News In Brief

New Britain Gets “Loop Trail” In Parks

The city announced that it has completed the first phase of its “Stanley Loop Trail” as of Sept. 5. The trial is said to be completed in the next two years and run through Stanley Park and Stanley Quarter Park with “multiple” miles of 10-foot-wide paved walking and cycling trails.

Contractor Tobacco & Sons recently finished paving the path with a $3 million grant awarded to the city. Stewart added that the path opens “recreational opportunities” for residents to enjoy, saying it will help allow for people to be active within the city. She also said that it could help reduce the city’s “high rate” of asthma and help those struggling to achieve physical education standards, according to a press release. 

An official ribbon cutting for the trail will be held on Friday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m.

Florence Takes Aim At U.S. 

Hurricane Florence has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic coast by Thursday evening. According to the National Weather Service, it could be the most powerful storm to hit the East Coast in three decades.

As of Monday evening, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph with a projected path between the Carolinas. Though experts say the route of the storm could shift, officials in coastal North Carolina have already begun mandatory evacuations for residents.

A storm surge of 15 feet is possible with Florence, and rainfall could reach an excess of 15 inches in some areas.

Groceries stores have begun to stock up before the storm as residents board up their windows and flee to the nearest gas station to fill their tanks. Some stores have already claimed to be out of generators, plywood and water.

No End In Sight For War In Afghanistan

Dozens have been killed as a result of militant attacks in Afghanistan over the weekend, causing fear that the northern province Sar-e Pul could fall into the hands of the Taliban. Areas of the Jawzjan province have already been claimed by the Taliban. 

Taliban fighters attacked Sar-e Pul, killing at least 17 government security forces within a 24 hour period, the governor said. 

For much of the country, the fighting is a step back in what was diplomatic efforts to end the war between the Afghan government and the Taliban.