Connecticut will have several hometown connections at Saturday’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. Danbury’s Jerome Burns will compete in the men’s event, while former Torrington resident Miki Sudo returns to defend her women’s title in the annual Fourth of July competition.

Connecticut transportation officials and state police are urging drivers to plan ahead and avoid impaired driving during the busy Fourth of July holiday. Extra state troopers will patrol highways through Sunday as millions of travelers hit the road and officials work to reduce crashes and fatalities.

A ball python found near Riverview Cinemas in Southbury has been rescued after it was spotted heading toward busy Main Street South. Animal control says the snake appeared healthy and is investigating whether it escaped or was abandoned. Anyone with information is asked to contact Southbury Animal Control.

Stacey Haupt Miranda has been appointed Danbury’s new state’s attorney following a unanimous vote by the Connecticut Criminal Justice Commission. Miranda begins an eight-year term overseeing criminal prosecutions in the Danbury Judicial District, succeeding David Applegate, who has moved to the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District.

Connecticut environmental conservation police are stepping up boating under the influence enforcement during the national Operation Dry Water campaign from today through Monday. Officials remind boaters that operating a vessel with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal and can now also affect driving privileges under state law.

Danbury will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary Saturday with a public ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. at the Danbury Museum and Historical Society and First Congregational Church. The event includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music, and a citywide ringing of bells to commemorate the nation’s founding.

The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library will celebrate its 50th anniversary with its annual book sale July 10th through July 14th at Reed Intermediate School in Newtown. A paid preview is scheduled next Friday, with the public sale beginning next Saturday and continuing through Tuesday, July 14th featuring increasing discounts each day.

32 year old Fernando Toribio of Waterbury has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing government money while working as a confidential informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Prosecutors say he secretly accepted thousands of dollars from drug traffickers during undercover fentanyl and methamphetamine investigations. Sentencing is scheduled for September 23.

A Connecticut judge has ruled that 38 year old Brandon Hamel will not inherit more than $845,000 from his late girlfriend, 37 year old Alexandra Standish. The court found Hamel abused and intimidated Standish and delayed getting medical help after she was fatally injured. The money will instead go to Standish’s family.

43 year old Justin Prescott of Danbury has pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors say investigators found more than 100 suspected image and video files on a laptop seized during a 2025 search. Prescott is scheduled to be sentenced following a court hearing set for September 17.