DEAD BODY FOUND AT FORMER SCHOOL
New London police are investigating the discovery of a dead body in the parking lot of the former Edgerton School. The body was found early Monday morning around 7 AM by two high school students, and has been described as a white male in his mid to late ’30’s. Police say there are no visible signs of trauma, but haven’t ruled out foul play as of now. The identity of the deceased hasn’t been released.
PRELIMINARIES DONE
Norwich aldermen Monday night make some spending cuts, as they approve a preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan consists of most of the 3-percent recommended reductions off the current budget, submitted by the city manager. The council, though, did restore some spending, including the hiring of a Recreation Program Administrator. The preliminary budget does eliminate four vacant police officer slots, which were slated to be filled. It cuts a proposed 100-thousand dollar contribution to the Sachem Fund, and reduces Otis Library funding by 5-percent. School funding would get a 2-percent increase. A public hearing on the budget takes place next Monday night at City Hall.
VIADUCT DETOURS IN NORWICH
Detours will be taking place Tuesday on the Downtown Norwich viaduct, as public utility crews replace a section of damaged sewer pipe. Eastbound traffic on Route 2 will be detoured away from the viaduct into the downtown. Cars headed up Laurel Hill will also be detoured downtown, and will be routed onto the viaduct on Route 12 North, near the former YMCA. The detours will be in effect from 7:45 AM to 5 PM.
PLAINFIELD SELECTMAN DIES
A long-time member of the Plainfield Board of Selectmen has died. 78-year old George Krecidlo passed away unexpectedly Saturday at Hartford Hospital from a medical issue. Krecidlo was the third selectman on the board, and has served on the panel since 2001. Krecidlo served on the local school board, planning and zoning commission, and the town’s historical society, where he was vice-president. He was a member of the Plainfield Republican Town Committee.
HURRY UP!
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – With the General Assembly’s adjournment deadline fast approaching, there’s disagreement over how close lawmakers are to reaching a bipartisan deal in time. Democratic legislative leaders on Monday unveiled a new set of changes to the second year of the two-year, $41.3 billion bipartisan budget approved last year. It comes several days after Republican lawmakers released their latest, proposed updates. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff says “there is not a whole lot of sunlight between the two.” But Republican Senate Leader Len Fasano says he believes there are “significant differences” between the two budgets, based on the “bits and pieces” of the Democratic plan that he’s seen. Leaders were expected to meet privately Monday afternoon. The legislative session adjourns Wednesday at midnight. Both plans block bus and rail fare increases.
SEXUAL ASSAULT LEGISLATION PASSES SENATE
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut State Senate lawmakers have unanimously approved legislation that would try to improve the processing of sexual assault evidence kits at the state’s forensic laboratory. In a 36-0 vote Monday, senators moved the bill out of the Senate to the House. The bill aims to improve processing for sexual assault evidence collection kits and was originally proposed by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. It requires the state to continue maintaining the electronic tracking system for kits, and introduces a new policy for health care facilities to contact a sexual assault counselor upon the arrival of a victim at their facility. Under the legislation, the commission must also advise the Chief State’s Attorney on establishing a mandatory training program for health care staff on the kit-tracking software. House legislators have until Wednesday at midnight to act.
HOLOCAUST EDUCATION MANDATED
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – State lawmakers have agreed to require Connecticut school districts to teach students about the Holocaust and other genocides. The House of Representatives voted 147-0 in favor of the bill following a somber and poignant debate Monday. The bill previously cleared the Senate and now moves to Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s desk. Democratic Rep. Andrew Fleischmann of West Hartford says the state Department of Education has made available an optional course on genocide for districts to teach, but many have not used it. He says it’s “a uniquely terrible crime that is deserving of unique attention,” and therefore should be required as part of the social studies curriculum. Some lawmakers voiced concern about the lack of awareness among young people regarding the Holocaust and an uptick in anti-Semitic acts.
MORE MINORITY TEACHERS SOUGHT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – State lawmakers have passed legislation that attempts to boost the recruitment and retention of minority teachers across Connecticut. The House of Representatives on Monday voted unanimously for a bill that requires the state Department of Education to take steps to identify, use and support a number of programs and practices to improve minority teacher recruitment. The bill previously cleared the Senate and now awaits Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s signature. The bill also changes teacher certification laws to make it easier to become certified, such as for people in certain professions, including veterans. Democratic Rep. Brandon McGee of Hartford says increasing the number of minority teachers has been one of his legislative priorities this session, noting how children of color “perform better when they have teachers of color.”
PARKING NEAR SWIFT
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) – A Rhode Island town where Taylor Swift owns an oceanfront mansion is considering allowing parking on her street. The town council in Westerly was scheduled on Monday night to discuss a proposal to allow parking on Bluff Avenue, where homes sell for millions of dollars. Tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of Swift still couldn’t park there, though. The proposal is to allow parking for Westerly residents and property owners on Bluff Avenue. If approved, parking would be allowed for up to three hours on the west side of the street. Currently, cars that park on the street can be towed.
Swift has hosted a number of July Fourth bashes at the mansion over the years.
