Home Care In Hartford, CT

Connecticut is planning to raise fares on Metro-North Railroad and CT Rail transit throughout the state later this year in order to cover the increased cost of operating rail services.

Fares are slated to rise by 5% beginning Sept. 1, and another 5% on July 1, 2026. That means a rush-hour one-way trip between New Haven and Stamford on Metro-North, for example, would rise from $8.75 to $9.50 by July of next year. An off-peak one-way trip between Hartford and New Haven on CT Rail would rise from $8.25 to $8.75, and a one-way trip from Stamford to Grand Central Terminal on Metro-North during peak hours would rise from $16 to $17.75 by this time next year.

Officials with the state Department of Transportation said the fare increase was necessary to keep the trains running.

“The cost to operate the existing level of service has increased year over year,” said Dan Baker, a transportation supervising planner with the department during a public meeting in Stamford on fare increases. “So in order to maintain the current level of trains and rail service and account for rising costs, fares needed to increase to offset a funding gap.”

DOT had requested $327 million from the state to cover the cost of rail services in fiscal year 2026, which began July 1, but the legislature’s budget only included $316 million. The increase in fares will make up for that gap, officials said.

Connecticut last increased fares in 2023 when the Hartford line, New Haven line and Shore Line East faced a 4.5% increase. Before that, fares had stayed the same since 2018.

Baker said even with the planned increases this year and next, inflation will still have surpassed rail fare increases. Since 2018, inflation has driven up consumer prices by approximately 28%, whereas by 2026 rail fares will have increased by 14% to 15%, according to DOT data.

Fares account for roughly half of Metro-North’s operating costs, but a far smaller slice — less than 10% — of the Hartford and Shore Line East rail lines’ operating costs. Most of the rest of the funding comes from the state.

Many lines faced service and funding cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership has rebounded unevenly across lines since then.

Over that same period, the state has invested in new transportation and development projects, like the WALK rail bridge spanning the Norwalk River, and the Connecticut River bridge connecting Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.

Commuters’ concern

Some commuters expressed opposition to the state’s plan to raise fares, noting problems with the current service, including its delayed restoration after the Covid cutbacks, and general frustration about the rising cost of living throughout the state.

Susan Feaster, a frequent commuter on Shore Line East rail, said riders shouldn’t be on the hook for the state not fully funding rail transit. “Fare increases are never good, and doing a complete 10% by next year is a lot,” said Feaster, who also founded the Shore Line East Riders Advocacy Group in 2018.

Feaster said lawmakers boosted funding for child care and education in the coming biennium budget, which will enable many parents to work. “But you know, they should probably put some of that money into mass transit to help the people trying to get to work to pay those taxes, right?” she said.

Jim Gildea, Chairman of the Connecticut Public Transportation Council, said, “While I recognize the necessity of increasing rail rates and the fact it’s been a while since the last increase, I have serious reservations about raising bus and transit fares.” (Currently, bus fares aren’t slated to increase, though the Governor proposed bus fare hikes earlier this year.)

“These services are vital for many individuals facing economic challenges, and now may not be the right time to impose additional financial burdens on them,” he said.

DOT officials said they performed a service and fare equity analysis to assess the effects fare increases would have on low-income and minority customers. “We found that the proposed fare increases for 2025 and 2026 for Hartford line, Shoreline east and New Haven line do not have a disparate impact on minority customers, nor a disproportionate burden on low income customers, whether analyzed individually or in aggregate,” Baker said.

DOT held several public meetings to hear concerns from riders about the fare increases, but turnout was low. In Stamford last Monday, two residents attended. In New Haven last Tuesday, only one resident was there. And in Hartford last Thursday, only a small handful of residents were present.

Jon Bonci, a CT Rail passenger who attended the Hartford event, said he wasn’t confident his presence would change the state’s plans. “We’re gonna have to pay it, so what can you do? It doesn’t matter what we say in the public hearing,” he said.

Stamford resident Nicole Howerton expressed concern at the DOT’s public meeting at the Ferguson Public Library there.

“As a resident of Stamford and a sole [commuter] for my family, it plays a major role in being able to get around and enjoy the community,” Howerton said. “When we’re presenting an increase of some nature, we need to look at the schedule and see if and how that’s meeting the community.”

A frequent commuter through the Metro-North’s West Haven station, she added that when rail service is down she has to take Ubers, which is another additional cost.

Chris Irby, the only registered speaker at the New Haven public meeting, pointed to Bridgeport as an urban area that would be significantly affected by the fare hikes. As a Bridgeport resident and a frequent commuter, he said that Bridgeport residents already struggle to find money for the fares.

“Bridgeport is not a business city like New Haven is,” Irby said. “Everybody has to take the train to go to other towns, to go to work.”

Irby also called on DOT to do a better job of advertising the events, stating that he would like to see more of DOT’s presence and advertising in downtown New Haven.

The department held additional public hearings virtually on June 30 and July 1. Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto will consider public comments through July 6, via email to [email protected] or by leaving a voicemail at (860) 594-3612. DOT will take all comments into consideration before finalizing the proposed fare changes, officials said.

CT Mirror photojournalist Dana Edwards contributed to this story.

Travel experts are expecting a record numbers of travelers to hit the road by the end of the 4th of July holiday week, according to AAA Club Alliance

Overall, 849,000 Connecticut residents were expected to travel 50 miles or more and 3.5 million people were projected to travel across New England through July 6. Both numbers are up by 2.3% from last year, according to AAA.

According to AAA, travel in the country has increased by 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than 2019.

Of the Connecticut residents traveling, 87% (739,000) are driving to their destination. There are 66,000 flying to their destinations and 45,000 using other modes of transportation.

“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.”

Noble said the reason for rising numbers is that “people want to have experiences and make memories, and we’re finding that over the course of the last couple of years, people are turning to travel more so than material items.”

“We’ve got busy traveling in spades,” Noble said. “The roads are going to be crowded. People are going to be flying, and we’re actually seeing the biggest increase in those other modes of transportation. So, people using trains, cruises or buses to get to their destination.”

Nationally, 61.6 million people are expected to travel by car over Independence Day week, up 2.2%, compared to last year, according to AAA. AAA projects a record high 279,000 taking to the air for the holiday, up 1% from last year.

Noble says travelers should prepare for crowded roads. In 2024, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls over the Independence Day week. Many of the calls were for dead batteries, flat tires, running out of gas or drivers being locked out of their cars.

“If you see either disabled motorists or emergency workers on the side of the road, please slow down and move over for them so that they can get home safe as well,” Noble said. ‘Drive sober, not impaired by alcohol or drugs, whether it be legal, prescription or other substances. And plan ahead. So if you know you need to get somewhere at a specific time, whether you’re driving to the airport or not, give yourself extra time. and even look to a non-traditional route. It may be longer in mileage, but if it keeps you moving, it might be a better drive experience.”

According to AAA, summer gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2021. Gas prices are 30 to 40 cents lower per gallon than this time last year.

Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Morgan said he also expects increased traffic this week with the holiday falling on a Friday. He said the DOT has paused non-emergency roadwork to alleviate some of the bottleneck and congestion that road projects can cause.

“This is a beautiful time of year, so whether people are going to barbecues, parties, fireworks, just traveling to the beach and enjoying the rest of the relaxation, we just want to make sure they have a plan to get home safely,” Morgan said.

“People feel the need to speed or text and drive or have a bunch of cocktails and then get behind the wheel,” he added. “People know better. We’re a smart state. We got smart people here, but they’re doing a lot of dumb things, and it’s costing people their lives. So, we’re hoping that the word can get out there and people will stay safe for this holiday weekend.”

There have been 110 fatalities on state roads this year through July 1, which is down about 28% according to Morgan. At this point of the year in 2024, there were 150 fatalities, in 2023 there were 136 and 160 in 2022. Morgan said this was a “big change” in statistics but warns that it could be just “luck.”

“Are people changing their behavior? Is Connecticut being safer and more responsible? I want to say yes, but part of me says that people are also getting lucky out there,” Morgan said. “So, let’s not be lucky. Let’s not roll the dice. Let’s not play a game of chance. Let’s do everything we can to keep each other safe this weekend.”

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Long hours. Heavy workloads. Constant stress. The demands of working in healthcare can take a toll on your health – and even lead to burnout.

While self-care might sound like just one more thing to add to your to-do list, even a few small habits can help protect your energy, focus and well-being.

Sarah Jones, LCSW, well-being manager for Hartford HealthCare, shares five simple ways to get started.

Microbreaks are short, intentional pauses — just two to five minutes — that reduce stress, increase focus, and prevent burnout.

Even a quick trip to refill your water bottle or a moment to stretch and breathe counts.

“Taking just two minutes to stretch or breathe deeply can help reset your nervous system,” says Jones. “It doesn’t have to be long to be effective.”

This quick breathing technique helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body and improves emotional regulation.

Here’s how: Inhale through your nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, exhale slowly through your mouth for five seconds, hold again for five seconds. Repeat 3-4 times.

“Try it between patient encounters or before a difficult task or conversation,” says Jones.

Start your shift with a grounding habit like setting an intention or stretching. End it with a small ritual — like listening to music on your commute or mindfully washing your hands.

“These small moments help draw a line between work and home,” Jones says. “They let your brain know it’s okay to shift gears.”

Dehydration can lead to fatigue, brain fog and worsened burnout.

Keep a refillable water bottle nearby, and pair water breaks with regular tasks — for example, after each charting session.

At the end of the day, take a minute to reflect: What are one to three things that went well today?

“Write them down or share with a coworker or friend,” says Jones. “Focusing on small wins helps shift attention to what’s meaningful — and builds resilience.”

One of the most underrated self-care tools? Boundaries.

“Whether it’s turning off work notifications after hours or setting aside time to unplug each day, boundaries are key to recovery and rest,” says Jones.

Digital hygiene can help too — setting app time limits or silencing notifications creates a buffer between work and rest.

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, making space for consistent self-care habits can help restore balance.

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You’re not alone.

“Guilt is very common, especially in healthcare,” Jones says. “But the truth is, when you’re depleted, your ability to provide safe, compassionate care diminishes.”

Self-care should be reframed as part of your professional responsibility.

“You wash your hands not just for you, but to protect others,” she explains. “You rest, refuel and recover not just for you, but so you can keep showing up safely and fully.”

“Most importantly, you are a human first, not just a healthcare provider,” Jones says. “Your needs, feelings and experiences matter.”

HARTFORD, CT — A Mexican national was sentenced to prison Tuesday for his role in a Hartford-based fentanyl distribution operation.

David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, said Hugo Ivan Ramirez-Bellozo, 35, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford to five years behind bars for a fentanyl trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a DEA Hartford Task Force investigation of a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization.

That operation involved the distribution of a large amount of fentanyl and other narcotics, and the transportation and laundering of cash proceeds from their drug trafficking activity.

In January 2022, law enforcement coordinated a motor vehicle stop of a minivan and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment, Sullivan said.

The investigation revealed Harold Luis Del Orbe, also known as “Jaro,” was directing the operators of the minivan to conduct narcotics-related transactions on his behalf, he said.

On Nov. 16, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, authorities said.

According to Sullivan, Ramirez-Bellozo, Del Orbe, and others were present in the apartment at the time of the search.

Ramirez-Bellozo has been detained since his arrest on Nov. 16, 2022. On Nov. 21, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Ramirez-Bellozo faces removal proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Del Orbe pleaded guilty to related charges and, on May 6, 2025, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

EAST HARTFORD — From the top of the 19-story office building at 111 Founders Plaza, developer Bruce Simons gestured to the Hartford skyline on the opposite side of the Connecticut River.

"We're looking at 3.5 million empty square-feet of office space," Simons said.

Though never empty, the building he stood on top of had struggled to fill its own units for years before the wider market took a hit. Simons described it as "an amazing untapped resource for residential use" with serious potential for the region.

"The best views of the Manhattan skyline are from New Jersey," Simons quipped.

Port Eastside, an $840 million mixed-use overhaul of the vacant and struggling office buildings on and surrounding Founders Plaza, has been billed as a way to enhance access to over 2,100 feet of riverfront property and bring vitality back to the area.

Town officials have described Port Eastside as "once-in-a-lifetime" and a potential boon for East Hartford. Former Mayor Mike Walsh eyed it as an opportunity early into his one and only term starting in 2021. He chose not to seek reelection in 2023 to help the project get off the ground, stating that it was such an important development that he needed to devote his entire attention to it.

Now Granby's town manager, Walsh said he still supports the team behind Port Eastside and still helps without compensation where needed.

"It takes a long time to get these projects going," Walsh said. "Everything is moving slow, but everything is still on track as far as I'm concerned."

Walsh said that though Port Eastside is likely a decade-long project between all five of its phases, East Hartford could see a shovel in the ground by 2026 and occupancy by late 2027.

The last major hurdle that the group overcame was acquiring roughly 30 acres of land on Founders Plaza, Pitkin Street, and East River Drive. The next will be forming a district to issue bonds through tax incremental financing, or TIF. A bill to provide for the district's establishment was introduced in the state legislature earlier this year, and Gov. Ned Lamont signed it into law on June 23.

Once established, the district would be able to retain a portion of its real estate taxes and issue up to $125 million in bonds. The bond service would be paid for with the taxes, and the bonds would fund infrastructure improvements for the district.

Members of the development team will need to negotiate with East Hartford's Town Council on an interlocal agreement that will set the terms of the district, including how much of the district's taxes will be retained for bond service.

Representatives for the Port Eastside development team were careful about providing specifics during a June 25 discussion, stating that some deadlines or aspects of the project were too early or unclear.

Simons, principal of West Hartford-based Simons Real Estate Group, said definitively that a master plan for the development would be presented to the town "shortly."

"We're not impacting local neighborhoods, so we can start with this well thought out master plan," Simons said.

To demonstrate that point, Simons walked across the overgrown parking lot of 99 Founders Plaza, describing it as "bearing witness."

Chris Reilly, president of Hartford-based Lexington Partners, said the project is "a bit too far off" to know when development plans would be approved, in part because the creation of the district would allow the developers to take on some of that authority.

Beyond establishing the district, making an interlocal agreement, and gaining any required site plan or zoning approvals, the developers will need to have their financing together before a shovel can go in the ground.

Reilly the developers expect to pull at most $60 million from its bonding to first fund a parking garage, expected to hold between 1,200 to 1,500 cars and feature 40,000 to 60,000 square-feet of ground floor retail space.

Simons said another infrastructure project is planned for a "blank spot" along the Connecticut River between the East Coast Greenway and Great River Park.

The district will retain ownership of its infrastructure, Reilly said, but the developers to make it available to the general public.

"We’ve had a long dialogue with East Hartford and a lot of what we're trying to do is create connections between this project and Main Street," Reilly said.

Port Eastside's plans also include 800 to 1,000 residential units, 240 to 250 of which would be retrofitted into 111 Founders Plaza.

Reilly said that a potential loan of close to $20 million from the Capital Region Development Authority would help fund some of the residential units with "significantly better terms" than a typical commercial loan.

East Hartford also secured a $6.5 million grant to help Port Eastside demolish one of the buildings in the plaza formerly home to Bank of America, intended for a new four-story residential construction.

The residential units would be joined by a number of commercial uses, including retail, restaurants, and entertainment, though Port Eastside officials declined to go into detail on who might be involved.

As for why something like Port Eastside's proposal hadn't already been done at Founders Plaza, Simons said that no one group has had control over the land until now and that he could only speculate on why individual owners would have wanted to keep their properties.

"Why didn't someone do this already, I can't answer that," Simons said. "What I know is we're doing it now."