FOXWOODS’ PLANS UNDER WRAP
Foxwoods Resort Casino is planning an announcement on Sunday that will unveil plans for its latest attraction but officials aren’t saying what it is until then. The site of the announcement, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, may provide a clue. Foxwoods’ representatives, joined by Richard Rawlings, star of the reality TV shows “Fast ‘N Loud” and “Garage Rehab,” are scheduled to reveal their plans before racing begins on Sunday.
ENDANGERED BEETLE MAY IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
Land in Preston, which the Mohegan Tribe has agreed to purchase and develop, could, potentially, be home to the sand tiger beetle, an endangered species. The town of Preston had to pay $25,000 for an environmental engineering study of land, as part of efforts to clean up the Norwich State Hospital property. It was unable to find any evidence that the sand tiger beetle has ever been there. First Selectman Robert Congdon said he hopes the issue is resolved today when the town meets with the State Historic Preservation Office.
PAIN DOCTOR A PAIN
Backus Hospital leaders are working to hire a replacement for the doctor at a hospital pain management clinic on Salem Turnpike, but a nationwide shortage of pain specialists could mean a delay. The primary physician at the clinic retired recently, leaving the 150-patient Backus with a temporary physician. The hospital is actively working to hire a permanent replacement to run the clinic and planned to interview a candidate for the position this week.
MORE HOUSING
The East Lyme Gateway Commons developers say that they plan to go ahead with adding 120 apartments to the 280 units they have built. The developers told the Zoning Commission last week that the 280 apartments are 95 percent occupied. Attorney Theodore Harris, who represents the developers, said Gateway is bringing more people to town who hadn’t lived there before. He said many of the development’s residents are millennials who want something nice and affordable but don’t want to commit to a house at this stage of their life.
HURRICANE ANNIVERSARY
Today marks the 79th anniversary of the 1938 Hurricane, one of the most powerful and destructive storms ever to strike New England. It killed almost 700 people and caused damage estimated to be over $306 million which today would equal almost $15 billion. Tracking up the Eastern Seaboard the storm hit Long Island and Southern Connecticut with sustained hurricane force winds that were felt across central and eastern Long Island and southeastern Connecticut. The hurricane produced a storm surge that flooded coastal communities and dumped three to seven inches of rain.
