Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Tuesday, Aug. 9.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies this morning, then rain or thunderstorms starting around lunchtime. The high temperature will reach 77 degrees; the low will drop to 65 tonight.

2. About 400 people attended Groton's National Night Out on Aug. 2, according to the town manager's report. The event was organized to promote public safety, teach children and families about the work of emergency personnel and build a sense of community. Thirty-three organizations participated, including the Clinton Rotary Chapter of Amber Alert, which registered more than 70 children.

3.  Groton topped New London County in the number of homes sold last month, with 20 houses sold, according to the latest market figures released by Randal Realtors. The median home sale price in town was $213,000, and houses spent an average of 113 days on the market, the report said. The sales volume for New London County was better in July than it's been since the year began.

4.  The Groton Town Council meets at 7 p.m. and will discuss topics including a possible change to the town’s bidding rules that would give preference to local companies. The proposed revision, supported by the Economic Development Commission, would apply to companies that come within 5 percent of the lowest price offered. Companies that do so and qualify would then be notified within 5 business days, giving them a chance to meet the price and win the contract.

5.  The La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday at its store opening at 721 Long Hill Road. Town councilors have been invited to attend.