Aundré Bumgardner

Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others, including:

• Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
• People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
• People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
• People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
• People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Please see a few prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat, such as:

• Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
• Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
• Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
• Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.

Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods of extreme heat. Because bodies lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common while experiencing very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:

• Drink more water than usual.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
• Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Remind others to drink enough water.

For a list of extreme heat and cooling centers, please click HERE. Let's look out for our furry friends, too!

Public Invited to Informational Meeting Regarding Rehabilitation of the Mystic River Bridge Carrying Route 1 over the Mystic River between Groton and Stonington
 

The CTDOT will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the Mystic River Bridge rehabilitation on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., to allow the public and local community to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project.

The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please click HERE.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) and its Artist Fellowship program, which, provides recognition and funding support for Connecticut artists to pursue new work and advance their artistic careers, are now accepting applications.

All artistic disciplines are eligible! 

Connecticut artists must be the primary creators of original works of art.

Grants are awarded in three designations and grant amounts:

• Artistic Excellence grants: $5,000
• Artist Fellowship grants: $3,000
• Emerging Recognition grants: $1,000 

The deadline to apply is on or before September 20. Some eligibility restrictions apply, so please review the program webpage before applying HERE.

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative