🌱 VRHS Tennis Teams Rock Shorelines + Call Out For Gun Laws

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Daily. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 74 Low: 65.

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

1. Congratulations to the outstanding top ten percent seniors at Valley Regional High School in the class of 2022. These 17 students have worked very hard throughout their high school careers to achieve great things. The names are listed in alphabetical order; Abigail Amara, Emelia Bisson, Jake Alexander Castellano, Ava Cunningham, Samuel Fetter, Caroline Haskins, Grace Haskins, Caroline Hutchinson, Grace Jacaruso, Margaret Jacaruso, Cooper Johnson, Sage Lepore, Saagar Patel, Ella Pitman, Benjamin Proctor, Erin Ward and Nicolas Wyszkowski. (Zip06.com)
2. "Every day that goes by without passing common-sense gun legislation is another day of lives lost," Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz reportedly said. Mary Ann Jacob, the school librarian at Sandy Hook Elementary School the day a gunman stormed the building, killing 20 children and six educators reportedly asked, "How many more kids have to die in our schools before our federal lawmakers will act." Connecticut has taken action and passed bipartisan gun control legislation in 2013. The law expanded the state's assault weapon ban, established a long gun certificate and banned the sale and transfer of high-capacity magazines. It also tightened rules related to mental health and guns and background checks. "If you see something, say something and do something, and that's what the people of Connecticut have done," Gov. Ned Lamont reportedly said. "We can make a difference, but we really need the federal government to look up and see what has worked in Connecticut," he added. (Patch)
3. The Shoreline Conference Boys' tennis tournaments were held at Old Lyme and Morgan earlier this week. Valley Regional High School Senior Nic Wyszkowski finished in first place for the Shoreline Conference 1-2 Singles Tournament, senior Hayden Lombardi won the 3-4 Singles Tournament and Senior Jack Whittaker reached the final of the 3-4 Singles Tournament. The doubles team of senior Kaid Matesky and junior Aidan Garrity made it to the final of the Doubles Tournament. Congratulations boys! (Zip06)
4. The Shoreline Conference tournaments for Girls' tennis were held earlier this week. The Valley Regional High School girls’ tennis team was well represented. Junior Olivia Baldwin and sophomore Joanna Petrone both won their opening matches in the 1-2 Singles Tournament and Sophomore Natalie Novak won the quarterfinal in the 3-4 Singles Tournament to move on to the semifinal round. In Doubles; junior Samara Shankar and sophomore Clara Shea, junior Ashley Cap and junior Fallyn Belisle, and freshman Regan Grow and Alessia Pisanzio all won in the tournament. Congratulations girls! (Zip06)
5. WTNH.com reported that an Old Saybrook middle school student has been arrested for allegedly making threats against a staff member and the school. Reportedly, in a letter to parents and staff, Superintendent of Schools Jan Perruccio stated Old Saybrook police received an anonymous complaint about a student “making concerning remarks in the past about ‘shooting a staff member’ and ‘blowing up’ the middle school.” (WTNH.com)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Free Coffee Fridays (10 a.m.)
• Teen TGIF! - Essex Library Association (3:30 p.m.)
• Deep River Land Trust's Annual Meeting (5 p.m.)
• Hip Hop Dance Workshop (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Marker 37: The Chester Restuarant will now be hosting Live Music Nights on Sunday evenings from 2–5 p.m. The fun begins Sunday, May 29 with musical guest Nick Fradiani Sr.(Facebook)
  
• Senator Norm Needleman: Needleman praised Chester's downtown and called it a "must-go destination" for anyone visiting the town. He posted on his Facebook page, "From beautiful artwork at The Space to standout craft brews at Little House Brewing Company , we are blessed to have this charming business district in our area." (Facebook)
• Trinity Lutheran Church, Centerbrook: Pastor Brett penned a heartfelt and poignantly touching letter about what happened in Uvalde, Texas, calling it "the murder of innocence". He goes on to explain our society as "compassion fatigued" and said he shares anger with us as well as lament and fear. (Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "See the new Top Choices at the Deep River Public Library. This week's nine new Top Choices include "Nightwork: A Novel," "Licorice Pizza,” and "Every Cloak Rolled in Blood." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Zoom Support Meeting for Bereaved Loss of Children (May 29)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton, CT WishList Wednesdays! $25 Off $100 or more!! (June 1)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow 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