pandemic challenges

The Town of Putnam is taking down concrete barriers that were put into place for temporary outdoor dining amid the pandemic, according to Mayor Barney Seney. Barriers will be removed, weather dependent, between Nov. 2 and Nov. 6. The town provided the barriers in May, blocking off parking spots on Main Street, in order to accommodate restaurants that did not…

Local and state leaders continue to monitor rising COVID-19 numbers in southeastern Connecticut. Ledge Light Health District, covering East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington, and Waterford, recorded 154 new cases district-wide last week. That is up from an average of five new cases a week in mid-August. Uncas Health District, covering Bozrah, Franklin, Griswold,...

The City of Norwich is under a COVID-19 alert from the Department of Public Health, as cases in the city continue to climb. According to DPH, the city is now experiencing the highest daily case rate in the state. In the last eight days, 119 Norwich residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, COVID-19. For comparison, in early August about…

As the city deals with a COVID-19 outbreak, Norwich officials are encouraging residents to get tested to help limit the spread of the disease.

As cases of COVID-19 in the New London County region continue to climb, a local health district is warning school leaders of the uptick. The director of health for Ledge Light Health District, which covers East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington, and Waterford, sent a letter to the district’s superintendents outlining the uptick and...

As schools look at returning to full in-person learning, the Ledge Light Health District is warning schools about an increase in coronavirus cases in southeastern Connecticut.

As cases of COVID-19 in the New London County region continue to climb, a local health district is warning school leaders of the uptick.

The University of Hartford is testing the wastewater on campus to be able to detect any increase in COVID-19 infections.

Matt Beaudoin’s business in Mystic is built on tradition. “Mystic Knotwork is an artisan handmade business,” said Beaudoin. “It has been in existence as a family tradition since the early 50s.” Beaudoin, owner of Mystic Knotwork, is being recognized by the Small Business Administration as Connecticut’s Small Business Person of the Year for his work, commitment to that tradition...

A Mystic business is being honored for its ability to pivot in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy are being credited with saving a national security mission after COVID-19 sidelined a tenth of a Coast Guard Cutter’s crew. The Coast Guard Cutter Munro was just getting underway in June when a crew member tested positive for the virus. After contact tracing was completed, 18 crew members had to be taken...

Several Coast Guard cadets helped complete a mission when COVID-19 sidelined part of the crew.

With school districts across Connecticut operating on a hybrid model of learning, some parents are left with child care concerns. “Two days in school- the big question mark was what do we do with the kids for the other three days?” explained Bob Kilpatrick, a program coordinator for the Norwich Recreation Department. To answer that question, various organizations across the…

As more children start learning online, new programs are emerging across the state offering students a safe place to go on their distance learning days.

Norwich Public School students began the return to school Tuesday on a hybrid model. Students in Cohort A were back in the classroom for the first time since March. “We are well-prepared and we are just so happy the kids are back,” said Sarah Duso, principal of Wequonnoc Elementary School in Taftville. About 100 students filled the halls of Wequonnoc…

Students in New London Country returned to school. Some decided to return with distance learning only while others are participating in a hybrid model.

Students will return to Stonington High School next week for the first time since March, facing changes in scheduling, safety, and curriculum. Students are returning to school in a hybrid model. Tuesday will be day one. In addition to a drastically different schedule, students will be faced with social distancing requirements throughout the building. Masks are mandatory. Water fountains will…

Public health leaders warn that Labor Day Weekend will be a critical time to maintain COVID-19 safety precautions and prevent the spread of the virus. “We do need to be vigilant,” warned Mary Day, a public health nurse practitioner for Ledge Light Health District, covering East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington & Waterford. Day…

Lebanon Elementary School will use an app called PikMyKid to help with school dismissal for the 2020-21 school year. Due to COVID-19 safety changes, it is no longer safe for parents to go inside the building, walk through halls and congregate in a room to pick their children up from school. Principal Rita Quiles-Glover said that her team realized early…

Lebanon schools are hoping to make students pickups a smooth process this year by giving parents an app to help.