The Waterbury community is mourning the loss of a middle school teacher who family said died of the flu. Waterbury Public Schools officials confirmed Harley Gaafar died late Tuesday afternoon and said they were “devastated” by her passing. Gaafar taught ESL at West Side Middle School and was well-liked by her students, district officials said. There will be social workers…

Harley Gaafar, who was just 28, was described as a person that made everyone smile.

The Department of Public Health announced eight new reported flu-related deaths in Connecticut.