A Police Officer Resigns; And More

1.     Today, there is a chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. A high of 69, and a low of 53, according to the service.

2.     Police Officer Matthew Hutchings has resigned from the Waterford Police Department, First Selectman Dan Steward confirmed Thursday evening. Hutchings was hired in 2009. Steward wished Hutchings luck in his future endeavors.

3.     Wednesday night, the board of finance approved a $1.4 million grant for the police force to improve its cameras in Waterford. The first million dollars of the grant will link Waterford’s five cameras, East Lyme’s three cameras and New London’s 20-plus cameras, so police in all three towns can watch all of them. The final $400,000 will go to installing new and better cameras for Waterford, including ones that can do a full 360-degree spin.

The idea of these cameras is make the police force more efficient, so officers can assess issues right away, Police Lt. Dave Burton said. The cameras will be put at “strategic” locations such as busy intersections, Burton said. This will allow the police to see accidents and other incidents that would increase traffic in all three towns and adjust accordingly, Burton said.

4.     One new movie opens tonight at Waterford cinemas, although two different ways. "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" plays at 7:25 and 9:40, and plays in 3D at 7 and 10.

5.     On this date in 1927, Charles Lindbergh takes off from Long Island to begin the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. He would land the next day in Paris. Not to be outdone, on this date in 1932 Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland to begin the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean by a woman. Earhart would land in Ireland the next day.

Quote of the Day

“The worst-tempered people I’ve ever met were the people who knew they were wrong.”

- Wilson Mizner

Trivia of the Day

What is the lowest point on Earth not covered by water?

Yesterday’s Answer: Polar bears are the heaviest type of bears (Kodiak bears are longer but weight less). Speaking of polar bears, where did Waterford Patch’s go? I miss him.