🌱Outstanding VRHS Students Recognized + Higher Electricity Prices

Hey, Essex-Chester-Deep River. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news on:

• The cost of electricity may be going up this winter!
• Congratulations VRHS students!
• We honor our veterans!

But first, today's weather:

Turning sunny and warm. High: 74 Low: 41.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Essex-Chester-Deep River! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Save your pennies because the cost of electricity this winter may be going up considerably. Eversource higher ups said this week that Connecticut electricity customers may have to endure price hikes that could "possibly" reach 40 percent during the winter. The culprit is the supply charge. According to a Patch article written by Chris Dehnel, "in a conference call with financial analysts, Eversource CEO Joe Nolan outlined increases that could reach "20, 30 or 40 percent," as a result of global market prices. Gross said the supply related rates are adjusted twice a year with the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority or PURA — on July 1 and on Jan. 1. "Given where prices are today, it looks like the supply rate will definitely be up," Gross said. "We won't have the exact rate until we file with PURA, but, as the numbers were being finalized, we will know in the next couple of weeks." In a news release, Eversource encouraged all of its customers to contact the company (800-286-2828) about qualification for payment assistance designed to protect them from having their service disconnection and reduce their overdue balances. A four-person household with an annual income of about $76,000 is eligible, according to utility standards. Webinars on the program are slated for Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 at noon and customers can sign up on the Eversource website." (Patch)
2. Valley Regional High School students; Quentin Baron, Jack Finnegan, Alex Ligget, Patrick O’Rourke, and Alison Safran have been named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. According to zip06.c0m, "A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by [Valley Regional High School Pirncipal] Mr. Barile to these scholastically talented seniors." Congratulations students! (zip06.com)
3. Valley Regional High School will host a veterans appreciation luncheon on November 10 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a veterans appreciation event honoring veterans to follow. Hope to see you all there!(Valley Regional High School via Facebook)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Shell & Bee Studio: Adult & Teen Clay (6:15 PM)
• Valley Safegrad Raffle Drawing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Deep River Public Library: "Batman knows who to call. #readersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #readingtime #reading #bookaddict #books #book #booknerd #bookstagram #library #librarylife" (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "The Early Childhood Council of Chester, Deep River and Essex serve to meet the needs of young children and families in the Tri-town area, while carrying out one underlying mission: all children deserve access to high-quality, affordable..." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Are you looking for the Teen Take and Make? Just an FYI: it has moved from the lobby to the YA section! Come grab a bagged craft while supplies last!" (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! TINCTURE TUESDAY! (November 8)
• Online Webinar about Old Saybrook security system installers (November 15)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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