🌱It's Going To Be Hot! + Deep River Survey Needs Your Response

Happy Saturday, neighbors! These are the most important things happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Very warm and humid. High: 88 Low: 67.

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

1. In an effort to give residents a voice, the Deep River Economic Development Commission, in collaboration with the Deep River Planning and Zoning Commission, have launched a survey administered by AdvanceCT. The results of this survey will determine residents' as well as business owners' thoughts and ideas about development in town. Additional questions pertain to the school system, as well as, the demographics of Deep River. There are several sections that allow for comments or suggestions. The EDC is hoping for a good response to the survey.(Facebook)
2. It's going to be a hot one this weekend with record highs. The National Weather Service has issued multiple advisories. The weather service said the "first widespread hot spell of the season is expected this weekend, with heat indices well into the 90s away from the coast. This will increase the risk of heat-related illness for vulnerable populations," according to AccuWeather.com. "In many areas, the heat and humidity this Saturday and Sunday will bring the hottest conditions since last August, and in some locations, record highs that have stood for more than 100 years could be broken." Stay cool and prepare yourselves, your loved ones and your pets for the heat.(Patch)
3. With a surge of new positive COVID-19 cases, data reveals that Connecticut has one of the highest rates of new cases in the country this week. According to data from the New York Times, the number of new cases per person over the previous seven days in Connecticut was the highest in the country on Monday and the second-highest on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents are once again being urged to wear masks when they are inside.(CT Insider)
4. If you are wondering what's been going on in Old Saybrook that has brought the focus of a multi-agency criminal investigation to LabDIRECT LLC, which is located at 6 Center Road West, there is not a lot of information available. What is known is that there is an ongoing criminal investigation taking place that involves LabDIRECT LLC the facility, which sells laboratory chemicals. According to its website, The LabDIRECT offers customers the opportunity to buy a host of chemicals, along with equipment used in chemistry. Reportedly, authorities first responded to the scene around 2 p.m. Wednesday and cleared the area by 5 p.m. Thursday. The Old Saybrook Police Department is handling the investigation at this time. (Middletown Press)
5. As a result of the recently enacted 2022 Connecticut Child Tax Rebate that Governor Lamont signed into law earlier this month, a child tax refund will be available to Connecticut residents who meet the criteria. Applications for the refund will open on June 1 and the refund of up to $250 per child, up to three children, it is expected that refund checks will be issued at the end of August, just in time for school to begin. (Press Release)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Tree Identification Hike (9 a.m.)
• Steward Outdoor School's Open House (10 a.m.)
• Librarian-on-the Go at Lower River Valley Early Childhood Expo (11 a.m.)
• Kindness Rock Painting Event - Essex Library Association (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: Look at the fun meet-ups planned for summer from the Early Childhood Council of Essex, Deep River & Chester! If you have littles (0-5), make sure to go like their page for updated information regarding all their fun happenings. (Facebook)
• Essex Library: Discover the history and stories of the Windsor Locks Canal on a Hike Through History led by Patrick Smith Curator of the Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford. This will be a flat 3.5 mile hike on a paved surface. (Facebook)
• Essex Library: The meeting of the Dystopian Reader's Society is Thursday, May 26 at 4 p.m. This month, they will be discussing “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman. It's not too late to join. (Facebook)

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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.

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