🌱Way To Go VRHS Choir + Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Program Coming To DR

Good morning, friends! I'm back with your new edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town, including updates on:

• New recycling and waste management program coming to Deep River.
• An Old Saybrook police officer is under arrest.
• Way to go Valley Regional High School Choir.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 43 Low: 26.

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

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle, is coming to Deep River. According to zip06.com, "a new recycling and waste management program is coming to Deep River in 2023, and town officials are working to help educate residents on the pilot program. The town hosted a recycling workshop with members of the Deep River Sustainable CT Committee and representatives from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) at Town Hall on Dec. 6. The program will mark a slight shift in required waste disposal practices for residents who use the town's Transfer Station. Most notably, residents who utilize the transfer station will be asked to use different bags for household waste and food scraps, ranging from meat and dairy products to paper towels and napkins. Other waste materials will be shipped to an aerobic digester in Southington to be converted to clean energy and compost. (Zip06.com)
2. According to Zip06.com, "An Old Saybrook police officer is under arrest after allegations he abused department equipment to determine the name of a woman with the intent to follow her on the social media site Instagram. According to a press release from the Old Saybrook Police Department (OSPD), patrolman Josh Zarbo was arrested on Dec. 14 and placed on administrative leave. Zarbo was charged with computer crimes in the third degree. The investigation is ongoing, according to the release, and Zarbo has no law enforcement authority while on leave. Zarbo had been with the department since 2017 and lives in Clinton." (Zip06.com)
3. "Congratulations to 12 members of the Valley Regional High School Choir for their outstanding performance at the NEMFA New England Solo & Ensemble Festival in Griswold, CT on Saturday, December 10! Students from all over New England performed for judges as soloists and in small ensembles and the highest-scoring students are now invited to participate in the All-New England Music Festival which will be held in Woodstock, CT in March. (Valley Regional High School).

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• Free Zoom meeting with our specialist on security system installers in Old Saybrook (9:00 AM)
• Operation Holiday® Donors Invited to “Adopt" those in Need of Help (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Essex Fire Engine Co. #1: "Santa made a early stop in Essex yesterday to visit with the residents of Essex Meadows. While he was there, he collected their food donations for the EFD Santa Drive-by happening this weekend. All donated food will be delivered to The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Inc. Thank you, Essex Meadows for partnering with us to make this a success again this year.
  (Essex Fire Engine Co. #1 via Facebook)
• Chester CT Historical Society: "Leif Nilsson painting the town in March 1990. Thirty-two years later, he's still at it, but check out what's different about Chester in this scene." (Chester CT Historical Society via Facebook)
• Deep River Fire Department: " Santa will be here in Deep River, today beginning at 12:30 pm. Santa and his helpers will spread holiday cheer through Deep River as they ride around town on fire apparatus. (Deep River Fire Department via Facebook)
• Visit Chester CT: "The Wish Booth is open! Make sure to stop in and send your wish to the universe next time you are in Chester Village! Thank you @chestercottage. #visitchesterct #chesterhasitall" (Visit Chester CT via Facebook)
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "This time of year is so hard for many for various reasons. Be gentle. Be kind. Be community-minded. #takesavillage #tritownct #tritownyouthservices #essexct #deepriverct #chesterct #community #connection #TogetherWeRise #holidays #Nami ..." (Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau via Facebook)
• Essex Board of Trade: " We bring you The Ivoryton Playhouse ! Give the gift of entertainment to a loved one this year! Buy a subscription or individual tickets to the Ivoryton Playhouse. " (Essex Board of Trade via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• 4th Annual Goodspeed Tattoo Christmas Party (December 17)
• Your CBD Store | SUNMED - Clinton! SANTA'S RAFFLE! (December 18)
• Folk songs and stories in the pub listening room (December 18)
• Folk Song and storytelling at Penny Lane Pub Old Saybrook, Ct (December 18)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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