Nora Mason

Naugatuck resident Nora Mason has been named regional director for the Special Olympics of Connecticut’s Northwest Region.

Although new to this role, Mason has a long association with Special Olympics including serving as vice president of regional services, southwest regional director and vice president of sports. She was also the deputy director of volunteer services and deputy director of games operations when the Special Olympics World Summer Games came to New Haven in 1995.

“I am thrilled to be coming back home to Special Olympics. Special Olympics brings those with and without disabilities to the playing field to participate in much more than sports. Sport is the vehicle for growth, fitness, pride and personal achievement for all who take part in this movement, whether one participates as an athlete, partner, coach, volunteer or staff member,” Mason said in a news release.

Mason received a Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Lock Haven University, Pennsylvania.

As regional director, Mason will be responsible for managing all phases of the regional program, including community-based Special Olympics programs in the area, year-round sports training and regional competitions, and fundraising initiatives and partnerships that will further the organization’s mission of inspiring acceptance and respect for individuals of all abilities.

Prior to taking on this new role, Mason served as executive director of Jane Doe No More, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Naugatuck that assists and advocates for victims of sexual assault.

For more information, call (203) 267-6566 or e-mail noram@soct.org.

NAUGATUCK — The Whittemore Memorial Library is accepting donations of old computer cartridges, cell-phones, and digital cameras for its recycling program.

A portion of the proceeds generated from this ongoing program helps benefit the book budget and programs at the library.

The library is also selling bags for $5 that can be filled with two free booksale books.

For more information, call the library at (203) 729-4591.

DANIEL AKINSANYA, 21, of 38 Highland Ave., Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 1 with two counts of breach of peace.

Police reported on Feb. 1 at approximately 12:45 a.m. Akinsanya was arrested on two active arrest warrants. One warrant was for a disturbance reported on Dec. 22. After arguing with the victim, via phone, he arrived at the victim’s residence and threw objects at the home scaring the victim, police said. The other warrant was for a domestic disturbance reported on Dec. 16 between former house mates. During an argument, police reported, Akinsanya grabbed and shoved the victim to the ground. Akinsanya was given a court date of Feb. 2 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a non-surety bond.

DAVID HANDRINOS, 51, of 159 Lincoln St., Waterbury, was charged Feb. 1 with breach of peace.

Police reported on Feb. 1 at approximately 8:59 p.m. officers responded to 53 Conrad St. 8D for a domestic disturbance between separated husband and wife. Police reported Handrinos arrived at the victim’s residence and began banging on the door. When the victim opened the door Handrinos pushed past her and refused to leave, police reported. Handrinos was given a court date of Feb. 2 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $1,000 surety bond.

JAMES BURNS, 25, of 24 Deerfield St., East Haven, was charged Feb. 1 with driving under the influence and failure to have tail lamps.

Police reported on Feb. 1 at approximately 11:29 p.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Cross Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Burns was operating under the influence of alcohol. Burns was given a court date of Feb. 16 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $1,000 surety bond.

ROBERT CUADRADO, 42, of 24 Central Ave., Waterbury, was charged Feb. 2 with violation of a protective order.

Police reported on Feb. 2 Cuadrado was arrested on an active arrest warrant while he was at court. The warrant was for an incident that occurred on Jan. 31. Cuadrado contacted the victim via text message in violation of a no contact protective order, police reported. Cuadrado was given a court date of Feb. 2 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held for arraignment.

JAMES BRADLEY, 37, of 25 Baldwin St., Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 2 with theft of motor vehicle plate or insert.

The report was not completed as of this post.

JOSHUA WARNER, 31, of 34 Tolles Square, Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 2 with four counts of violation of probation.

Police reported on Feb. 2 at approximately 8:13 p.m. Warner was arrested on active arrest warrants at 34 Tolles Square. He was given a court date of Feb. 3 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a court-set surety bond.

CLIFTON SHANNON, 53, of 166 Candee Road, Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 3 with driving under the influence and failure to drive in proper lane.

Police reported on Feb. 3 at approximately 1:48 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Candee Road. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Shannon was operating under the influence of alcohol. Shannon was given a court date of Feb. 16 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

TYLER WITTKOFSKE, 19, of 26 Bradley St., Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 3 with disorderly conduct.

Police reported on Feb. 3 at approximately 2:09 a.m. officers responded to 26 Bradley Street for a domestic disturbance between roommates. During an argument both male parties began to punch each other. Both males had scratches due to the fight. They were both given a court date of Feb. 3 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

ANTONIO MARTINS, 19, of 26 Bradley St., Naugatuck, was charged Feb. 3 with disorderly conduct.

Police reported on Feb. 3 at approximately 2:09 a.m. officers responded to 26 Bradley Street for a domestic disturbance between roommates. During an argument both male parties began to punch each other. Both males had scratches due to the fight. They were both given a court date of Feb. 3 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

Jessica Weber, a member of the 1,000-point club at Naugatuck High School, is a sophomore at Post University. -POST UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Woodland’s former point guard Lindsay Feducia averages 15.1 minutes per game for St. Joseph College. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Lindsay Feducia, a former All-Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division point guard at Woodland, is in her freshman year at St. Joseph College. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Former Woodland star Heather Framski is averaging 13.6 points per game for St. Joseph College. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Woodland’s all-time leading scorer Heather Framski has started every game for St. Joseph College in her freshman year. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Former Woodland star Sam LaCroce is the second-leading scorer and rebounder for Wesleyan University. -WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Sam LaCroce of Prospect averages 10.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game for Wesleyan University. -WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Former Woodland basketball player Sam LaCroce is a senior at Wesleyan University. -WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Anthony Mariano of Naugatuck is averaging 8.8 points per game for the Keene State College Owls. -COURTESY JESSE FERREIRA

Former Woodland star Yahmad Rountree, right, has started 10 games for Becker College as a freshman. -MANZELLO PHOTOGRAPHY

As a freshman, Yahmad Rountree, right, is fifth on the team at Becker College with 8.1 points per game. -MANZELLO PHOTOGRAPHY

Jessica Weber of Naugatuck averages 2.2 points per game and 1.1 assists per game for Post University. -POST UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Former Naugatuck standout Jessica Weber averages 9.7 minutes per game as a sophomore at Post University. -POST UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Former Woodland star Heather Framski is averaging 13.6 points per game for St. Joseph College. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

At least seven former Hawks and Greyhounds are enjoying successful basketball seasons at colleges and universities throughout New England. These players, who were all parts of strong teams at Woodland and Naugatuck, have all seen time on the floor this winter.

Sam LaCroce (Sr., Wesleyan University) is the second-leading scorer and rebounder for the Cardinals, which were 12-6 as of Wednesday. LaCroce, who was the second player in Woodland history to score 1,000 points, averages 10.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. The 6-foot forward from Prospect has played more than any player on the roster, averaging 29.1 minutes per night.

Anthony Mariano (Jr., Keene State College) is a key part of the Little East Conference-leading Owls, who were 15-4 as of Wednesday. The former Naugatuck star has started all but one game and averages 8.8 points per game, good for fifth on the team. Mariano is second in the team in minutes per game (23.6) and assists per game (2.2), and leads the team in steals (27).

Jen Fredericks (So., Daniel Webster College) has started all but one game for the Eagles, who are third in the New England Collegiate Conference with a 12-6 record as of Wednesday. Fredericks, who was a three-year varsity player at Woodland, averages the third-most minutes per game (30.1) while sitting fifth in assists per game (1.9) and sixth in scoring per game (4.9) and rebounds per game (3.4).

Jessica Webber (So., Post University) has appeared in 15 of 18 games for the Eagles, who have struggled to a 4-14 record as of Wednesday. Webber, who was Naugatuck’s most recent addition to the 1,000-point club, averages 9.7 minutes per game, 2.2 points per game, and 1.1 assists per game.

Yahmad Rountree (Fr., Becker College) has made an immediate impact for the Hawks, who lead the New England Collegiate Conference with a 14-4 record as of Wednesday. Rountree, a 6-foot-6 forward who last season led Woodland to its first postseason win in six years, has started 10 games and is fifth on the team with 8.1 points per game and third with 5.7 rebounds per game. Rountree also earned NECC Rookie of the Week honors on Jan. 23.

Heather Framski (Fr., St. Joseph College) is in the midst of an outstanding first season in West Hartford for the Blue Jays, which are fifth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference with a 12-6 record as of Wednesday. Framski, who is Woodland’s all-time leading scorer, has started all 18 games and is second on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and leads the squad in rebounding (6.4 rpg). The 5-foot-10 forward also leads the team in field-goal percentage at 57.1 percent, which is also good for 14^th in all of Division III. Earlier in January, Framski led the country with a 66.7 shot percentage en route to earning GNAC Rookie of the Week honors.

Lindsay Feducia (Fr., St. Joseph College) has also seen playing time for the Blue Jays and is one of seven players to appear in every game. Feducia, a former All-Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division point guard at Woodland, averages 15.1 minutes per game and 3.2 points per game. She has also averaged 2.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per night.

Former Woodland star Heather Framski is averaging 13.6 points per game for St. Joseph College. - ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Naugatuck resident Gina Allison, left, performs during the borough’s holiday kickoff ceremony in December. Allison and her husband Chris co-founded Cirque du Jour after years of traveling with the Ringling Brothers Circus.

NAUGATUCK — Every child dreams of running off and joining a circus. Naugatuck native Chris Allison actually did. Now, he and his wife run a circus and perform all over the world.

At a young age Chris knew he wanted to be a clown when he saw the Ringling Brothers Circus on a fifth grade field trip with Cross Street School.

“A light bulb just went off in my head,” Chris said.

He went straight home and taught himself to juggle. Shortly after, he joined a clown club in Stratford which met once a month and performed for nonprofits and fundraisers. Throughout the years, Chris said his parents always supported his passion. For birthdays, they gave him magic sets, unicycles, and juggling equipment.

“When I graduated high school and ran off to clown college, they weren’t surprised at all. They knew it was coming,” Chris said.

Starting in sixth grade and every year thereafter, Chris auditioned for the Ringling Brothers’ Clown College in Hartford.

“I just wanted them to know who I was,” Chris said.

His persistence paid off, a two months after graduating from Naugatuck High School, Chris went off to clown college.

It was no small feat. Ringling Brothers’ college only accepted 60 out of 5,000 applicants, and only 15 to 20 percent would go on to work for the circus.

“They said it was easier to get into Harvard than clown college,” Chris said.

Back then, Ringling Brother’s had two shows, with 26 clowns in each show, Chris explained.

Clown College was two and a half months of juggling, miming, and practicing clown skills seven days a week, all day long. Even during lunch, the students watched videos.

Chris and Gina Allison of Naugatuck met when were they working and traveling with Ringling Brothers Circus. The couple now operates Cirque du Jour. -CONTRIBUTED

“It was just non-stop clowning, clowning, clowning the whole time,” Chris said.

Even with all that education, Chris said his real training began when he started touring with Ringling Brothers in 1984. He travelled with the best circus performers from all over the world.

Chris said about half the students had practiced clowning for a long time, while the others came from a theatre background or just thought it would be interesting.

“The more you can do the better, but there are some people who have absolutely no skills,” Chris said.

Each clown has his or her own unique set of skills. Chris specializes in juggling, magic, stilt walking, and unicycle.

“Besides the fact that I think I’m pretty funny, I bring all of those to my performance,” Chris said.

For 11 years, Chris lived on a train, moving from city to city every week.

“I’ve seen this country inside and out 11 times over,” Chris said.

Touring with the Ringling Brothers was hard work, but it was a dream-come-true, he said. He took advantage of traveling to every major city and national park in the states to sight-see.

“I loved it,” he said.

On tour, Chris met and fell and love with Gina, a dancer-turned-clown who would be eventually becomes his wife.

Gina grew up in Westchester, N.Y. and was trained as a dancer. She toured with Ringling for two years as a dancer and did a trampoline and aerial act before going back to school to become a clown.

“It just seemed like a lot more fun, and it was,” Gina said.

With 70 performers and another 300 support staff, Gina said the circus was a traveling city. A priest travels with show alongside teachers, concessionaires, seamstress, cobbler, animal crew, driver, and mail collector.

“It’s a pretty unique way to see the country and every Friday you’re getting paid for it.

We didn’t know how good we had it. … You end up finding your own group, but you really are one big family. … It’s kind of like being part of a huge sorority or a frat house,” Gina said.

A lot of performers for Ringling have been with the circus for generations, but after over a decade on the road, Chris decided it was time to settle down and start a family.

“Ringling was a great place to work, but I don’t think I could have lasted my 40 years and gotten my retirement plan,” Chris said.

After nine years with Ringling, Gina was also ready to leave.

Cirque du Jour performer Erin Grins, performs in a balloon crafted duck. - CONTRIBUTED

“In the end I wanted a mail box and a bathtub,” Gina said.

In the 1980s and early ‘90s, circus performers didn’t have cell phones, so it was hard to communicate with friends and family back home.

“Back then if there was Facebook, I might have lasted longer,” Gina said.

Chris and Gina first moved into an apartment in New York. But, when Chris was showing his wife around his old neighborhood during a visit to Naugatuck for Chris’ brother’s house warming party, a for sale sign on a house caught their eyes. He saw an oversized three-car garage. She saw a big kitchen. They moved in two months later and 10 years later still call Naugatuck home.

Although the couple left Ringling Brothers behind, the circus remains an integral part of their lives.

Together, Chris and Gina founded Cirque du Jour, a circus and talent agency that supplies performers of all types.

“A lot of people still see us as ‘oh those clowns,’ but we’re not just those clowns. We’re so much more than that,” Gina said.

Their performers have worked at local events and fundraisers, including Naugatuck’s Duck Day and holiday kick-off. Chris said his rolodex of performers is 1,400 deep.

“If you want an elephant, call me. If you want a guy getting shot out of a canon, I’m your guy. If you want 50 mimes for a commercial shoot, call Cirque du Jour. … If you need a 7-foot-tall guy in a diaper, I would book him for you,” Chris said.

Cirque du Jour targets schools, corporations, country clubs, and malls with performances and education. Chris also teaches children circus tricks at schools and camps. Last summer, he toured with a traveling carnival. He also produces circuses as a big part of the business.

“It’s really given us a good opportunity to do a lot of fun stuff. We’re constantly running around to just keep everything going,” Chris said.

Right now, Chris said he is in the final stages of firming up a deal with Norwegian Cruise Lines to bring an interactive circus program to all their ships. Children will be able to come to a workshop and try juggling, stilts, and other circus acts. Chris said he has a recipe to bring kids together in a short amount of time and put together a performance for their parents.

“If all goes well, it will be fleet-wide,” Chris said. “It’s a huge gig for us, if it flies, which I think it’s going to.”

After years of clowning around, the Allisons aren’t slowing down any time soon.

“Once you get the sawdust in your blood, it’s hard to shake it,” Gina said. “Really it’s not a job, it’s a career, it’s a lifestyle choice”

State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70), center, speaks during the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast earlier this week. –CONTIRBUTED

Rebimbas and other lawmakers spoke on the group’s legislative agenda and answered questions at the annual breakfast.

“The business climate in Connecticut has only gotten worse. The jobs bill from the last special session was only a small step in the right direction. My focus this session will be job creation and education, in addition to continuing my opposition to tax increases and high government spending. We must foster an environment that supports the production of a skilled and trained workforce and a business environment where businesses can afford to expand and create jobs,” Rebimbas said in a news release.

Rebimbas continued, “We and the business community throughout the state jointly need to tell the Governor and the legislature in Hartford that if the bill hurts the business community any further, then ‘We can’t have it in Connecticut.’”

Other issues discussed at the breakfast included the merger between Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, the Post University expansion efforts, and the potential impact of the state’s major unfunded pension liabilities.

Winners of the Naugatuck Fire Department's 6th Annual Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest, from left, Kimani Grey, Hailey Russell, George Cruz, Raymond Lucarelli, Michaela Turecek, and Trey Generali, show off their certificates and prize bike following an awards ceremony Feb. 1 at the Naugatuck Fire Headquarters. The fourth and fifth grade first place winners will go on to compete in a state-wide contest.

Raymond Lucarelli from Hillside Intermediate School won first place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Michaela Turecek of Maple Hill School won second place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Trey Generali of Salem School won third place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Kimani Grey of Cross Street Intermediate School won second place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

George Cruz of Cross Street Intermediate School won third place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

George Cruz of Cross Street Intermediate School won third place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Trey Generali of Salem School won third place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Kimani Grey of Cross Street Intermediate School won second place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Michaela Turecek of Maple Hill School won second place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Raymond Lucarelli from Hillside Intermediate School won 1st place for fifth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

Hailey Russell of Western School won first place for fourth grade in the borough's fire prevention poster contest.

The borough honored fourth and fifth grade winners of a fire prevention poster contest at the Naugatuck Fire Headquarters in a ceremony Feb. 1. Three winners from fourth grade and three winners from fifth grade received a bicycle and helmet from Walmart in Naugatuck as their prize. The first place winners for each grade will go on to compete in a state-wide competition for their poster to grace the cover of a Connecticut fire prevention calendar.
The winners were:

Fourth Grade

1st Place – Hailey Russell – Western School
2nd Place – Michaela Turecek – Maple Hill School
3rd Place – Trey Generali – Salem School

Fifth Grade

1st Place – Raymond Lucarelli – Hillside Intermediate School
2nd Place – Kimani Grey – Cross Street Intermediate School
3rd Place – George Cruz – Cross Street Intermediate School

State Sen. Joesph Crisco (D-17)

State Sen. Joesph Crisco (D-17)

• Encourage economic development.
• Improve education with a focus on early childhood development. Crisco said he wanted to create more opportunities for communities to invest in education without imposing a larger financial burden. “You don’t want to mandate impositions upon local communities that they can’t afford, so you have to find some balance,” Crisco said.
• Review child sex abuse reporting laws in light of the child molestation case at Penn State University. “I believe that’s going to be an important issue this year,” Crisco said.
• Continue to crusade to bring insurance to the residents of Connecticut as chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. Crisco said he hopes to continue improving the diagnoses and coverage of breast cancer and put the final pieces in place for the federally-mandated insurance exchange to go into effect in 2014.
• Make sure there is full disclosure for remediation sites. “We want to make sure all the Is are dotted for full disclosure,” Crisco said.

State Rep. Len Greene (R-105)

State Rep. Len Greene (R-105)

• Get the budget under control
• Increase penalties for vandalism and theft of public memorials. Perpetrators would have to pay for the repair or replacement of the item in question. “I really think that we need to do a better job protecting those,” Greene said.
• Improve storm preparation and response to mitigate damage and decrease impact. Greene said he would listen to testimony at public hearings before backing a specific play, but would be more inclined to support an incentives package for completing restoration on time rather than fines. “The basic premise of setting specific goals is important for the state,” Greene said. “There are a lot of different moving parts to this.”

State Rep. David Labriola (R-131)

State Rep. David Labriola (R-131)

• Establish an enterprise zone around the Oxford airport. Businesses would get special tax breaks from the state as an incentive to move to the area around the airport. “That enterprise zone at the airport will create jobs and be a tremendous boon to our region’s economy by attracting businesses to the area around the airport,” Labriola said. “We’re hopeful that we can do it this year.”
• Oppose Election Day voter registration. “I believe it’s a recipe for fraud and corruption,” Labriola said. If voters could register on Election Day, Labriola said nothing would prevent them from going to several towns the same day or say they’re somebody that they really aren’t. “History has shown that elections are tainted when you have these Election Day registration,” Labriola said.
• “When it comes to the budget, I’m going to be advocating on behalf of spending cuts and fighting any tax increases,” Labriola said.
• Oppose the movement for a national popular vote. Labriola said the movement is ill-conceived. “It would dilute the impact that a small state like Connecticut would have in the Electoral College and the presidential election system,” Labriola said.

State Rep. Vickie Nardello (D-89)

State Rep. vickie Narello (R-89)

• Improving the utility’s storm response and implementation of benchmarks for utility performance.
• Look at the accountability of utilities and the possibility of reimbursing individuals when there is lost revenues because of extended outages. Nardello said she is waiting for Connecticut utility’s response to preliminary suggestions by Feb. 1.  Under consideration are changes to staffing, tree trimming, accountability, and how utilities communicate with municipalities. As chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, Nardello said storm preparedness and utility issues will take up most of her time next session.

State Sen. Joan Hartley (D-15) and state Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Host Jon Gabrus quizzes high school students on an episode of ‘The Substitute’ last fall. Students from Naugatuck High School will get a chance to compete this year on the MTV game show. - CONTRIBUTED

What is Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter’s name?

MTV is offering Naugatuck High School students the chance to answer questions such as these on “The Substitute,” a nationally televised trivia game show.

Representatives from the network will meet Friday after dismissal with at least 60 upperclassmen at the high school, history teacher Matt LaPlaca said. The students received invitations Wednesday in their homeroom classes.

“To have the students be able to compete on a national television show in this way, I think it stimulates school pride,” LaPlaca said. “I think it gives the entire community a boost of morale. MTV’s famous, and it gives the kids an opportunity that not everyone would get.”

MTV will tell the students at the meeting what they need to do to qualify, LaPlaca said. Teachers and administrators are not sure whether borough students will definitely compete on the show, but network representatives have hinted that it is probable, LaPlaca said.

Brandi Albahary, a press representative for the show, could not provide more information as of press time.

In an e-mail to the school two weeks ago, the network expressed interest in recruiting borough students to compete, LaPlaca said. Science teacher Christine Gamari is coordinating the effort with the show’s producers, Embassy Row Productions of New York.

Teachers and club advisers were asked to recommend high-achieving, well-rounded and mature juniors and seniors to meet with MTV.

“It was amazing how many of the same names came from multiple sources,” LaPlaca said.

Any chosen students will go to New York for the taping, LaPlaca said.

“The Substitute” premiered last fall as an ambush game show, in which host Jon Gabrus would walk into a high school class as its “substitute teacher,” show the unsuspecting students a briefcase with $5,000 in cash and ask the students pop culture and educational questions for a shot at money to help pay for college.

Teachers were told the format has changed this year, but not exactly how, LaPlaca said.

Classes at Derby High School were ambushed last spring to appear on the show months later.

CHRISTOPHER NORTON, 37, of 120 Warren Ave., Naugatuck, was charged, Jan. 30, with use of motor vehicle without permission and operation of motor vehicle when registration or license is refused, suspended or revoked.

Police reported on Jan. 30 at approximately 11:25 p.m. an officer responded to 120 Warren Ave. for a stolen motor vehicle complaint. Norton used his father’s truck while he was sleeping without his permission. Norton was given a court date of Feb. 8 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

MANUAL RAMOS, 41, of 245 Colonial Ave., Waterbury, was charged, Jan. 31, with interfering with an officer.

The report was not completed as of this post.

CARL AUBERTIN, 41, of 141 Peach Orchard Road, Waterbury, was charged, Jan. 31, with assault in the third degree, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief in the third degree.

Police reported on Jan. 31 Aubertin was arrested on an active arrest warrant. The warrant was for domestic disturbance between boyfriend and girlfriend reported on Dec. 6 at 19 Homestead Ave. During an argument, police said, Aubertin hit the victim in the stomach and pushed her to the floor. Aubertin also damaged the victim’s vehicle by punching the windshield causing it to crack, police reported. Aubertin was given a court date of Feb. 1 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $5,000 non-surety bond.

LUIS MORALES-VEGA, 23, 34 North Walnut St., Waterbury, was charged, Jan. 31, with breach of peace criminal mischief in the first degree.

Police reported on Jan. 31 at approximately 8 a.m. Morales-Vega turned himself in on an active arrest warrant. The warrant was for a domestic dispute between former girlfriend and boyfriend. Police reported Morales-Vega arrived at the victim’s home on Jan. 25 and began arguing with her. During the argument, police reported, Morales-Vega grabbed at her arm and tried to pull her outside. Morales-Vega damaged the victim’s friend’s vehicle parked outside. Morales-Vega was given a court date of Jan. 31 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a $25,000 court-set surety bond.

THOMAS DOWLING, 46, of 47 Walnut St., Naugatuck, was charged, Jan. 31, with interfering with an emergency call and disorderly conduct.

Police reported on Jan. 31 at approximately 7:25 p.m. officers responded to 47 Walnut St. for a domestic disturbance between husband and wife. During an argument, police reported, the victim attempted to call the police but Dowling “ripped” the phone from the wall. Dowling was given a court date of Feb. 1 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

ROBERT JOHNSON, 53, of 201 New Ridge Ave., Waterbury, was charged, Feb. 1, with driving under the influence and unsafe backing.

Police reported on Feb. 1 at approximately 12:20 a.m. Johnson backed into a curb and utility pole on Maple Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Johnson was operating under the influence of alcohol. He was given a court date of Feb. 9 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

JUSTIN MERITHEW, 31, of 189 Bluebird Drive, Naugatuck, was charged, Feb. 1, with driving under the influence, failure to drive in proper lane, failure to obey control signal, and illegal operation of motor vehicle without ignition device.

The report was not completed as of this post.

PATRICIA JOHNSON, 51, of 130 Coen St., Naugatuck, was charged, Feb. 1, with interfering with an officer and criminal violation of a protective order.

Police reported on Feb. 1 at approximately 3:19 a.m. officers responded to 130 Coen St. for a disturbance call. Upon the officers arrival he observed Johnson in an intoxicated state. EMS was dispatched due Johnson’s intoxicated state. When EMS arrived, police reported, Johnson began to struggle with the officer. She shoved the officer in the chest, police said, and no injuries reported. During the investigation a male party was found in the apartment that Johnson has a protective order with, police reported. Johnson was given a court date of Feb. 1 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a $500 surety bond.