panel has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Lawmakers already received written testimony from members of the public who've offered numerous proposals. They include allowing family members to put a troubled relative on a list preventing them from buying a firearm, improving mechanisms to obtain mental health care for children, and requiring mental health examinations for gun purchasers. Similar hearings have been held by subcommittees reviewing gun laws and school safety procedures. The full Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday at Newtown High School.

Tanker Runs Aground In Harbor, Refloated By Tide

Coast Guard officials say a 620-foot motor tanker carrying more than 160,000 barrels of gasoline that ran aground in New Haven Harbor has been refloated by the incoming tide. Officials say the tanker ran aground during low tide shortly after 6 p.m. Monday. The tanker loaded with 168,000 barrels of gasoline was refloated and on its way nearly three hours later by a high tide. The Coast Guard says the tanker had no leak and did not sustain any damage. No injuries have been reported.

Former East Hampton Teacher Gets 10 Years For Child Porn

A former teacher at East Hampton Middle School has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. Federal prosecutors say 32-year-old Richard Hendricks of Ashford bought Internet access to live sex shows involving children that originated in the Philippines. Hendricks was sentenced Monday in federal court in New Haven to 10 years and one month, followed by five years of supervised release. The former computer teacher has been detained since his arrest in June 2011. He pleaded guilty in January 2012 to one count of receipt of child pornography. Prosecutors said Hendricks used his computer to receive more than 600 images and 50 movie files of child pornography, including images of children younger than 12 years old and images portraying sadistic or violent conduct.

Police Investigate Shooting Of 2 Cows

Police are investigating the shooting of two cows at a farm in North Stonington. State police said Monday one of the two cows shot on the Palmer Farm was injured so severely it will likely have to be euthanized. Both animals received treatment from a veterinarian. Authorities said the animals were shot in a field late Friday night or early Saturday. Anyone with information about the shooting is being asked to contact the resident state troopers in North Stonington.

Former Trader Charged With Defrauding Bailout Fund

A former managing director of an investment bank has been indicted on charges he defrauded investment funds the Department of Treasury established in 2009 as part of the federal government's response to the financial crisis. The U.S. Attorney's office said Monday a federal grand jury in Connecticut returned a 16-count indictment charging 38-year-old Jesse C. Litvak of New York City with securities fraud, Troubled Asset Relief Program fraud and making false statements to the federal government. The indictment alleges Litvak, while a registered broker-dealer and managing director at Jefferies & Co., Inc. who worked on the company's trading floor in Stamford, engaged in a scheme to defraud customers on residential mortgage-backed securities trades. Authorities say Litvak defrauded six funds that were funded principally with government bailout money and private investment funds of more than $2 million. Litvak's attorney said he did not cheat anyone.

Whole Foods Recalls 4-oz. Smoked Salmon Product

Whole Foods Market says it is voluntarily recalling some 4-ounce Whole Catch Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, cold-smoked and sliced, after a sample tested positive for listeria. The lot code for the recalled smoked salmon is 7425A2298B. The UPC code is 0 99482 40880 0. Whole Foods says the recalled items were sold in stores in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Utah. Colorado health officials say no illnesses had been reported as of Monday.