GOV YUKES IT UP TO APPLAUSE
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut lawmakers have given Gov. Dannel P. Malloy a warm send-off after he gave his final address to the General Assembly. The Democrat received cheers and applause early Thursday as he joked self-deprecatingly about bringing together lawmakers to reach the bipartisan budget deal that was approved Wednesday night, despite not being part of the talks. Malloy, who is not seeking re-election in November, has had a complicated relationship with state legislators over the past seven years. But he pointed out the progress they’ve made together, including labor agreements that he says will save the state more than $42 billion over 20 years and a smaller state government and lower rate of state spending. Malloy says he’s proud to have served as Connecticut’s 88th governor, calling it the honor of his lifetime.
“CONOR’S LAW” PASSES
Conor Irwin, a Ledyard High School teen would have been celebrating his 16th birthday last week. But he died over a year ago following a skateboarding accident. Yesterday, the state senate passed a House-amended bill that included “Conor’s Law,” which requires children 15 years or younger to wear protective headgear when skateboarding, roller skating or in-line skating. Conor’s mother, Holly Robertson Irwin spoke about the issue at the State Capitol, where she made an emotional plea to legislators about the importance of the law. The bill passed 121 to 27 in the House, and 34 to 1 in the Senate.
LIVER NEEDED
Phil Eakin of Ledyard has needed a liver transplant since 2015. Unfortunately, Phil needs a liver transplant ASAP and a living donor will save his life. Experts say if anyone can donate part of his or her liver, it will regenerate and grow back! Yale New Haven Hospital is asking all willing people to call 866-925-3897 to be screened via phone call to be a donor. All expenses are paid by Yale New Haven Hospital, and not the donor.
DAYCARE WORKER GETS REHAB
A former employee of the Naval Submarine Base’s child development center was granted a diversionary program Wednesday that will enable her to clear her record if she stays out of trouble. Lisa Jo Reppenhagen of West Haven is accused of abusing a three-year-old girl at the center in March and was charged with risk of injury to a child and first-degree reckless endangerment. Security video at the day care showed Reppenhagen grabbing the child by the ankle and pulling her a few feet across the floor. The child had a bruise on her side and told her mother that Reppenhagen got so mad at her that she “threw me in the kitchen,” according to court documents.
EMT SEEKS BUDGET REFERENDUM
A petition to bring the 2018-19 budget proposal to a referendum has been started by a member of the Bozrah Volunteer Fire Company. Fred Potter, a paramedic and member of the state EMS Advisory Board, started the petition earlier this week. The petition opposes a proposed initiative that would bring paid firefighters and EMTs to the local fire company at an estimated total cost of $122,000 for salaries and new equipment. The initiative, which looks to add between ten and 12 per-diem employees to staff the BVFC for nine-hour shifts Monday through Friday, aims to reduce the number of times other towns assist in responding to fire and medical emergencies.
SALEM BUDGET PASSES
Salem residents voted Wednesday to approve the 2018-2019 town budget. One-hundred-fifty-nine votes were for the budget and 24 votes against. Election workers called it one of the lowest turnouts in years. Last year’s turnout was 215 voters.
ANOTHER RICKOVER SUB
Friday will mark the ceremonial start of construction on the second submarine to be named for the late Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, the “Father of the Nuclear Navy.” The event at Electric Boat’s manufacturing plant in North Kingstown, R.I.,marks the ceremonial start of construction when the ship’s sponsor, the wife of retired Navy admiral Jonathan Greenert, will have her initials welded onto a metal plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine. Navy brass, political figures and the widow of Admiral Rickover will be in attendance.
