WORCESTER COUNTY NEWS
Gardner Rep. Rice won't run again
By Statehouse News Service BOSTON -- Rep. Robert Rice, a third-term Gardner Democrat, has decided to relinquish the seat he won in a 2006 special election, confirming rumors Tuesday that he was heading for the exit.
Bank robbery suspects arraigned
LEOMINSTER -- A couple accused of robbing the TD Banknorth inside Shaw's Supermarket at 25 Water Tower Plaza Tuesday afternoon was ordered held on $100,000 bail during their arraignment in Leominster District Court Wednesday.
Wong: No more streetlights are planned for '11
FITCHBURG -- City officials say most of the 150 streetlights slated to be turned back on in February are now in use, but Mayor Lisa Wong said she will not restore any more lights in fiscal year 2011.
FinCom OKs grant applications
FITCHBURG -- Community Development Block Grant applications were approved by the Finance Committee at a Tuesday night meeting.
Jones tapped as city veterans agent
FITCHBURG -- Mayor Lisa Wong announced the appointment of her former chief of staff, Kenneth Jones, as the permanent veterans agent during her regular Wednesday press conference.
Center to close, director shocked
LEOMINSTER -- The Multi-Service Center will close its doors at the end of this month after 35 years in Leominster, according to Director Barbara Abraham, who said the decision to close came as a "total shock.
Two rock bands to play at FSC
FITCHBURG -- Tickets went on sale Wednesday for Fitchburg State College students wanting to catch rock bands "New Found Glory" and "We The Kings" during the college's Spring Week concert.
Rotary Club to host benefit dance
LEOMINSTER -- The Leominster Rotary Club is hosting a dance this Friday to benefit a Leominster 6-year-old who is recovering from bone marrow transplant surgery, according to a press release.
Driver saves man who was choking
LEOMINSTER -- Something about the man's face made Leominster native Bernie Gardner turn his car around on his way to work, and ask whether he needed help.
Commission members concerned about projects
FITCHBURG -- Members of the Conservation Commission aired grievances they have about being left out of the loop on pending projects at a Tuesday night City Property Committee meeting.
Couple charged in bank robbery
LEOMINSTER -- Police arrested a man and woman in the woods off Route 70 in Lancaster Tuesday afternoon and charged them with robbing the TD Banknorth branch inside Shaw's Supermarket at 25 Water Tower Plaza.
Town OKs Fuel Efficiency Policy
LANCASTER -- Town officials took another step toward becoming a "green community" Monday night, as selectmen approved a Fuel Efficiency Policy effective July 1, according to Orlando Pacheco, town administrator.
Mayor confirms city to purchase facility for...
LEOMINSTER -- Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella planned Tuesday to send out a notice of intent for the city to buy the former National Plastics Center and Museum, after receiving preliminary approval from the City Council to turn the building into a police
State trooper hurt on the job
FITCHBURG -- A state trooper suffered "minor injuries" Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by a vehicle while on the job, according to Sgt.
Hay's seat to remain vacant, selectmen say
WESTMINSTER -- The town's remaining two selectmen have decided to continue on without filling the third selectmen's seat left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Nicholas Hay, Selectman John Fairbanks said Tuesday.
School officials probe fire in Leominster High...
LEOMINSTER -- School officials at Leominster High School are investigating a small fire that occurred in the stall of a school bathroom Monday, according to Principal Tom Browne.
Westminster selectman arrested in N.H., resigns...
WESTMINSTER -- Chairman Nicholas Hay resigned from the Board of Selectmen Monday evening, days after police in Jaffrey, N.H. arrested him and charged him with driving while intoxicated.
HIV-AIDS Awareness Walk is Wednesday
FITCHBURG -- Officials from the Montachusett Opportunity Council are ready for the Second Annual HIV and AIDS Awareness Day Walk and Rally scheduled for 4 p.
Four applicants vying for two pouring licenses
LEOMINSTER -- The owners of Dessert Bar on Main Street and Maggie's Bar & Grille at 511 Lancaster St.

Local poet represents U.S. at international conference
LUNENBURG -- Local poet Frederick Farryl Goodwin never dreamed that only months after a three-and-a-half-year struggle to have his life's work published, he would be among the select few invited to read at one of the largest poetry gatherings in the
Police Briefs
Lunenburg police nab driver after chase LUNENBURG -- A 24-year-old Fitchburg man led police on a car chase from the police station to Fitchburg and into Ashby, where he crashed early Sunday, said Chief Daniel Bourgeois.
Parent: Bus stop location unsafe
LUNENBURG -- A parent went before the School Committee for the second straight week Wednesday to raise concerns about changes to the district's bus service due to cuts in the budget.
Selectmen deny application for liquor license
LUNENBURG -- The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday denied an application by the owner of Bengal's Convenience for a beer and wine license after multiple local business owners spoke out against granting the license.
Business looks to expand in Lunenburg
LUNENBURG -- Members of the Planning Board reviewed a subdivision Monday that will allow Powell Stone & Gravel Co.
Furloughs can save money and jobs
LUNENBURG -- The topic of employee furloughs has been raised in several towns throughout the year as officials looks for ways to offset declining revenue.
Residents stage Unitil protest
FITCHBURG -- Lunenburg resident Lea McDonald still gets emotional when asked to recall the 12 days her family went without power following last December's ice storm.
Local woman takes on power company
LUNENBURG -- Cathy Clark, a local real estate agent and mother of four, wasn't well known outside of the area a year ago.
Town's bond rating gets a boost
LUNENBURG -- Improved long-term financial planning and sound fiscal policies have led a major bond rating agency to increase Lunenburg's bond rating by two grades, according to Town Manager Kerry Speidel.
School improvement plan hitting goals
LUNENBURG -- The creation of a student senate, implementation of a virtual classroom, and increased common planning time for teachers are all goals being accomplished as part of the Lunenburg High School Improvement Plan, according to Principal
Construction to begin on condo development
LUNENBURG -- Residents can expect to see a lot of activity at the former site of Whalom Park beginning as early as next week, when construction gets under way on a massive condominium project that was approved by the town more than two years ago.
Businesses battle for beer-and-wine license
LUNENBURG -- A controversy arose Tuesday during a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen for a beer-and-wine license application submitted by Bengal's Convenience at 21 Main St.
Firefighters want residents to be prepared this...
LUNENBURG -- Local firefighters have scheduled an event on the anniversary of last December's ice storm aimed at better preparing residents for future emergencies.
Residents stay late to vote again
LUNENBURG -- Faced with the prospect of leaving Special Town Meeting without closing a $300,000 budget deficit, residents voted late Tuesday night to overturn a decision earlier in the evening to reject the article aimed at closing the budget gap.
Lunenburg Town Meeting voters struggle with...
LUNENBURG -- Residents failed to address the town's budget deficit as of press time during special Town Meeting Tuesday, after voting to reject the article aimed at closing the gap.
Lunenburg preparing for Town Meeting
LUNENBURG -- Wind- and solar-energy bylaws, an increase in the local meals tax and different options for closing a budget deficit are among the major items residents will vote on during Special Town Meeting at Lunenburg High School Tuesday.
Sandwich shop and store opens in Lunenburg
LUNENBURG -- A new family-owned sandwich shop and convenience store opened its doors Friday in the center of town.
Senior Center collecting items for wounded...
LUNENBURG -- Officials at the Eagle House Senior Center recently kicked off a big effort to collect items for wounded U.
New cable station seeks show ideas, fresh...
LUNENBURG -- Members of the Lunenburg Cable Access Advisory Committee are welcoming any local budding television stars to create programming for the town's new public access television channel.
Fire guts Lunenburg house, kills beloved family...
LUNENBURG -- A beloved black Labrador known around the neighborhood for his friendliness died in a fire that gutted a house at 431 Townsend Harbor Road at about 11:20 a.
State tells Lunenburg to study high-school...
LUNENBURG -- The Massachusetts School Building Authority is asking Lunenburg officials to fully explore the town's options around regionalizing with another community before it will approve a feasibility study for a project at Lunenburg High School.
Lunenburg wants to sell development rights to land
LUNENBURG -- Lunenburg officials are hoping to cash in on 115 acres of town-owned land by selling the development rights to the state, according to Town Manager Kerry Speidel.
Meeting would explore possible construction of new...
TOWNSEND -- The North Middlesex School Committee has scheduled a meeting with state education officials to discuss the possibility of getting assistance with building a new high school if the towns vote to add Lunenburg to the district's region.
Officials move to upgrade school
LUNENBURG -- Officials with the Massachusetts School Building Authority voted Wednesday to move Lunenburg High School into the "feasibility study phase" for potential funding for a future project.
Proposed hike in insurance costs nixed
LUNENBURG -- Members of the town's Public Employee Committee have voted unanimously to reject a proposal by Town Manager Kerry Speidel to have employees pay a bigger share of their health insurance coverage.
Swine flu shot clinic planned in Lunenburg
LUNENBURG -- Residents in Lunenburg and surrounding towns have the opportunity to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine during a clinic at T.
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