And there it should stay

Locked away in some bomb-proof tape storage vault is a draft of a novel. During off-hours, on a VT-52 terminal with a 300 baud acoustic coupler modem, I typed my notes, using DEC Standard Runoff as the markup language. The draft was about 150 pages, printed on the big honkin' fan-fold line printer paper of the day.

It was, as a novel, not very good.
The main character was a guy named Willie, a guy enough like me, but not so much that the details of his life matched up with mine in any real way.  Willie wore a hat. I don't. I'm not a hat guy.
Petersborough was the setting, a New England coastal town. You'd recognize the town and the people. After a while, though, you'd start wondering why you should care. The story went on, like a diary of made-up people.
If you're going to read a diary, read a diary. Sandra has been reading her mother's notes from around that same time, early 1980s. She'd earlier read and transcribed her grandmother's diaries from the 20s and 30s. These from her mother are interesting because we're not the most important characters. It's a touch of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. We're on our own stage, ala Hamlet, but the action occurs elsewhere. It's humbling to realize that not everyone was paying attention to us all of the time.
And, so, if it's stories of people's lives that I want, I'll go to diaries. The print-out of that novel went into the recycling bin and was picked up on Thursday.

The greatest task of democracy, its ritual and feast - is choice.

Do you want a sheriff or do you want a pizza?



(props to H.G. Wells for the title quote.)

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 18 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, August 16

9:13 a.m. Caller from Paxton reporting missing dog
9:21 a.m. Caller has questions about bear sightings
11:34 a.m. Caller reports male going door to door, would like to check validity, party has permits and will be in area, Willow Brook Rd.
4:42 p.m. Party in lobby with questions about his marijuana citation
6:19 p.m. Party reporting her daughter saw two males, one on skateboard, one in car, would swap vehicles as they drove down the street, men waved at daughter and friends, Brice Circle
8:55 p.m. Multiple images of male genitalia spraypainted on center line, Salisbury St.
10:01 p.m. Party in lobby to express displeasure with Holden PD patrolling area businesses

Tuesday, August 17

12:11 a.m. Party has questions about what do with lost dog that has no tags, Sterling Rd.
12:18 a.m. Suspicious persons, Main/Highland Sts.
3:39 a.m. Numerous ground-floor windows open throughout building, Mayo School
1:19 p.m. Party requesting additional patrols for kids egging cars and tipping over trash cans, Bullard St.
3:02 p.m. DPW notified of profanity marked in lawn behind senior center
10:07 p.m. Caller reporting suspicious motor vehicle parked on access road, Main St/Adams Rd.

Wednesday, August 18

7:57 a.m. Caller locked out of car, dog inside, Stoneleigh Rd.
10:41 a.m. Caller reporting that there is a squirrel behaving strangely, Holden St.
11:12 a.m. Party reporting some motor vehicles at business were egged
6:58 p.m. Water flowing up from manhole, Whitney St.
7:11 p.m. Party reporting car driving in fields, tearing up grass, Dawson School
8:17 p.m. Keep the peace while son obtains toolbox from parents’ residence, Main St.
11:43 p.m. Caller heard a car screech and loud bang, found vehicle on side of road, but no driver, Wood St/Mason Rd.

Thursday, August 19

7:39 a.m. Caller heard a loud explosion in area, has power, Valley Hill Dr.

8:44 a.m. Officer behind vehicle, operator pulled to side of road, activated hazards and put hands in the air. Officer activated lights after observing this behavior. Operator was acting overly nervous and stressed, difficult time composing self. Advised to relax before driving away. Malden St.
5:13 p.m. Caller reporting group of males struck mailboxes, Bailey Rd.
9:56 p.m. Report of sheep escaped from farm and wandering in street, Salisbury St.

Friday, August 20

9:48 a.m. Officers advised to conduct extra patrols, Princeton St.
11:03 a.m. Caller reports that while she was walking dog, motor vehicle began following her, motor vehicle turned around several times, slowed down, then turned into a driveway, Bullard St.
4:02 p.m. Checking suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.
7:16 p.m. Caller reports suspicious vehicle, Main St.
11:28 p.m. Caller reports van drove into driveway, two males got out, looked around, does not believe items were stolen or vandalized, Phillips Rd.

Saturday, August 21

3:48 a.m. Caller reports car driving in neighborhood, pulled into driveway and left, Winfield Rd.
4:01 a.m. Caller reports male party walking around house that is not occupied by males, Winfield Rd.
2:48 p.m. Caller reports resident at Montana St. harassing him after he took pictures of house for bank. Party followed him to next house on Arizona Ave., then followed him out Bullard St. Then was verbally confronted by resident.

9:55 p.m. Caller reports she hears fireworks coming from Eagle Ter.

Sunday, August 22

12:25 a.m. Caller locked out of house, Fireside Ln.
1:39 a.m. Male walking down street with what appears to be beer bottle, refuses to identify self, Main St.
1:57 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Mill Pond Place. Arrest: --- open container violation. ---, person under 21 in possession of liquor, possession of mace without FID
4:24 a.m. Party reports suspicious vehicle drove by house, shined flashlight into his and neighbor’s driveways.
1:42 p.m. Street washing out due to rain, Reservoir St.

Paxton

Monday, August 16

7:45 a.m. Person came to station to speak with an officer about a past incident, Pleasant St.

Tuesday, August 17

7:21 a.m. Caller advises she heard a gun shot in the back yard, Johnnel St.
9:02 a.m. Police assist at vehicle lockout, West St.
2:10 p.m. Request that officer speak to children who keep removing their seatbelts, Pleasant St.
11:31 p.m. Two suspicious vehicles in center of town, Pleasant St. and West St.

Thursday, August 19

3:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Suomi St.
10:22 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Pleasant St.
10:41 p.m. Caller locked his keys in his car, West St.

Friday, August 20

4:13 a.m. Leicester Police requesting assistance transporting some subjects back to their station from the area of Marshall St. and Hemlock St.
10:11 a.m. Person came to station requesting to speak with an officer about an item found on her property, Pleasant St.
5:21 p.m. North Brookfield resident reports finding dog with Paxton tag at Lake Lashway

Saturday, August 21

10:30 a.m. Dog wandering on West St. Will be returned to owner
10:19 p.m. Suspicious vehicle Pleasant St./Lincoln Circle

Princeton

Monday, August 16

3:47 p.m. Golden retriever running in middle of road, Sterling Rd.

Tuesday, August 17

9:17 a.m. Complaints about barking dog, Worcester Rd.
1:19 p.m. Person cut grass and left strip of clippings in the roadway, Goodnow Rd.
11:50 p.m. Police transport female to residence, Main St.

Wednesday, August 18

9:15 a.m. Report of incident on EBay, East Princeton Rd.
12:10 p.m. Drill rig broken down, Mountain Rd.
3:52 p.m. Police speak with person regarding an issue with family member, Town Hall Dr.
7:55 p.m. Ongoing issue with neighbor’s dog barking, Worcester Rd.

Thursday, August 19

2:54 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, homeless individual in parking lot on Fitchburg Rd. Asked to move along
3:31 p.m. Assist fire department, rail car with garbage and debris on fire. Hubbardston Rd.
5:50 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Sterling Rd.
5:53 p.m. Golden retriever in middle of Mountain Rd.,
6:40 p.m. Complaint about dog barking for a long time, Worcester Rd.

Saturday, August 21

12:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of road with trunk open, Fitchburg Rd.
11:46 p.m. Police remove mattress from roadway, Rte. 140 N
12:32 p.m. Suspicious truck at abandoned house, Beaman Rd.
3:22 p.m. Golden Labrador found, Rhodes Rd.
9:31 p.m. Report of loud music coming from Wheeler Rd.

Sunday, August 22

3:30 a.m. Assist Rutland Police with a person barricaded at Pout and Trout
7:31 p.m. Missing husky, Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, August 16

10:04 a.m. Walk-in to speak with officer regarding son
11:00 a.m. Driver reports his car was run off road over weekend; requests more patrols, River Rd area
1:00 p.m. Report of suspicious red SUV in driveway, Pommogussett Rd
1:31 p.m. Missing dachshund
3:28 p.m. 911 hang-up, children playing with phone, Tanglewood Cir.
5:26 p.m. Walk-in to drop off statement
6:11 p.m. Lost dog, beagle mix, Campbell St.
9:09 p.m. Vehicle lock-out
11:27 p.m. Wheel covers for right side of Car 3 are missing, Main St.

Tuesday, August 17

2:48 a.m. Loud party, Highland Park Rd.
7:51 p.m. Caller unable to care for stray male cat, Wachusett St.

Wednesday, August 18

10:41 a.m. Cows loose on Glenwood Rd., advised owner
3:48 p.m. Neighbors complaining about loud dirt bikes, Barre Paxton Rd. Officer spoke with individuals with dirt bikes, they are within legal statutes, no violations.
4:42 p.m. Dirt bike operator riding without a helmet, Glenwood Rd.

Thursday, August 19

6:00 a.m. Dogs loose, Pommogussett Rd.
9:02 a.m. Walk-in with fishing hook in her finger; officer removed
12:02 p.m. Vehicle lock-out, Pommogussett Rd.
5:54 p.m. Checking two unattended, parked vehicles at school, Main St.

Friday, August 20

7:02 a.m. Two pit bulls running loose, Lewis St. Determined that dog is a boxer, owner on Inwood Rd.
7:35 a.m. Inwood Rd. boxer loose on Main St.
7:54 a.m. Daughter requesting assistance for mother locked out of her unit, Autumn Wood Dr.
9:30 a.m. Resident wants appointment to discuss traffic concerns for the school year
11:35 a.m. Noise complaint about neighbors yelling at children, Maple Ave.
11:58 a.m. Report of a driveway sealcoat company soliciting in neighborhood, Ten Rod Rd.
1:22 p.m. Vehicle lock-out, Juniper Ln.
5:41 p.m. Walk-in requesting medical attention for a five-year old male with extreme ear pain
7:02 p.m. Rear tire about to fall off vehicle, Main St.

Saturday, August 21

11:16 a.m. Resident found stop sign leaning up against his house, Juniper Ln. May be from Newman Dr./Juniper Ln.
2:05 p.m. Three gun shots heard near Whitehall Rd. entrance to Rail Trail
4:53 p.m. Bobcat, Lizzy Ln.

Sunday, August 22

1:15 a.m. Group of youths hanging out, Main St.
2:09 a.m. Caller reports carload of youths across from her house, Pleasantdale Rd.
6:06 a.m. Large black car with male in it, yelling at people, Main St.
12:43 p.m. Vehicle lock-out
4:00 p.m. Couple, one in pick-up and one in Mercury, yelling at each other, Barre Paxton Rd.
10:06 p.m. Male party making threats, has been drinking, Barre Paxton Rd.

Sterling

Monday, August 16

8:49 a.m. Animal control officer to retrieve raccoon, John Dee Rd.
10:13 p.m. Caller reports man lying on ground near motorcycle, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, August 17

7:27 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Justice Hill Rd.
8:00 a.m. Person waiting for dead raccoon to be removed, John Dee Rd.
10:00 a.m. Caller wants to speak with animal control officer about a “wild dog” in the neighborhood, Justice Hill Rd. ACO says it’s probably a coyote

Wednesday, August 18

4:05 a.m. Two people yelling at each other, unsure if they are going to fight, Jill Lane and Riverview Rd.

Thursday, August 19

11:24 a.m. Pair of prescription sunglasses turned in, Leominster Rd.
1:13 p.m. Report of possible underage drinking party, Maple St.
1:45 p.m. Report of blocks in roadway obstructing breakdown lane, Worcester Rd.
4:18 p.m. Person came to station to report suspicious email purporting to be from the FBI, Leominster Rd.

Friday, August 20

3:48 a.m. Four horses got out of fenced in area, now missing. Tracking dog requested, Muddy Pond Rd. and Griffin Rd.
9:43 a.m. Report of lost poodle mix dog, Pratts Jct. Rd.

11:29 a.m. Loose German Shepherd in middle of road, Redemption Rock Trl.
8:09 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, older white van, two occupants, Legate Hill Rd

Saturday, August 21

6:09 p.m. Suspicious truck in driveway, Flanagan Hill Rd. Person delivering phone books
10:09 p.m. Loud party, Redstone Hill Rd.
10:21 p.m. Report of multiple gunshots, Pikes Hill Rd.

Sunday, August 22

6:31 p.m. Mixed terrier type dog, Redstone Hill Rd.

Keeping the doors open

(Originally published on OnTheCommon.com - Keeping the doors open)
You'd think that a kid going off to college in the 60s would have been worried about war, drugs, rock-and-roll, 'n other stuff. There was all that, for sure, but there was one additional fault line. Colleges, you see, typically use the Library of Congress cataloging system. I was a small-town boy who only knew the Dewey Decimal System. How was a kid like me supposed to find a book?
My mother worked at the Westminster library when I was a kid. My library card number was 1018. I was a bit disappointed when they introduced the numbered library cards. They used to write the names of the previous borrowers on the slip pasted in the book. I could see who'd been interested in the same book. I guess that's why they went to a numbered system. It really is no one's business what anyone else reads, as interesting as that information might be.
Later, when Sandra and I married, I learned that she'd helped her mother put books away at the small Chaffins branch. (The branch was in the former Chaffins school, now the light department building.) Sandra's mother drove the bookmobile, bringing books to the bookless around town.
Libraries have changed. They've always changed. The latest changes - increased use of electronic resources, reduced funding - are just as profound as the challenges they've encountered in the past.
This notion that we as a public should make sure that we have free access to the universe of ideas is so wonderfully democratic, so wonderfully subversive, that, of course, it's always going to be threatened. It's threatened because the universe of ideas is expanding; libraries must keep pace. It's threatened because the free flow of ideas is expensive.
Nevertheless, libraries endure. Jane Dutton, Holden's library director, encourages us. In the recent Friends of the Gale Free Library newsletter, she writes, "It seems to me that every year the news and talk gets more depressing and dramatic. I am always asked about Gale Free Library and how it will survive the current economic struggles." She remains optimistic. The history of the Holden library shows its evolution from a school building to a library to a renovated library to a town center for reading and celebrating ideas.
It's during these times hard times that the library is needed most. Dutton reminds us that the library's history is an affirmation of the value that town sees in its library.
It requires smart, hard-working people to keep a library thriving. We're fortunate to have Jane Dutton, along with staff, friends, and townspeople, keeping the doors open.
Dutton closes her article with this reminder.

I have always loved this quote from Mr.Gale and believe in his words. This is your palace, this is your library: "Let this be your palace royal; keep always the door wide open, the feast spread and the lights burning, this till these rugged stones shall crumble and be as dust." (Samuel Chester Gale, at the opening of the Damon Memorial Building, 1888.)

Ma Bell reclaims its own

We've lived in this house since 1982. At that time, our telephone company was New England Telephone, a subsidiary of AT&T. New England Telephone became NYNEX became Bell Atlantic became Verizon. Last year, we jettisoned our landline service and just used our cellphones. I was able to transfer our home number, the one we've had since the aforementioned 1982, to my cellphone.
So, why, in the name of little green apples did I receive this note from AT&T, offering us new wireless service because they claimed that we've moved. Are they trying to end the diaspora?

An evening at the bookstore

Visited a Barnes and Noble last night. Nice place. Good energy. Nice people. Wanted to find a book. Looked around a lot. Couldn't figure out what category it was in. Found lots of 2011 calendars, rude and funny books, and plenty of displays of summer reading paperbacks. Didn't find the book I wanted. Came home and ordered it on Amazon. It'll be here on Thursday.

One more reason to hate immigrants and minorities

Breaking news from the Dept. of Cheese.The USDA reports Long-Term Growth in U.S. Cheese Consumption May Slow.

The current White majority (the major consumers of cheese) of the population is expected to shrink as other groups grow in size. So, while U.S. per capita cheese consumption has more than doubled since the mid-1970s, future growth may slow as the U.S. population changes.

Somehow, this unpleasant turn of events is related to the following:

Own-price elasticities for all cheese products were statistically significant and elastic. Expenditure elasticities for all cheese products were also statistically significant, but only expenditures for American, cottage, and other cheeses were found to be elastic.

And, of course, you must disaggregate the cheese consumption pattern.

If you want to read the whole report and learn how it is that young females and older males were among the biggest buyers of cheese, here's the full report. I'm sure that the parents of the study's authors were very proud to see their childrens' names in print.

We are better than this

You know, I'd expect this kind of comment from some guido on Jersey Shore, not from one of the premier religious leaders in the country, son of a man who has counseled presidents through their darkest times, including President Obama. (Obama and Evangelist Billy Graham Share a Prayer. Franklin also attended the prayer session.)

"Now it's obvious that the president has renounced the prophet Mohammed, and he has renounced Islam, and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That's what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't. So I just have to believe that the president is what he has said."
via Franklin Graham Says President Obama was 'Born a Muslim.' As Pew Poll Shows, More Americans Confused About President's Religion. - ABC News

He may be a Christian. He may not be. I don't know for sure. I'm just sayin'.

"I think the president's problem is that he was born a Muslim, his father was a Muslim," said Graham.

No, the president's problem is preachers who betray him.
Rev. Graham, please comment on the important stuff in the world. Please raise up the issues of floods, hunger, disease, poverty, despair, hopelessness, and pain. Please ask the Christians of the country to think about something other than this black hole of narrow-minded bigotry that is sucking the energy from us all. Please lead us toward peace, not divisive. Please lead us to wisdom, not innuendo. Please do the right thing. You're better than this. You know it. We know it.
Please don't make Christians be ashamed to call themselves Christians.

Crime in suburbia - follow-up

Sandra received a new phone the other day. In the package was this mysterious item:


After reviewing this week's Crime in Suburbia and seeing this item, 6:40 a.m. Caller wants to know what to do with deceased bat in his yard,  I figure that there's a use for it, although I'm not sure how.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 11 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, August 9

12:41a.m. Vehicle burnouts, Princeton Rd.
7:10 a.m. Possible rabid skunk, Apple Tree Ln.
9:17 a.m. Illegal dumping, Rite Aid
11:05 a.m. Injured fawn on roadside, Salisbury St.
11:32 a.m. Motor vehicle with two flats, Otter Brook Dr.
4:32 p.m. Burning smell from meter, Colorado Dr.
5:01 p.m. Male soliciting money from people in Fallon Clinic parking lot, Shrewsbury St.
5:43 p.m. Request K-9 drug dog.
5:43 p.m. Arrest: ---
6:48 p.m. Citizen called regarding drug dog going through wife’s car during son’s arrest
6:50 p.m. Drug paraphernalia found in woods,Mixter Rd.
7:03 p.m. Low branch, Reservoir St.
7:15 p.m. Power outage, Verizon Building
7:38 p.m. Party to speak with officer regarding wife receiving flowers, Malden St.

Tuesday, August 10

3:13 a.m. Car with lights in driveway, Cranbrook Dr. Turned lights off and drove into another driveway.
6:31 a.m. Two small dogs running into traffic near Papa Gino’s, Main St.
9:52 a.m. Telemarketer calling with two free tickets to Bahamas
11:43 a.m. Male on bicycle going door-to-door selling children’s educational program, Windy Ridge Rd. Individual has permit.
11:45 a.m. Party calling to verify Holden Firefighters’ fundraiser
12:55 p.m. Pomeranian loose, Main St.
1:01 p.m. Dog lying in Woodridge Rd.
1:31 p.m. Tree crew working without detail, possibly obstructing travel lane, Salisbury St.
2:28 p.m. Trucks doing burnouts and playing loud music, Eagle Ter.
4:30 p.m. Mailman found cell phone, Raymond St.

Wednesday, August 11

12:57 a.m. Skateboarders, Main St.
6:40 a.m. Caller wants to know what to do with deceased bat in his yard
7:08 a.m. 911 call from elevator 4 at WRHS. OK, momentarily stuck in elevator – too impatient to wait for doors to open
8:05 a.m. Caller asking if her friend is in custody
8:43 a.m. Caller asking if complaints have been filed against him
8:44 a.m. Caller asking if Holden Firefighter fundraising is legitimate
8:54 a.m. Dog appears to be struggling in water, N. Main St. OK, animal is a beaver
9:35 a.m. Two BMX bikes behind Fallon Clinic, next to Dumpster
9:39 a.m. Caller reports driving over construction sign in middle of road, Holden St.
9:39 a.m. Pallet at Senior Center contains items for project. Ask for extra patrols
11:02 a.m. St. Charles, Mo. PD requests that solicitor in area be brought to police station so father can make arrangements for him to go home
11:34 a.m. Large sinkhole in front of 66 Valley Hill Rd.
12:16 p.m. Caller reporting solicitors in Shrewsbury St. area. Six arrests for peddling door-to-door violation: ---, Fayetteville, Tenn., ---, Sacramento, Calif., --- Worcester, ---, Cincinnati, Ohio, ---, Syracuse, N.Y., ---., Springfield Mo.
12:22 p.m. Rotman’s Furniture truck pulled down overhead wires, possible damage to two polies, Rolling Ridge/Lovell Rds.
5:15 p.m. Trespassing, WTAG towers, Shrewsbury St.
7:39 p.m. Caller advising solicitor selling study guides, has permit.
10:12 p.m. Bat in house, Willowbrook Dr., advised to contact pet removal service.
11:22 p.m. Male youth screaming obscenities in front yard, possible CHINS violation
11:44 p.m. Vehicle driving slowly blasting loud music, person running alongside, Woodland Rd.
11:48 p.m. Bunch of kids walking in middle of road, female keeps falling down, Bullard St.

Thursday, August 12

10:46 a.m. Several motor vehicles turning in driveway over last few days, Autumn Cir.
11:08 a.m. Suspicious white box truck with CT registration on Rt. 31 S. Plate comes back as stolen from E. Hartford, Conn. Princeton PD advised
12:11 p.m. Suspicious red station wagon in area for several hours, Putnam Ln.
1:12 p.m. Officer requested for peacekeeping measures, Putnam Ln.
1:39 p.m. Fight involving about 10 children and adults in town pool parking lot
4:04 p.m. Party in lobby to catch breath, exhausted from exercise
7:27 p.m. Woman reports her car died and will be in Commerce Bank parking lot until morning
8:25 p.m. Loud bang, glass break reported, Chapin Rd.
10:04 p.m. Car owner advised cannot leave vehicle overnight in Wachusett Veterinary parking lot
10:17 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Light Dept. lot

Friday, August 13

12:07 a.m. Person with flashlight walking on Rt. 31
6:40 a.m. Party in lobby with wooden oar and fishing tackle bag found at Peter Carr Pond
10:50 a.m. Resident advising about wedding, Wachusett St. Concerned about noise; he notified neighbors
11:36 a.m. Landscaping truck blocking road, Nelson St.
12:04 p.m. Mother reporting 18-year-old girl missing.
12:36 p.m. Girl on her way home.
12:54 p.m. Suspicious maroon van, Manning St.
2:49 p.m. Yelling and screaming, Fruit St.
4:40 p.m. Caller advising water is rusty
6:38 p.m. Caller advising of cooking fire, Bullard St.
6:49 p.m. Open water gate on Boyden Rd., causing traffic concerns
7:16 p.m. Youths throwing glass bottles out of vehicle, Summer Ln.
9:36 p.m. Missing person, husband 90 min. late coming home, Reservoir St.
9:42 p.m. Husband located at yoga class, Jed’s Plaza

Saturday, August 14

1:42 a.m. Caller regarding trash left on Main St. She will return and pick up banana peel
3:44 a.m. Resident advising will be watching meteor shower behind Mountview School

9:16 a.m. Message left for driver of black Honda to pick up trash thrown near Leominster Credit Union

9:46 a.m. Male advising he will be canvassing in Wachusett St., Chapel St. area today
10:04 a.m. Report of two persons going door to door with religious materials, Kendall Rd.
11:52 a.m. Cooking fire, Fairchild Dr.
11:53 a.m. Summer party, Britney St., band will be playing 2-8 p.m.
12:19 p.m. Caller concerned about turtle near Unionville Pond
1:10 p.m. Someone tried to egg caller’s house and cars last night, unbroken egg on front lawn, Bullard St.
3:28 p.m. Arrest: ---, Springfield, Mo.; peddling door-to-door violation. Arrest: ---, Orlando, Fla.;
peddling door-to-door violation.
10:00 p.m. Caller reports neighbor’s dog is barking, Malden St.
10:40 p.m. Loud music near Alden Research Labs

Sunday, August 15

12:00 a.m. Fireworks near Flagler Dr.,Walnut St., Philips Rd., Ridgewood Rd.
12:07 a.m. Males in Rice School parking lot, possibly setting off fireworks
10:11 p.m. Teenagers in abandoned home, Salisbury St.

Paxton

Monday, August 9

12:55 a.m. Caller requesting police check out area, dog barking constantly, Davis Hill Rd.
12:24 p.m. Female reporting that male exited his vehicle and yelled at her, West St.
4:38 p.m. Kids riding bikes in woods and shortly after, smell of burning, Camp St.
5:30 p.m. Juveniles riding dirt bike up and down Camp St.
5:57 p.m. Gray tiger cat missing for a week, Berkshire Dr.

Tuesday, August 10

12:01 a.m. Loose dog, Maple St.

Wednesday, August 11

5:24 p.m. Group of juveniles hanging around wooded area, Pleasant/Camp Sts.

Thursday, August 12

1:02 p.m. Report of beef truck in area, Lincoln Cir.
8:07 p.m. Assist citizen, sit with child in car while mother goes into public safety building, Pleasant St.
11:44 p.m. Unattended vehicle left in parking lot of business, Pleasant St.

Friday, August 13

9:31 p.m. Request for police to check on suspicious van, West St.

Sunday, August 15

10:43 p.m. Stray dog in traffic, Holden Rd.

Princeton

Monday, August 9

12:35 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Worcester Rd.
8:17 p.m. Caller almost hit by two vehicles while trying to change tire, requesting police assistance, Sterling Rd.

Tuesday, August 10

2:32 p.m. Lost World War II ammunition pouch, Houghton Rd.
4:27 p.m. Caller asking how to get bear out of her chicken coop, Brooks Station Rd.
8:31 a.m. Vehicle locked behind gate, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, August 11

9:47 a.m. Caller wants to speak with chief about an ongoing situation, Town Hall Dr.
10:12 a.m. Bear returning to chicken coop, Brooks Station Rd. Referred to Mass. Fish & Wildlife

Thursday, August 12

2:19 p.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Thompson Rd.
6:18 p.m. Blue four-wheeler speeding on Calamint Hill Rd. S toward Rutland

Friday, August 13

1:15 a.m. Police find van wide open, secure and leave note for owner, Worcester Rd.
11:40 a.m. Ongoing barking dog complaint, Worcester Rd.
2:38 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, two males repeatedly passing kids walking, Gleason Rd.
7:23 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
9:53 p.m. Vehicle stop, Main St. Driver lost and confused; family member contacted
11:51 p.m. Police assist person trying to find wife, Main St.

Saturday, August 14

11:42 a.m. Person left guns at station for safe keeping, Town Hall Dr.
12:37 p.m. Police assist with bicycle ride through town center, Gregory Hill Rd.
4:09 p.m. Suspicious male in woods, Houghton Rd.
8:42 p.m. Police stand by with individual waiting for ride, Main St.

Sunday, August 15

9:04 a.m. Low voltage, Brooks Station Rd.
2:16 p.m. Assist staff at state reservation with person on bicycle giving them hard time at mountain summit
4:45 p.m. Report of two males with guns, Rte. 140 N/Fitchburg Rd.
6:48 p.m. Black dog walking toward center of town, Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, August 9

8:20 a.m. Injured hawk beside road, Rte. 122
6:26 p.m. Lost black Labrador, later found, Glenwood Rd.

Tuesday, August 10

12:40 p.m. Missing cat, long haired black and white, E. County Rd.
4:08 p.m. Citizen complaint about ATV, Glenwood Rd.
9:21 p.m. Person loading items from building lot onto truck, Morris Ln.
10:06 p.m. Unattended vehicle in parking lot, Main St.

Wednesday, August 11

12:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in Bigelow Rd. area
6:15 a.m. Missing Australian shepherd spotted but police unable to get close to it, Maple Ave.
9:54 a.m. Abandoned call, person having trouble with phone system, Village Way
9:51 p.m. Police speak with individuals and remove them from Barre Paxton Rd.
11:52 p.m. Two people in woods with flashlight near boat ramp, Barre Paxton Rd.

Thursday, August 12

6:04 a.m. Skunk in trap set for Australian shepherd dog, Maple Ave.
6:31 a.m. Owner arrived and able to get dog, Maple Ave.
5:22 p.m. Person at station to report verbal altercation in parking lot, Main St.

Friday, August 13

11:55 a.m. Request that police deliver message, Main St.
2:09 p.m. Bear peeking from woods, looking at person working on vehicle in driveway, E. County Rd.
5:34 p.m. Police assist with vehicle lockout, Glenwood Rd.
8:59 p.m. Suspicious male going door-to-door selling, Jamie Ann Dr.

Saturday, August 14

1:48 p.m. Cow crossing road, owner contacted, cow captured, Glenwood Rd.
2:50 p.m. Officer requested for female throwing things at family members, Valley View Cir.
4:02 p.m. Police asked to respond to area for possible soliciting scam, Prouty Ln.

Sunday, August 15

3:05 p.m. Rocks piled up across rail trail
5:31 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Glenwood Rd.

Sterling

Monday, August 9

6:21 a.m. Small toffee-colored dog running in roadway, Chocksett/Pratts Jct. Rds. Several cars stopped. Dog taken to animal rescue.
10:01 a.m. Report of child locked in house, Legate Hill Rd. Miscommunication, child OK
6:20 p.m. Ongoing issue with dog that charged person and showed its teeth, Griffin Rd.

Tuesday, August 10

2:00 p.m. Report of ammunition case lost, contained several items, Clinton Rd.
2:09 p.m. Person wants to speak with detective regarding collection agency trying to collect money for credit card company, Bird St.
7:50 p.m. Black Labrador in yard for long time, Osgood Rd.
8:34 p.m. Van backed too close to edge of Metropolitan Rd., went off road

Wednesday, August 11

7:34 p.m. Someone dropped off cat in carrier with litter box, Riverview Rd.

Thursday, August 12

9:59 a.m. Long-haired black and white cat missing since Sunday. Needs insulin, Upper N. Row Rd.
12:00 p.m. Vehicle with two males going up and down road, selling vacuums, Kendall Hill Rd.
2:24 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle with male occupant, Justice Hill Rd.
2:29 p.m. Report of “drunken” raccoon stumbling in road, Princeton Rd. No contact

Friday, August 13

1:04 p.m. Report of rabid raccoon in back yard, John Dee Rd.
7:51 p.m. Caller reporting motorcycles revving engines and speeding out of gas station, Redemption Rock Trl.
10:12 p.m. Complaint about noise from outside band, Leominster Rd.

Saturday, August 14

10:48 a.m. Loud band asked to turn music down, Waushacum Ave.
4:17 p.m. Band playing loud music behind fire station, Waushacum Ave.
6:04 p.m. Person yelling continuously, James Rd.

Sunday, August 15

8:29 a.m. Great Dane running around, Maple St.
5:12 p.m. Missing chocolate Labrador, Mortimer Rd.