🌱The Gas Tax Is Back In CT + COVID-19 Is Still Around

Hey, Essex-Chester-Deep River! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally, including:

• Can you sing?
• Gas tax in back in the Nutmeg State.
• Be careful out there. COVID-19 is still around!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 54 Low: 36.

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

1. Singers take note, 'Con Brio' will be holding auditions today. According to limeline.com, "On Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 7 to 8 p.m., auditions for Con Brio Choral Society will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd, Old Saybrook. Call Sue at 860-575-9668 for more information and to book a time slot. Learn more at www.conbrio.org."(lymeline.com)
2. Have you been enjoying the lowered gas prices? Well, now that it is 2023 the gas tax is back — nickel of it anyway. Connecticut will add five cents of the tax back each month until it reaches the full 25 cents in May. (Patch)
3. Are you wearing a mask? According to a Patch article written by Rich Kirby, "in a report issued Friday, the CDC has listed four Connecticut counties — Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex and New Haven counties — in the high/orange category as part of its COVID-19 Community Levels Map. Hartford, New London, Tolland and Windham counties are listed in the medium/yellow category. The guidelines include a color-coded system available on the CDC website of “low,” “medium” and “high.” People living in the counties designated in the high/orange category are advised to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for residents who are at high risk for severe illness." (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Yoga- River Valley Dance Project (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chester CT Historical Society: "1982 class at Jack & Jill Nursery School, with beloved teachers Nancy Clark, Jane Haeni and Pat Kosky. Lots of familiar children in this photo. Can you name them? Happy New Year!" (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Essex Town Hall will be closed today Jan 2nd in observance of the holiday. We will re-open Tuesday Jan 3rd at 9am. (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "You are perfect just the way you are! Let's celebrate all that makes you who you are in 2023! #deepriverct #chesterct #essexct #tritownct #quotes #quotable #quotestagram #newyear #2023 #unique #you #blessing #gratefulforyou" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! 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.

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