Bethel Daily Briefing: Wednesday, Oct. 12

Today is Wednesday, October 12, the 285th day of the year. An unofficial American holiday today is Freethought Day - the annual observance by "freethinkers" and secularists of the anniversary of the effective end of the Salem Witch Trials.

Today's Weather

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 61. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.  

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 53. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

Municipal Meetings

• The Bethel Housing Authority will meet at 7:30 p.m. at 25 Reynolds Ridge (agenda).
• The Public Site & Building Commission will also meet at 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B at the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center (agenda).

Events, Reminders, Notices

• CD Release Party: There is no cover tonight for jazz at . Area band Kathleen Kruze and Friends is holding a CD release party tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Today's Flu Shots: There are no public flu clinics being held today by the Bethel Visiting Nurses Association. To see the rest of the season's schedule, plus flu shot clinics and waviers, click this link: .

Today in History

• 1773: America's first insane asylum opens for "Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds" in Virginia.
• 1892: The Pledge of Allegiance is first recited by students in many US public schools, as a celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage.
• 1901: President Theadore Roosevelt officially renames the "Executive Mansion" to the White House.
• 1970: President Richard Nixon announces that the US wil withdraw 40,000 more troops from Vietnam before Christmas.
• 1999: The proclaimed 6 billionth living human in the world is born. 

Weather information taken from the National Weather Service. Today in History compiled from Wikipedia and other sources.