Earthquake In Maine Rattles New England States

An earthquake that hit southern Maine and was felt in New England states as far away as Connecticut caused no apparent damage or injuries, but rattled residents throughout the region. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 4.0 magnitude quake struck around 7:12 p.m. Tuesday and its epicenter, about 3 miles west of Hollis Center, Maine, was about 3 miles deep. That location is about 20 miles west of Portland. "It was loudest bang you ever heard in your life. We actually thought it was an explosion of some type," said Jessica Hill, owner of Waterboro House of Pizza, about 10 miles away.  The Seabrook Station nuclear plant, about 63 miles away in New Hampshire, said it was not affected. The plant has been offline for refueling.

 Lawmakers Seeking Justice Department Probe Of Pharmacy

  U.S. legislators want the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether the company linked to a nationwide meningitis outbreak violated federal laws or regulations.  Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, told the department in a letter that New England Compounding Center may have tried to skirt federal policy on the sale and distribution of controlled substances.  U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, also has asked the Justice Department to launch a criminal probe into the outbreak, which is linked to steroid shots distributed by NECC.   A spokesman for Framingham, Mass.-based NECC had no comment on Markey's letter but says the company is cooperating in ongoing probes by other agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 233 illnesses, including 15 deaths, in 15 states are linked to the outbreak.

Connecticut Chief Justice Proposes $45,000 Raises

Connecticut Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers is recommending that most state judges get $45,000 in pay raises over the next four years to make up for five years of no increases and bring salaries in line with those of judges in other states.  Some state lawmakers say the state can't afford the raises.  Rogers proposed the increases earlier this month in a report to the state Commission on Judicial Compensation, which will make recommendations to the legislature and governor in January.  Rogers is recommending an 11 percent raise next July and 5.5 percent annual raises the following three years. A Superior Court judge's salary would increase from about $147,000 to about $192,000.  A national court organization says Connecticut ranks 45th in the country for judges' pay.

Madison Man Sentenced To 2 Years For Fraud

A Madison man has been sentenced to two years in prison for cheating investors out of $675,000.      Federal prosecutors say 58-year-old Thomas Donnelly swindled four investors and used most of their money to pay his own mortgage and other personal expenses. A judge sentenced him Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New Haven. One victim told the court that he had known Donnelly socially for more than 20 years and Donnelly saw him as easy prey.  Donnelly pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in December and authorities say he has paid full restitution to the victims.  Authorities say Donnelly altered monthly brokerage statements to misrepresent the value of the investor accounts.

New Haven Shooting Suspect Got Early Prison Release Credits

State Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz says a man charged in the shooting of a 16-month-old New Haven boy earned early release credits when he was in prison earlier this year.  Cruz and Meriden state Sen. Len Suzio repeated their calls for an immediate suspension and review of the program Tuesday, saying prisoners who have earned early release credits under the one-year-old program have committed murders and other violent crimes. In the New Haven case, Tramire Miller was shot in the stomach on a front porch last week but survived. Nineteen-year-old Tythrone Ford and another man were arrested in connection with the shooting. Malloy administration officials say Ford was jailed for a probation violation earlier this year, but would have been released before the shooting even without the early release credits.

McMahon Backed By Prominent Anti-Abortion Voters

Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon proclaims to be "a pro-choice woman" in her television ads, but many abortion opponents, including a top leader of Connecticut's Right to Life organization, say they still plan to vote for her in November. It is the nuances of McMahon's abortion stance that have won over some of those voters. McMahon supports parental notification for minors seeking an abortion and opposes late-term procedures. She also opposes a state law requiring a Catholic hospital to provide emergency contraception to rape victims. McMahon, a Roman Catholic, said she believes it's government overreach. Chris O'Brien, the legislative affairs vice president for Connecticut Right to Life, said McMahon is the "best on those issues."  Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy has questioned McMahon's commitment to abortion rights.

Connecticut Hearing To Address Mental Health Care

 Connecticut's Office of Health Care Access is holding a public hearing to learn more about the ease of accessing mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. Consumers, representatives of various treatment programs, community organizations and state agencies are expected to be on hand for Wednesday morning's hearing, to be held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The Office of Health Care Access says there continues to be a struggle in Connecticut with providing access to mental health and substance abuse programs. The agency has billed Wednesday's hearing as "the beginning of a bold, consumer-centered effort" to reform the system.  A presentation is also planned on a 2008 federal law concerning group health insurance coverage for mental health and addiction services.