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GOVERNMENT
New mural in Willimantic honors impactful women
A new mural honoring award-winning novelist Toni Morrison, Connecticut’s first female governor Ella Grasso and the first Latina university president in New England Elsa Nunez was unveiled in Willimantic on Thursday. “Deeply touched that the community honored me in this way,” says Nunez. “It’s like I’m leaving, but I’m...
In a tiny CT town, a super-controversial plan for blasting granite at historic site along river
A Massachusetts-based dredging and construction company pursuing a highly controversial proposal to run a quarry at historic Mount Decatur along the Thames River withdrew its permit application Wednesday, but the plan is still very much alive. Cashman Dredging’s bid to begin large-scale quarrying work on the former Dow Chemical property drew intense local opposition last winter, brining more ...
Norwich city, school officials recommend $95.68M school budget
Norwich ― A joint committee of school board and City Council members will recommend the 2024-25 school budget be set at $95.68 million, $2.4 million higher than the city manager recommended. The recommendation is based on cuts made by school administrators since the Board of Education adopted an initial...
Norwich VFW post receives $300,000 state grant to pay for renovations
Norwich ― Participants in a grant award ceremony Friday only had to look up at the water-stained, sagging ceiling to see why the VFW Post 594 sought state aid to pay for desperately needed renovations to its much-used hall at 30 Connecticut Ave. “All we have are leaks,” said...
New Preston Parks and Rec director to start Monday
Preston ― If you’re out on the town’s playing fields, courts and tracks in the coming days, look for new Parks and Recreation and Youth Services Director Mark Simmons checking out the facilities and taking notes. Simmons, 30, begins his new position Monday after having worked for...
Beyond the polls: Calling out the lies in an age of disinformation
To Charlotte Scot, a 77-year-old voter from Old Lyme, the question of misinformation and disinformation is fairly straightforward. “There’s a lot of people in Washington who just lie,” she said during a May 25 voter forum sponsored by The Day at Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in Old Lyme. “And no one calls them out.”
A taste of soldiering in East Lyme
East Lyme ― While a Connecticut National Guard soldier barked safety instructions in advance of a 35-foot descent down a rappelling wall, 17-year-old Hunter Salvas of Putnam admitted he’s not a fan of heights. “It’s going to be a learning experience,” he said before donning a helmet and...
Witness Stones installation ceremony
Old Lyme ― A ceremony was held at Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Friday to recognize 10 more Witness Stones being placed at the Lyme Library. The Witness Stones program started in Old Lyme in 2020. The group now has a total of 48 stones in Lyme and Old Lyme.
Norwich Public Utilities sewage treatment project to receive loan from Electric Division
Norwich ― When the Norwich Public Utilities Sewer Division needs ready cash to pay contractor bills on the $200 million sewage treatment upgrade project, it doesn’t have to go far to obtain a short-term loan. For the second straight year, the NPU Sewer Division has received approval for...
East Lyme dispute over Oswegatchie Hills project heads to civil trial
East Lyme ― The decades-long fight between affordable housing and the environment continues to roil the town, where a developer proposing upward of 800 apartments in the Oswegatchie Hills is set to take his case against the Water and Sewer Commission to trial in civil court. Landmark Development Group...
Groton looks to improve walking, bicycling safety and connectivity
Groton ― Residents here are sharing ideas for where to add sidewalks, slow down traffic, install signs, implement bike shares and improve crosswalks in the community. They have identified areas of town with gaps in sidewalks or inadequate signage, roads where cars speed, and spots that would benefit from trails and paths or clearly marked crosswalks.
New party in Groton focuses on community involvement
Groton ― The town has a new political party that its members say is focused on involving the community in decisions. Groton Independents Chairperson Scott Westervelt said the party is a grassroots effort focused more on issues in the town, rather than aligning with the direction and beliefs of one party over the other.
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