🌱COVID-19 Update Across CT + Toughness Award Goes To Zach Kirla

Happy Sunday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 52 Low: 39.

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

1. Connecticut ceased sharing COVID-19 daily cases and a daily positivity rate as of Apr. 4. Now test positivity is being calculated as a seven-day rolling average. On Thursday, Gov. Ned Lamont said the state's positivity rate is 4.88 percent in terms of PCR/NAAT tests over the last 7 days. The deadly virus claimed 19 lives in nutmeg state over the past week, which is 13 fewer than logged the week before, according to the state Department of Public Health. (Patch)
2. There are currently several furry friends in need of forever homes. You can find them at the Essex-Chester-Deep River animal shelters. Can you make a difference in a pet's life? (Patch)
3. Valley Regional High School Senior Zach Kirla was recently awarded the Sten Spinella Toughness Award for his dedication, grit and passion for the sport of basketball. Kirla helped his team win 11 victories this winter. This spring, he is bringing that same intensity to the VRHS crew team as Senior captain. (Zip06)
4. Sales tax free week begins today and will run through April 16. The 'holiday' applies only to “any article of clothing or footwear intended to be worn on or about the human body.” Clothing and footwear can be no more than $100 to qualify for the tax free 'holiday'. (Middletown Press)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Join Yoga Reaches Out at Gillette Stadium to Support Boston Children’s Hospital (9:00 AM)
• Remembering the Flood of 1982 (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "Congratulations to Kim, Lyla and Andy who submitted the 3 closest guesses in our Daffodil Days Contest! They each win a $10 certificate to Sweet P's. Thank you to everyone who made a guess!" (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Join local children's book illustrator Mary Jo Helchowski Art next week for a two-part series on Introduction to Illustration for Kids, happening on Saturday, April 16 from 1:00 - 2:30 and Saturday, April 23 from 1:00 - 2:00." (Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "Planning some redecorating? Here are some book-inspired bedroom ideas:" (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Now is the time to show your Warrior Pride! We have Valley "V" stencils available for your driveway or lawn. We will bring the stencils and paint to your house for you to paint them on your driveway or lawn." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Putin’s War on Ukraine Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration required. FREE and open to all. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24 February is the most momentous political event since the 9/11 attacks." (Facebook)

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Events:

• The Psychology of Dogmatic Beliefs and Delusions (April 11)
• One week left to win prizes valued up to $3,000! (April 12)
• Drive Electric Earth Day (April 16)
• Famous Chicken BBQ Drive Thru (April 23)
• Earth Day Festival & Market - Help Us Celebrate 50 Years! (April 23)
• Add your event

Loving the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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.