Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo and video of the day.

In his COVID-19 update to the Select Board on Tuesday night, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe indicated that the town continues to have its highest COVID case total since the start of the pandemic, and he expects this surge to continue through February. “By the end of January we estimate that over a quarter of the [town] population will have contacted COVID,” he said.

In other Select Board news, Town Manager Norman Khumalo reported that Hopkinton is applying for a grant to help defray the costs associated with the PFAS water treatment plan. The board also approved a parade permit for the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K on June 18. After two years as a virtual event, the race is scheduled to be held in person this spring.

The Hopkinton High School boys ice hockey team was starting to come together when the season was upended by issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, but first-year coach Scott Hayes has been impressed with the way his squad has dealt with the curveballs thrown its way.

Leading off the Schools Notebook, the second annual Hopkinton High School Inventathon is scheduled for Jan. 23-29, the HHS alpine ski team is running a coat drive for Project Just Because, and the HHS Key Club is hold an ongoing food and clothing drive.

This week’s edition of Senior Snippets includes information on programs that discuss art appreciation, pantry maintenance, Machu Picchu and China.

Town meetings tonight include the Parks & Recreation Commission (5:30), Housing Authority (6), Board of Appeals (7) and Marathon Committee (7).

Photo of the Day: Winter Street was a winter wonderland following the recent snowfall.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Video of the Day:

https://twitter.com/Laughs_4_All/status/1480731340257566724?s=20