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INJURED INFANT

Conn. father charged with assaulting infant son

ENFIELD, Conn. (AP) A Southington man whose infant son suffered broken ribs two months ago has been arrested in connection with the boy's injuries.

State police charged 18-year-old Tyler Maia with second-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor Wednesday. He was held on $75,000 bail for presentment in Enfield Superior Court.

Authorities say Maia and the boy's mother brought the 4-month-old child to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford on March 21, and X-rays showed he had multiple rib fractures. State officials took custody of the boy.

State police say Maia told them he was home alone with his son on March 19 when he lived in East Granby and violently shifted the boy in his arms when the child began to vomit.

It's not clear if Maia has a lawyer.

NORWALK SHOOTING

Man slain in Norwalk shooting

(Information in the following story is from: The Advocate, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com )

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) Police say a man has been shot and killed in Norwalk.

Police Chief Harry Rilling says the victim was pronounced dead at a hospital. He had been shot in the abdomen at about 3:20 Wednesday afternoon.

The Advocate of Stamford reports that police were searching for four men.

Investigators at the scene on South Main Street in South Norwalk were identifying evidence and had marked four shell casings.

HOLIDAY PATROLS

State police to boost patrols on holiday weekend

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) State police say they'll be boosting patrols during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend looking for drunken drivers and people not wearing seat belts.

Troopers say they'll be participating with police in other states in the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort program, or CARE. The Connecticut enforcement effort will run from Friday through midnight on Monday.

During last year's Memorial Day weekend, Connecticut state troopers arrested 70 drunken drivers, charged more than 2,000 people with speeding and issued about 980 tickets for seat belt violations. They also responded to 260 accidents including four fatal crashes.

Troopers say they'll also be focusing on illegal cell phone use while driving this year.

HEALTHY STATE WORKERS

Conn. leans on workers to comply with health rule

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) With just a week to go, Connecticut's comptroller says about 12 percent of state employees have yet to comply with a rule requiring participation in a cost-savings health program.

The comptroller's office said Wednesday about 6,000 of 51,000 enrolled employees had not complied.

Comptroller Kevin Lembo said his office has been sending letters and emails and has been in touch with state commissioners to get workers informed about the May 31 deadline.

It's part of a Health Enhancement Program intended to improve long-term care and cut potential medical costs for the state. Employees must inform the state by May 31 they've made appointments for dental or medical procedures and have the work done by Dec. 31.

Failure to comply will result in a premium of $100 a month in addition to the regular premium.

CONNECTICUT RIVER-BLUEWAYS

Conn. River watershed designated for conservation

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The Connecticut River watershed is to be recognized as the first in the United States to be dedicated for conservation and recreation.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will lead a ceremony Thursday in Hartford. He will name the Connecticut River watershed as the nation's first National Blueway.

It's part of an initiative by President Barack Obama known as America's Great Outdoors Rivers, which is intended to establish a community conservation and recreation agenda. The designation in Hartford is intended to recognize the work of more than 40 organizations, the Connecticut River Watershed Council, states and others.

Conservation and environmental advocates say the goal of creating a Blueways is to build on already popular trails and can help connect communities, landscapes, residents and outdoors enthusiasts with recreation and to protect land and water resources.

SOLDIER PORTRAITS

Ceremony planned for 7 fallen Conn. soldiers

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A ceremony is planned at the state Capitol complex to honor seven fallen Connecticut soldiers.

Photographic portraits of the soldiers will be added to the Wall of Honor tribute, located between the state Capitol and the Legislative Office Building.

A ceremony, led by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, is scheduled for Thursday in the Legislative Office Building atrium, where family members will read the names and speak about their loved ones.

The honorees include Army Spec. Philip Schiller of Winsted, Army Spec. Richard Emmons of North Granby, Army Pfc. Eric Soufrine of Woodbridge, Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Brian Bill of Stamford, Army Sgt. Edward Frank II of Hartford, Army Staff Sgt. Ari Cullers of Waterford and Army Spec. Dennis Pratt of Southington.

The memorial wall was started in 2007.