KAYAKERS MISSING
GROTON, Conn. (AP) – The search for two kayakers reported missing continues. Coast Guard officials are looking for 21-year-old Spencer Mugford, and 20-year-old Sophia McKenna, who were reporting missing in the Long Island Sound off Avery Point in Groton Sunday. The two were last seen on social media at 2 a.m. Sunday. Groton police began searching for Mugford and McKenna at 5 p.m. after someone reported the two hadn’t returned from their kayak trip. The Coast Guard became involved shortly after, dispatching a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Cape Cod and a rescue boat from New London. The kayak turned up on Long Island in Orient Point. The hometowns for the two are not listed by the Coast Guard. Anyone with information about the two missing individuals is asked to reach out to Groton police.
GAS PRICES NO DETERRENT TO TRAVEL
Gasoline prices are going up but that’s not expected to hurt tourism here in Southern New England. The high prices could even work to Connecticut’s advantage. Experts say people who thought of traveling cross country may even change their plans. Connecticut’s tourism operators receive about half their business from in-state residents. More than 30 tourist destinations in New London County, will kick off the tourism season on Saturday, June 9th during the 14th annual Connecticut Open House. They’ll be offering free or discounted admission and special offers.
FAMILY ESCAPES FIRE
Norwich firefighters responded to a house fire on New London Turnpike around 5 o’clock Monday afternoon. Several city departments were on scene as fire ripped through a two and a half story home in the East Great Plain section of Norwich. Fire officials said two or three people were inside the home when the fire started, but they escaped safely. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
COP SHOOTS AT CAR
Stonington police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle just after 2:30 Monday afternoon. An off duty policeman approached the vehicle and fired a gun striking it when the driver sped away with a passenger. Police said they thought the two men could be armed. The driver, Jonathan Ilarraza, of North Kingstown, R.I. lost control of the vehicle and hit a concrete wall on Garden Street. His passenger, Robert Abercrombie ran from the crash, prompting police to issue a shelter in place alert. A third occupant of the car, Jan Poirier of no known address, was taken into custody for threatening an officer. Abercrombie and Ilarraza are expected to be charged with larceny and other charges. All three are being held on bond.
TEAM NAME CHANGING FOR A NIGHT
On July 14th, the Connecticut Tigers will celebrate New England Night by taking the field at Dodd Stadium in Norwich as the New England Lobster Rolls. The minor league baseball team will wear Lobster Rolls hats and jerseys on the field. Fans are encouraged to visit golobsterrolls.com for information about the night, as well as Lobster Rolls merchandise including hats and T-shirts. The lobster roll is described as a sandwich native to New England, made of lobster meat served on a grilled hot dog-style bun with the opening on the top rather than the side.
PREPPING FOR AN OIL SPILL
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) – An annual two-day oil spill exercise is planned for the waters off of a local town.
In a news release, the Coast Guard Sector of Southeastern New England says it is hosting a full-scale oil spill exercise beginning Wednesday in Westerly. More than 20 federal, state and local agencies will coordinate a simulated response to a potential major oil spill affected the Rhode Island coastline. The exercise was established to comply with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which improves the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to respond to large oil spills.
