Volume 26, Number 18
www.towntimes.com
See ‘naked-eye comet’ before it disappears for 6,800 years By Jessica Simms Special to the Record-Journal
Southington resident Kevin Casey saw his July electric bill from Eversource and was shocked at the steep spike in the delivery rate. His electricity usage was $58 and delivery was $102.
The comet was discovered March 27 by a team of astronomers working on a NASA project to detect asteroids near earth. The comet’s name is an acronym for the project — Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer.
See Comet, A15
Eversource customers petition to fight spike in delivery charges By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
Once the sun sets on a clear night, the newly discovered comet NEOWISE is visible just below the bowl of the Big Dipper.
“As comets go, this one is pretty spectacular,” said Meredith Hughes, associate professor of astronomy at Wesleyan University in Middletown. “Naked-eye comets tend to come around only about once a decade or so. I’ve only seen three in my lifetime. Comet NEOWISE will be back, but not for the next 6,800 years. It’s worth staying up past your bedtime some night.”
Friday, July 31, 2020
“Even before the pandemic our delivery rate was high,” Casey said. “But nobody could see any reason for this.” Social media buzzed recently with thousands of angry Connecticut residents complaining about high delivery charges dur-
ing a time when many people are working from home to halt the spread of COVID-19, while others have lost jobs or are working reduced hours. Casey grew frustrated with the numbers of people complaining without taking action. So he started a petition Friday that names several lawmakers and representatives from the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, or PURA. As of Monday the petition had more than 57,600 signatures. Complaints also reached See Eversource, A11
CELEBRATING THE BIG 4-0 Daniel Frohman, of Middletown, takes a photo of comet NEOWISE from Lyman Orchards in Middlefield. The comet will be getting dimmer over the next few weeks. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Comet NEOWISE about to be abscured by clouds as seen from Guilford. Even light clouds can make seeing the comet much more difficult. Richie Rathsack, Record-Journal
Brenda’s Main Street Feed in Durham celebrated its 40th anniversary this month. Store owner Brenda Eddy commemorated the occassion with a Facebook post which included an array of photos and press clippings detailing the store’s long history. “Wow, 40 years today. Oh how time flies by! I started when I was only 18 years old. I was in the building that is now Lino’s Market, and have worked my way to what is now 58 Main Street,” Eddy wrote. “Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure to grow such strong relationships in this community, and have watched my customers turn into my friends. The loyalty you all have shown has been nothing short of amazing! Thank you for sticking with me through the years and taking this journey with me. Without YOU, none of this would have been possible! Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart, I am excited to see what the future holds!”