Jan. 11-12 Storm Declared Major Disaster, Arrainment for Narcotics Charges, FOI Case Almost Over

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in all of Connecticut’s counties for the record-breaking storm that dumped several inches of snow across the state on Jan. 11 to 12, the Associated Press reported Thursday evening. The president’s decision follows a Feb. 22 request from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to Obama, asking the president to declare to federal disaster for the January storm. Avon may be eligible for funding for snow removal on those days.

Former Avon public works employee Jose Santiago was arraigned in Hartford Superior Court Tuesday for multiple narcotics charges. After his home was invaded, police discovered almost 10 ounces of crack in his baby's crib. West Hartford police arrested him on charges of possession with intent to sell more than a half-ounce of cocaine, which carries a potential mandatory minimum sentence of five to 20 years. He is also accused of operating a drug factory, drug possession within 1,500 feet of a school, marijuana possession and two counts of risk of injury to a child. He was released on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court March 10.

Avon resident Joao Godoy received notification Wednesday that the Freedom of Information Commission is going to recommend that the Avon Police Department release the addresses of 38 applicants who applied to the department in 2006 and 2007. Godoy has filed several FOI requests with the town pertaining to the hiring practices of the Avon Police Department, as well as three complaints against the town of Avon. In the most recent complaint from 2010, Godoy was seeking the addresses of at least 38 police applicants, but the town had resisted releasing the information under the argument that issuing the addresses of police officers is against state statute. The commission will review the case on March 23 and vote on a final decision.

Another burger joint may be coming to Avon, though no applications have been filed in the Avon Office of Planning and Community Development. Jake's Wayback Burger already has sites in East Windsor, Meriden, Mystic, Rocky Hill, Stratford and Torrington, and announced on its website that it is coming soon to Avon, West Hartford, New Haven, Orange and Stamford. Jake's Wayback Burger has not indicated where the burger place would go.

Want to see what it's like to be a firefighter? The Avon Volunteer Fire Department is accepting applications for the Citizens Fire Academy, which will begin on April 6 at 6:45 p.m.