Bizarre Milford police arrest of a man who had a clerk check his lottery tickets, and when the guy didn't win he bechttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifame enraged and was arrested for breach of peace.

It starts at noon

The 6^th Annual Milford Yacht Club Police & Firefighter Chili Festival to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut will take place from noon to 3 p.m. March 3 at the Milford Yacht Club, 131 Trumbull Ave.

Milford. Teams representing departments from Milford, Orange, West Haven, Fairfield and Stratford are expected to participate, according to a statement.

The event is being organized by Officer Jeff Nielsen and members of the Milford Police Department, the statement said.

To purchase tickets in advance, become a sponsor or to find out more about the event, contact Nielsen at 203-783-4739 or cpu@ci.milford.ct.us. Tickets will also be available at the door, the statement said.

Tickets are $10 each for adults and $5 for children 10 years old and younger. (Children 5 and younger will be admitted free of charge). All are welcome, the statement said.

"Guests will sample each original chili recipe served by the area’s finest and bravest and have the opportunity to vote for their favorite," the statement said. "A panel of local chefs and Special Olympics athletes will also serve as judges for the competition."

The Milford Yacht Club is donating the venue, staffing, soft drinks and the main ingredients for the chili recipes for all participating teams for the event, for a sixth consecutive year, the statement said. Milford Bank is among this year’s sponsors.

The statement also said: "Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and Unified Partners (their teammates without disabilities). Through a myriad of initiatives throughout the state and the world, Special Olympics is a movement that’s changing attitudes and changing lives by inspiring inclusion, understanding and respect for people of all abilities, in all aspects of life. (www.soct.org)"

Further, it said: "SOCT Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Connecticut Light & Power, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies, and Yankee Gas. And SOCT Year-Round Suppliers: Adams /IGA Hometown Supermarkets, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England, Crystal Rock, Graebel Trucking, Guida’s Milk & Dairy, Marcus Communications, The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and Worx Branding & Advertising."

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Photo credit: Navin75 on Flickr

Here are many of the ways you can protect yourself:

November 2011 - Holiday Season Safety Tips

MILFORD - The Milford Police Department Crime Prevention Unit has offered information on state laws regarding sparklers.

Sparklers, police said, are "defined as any sparkling device of not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item and which are non-explosive and non-aerial, are legal and may be sold, purchased or used, only by persons 16 years of age or older," police said in a statement.

"Novelty items such as bottle rockets, fire crackers, smoke bombs and 'snakes' remain illegal to possess and discharge, the statement said.

Whilethe state statute allows use of sparklers, they may be handled or used only by persons 16 years of age or older, the statement said.

"Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold," the statement said. "Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for 53 percent of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2008. Over 84 percent of fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use."

Police also warned that "fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction." "Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest. Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period," the statement said.

Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals, the statement said.

Milford Police will have extra patrols on duty during the July 4th holiday to enforce the state laws and city ordinances concerning fireworks, the statement said.

"Many fireworks are potentially fatal and even sparklers can cause serious burns. Parents should know that they could be held responsible for their children’s involvement in illegal firework activity," the statement said