🌱Open Burn Bans + West Nile In CT + Tax Free Week Coming Up!

Morning, friends! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Let's get this Saturday started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening around town.

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 66.

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

1. There has been little rain this summer, causing Essex Fire Marshal John Planas to be concerned about fire safety in town. According to a Zip06 article, "Planas recently ordered a ban on nearly all open burnings in Essex. [His] office ordered the no-burn notice after receiving a danger level of “extreme” from the Spread Index issued daily by the Forest Fire Danger Report provided by the Forestry Division of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The index predicts the potential spread of forest fires, taking into account air quality and weather conditions, including wind, relative humidity and levels of precipitation. According to Planas, the danger level was reduced by the state to a high index level as of Aug. 17, but the ban has remained in place given the little rain the region has recently received."(Zip06.com)
2. Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau is reminding area residents that Tax-Free Week is almost here! It runs from Sunday, August 21 through Saturday, August 27. The link will bring you to more details of what items and values are included during this week. Happy shopping! https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Sales-Tax/Sal..." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
3. Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus have now been identified in 17 Connecticut towns. According to an article by Rich Kirby, "the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has identified West Nile virus infected mosquitoes in Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Ledyard, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, West Haven, Westport and Woodstock." However, the good news is that no human or horse cases have been reported yet. (Patch)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Free Zoom meeting about CCTV security cameras near Old Saybrook (9 a.m.)
• Tween/Teen Manga Drawing Camp - Essex Library Association (11 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Final day for Girls Circle Summer Session 2! Shout out to Kate from The Spot in Deep River for welcoming and sharing her boba goodness with our crew! It was an absolutely perfect ending to a busy and fun week 💜" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "A sneak peek at Chester Village’s newest business – Nora Murphy Country House - The Little Shop opening September 1. " (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "Enjoy these enchanting spaces at the fully-renovated, newly-opened @thebrushmill. We're excited to announce that our bartop seating in our Tavern as well as our Wine Library are now open." (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Good thing books at the library are free! Just take it back and get a new one!" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Sea Shanty Sunday at the Chester Historical Society! Free and fun!" (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "Enjoy a lovely meal with a lovely view at Marker 37. Sometimes, you just need a break in a beautiful place with people you love and delicious food. Cheers!" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Essex Park and Recreation: "We just ordered more Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival swag to give away for those marchers 0-12 who are pre-registered for the Ivoryton Village Costume Parade on Saturday, Oct. 22.22 - you know what that means! More kids More Costumes!" (Essex Park and Recreation via Facebook)
• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "The Forest Fire Danger Level for Friday, August 19 remains very high. If you have received a permit from your local Open Burning Official to burn brush on your property, the permit is not valid if the Forest Fire Danger is rated high, very high or extreme and you are burning within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland. " (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Essex is currently bordering between moderate and severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor: http://ow.ly/6the50KjmFt But that doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful and diverse garden! Learn about rock gardens, dry gardens, and other drought-hardy natural gardening ideas to keep your backyard going, rain or shine" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Batteries and electronics do not belong in the recycling cart!!! These can start fires at recycling facilities and in trucks. Bring your batteries and electronics to the Essex Transfer Station. Alkaline and rechargeable batteries can also be recycled at the Town Hall!." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "This weekend is a great time to stop by the Chester CT Historical Society’s Museum at the Mill!" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Mammoth Security Inc. Old Saybrook — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Mdsx Hospital Vocal Chords Seeking New Members (August 22)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! WISHLIST WEDNESDAY! (August 24)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! See you all 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.

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