WORCESTER COUNTY NEWS
Mural reflects Whalom Park's heyday
LUNENBURG -- Bulldozers and excavators are in the process of clearing out the land that once held the historic Whalom Park amusement park, but the beloved attraction lives on in a recently-completed mural at Lunenburg High School.
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.
School officials say talks on back burner
LUNENBURG -- School officials from North Middlesex Regional School District expressed little confidence Tuesday that the Lunenburg School Committee will seek to move forward with regionalization discussions when it comes to a vote next week.

Ashburnham board members eye group insurance policy
ASHBURNHAM -- Town officials discussed the benefits of looking into joining the state's health care system, which could possibly save big dollars in the long run.
Town rehires Guardian Information Technologies
ASHBURNHAM --Town officials have rehired Guardian Information Technologies Inc. as its Internet supporter despite the IT Study Committee's recommendation for a different firm, according to Kyle Johnson, chairman of the IT Study Committee.
Ashburnham cautious with capital funds
ASHBURNHAM -- Town officials will recommend a capital budget of $145,852 at the annual Town Meeting on May 8, significantly lower than the $250,000-per-year limit that is set for the next five years in order to benefit the town in the long run,
Grant funds purchase of books for local...
ASHBURNHAM -- Enjoyable learning is the key to get through to young students, according to Tony Gleason, a science teacher at Overlook Regional Middle School.
School district's allocation methodology won't be...
Ashburnham and Westminster town officials have agreed in principal not to change the school district's allocation methodology this fiscal year, which would have cut approximately $700,000 from the school district's budget.
Ashburnham teen belts his pipes at Carnegie Hall
ASHBURNHAM -- Performing in New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, local resident Martin Shedd, 19, was speechless -- a rare thing for a choir member who's been singing since he was 2.
Town awaits decision on water tank
ASHBURNHAM -- Town Administrator Douglas Briggs said town officials will hear in the next few weeks whether or not they will receive federal money for a new water tank.
Solar panels to be installed on two buildings in...
ASHBURNHAM -- Municipal Light Department employees plan to install solar panels this spring on both the Oakmont High School and the Public Safety Building after being awarded a $150,000 grant, said Town Administrator Douglas Briggs.
Town officials mull allocation of school funds
ASHBURNHAM --Selectmen discussed changing the school district's funding allocation methodology, which would give the town an additional $305,000 in the upcoming budget, but would cut approximately $700,000 from the school district's budget.
Church Listings
Ashburnham Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church, Route 12. Worship service 11 a.m. Sunday; Sunday school, 9:45 a.
Ashburnham
Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church, Route 12. Worship service 11 a.m. Sunday; Sunday school, 9:45 a.
Local man hand crafts Shaker boxes
ASHBURNHAM -- Bob Brennan started making Shaker oval boxes to see if he could. Now it's become a way of life.
Students may be asked to join search process for...
ASHBURNHAM --Students from the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District could be involved with finding a new superintendent, members of the Superintendent Search Committee said at its first meeting Tuesday night in the Overlook Middle School
MCAS scores show improvement, school...
ASHBURNHAM -- Scores on MCAS exams are looking good for students in the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District.
School officials want confirmation of Patrick...
ASHBURNHAM -- Caution was urged by Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee members concerning Gov.
Ash-West schools may not need furloughs
ASHBURNHAM -- Furlough days, budget goals and standardized testing will top the agenda for Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee meeting on Tuesday at Overlook Middle School.
Historical Commission opposes cell tower
ASHBURNHAM -- The possible development of a cell tower at Meeting House Hill could delay the town Historical Commission's plans to get the site on the National Historic Register.
Ashburnham group eyes new DPW site
ASHBURNHAM -- A focus group formed with a goal of redeveloping the downtown business district has since changed its mission to finding a new home for the Department of Public Works.
Ashburnham explores wind-power options
ASHBURNHAM -- Town officials met recently with a consulting group and have scheduled a meeting with another developer to advance a proposal for wind and renewable energy in Ashburnham.
Retired Army officer finds way to serve fellow...
ASHBURNHAM -- Giving back to U.S. military soldiers and their families is why Ashburnham resident Robert Soeldner volunteered to be a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army.
Ashburnham selectmen give departing member sendoff...
ASHBURNHAM -- Family members surprised Selectman Jonathan Dennehy at Monday night's meeting of the Board of Selectmen at the Public Safety Building.
High school freshmen form environmental club
ASHBURNHAM -- Fifteen freshmen from Oakmont Regional High School have taken their love for the environment and turned it into an after-school activity.
Ash-West union agrees to take 1.5 furlough days
ASHBURNHAM -- Union employees of the Ashburnham-Westminster School District have agreed to take 1.5 furlough days to help the school district make up a budget deficit.
Ashburnham officials apply for $150,000 energy...
ASHBURNHAM -- Town officials, along with those from Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant, have applied for a federal grant to install solar panels at Oakmont Regional High School and the Ashburnham Public Safety Building.
State Police investigating fatal accident...
By Staff Reports State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident early Wednesday on Route 2 West by Old Road to Nine Acres Corner in Concord, according to a release they sent out.
School officials hope to benefit from grant
ASHBURNHAM -- The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District could benefit from the Race To The Top Grant worth $250 million, which the state is now applying for, said Michael Zapantis, superintendent of schools.
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