Good morning, Hopkinton!

For those new to the site, this post is a daily update we call Hopkinton Today. We’ll have a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights for the coming day and a video or two to brighten your day.

The Hopkinton School Committee met online last night and voted to eliminate April vacation. The prevailing feeling was to continue the momentum that’s been building since remote learning officially started April 6. This also will allow students to finish school on June 17 (instead of June 23), giving them more time to get out and enjoy the nice weather with friends as summer begins — assuming the stay at home order is over by then.

Also yesterday, a fugitive who was wanted in connection with a 2011 Hopkinton home invasion was transported to the Hopkinton Police Department following his arrest in Rhode Island earlier in the week. Carlos Ortiz was arraigned, ordered held without bail, and transferred to the Billerica House of Corrections.

At his latest update, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state has 18,941 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Today marks the start of the 11-day period when experts predict there will be a surge in cases, so be smart. If you go out, avoid contact with others.

Video of the day: Horseback riders use the drive-thru at a McDonald’s in Southbridge.

Music video of the day: Here’s Howard Jones with “Things Can Only Get Better,” which certainly seems appropriate right now. Enjoy.