Docking some time on the Mystic River

Two men were collecting anchors onto a floating dock Thursday on the river in downtown Mystic.
New bill would require background checks for youth sports coaches
State Rep. Greg Howard, a police detective who runs the Stonington youth football organization, has introduced a bill that would require all people involved in youth sports undergo criminal background checks.
Connecticut's COVID-19 outlook improving, governor says
But Gov. Ned Lamont says he's not yet ready to ease restrictions on restaurants and other businesses.
New London police union defends use of website
The local police union president calls the commentary on its website free speech protected by the First Amendment.
A scene to graze on in East Haddam

In a country idyllic scene, a horse was grazing Thursday in a pasture along Foxtown Road In East Haddam.
Partial demolition of old mill underway at Uncas Leap

Workers with Wiese Construction were working on demolishing the 1830 granite mill building Thursday on the Yantic River at the Uncas Leap Heritage Park.
School boards group eyes equity, social-emotional needs and special education as legislative priorities
The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education shared their priorities in a meeting with The Day Editorial Board on Thursday.
Churches celebrate Epiphany with bonfire

The official end of the Christmas season was noted in Preston on Jan. 6 when parishioners from Saint James Episcopal Church and sister church Grace Episcopal in Yantic, gathered on the Saint James grounds for a ceremonial bonfire to honor the...
Area dean's list
The following local students have made the dean’s/president’s list at their respective schools.
Temperatures forecast to drop over the weekend

Braving the low temperatures Thursday, some men were spending time shellfishing in the Niantic River.
UPDATED: Yale New Haven Health announces vaccination sites
Sites are opening Thursday in New London and Old Saybrook and Monday at Mitchell College in New London.
Catching snowflakes in Stonington

Preschoolers were trying to catch snowflakes on their tongue Wednesday at the Stonington Community Center, known as the COMO.
Two Stonington schools continue with in-person learning every day
While public school systems across the region bounce betrween hybrid and all remote learning, Pine Point and St. Michael schools continue with in-person learning every day.
Nominee for U.S. secretary of the Interior visited Mohegans in 2019

Local tribe's leadership was favorably impressed with Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, one of the first two Native Americans elected to Congress in 2018.
Garden project provides pandemic respite for Groton woman

Laurie Taylor was out of work for a while due to the pandemic, so she decided to create a garden behind her Groton apartment.
POLICE AND FIRE POLICE LOGS
Driver facing charges after reportedly hitting vehicle, leaving scene in downtown New London
A driver reportedly hit a vehicle in downtown New London Tuesday evening and then left the scene, according to police.
Preston woman facing charges in incident involving firearm
Police said a Preston woman is facing charges after she reportedly displayed a firearm.
COLUMNS
Judge Spellman's DUI arrest won't impact his $113,000-a-year pension
The judge, who is 69, will reach mandatory retirement age in June, beginning a lifetime pension of...
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MILITARY/DEFENSE
Watchdog: Suppliers a top risk for nuclear submarine construction
A new report also notes that “continuing challenges” with the computer-aided software tool that Electric Boat is using to design the Columbia subs pose the risk for cost overruns and delays.
Post-holiday surge in cases at Electric Boat mirrors uptick in state infections
The company has reported more than 600 cases since the week of Thanksgiving.
Who among Connecticut military personnel has received the COVID-19 vaccine so far?

Submarine crews and National Guardsmen, who’ve been at forefront of the state’s response to the pandemic, are among the first military personnel in Connecticut to get vaccinated.
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STATE/NORTHEAST
The game is changing. Chris Murphy says he’s ready to play.

On Wednesday, a window opened; for the next two years, Democrats can expect to hold the White House, the Senate and the House. The question for Murphy no longer is where might he go next but what can he do now.
R.I. governor vaccinated; AG probes hospital vaccine distribution
Rhode Island’s attorney general is reviewing whether the state’s largest hospital operators are properly distributing COVID vaccines
Massachusetts to ease some pandemic business restrictions

Massachusetts will begin to ease some pandemic restrictions on businesses as spikes in the number of hospitalizations and new cases of COVID-19 have begun to slow, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday