AMBY RUNNING 50 YEARS LATER
Fifty years ago, Ambrose J. Burfoot of Groton crossed the finish line to win the 72nd annual Boston Marathon. Today, the 71 year old Burfoot will enter the race for the 23rd time and set out to achieve something only a handful of former Boston Marathon champions have ever attempted: run the race 50 years after his triumph.
MOVIE DEBUTS IN NEW LONDON
Over 1,000 New London moviegoers packed the Garde Arts Center last night. They were among the first to see the film adaptation of Waterford resident and author Jeff Benedict’s book of the “Little Pink House.” The movie highlights the fight against the use of eminent domain in New London’s Fort Trumbull neighborhood. After being shown at film festivals, it made its theater debut in the Whaling City last night before a sellout crowd.
FUGITIVE CAUGHT IN LEDYARD
(Ledyard, CT) — A man with an arrest warrant in New Hampshire was caught in Ledyard. Police say Saturday night they arrested 31-year-old Levy Pierce after pulling his moped over on Route Two. He was arrested as a fugitive from justice. Pierce, who’s from Preston, is due in New London Superior Court today.
SECURITY A CONCERN
With New London residents moving out of the troubled Thames River Apartments, the New London Housing Authority has turned some of its attention to the security of the buildings and their remaining residents. With little in the way of security at the Crystal Avenue high rises and with fewer people around, the concern has focused on the possibility of increased crime and squatters. City police have increased patrols in the area as the number of families in the 124-unit outdated low-income complex dwindles, though more costly security measures are on hold until there is an identified need.
GRANT USED THREE WAYS
The New London City Council is scheduled to vote May 1st on the allocation of a grant the city received last year from Lawrence and Memorial Hospital of $50,000. The grant will fund preventative measures that address social factors that affect health. The money will split into three separate uses: $28,000 for surveillance camera systems around the intersection of Blackhall and Prest streets, $13,000 to help pay for playground equipment at McDonald Park and $9,000 to pay for improvements to a basketball court on Truman Street. New London police Chief Peter Reichard said he spoke to police chiefs in Norwich and Bridgeport, who told him that installing cameras in those cities has brought crime levels down.
SCHOOL CALENDAR MAY BE ADJUSTED
Preston school officials are considering making June 22nd the last day of school. Nine school days were canceled this year due to snow, windstorms and power outages. Students also had three delayed openings and one early dismissal this winter. The school system is considering a different approach to the uncertainties of fall and winter weather next year. A proposed calendar for 2018-19 would build in four potential days off for students that can be withdrawn as weather cancellations occur.
The calendar will be considered at the May 14th Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m. at Preston Plains Middle School. There will be public comment at the start of the meeting. The calendar is posted on the school website at www.prestonschools.org
