By Charles Kelleher Harris

OXFORD- Selectman Jennie L. Caissie officially announced today that she will not be pursing the senate seat recently vacated by new Secretary of State John Kerry.

“I always thought politics was my first love, but then I saw my baby girl’s face,” Caissie said Tuesday.

Speculation about Caissie’s possible bid arose last week when she was spotted at the State House.

By Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Although only a few of the freshmen and sophomores who listened to former NBA and college basketball player Chris Herren speak last week at Shepherd Hill had heard of him beforehand, it’s pretty certain they will remember him and his life story from now on.

Herren gave two speeches, also talking about his incredible journey to the junior and senior classes, who were equally enthralled. It’s a story that’s hard not to think about.

by Steev Riccardo

Webster - Bartlett Junior/Senior High School held its first-ever open house showcase at the school on Wednesday, February 6, from 6:30-8:30. 

The school was open to the general public and featured booths set up throughout the building, including the cafeteria and gymnasium, showcasing activities that were run by both students and teachers.

Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas said the night, which was the brainchild of Bartlett Principal Steven Knowlton, was a huge success and gave the public the opportunity to see all the great things that are happening at the high school.

SOUTHBRIDGE -  Effective immediately, Harrington Hospital has lifted the restrictions it announced one month ago on young visitors at the hospital.

Harrington has lifted its ban on visitors age 16 and under because of the recent decline in flu activity in the region. The hospital still discourages individuals from visiting hospital patients if the visitors feel ill.

Stiles and L’Heureux share award

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Shepherd Hill seniors and best friends Emily Stiles and Johanna L’Heureux are literally at the top of their class.  The two have been ranked first and second in their class all year, but neither is willing to say which of them is actually number one, instead preferring the co-billing.

This standing earned them each a share of the Dudley-Charlton Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the student(s) that not only excels in academics but is also involved in community service.

WEBSTER -- On Thursday, February 7, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Webster Police received a call from 37 Maple Street on the third floor. It was reported that several males had broken into the apartment and threatened the three juvenile occupants inside. One of the occupants was believed to be armed with a meat cleaver.

After an investigation by Officer James Young Jr and Detective Gordon Wentworth, Webster Police arrested the following for Home Invasion and Conspiracy.

AUBURN – The Shepherd Hill Rams fell to the Auburn Rockets 57-51 in another heated battle between the two Southern Worcester County League rivals.

The two teams met on January 12 in a physical game that had a little bit of everything, with the Rams coming on top 60-50. This time around the 12-6 Rockets got the best of the 12-6 Rams to equal the series.

Tyler Martin had a nice game in a losing effort with 22 points for the Rams.

WEBSTER – Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, the Webster Board of Selectmen, the Webster Redevelopment Authority and Carol Cyr, Town Administrator John McAuliffe and the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) are excited to announce that the Town of Webster has been granted the necessary $3.9 million in Department of Community and Housing Development (DHCD) housing subsidies to finance a $19.5 million proposal that will convert the historic A.J. Sitkowski School into 66 units of senior housing and a senior/community center.

The long-vacant 88,000 sq. ft. Sitkowski School is an important component of the Town’s on-going redevelopment of downtown Webster which will include a new police station, a proposed new library, and infrastructure improvements such as a pocket park, a proposed French River walkway, more municipal parking, private eating establishments and additional private sector investments.

"Snow date" added

For those of you who did not attend Saturday, Feb 9th, please come by Generations Healing Center on Saturday, February 16 between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. Consider donating your loose change and/or bills-- at the donation jar for A.M. Chaffee PTO.

Text by Steev Riccardo; Patriot staff photos. More photos follow

WEBSTER – The Quaboag Cougars, led by the outstanding scoring duo of senior guard Thomas Jankins and sophomore forward Jake Wisniewski, knocked off the Bartlett Indians for the fifth time in the last two seasons and in the process kept them from winning a SWCL championship on Tuesday (February 5) 74-62 in front of a big crowd at the Bartlett gym.

The Indians, who are 11-3 in their division and 12-5 overall, could still gain the SWCL title if they win their final two games and the Cougars, also 11-3, loses at least one of their two remaining SWCL games. If the Indians had beat the Cougars Tuesday, they would have been in a much better position, but it didn’t happen.