DEADLY SHOOTING IN NEW LONDON
New London police are working a deadly shooting. It happened this morning in the area of Elms Street and Garfield Avenue. Around 1 a.m., police found a man lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Joshua Fine of New London. Call the New London PD if you have any information on the fatal shooting. Tips are anonymous.
ESTY REFUSES TO RESIGN, DEMS CALLING FOR HER HEAD
U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty says she has no intention of leaving Congress. Several state Democrats, including the highest-ranking member of the State Senate, Martin Looney have called for her to resign. State Rep. Diana Urban of North Stonington, another Democrat, called the congresswoman’s role in helping former chief of staff Tony Baker obtain a job at Sandy Hook Promise especially galling. Sprague State Sen. Cathy Osten, also joined the growing voices calling on Esty to resign, as did Killingly State Senator Mae Flexer. Baker remained on Esty’s payroll for three months after learning of accusations against him that included harassment, physical violence and intimidation.
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOLS AND DODD
The Norwich City Council will be voting on a series of resolutions tonight that would appropriate more than $1.4 million for improvements at the school district and baseball stadium. A resolution appropriating $675,000 will be used to purchase a new software program for the entire department of administrative services in Norwich Public Schools. The council will also be tackling whether to appropriate $800,000 for capital improvements at Dodd Stadium. Mark Bettencourt will be named chairman of a newly formed School Facilities Review Committee, that will examine the possibility of school consolidations.
BURT REVERSES COURSE ON RAISE REQUEST
Groton Town Manager John Burt has withdrawn his request for a $13,000 raise. Burt’s annual salary would have increased to $170,000 if the request was approved, but he decided he didn’t want the issue to detract from the salary increases he has recommended for other town employees. Burt said those salary structures are below what they should be, more in line with entry-level employees.
PROGRESS ON HISTORIC INN
The historic Lighthouse Inn in New London may open as early as this fall. Infrastructure updates and repairs to damaged guest rooms continue in the property’s 23,000-square-foot main mansion. Much of the structural work in the 26 guest rooms has been completed. Major updates that have been finished include the installation of a new HVAC and water heating system for the first floor, along with conversion from oil to natural gas. Built in 1902 by steel magnate Charles S. Guthrie, the Lighthouse Inn, formerly known as Meadow Court, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
NEW COMMITTEE TO MEET THIS WEEK
An organizational meeting of the newly formed Norwich School Facilities Review Committee will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall to begin studying the city’s aging school buildings. In the balance is a possible renovation and consolidation plan. Eleven members represent the city council, board of education, teachers, parents and the public. Several city and school administrators will serve as ex-officio members. Mayor Peter Nystrom will address the new committee at the start of the meeting and will lead the group through the election of officers.
