Grafton Raises PAYT Trash Bag Prices Starting July 1

Grafton raised its pay-as-you-throw trash bag prices effective July 1, an adjustment officials say is meant to fully fund trash operations through user fees rather than tax support. Separately, the town was named one of six New England communities to receive a 2026 SMILE Mass Floating B…

Former Rome Furniture Building Listed for Redevelopment

A former Gardner furniture giant's Main Street headquarters is on the market, opening the door to redevelopment. The 60,000-square-foot former Rome Furniture building at 562 Main St. has been listed for sale, with the listing citing housing among the potential reuses for the site, The G…

Athol Library Opens Registration for Late-July Escape Room

Athol Public Library fills its summer calendar with six programs running from late July into mid-August. The library opened registration for a two-day escape room, "Escape From the Terrible Thicket," set for July 22 and 23, and is accepting entries for its "Cosplay Ducks!" contest throu…

Obituary notices, week of 2026-07-06 through 2026-07-12

This week's obituary column includes two Holden residents: Harrington, Ann J., 100, who died July 7, 2026, and Scalley, Catherine A., 91, who died July 8, 2026. Both were served by Miles Funeral Homes in Holden, with full obituaries available via Echovita.

Obituary notices, week of July 6 through July 12, 2026

One Fitchburg obituary for the week of July 6–12, 2026: Roy, Patrick James, 45, identified in funeral notices as "Deputy Patrick James Roy," with arrangements through Anderson Family Funeral Homes.

Obituary notices, week of July 6, 2026 through July 12, 2026

One Athol obituary notice appeared in the sources reviewed for the week of July 6 through July 12, 2026: Hains, John, 68, of Athol, Massachusetts, who died July 6, 2026. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Mack Family Funeral Homes. No biographical detail, service information, f…

M.A. Restoration Opens Expanded Westborough Facility

A locally owned restoration company expanded its footprint in town this week. M.A. Restoration, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 8 to celebrate the grand opening of its newly expanded Westborough facility, according to a press release distributed via USA Today. The family-own…

Spencer settles lawsuit with Massachusetts Broken Stone

Spencer has settled its lawsuit with Massachusetts Broken Stone, the town announced via its News Flash page, one of several updates posted this week alongside a Spencer Rescue Squad notice and the release of the 2026 Summer Concert List. The Richard Sugden Library also kicked off its "S…

Town Sets Flanders Road Closure for July 18 Amid Interchange Work

Southborough road closure and a new police drone program headline a fast-moving Friday in town news. The town's News Flash confirmed Flanders Road will close July 18, with a detour in place, as part of the ongoing I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project. Separately, MetroWest Daily …

Town Sets Flanders Road Closure for July 18 Amid Interchange Work

Southborough road closure and a new police drone program headline a fast-moving Friday in town news. The town's News Flash confirmed Flanders Road will close July 18, with a detour in place, as part of the ongoing I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project. Separately, MetroWest Daily …