WESTBOROUGH LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS, MA

Westborough - Timothy M. Dufficy Jr., passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. He was at home with Carole, the love...

Westborough – Town Manager Jim Malloy presented the Special Town Meeting articles that pertain to the proposed acquisition of the Westborough State Hospital land during a public hearing on Sept. 17. Held at the Westborough High School auditorium, the meeting was the third and final public hearing to discuss the proposed land acquisition before it comes before Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, where residents will vote whether or not the town will purchase the 95-acre property at a price tag of $2.2 million over 10 years, or $220,000 per year. If purchased, the town would then share with the state anywhere from 30-50 percent of the net proceeds of future development, depending on incentives such as comprehensive studies on land use, adherence to the state's sustainable development principles, and how quickly the town could resell the land for development.

Westborough/Grafton – Although Judy Ann (Burke) and Denny Grey now live in Grafton, they still have close ties to their native Westborough. Denny works for the Westborough Department of Public Works and one of Judy's many hobbies is participating in a Westborough sewing group. Judy is one of the "golden girls," a group of close friends who have stayed in touch since their elementary school days in Westborough.

Westborough – The Board of Selectmen held a joint session with School Committee members on Sept. 10 to interview one of the two candidates seeking to succeed former committee member Bruce Tretter, who stepped down from his twelve-year service in June. Karen Henderson informed selectmen and committee members she wishes to rejoin the School Committee, having previously served for two terms from 2006 until 2012. She has lived in Westborough for 18 years and has three children currently enrolled in the Westborough school system.

Westborough - Irene E. (Rossi) Gebo, 89, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013 at home. She was the wife of the late Norman...

Westborough - John E. "Jack" Donovan, "Coach," 77, longtime resident of Westborough and beloved basketball coach passed, away unexpectedly at home Monday, Sept. 9,...

Westborough – Police Chief Alan Gordon released this statement this morning: On 9/6/13, at approximately 1:52 AM, the Westborough Police received a 9-1-1 call requesting...

Westborough – Town officials gathered to break ground Sept. 10 at the Milk Street location where the town's new fire station will soon be built. Robert Brown, the chair of the Municipal Building Committee (MBC), noted in his opening remarks that it was fitting that the ground breaking was taking place on the "eve of 9/11." "As people were running away from the buildings firefighters, police and EMTs were running in," he said. "When 911 calls come in [to Westborough], I want the firefighters to know the town is behind them, they have good equipment and they are respected and loved."

By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer Westborough - On July 21, after a 13-month search, the congregation of New Hope Chapel unanimously invited Steven Ristuccia to...

Westborough - Norman H. Bennett, 86, of Arundel, Maine, formerly of Westborough, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013. He was the husband of...

Westborough - Francis J. "Buddie" Dwyer, 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 at the Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was...

Westborough - It has been well documented the effects of therapy dogs on those needing comfort, whether they be children, elders, or victims of trauma. But as Westborough residents Tania and Bob Pano will tell you, although not as well known, cats can perform this type of work as well. Once a week, the couple, along with Cassie, their 8-year-old Golden Retriever, and Lynsey Lu and MacKenzie Connor, two Scottish Fold cats, visit with elders who live in senior communities in Westborough and Worcester. The "Therapy Trio," as the pets are known, also helped to provide comfort to those gathered near the finish of the Boston Marathon for eight straight weekends after the April 15 bombings.

Westborough - Mary L. Diedering, 86, of Westborough, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013 at the Rose Monahan Hospice in Worcester. She was...

Westborough – Although they are still young, Westborough High School students Kyle Vaccaro, 16, and Johnny Kelley, 14, know the cost of participating in youth sports can be prohibitive. That is why the two boys are now holding a used kids" footwear drive to help assist local families.

Westborough - Regardless of religious belief, the holidays are a time when personal lives are overcome with responsibilities as agendas are filled with traditions and visits with friends and families. Shelly Dubin is no different, except she is also responsible for making sure 200 people enjoy the Jewish High Holidays. As the coordinator for the congregation of the Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Westborough, Dubin understands that the season-round 45 members will quadruple as Jewish holidays approach. With Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah at the helm of the most popular celebrations, the Northborough resident uses her 15 years of experience to ensure all activities go without a hitch.

Region – Several years ago Dave McGrath, inspired by Relay for Life events, wondered if he could skate for four straight hours at a time. He found he could. He then wondered if he could not only skate for 24 straight hours, but also inspire others to do the same. So far he has done so twice and in doing so, raised an impressive $30,000 for the Hope Lodge in Worcester. And starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, Dave and his committee will be hosting the third annual "Skating for Hope."

Westborough - Saying they have been blindsided and burdened by a newly enacted state sales tax on software services, a number of local technology business owners vowed to work for its repeal and pledged to stay more engaged in Beacon Hill politics in the future. "We dropped the ball," said Vic Melfa, owner and president of The Training Associates in Westborough, where some 30 business owners and executives gathered in a training room to tell State Rep. George N. Peterson Jr., R-Grafton, and State Rep. Matt Beaton, R-Shrewsbury, how the new tax has impacted their businesses. "As business owners sometimes we are too focused on what we are doing and not engaged enough in what's happening on Beacon Hill."

Worcester - Spyridon "Spyro" Economou, 52, of Worcester suffered a massive heart attack Monday morning, Sept. 2? in his home and died shortly afterward...

Westborough - Richard G. "Dick" Healy, 95, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2013 peacefully in his sleep at home. Dick was born July 31, 1918, in...

Westborough – The founder of an international program to help children in Tanzania will visit local volunteers and speak about her life's work Monday,...