Connecticut formally sent off three culinarians on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the nationally recognized James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony.

The sendoff took place at Mystic River Park at 11 a.m., and formally recognized Jade Ayala from the Port of Call in Mystic, chef David DiStasi from Materia Ristorante in Bantam, and chef David Standridge from the Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic.

The awards ceremony is on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.

“It’s just incredibly gratifying to see the recognition that’s been so long deserved finally come here to the state,” Chef Standridge said, reflecting on the honor.

Chef Standridge and Chef DiStasi are both finalists for Outstanding Chef, while Ayala and the Port of Call are competing in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage award.

“Mystic has a really great way of preserving history here, and I’m really just happy and proud to be a part of their story and Mystic’s story here. Thank you for having us,” Ayala said.

The ceremony will be livestreamed through the Connecticut Restaurant Hospitality Association on June 15.

Central Maine Power customers will see some relief in electric costs this summer after state utility regulators approved new distribution rates for the company.

The new prices reflect CMP’s revenue needs after the company paid more than a $100 million spent to recover from damaging winter storms in 2023 and 2024.

Households using an average of 550 kilowatt hours a month should save about $8.55 on their bills, according to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The new prices go into effect July 1.

Commissioners also rejected CMP’s request to delay enacting new distribution prices while the agency considers the company’s separate rate case.

“It is uncertain when temporary rates may be approved or at what amount, but at a time when customers are struggling with high costs across the economy I cannot support a delay in rate relief,” said Commission Chair Phil Bartlett.

Electric prices in Maine have soared in recent years, because of expensive storm recovery, volatile natural gas prices and financial incentives for a community solar farm program, among other factors.

Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said the rate reduction was welcome for electric customers dealing with high costs.

Sanborn said the commission’s decision to pay off a $20 million “storm recovery balance.” The account is basically money loaned to ratepayer by CMP that is owed to the company with carrying costs of about $140,000 per month, according to the PUC.

“That is a lot of interest every year that we have been paying,” Sanborn said.

Central Maine Power has submitted a proposal for new rates that would raise prices about $18 a month, according to the PUC.

In its rate proposal, CMP said it needs more revenue to help harden its infrastructure to future storms, improve reliability and hire full time staff to avoid hiring expensive contractors.

Even though the company is asking for higher rates, it says the package will amount to a slight decrease for customers because it has repaid storm recovery.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the rate adjustment approved by the PUC.

A Massachusetts man was arrested on numerous charges, including gun and drug offenses, police said.

Georgie Estrella, 41, of Attleboro was arrested shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on charges of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent the to deliver crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, crack cocaine, psilocybin, clonazepam, alprazolam, and buprenorphine, carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit, possession of a firearm by certain persons prohibited, carrying a firearm when committing a crime of violence, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, alteration of marks of identification on firearms, carjacking, attempted larceny of more than $10,000, assault on a police officer, vandalism or malicious injury to property, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct, the Rhode Island State Police said in a media release.

Estrella was also arrested on three warrants charging him with failing to appear in court for drug cases, according to the release.