The Daily Five: Fatal Car Accident, Autism Chat, And The Pope's Last Day

1. Another grey day is in store for us, with cloudy skies and scattered showers right through until later this evening. Weather.com is predicting a high temperature of 47 degrees and a low of 34 degrees. It won't be as windy, at least. 

2. Strong winds yesterday were responsible for a number of power outages across the state but only a handful of people lost power in Lyme and East Lyme, and then only for a few hours. 

3. High winds and heavy rains made the going difficult yesterday, with a higher than average number of accidents reported that closed roads in Ledyard, Colchester, and Route 2 in Norwich.

Three people died in the accident on Route 2, which happened near Stonington Estates on the Norwich/Preston border when a vehicle crashed into a tree at about 8:30 yesterday morning. There were five people in the vehicle, three of whom succumbed to their injuries and two of whom are in serious condition. Police have not yet named the victims.  

4. If you're interested in learning more about autism, you'll want to join our Live Chat today at noon. One of our bloggers, Aaron Weintraub, owner of Kids Cooperate and author of three books about the autism spectrum, will be taking questions about how to help kids improve their social skills. 

5. Today is Pope Benedict XVI's last official day as Pope. The Vatican has decided to give him the title of Pope Emeritus, which is a first. Historically most popes have served until their death. The last time a living pope left the office was more than 600 years ago.

The 85-year-old Benedict made his final public appearance yesterday. He described his eight years as pope as years of "joy and light"—although he also noted there were moments when "the waters were agitated and the wind contrary. The Lord seemed to be sleeping.”

While not everyone agrees with everything the pope says, those sentiments are easy to relate to, especially in light of the recent senseless tragedies that have taken so many young lives. I may not be Catholic, but I'll say "Amen" to that.