🌱Chester Restauranteurs Open Business In OS + Tri-Towns Getting Funds

Hey, Essex-Chester-Deep River. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.Keep reading for the latest.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 87 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

1. According to a Facebook post from Senator Norm Needleman, "Over $6.6 million in state funding has been approved for several projects across our towns! These tremendous funds will support local infrastructure needs, enhance public safety + emergency response, grow recreational opportunities, and much more! I'm grateful to my colleagues in our communities, Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support and hard work in securing this funding." The money includes $165,000 in support to the Town of Essex for the construction of an emergency radio tower, upgrades to emergency equipment and installing a generator at the tower, aiding the town's response in the event of emergency and$325,000 in support to the Town of Deep River for the replacement of recreational equipment at Deep River Elementary School, Devitt Field and Plattwood Park, aiding the town in having long-lasting recreational resources, especially local children. (Senator Norm Needleman via Facebook)
2. Joel and Lani Gargano, owners of Grano Arso Restuarant in downtown Chester have embarked on a new endeavor. They have opened Gargano Pasta & Italian Market in the nearby town of Old Saybrook. According to a CT Insider article, the new business is, "a market and cafe with freshly made pastas, baked goods and specialty Italian products." Can't wait to try it! Hope to see you there! (CT Insider)
3. Do you know how many gun stores there are in the state of Connecticut? According to an article written by Samuel Stebbins for 24/7 Wall St. Hartford, "According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, there were 430 federally licensed dealers or pawn brokers of firearms in Connecticut as of January 2022, or 12.0 for every 100,000 people – the ninth fewest among states. FBI firearm background check data, which is a close proxy for firearm sales, shows that an estimated 126,268 guns were sold in Connecticut in the first half of 2022, or 3,536 for every 100,000 people, the 17th fewest among states." (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Teen STEM Culinary Camp - Essex Library Association (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Ivoryton Library Association: "Come in and buy a raffle ticket for this beautiful quilt from one of the talented quilters who meets at the library: https://www.zip06.com/person-of-the-week/20220713/paula-webster-the-trick-worked/" (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "A great big thank you to our community partners (Chester Public Library, Essex Public Library and Ivoryton Public Library) who teamed up to bring the Tri-Town this amazing show by Li Liu!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Sink or float? This coming Tuesday at 3:30! Be prepared to get wet! #bring a towel ;)" (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Summer Marketplace for Artisans (July 31)
• Free speech on the benefits of access control installation in Old Saybrook, CT (August 4)
• Art's and Crafts Fair (August 13)
• Add your event

That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a native of Connecticut, who currently resides in the Tri-Town community of Chester, Deep River and Essex. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com