Fire Destroys Businesses; Studying Honeybees and More

NORTH BRANFORD – The police department now has a 24-7 K-9 police presence in town.

Officer Mauro Piroli and German Shepherd Chase completed a 15-month training session and are ready to put their knowledge and skills to work. They introduced Chase to campers this week. Watch as Chase shows off his stuff.
 
MILFORD – Five businesses were nearly reduced to ash this week when a fire ripped through a shopping center on the Boston Post Road.

The fire began at about 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 and burned for a few hours before it was extinguished. Milford Patch caught the fire on video.

The following morning, business owners sat outside the charred structure, thankful that no one was hurt, but concerned about where they go from here.

Later that day, the fire department ruled the fire accidental.

STRATFORD – Special needs children and their parents have something extra to smile about this week. The community opened a new playground that was designed to meet the needs of special needs children.

Located at Second Hill Lane Elementary School, the playground was paid for largely through grants and donations.

Take a tour of the playground in this Stratford Patch video.
 
CHESHIRE – Bee diversity is at the heart of a study being conducted at Lockwood Farm.

Scientists at the Hamden farm want to know if certain species of honeybees are on the decline. They were conducting their research during the 101st Plant Science Day.

Watch this Cheshire Patch video to learn more about honeybees.