Chris Perone

The state Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced several new features on its website.

Vaccine eligibility will expand to the 55-64 age group beginning on March 1 and dedicated clinics for educators and childcare providers will also begin in March.

There are many important celebrations happening in the month of February including Black History month and Valentine's Day, which many of us recognize and enjoy.

Today, Governor Lamont announced that Connecticut residents aged 65 to 74 will be able to book appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting this Thursday, February 11, 2021.

February is Black History Month. For the past 45 years, Black History Month has served as a time to recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our nation's history. It is a time to highlight and celebrate our many and varied roles in our country’s history.

The State of Connecticut is expecting about 45,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses on a weekly basis from the federal government. We now know that the State will be taking a tiered approach in Phase 1B as we work to vaccinate the nearly 1.4 million people in the recently updated Phase 1B category.

I hope you and your family are ready to ring in the New Year! This year has been challenging for many of us and I hope we can look towards 2021 with a renewed sense of optimism.

A new federally-funded grant program – a helping hand to bars and restaurants and other local businesses – will start cutting checks right around New Year's Eve.