State Senate Passes Bill Allowing Creation of Stormwater Authority

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) -- A bill to allow New London to create a stormwater authority passed the state Senate on Wednesday.

According to The Day, the stormwater authority would be similar to utility authorities and would charge property owners based on how much of their property is considered impermeable. Even properties run by tax-exempt owners could be charged by the stormwater authority.

A recent survey determined that the city needed to nearly double its stormwater spending, a goal that the bill is designed to help. The revenue would be applied to the cost of managing stormwater.

The Day reports that the manner in which the authority would be created and the rate at which property owners would be charged has not yet been determined.

The bill must still pass in the state House.

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Massive Fire Guts Willimantic Church

(WILLIMANTIC, Conn.) -- A massive fire tore through a church in Willimantic on Thursday evening, leaving behind a significant amount of damage.

The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, located on Valley Street. Officials said in published reports that approximately 100 firefighters from nine different fire departments, responded and worked to battle the flames.

There were no reported injuries and investigators continue to work to determine the cause of the blaze.

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Malloy: Gregory Gray Is Right Man to Lead Board of Regents

(HARTFORD, Conn.) -- Gov. Dannel Malloy says members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education got it right, when they voted on Thursday to appoint Dr. Gregory Gray as the new president of the Board of Regents.

"With over 40 years in academia, Dr. Gray comes to us with the expertise and bold vision that is needed to lead this system so they can continue to attract and retain talented students, turn out a workforce with the skills to fill the 21st Century jobs we are so aggressively pursuing and make Connecticut a stronger, more competitive state," Malloy said in a statement.

Dr. Gray is scheduled to start his new role on July 1.

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Jewett City Sand and Gravel Operation to Pay Overdue Fines

(GRISWOLD, Conn.) -- A sand and gravel operation in Jewett City will pay back over $34,000 in overdue fines.

According to The Day, American Industries Inc. will pay back $34,061, plus interest, related to violations of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The company will also have to post a $30,000 cash performance bond to guarantee future compliance.

The U.S. Department of Labor sued American Industries last summer seeking payment due since 2007, The Day reports.

The Mine Act authorizes the government agency to conduct inspections of mines -- including sand and gravel operations -- for violations and assess penalties.

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Windsor Locks Home Damaged by Fire

(WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn.) -- A house in Windsor Locks was damaged by fire early Thursday morning.

The blaze was reported around 2 a.m. at the house located on South Main Street. Fire crews arrived on scene to battle the flames, which had spread from the porch to other parts of the house, officials said in published reports.

The occupants of the home managed to make it out of the burning structure safely. There were no reports of injury.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

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