The Daily Five: Old Lyme, Lyme, and East Lyme Respond to Sandy Hook Shootings

1. The sun's going to make a welcome reappearance today and there's no chance of rain, according to weather.com. It should be sunny and warmish, with a high temperature of 47 degrees, and clear and cool tonight with a low of 30 degrees. 

2. Tonight, Region 18 Board of Education invites parents and members of the community to a special meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme High School commons to discuss the impact of the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Board members will be joined by local elected officials from Lyme and Old Lyme, along with members of the Old Lyme Police Department, who will take questions and open the discussion on "how we can work together to provide a safe and secure physical and emotional environment for our students and staff."

3. A number of people have posted on the East Lyme Facebook page wondering whether the town was planning to hold a vigil to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. The buzz is that First Selectman Paul Formica has suggested holding one on the town green at 6 p.m. on Sunday. I'll let you know when I get that confirmed but an official announcement is likely to be made at tonight's Board of Selectmen meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. in East Lyme Town Hall.  

4. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, who have volunteered to act as collection centers, and to all of you who have made donations, Operation Snuggle Newtown is going beary, beary well! We'll be picking up all of the teddy bears on Thursday.  

5. The Newtown school shooting has reignited the often heated debate over gun control. Many lawmakers, including some who have opposed gun control in the past, are now saying they're open to the idea. Until yesterday, however, the National Rifle Association had remained mute on the subject. On Tuesday, the NRA issued the following statement announcing a "major news conference" on Friday, December 21.

"The National Rifle Association of America is made up of four million moms and dads, sons and daughters – and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown.

Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting.

The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."