Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 24 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, September 27

6:52 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle church lot; party opening church
9:19 a.m. Two dogs missing
9:54 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in post office lot all morning
10:19 a.m. Call about construction equipment left on property
10:56 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of neighbor's house, then moved up street; OK, Jehovah's Witnesses
12:24 p.m. Small child bolted from elementary school; staff with child
12:32 p.m. Sick/injured fox, Highland St.
12:54 p.m. Vegetables missing from community garden; request for extra patrols
1:00 p.m. Two dogs matching description of earlier missing dog report found
1:06 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Meadow wood Dr.
1:13 p.m. Suspicious person; wardrobe malfunction, nothing inappropriate, Reservoir St.
3:59 p.m. Multiple calls of bear, Blair Dr.
4:00 p.m. Dog dead, Edgewood Dr.
7:39 p.m. Backpack found in Worcester dropped off
8:16 p.m. Two cars on side of Rt. 68, dog or animal hit
8:25 p.m. Individual ran off after cutting off house arrest anklet, Newell Rd.
9:39 p.m. Neighbor reporting loud drums, Greenwood Parkway; homeowner advised

Tuesday, September 28

12:14 a.m. Individual standing outside restaurant; workers afraid to leave
6:37 a.m. Caller worried about woman dressed in black walking dog, Main St.
8:50 a.m. Suspicious phone call from National Credit Bureau; advised not to give information
8:55 a.m. Caller concerned about fridge on side of road with doors still on, Kendall Rd.; owner spoken with
5:54 p.m. Kids on bikes removed from bandstand area
7:42 p.m. Multiple reports of Rte. 31 falling apart due to rain
8:20 p.m. Towing company received call from vehicle on its side, Whitney St.

Wednesday, September 29

12:13 a.m. House with all lights on and doors open, Nola Dr.; OK, just painted
2:13 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Princeton St.
6:01 a.m. Vehicle parked in handicap parking spot; driver advised
7:24 a.m. Loose German shepherd, Britney Dr.
8:42 a.m. Fox in yard, Kendall Rd.
9:43 a.m. Caller from nursing home reports person stopped for outstanding warrant
11:20 a.m. Dog barking viciously, Kendall Rd.
11:31 a.m. Black bear with blue ear tag, Wyoming Dr.
3:32 p.m. Caller hasn't seen son since Monday evening; believes he has been home and left dirty clothes
6:46 p.m. Parking citation from N.H. delivered to Winfield Rd.
8:39 p.m. Tree fell on home, Sandy Glen Dr.
9:19 p.m. Open gate, Main St.
9:38 p.m. Mother concerned that son is overdue

Thursday, September 30

8:58 a.m. Gun found, Bailey Rd.; OK, just a BB gun
11:02 a.m. Call regarding school recess policy when bears are in area
11:07 a.m. 911 caller is stuck in parking space because of vehicle parked next to her
12:45 p.m. Weapons violation
2:00 p.m. Fox in area of town hall
10:27 p.m. Woman at caller's door complaining of sore hip, says boyfriend left her by side of road, Princeton St.; taken into protective custody

Friday, October 1

7:38 a.m. Caller asking if she can be involved with helping find missing grandson
9:28 a.m. Lost cat, Winifred Ave.
12:29 p.m. Road flooded, Rte. 31
1:44 p.m. Facebook issue reported
5:01 p.m. Traffic lights in front of fire station cycling wrong
5:56 p.m. Loose dog, Main St.
6:58 p.m. 20-30 youths hanging out at residence, General Hobbs Rd.
7:31 p.m. Vehicle lockout, Main St.
8:20 p.m. Lost dog, Main St.
11:41 p.m. Four individuals at business, Main St.

Saturday, October 2

1:44 a.m. Suspicious person, Main St.
8:06 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Country Hill Rd.
2:38 p.m. Large fight, multiple teens, General Hobbs Rd.; no fight, just teens boxing, owner OK with it
4:19 p.m. Caller reports neighbor cut tree from his property
5:02 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Mill St.
9:12 p.m. Moose on Bailey Rd.
11:20 p.m. Suspicious truck near unoccupied dwelling, Scenic Dr.; OK, dropping off work equipment

Sunday, October 3

2:04 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Reservoir St.
9:19 a.m. Trash dumped in parking lot, Paxton Rd.
2:40 p.m. Suspicious male going door-to-door, Hunter Cir.

Paxton

Monday, September 27

4:25 a.m. Complaint about noisy dump trucks working at golf course early in the morning, Marshall St. Police found no trucks
3:21 p.m. Caller reports rabid skunk running around his property, Grove St.

Tuesday, September 28

No calls for service

Wednesday, September 29

1:00 p.m. Disabled vehicle with flashers, Richards Ave./Brooks Rd.
2:45 p.m. Request for animal control officer to pick up deceased skunk and have it tested for rabies, Grove St.

Thursday, September 30

8:00 p.m. Lost tiger cat, Dunanderry Way

Saturday, October 2

3:08 a.m. Caller wants address where underage kids are drinking alcohol so she can confront homeowners. Party believed to be in Worcester. Advised to call Worcester PD
11:45 a.m. Pitbull loose, South St.

Princeton

Monday, September 27

7:50 a.m. Traffic control, Sterling Rd.
12:35 p.m. Poodle and hound-type dog found on E. Princeton Rd. Owner found

Tuesday, September 28

12:11 p.m. Person at station to report being bitten by dog, Mirick Rd.
4:01 p.m. Beagle and small black dog found in E. Princeton Rd. Owner fined

Wednesday, September 29

9:49 a.m. Strange dog wearing electronic fence collar digging in yard, E. Princeton Rd.
2:29 p.m. Two gunshots, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Thursday, September 30

1:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, E Princeton Rd.
1:05 p.m. Debris in Mountain Rd.
1:39 p.m. Police assist gaining entry to vehicle, Worcester Rd.

Friday, October 1

10:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Bullard Rd.
7:00 p.m. Public service, homeowner advised to turn off main breaker, Mirick Rd.
10:23 p.m. Officer flagged down by person who was lost, Main St.

Saturday, October 2

10:14 a.m. Key ring found at home where yard sale conducted, Gregory Hill Rd.
1:11 p.m. Delivery person bitten by dog, Town Hall Dr.
8:45 p.m. Police remove deceased porcupine from roadway, Mountain Rd.
9:58 p.m. Police transport two people to station, Town Hall Dr.
10:17 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with window open parked at athletic field, E. Princeton Rd.

Sunday, October 3

10:55 a.m. Wandering German shepherd, Hubbardston Rd.

Rutland

Monday, September 27

8:42 a.m. Moose in area, Pleasantdale Rd.
7:51 p.m. Person hit and killed dog, E. County Rd./Michael Dr. Dog taken to vet clinic

Tuesday, September 28

11:55 a.m. Person with disconnected phone needs assistance contacting phone company, Oakridge Dr.

Wednesday, September 29

12:54 a.m. Police remove debris from River Rd.
6:28 a.m. Skinny black dog appears disoriented, E. County Rd.
10:23 a.m. Loose black dog with blue collar, Main St.
1:33 p.m. Loud buzzing in neighborhood, Valley View Cir.
2:38 p.m. Missing cat, gray with black and white
4:15 p.m. Police investigate possible neighbor complaint, Kenwood Dr.
5:19 p.m. Request for police to respond to neighbor problem, Naquag St.
10:23 p.m. Report of young male kicking car, Maple Ave.

Thursday, September 30

1:21 p.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:20 p.m. Multiple calls about female lying injured in middle of Maple Ave.

Friday, October 1

7:15 a.m. Wallet found; owner found
7:23 a.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
2:28 p.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Central Tree Rd.

Saturday, October 2

7:21 a.m. Person at station to retrieve firearms, Main St.
4:47 p.m. Call about person squatting at vacant residence, Central Tree Rd.

Sunday, October 3

2:02 a.m. Barre PD requests assistance for large house party, Worcester Rd.
2:33 p.m. Disoriented female was drinking, unsure where she was, Maple Ave. Holden PD transported her to their station
5:37 p.m. Group of young men walking down street and one of them urinated in yard, Joanna Dr.
6:25 p.m. Suspicious male walking around looking in cars, Maple Ave.

Sterling

Monday, September 27

10:42 a.m. Escort service, Worcester Rd.
11:07 a.m. Animal control officer looking for kittens, Goulding Rd.
11:10 a.m. Suspicious male walking up and down the road looking at houses, Quail Roost Dr.
1:30 p.m. Two dogs running loose, opened gate, Quail Roost Dr.
5:50 p.m. Police assist cleaning person into bank, Main St.
10:33 p.m. Domestic disturbance, yelling in background, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, September 28

1:23 a.m. Argument between neighbors, Elliott Rd.
6:58 a.m. Caller believes her car was shot at sometime during the night, Upper N. Row Rd.
4:13 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, person rang doorbell, then left, Avery Ln.

Wednesday, September 29

8:18 a.m. Suspicious person taking photos of home, Chace Hill Rd.
10:50 a.m. Snapping turtle hit by vehicle, Chace Hill Rd.
9:05 p.m. Report of reverse harassment, neighbor slamming door very hard, Jill Ln.

Thursday, September 30

2:04 a.m. Female won't leave house, Redstone Hill Rd.
2:39 a.m. Caller concerned that female may have had an accident on way to Redstone Hill Rd.
7:36 a.m. Someone may have tried to break into house, Gates Terr. Damage to screens determined to be old
6:03 p.m. Property returned to individuals, Leominster Rd.
6:16 p.m. Youths on bicycles swerving through traffic, causing vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting them, Clinton Rd.
7:13 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at end of driveway, Redstone Hill Rd.

Friday, October 1

1:39 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, Griffin Rd.
7:28 a.m. Suspicious male walking on Boutelle Rd.
9:25 a.m. Suspicious male on bicycle pulled off roadway, Beaman Rd.
5:20 p.m. Pocketbook found, N. Row Rd.
6:23 p.m. Male seen running out of woods carrying plants, vehicle sped away, person running down Justice Hill Rd.
6:27 p.m. Horse running loose on Bean Rd. toward Rte. 12
6:31 p.m. Officer requested for three young males riding bikes and playing on construction equipment, Redstone Hill Rd.

Saturday, October 2

3:12 a.m. Suspicious male followed female home, Cynthia Ln.
10:44 a.m. Officer investigation looking for marijuana plants, Justice Hill/Hastings Rds.
11:59 a.m. Lost Beagle, Kendall Hill Rd.
2:30 p.m. Damage at town beach from rainstorm
5:57 p.m. Officer investigation, Justice Hill Rd.

Sunday, October 3

11:54 a.m. Caller reports brakes screeching and car with open door in middle of road, Campground Rd.
3:04 p.m. Parking violation, Griffin/Muddy Pond Rds.
3:17 p.m. Silver teapot with monogram found at end of Sky Farm/Tuttle Rds. Possible stolen item

Marley: 29 Feb 1996 - 4 Oct 2010

There's a bit of magic in everything
and then some loss to even things out
-- Lou Reed

The banality of illness

In our compulsion to make sense of things, we often ascribe moral, spiritual, or philosophical meaning to illness. Usually, though, we make these ascriptions to someone else's illness. That person suffers from depression or has beaten cancer. Truth be told, however, our illnesses aren't that ennobling. They dull us and leave us feeling cheated. We're just sick and feel lousy. Me? I've got just a cold.
As I said, though, in others we imagine greater struggles. Marley's not doing well, not well at all. This is day four of not showing much interest in food. A black Lab with no interest in food is kinda like, well, kinda like nothing else because it happens so rarely.
He sleeps a lot, shallow breaths that make us stop to check that he truly is breathing. When he's not sleeping, he's just staring. I can put a peanut butter cracker on the floor near his nose and he shows no interest. If I cough, though, he raises his head. If I'm coughing a lot, he struggles to his feet and come over to me and wait to be assured that I'm ok. Then, he goes and lies down again.
We'll call the vet later this morning, but we're pretty sure we know the answers ahead. Damn.

The banality of illness

In our compulsion to make sense of things, we often ascribe moral, spiritual, or philosophical meaning to illness. Usually, though, we make these ascriptions to someone else's illness. That person suffers from depression or has beaten cancer. Truth be told, however, our illnesses aren't that ennobling. They dull us and leave us feeling cheated. We're just sick and feel lousy. Me? I've got just a cold.
As I said, though, in others we imagine greater struggles. Marley's not doing well, not well at all. This is day four of not showing much interest in food. A black Lab with no interest in food is kinda like, well, kinda like nothing else because it happens so rarely.
He sleeps a lot, shallow breaths that make us stop to check that he truly is breathing. When he's not sleeping, he's just staring. I can put a peanut butter cracker on the floor near his nose and he shows no interest. If I cough, though, he raises his head. If I'm coughing a lot, he struggles to his feet and come over to me and wait to be assured that I'm ok. Then, he goes and lies down again.
We'll call the vet later this morning, but we're pretty sure we know the answers ahead. Damn.

An autumn afternoon

From my Phillipston blog on OnTheCommon.com

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 34 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, September 20

5:18 a.m. Suspicious vehicle turned in driveway, Fisher Rd.; OK, limo at wrong residence
8:29 a.m. Lowell Ave. resident wants info about why cruisers were near home
9:00 a.m. Resident needs help with Meals on Wheels delivery
10:40 a.m. Cat returned, High St.
12:05 p.m. Call regarding missing Irish setter
4:59 p.m. Caller reports dead squirrel on front lawn; advised to call Pest Control
5:39 p.m. Kids yelling and holding sign, Main St.
8:35 p.m. Caller received strange phone solicitation
9:57 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with lights on, Mill St.
9:58 p.m. MV sprayed with something, Main St.

Tuesday, September 21

10:37 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Wood St.; OK, Jehovah's Witnesses
11:31 a.m. Caller asking if private gate can be opened due to construction, Rte. 31
1:32 p.m. Open door at house, Wachusett St.; OK, painting crew
6:17 p.m. Group of youths dispersed from bandstand

Wednesday, September 22

12:37 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.; OK, looking at vinyl siding
1:14 a.m. Rhode Island State Trooper calling about info on resident
4:26 a.m. Trailer in cul-de-sac, Nottingham Cir.
7:31 a.m. Suspicious female with scissors walking on railing, Reservoir St.
9:43 a.m. Wife looking for husband, Kenwood Rd.
10:30 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in front of towers, Shrewsbury St.
11:11 a.m. Fox limping around with animal in its mouth, Salisbury St.
11:58 a.m. Bus unable to travel Laurelwood Rd. due to vehicles blocking roadway
1:05 p.m. Male and female arguing, threatening each other, Main St.
1:58 p.m. Caller regarding information on witness to incident; denied
2:37 p.m. Walk-in to speak to officer about private investigator
5:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicles at Eagle Lake; individuals threw bag in trash can
5:57 p.m. Truck parked in front of residence, Holden St.
8:02 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of home, Nola Dr.

Thursday, September 23

12:14 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Heather Cir.
10:38 a.m. Bear sighting
12:09 p.m. Elderly male trying to change tire, Shrewsbury St.
1:10 p.m. Injured fox, Salisbury St.
1:30 p.m. Bear in back yard, Cimarron Ln.
1:55 p.m. Bear in back yard, Forest Dr.
3:25 p.m. Bear in area, Meadowwood Dr.
4:38 p.m. Highland Ave. resident reports pump running for hours and house smells
4:51 p.m. Wounded fox, Salisbury St.
5:30 p.m. Suspicious vehicle appeared to be attempting to pick up teen male, Main St.
7:01 p.m. Wallet lost, Reservoir St.
7:23 p.m. Young girls going door-to-door selling magazines, Pleasant St.
8:45 p.m. Unruly parents at soccer game as well as players fighting on field, Main St.

Friday, September 24

12:35 p.m. Person in back yard of residence;, Shrewsbury St.
3:35 a.m. Multiple 911 calls from Sherwood Hill Dr. residence; caller confused
7:03 a.m. Bear on Wachusett St.
7:52 a.m. Bear on Chapel St.
8:02 a.m. Person walking on train tracks near business, Main St.; OK, works for railroad
9:35 a.m. Party waiting for tow; appears to be passed out, Bailey Rd.
9:38 a.m. Resident complaint about parked cars, Highland Ave.
12:54 p.m. Anonymous report of party fooling around in motor vehicle at Trout Brook; parties just talking; woman believes it was ex-boyfriend who called
1:17 p.m. Dumpster left in travel lane, Wachusett St.
1:40 p.m. Kids cutting through yard, Sunnyside Ave.
1:55 p.m. Bear in yard, Lowell Ave.
2:24 p.m. Worcester PD reports motor vehicle accident might be in Holden; parties exchanging words
4:35 p.m. Suspicious incident reported, Main St.
6:31 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Jackson St., individuals screaming and swearing at each other
7:14 p.m. Wallet found on Highland St.; unauthorized political sign placed on property
8:56 p.m. Report of four teens loud and disturbing at business, Main St., won't leave; 8-10 year olds playing hide-and-seek
10:32 p.m. Two cars racing, Newell Rd.
10:35 p.m. Two suspicious men, Salisbury St.
11:52 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Rondeau Rd.

Saturday, September 25

6:26 a.m. Vehicle on Bailey Rd. with balloons and shaving cream on it
10:23 a.m. Black bear, Wyoming Dr.; several calls from nearby streets
11:16 a.m. Person at business cleared items off shelf after not being waited on
1:05 p.m. Loose dog, Main St.
4:47 p.m. Suspicious person walking, Main St.
8:22 p.m. Report of rabid coyote or wolf, Wachusett St.; husky dog, on its owner's property
8:50 p.m. Caller reports automatic calls advertising cruise trips from number of individual who knows nothing about the calls
8:56 p.m. Loud yelling and screaming near Bailey Rd.
10:51 p.m. Kids in back yards, can see flashlights; parents advised
10:59 p.m. Report of 16 youths in front of neighbor's house, possibly drinking, Holden St.

Sunday, September 26

12:38 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.; OK, exchanging dogs
12:39 a.m. Eight to 10 adults, swearing and being loud, Chapel St.
3:42 a.m. Suspicious individuals at business, Main St.
9:41 a.m. Black bear seen earlier, Flagler Dr.
9:52 a.m. Black bear, Erin's Way
10:20 a.m. Individual in to pick up found wallet
10:54 a.m. Fox on Jamieson Rd. near Rte. 31, with paw in air, eating fruit
11:25 a.m. Lost dog reported
11:32 a.m. Dog found
12:00 p.m. Bear, Flagler Dr.
12:44 p.m. Two reports of bear, Highland Ave.
2:14 p.m. Fox acting strangely, Highland St.
2:45 p.m. Sick/injured fox, Highland St.
3:48 p.m. Fox, Highland Ave.
4:31 p.m. Large black bear, Malden St.
9:09 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Union St.

Paxton

Monday, September 20

3:03 a.m. Loose donkey walking in road, Grove St.
3:34 a.m. Noise on dirt road and open camper door, Grove St.
3:04 p.m. Suspicious person, possibly soliciting, Briarcliff Ln.

Tuesday, September 21

8:07 a.m. Bus company wants to know if it can go down Streeter Rd. Police will escort
10:30 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about telephone scam, Pleasant St.
9:43 p.m. Female banging on car door outside business, Pleasant St.

Wednesday, September 22

12:40 a.m. Three subjects throwing items from vehicle, Rte. 122; one hit another vehicle
7:17 p.m. Suspicious male sitting by sidewalk in front of house, then staggered down street. Police find he had walked from Worcester and was tired

Thursday, September 23

8:27 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of house, Grove St.
11:23 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with male driver, Camp St.
1:58 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area, Holden Rd.

Friday, September 24

3:16 a.m. Loud bang like a gun shot awakened caller, Thistledown Ln.
4:00 p.m. Dump truck emitting extreme amount of exhaust, Holden Rd.
6:24 p.m. Young juvenile walking around same spot for long time, Pleasant St.
8:26 p.m. Vehicle may be on fire, Marshall St.
9:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot of business, Pleasant St. Using cell phone

Saturday, September 25

4:58 p.m. Person attempting to fix vehicle, Pleasant St./Asnebumskit Rd.
9:08 p.m. Caller reports someone keeps banging on her door, then taking off, Old Lantern Cir.

Sunday, September 26

9:38 a.m. Loose white Labrador in area of Pleasant/Grove Sts.

Princeton

Monday, September 20

12:28 p.m. Report of huge bear in back yard, Coal Kiln Rd.
4:55 p.m. Female trying to wave down motorists to get a ride to Fitchburg, Fitchburg Rd.

Tuesday, September 21

9:58 a.m. Cat hit, Beaman Rd. Person attempting to find owner
12:15 p.m. Suspicious vehicle going up and down Ball Hill Rd.
4:47 p.m. Pet carrier with two kittens left by mailbox, Worcester Rd.
6:10 p.m. Man yelling in wood, possibly calling dog, Westminster Rd.
7:31 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, September 22

12:20 a.m. Police remove branch from road, Rte. 140 N
1:13 p.m. Suspicious white van backed up to home, Mirick Rd.

Thursday, September 23

11:53 a.m. Pile of shingles left behind building, Mountain Rd.
4:18 p.m. Police investigation, woman found part of headstone on property, Calamint Hill Rd. N
5:30 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. Owner is professor conducting snake research in area throughout the fall, Mountain Rd.
10:00 p.m. Suspicious vehicle leaving area behind building, Main St.

Friday, September 24

5:13 p.m. Police find two females with inappropriate signs, Main St. Signs destroyed
7:41 p.m. Black Lab following car at athletic fields, E. Princeton Rd. Placed in kennel

Saturday, September 25

3:59 p.m. Person videotaping homes, E. Princeton Rd.

Rutland

Monday, September 20

8:00 a.m. Officer wanted, person didn't pay for gas, Main St.
8:13 a.m. Person drove off without paying for gas, Main St.
8:14 a.m. Caller inquiring about cars parking and blocking traffic, Main St.
8:35 a.m. Suspicious van in area, Bushy Ln.
11:49 a.m. Caller has possum in cellar, Maple Ave.
1:27 p.m. Person locked keys in car, Pommogussett Rd.
3:18 p.m. Person at station complaining about problems with school bus, Main St.
4:30 p.m. Person will be in area of Main St. passing out fliers
7:12 p.m. Caller reports seeing bright blue flash above trees in area of state park, Barre Paxton Rd.

Tuesday, September 21

7:03 a.m. Shaggy dog loose near high-tension lines, Intervale Rd.
6:38 p.m. Caller hit black cat, Main St.

Wednesday, September 22

3:51 p.m. Orange colored trike-type recreational vehicle speeding up and down Hillside Rd.
6:33 p.m. Juvenile male lying on side of Main St.
9:26 p.m. Deceased cat in roadway, Turkey Hill Rd.
9:58 p.m. Request for police to investigate sound of skill saw, Maple Ave.
11:25 p.m. Person at station to bail out female prisoner, Main St.

Thursday, September 24

10:12 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in area, Charnock Hill Rd.
12:54 p.m. Officer wanted for out-of-control male who was drinking, then left in truck, Dakota Trl.
3:19 p.m. Suspicious activity, Barre Paxton Rd.

Friday, September 24

7:50 a.m. Request for officer to hold records for individual, Main St.
1:38 p.m. Female at station requesting bail money be returned, Main St.
2:45 p.m. Loose dogs, Sumac, Summerhill, Skyline area
3:06 p.m. Female at station to speak with officer about speeders.

Sunday, September 26

4:07 a.m. Vehicle with lights on, Walnut St.; flat tire
5:30 p.m. Assist Oakham PD checking on three males walking in middle of Rte. 56 and refusing to move over

Sterling

Monday, September 20

10:00 a.m. Large moose crossed Leominster Rd.
12:18 p.m. Suspicious male wearing trench coat, Beaman/Princeton Rds.area
5:16 p.m. Golden retriever running in traffic, Princeton/Beaman Rds.
6:34 p.m. Female entered home unannounced, said was there to clean, Birch Dr.
6:47 p.m. Officer wanted for female unwelcome at home, School St.
9:34 p.m. White vehicle parked in lot for several hours, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, September 21

11:54 a.m. Feral cat had kittens on property, Goulding Rd.
2:57 p.m. Assist citizen with vehicle, Chocksett Rd.
3:03 p.m. Suspicious male in truck asking about buying scrap metal, Redemption Rock Trl.
6:44 p.m. Assist citizen with fingerprinting, Leominster Rd.

Thursday, September 23

10:27 a.m. Missing black cat, Clinton Rd.
3:33 p.m. Male hitchhiker ran into woods, Leominster Rd.
6:10 p.m. Suspicious older truck with three males in driveway, John Dee Rd.
8:13 p.m. Suspicious SUV pulled into business parking lot and turned off lights, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Friday, September 24

7:41 a.m. Female taking pictures of homes, Sherwood Dr.
12:06 p.m. White vehicle parked beside road, Westland Farm Rd.
6:02 p.m. Lost black and white cat, Clinton Rd.
9:23 p.m. Two people with flashlights walking around exterior of house, Boutelle Rd.; looking for cat

Saturday, September 25

10:05 a.m. Escort motorcycle group to W. Boylston line
11:55 a.m. Motorcycle ride escort, Princeton Rd./Main St.
5:56 p.m. Stray black, longhaired cat at home, Maple St.
9:35 p.m. Possible gun shots in area of home, Pikes Hill Rd. People possibly in woods behind home, crashing through the brush
11:43 p.m. Officer wanted, N. Row Rd. Caller hears car horn blaring

Sunday, September 26

3:25 p.m. Skunk sleeping in barn, Justice Hill Rd.
4:43 p.m. Assist other agency, Beaman Rd.

Jesus is your fireman

The Wormtown Fleet wanders to the north county.

---

From my couch to your browser

My notes, Going to the candidates' debate, on the latest in the 1st Worcester campaign. Because it's the first of the month, you could also read the Telegram's report, Taxes hot topic at 1st Worcester debate, for free; you'll have to register if you haven't already done so

Happy 11th Birthday, Lily

Lily in 2003

Great! Expectations!

I would Expect! nothing less.

1st Worcester race

One of the better tenets of good politics is that, when your opponent is making trouble for himself, keep quiet. That seems to be what Kim Ferguson is wisely doing as Ken O'Brien thrashes around.
The latest troubles come in an exchange of letters to the editor in the local outlets. Last week, former selectman Joe Sullivan wrote a letter to The Landmark outlining the reasons that he could not support his former colleague, O'Brien, in the race for state representative in the 1st Worcester district. Sullivan concluded

Finally, Ken O’Brien’s [sic] often speaks without thinking. His comments about “older” municipal employees required a select board motion repudiating Ken’s remarks while embracing the absence of discrimination in our community.
A nice guy? Yes. A great candidate for state representative? No way.
via Former colleague can’t vote for O’Brien | www.thelandmark.com | Landmark

Also last week, Ed Meyer of Holden wrote a lengthy piece in TheDailyHolden.com Letter to the Editor: The Superior Court Law Suit against Holden’s Ken O’Brien. In the letter, Meyer alleges a number of serious ethics violations against O'Brien, along with a charge that O'Brien has failed to produce documents that the Secretary of State's office has ordered. Meyer has file suit in Superior Court to have O'Brien produce the documents.
I'm not in a position to evaluate the validity of Meyer's claims or O'Brien's defenses. Those are left to the court. I would suggest Mr. Meyer, however, to make sure that he spells Mr. O'Brien's name correctly. Lines such as this get confusing:

On April 28, 2010 Secretary Galvin’s Office issued a second order to Mr. O’Brian reaffirming its’ earlier “determination ordering Mr. O’Brien to provide you (me) with a fee estimate for the provision of these records…”. 

Anyway, so, how does O'Brien respond? In his own letter to the TheDailyHolden.com, ,  Letter to the Editor: Negative campaigning obscuring race for State Rep., O'Brien says,

I have been sued by Mr. Edwin Meyer, the same person observed handing out negative hand bills to members of the Hubbardston Lions Club, and attaching them to every car in the parking lot at the Hubbardston field day. 

Not much of a rebuttal, eh? He made a similar complaint against Sullivan, dismissing the severity of the charge because Sullivan has contributed to Ferguson's campaign.
Ken O'Brien is working hard to get elected. I've seen his signs prominently placed throughout the district. I've seen him campaigning early in the morning at the intersection of Route 2 and 140 in Westminster. He has the endorsement of people whom I respect. 
What he's not done, however, is address the series of very serious issues concerning his attitudes and actions throughout his time as selectman in Holden. He's responded with ad hominem attacks of his own. That's not a way to establish credibility. That's not a way to get my vote.
The candidates for state representative will debate on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Holden town hall. 

What is a newspaper?

A post on my other blog - Parallel Eagles: What is a newspaper?

Don't get out much anymore

I joined some folks for dinner in Cambridge last night, a group of people I've known or know of via email groups and other electronic channels for a long time. You know how some people at gatherings will pass around pictures of their kids, grandkids, or vacations to exotic places? One dinner guest brought a stack of 1992 PC Magazines.
The ride into the city reminded me that I'm quite removed in time and space from life on the Pike. For one thing, and maybe it's just my age, but the jerks in heavy traffic don't bother me as much. That Acura that jumped ahead a few car lengths by staying extra long in the breakdown lane - good for you. I hope you got where you needed to be soon enough. Same goes for the big Chevy with the New York tags. I listened to music, watched the moon come up over Boston, dodged the cyclists of Cambridge, and arrived a half hour late. There were three tables for 10 in use. Two tables were full. I took the last seat at the third table.
The conversations meandered from search engine optimizations to swimming with dolphins to the maglev train in Shanghai that does 420 km/hr to so-and-so's lectures at nearby MIT to, well, you get the idea. No one, to my knowledge, was sneaking out to the bar to check on the Red Sox game. I didn't hear anyone specifically say that they were looking for a job, but, for these folks, they're always looking, even if they have work today.
Homeward, naturally, I got turned around a bit and wound up across the river into Boston. It was late and I wanted to get home and yet the liveliness of the city had an energy that was compelling.

It wasn't until I hit the darkened skies west of Framingham that I started to feel tired. I made it home safely and was asleep by midnight.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 32 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, September 13

7:29 a.m. 911 Caller heard cry for help and dog barking on Lowell Ave.
8:31 a.m. Report of two antique sleds stolen from Bullard Street property sometime in the past
11:40 a.m. Motor vehicle stopped on Quinapoxet St.; driver upset
12:49 p.m. Truck blocking driveway on Chapel St.
4:28 p.m. Road Rage incident
4:31 p.m. Bear on Buckingham and Mason roads reported

8:33 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on Pilgrim Dr.
9:38 p.m. Princeton requesting backup for incident on Calamint Hill N.
11:00 p.m. Loose dog almost hit by car
11:50 p.m. Person with restraining order inquiring about how to go pick up car

Tuesday, September 14

12:28 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked by side of Woodridge Rd.; boyfriend and girlfriend talking
12:50 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in church lot on Shrewsbury St.
8:57 a.m. Partially open manhole lid on Salisbury St.
9:41 a.m. Bear in yard on Quinapoxet St.
12:28 p.m. 911 Bear going through trash on Greenwood Parkway; then moved to Cimmaron Lane
1:25 p.m. Bear on Forest Dr.
2:38 p.m. Caller asking officer to accompany him to pick up last paycheck at business and turn in uniform
2:50 p.m. Bear in yard on Quinapoxet St.
3:12 p.m. Caller reports being bitten by dog on Newell Rd.
4:28 p.m. Fox on Sycamore Dr.
4:52 p.m. Four teens in lot skateboarding on Holden St.
6:36 p.m. Kid on four wheeler on Fruit St.; putting it away
7:38 p.m. Two individuals reported causing a disturbance while drinking on Broad St.; misunderstanding
8:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of South Rd.
9:43 p.m. Calling about laws regarding kids hanging out in town

Wednesday, September 15

6:59 a.m. Abandoned motor vehicle behind business on Main St.; removed from Anna Maria because it was leaking fluid
8:04 a.m. Suspicious vehicle
9:20 a.m. Suspicious male sleeping in playground; waiting for someone; advised to move along
12:35 p.m. Suspicious backpack left at Dawson Recreation area; belongs to Bailey Rd. resident
1:18 p.m. Eleven-year-old carrying bag of clothing seen on Reservoir St.; okay, going to friend'shouse
1:28 p.m. Report of youths blocking traffic on Walnut St.
2:03 p.m. Six youths behind business on Industrial Dr.
2:09 p.m. Group of a dozen teens walking on railroad tracks on Sunnyside Ave.

5:15 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on bank premises on Main St.
5:34 p.m. Black bear observed crossing Rte. 31 near Elmwood Ave.
6:06 p.m. Suspicious text messages to Lowell Ave. resident; advised to ignore and call provider to block number
6:15 p.m. Two males yelling on Sawyer Lane
6:33 p.m. Smell of gas coming from stove on Explorers Way
7:24 p.m. 911 Patient complaining about nurse
8:34 p.m. Violation of harassment order at place of employment

Thursday, September 16

12:34 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in front of home on Doyle Rd.
1:12 a.m. Beer cans in lot on Causeway St.
6:50 a.m. Dead raccoon in road on Malden St.
9:12 a.m. Tractor trailer stuck under bridge on Main St.
2:28 p.m. Caller about ticketing on Newell Rd.
3:15 p.m. Lockout of vehicle on Main St.
3:48 p.m. Caller concerned about something sprayed on side of Newell Rd.
4:21 p.m. Suspicious activity on Manning St.
5:26 p.m. Road Rage incident on Ararat St. reported
6:28 p.m. Caller heard gun shots from Chaffins Pond Area; goose season
6:44 p.m. Caller about two individuals shooting within 500 feet of Gail Dr. residence; shooters are 201 yards away
6:58 p.m. Domestic on Holden St., just verbal
8:32 p.m. Caller reports suspicious person went behind house on Manning St.; when confronted, said he was looking for work
9:05 p.m. Large amount of water in roadway on Main St.

Friday, September 17

1:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicles exiting from Dawson School
9:30 a.m. Complaint about vehicles speeding on Avery Rd. through detour
10:46 a.m. Mountview School requesting check on truant
2:25 p.m. No water at residence on Quinapoxet St.
2:30 p.m. Walk-in with medication to be disposed of
3:28 p.m. Caller wanting to take parking sign; informed signs are town's property
6:10 p.m. 911 from Lowell Ave.; no answer on callback
6:18 p.m. Group of kids in pickup truck yelling rude remarks in parking lot on Reservoir St.
6:43 p.m. Lowell Ave. party called about 911 call; teaching child to use phone

Saturday, September 18

12:05 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Shrewsbury St.
12:10 a.m. Suspicious person staggering northbound on Highland St.
12:24 a.m. Suspicious person on Main St., blindfolded, no recollection of events; later said event was staged as a result of argument with father
2:56 a.m. Noise heard in Industrial Park
1:09 p.m. Skateboarders on Main St.
1:20 p.m. 911 from Princeton St.; no one there on callback
2:06 p.m. Fox in area of Jamieson Rd.
2:11 p.m. Fox walking down middle of Phillips Rd.; doesn't look sick
2:44 p.m. 911 Suspicious motor vehicle operating aggressively on Main St.
2:58 p.m. Lockout of motor vehicle on Main St.
3:21 p.m. Paxton PD reports party left sink by side of road in Paxton, was headed toward Holden
4:31 p.m. Young kids being excessively loud on FortSumter Dr.
5:09 p.m. Fox in front yard on Dogwood Circle
5:40 p.m. Motor vehicle smoking on Doyle Rd.
9:11 p.m. Two male teens looking in windows of vehicles on Brentwood Dr.
10:51 p.m. Possible fight in parking lot on Main St.

Sunday, September 19

1:05 p.m. Suspicious people on railroad tracks behind Main St. business
6:00 p.m. 911 Caller states parents won't give keys back so she can leave, Cumberland Circle
7:08 p.m. Suspicious person exited vehicle and headed towards water on Reservoir St.
10:18 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on Main St. at Jefferson School

Paxton

Tuesday, September 14

12:08 p.m. Black dog followed woman home and is sitting on her front steps, Grove St.
3:59 p.m. Car lock-out, Congregational Church
4:24 p.m. Small brown dog chasing boy on bike, Walbridge Rd.
4:59 p.m. Party in lobby to turn in solar landscaping light she found in mailbox

Wednesday, September 15

9:09 p.m. Bale of hay in the road, between Nanigian Rd and Spencer town line

Friday, September 17

9:06 p.m. Suspicious auto, Dunkin' Donuts

Saturday, September 18

3:10 p.m. Report that female in a blue van dumped a kitchen sink off the side of Bel Arbor Rd.
4:30 p.m. Walk-in to speak with officer about dogs that scratched his car door, Pond St.
9:45 p.m. Two suspicious vehicles parked on Marshall St, fled at high rate of speed when caller turned light on

Sunday, September 19

11:26 p.m. Suspicious person, Pleasant St.
11:52 p.m. Suspicious auto, Mower St. Dispersed parties.

Princeton

Monday, September 13

8:07 a.m. Walk in to report being passed in no passing zone and car speeding, Hubbardston Rd.
1:12 p.m. Disabled vehicle parked beside road, Rte. 140. Police determine it needs to be removed before dark
1:40 p.m. Two stray dogs, white with brown spots, in yard on Sterling Rd.
1:45 p.m. Request for traffic control due to speeders, Gates Rd.
9:26 p.m. 911 abandoned call, back up requested from Hubbardston and Holden, Calamint Hill Rd. N
9:30 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Tuesday, September 14

9:04 a.m. Glass water bottle with metal inside found at end of driveway on Radford Rd.

Wednesday, September 25

1:30 a.m. Caller hears tapping on side of house and possibly voices outside, Goodnow Rd.
6:21 p.m. Someone in garage possibly taking items, green pickup truck, Merriam Rd.
7:00 p.m. Pickup truck parked beside road for a long time. Found operator talking on cell phone, Merriam Rd.

Thursday, September 16

12:00 a.m. Person came to report a larceny, Merriam Rd.
4:13 p.m. Vehicles parked in crosswalk at the school, Sterling Rd.
11L17 p.m. Suspicious person walking along Calamint Hill Rd. North

Friday, September 17

8:20 p.m. Siberian Husky found in Worcester that has Princeton tag. Dog had been given up for adoption

Saturday, September 18

7:10 p.m. Two dogs in yard on Merriam Rd.
7:32 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Houghton Rd. Person lost
8:59 p.m. Police speak with three males in church parking lot, sent on their way, Worcester Rd.
8:59 p.m. Police transport person to home on Mirick Rd.

Sunday, September 19

12:39 p.m. Police assist with traffic at motorcycle rally, Mountain Rd.
7:58 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot on Rte. 140 North

Rutland

Monday, September 13

12:46 p.m. Five bags of trash dumped in dumpster on Glenwood Rd.
2:50 p.m. 'Shadow' and his buddies loose in neighborhood, Summerhill Dr.
5:09 p.m. Large tank in swamp area, Pleasantdale and Barre Paxton Rds.

Tuesday, September 14

8:40 a.m. Report of young girl hiding behind house, Prouty Lane & Clearview Rd.
4:06 p.m. Lockout, Glenwood Rd.
6:07 p.m. Suspicious call from person claiming to be census taker, Campbell St.

Wednesday, September 15

3:35 p.m. Report of fight between two juveniles near basketball court, Memorial Dr.
4:20 p.m. Walk in to speak with an officer regarding a neighbor problem, Glenwood Rd.
10:09 p.m. Person locked out of bedroom where young child is, Maple Ave.

Thursday, September 16

9:15 a.m. Disabled vehicle in parking lot near Long Pond boat ramps
9:29 a.m. Suspicious person walking between houses, Sycamore Dr. Found to be with landscaping company
9:48 a.m. Caller requesting assistance with lockout of vehicle, Main St.
5:02 p.m. Yellow Labrador mix dog loose in neighborhood, Briarwood Rd.
5:18 p.m. Keys lost, Skyline Dr.

Friday, September 17

3:31 p.m. Resident reports finding a dead skunk in her mailbox, Pleasantdale Rd.
7:20 p.m. Officer wanted regarding issues with neighbor, Clealand Circle
7:19 p.m. Person came to pick up license plate, Main St.
8:50 p.m. Police assist with car lockout, Hillside Rd.

Saturday, September 18

6:14 p.m. Report of two men, one with a ski mask and one with a camera, approached residence on Beechwood Rd.
7:59 p.m. Officer requested while person removes belongings, Maple Ave.
9:42 p.m. Request for officer while person removes belongings, Maple Ave.

Sunday, September 19

7:32 a.m. Report that two mailboxes are missing, John Robert Dr.
10:42 a.m. Report of stolen mailbox, Naquag St.
12:03 p.m. Complaint about dirt bikes racing up and down Sassawanna Rd.
3:55 p.m. Pink cell phone lost, Memorial Dr. Later found

Sterling

Monday, September 13

6:54 a.m. Officer wanted for possible drug activity, Jill Lane
7:32 a.m. Officer requested for ongoing problems between parent and bus driver, Sandy Ridge Rd.
4:31 p.m. Suspicious red vehicle in area of Albright Rd. using some kind of electronic equipment
6:23 p.m. Report of people yelling at each other, Muddy Pond Rd.
8:28 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in yard, argument took place, person left, Redemption Rock Trl.
9:36 p.m. 911 call, yelling in background, person said call was accidental, North Row Rd.
11:02 p.m. Two youths wearing dark clothing walking south on Rte. 12, very hard to see, police asked to speak with them, Leominster Rd./Chocksett Rd.

Tuesday, September 14

8:45 a.m. Report of sick cat in yard, can barely walk, Taft Rd.
3:35 p.m. Person reports being threatened by a gun, report may have been fabricated, Main St.

Wednesday, September 15

10:55 a.m. Very sick cat returned, Taft Rd. Animal control officer picked up cat
4:58 p.m. Report that someone was entering house through a window, Wiles Rd.

Thursday, September 16

3:57 p.m. Caller reports a delivery truck backed into him, Chocksett Rd.
5:08 p.m. Lost golden retrievers, one later returned, the other still missing, Chace Hill Rd.
7:53 p.m. Police respond to scene of disabled vehicle where operator is being belligerent, Beverly Dr.

Friday, September 17

12:38 p.m. Jack Russell Terrier ran off, Stuart Rd.
1:50 p.m. Suspicious activity, paintball activity, five people involved, Heywood Rd.
3:23 p.m. Report of missing five year old, child located at 3:53 p.m., Newell Hill Rd.
5:42 p.m. Young child found wandering in street, Park St. Reunited with father
7:19 p.m. Caller reports someone may be smoking marijuana, Jill Lane
7:21 p.m. Person came in to station for fingerprinting, Leominster Rd.
7:34 p.m. Bull loose on Rte. 190 northbound

Saturday, September 18

11:52 a.m. Several vehicles parked at town beach without stickers, violations issued to all, Hall Ave.

Sunday, September 19

12:14 a.m. Officer wanted to assist with angry family member, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
3:02 p.m. Caller reporting possible drug activity, Rail Trail

Some headlines write themselves

via Stink Bugs Taking Area by Swarm | NBC Washington

Crime in suburbia, special edition

A local Facebook friend waives his 5th amendment rights and reports:

Dept. of Why I hate computers

Spent an hour trying to solve a problem. A person was trying to send email to a domain that I manage, a domain that's uses Google Apps. The help files say that you can set up a whitelist to allow email to come through, but there is no such widget in the apps services area. As I said, I worked on it for an hour while my supper was heating and then cooling in the microwave.

After supper, I came back and found that the email had gone through just fine.
I'm gonna go out and look at the moon and Jupiter, hoping that they don't fall from the sky or something. It's not been an easy day.

Heavens above

I know folks - school administrators, police officers, mental health workers - who are absolutely convinced that their clientele behave much worse during the time of the full moon. The general data shows no statistical correlation. These folks, as they go to work this week, might appreciate the science, but will still be on their guard.
Weather, including high wind, appears to have a more verifiable effect.
Nothing in the skies, however, seems to either increase or diminish the agitated quality of some.

This was an attempt at deicide by Obama....

Obama reached a new height of subversion with his bastardization of these keywords from the Declaration of Independence. That betrayal of the founding document of our country – America's birth certificate, if you will – shows him not only unworthy of the office of the presidency, but unworthy of U.S. citizenship as well.

via Obama's Subversion ~ Bible Prophecy Today

If you identify the error, do you get the job?

hint: The Apostrophe Police | Facebook

10 years gone

My mother died on this day in 2000.

We knew what she believed

She knew that her father loved her.

And, of course, we always knew what finally we needed to know.

My wife's family is a puzzle

Danger in suburbia

The town of Holden is getting pretty good about keeping folks updated on events around town. You can subscribe to news which gets you an email with items of note around town. Through this email, we've learned about road closings, recycling services, library book sales, and the latest incursions of nature into suburbia:

Black bear alert
The Holden Police Department has received several bear sighting reports in local neighborhoods, as well as outlying rural areas. For detailed information, visit the town's website. If you feel a bear is creating a public safety hazard, please call the Holden Police Department at (508) 829-4444.

For more information and suggestions about living with our bear population, visit the Mass Wildlife website.

Sandra and I recently completed the fourth segment of our walk to the center of town, this time walking the 4.7 miles from the Princeton line. We were blithely unaware that we were on a path of peril.

Sightings have been reported near the northern sections of Wachusett Street including Mason Road and Wood Street, and also in the area of Quinapoxet Street, Slipper Hill Lane, Tannery Drive, Cimarron Lane, Fort Sumter Drive, Forest Drive, and the Highland Street end of Nola Drive.
via Black Bear Alert

Yikes. We walked along Wachusett and Highland, squeezing onto the shoulder to avoid cars zipping along on a Sunday. We were so concerned about speeding Christians that we paid no attention to the dangers lurking in woods and yards.

Black bears are generally non-aggressive, but it can be disconcerting to have one near your home. Please follow some common sense guidelines to prevent them from wandering close to houses, such as keeping pets indoors and/or under your control, not feeding pets outside, temporarily bringing in bird feeders, and keeping trash cans indoors. They are also attracted to fresh garbage on compost piles, so you may need to suspend composting for the time being.

I wasn't carrying any fresh garbage on this walk and Marley sat this one out, so we were probably in little danger. Nonetheless, it's a reminder that we're never far from trouble.
Be safe and be alert.

Where can I find a job like this?

No, seriously, where?

Researchers report "We don't know." Film at 11.

A recent Science Daily headline seems unambiguous:
Popular Supplements to Combat Joint Pain Do Not Work, Study Finds
Researchers, we're told, concluded that  two supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, taken to relieve joint pain, do not work.
Reading on, however,we get less clarity. The story shows how the supplements are commonly recommended and even prescribed by physicians. Some patients lobby their insurance providers for reimbursement for the costs of these products.

The authors say that results from existing trials about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin are conflicting. A large scale review of studies was therefore needed to determine whether or not the supplements work.

Hmm. The preliminary review of the data shows inconclusive results. Granted, the researchers do say that there appears to be no discernible effect of the supplements on the joints themselves. The findings also show that the pain reduction is not statistically different from placebo. 

Despite this finding, some patients are convinced that these preparations are beneficial, say the authors. They suggest this might be because of the natural course of osteoarthritis or the placebo effect.

The story's real point, and the one that should have been reflected in the headline, is that there is not sufficient clinical data to warrant insurance reimbursements for these supplements. So, a better title might be:
Don't Reimburse for Popular Supplements, Researchers Recommend

---

BMJ-British Medical Journal. "Popular Supplements to Combat Joint Pain Do Not Work, Study Finds." ScienceDaily 17 September 2010. 18 September 2010 .

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 25 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, September 6

1:35 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Newell Rd.; looking for co-worker’s residence
1:39 a.m. Loud party, Nola Dr.; individuals will quiet down
12:07 p.m. Nola Dr. resident reports egging incident; found whole egg, if PD can take fingerprints; unable to obtain fingerprints from eggs
12:43 p.m. Dog attack on Bullard St. reported; no injuries, dog knocked someone over
2:37 p.m. Small gang of youths setting up skateboard ramp, Bascom Pkwy.
2:46 p.m. Household items dumped off foot bridge, Main St.
5:17 p.m. Caller asking why Mass State Police helicopter flying around; advised to ask state police
5:33 p.m. Two small dogs loose, Main St.
11:28 p.m. Open door at business, Main St.; OK, owner there

Tuesday, September 7

4:27 a.m. Tree blocking roadway, Sawyer Ln.
5:53 a.m. Caller from Sawyer Ln. asking why tree was cut down
6:01 a.m. Caller wants to know if tree was homeowner’s, Sawyer Ln.
6:19 a.m. Caller heard gunshots, Lowell Ave.
7:48 a.m. Greystone Ave. resident concerned about the amount of traffic from detour
8:35 a.m. Oregon Trl. resident wants extra patrols for speeders trying to beat school bus
9:56 a.m. Caller regarding road closed and confusion regarding route
7:12 p.m. Young child running in and out of traffic, Broad St.
11:54 p. m. Vehicle at town pool lot, no one around

Wednesday, September 8

12:19 a.m. Two suspicious people walking on Doyle Rd.
5:55 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Reservoir St.
8:15 a.m. Vehicle rear-ended tractor trailer taking illegal turn
10:32 a.m. Walk-in reports someone stuck a lot of forks in her lawn
11:35 a.m. Wrong-way operator, Shrewsbury St.
12:45 p.m. Suspicious Ninja-style motorcycle, Sycamore Dr.
1:04 p.m. Two suspicious males taking photographs, Pilgrim Dr.
1:54 p.m. Suspicious male seemed to be casing store
5:22 p.m. Male party possibly sleeping in vehicle on Reservoir St.; OK, reading book
6:38 p.m. Dog struck, Heather Cir.
7:29 p.m. Resident reports rabid raccoon on deck; ran into woods, Malden St.
9:18 p.m. Vehicle taking pictures of buildings and looking into windows, Main St.

Thursday, September 9

9:11 a.m. Dog hanging out of window, Park Ave.; owner arrived and freed dog
10:50 a.m. Suspicious truck, Main St.
11:48 a.m. Car hit tree over rock wall, Reservoir St.
2:36 p.m. Fox trying to fight with dogs, Salisbury St.
5:17 p.m. Suspicious fox behind condos, Salisbury St.

Friday, September 10

8:28 a.m. Large black bear in yard, Slipper Hill Ln.
8:32 a.m. Black bear in yard, Tannery Dr.
8:58 a.m. Disabled bus on Main St. with children inside
10:24 a.m. Stop sign on Quinapoxet St. spray painted; sign on Main St. falling over
3:58 p.m. Bus struck tree branch, Main St.
4:25 p.m. Bear in yard eating trash, Windy Ridge Rd.
5:15 p.m. Deceased bobcat in Newell Rd.
6:00 p.m. Well-being check for Broad St. residents; OK, not home
9:11 p.m. Custodian at Mountview requesting assistance with getting youths to leave property

Saturday, Sept. 11

12:58 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Reservoir St.
1:34 a.m. Truck spinning wheels and playing loud music, Main St.
7:25 a.m. Caller questioning gun shots near Union Pond; advised hunting season for bear and goose
7:56 a.m. Caller regarding lost German shepherd, Mill St.; advised brought to humane society
9:58 a.m. Suspicious person going door to door, Holden St. reading Bible; asked to check in with police next time
12:36 p.m. Loose dog, Mason Rd.
1:51 p.m. Skateboard stolen off lawn, Towle Dr.; later returned
4:44 p.m. Two dogs found, Princeton St.
7:07 p.m. Caller complaining too late for candidate going door to door
9:21 p.m. Kids attempting to gain entry to utility box, Main St./Colonial Dr.
9:36 p.m. Suspicious males in vehicle with beers, Main St.

Sunday, September 12

1:04 a.m. Loud party, Birchwood Dr.
1:23 a.m. Suspicious incident, Wachusett St.
2:20 p.m. Cow bell being rung on every big Patriots play, Windy Ridge Rd
2:22 p.m. 911 call about four juveniles asking people to buy them cigarettes
5:25 p.m. Suspicious kids in lot on Holden St. building fire; dispersed
7:01 p.m. Shrewsbury St. resident reports vehicle parked on property since this morning
7:36 p.m. Elderly female called in need of help, Winfield Rd.; didn’t want to answer questions
10:35 p.m. Difficult patient calling, Boyden Rd.

Paxton

Monday, September 6

6:58 a.m. No power, possible transformer problem, Grove St.
2:51 p.m. Wires buzzing and arcing, Holden Rd.
3:08 p.m. Caller’s dog attacked second time by another dog, Keep Ave.
11:11 p.m. Possible dead dog, Rte. 122 near Worcester line; was dead fox

Tuesday, September 7

10:48 a.m. Van with two flat tires in bad location, Indian Hill Rd.
6:10 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Suomi St.

Wednesday, September 8

3:15 p.m. Caller says car swerved toward her, forcing her off the road, Sunset Ln. Requests extra patrols

Thursday, September 9

3:23 p.m. Caller that reported dog attack hasn’t heard from animal control officer, Keep Ave.
9:40 p.m. Caller heard engine revving for 15-20 minutes, Jefferson Dr.
11:18 p.m. Rutland PD requests officer for large party, Maple Ave.

Friday, September 10

8:30 a.m. Person found $40 in the roadway at bus stop, Grove St./Glen Ellen Rd.
2:57 p.m. Police check on suspicious vehicle backed up to another vehicle at residence, Baxter Dr.
4:59 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at building, Pleasant St.
5:34 p.m. Female going into buses and locking doors, Pleasant St.
6:44 p.m. Verbal altercation outside residence, Baxter Dr.

Saturday, September 11

1:57 a.m. Suspicious youths, Mower St., when confronted, took off in vehicle. Several calls about gunshots and car horn
1:54 p.m. Car on fire, Pleasant St./Turkey Hill Rd. Found to be in Rutland

Sunday, September 12

12:07 p.m. Vehicle tailgating caller and making gestures, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, September, 6

4:49 a.m. Gun shots, Mountain Rd.
3:10 p.m. Police assist lost motorist, Fitchburg Rd.
3:19 p.m. Report of gun shots close to home, Calamint Hill Rd. North
5:58 p.m. Police transport individual to business to wait for ride, Hubbardston Road

Tuesday, September 7

5:46 p.m. Bear in yard, Whitaker Ln.

Wednesday, September 8

6:09 a.m. Police remove large branch from roadway, Gates Rd.
4:01 p.m. Bear in yard off and on all week, Lyons Rd.
5:36 p.m. Bear in yard, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Thursday, September 9

8:00 a.m. Bear with tag in ear in back yard, Lovers Ln.
11:59 a.m. Gray and white cat missing, Oak Cir.

Friday, September 10

5:57 a.m. German shepherd found, Dowds Ln.
8:02 a.m. Orange tiger cat found, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Saturday, September 11

3:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Mountain Rd.

Sunday, September 12

2:10 p.m. Suspicious male, Mirick Rd.
5:39 p.m. Emus attacked by coyote; one killed, another injured and loose in neighborhood, Wheeler Rd.
10:35 p.m. Police assist at medical call, Lovers Ln.

Rutland

Monday, September 6

7:08 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Arline Dr.
8:42 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Arline Dr.
8:43 a.m Breaking/entering auto, Bethany Dr.
9:13 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Clearview Rd.
9:55 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Kyle Hunter Cir.
10:48 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Valley View Cir.
11:24 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Valley View Cir.
11:30 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Bethany Dr.
11:40 a.m. Breaking/entering auto, Arline Dr.
12:00 p.m. Walk-in, breaking/entering auto, Simon Davis Dr.
1:49 p.m. Breaking/entering auto, Pommogussett Rd.
2:47 p.m. Four-wheelers on Glenwood Rd.
6:53 p.m. Walk-in to talk about ongoing neighbor issue
7:39 p.m. Report of fireworks near pool area, Maple Ave

Tuesday, September 7

6:54 a.m. Black bear in yard, River Rd.
7:40 a.m. Men hunting on posted family land, Glenwood/Wheeler Rds.
10:13 a.m. Highway superintendent requests officer to view sign placed by relative of landowner, Turkey Hill Rd.
5:44 p.m. Party requesting to speak with officer regarding numerous problems with business owner, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:02 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Maple Spring Dr.
6:26 p.m. Business owner requests officer at his property
6:27 p.m. Complaint of at least six teenagers on playground equipment, using very inappropriate language
6:59 p.m. Owner does not want to make formal complaint about female at his place of business
7:50 p.m. Suspicious white SUV in Grange parking lot. Occupants were checking their tree stands for hunting season

Wednesday, September 8

8:50 a.m. Walk-in reporting that school bus that picks up children on Emerald Ave is leaking, possibly diesel fuel
9:31 a.m. Request to speak with officer regarding car that local garage will not release, Barre Paxton Rd.
2:00 p.m. Party inquiring if her neighbor’s dog has been found, no record of dog missing
6:14 p.m. White SUV with Conn. plates parked in corn field, Main St.
10:31 p.m. Staff member reporting suspicious person in back of residence, Maple Ave.

Thursday, September 9

9:37 a.m. Barking dog, Newman Dr.
5:27 p.m. Dog barked at man in driveway @
3:30 a.m. Party yelled at man and he ran off, Maple Ave. Man is back in area
7:01 p.m. Missing German shepherd, Glenwood Rd.
11:08 p.m. Loud gathering, Maple Ave.

Friday, September 10

12:05 a.m. Same loud gathering, Maple Ave.
9:54 a.m. Walk-in to surrender knives that belonged to his son who no longer lives there
11:10 a.m. German shepherd found, Dowd’s Ln.
12:42 p.m. Caller reports bobcat is living in wooded area behind her house, Forest Hill Dr.

5:50 p.m. Caller reporting silver minivan with Cape and islands plate pulled in between two garages, drove away when he approached. Car occupied by dark-haired male, early 30s
6:23 p.m. Complaint about parking at Central and Naquag schools
10:15 p.m. Caller complaining that someone has been singing in the woods across from her residence for quite a while, Turkey Hill Rd.

Saturday, September 11

1:17 a.m. Suspicious persons, Glenwood Rd.
2:52 a.m. Caller’s neighbor ringing his doorbell, looking for his dog, Campbell St.
8:37 a.m. Injured goose on side of Pommogussett Rd.
8:39 a.m. Private investigations in area, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Emerald Rd.
10:00 a.m. Walk-in says will be soliciting window sales for two hours, Main St.
12:23 p.m. Walk-in reporting will be conducting private investigations, Main St.
5:23 p.m. Scarecrows taken, Prospect St.
8:01 p.m. Loud party, E. County Rd.

Sunday, September 12

12:05 p.m. Caller reporting large hole next to storm drain, Beechwood Rd.

Sterling

Monday, September 6

1:02 a.m. Caller saw two carloads of kids run to their cars, Deborah Ln.
8:04 a.m. Lost dog, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
12:41 p.m. Three vehicles with boat trailers parked in lot without proper resident/visitor tags, Hall Ave. Citation issued.

Tuesday, September 7

1:10 a.m. Vehicle full of people parked with no lights,; same thing happened last night, Patriots Way. Parties moved along.
10:40 a.m. Hawk in closed-in porch, Kendall Hill Rd.; removed by animal control officer
12:23 p.m. Caller followed home by two dogs, Lakeshore Dr.
2:45 p.m. Unoccupied motor vehicle parked in pull-off area, Greenland Rd.
6:01 p.m. Caller discovered trail cut on her property, Colby Rd.

Wednesday, September 8

1:31 p.m. Loose cow in yard, Princeton Rd.
4:16 p.m. Loose horse, Rowley Hill Rd.

Thursday, September 9

9:54 a.m. Walk-in to speak to officer regarding ongoing situation
9:58 a.m. Unattended bicycle off roadway, laid down as if hidden, Boutelle/Bean Rds.
11:48 p.m. Suspicious activity, Acorn Way

Friday, September 10

1:02 a.m. Suspicious activity, Leominster Rd.
8:19 a.m. Motor vehicle at vacant house with recent copper theft, Redemption Rock Trail. OK, friends of owners making repairs
3:12 p.m. Requesting police escort to fairgrounds, Main St.
3:54 p.m. Missing dogs, Kendall Hill Rd.

Saturday, September 11

10:06 a.m. Loose dogs in yard, Rugg Rd.
2:41 p.m. Suspicious youths got out of vehicles and walked between two houses toward power lines, Quail Roost Dr.

Sunday, September 12

12:02 a.m. Caller unable to sleep because someone blowing a Vuvuzela horn repeatedly, Leominster Rd.
12:47 a.m. Caller hears Vuvuzela horn again, Leominster Rd.
11:03 a.m. Loose dog, Tanglewood Rd.
4:14 p.m. Loose dog, Bean Rd.
4:53 p.m. Loose dog still in yard, Bean Rd.
10:13 p.m. Loud disturbance, Redemption Rock Trail

It does not please me to post this

Hurricane Karl

Hurricane Karl made it to major hurricane status, Category 3. According to the definition from NOAA, a Category Three Hurricane has sustained winds of 111-130 mph, 96-113 kt, or 178-209 km/hr. Severity means that Devastating damage will occur.
Let's hope not. The forecast puts Karl onto the Mexican coast mid-day today.

via Tropical Weather : Weather Underground
A note on names.

• There was another Hurricane Karl back in 1998. It didn't amount to much. 
• There are six sets of names for Atlantic hurricanes. The names are used in cycle unless one is particularly devastating. Then, the name is retired. For that reason, there will be only one Katrina, Hortense, Klaus, or Bob. 
• Hurricanes before 1950 didn't have names. The phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charley) was used initially. Starting in 1953, the storms were given women's names. The common comment then was that the storms were unpredictable in direction or intensity. Possibly responding to a dope-slap from some meteorologist's  mother, male names were introduced, first in the Pacific.

Wisecracks

Went to the opening of Wisecracks Comedy Clubs at the Wong Dynasty last night. Yes, folks will be astonished to know that we were out past nine o'clock any night, let alone a weeknight. Truth was, we started out to see the Last Stand at the Little Bighorn presentation at the American Antiquarian Society, but the place was full. (The fire marshal, we were told, wouldn't let any more people in.) When we pulled in to the parking lot at the Wong, we were pleasantly surprised to see Mike and Lynn's car there. We sat with them at the show.
Anyway, good show with young talent working out new routines and personas. Smith himself was very funny with a mix of physical comedy, interaction with Ziggy (a drunk who wandered in from the bar), and new material. (It worked well when, after reading his notes, he said, "That's all I've got on that so far.")
Some of the humor is, well, let's say, I don't think that I've gone there with my mother. But, then, Mike was there with his mother. And, one of the performers is the same age and goes to the same school as our grandson. Oh, and, the aforementioned Ziggy hit on Sandra a couple of times. The night had the potential for getting weird, but didn't.
I went there as a guy on on a night out with his wife, not as a reporter or blogger, so I didn't catch the names of all of the performers. Sorry, guys. You know who you are and you brought good stuff.

They don't know what they're missing

While the Boston Globe reports that students are bypassing their local university system for far-off places (Hampered by years of cuts, Amherst campus struggles to draw ranking Bay State students), the same Globe, by way of the Telegram, quotes a Times of London story that puts the UMass system among the world's elite educational institutions - UMass ranked as one of top 200 universities worldwide. (The Times list is here - University top 200 in full - Times Online)
Granted, the schools mentioned in the earlier Globe article, such as Michigan and North Carolina, ranked higher than UMass. But, given that the tuition costs are double at the out-of-state schools, well, you do the math.

From the Roman Hruska "Regressing to the Mean" files

Delaware Republican senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell did not receive the degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University because she'd not paid her tuition. A cached copy of her campaign web site states: In 1993, I participated in my school’s Cap and Gown ceremony. Yet, the “diploma” in my hand was actually a bursar’s bill for outstanding tuition payments. (The current version of the web site, Christine O'Donnell for U.S. Senate — Fighting For The First State, has no content behind it, except for a link for donations.)
The difficulty that she had with her tuition and student loan loan have become a virtue.

“It took me 12 years to pay off my college degree, my college loans,” she said. “I’m not a trust-fund baby. Most Delawareans can relate to having to work hard to pay for their college education. I was never dishonest about that.”

via O'Donnell Says Rove Is Eating 'Humble Pie' - NYTimes.com

It reminds me of Sarah Palin's defense of Bristol Palin's out-of-wedlock sexual activity and child-birth as strong pro-life statement.

---

Senator Roman Hruska, R-Nebraska, in defense of accusations against Supreme Court nominee Harold Carswell that Carswell was a mediocre intellect, famously said, "Even if he is mediocre there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance? We can't have all Brandeises, Cardozos, and Frankfurters, and stuff like that there." --  http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Nominations.htm

Ideas thrive when unemcumbered by facts

So, I have this project for school. Last night, as I'm skimmed several of the books that will become part of the bibliography, I realized a few things. (The details of the project are interesting, but not essential to my insight.)

• The current literature covers the topic pretty well.
  The major flaw that I've found in one of the key books relates to the quality of typography in the table of contents. The text doesn't quite line up in bulleted lists. (This appears to have been corrected in a later edition.)
• I can work very hard and, at best, produce a mediocre result.
  If the goal was just to write a paper, I could that. The goal, however, was to produce something useful to other people and groups. They would be better served by using the materials already available.
• What seemed like a great project yesterday morning is, now, the inspiration for a lot of bad words.

I was cautioned by a friend who has some good professional experience in this area that this might happen. My advisor and others, however, were enthusiastic. I did enough research to reach the conclusion that the project was a good idea. I'd not done enough research to realize that the project was already done by someone else.
Dunno. What started out as a Thus-and-such for Dummies



via GlitterBell.com
is turning into the Fall 2010 issue of Modern Jackass.

via “Modern Jackass,” Nancy Updike and Ira Glass « BLOGJAM AND WIKIWORLD COMICS by Greg Williams

Saturday's news today

Our local pay-walled daily put up a short news item about a woman who'd been shot by a BB or pellet gun.

see Woman shot in face with BB

Note the T&G symbol, meaning that this is local content for which you have to be a subscriber to view the story.
Fox 25 had the story Saturday evening.

via BB pellet shot through family car

Primary election news in Massachusetts

Secretary of State William Galvin predicts light voter participation in today's primary election. Granted, there are few statewide contests to generate excitement. The top of the ticket is settled for Democrats, Republicans, and independents.  Some local folks are running for the down-ballot positions of treasurer and auditor. (See Elections: 2010 Democratic Primary Candidates and Elections: 2010 Republican Primary Candidates.)
Nonetheless,  with the election as a major civic event and with all else going on in the nation and the world, you might wonder why Fox 25 led last night's newscast with a 1:57 story about a Needham family dog that was shot and killed by a pellet gun.

via Family dog shot and killed

Boston's two dailies don't acquit themselves very well, either.

The Herald has one small story and an editorial

The Globe offers a small blurb many pixels from the top

It's a theme that we'll come back to often. The media doesn't tell us what to think, but they do tell us what to think about.

Please tell me that this is a Karl Rove psyops story

Midterm Bieber fever - PATRICK GAVIN | POLITICO CLICK

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 26 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, August 30

9:13 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Heather Circle
3:26 p.m. Caller reports acquaintance purchased vehicle from couple in Holden and never re-registered vehicle in his own name
3:42 p.m. Erratic driver, Shrewsbury St.
3:54 p.m. Erratic driver, Main St.
7:23 p.m. Dog hit by car, Shrewsbury St.
7:28 p.m. Water main break, Homestead Rd.; several reports of brown water
7:50 p.m. Unsupervised minor off Newell Rd. building teepee

Tuesday, August 31

3:47 a.m. Two suspicious individuals, Princeton St.
7:05 a.m. Four people reported sleeping in woods, Nelson St.; not sleeping, tree crews spraying for beetles
7:52 a.m. Avery Heights day care owner concerned about speeding cars
12:32 p.m. Caller says she saw a UFO a week ago
12:57 p.m. Caller concerned about speed limits in town
1:35 p.m. Questions about construction on Reservoir St.
3:47 p.m. Possible abandoned motor vehicle, Holden St.
5:45 p.m. Sick animal, S. View Rd.
6:55 p.m. Neighbor dispute, Nichols St.; one reports other is drunk
9:00 p.m. Broken bottles in front of St. Mary’s Church

Wednesday, September 1

6:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot, Main St
8:33 a.m. Sign at Pinecroft Ave./Cook St. bent
8:34 a.m. Someone attempted to egg caller’s motor vehicle
9:40 a.m. Brunnell Dr. resident reports vehicle traveling down that road to avoid detour
11:14 p.m. Dog bite investigation, Lovell Rd.
1:33 p.m. Manning St. resident fought with spouse and now walking to Leominster
2:21 p.m. Parties advised to move along from business, Main St.
5:35 p.m. Truck with black exhaust, Manning St.
11:35 p.m. Suspicious vehicles behind business, Main St.; OK, looking at lease property

Thursday, September 2

12:39 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.
7:56 a.m. Upset driver behind school bus, Sherwood Hill Rd.
9:06 a.m. Vehicles driving around school bus, Main St.
10:24 a.m. Truck lost lawnmower, Shrewsbury St.
12:47 p.m. Person ran away from vehicle, leaving female crying, Rte. 68
1:27 p.m. Two men fighting at liquor store
3:08 p.m. Resident found bag of K9 fecal matter on roof, Steele St.
5:39 p.m. Sign blocking view of traffic, Marlen Rd.

Friday, September 3

7:50 a.m. Inquiry regarding shelters for hurricane
8:23 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Jennifer Dr.
9:54 a.m. Lost dog reported; found at 10 a.m.
2:11 p.m. Inquiry about truancy over age 16
2:15 p.m. Possible water main break, Lincoln Ave.; just resident emptying pool

Saturday, September 4

4:08 a.m. Kids tipping over trash barrels, Main St.; apprehended and required to fix every barrel
4:57 p.m. Suspicious people walking dog on railroad tracks off Salisbury St. and breaking things; advised to stay off tracks
5:27 p.m. Suspicious person, Surrey Ln.
6:33 p.m. Lost dog reported; located at 9:26 p.m.
9:47 p.m. Teens on top of wall throwing things in roadway and harassing homes, Main St.; apprehended and required to clean up roadway; parents to pick them up
11:46 p.m. Suspicious kids with skateboards at business, Main St.

Sunday, September 5

10:03 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Manning St.
10:33 p.m. Suspicious youths loitering on Main St.; waiting for a ride
11:40 p.m. Vehicle egged on Nola Dr. by individuals in vehicle

Paxton

Monday, August 30

12:23 a.m. Motor vehicle parked on Pleasant St.
11:51 a.m. Suspicious auto, Nanigian Rd.
12:50 p.m. Possible injured turkey, South Rd.
4:02 p.m. Request to speak to officer about drunk male walking down West St.; does not appear impaired
6:13 p.m. Someone shooting off fireworks, Ashwood Rd.
7:36 p.m. Suspicious people in “huddle” in Worcester County Memorial Park

Tuesday, August 31

12:15 p.m. Suspicious auto traveling through neighborhood with three males, Old Lantern Cir.

Wednesday, September 1

4:47 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Nanigian Rd.
6:31 p.m. Suspicious person selling cleaning products, Brigham Rd.
7:25 p.m. Aggressive solicitor in area, Burtenmar Cir.

Thursday, September 2

3:36 p.m. Solicitor in area, Ridgewood Rd.
3:48 p.m. 911 caller requesting police officer to pizza place in Holden for deaf person; unknown reason
5:54 p.m. 911 caller from Holden reporting power outage; given Holden number
7:37 p.m. Davis Hill Rd. resident reports solicitor in neighborhood

Friday, September 3

7:15 a.m. Dead skunk, Marshall St.
4:16 p.m. Dead skunk reported again; resident wants it picked up because of smell
7:40 p.m. Solicitors in area, Camp St.
8:51 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on Sawmill Rd., Moore State Park
9:22 p.m. Checking on vehicle at farm stand

Saturday, September 4

5:48 p.m. Past incident reported
7:21 p.m. Complaint from Richards Ave. resident regarding solicitors giving homeowners a hard time

Sunday, September 5

1:57 p.m. Solicitors on Orchard Dr. reported less than pleasant
4:36 p.m. 911 hang up; child playing with phone
5:10 p.m. Report of male tampering with water spigots at cemetery
7:47 p.m. Deer struck, Richards Ave.

Princeton

Monday, August 30

10:49 a.m. Large bear rummaging through trash, Forslund Rd. Coal Kiln Rd. callers report bear with blue tag in ear seen in yards

Tuesday, August 31

8:53 a.m. Cell phone found on back deck of home, Oak Cir.
9:13 a.m. Male walking up and down Rte. 62 since 5 a.m. Police transport to Clinton
7:26 p.m. Dog chased large bear into woods, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Wednesday, September 1

7:45 a.m. Above-ground pool solar cover removed during night, could have been moose, Ball Hill Rd.

Thursday, September 2

8:5 a.m. Keys lost between N. Row Rd., Sterling and restaurant on Worcester Rd., Princeton

Friday, September, 3

6:28 a.m. Missing tiger cat, Mountain Rd.
11:18 p.m. Police transport female from Main St. to Old Brooks Station Rd.

Saturday, September 4

8:29 a.m. Two dogs missing. One found, the other seen on Goodnow Rd.
10:24 a.m. Wallet found on E. County Rd. in Rutland turned in at Princeton station
1:22 p.m. Police requested at state reservation for people on motorcycles trying to use closed road, Mountain Rd.
8:12 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Bullard Rd.
9:10 p.m. Gunshots, Rte. 140 N area

Sunday, September 5

8:20 a.m. Damage to wind blades, Westminster Rd.
3:23 p.m. Officer requested to remove people in canoe from pond, Bullard Rd.

Rutland

Monday, August 30

11:02 a.m. Stray, pregnant cat hanging around house, Peters Ave.
5:34 p.m. Hose in back yard cut, officer requested, Juniper Ln.

Tuesday, August 31

6:58 a.m. Person dropped off insurance and discount cards found near cemetery, Main St.
3:19 p.m. Kids throwing water balloons at passing traffic, Main St.
3:34 p.m. Couches dumped on side of E. Hill Rd.
4:15 p.m. Suspicious male selling product door-to-door, Oakridge Dr.
4:29 p.m. Suspicious male going door-to-door trying to sell product in spray bottle, Clearview Rd.
4:42 p.m. Person at station to report large fight at school, Main St.
5:42 p.m. Suspicious male trying to sell cleaning solution, Main St.
8:10 p.m. Newborn kitten under car, Victoria Ave.

Wednesday, September 1

6:57 a.m. Two dogs jumped into car, Main St.
12:33 p.m. Barking dog complaint, Blueberry Ln.
3:10 p.m. “Very pushy” solicitor going door-todoor, Joanna Dr.
4:42 p.m. Door-to-door salesman harassing people, Brook Haven Dr.
5:51 p.m. Black bear in back yard, E. County Rd.

Thursday, September 2

10:37 a.m. Suspicious male on back deck of home, possibly sales person, Joanna Dr.
12:50 p.m. Clipboard found in road, Carly Cir.
4:46 p.m. Large black bear on back deck of home, Paddock Rd.
7:10 p.m. Suspicious phone call, Glenwood Rd.
8:34 p.m. Officer requested, tenants moved out and left items behind, Maple Ave.

Friday, September 3

9:50 a.m. Ongoing dog issue between neighbors, William Cir.
3:37 p.m. Two cats missing, Ridge Rd.
11:17 p.m. Spencer PD advising of car possibly suspicious, headed toward Rutland

Saturday, September 4

9:46 a.m. Small white dog running in E. County Rd.
1:57 p.m. Vandalism to mailbox, beer cans in driveway, on East County Rd.
3:42 p.m. Person installing mailbox at end of driveway watched for more than an hour by person in unfamiliar vehicle, Pommogussett Rd.
5:00 p.m. Three loose dogs on rail trail
6:31 p.m. Officer wanted regarding people cutting down trees, Marjorie Ln.
8:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of house, Joanna Dr.
8:37 p.m. Report of someone doing “burnouts” on Inwood Rd.
8:46 p.m. Someone ringing doorbells in neighborhood, Oakridge Dr.
10:37 p.m. Police check on individuals, Main St.

Sunday, September 5

7:13 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about parking at Long Pond
8:42 a.m. Someone sleeping in car by church, Main St.
9:38 a.m. Missing, older dog, hard of hearing, Emerald Rd.
10:02 a.m. Loose dog in yard, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:05 p.m. Gunshots, Intervale Rd.
9:26 p.m. Deceased black cat, Miles Rd.

Sterling

Thursday, September 2

8:16 a.m. Lost set of keys, Justice Hill Rd.
10:46 a.m. Caller reports a raft has drifted onto her property, some animal is living under it and is getting aggressive, Newell Hill Rd.
12:57 p.m. Beagle/Bassett named Bubbles has escaped yard, Kendall Hill Rd.
9:38 p.m. Dead bobcat in road, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
11:51 p.m. Someone was ringing caller’s doorbell, Bean Rd.

Friday, September 3

8:05 a.m. DPW requests officer to sand pit for an opinion, Leominster Rd.
9:09 a.m. Three black Labradors loose on Chace Hill Rd.

Saturday, September 4

4:37 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Osgood Rd.
8:32 a.m. Caller reports that past two trash days a blue and white pick-up truck has deliberately struck her trash cans at end of driveway
12:11 p.m. Two parking violations, Hall Ave.
3:02 p.m. Caller reports 75 youths blocking roadway, Upper N. Row Rd. About 75 cars were in field for Pop Warner game, but no children in roadway.
7:30 p.m. Deer hit on Metropolitan Rd.

Sunday, September 5

7:04 a.m. Car on stone wall, Meetinghouse Hil Rd.
6:04 p.m. Lost springer spaniel, Redemption Rock Trail
8:11 p.m. Report of fireworks, Maple St./Kendall Hill Rd.
8:49 p.m. Lost Labrador terrier, Princeton Rd.

Someone won't be hungry

As you know, I've been involved in Joseph's Project, a non-profit group that delivers food to families in need in the Wachusett area.
Recently, a local teenager had a 16th birthday party. Instead of gifts for herself, she asked her assembled friends to make a donation to Joseph's Project. This week, she dropped by and gave us a check for $1,000 and gift cards worth $150.
Excuse me, I think I've got something in my eye.