December 19, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

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AN ICY DARKNESS

• Ice storm knocks out power to all • All hands on deck, National Guard comes to help
The ice storm of 2008 Inside this week's The Community Journal there is local coverage of the many aspects of the ice storm and it's aftermath in Ashburnham and Westminster. More...

Homes remain without power, school cancelled through winter break

Oakmont shelter closing as most have power, Westminster Elementary stays open

(THURSDAY, 5:33 p.m.) Utility crews continued their work throughout the region on Thursday, as a winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service for much of Massachusetts. At 5 p.m. More...

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Video of storm from throughout the area

(UPDATED THURSDAY, 5:36 P.M.) The Community Journal has aggregated videos from throughout Ashburnham and Westminster detailing damage from the ice storm of 2008. More...

Special Sections

People & Events

CALENDAR

A Christmas wish for the New Year

Let There Be Peace on Earth Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. More...

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Opinion

The good

Editorial

The ice storm, that surprised nearly even one in the area on Thursday and Friday, froze many things over during the course of the last week but what it did not freeze was people's generous spirits. More...

Open Space Committee expresses appreciation for vote

To the Editor: The Westminster Open Space Committee would like to thank the townspeople for their overwhelming support of the land protection articles at our recent Special Town Meeting. More...

Advisory Board member announces resignation

To the Editor: To the residents of Ashburnham and the Advisory Board, It is with deep regret that must resign from the Ashburnham Advisory Board. More...

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Schools

Oakmont Regional High School Semester 1 Term 1 Honor Roll

Highest Honors Class of 2009: Briana K. Biron, Travis L. Brault, Christopher W. Carr, Abigail S. Davenport, Michael P. Esposito, Jessica L. Hebert, Christopher W. Killion, Julie M. Kochan, Chad M. Lehtinen, Domonic J. Mei, Amanda J. More...

Schools close for week

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Nicholas Mzayck, a fifth grader at Westminster Elementary School, asked the most pressing question on every student's mind, and even that of some parents, "Is any kid going to have to make up school for this? More...

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Worship

Christmas Eve and Christmas services

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Christmas Eve Service at Peoples Church. It is a family-friendly service. Peoples Church is located at 56 South Main St. in Ashburnham, which is down the street from Roy Bros. Oil. More...

WORSHIP COLUMN

ASBHY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Located at The Common, in Ashby. If you are seeking Christian worship, service and fellowship, please join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. More...

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Westminster

Porter Dawley remembered for his 100 years in town

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Westminster's oldest (and longest-tenured) resident, Porter Dawley, died on Friday, Dec. 12, at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home in Gardner less than a month away from his 101st birthday. More...

Veterans hosts Community Christmas Dinner for any and all

The Douglas E. Hicks, VFW Post 7389, Westminster is pleased to announce their annual Community Christmas Dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 25, in the VFW Hall, 8 Eaton St., Westminster. More...

DPW presents plan for road repairs over 10 years

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The roads are in good shape on average, according to Westminster's Director of Public Works Josh Hall and the Public Works Commissioners, but the goal to keep them that way and to improve the ones that are in bad shape. More...

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Westminster residents back in the dark

(UPDATE 6:48 p.m.) A transform blew up in Westminster just before 5 p.m. on Friday knocking much of Main Street and a significant portion of west side of town into the dark, according to scanner reports. More...

Storm recory continues

(UPDATED - FRIDAY 12:31 p.m.) Emergency Management officials have closed down overnight shelters in both Ashburnham and Westminster as power restoration continues. More...

News

Locals spend days dealing with the aftermath of the damaging ice storm

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The snapping, cracking and popping that awoke many in the wee-hours of Friday morning were the first signs that it was not your average winter storm coming through the area. More...

Holiday deadlines

Due to the Christmas and New Year's holidays, The Community Journal will be adhering to early deadlines the next two weeks. Next week's paper will be dated Dec. 28. The deadline for classified advertising is noon on Friday, Dec. More...

Hundreds take shelter, food, showers at schools

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

On Tuesday night, five-year-old Heather McHatton of Lakeshore Drive was not convinced she wanted to leave Oakmont Regional High School, her home for the past two nights. More...

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Obituaries

Porter W. Dawley, 100

Principal of Westminster Cracker Factory

WESTMINSTER — Porter W. Dawley, 100, Westminster's oldest resident, of 3 Leominster St., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner. Porter was the son of the late George L. More...

Paul H. Morin Sr., 82

Was U.S. veteran; worked for Fitchburg Welding Corp.

LEOMINSTER — Paul H. Morin, Sr., 82, of Leominster, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, in HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster, after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Fitchburg on Jan. More...

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Ashburnham

Beatles for Sale pays tribute in upcoming concert

LEOMINSTER - Beatles for Sale, a Tribute Band, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington St. More...

Speed Knitting Contest to be held for a good cause

LEOMINSTER- The Outback Steakhouse presents the "Warmer Winters Speed Knitting Contest" from 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Outback Steakhouse, 865 Merriam Ave., Twin City Plaza, Leominster. Yarn and needles provided. More...

Selectmen offer Haines the accountant's job

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Ashburnham Selectmen voted unanimously to offer Nancy Haines the position of the town accountant on Monday, Dec. 15, less than a week after interviewing Haines and two other residents. More...

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