5 Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday, Sept. 18

Here are five pieces of information designed to get your Tuesday off to a fine and dandy start and to help make you the smartest person who can't wait for the Brown Street Bridge to officially reopen later this week.

1. Your 3-day Local Weather Forecast: According to the NWS, today will feature showers, mainly before 5pm. High near 72. Southeast wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

• Tuesday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Steady temperature around 69. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Wednesday Showers likely, mainly before 10am. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 11 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Wednesday Night A slight chance of showers after 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday A slight chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

2. It's Happening Today: The Tewksbury High girls' soccer team looks to rebound from a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Central Catholic over the weekend when they play host to Andover High. Game time is 3:45 p.m. at the Livingston Street field.

3. Reader Comment of the Day: "Kudos to Mr. Montuori and our new Finance Director and Treasurer! ALL of them run circles around the "old staff" they replaced in their management capabilities and financial expertise as well as their energy and enthusiasm in helping turn Tewksbury in the right direction! They display both the transparency formerly lacking in the Town's Finance Dept. in addition to responsible leadership and teamwork FOR OUR TOWN that's been a LONG time in coming." Reader Karyn, commenting on the story, "Higher Rating Plus Lower Interest Equals Big Savings For Tewksbury."

4. By The Numbers: 27. That's the number of Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. See how much you know about this nation's founding document by taking a short, 10-question Constitution Quiz.

5. It's Also Happening Today: McDonald's, 1928 Main St. will be hosting a Dine Out Fundraiser for the Heathbrook and Trahan PAC. 20% of all sales (dine in & drive thru) will be donated back to Heath Brook/Trahan PAC. You never know who may be working behind the counter.