🌱 No More Fines At Essex Library + House Fire In Nearby Old Saybrook

Hi, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 83 Low: 64.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter possible.

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

1. In a progressive move, the Essex Library Association has abolished late fees, aligning with the growing trend among Connecticut libraries to foster equitable access and encourage patron engagement. Although patrons remain accountable for lost or severely damaged items, the new policy aims to alleviate the undue strain on low-income families and optimize staff efficiency in service delivery, as Executive Director Ann Thompson confirmed. (Zip06.com)
2. Deep River and Chester have entered into an agreement where Deep River will provide limited bulky waste disposal facilities exclusively for household waste from Chester. The accepted items include white goods, furniture, appliances, mattresses, logs, stumps, rocks, non-recyclable metals, motor vehicle parts, tires, and building materials, with a separate provision for recyclable metals, auto batteries, and waste oil. However, leaves and white paper are not accepted, and Chester residents can only bring chippable brush up to 3 inches in diameter as guided by the facility attendant. (Town of Chester Connecticut via Facebook)
3. A late-night house fire on Maple Avenue in Old Saybrook, near Fenwood Beach, hospitalized one person. The Old Saybrook Fire Department, along with the Clinton Fire Department Rapid Intervention team and the Westbrook and Essex fire departments, swiftly responded to the blaze. While the Old Saybrook Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire, police are looking into reports of an explosion in the area which may or may not be related. (Patch)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Family Sculpting Workshop (Ages 6+) At Essex Library (4:00 PM)
• Tuff Cookie Back At The Rusty Rail Tavern (7:00 PM)
• Psychedelic '60s Live Music At The Griswold Inn Tap Room (8:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Essex-Chester-Deep River. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• Canadian wildfires are anticipated to potentially affect air quality in the Essex area in the coming days, posing risks, especially to individuals with respiratory issues, the elderly, and young children. The Essex Health Department is distributing N-95 masks, which are an improved, more comfortable version, at the Essex Town Hall and urges residents to stay informed about air quality through local news and online resources such as AirNow.gov. (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• On Jul. 5 at 4:30 PM, the community is invited to an enriching American Sign Language (ASL) Story Time hosted by local ASL instructor Janice Knauth, where participants will delve into ASL and deaf culture, learn basic signs, and engage in a bilingual story narrated in English and ASL. This event, particularly recommended for children aged 4 and above, requires registration through phone or email. (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Local animal shelters in the Essex-Chester-Deep River area are brimming with potential furry family members, as ASPCA data indicates millions of pets, including 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats, are surrendered each year nationally. With only half finding homes, the community is encouraged to consider adoption to provide these animals with the love and care they deserve. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Chester Rotary's 45th 4 on the 4th Road Race (July 4)
• Summer Marketplace (July 23)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.