Latest news with #HartfordCourant
Global News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Comedian Matt Rife is now the legal guardian of ‘haunted' Annabelle doll
Comedian Matt Rife is taking his interest in the paranormal to the next level, announcing that he's recently purchased the famed Connecticut home and museum that houses the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle. Rife announced over the weekend that he and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the home and museum belonging to famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and are now tasked with taking care of the home's contents, including Annabelle, the spooky attraction's crown jewel. View image in full screen The Annabelle Raggedy Ann doll sits in a case in the Warrens Occult Museum in this undated photo. Jessica Moore/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 'We are the legal guardians and caretakers of all 750 haunted artifacts and items in the Warren Museum, including the Annabelle doll. I must go on record and say we do not legally own items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items for at least the next five years,' Rife, 29, said in an Instagram video on Saturday, clarifying that while he now owns the Warren Occult Museum, he's not the owner of the 750 curios inside. Story continues below advertisement Tony Spera, the Warrens' son-in-law and co-director of the late couple's organization, New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), told that he and his wife still own the collection, including the Annabelle doll, and are only leasing them to Rife and Castee. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We have no plans to ever 'sell' the artifacts,' he said in a statement. View image in full screen FILE – A doll is seen at the Warner Bros. premiere of 'Annabelle Comes Home' at Regency Village Theatre on June 20, 2019, in Westwood, Calif. Rich Fury/FilmMagic 'If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted,' Rife captioned in a photo of himself and Castee posing with the doll. Story continues below advertisement 'You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, etc…' Annabelle inspired a series of films in recent years; the opening scene of 2013's The Conjuring features the doll, as well as spin-off flicks Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017) and Annabelle Comes Home (2019), the latter which takes place exclusively in the Warrens' residence. According to the Warren Occult Museum shut down in 2019 amid a number of zoning issues. Now, Rife says he and Castee have plans to restore the house and welcome visitors. Story continues below advertisement 'We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours, so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place,' he wrote. The NESPR has long claimed Annabelle is attached to 'an inhuman demonic spirit.' Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans told US Weekly that the doll is known to move on its own, leave messages on paper for its owners and change positions. Rife's guardianship of the doll comes just weeks after NESPR investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly in his hotel room while showcasing the doll on the national Devils on the Run Tour. 0:35 Paranormal investigator carrying 'possessed' Annabelle doll dies suddenly According to E! News, a July 16 police report labelled his death as 'natural,' but a final cause of death won't be determined until an autopsy is completed. Story continues below advertisement Authorities said that the doll was not present when Rivera passed away. In his video, Rife acknowledged the potential risks he's taking in living under the same roof as Annabelle. 'This is the most random hobby ever, but it's so f—ing cool, man,' he said. 'I should probably collect stamps or something — might be a little safer.'
Motor 1
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Another State Is Cracking Down on Slow Left-Lane Drivers. Here's How It Could Cost You
Anyone who's driven anywhere in America knows how annoying left-lane campers are. But in recent years, states have taken more proactive approaches to reminding drivers about proper road etiquette, with some implementing laws specifically targeting left-lane hogs that slow the flow of traffic. Another state has joined the list: Connecticut. Connecticut's legislature recently strengthened a law to prevent cars from camping in the left lane. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill on June 23; however, it won't become law until October 1, 2026. This will give the state a year to educate the public about the updated statute and the fines associated with it. The law stipulates that anyone who violates the provision could face an $88 fine. The updated statute states that a person can drive in the extreme left lane on a 'divided limited access highway' only when overtaking another vehicle, to access or egress from the highway, or at the direction of law enforcement. The state also has carveouts for the need to avoid emergency vehicles, road maintenance, or traffic congestion. Otherwise, Connecticut expects drivers to stay out of the left lane. The state clarified the law at the request of Connecticut's Department of Transportation. DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan told the Hartford Courant that the law "was a little unclear where it applied," and that first responders were complaining of traffic congestion caused by left-lane campers. He added that left-lane campers create 'unsafe conditions' because other drivers begin weaving through traffic to pass on the right. The Law: Another State Could Legalize Japanese Mini Trucks Gavin Newsom Just Killed California's Pursuit of Annoying In-Car Speeding Alerts Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Hartford Courant Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Woman Uses Metal Water Bottle to Fight Off Bear That Dragged Her Dog Away During a Hike: ‘My Dog Was Dripping Blood'
A Connecticut woman was on a hike with her dog when a mother bear suddenly attacked the 10-year-old German shepherd mix and dragged her further into the woods Recounting the terrifying incident, Kayleigh Roy said she used her metal water bottle to fight off the bear and save her pet 'I was frantic and freaking out. I couldn't believe I got that close to a bear. We had literally locked eyes," Roy saidA Connecticut woman is recounting her terrifying showdown with a bear after the wild animal attacked her dog. Kayleigh Roy, a West Hartford resident, was hiking a trail near Talcott Mountain in Simsbury on June 29 with her dog Phoenix, a 10-year-old female German shepherd mix, by her side, per the Hartford Courant. At one point during their walk, Phoenix dashed ahead to a clearing, and Roy recalled immediately having a "bad feeling." When she caught up with her dog, she encountered a mother bear and her two cubs in the clearing. At first, Phoenix and the cubs began playing with each other, Roy told the outlet. But suddenly, the mother bear came running over and grabbed Phoenix by her teeth. She dragged the dog further into the woods by her neck, all while Phoenix "desperately" tried to free herself. 'It was just such a horrible image, and I thought, 'I can't leave her,' ' Roy recalled to the Courant. 'I couldn't have this be our last memory together, so I knew I had to try and grab her. I'm not going to lie, I did think about running back. But I knew I had to do something or I just couldn't live with myself.' Roy happened to have a large, half-full metal water bottle in her backpack, which she said weighs between 5 and 10 lbs., depending on how much water is in it. 'I never usually bring a pack with me, but for some reason I did that day,' she said, before recounting how she used it to fight off the bear. 'I started hitting the bear on the face and nose with my bag and bottle in it. I got her a few times with the bottle and one that hit her on the nose pretty good," she told the outlet. "I was flailing, making myself look big, and screaming like a crazy person. I was surprised that no one heard me.' Miraculously, the bear retreated into the woods with her cubs less than a minute later. Roy, meanwhile, "just started backing away very slowly." 'I was frantic and freaking out. I couldn't believe I got that close to a bear. We had literally locked eyes," she said, describing the terrifying experience. "My dog was dripping blood and had a lot of adrenaline, so I let her walk a little and then picked her up.'Roy carried a badly injured Phoenix to her car and then quickly rushed her to a veterinary hospital in West Hartford, where she was told that the dog "miraculously" had no internal puncture wounds to her esophagus or other organs from the attack, per the Courant. The veterinary team had to shave Phoenix's fur to properly assess and tend to her injuries, and Roy said she was shocked to see her beloved pet's condition when she picked her up the next day. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I started to cry," she recalled to the outlet. 'When I brought her in, I couldn't see how bad the damage was because she has a lot of fur. But when I picked her up, I realized she was in a lot worse shape than I had thought. The veterinary techs there said that they could not believe she got away [from the bear] like that.' Phoenix, who is now recovering at home, will need several weeks to fully heal — but her prognosis is good, much to Roy's relief. And despite her injuries, she's been in good spirits. 'She's such a sweet dog — everyone loves her,' Roy told the Courant. 'Just the other day, she greeted me at the door just like she used to do before she was attacked. That made me really happy, as I can see her coming back little by little. But it will be a journey to get her back to fully healed.' To help cover the cost of Phoenix's emergency vet care, surgeries and follow-up treatments, Roy set up a GoFundMe. So far, nearly $10,000 has been raised toward a goal of $14,000. In a message on the fundraiser page, Roy wrote, "Phoenix is not just a pet — she's my heart, my family and my protector. She saved me, and now I'm doing everything I can to save her." "If you're able to help in any way, no matter how small, it would mean the world to both of us," she added. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Female hiker reveals incredible trick she used to fight off bear in Connecticut woods
A Connecticut woman's on-the-spot thinking saved her and her dog during a bear fight in the woods. Kayleigh Roy, 34, of West Hartford, was hiking on a trail near Talcott Mountain on June 29 when her 10-year-old dog Phoenix took off down a path, leaving her with a bad feeling. After arriving in a clearing, Roy saw her dog playing with two cubs with a momma bear not far off. Soon after, the momma bear began to attack Phoenix and dragged the dog by the neck further into the woods, Roy told The Hartford Courant. 'It was just such a horrible image and I thought: "I can't leave her,"' she told the outlet. 'I couldn't have this be our last memory together, so I knew I had to try and grab her.' Despite considering running to safety, she stayed to fight for her dog. 'I knew I had to do something or I just couldn't live with myself.' Roy reached for her backpack, which contained a gray Nalgene water bottle that can weigh up to 10 pounds if full. She used the pack to hit the bear in the nose and face as hard as she could, while 'flailing' around to make herself 'look big' while she 'screamed like a crazy person.' 'I got her a few times with the bottle and one that hit her on the nose pretty good,' she told the outlet. Less than a minute into the attack, the bear started to retreat into the woods and Roy didn't waste any time getting out of there. 'I just started backing away very slowly and started back down on trail. I was frantic and freaking out, I couldn't believe I got that close to a bear. We had literally locked eyes.' Her dog was dripping blood and was pent up with adrenaline, so she allowed the pooch to walk for a few minutes before carrying her back to the car. She immediately took the dog to VCA Veterinary Specialists of CT, and the vet told her it was 'miraculous' that Phoenix did not sustain internal puncture wounds. 'When I brought her in, I couldn't see how bad the damage was because she has a lot of fur. But when I picked her up, I realized she was in a lot worse shape than I had thought,' Roy said. 'The veterinary techs there said that they could not believe she got away like that.' The dog will be on antibiotics for a few weeks and is now recovering at home after a night's stay in the hospital. She has started a GoFundMe to help with vet bills. Roy is happy her dog is home safe and resting. 'She's such a sweet dog, everyone loves her,' she told the outlet. Phoenix has also started to bounce back, including greeting her at the door when she comes home, making the owner 'really happy.' Daily Mail has contacted Roy for comment. When encountering a brown bear, the National Parks Service advises people to play dead and spread their legs so the animal has a harder time turning them over. When encountering a black bear, use objects to fight back and or escape to a secure location A California hiker, Courtney Rasura, was recently confronted by a mountain lion while hiking on a secluded trail. Rasura found herself just feet away from the wild animal while roaming through Gridley Trail in Ojai on July 3 around 6:30pm. She said she had looked down at her phone quickly to play a podcast, and when she returned her gaze to the path ahead she realized she was no longer alone. She also repeatedly shouted 'no' and 'go away' at the lion as it came closer to her. At one point, she just screamed to try and scare it off, which worked.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular CT mall adds more stores. Here's what they are, but think California-based jewelry
Westfarms, a premier shopping mall located on the town line between Farmington and West Hartford, has earned recent awards and added multiple stores with more in the works. The Hartford Courant's Best of Hartford 2025 annual readers' poll awarded Westfarms its first-place recognition in the shopping center category with four Westfarms stores, including Nordstrom, Warby Parker, Munson's Chocolates and Cotton On Kids, selected as tops in their categories. The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce also selected Westfarms as the 2025 recipient of the Economic Driver of the Year Spotlight Award. 'We're incredibly honored to be recognized by the West Hartford Chamber for our impact on the local economy and to be voted by the Hartford Courant and its readers as one of the region's top shopping destinations,' said Westfarms general manager Elizabeth Ryan in a press release. 'For more than 50 years, Westfarms has been at the center of a vibrant and growing retail community, contributing to the economy and providing a home to more than 140 retailers and restaurants. With over 1,000 community members employed by our tenants, we're proud to be part of a diverse and thriving local workforce. 'This recognition is also a testament to the dedication of our tenants — from innovative first-to-market brands to cherished local favorites — who together make Westfarms a dynamic and welcoming place for shoppers,' Ryan added. Westfarms has added several stores this year including Windsor. The specialty formal apparel retailer for women opened on March 31 in a 4,076-square-foot space on the lower level near Nordstrom just in time for prom and wedding season. Manhattan-based Caffé Arrone opened in April in Center Court featuring organic coffee brews from around the world and a full menu of cafe flavors and teas. It is the company's fifth location. Jamba Juice will move into the mall's lower level this summer. There are 750 locations nationwide and this will be the third in the state. Jamba Juice offers plant-based smoothies, bowls with fresh fruit toppings and foods to go. Zumiez will be opening in the Nordstrom wing this summer in a 2,867-square-foot space. The store offers apparel, footwear, accessories and skateboards and features brands like Affliction, Ed Hardy, Empyre, FB County, Von Dutch and Plan B skateboards. California-based jewelry brand gorjana, best known for interchangeable jewelry pieces, is also opening this summer. The 821-square foot store will be second location in the state. It will be located on the upper level of Center Court. Kay Jewelers has reopened after a store renovation. American Eagle is also going through a redesign and is expected to re-open for the back-to-school shopping season. 'We are proud of our continued growth and commitment to our retailers and shoppers at Westfarms,' Ryan said. 'We remain dedicated to enhancing our shopping experience with first to the area brands and customer favorites that will complement our existing lineup at Westfarms.'
