Melissa Cooney

Hartford

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

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

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Articles

Remembering TFC Aaron Pelletier one year after he was killed in the line of duty

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

It's been one year since Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed in the line of duty. It's a loss that Connecticut State Police and communities throughout Connecticut feel to this day. "Not a day passes that I don't think about May 30," Geri-Lyn Dubay, of Plainville, said. On May 30, 2024, Dubay was driving on Interstate 84 when the lives of many would change forever.
5 people hospitalized, person of interest in custody after shooting at Connecticut mall

1 week ago | nbcchicago.com | Angela Fortuna |Melissa Cooney

Multiple people were taken to the hospital after a shooting at a mall in Waterbury, Connecticut, and a person of interest has been taken into custody. The police department responded to a shooting incident at Brass Mill Center at around 4:40 p.m.Five people have been transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Police said some injuries are more serious than others, but all of the injuries are non-life-threatening. Officials tell NBC Connecticut that there are no fatalities.
Officials encourage Connecticut Facebook users to be on alert for scam posts

1 week ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Experts are warning about a post that says an injured baby was abandoned, and another circulating right now claiming a police officer is missing. Both are deemed scams. Over 100 people in Old Lyme shared a post on Monday where the poster claims a police officer is missing. On Tuesday, those photos appear to be deleted, and the post turned into a food distribution event with a link.
Connecticut Restaurant Association seeks more funding for tourism marketing

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Connecticut's tourism season is kicking off this Memorial Day Weekend, but restaurants are asking for more support from the state as the governor works on the budget. The Connecticut Restaurant Association is asking the state for $20 million committed to tourism marketing, opposed to the $4.5 million invested currently.
Fallen officers added to Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Three names have joined the 152 others engraved in the Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial. "We are honoring and remembering those who have sworn to protect the citizens of Connecticut," said Sgt. Luke Davis, of the Connecticut State Police. Of the names added include Detective Sergeant John Bonin of the Meriden Police Department, who died in the line of duty in 1922. Lieutenant Otto Ernest Dobratz, also of the Meriden Police Department, died in the line of duty in 1953.
Invasive mosquito expected to return to Connecticut this summer

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

An invasive mosquito called the Asian tiger mosquito made a resurgence in population last year in Connecticut and experts say they expect them to continue to populate the months ahead. The Asian tiger mosquito has been found in Milford, as well as other towns in New Haven and Fairfield counties, like New Haven, West Haven and Bridgeport. The invasive species is becoming notorious in Connecticut for crashing summer cookouts because it likes densely populated coastal areas.
New Haven proposes local law that fines drivers for illegally passing school buses

2 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

New Haven is the next Connecticut municipality looking to install cameras on their school buses -- hoping to catch people who run the bus stop signs. This comes less than a year after the state legislature gave individual cities and towns the go-ahead to set up these initiatives in their communities. City leaders say they believe drivers are illegally passing school buses two to three times a day and are looking to put a stop to it.
Vernon woman says pre-paid funeral funds are gone

3 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Some people in northern Connecticut are on alert after learning about allegations of a funeral home owner embezzling their pre-paid funeral funds. Philip Pietras was arrested on a larceny charge in April, accused of mishandling more than $80,000 of pre-paid accounts. Based on Pietras' case on the Connecticut Judicial website, a plea has not been entered yet.
Somers neighbors concerned over irrigation pond on Watchaug Road

3 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

Neighbors in Somers describe Watchaug Road as "a little bit of heaven." Some worry that the potential for an irrigation pond from Oakridge Dairy could change that. "It's not going to be like that anymore," said Mary Balboni, who has lived in Somers for nearly 70 years. "Our way of life is going to end," she said.
More details develop in Hartford funeral shooting, stabbing

3 weeks ago | nbcconnecticut.com | Melissa Cooney

We're learning more about just what happened moments before a shooting and stabbing at a funeral in Hartford last week at the Gospel Lighthouse Apostolic Church. Joshua Smellie was arrested in the case and went before a judge Monday, who ruled he continue to be held on $1 million dollars bond. We spoke to a family member who attended the funeral of Ida Hawkins-Green, who didn't want to be identified or be recorded on camera. But they took a video during the situation and let us share it.