🌱 Rep. Palm Excited About Environmental Bills + Blood Emergency In CT

Good morning, The Haddams-Killingworth! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's what's happening around town today.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and breezy. High: 70 Low: 54.

Here are the top three stories today in The Haddams-Killingworth:

1. According to a press release, State Representative Christine Palm (D- Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam) commends the passage of two environmental bills (H.B. 5285 and H.B. 5143) she championed which passed the House of Representatives during the last days of the 2022 legislative session. Bill H.B. 5285 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM will provide science-based climate teaching to all students in accordance with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Codifying into law what some — but not all — Connecticut public schools currently teach. Bill H.B. 5143 AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES creates an office that will serve as a hub to coordinate research efforts in Connecticut associated with aquatic invasive species (AIS) and control their spread. (HK Now)
2. The state of Connecticut is experiencing a blood emergency! Reportedly, school breaks and increased traveling have caused an alarming drop in donations. According to a press release, the blood supply currently stands at a two-to-three-day level. Platelets along with types O and B- are at just a one-to-two-day supply. This is well below the ideal inventory of five-seven days. Do your part to help by booking an appointment now to give blood. Visit the blood centers website or call 800-283-8385. (NBC Connecticut)
3. Ramping up once again, the COVID-19 positivity rates are on the rise in Connecticut. Numbers as of Monday are reportedly upward of 11% in the state, with 8,476 COVID cases identified over the last seven days. In a New Haven Register article Tom Balcezak, medical director at Yale New Haven Hospital, said “The number of cases we are seeing in our hospitals is just not translating into the number of ICU patients or ventilated patients that happened during the first one or two waves of COVID.” (New Haven Register)

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Today in The Haddams-Killingworth:

• SCORE Free Webinar: Plan Your Website for Online Success (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Goodspeed Musicals: "Come to the Cabaret! The Tony-winning Kander & Ebb classic will dazzle on the Goodspeed stage for the first time ever! Don't miss Goodspeed's return to big musicals: May 13 - July 3. Get your tickets today!" (Facebook)
• Killingworth Library Association: If you missed the opening reception of the Haddam-Killingworth High School art show don't worry: all of the pieces will be on display through the end of May. Stop in and take a look!(Facebook)
• East Haddam Youth & Family Services, Inc.: "It's National Prevention Week! To kick off the week, we'll be sharing a video series Project Courage helped us put together last year. And stay tuned for a new video presentation, drug prevention info, and more!" (Facebook)
• Higganum United Methodist Church: "We are looking for DONATIONS of jelly canning jars and some pint canning jars.... If you have any jars that you are willing to donate or if you would like to purchase some to donate, we will fill them with goodness to be sold at the chur..." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Capella Cantorum Spring Concert (May 15)
• Financial Planning Boot Camp: Train today for your financially healthy retirement (May 17)
• Oddfellows Teen Rep Company Presents: The Greeks! (May 19)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday 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 The Haddams-Killingworth Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com