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Northborough - An observant little boy is being credited, in part, with notifying authorities of a brush fire April 14 that spread over nearly seven acres before being contained. Aidan Callaghan, an 8-year-old second-grader at the Lincoln Street School was on the bus home when he noticed smoke coming from a wetlands area on Crawford Street. As soon as he got off, he ran into his house and told his mother, Jennifer.

Westborough - While he did not get to drive the race car, Westborough native and cancer survivor Dave McGrath's role on the Rob Fuller Motorsports (RFM) team at the Thompson Speedway Icebreaker race April 6 was no less important. Rob Fuller Motorsports and 15-40 Connection have teamed up to feature young cancer survivors during the 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in an effort to raise awareness of cancer symptoms and the obstacles teens and young adults face to diagnose cancer at earlier stages. McGrath attended the race as an honorary crew member for RFM and his picture was featured on the race car.

Marlborough – Many young adults ages 16 to 21 took their first step toward entering the workforce April 10 by attending the 12th annual Teen Job Fair at the Pleasant Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest (BGCMW). Representatives from 23 employers offered applications for summer or year-round jobs.

Northborough/Southborough - In an effort to help improve education globally as well as locally, the former Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) Girls Learn International Club has been renamed Global Learning Initiative (GLI) and is now partnered with Room to Read, an award-winning nonprofit organization which helps children pursue a quality education, reach their full potential, and contribute to their community and the world. The organization, which is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., is founded on the belief that "World Change Starts with Educated Children."

Families were entertained by the "Jedster the Jester Circus Show" presented April 12 at Fay School. In addition to watching him perform magic and create balloon animals, kids learned how to juggle and balance plates. The jester is also known as Jed Stefanowicz, who will teach a Circus Arts Camp this summer at Fay School.

Region – Bands and choral groups from Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS), Northborough's Robert E. Melican Middle School, and Southborough's Trottier Middle School were among dozens of groups that performed at the 38th annual Concert and Choral Festival organized by the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA).

Shrewsbury - Caryn Keenan has much to smile about these days. Recently the Oak Middle School teacher was honored by the Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) as the 2014 Middle School Teacher of the Year. Having taught for 21 years, Keenan is delighted with this recognition that she has received but was also quick to give credit to others. "I love my job and all of the people that I work with. My boss, Patricia Degon, is awesome. She is the director of health, physical education and family consumer science [for the district]. The town of Shrewsbury is fantastic because they are such huge supporters of physical education as well," said Keenan.

Westborough – It's a problem that has vexed town officials and commuters alike – 18-wheelers getting stuck under the CSX bridge on East Main Street (Route 30). As he looked on at yet another 18-wheeler wedged under the bridge the morning of April 8, Police Chief Alan Gordon shook his head.

Region - Sarah Friedman, of Northborough and Maria Benway, of Marlborough will both be running in their first Boston Marathon this year. The two women are running to raise funds for Roseann Sdoia, who had to have part of her right leg amputated after being seriously injured by the bombs in last year's marathon.

Marlborough - For its season opener, the Algonquin Regional High School Tomahawks girls" lacrosse team hosted the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Crusaders at 911 Memorial Field April 1. Last year, the Tomahawks defeated the Crusaders in the Central Massachusetts Division 1 semi-final.

Shrewsbury - The Shrewsbury High School Colonials hosted the Nipmuc Regional High School Warriors for a boys" lacrosse game April 5. The Colonials raced out to an 8-0 lead after the first period, and added another goal in the second period for a 9-0 lead at the half. Nipmuc scored with five minutes remaining in the third period, but Shrewsbury won handily 16-1.

Shrewsbury – Zack Daniels, marketing manager based at the main office of Central One Federal Credit Union in Shrewsbury, is preparing for the 100-mile bicycle route from Boston to Hyannis Port for the 15th annual Best Buddies Challenge. The key word for him is "challenge." "I hadn's ridden a bicycle since 2000," he shared. "This is going to be a huge undertaking for me."

Northborough - Four girls from the Marguerite E. Peaslee School recently traveled to Boston to sing in the first ever All-State Treble Chorus. From...

Westborough – Susan W. Whitten, principal of Northborough's Marian E. Zeh School, Marlborough Savings Bank, and 22 local high school seniors were all honored at the March 27 Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Scholastic and "Champion of Education" awards breakfast held at the Doubletree Hotel. Marlborough Savings Bank was named as a Champion of Education award recipient in the business category while Whitten was honored for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Hudson - Sgt. Daniel M. Clark known as "The Singing Trooper" will perform Saturday, April 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hudson High...

Westborough – Rick Roth of Creature Teachers handles a live grey fox during the presentation of "Nature of My Backyard," held March 29 at...

Southborough – While working fulltime Mondays through Thursdays as a music assistant professor of jazz studies at New York University (NYU), Southborough native Dave Pietro travels internationally weekends to play saxophone at clubs, festivals, schools and concert halls. His busy schedule includes a local stop Saturday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Steeple Coffeehouse. "It's always great to go home and share your art with friends and family," he said. Pietro's love of music began at age 5. Returning from service at St. Anne Church, he sat at a home organ and duplicated hymns he had heard. He also enjoyed listening to his parents" extensive collection of swing records. His musical interests grew in school.

Shrewsbury - An Ocean State Job Lot tractor-trailer brought 40,000 pounds of donations to the Worcester County Food Bank on Route 9 in Shrewsbury March 25. "It's Christmas in March," food bank Executive Director Jean McMurray said. "It translates into just over 17,000 meals. For us to get this kind of support, we would have to get it from multiple sources," she said.

Marlborough – Fourteen contestants representing classes, clubs and sports competed good-naturedly in categories including talent, formalwear and interview at the 25th annual Mr. Marlborough High School (MHS) Pageant, presented March 21 at the 1LT. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School Auditorium. Crowned Mr. MHS 2014 was Ryan King, Mr. Senior Class. Named first runner-up was David Dorsey, Mr. TV Production; and second runner-up was Peter DiPersio, Mr. Track and Field. Also among the five finalists were Chris Allen, Mr. Latin Club; and Jake Bishop, Mr. Ski Club.

Marlborough – Marlborough resident Debbie Whitmore is proof that life can change in an instant. In 2011, she was working as a nurse, raising four boys, and starting a new exercise program. Within a few months, she was diagnosed with incurable Stage IV colorectal cancer. Whitmore, at 44, noticed she was finding herself more tired and out of breath than she thought normal. She also had an unusual craving for ice. "My friends and I joked about it," Whitmore recalled. "I was always eating popsicles."