🌱Deep River Fire Department Gear Stolen + It's Bear Time In CT

Hey, people of Essex-Chester-Deep River! Karena Garrity here with your Monday edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sun giving way to clouds. High: 54 Low: 41.

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

1. Springtime in Connecticut means bears! That's right black bears. To be precise, eastern black bears, and they are just waking up from a long winter's nap, which means they are hungry. So, now is the time of year the bears are out and about prowling for food. Be aware and never approach a bear; they're big, smart and they have claws like knives. (Patch)
2. The Deep River Fire Department needs your help! One of the members had their car broken into on Saturday night and her firefighting gear was stolen. The Department is asking that area residents keep an eye out for a set of firefighting pants and coat with DRFD on it. (Facebook)
3. According to the Town of Deep River's website, the Region #4 Budget Referendum will be held Tuesday, May 3 from noon - 8 p.m. at the Deep River Public Library Community Meeting Room. Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk's Office. Applications and ballots may be dropped in the Official Ballot Drop Box in front of the Town Hall. (Town of Deep River)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Personnel Committee - Essex Library Association (5:15 PM)

From my notebook:

• Ivoryton Library Association: "Thank you to all who donated. We so appreciate you." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Did You Know? You can watch past Zoom events on the Essex Library's YouTube channel." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "WBDC and Liberty Bank are partnering to offer "WBDC & Liberty Bank Academy for Small Business." Application due by Tuesday, April 19." (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "SCORE Southeastern CT's five part series "Fundamentals For Starting Your Business" continues with its final session on Tuesday, April 19." (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow 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.