Alligator ‘Rescued’ In CT + COVID-19 Test Kits Arrive: CT News

Good Friday morning Connecticut, and Happy New Year’s Eve!

A shipment of at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits has arrived in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday morning.

The development comes just hours after Lamont held a news conference explaining what went wrong with the supply of 500,000 at-home test kits that were promised to municipalities that never made it off the tarmac on the West Coast earlier this week.

During an East Hartford news conference late Thursday afternoon, Lamont revealed "that particular shipment is no longer on its way." Although the agreement that the state had with the supplier was "airtight" according to the governor, he told reporters that "I think we got a little ahead of ourselves."

No money had changed hands for the shipment, Lamont said.

Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said the state had created a purchase order and "absolutely had a contract," but "things were misrepresented to us."

Municipal leaders across the state were left scrambling earlier on Thursday to cancel planned distribution events for the test kits that never arrived.

Lamont is expected to hold another news conference on Friday with details on the test kits, which could tentatively be delivered to municipalities for distribution on Monday, according to the Hartford Courant.

See also:

Coronavirus Infection, Vaccination and School Cases: Town-By-Town

During the week of Dec. 23-29, 360 Connecticut schools reported coronavirus cases among either students or staff, 393 fewer than last week.>>>Read More.

Man Accused Of Faking COVID Test To Avoid Court Hearing

The man is charged with illegally fabricating a positive COVID-19 test notification in order to avoid appearing at a bond review hearing.>>>Read More.

Nearly 200,000 Connecticut Families To Get Tax Credit Boost

Connecticut Department of Revenue Services plans to issue checks before the end of February.>>>Read More.

Mount Southington Battles Wacky Weather To Open For Holiday Week

Mount Southington has opened for the 2021-22 season after a bout with less-than-favorable weather.>>>Read More.

Alligator Found In Fish Tank In Unique ‘Rescue’ In CT

The Guilford Police Department made a unique rescue of a 4-foot alligator named Stella. Police said the alligator was in a fish tank at a home in Guilford.

Things were a little touch-and-go, but police said they fortunately kept all their fingers during the incident.

Police said alligators are a prohibited pet by Connecticut State Law and Stella has been transferred to an aquarium where she can live her best life.

Read more from the police department below or on Facebook here:

UConn Switching To Online Classes To Begin Spring Semester

The University of Connecticut will begin the spring semester with online classes and delay the student residential move-in by two weeks due to the recent “sharp increase” in student COVID-19 positivity rates, officials announced Friday.

Officials said classes will still begin on Jan. 18, however, they will be online until Jan. 29. The new residential student move-in date will be the weekend of Jan. 29.

“This is subject to further change based on the course of the pandemic,” officials said in an update. “Also, in the next few days, the University will be issuing a requirement that eligible students receive booster vaccinations. Discussions are also occurring regarding requiring the same for eligible faculty and staff.”

Did you know?