# data[].attributes.headline
Professional Athletes getting paid too much

# data[].attributes.subject
Professional Athletes getting paid too much

# data[].attributes.body
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/366795-do-athletes-get-paid-too-much-money

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/09/its-time-to-pay-the-tab-for-americas-college-athletes

# data[].attributes.body
http://portal.ct.gov/services/driving-and-transportation/getting-around/traffic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
DANBURY - A pet shop owner accused of animal cruelty induced two witnesses to lie to authorities in their written statements, which he then mailed to police himself, court records show.

Richard Doyle, 55, of Mahopac, N.Y., was arrested last week at his American Breeders store on Federal Road and charged with two felony counts of witness tampering.

Doyle had been charged with three counts of animal cruelty in July, about four months after he performed a surgical procedure on a Neapolitan mastiff's inner eyelid, an operation police said he was not licensed to perform. Officials said the dog suffered severe bleeding and was eventually euthanized.

As the investigation continued, Doyle learned that state Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis had contacted two of his employees about the illicit surgery, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Police said Doyle then gave each of the witnesses an index card detailing what he wanted them to tell Jarvis. He even told one of the employees that as long as she said what was on the card, "it would all go away," according to court records.

The two women later told police that Doyle had asked them to hold the dog so he could cut her "cherry eye," an inflammation of the eyelid, police said. Once the procedure was over, the women brought the dog to a sink and flushed out the mass, according to the affidavit.

During the investigation, the two employees were also asked to send authorities written statements. Doyle read and reworded the statements before mailing them to police himself, the affidavit shows.

When Jarvis received the statements, she noticed that they had not been notarized, were "almost identical" and had been mailed from the same post office on the same day, police said.

After questioning both women in September, police applied for a warrant for Doyle's arrest, which the state Superior Court in Danbury approved this month. Doyle is now being held on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 6.

Animal advocates are planning a peaceful rally that day outside the White Street courthouse.

Doyle is also accused of confining a critically ill exotic kitten and failing to give it immediate veterinary attention until the animal needed to be euthanized.

Police also say he failed to provide proper care to a sick Shih Tzu puppy that was in need of immediate medical care. Police said Doyle brought the puppy to Danbury from one of his New York stores and left it with an employee without veterinary treatment for vomiting, diarrhea and coughing. The animal was later euthanized.

One of Doyle's store managers, Kathy Seton, 29 of Cold Spring, N.Y., was also charged in July with animal cruelty. She has pleaded not guilty and is set to appear in court on Jan. 26.

In 2011, Doyle pleaded guilty to selling a diseased animal at a pet shop in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. That store closed this fall, but Doyle still owns another pet shop in Mohegan Lake, N.Y.

This year's probe into Doyle was conducted by animal control officers with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Officials said one of his employees filed a complaint and provided photos documenting the mastiff's condition. The woman also said she was often ordered to treat animals with medication and administer shots even though she was not licensed, according to the agriculture department.

Staff writer Alex Wolff contributed to this report.

noliveira@newstimes.com, 203-731-3411, @olivnelson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Witness-tampering charged in animal cruelty case

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DANBURY - A pet shop owner accused of animal cruelty induced two witnesses to lie to authorities in their written statements, which he then mailed to police himself, court records show. Richard Doyle, 55, of Mahopac, N.Y., was arrested last week at his American Breeders store on Federal Road and charged with two felony counts of witness tampering.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
DANBURY - The former owner of a Federal Road pet shop performed an illegal procedure on a sick dog last fall, just months after his arrest on similar charges, authorities said.

Richard Doyle, 56, of Mahopac, N.Y., "maliciously and intentionally tortured and caused wounds" to a St. Bernard puppy in an attempt to drain a cyst from the dog's elbow, according to an arrest warrant served last week.

Doyle, whose American Breeders pet shop was sold in January, was charged Thursday with animal cruelty and with practice of veterinarian medicine without a license.

This was his third arrest since July, when he was accused of illegally performing a surgical procedure on a Neapolitan mastiff's inner eyelid. The dog suffered severe bleeding and was eventually euthanized, official said. Doyle was arrested again in December and charged with witness tampering.

The latest warrant, signed by state Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis, says authorities were called to the store on Nov. 16 after a couple reported buying a sick puppy from Doyle. Jarvis and another officer then visited the shop for an inspection and found several violations, court records show.

The sick puppy had been sold after the store veterinarian found the puppy unfit for sale. State law requires dogs to be examined by a veterinarian before sale and every 15 days. The buyer told authorities that the puppy, who had healing sutures from a previous surgery, became sick within hours of leaving the pet shop.

During the inspection, authorities found two other sick puppies in isolation. One of them, a 5-month-old St. Bernard named Buddy, was in an old storage area within reach of an electrical outlet, according to the warrant.

The store veterinarian, Dr. Wesley Baff, of Plumtrees Animal Hospital, had deemed Buddy unfit for sell because of a hygroma, a fluid-filled sac or a cyst, on the left elbow area.

Authorities said two former employees later told them Doyle tried to remove the hygroma at the store in late October, without a veterinarian or an anesthesia. At the time, Doyle took a needle and stabbed Buddy's elbow twice and squeezed it, but only blood came out, court records show.

One of the former employees told police her boss was trying to drain the mass from Buddy's elbow so the veterinarian would find the puppy fit to be sold, according to the warrant. The woman told police Doyle "didn't want the veterinarian to realize the puppies were sick because he didn't want to spend money to take care of them."

In addition, the woman told police that Doyle received unprescribed medications, including antibiotics and anti-worm drugs, by mail and gave them to store puppies. The warrant shows Doyle stored medications in a tackle box or transferred liquid medication to empty shampoo bottles to hide them.

Doyle's attorney, Jeffrey Jowdy, would not comment Monday on the specifics of the warrant, but said he was aware of the new charges.

"It is my understanding that they're similar to the existing charges," Jowdy said. " We look forward to an opportunity to describe to the court our version of the circumstances."

Doyle is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in state Superior Court in Danbury.

The Danbury store, now known as Puppy Kisses, was sold to a Missouri family. Doyle still owns a pet shop in Mohegan Lake, N.Y.

Doyle is also accused of inducing two employees to lie to authorities. Court records show he gave each of the witnesses an index card detailing what he wanted them to tell officers. Police say Doyle then mailed the witness statements himself.

noliveira@newstimes.com, 203-731-3411, @olivnelson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Former Danbury pet shop owner arrested again

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DANBURY - The former owner of a Federal Road pet shop performed an illegal procedure on a sick dog last fall, just months after his arrest on similar charges, authorities said. Richard Doyle, 56, of Mahopac, N.Y., "maliciously and intentionally tortured and caused wounds" to a St.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
SOUTHBURY, CT - Southbury Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the driver of the vehicle pictured above and below. The vehicle was possibly used in a residential burglary at Sunset Ridge Road on April 5 between 12:30 P.M. - 1 P.M., police said.

The vehicle appears to be a: 2011-2015 Kia Optima, Color: Gray/Charcoal, Dark tinted front and rear windows, and a CT license plate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Ezzo at 203-264-5912. All calls will be kept confidential.

Photos via Southbury Police

Subscribe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Southbury Police Search for Residential Burglary Suspect: Police

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SOUTHBURY, CT - Southbury Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the driver of the vehicle pictured above and below. The vehicle was possibly used in a residential burglary at Sunset Ridge Road on April 5 between 12:30 P.M. - 1 P.M., police said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
DANBURY -- Roy Hoyt lives across the street from Tails of Courage, an animal shelter and said he always sees a lot of activity from them.

"They seem like they have a lot of volunteers and a lot of people that walk the dogs," said Hoyt.

The shelter has been around since 2014 and Hoyt said they've come a long way.

"The heart is in the right place even if the outcome isn't what they wanted," he said.

That outcome was the arrest of Krystel Lopez who police said lives at and manages the shelter.

Police said the complaints started last summer.

In October, the Connecticut Department of Health and Human Services became aware of the complaints and deployed three inspectors to the shelter.

"What we found were animals that were in cages that were too small for them, multiple animals per cage," said Lisa-Michelle Morrissey, the director for the Danbury Health and Human Services.

She said the department was concerned the animals didn't have an adequate amount of food and water as well as some other pressing matters.

"There was a excessive amount of fecal matter on the animals and we had alerted the Department of Agriculture of our concerns," she said.

The Department of Agriculture was notified in November and assisted the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the City of Danbury as to what to do next.

After several routine inspections, the poor conditions were addressed. But in February, Danbury police got involved after more complaints came about sick animals.

"While doing that inspection they realized that there were some animals there that they believed to be in distress. They believed the animals were sick and not getting the proper care," said Sergeant Matt Casazza of the Danbury Police Department.

An investigation led by the State of Connecticut Animal control found several animals in bad condition. A warrant for Krystel Lopez became active and on April 16 she turned herself in.

City leaders said Danbury didn't have proper regulations regarding the sheltering of animals. Morrissey said this incident offers insight into what needs to be done next.

"We didn't have ordinances that really speak to how to kennel animals and if you want to operate a shelter there are standards in that. So that's something that we learned from experience," she said.

Lopez will appear in court on April 25th.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
EXCLUSIVE: Dogs found in poor condition inside Danbury animal shelter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DANBURY -- Roy Hoyt lives across the street from Tails of Courage, an animal shelter and said he always sees a lot of activity from them. "They seem like they have a lot of volunteers and a lot of people that walk the dogs," said Hoyt.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
DANBURY - The manager of Tails of Courage Animal Rescue pleaded not guilty Wednesday to allegations that animals were found living in squalor during three separate inspections of its shelter on Smith Street.

Krystel A. Lopez, 30, who turned herself in to police last week, was arraigned on two counts of animal cruelty following an investigation by Connecticut Animal Control.

Animal control officers said dogs, cats and rabbits at the shelter were found in unsanitary or too-small cages, many without access to water, during two visits to the rescue facility in December. The facility was also given citations by the fire marshal for a burst water pipe and by the health and human services for a rat infestation.

But when animal control officers returned on January 3, officers still found 25 animals in "unhealthy and extremely unsanitary" conditions and ordered them removed from the property.

"Upon entering the facility, there was a strong odor of urine and feces," officer Kelli Peet said in Lopez's arrest affidavit. "Numerous dogs were standing in crates that were smeared with their own urine or feces. Many dogs had feces smeared on their sides, paws and tails."

In investigating the original complaint on December 14, officers sent an email with photographs of the "unacceptable conditions" to Tails of Courage founder Kristan Exner, who then forwarded it to Lopez.

Exner said Wednesday that she does not remember being contacted. She has been on medical and maternity leave for several months, Exner said.

"I feel like it would've jumped out to me, but I don't remember anything like that," Exner said.

She added that she was "blindsided" by the charges and does not think Lopez is guilty. Lopez started as a volunteer with Tails of Courage and began training in October to take over as manager.

"It was a big surprise," Exner said. "I'm not aware of any unresolved issues. Krystel is wonderful and I imagine if there was anything it would've been resolved instantly."

Lopez, who was not present during the initial inspection, told officers after receiving the email that she agreed the conditions were unacceptable.

But according to the affidavit, when the officers returned days later, they found similar problems and issued a written notice and contacted the fire marshal and health department.

On Wednesday, Lopez's attorney, Vicki Hutchinson, maintained that her client is not guilty of the allegations.

"The defendant and all staff are committed to rescuing dogs and cats from kill shelters and providing homes for them," Hutchinson said ouside the courtroom. "That is their sole mission."

Posts on the Tails of Courage Facebook page show that the kennel has been under construction and that staff were seeking foster homes for many of the animals.

"Calling all fosters-due to the incoming weather we are asking for fosters for a few days or longer while we ride out the snow and do some kennel renovations," reads a post from January 3, the day of the last inspection, reads.

Another post a few days later announces the adoption of Twilight, a dog officers sent for evaluation at Plumtrees Animal Hospital after the third visit. Twilight had "sores and ulcers" on her paws from being exposed to urine or feces, the affidavit said.

Lopez will appear in court again on May 16.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Danbury animal rescue employee refutes animal cruelty charges

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DANBURY - The manager of Tails of Courage Animal Rescue pleaded not guilty Wednesday to allegations that animals were found living in squalor during three separate inspections of its shelter on Smith Street. Krystel A. Lopez, 30, who turned herself in to police last week, was arraigned on two counts of animal cruelty following an investigation by Connecticut Animal Control.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
SOUTHBURY - The Southbury man who had a 14-hour standoff at a home on Purchase Brook Road has been identified as Joseph Michael Stotz, 38.

State Police took Stotz into Monday afternoon. He was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Stotz struck one of the arresting troopers, but was not seriously hurt.

Troopers seized several firearms from the residence.

The road was closed for most of the day Monday while officers with the State Police tactical unit attempted to talk the man into leaving the home. The man, who was not identified, was taken into custody around 4 p.m. without incident.

The ordeal began around 2 a.m. when police answered a call about a domestic incident at a house at Purchase Brook Road, where Stotz lives.

When officers arrived, they found that several people had fled the residence but the unidentified suspect remained inside. The relationship between the suspect and those who left the house wasn't disclosed.

The State Police Tactical Unit was deployed in an attempt to promote voluntary compliance by Stotz.

He was taken into custody at 4:05 p.m.

He is being held on $100,000 bond and will appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Tuesday.

Purchase Brook Road is located near Lake Lillinonah and George C. Waldo State Park.

dperrefort@newstimes.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Man arrested, ID'd in armed standoff at Southbury home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SOUTHBURY - The Southbury man who had a 14-hour standoff at a home on Purchase Brook Road has been identified as Joseph Michael Stotz, 38. State Police took Stotz into Monday afternoon. He was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
SOUTHBURY, CT - A Southbury man lost $4,200 in an apparent scam when he tried to lease an apartment for his son, the Republican-American reports. The local man saw an ad on Craigslist and wired the money but the contact for the apartment vanished.
>>>Read More at the Rep-Am.

Get the Southbury newsletter
Subscribe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Southbury Man Loses $4,200 In Scam: Report

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SOUTHBURY, CT - A Southbury man lost $4,200 in an apparent scam when he tried to lease an apartment for his son, the Republican-American reports. The local man saw an ad on Craigslist and wired the money but the contact for the apartment vanished. >>>Read More at the Rep-Am.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.countytimes.com/news/cvs-paying-connecticut-for-hazardous-waste-issues-southbury-store-cited/article_4730990b-5031-59c6-84b5-20ac650b21e8.html

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/11/01/timeline-recent-terror-attacks-against-west.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
SOUTHBURY, CT - A controversial six apartment proposal planned for 390 Roxbury Road on a 2-acre parcel will be denied, according to the Republican-American.

The Planning Commission authorized a resolution to deny the project, which residents vehemently opposed.

Officials said the plans didn't fit into the character of the neighborhood. The developer did reduce the initial plans from 14 to 6 units but in the end it didn't change commissioners thoughts about the project.
Read the full Rep-Am story here.
Subscribe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Southbury Planning Commission Issues Tentative Decision On Controversial Apartment Proposal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SOUTHBURY, CT - A controversial six apartment proposal planned for 390 Roxbury Road on a 2-acre parcel will be denied, according to the Republican-American. The Planning Commission authorized a resolution to deny the project, which residents vehemently opposed. Officials said the plans didn't fit into the character of the neighborhood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Soutbury, CT- Summer's nearly here and with each walk in the park, day at the pool and backyard BBQ comes the risk of snakebites, drowning and fires, but don't worry! There's no reason to stay cooped up inside all season.

Patch put together a list of summer safety tips to keep you safe and having fun while the weather's warm. Make sure to give snakes their distance and always swim with a buddy to stay carefree during the dog days.

Keeping these tips in mind, there are other possible dangers that affect Southbury residents year round.

We asked Patch Readers what they thought the biggest safety issues were in their town. Here's a list of the most pressing problems, from break-ins to traffic jams:

"Crosswalks. Cars almost never stop, even for the flashing one on Main Street S."

" I agree, they should park a cruiser and give out tickets. Also, Flood Bridge Road has terrible issue with speeders. They should give out a few tickets there. "

"The middle schoolers that roam around town on half days. There is nothing fun for them to do in town and my fear is that someone is going to be hit by a car - especially at one of the crosswalks or in the shop rite parking lot. It will be wonderful when the new theater comes and the kids can go to the movies on half days."

"The way that some of the senior citizens drive."

"Drivers going through red lights, no turns on reds, stop signs, pull out of parking lots onto Main Street without looking both ways, and of course speeding. This is the scariest town I've ever lived in when it comes to this stuff. Yet, I've heard our fine officers are told not to "bother" our citizens for these things. Ridiculous."

"Those two stupid lights at the foot of Depot Hill Road!"

"The intersection of Main Street South and South Britain Road. I have witnessed so many close call accidents due to people going around cars that are turning left so they can go straight."

"Maybe there should be a few "yield to pedestrians" signs around town. There are so many people out walking, which I love about this town. Drivers should be more cautious. Cross walks should be working better. We all have a right (even our older children) to walk around town. Also wish there were more sidewalks on side streets and bike lanes."

Is there a problem that wasn't mentioned? Share it with us in the comments below or on our Southbury Patch Facebook page.

Subscribe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Southbury Residents Sound Off on Safety Issues

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Soutbury, CT- Summer's nearly here and with each walk in the park, day at the pool and backyard BBQ comes the risk of snakebites, drowning and fires, but don't worry! There's no reason to stay cooped up inside all season. Patch put together a list of summer safety tips to keep you safe and having fun while the weather's warm.

# data[].attributes.body
A Look Into Southbury CT

# data[].attributes.body
A Global Crisis For Animal            Shelter Funding

# data[].attributes.body
5/22/18

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A barista at a Starbucks in La Cañada Flintridge is accused of printing a racial slur on a Latino customer's drinks on Tuesday.

Priscilla Hernandez told CNN that a co-worker at the restaurant where she works went to the nearby Starbucks and bought drinks. It's a coffee run they make just about every day.

The co-worker ordered a white chocolate mocha and an iced caramel macchiato and told the barista his name is Pedro, Hernandez said.

But she said that when he brought back the drinks, she noticed that "beaner" was written on her drink instead of Pedro. "Beaner" is a derogatory term for Mexicans in the United States.

"I asked him if he realized what they had put on his cup. He said no. So I was really upset about it, because that isn't OK," she said.

Hernandez said she called the store and they told her their employee couldn't understand what Pedro had told them. They also offered a $50 gift card.

"Out of all the names they could've put on his coffees for 'misunderstanding' him they decide to put 'beaner,'" she said, noting that the Starbucks employees apparently understood Pedro well enough to get his drink orders right.

Hernandez followed up with a complaint to Starbucks on Twitter. The company soon responded.

"Thank you for letting us know, Priscilla. This is not the welcoming experience we aim to provide, and we have reached out to this customer to apologize and make this right," Starbucks said on Twitter.

Hernandez said she and Pedro met with the chain's district manager on Thursday morning. She said the manager was very apologetic and promised to investigate the incident.

Hernandez told CNN that Pedro declined to comment for this story. A Starbucks spokesperson who was identified only as Erin told CNN on Thursday night that a company leadership team "met with the customer this morning at one of our local stores in the area and he accepted our apology. This kind of mistake is unacceptable, and we will take additional steps to assess what happened here and how our partners can be better."

The coffee chain is planning to close all 8,000 of its company-owned stores on the afternoon of May 29 so it can provide racial-bias training to its 175,000 employees.

The training was announced in response to the arrest of two African-American men last month at a Philadelphia Starbucks while they were waiting for a business meeting. As part of a settlement with the men, Starbucks and the city agreed to support a $200,000 initiative to encourage young entrepreneurs.

Correction: This story has been updated with the correct name of Priscilla Hernandez.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
starbucks faces more racism allegations after a barista wrote a slur on a latino customer's cup - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starbucks faces more racism allegations after a barista wrote a slur on a Latino customer's cup

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A barista at a Starbucks in La Cañada Flintridge is accused of printing a racial slur on a Latino customer's drinks on Tuesday. Priscilla Hernandez told CNN that a co-worker at the restaurant where she works went to the nearby Starbucks and bought drinks. It's a coffee run they make just about every day.

# data[].attributes.body
https://bit.ly/2ICgqxB

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-21943292

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.theskimm.com/skimm- guides/equal-pay

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.theskimm.com/skimm-guides/the-gun-control-debate

# data[].attributes.body
https://bit.ly/2x1sFyp

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-opioid-doctor-payments-20180514-story.html