Melissa Cooney

Hartford

Multimedia Journalist + Reporter at WVIT-TV (West Hartford, CT)

Reporter for @NBCConnecticut 🦚 🎥 📡Formerly: @WCAX and @WakeForest

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Articles

10 names added to Hartford's Black Heroes Trail

6 days ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Hartford's Black history is on display on Albany Avenue and other busy roads in the capitol city. "Greatness can rise from Albany Ave. and the greater Hartford area," Corrie Betts of the Greater Hartford NAACP said. You might notice 10 new plaques honoring more of Hartford's Black heroes. "I couldn't be here if not for our people that walked before us," Hartford City Council President Shirley Surgeon (D) said.
Police investigate string of overnight break-ins in two shoreline towns

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

The search is on for the person behind a string of overnight break-ins in two neighboring shoreline communities. Four businesses were targeted in Guilford and Madison in the early hours Wednesday morning. Guilford police said they are investigating break-ins at businesses Snip Snaps Kids Cuts and Three Girls Vegan Creamery.
Meriden community members rally to bring detained teen back to Connecticut

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Support continues to grow for a high school senior who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, just days before his graduation. The student missed the ceremony last night, but his classmates aren't letting that stop them from showing their support. Fellow classmates, priests, community members and even teachers from Maloney High School marched two miles on Meriden's East Main Street in support of the student. "We're all human.
Middletown's speed cameras are now in operation

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Middletown just became the first city in the state to install speed cameras, and more are on the way. Driving down Washington Street in Middletown, a sign that reads "Speed Limit Photo Enforced" might catch your eye. "There are people who speed here constantly," said one driver. The city's first speed camera system is by George Street, where a study found that 75% of vehicles went ten miles per hour or more over the speed limit.
CT high schoolers show support for classmate detained by ICE ahead of graduation

1 week ago | nbcboston.com | Melissa Cooney

A high school senior in Meriden was taken into custody by ICE last week, days before his graduation. Some of his classmates are showing their support for him and plan to do so at the ceremony on Tuesday. Mayor Kevin Scarpati said the student was attending a non-criminal immigration hearing when he was detained. The school district said any student that meets the requirements to graduate will still receive their diploma. Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.
Meriden high schoolers show support for classmate detained by ICE ahead of graduation

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

A high school senior in Meriden was taken into custody by ICE last week, days before his graduation. Some of his classmates are showing their support for him and plan to do so at the ceremony on Tuesday. Meriden Public Schools Superintendent Mark Benigni says the student was attending a non-criminal immigration hearing when he was detained. The school district says any student that meets the requirements to graduate will still receive their diploma.
Safety officials warn drivers to not use infotainment system to stream media

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Screens in your car seem to be getting bigger each new model year, and officials are warning drivers to make sure they're not playing movies on them while they're driving. We're not talking about movie screens for your kids in the back, we're talking about devices that turn the infotainment in the front into a media player where you can watch shows and scroll TikTok.
Middletown kicks off Pride Month

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Pride Month is in full swing, and Middletown kicked off their celebrations on Thursday. If you're around the city, you'll see the Pride crosswalk donning every color of the rainbow and the Pride flag above City Hall. It's a colorful start to June, where dozens of Middletown community members are celebrating the beginning of Pride Month. "We celebrate diversity in Middletown, we gather together, and we embrace each other," said Brianna Bloom Skowera, of Middletown Pride.
East Hartford temporarily limits number of gas stations in town

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

There's no shortage of gas stations in East Hartford, so the town is temporarily capping the number at 18. That's so they can look at the environmental impacts they have on the area and development. "If you turn any corner there's a gas station," said Gregory Williams, of East Hartford. It's hard to miss the 18 gas stations that exist in the 18 square miles of the town. "We don't want to be known as a community that just has gas stations," said East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin.
Funeral home owner accused of embezzling funds pleads not guilty in court

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

A Connecticut funeral home owner, accused of taking money from his clients and using it for gambling, and other personal expenses, appeared in court on Tuesday. In court, Phillip Pietras pleaded not guilty to the current charge of first-degree larceny, which he was arrested for in April.