Week in Review: A Week of Mourning

An otherwise normal week in Ledyard was cut short when a North Stonington family, Brenda and Jeremy Perry, lost their two young sons in what police say was a double-murder suicide committed by their grandmother, Debra Denison, of Stonington.

Brenda Perry is a member of the Gallup Hill faculty and the school quickly mobilized to gather donations for the Perrys. "It's such heartbreaking news," said one of Perry's co-workers. "I can't imagine what she's going through and we just wanted to do anything to help."

Friday night, there was a vigil in North Stonington and hundreds showed up to show their support and to comfort the family.

Pastor Larry Chappell of the North Stonington Bible Church concluded his remarks with a promise to the Perry family.

“We pledge to you our long-term prayer and support,” he said. “The remembrance of your loss and suffering will not soon leave us.”

Patch also followed up on the fire that ravaged the home at 12 Nutmeg Drive during the record-setting blizzard Feb. 9, which was deemed accidental by Ledyard Fire Marshal Jim Mann.

Mann said the fire was caused by combustible construction material in contact with the chimney and fireplace.

Since the house was a total loss and all their belongings were destroyed including a car, there is a benefit dinner to help them start the rebuilding process.

The dinner will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8 at St. David’s Episcopal Church. The price is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children.

Donations are also being accepted at Putnam Bank on 2 Chapman Lane c/o Munger Family Fire Fund.

The Gallup Hill School celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday by serving cupcakes on plates! Seuss’s birthday corresponds with Read Across America Day so the school also invited special guests to read to the students. Here are the photos from the cupcake portion of the day.

The Town Council heard a presentation by Mayor John Rodolico and architect Brian Humes regarding the proposed new police station Wednesday.

"We want to plan a facility that meets today's needs and tomorrow's needs," said Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects. "We tend to look out 20 years ahead."

A glimpse into the future reveals a department growing from 27 sworn officers and dispatchers to 30.

Viable sites under consideration are the former firehouse in the center of town next to Town Hall, a spot on J. Alfred Clark Way and the Former Gales Ferry School.

Humes hopes to provide site costs, building costs and a comparative cost analysis Monday.