Malloy Signs Law Creating Newtown Responders' Fund

A measure to create a special fund to help people dealing with trauma from their work related to the Newtown school shooting has been signed into law by Connecticut's governor. Lawmakers, Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra and others joined Governor Dannel Malloy at the signing ceremony yesterday at the state Capitol. The Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Program will be privately funded and administered by the Office of Victim Services within the state's Judicial Branch. It will benefit first responders, school employees and others dealing with mental health issues as a result of the tragedy. Donors including several major corporations have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the fund. Both chambers of the General Assembly voted unanimously in favor of creating the fund.

Jury Awards $16Million In Severed Leg Case

A Connecticut jury has awarded more than $16 million to a Bridgeport restaurant owner who lost his leg when he was struck by a state police cruiser in what the man's attorneys say is the biggest monetary verdict ever against the state. The Superior Court jury in Bridgeport awarded $16.25 million Tuesday to Melvin Gordils. Gordils ran out of gas on the Route 25/8 connector in May 2010 and was crossing the highway when he was struck by Trooper Darren Pavlik's cruiser. The impact severed Gordils' leg and sent it flying 170 feet away. The state's lawyer argued Gordils was responsible because he failed to look for traffic while crossing the highway. Attorneys for Gordils say the jury awarded $25 million, but found Gordils 35 percent responsible and the trooper 65 percent responsible.

Madison Solder Killed In Afghanistan

The first selectman in the town of Madison says a soldier from the town has been killed in Afghanistan. First Selectman Fillmore McPherson says the parents of Army Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, who live in Madison, were informed Monday of his death. McPherson says town flags have been lowered to half-staff. McPherson said Pedersen-Keel was one of two soldiers killed in an attack at a police station in eastern Afghanistan. U.S. officials say two special forces soldiers were killed Monday when a policeman fired at people leaving a meeting at district police headquarters in Wardak province. The Pentagon has not released their names. Pedersen-Keel graduated from Avon Old Farms School in 2002 and the U.S. Military Academy in 2006.

Connecticut Delegation Seeks Major Disaster Declaration

Connecticut's congressional delegation is urging President Barack Obama to support the governor's request for a major disaster declaration in the wake of the massive February snow storm. The storm dumped more than three feet of snow in some parts of the state and the snow removal costs for cities and towns totaled around $45 million. A disaster declaration has been issued for the storm. But the classification as a major disaster would enable municipalities to seek reimbursement for millions of dollars more in expenses. The delegation also asked the president to grant Governor Dannel Malloy's request for Washington to reimburse the state for snow removal efforts during at least the first 72 hours following the storm instead of 48 hours. The Congress members say the storm put a tremendous financial burden on the state, especially considering other recent weather disasters.

Connecticut Seen In Strong Position For Drone Production

A group promoting the manufacture of unmanned aircraft says Connecticut's deep ties to the aerospace industry put it in a strong position to capitalize on a boom in the production of drones. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International says in a report released Tuesday that Connecticut could gain nearly 4,100 manufacturing and other jobs between 2015 and 2025. Total economic impact could be about $397 million. Connecticut is projected to be among the top states seeing economic benefits from unmanned vehicle production. The group says drone production nationally is projected to create about 104,000 jobs between 2015 and 2025 and the economic impact could total about $82 billion. Agriculture and law enforcement are expected to be the main drivers for a civilian drone industry.