Five Things To Know Today

1. Today is Thursday, Feb. 10.  It'll be sunny and cold today. The National Weather Service predicts clear skies with a high near 27 degrees today, and a low tonight of 13 degrees.

2.  The main gate of the Naval Submarine Base at the intersection of Route 12 and Crystal Lake Road will be closed starting today to accommodate construction. The work is expected to be done by March 25.  During construction, Gate 7 - or the truck gate - will become the main entrance to the submarine base. Gate 5, also the hospital gate, will be open during weekdays after 5:30 a.m. The hours of Gate 3, the back gate, will not change.

3.  Naval Submarine Sailors climbed up a 41-story skyscraper in Boston on Feb. 5 as part of the American Lung Association's "Fight for Air" Climb, an event to raise money and awareness of those who suffer from asthma. The 15 climbers from the Naval Submarine School placed 7th out of 50 teams and earned five individual medals for the fastest climbing times. The group also raised more than $2,600 in donations. The event had 1,011 competitors and raised more than $291,000 in pledges.

4.  Groton is one of only 31 municipalities in the state to be exempt from affordable housing rules by the Department of Economic and Community Development. The agency, which reviews the percentage of affordable units in communities annually,  confirmed the exemption on Feb. 1.  Nearly 22 percent of housing units in Groton are considered "affordable," a higher percentage than nearby Norwich and New London.

5. Congratulations to Michele Grasser, of Groton, who made the Dean's List for the fall semester at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. To receive the honor, a student must achieve a 3.6 grade average, based on a 4.0 scale. If you have an announcement you would like to add to Groton Patch, click on the blue bar that says "news" at the top of the page, choose "announcements," then click on the green and white bar on the right which says, "announce it to everyone!"