Daily Five: Groton Police Will Check for Seatbelt Violations Today

1.  Today is Wednesday, Dec. 5.  The National Weather Service predicts a 70 percent chance of rain, mainly before 10 a.m., then cloudy skies and a high temperature of 56 degrees. Tonight will be clear, cold and blustery, with a low of 28 degrees.

2.  The Groton Town Police Department will be conducting spot checks today in conjunction with the National “Click It or Ticket” Campaign, according to a police department news release. The checks will be held for seatbelt violations, distracted driving and failure to use hands-free devices. The minimum fine for a seatbelt violation is $92.

3.  The North Stonington Road Bridge, which straddles Groton and Stonington, remains closed due to structural problems. The two towns hired an engineering firm to look at the bridge after the flooding in March 2010, and it had been open to traffic with weight restrictions in November, 2010.

But after the contractor began repair work in June, it discovered that the top of the concrete deck surface was in extremely poor condition, according to a weekly report by the town manager. Workers then learned the remaining part of the bridge was also in bad condition through to the steel. The engineer reported this to Stonington officials on Nov. 13, and they are expected to discuss the situation.

4.  The Annual Holiday Gala of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom.  The event includes a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception with silent auction, followed by a live auction. Tickets are $85, and all proceeds benefit various children’s charities in Eastern Connecticut.  For more information, call (860) 701-9113.

5.  Dr. Amit Khanna, medical director of the sleep center at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, will speak during the program “Getting a Good Night’s Sleep”, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Groton Senior Center. Dinner is $6. For more information, call (860) 441-6785.