officer honored

STAMFORD — Stamford police officer Glenn Coppola is one of three recipients of this year's Public Safety Award.

The Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut (PCAC) announced the winners Wednesday.

In a statement from the PCAC it said, "Each of these police professionals have had a long and distinguished career in protecting the residents of their respective communities. These gentlemen represent the highest standard in police professionalism and commitment to public service."

The reception will start at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program. To make reservations contact Carol Bryan at 203-488-1035 or commbryan@RCN.com

— Ben Levine

Petit family at Capitol to push for stronger three strikes law

HARTFORD (AP) — Family members of the lone survivor of last July's deadly home invasion in Cheshire are asking state lawmakers pass a stronger three-strikes-and-you're-out law.

Johanna Petit Chapman, sister of Dr. William Petit Jr., says it's common sense that people who commit three violent offenses should spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Two paroled burglars have been charged with killing Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Hayley and Michaela. If convicted, the two men face the death penalty.

Petit Chapman, flanked by her parents, told the Judiciary Committee that her brother and family have been sentenced to life without Jennifer and the two girls. Unlike many criminals, they have no chance of parole.

Lawmakers are considering four bills that are three-strikes-related.

Iditarod plane goes down outside checkpoint

NOME, Alaska (AP) — Two members of a Connecticut media production crew working with organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race were injured Tuesday when their small plane crashed en route to a race checkpoint.

Alaska State Troopers said Tony Verano and Matt Peterson sustained non-life-threatening injuries when the Cessna 180 went down about 13 miles east of White Mountain, 77 miles from the Nome finish line. The pilot, Kenneth Moon, was not hurt. No other people were on board.

The accident occurred around 10 a.m., Iditarod officials said.

Verano and Peterson work for Versus, formerly known as the Outdoor Life Network, according to Stan Hooley, executive director of the Iditarod Trail Committee. Stamford, Conn.-based Versus is a national media partner with the Iditarod.

Moon was flying from the checkpoint at Koyuk to White Mountain when the plane crashed, according to trooper Sgt. Andrew Merrill. Moon is part of the Iditarod air force, a collection of pilots who volunteer their time and planes for the 1,100-mile race.

Troopers were investigating the cause of crash along with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, Merrill said.

WWE performer suspended for drug policy violation

STAMFORD (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended one of its most popular performers for a second violation of the company's drug policy.

Stamford-based WWE spokesman Gary Davis says wrestler Jeff Hardy, who has headlined numerous live and pay-per-view events, has been suspended for 60 days. He would not say what drugs were involved.

Davis says there have been about 30 suspensions under the WWE substance abuse and drug testing policy begun in 2006, which requires tests for steroids and other drugs.

A wrestler faces a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation. Performers are tested at least four times per year.

Last August, WWE suspended 10 wrestlers for violations of its drug testing policy involve drug purchases, mostly human growth hormones.