54+ min ago (232+ words) It's not just cats who have 9 lives. Dante, a beagle who received regional news when he went on the run while recovering from a broken leg, is back at Second Chance Animal Shelter. She had arrived by bus from an overcrowded Tennessee shelter, and was returned after being hit by a car where she underwent surgery for her injuries. During her recuperation in foster care, she escaped again, and travelled more than 15 miles from Hardwick back to the shelter at East Brookfield. Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato commented at the time: "It was like a story out of a children's book where the heroine overcomes her fear through strength and determination to return to the people and place where she first knew love." Now Dante is a "gentle senior girl with a shy disposition." And yes, she is still an…...

4+ hour ago (396+ words) AYER " With food insecurity in the national spotlight, the Less Waste More Taste initiative that Sastea Cherduville and Brooke Wade launched earlier this year makes perfect sense. The two Ayer Shirley Regional High School (ASRHS) seniors introduced the concept as a civics project in their history class last year. The concept may sound simple, but it takes coordination, cooperation and more to get the job done. Less Waste More Taste collects some of the food that local restaurants or grocery stores don't use and might otherwise throw away and delivers it to participating organizations in the area, such as food pantries, shelters or schools. Besides pitching the idea and lining up participants, Cherduville and Wade prepared a presentation and a promotional poster and are also mulling a fundraiser. "It's a multi-step plan," they said. The long-term goal is to expand…...

4+ hour, 1+ min ago (693+ words) LOWELL "Thanksgiving leftovers are competing for space in the fridge and the holiday shopping push is upon us, which means the Sun Santa Fund is also back for 2025. Lowell Sun Charities was established by The Sun in 1947 with a basic mission to support local charitable causes. In 1988 the charity identified a persistent need among many families in Greater Lowell: Many" were struggling to provide Christmas gifts for their children and to put a holiday meal on their table. It was then that Lowell Sun Charities founded the Sun Santa Fund. Now in its 37th year, Sun Santa's mission of helping families during the holiday season continues with more than $2 million raised to support local families, and the need now may be about as great as it has ever been. Last year's Sun Santa Fund season helped 1,144 families in Greater Lowell get…...

5+ hour, 3+ min ago (570+ words) LOWELL " UMass Lowell and Braven, a national nonprofit, have announced a new five-year partnership aimed at strengthening the preparation of UMass Lowell undergraduates for strong first jobs and graduate school opportunities. LOWELL " UMass Lowell and Braven, a national nonprofit, have announced a new five-year partnership aimed at strengthening the preparation of UMass Lowell undergraduates for strong first jobs and graduate school opportunities. Through this collaboration, an estimated 1,275-2,700 students will benefit from Braven's two-part career accelerator, which includes a credit-bearing course and post-course career development support. "UMass Lowell is deeply committed to ensuring that each of our undergraduate students has the opportunity to participate in at least one high-quality, career-connected experience by the time they graduate," said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. We are always looking for new ways to expand access to these internships, fellowships, and other opportunities, and our…...

6+ hour, 12+ min ago (347+ words) DEAR PET TALK: I want to get a dog. How often should you visit the vet? Pet Lover DEAR PET LOVER: In the last two weeks "Pet Talk" has focussed on the steps to take when integrating a kitten or puppy into your home. This week, let's talk finances. How much does it cost to be a responsible pet owner? Dogs can be more costly than cats " especially if doggie day-care, training, or out-sourced dog walking is needed. Costs for your pet will include food, treats, equipment (leash and collar for dog; cat carrier for cat), preventative medicine, such as for fleas and ticks (and heart worm for dogs). Cats have the additional fee of kitty litter; figure one box per cat (we have two cats, a box on two floors, plus one "down cellar," since Vinny, the orange one…...

7+ hour, 24+ min ago (210+ words) TOWNSEND " Celebrate the holiday season with two afternoons of festive music and storytelling as New England musician Matt York presents "Songs and Stories " Holiday Songs" at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Fitchburg Public Library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road. These festive concerts will feature holiday favorites that span centuries " from traditional carols " to modern Christmas and holiday classics. Audience members are invited to sing along as York shares the origins and stories behind these beloved songs. A longtime performer throughout New England, York has previously entertained library audiences with his popular tributes to The Highwaymen, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson "I'm excited to return to Fitchburg, and Townsend" said York. "I have performed here before with country songs by artists like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and it's always a great time....

7+ hour, 54+ min ago (780+ words) Editorial: Legislation to shield nurses, health-care staff clears hurdle Nurses, health-care workers, and hospital representatives across Massachusetts have reason to celebrate, now that a significant milestone has been reached in the effort to curb the growing crisis of workplace violence in the state's health-care system. An Act Requiring Health Care Employers to Develop and Implement Programs to Prevent Workplace Violence (H.4767/S.1718) was passed unanimously by the House last week; it now advances to the Senate, which we trust will act accordingly. "Health care workers are heroes who are responsible for saving lives and for improving the overall health of our Commonwealth, which is why we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their well-being," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. The bill strengthens protections for health-care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards…...

9+ hour, 9+ min ago (242+ words) The UMass Lowell hockey team broke out of its scoring slump in a major way Saturday. Entering the day having only scored one goal in its last three games, the River Hawks erupted for a 7-3 victory over St. Lawrence during Adirondack Winter Invitational play in Lake Placid, N.Y. Freshman Dalyn Wakely recorded his first collegiate hat trick to power the offense.Senior Dillan Bentley netted two goals, his fourth and fifth of the season, and added an assist. UML held a huge 47-12 edge in shots. Netting a goal each were captain Jay Ahearn and sophomore Chris Delaney. Libor Nemec set up three goals. Assisting on two goals each were Jak Vaarwerk and Luke Shipley as UML (6-8) snapped its three-game losing streak. The River Hawks weren't able to defend their title, but the victory made for a better bus ride home after…...

20+ hour, 45+ min ago (593+ words) BOSTON " Another associate of the Asian Boyz street gang appears headed to prison for distributing methamphetamine-laced counterfeit Adderall pills. On Nov. 21, Richard Nguyen, 30, of Lowell " known by the nicknames "Cheese" and "Cheeseburger" " was convicted by a federal jury of drug distribution charges following a five-day trial, according to U.S. Attorney Leah Foley's office. He now faces the possibility of decades behind bars. Federal prosecutors said Nguyen was part of a large-scale drug operation tied to the Asian Boyz (ABZ) that manufactured and sold homemade methamphetamine pills branded to look like pharmaceutical grade Adderall. The investigation, launched in 2021, targeted the gang's distribution network in Lowell. Between March 2022 and January 2025, Nguyen and others are alleged to have sold counterfeit pills to undercover officers and cooperating witnesses on 47 occasions. At trial, prosecutors said they presented evidence that Nguyen sold counterfeit Adderall pills to a…...

21+ hour, 19+ min ago (33+ words) Westford Academy senior Abigail Hennessy continues to leave no doubt she's one of the best girls cross country runners in the nation. On Saturday, Hennessy ran away from a talented field to ......