🌱COVID-19 Update + New Eats In CT + Dog Lover Shares Stories

Good morning, Essex-Chester-Deep River! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Enjoy the mostly sunny skies today and dress for the cold. High: 27 Low: 23.

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

1. Approximately 40 percent of inpatient beds at Middlesex Hospital are currently being used for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
2. In this real estate round-up for the tri-towns, see what new properties are on the market and which ones are under contract. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
3. Explore the music of Benny Goodman with Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks as part of the Essex Winter Series on February 20th. (New Haven Register)
4. Assistant tri-town animal control officer Matthew Carroll loves dogs so much he named his Ivoryton restaurant after them. (Zip06.com)
5. Looking for new eats? Look no further. Connecticut has a plethora of exciting new places to explore for food lovers. (Connecticut Magazine)

Today's Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Michael Goldman On Translating Tove Ditlevsen’s Copenhagen Trilogy (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "If you prefer to read LARGE PRINT books, come check out our new arrivals!" (Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Valley Safe Grad has their next FUNdraiser. Trivia Night at High Nine Brewery." (Facebook)

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

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at karena.garrity@patch.com

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.