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Paddlers make waves at annual Middleboro canoe race

MIDDLEBORO – Canoers managed to stay right-side up in their boats, but that doesn’t mean Middleboro’s annual canoe race on Saturday, May 3 was all smooth sailing. Only eight boats participated in the race this year, likely since the event was...

From Town Meeting: Middleboro OKs budget, public projects, delays zoning change

MIDDLEBORO — Voters approved the $122.4 million town budget and several projects, while postponing action on a proposed zoning restriction, at the Monday, April 28 Town Meeting. Notable items in the budget include $41.7 million for school spending...
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Middleboro Water Commission study group volunteers needed

MIDDLEBORO — The town of Middleboro is looking for volunteers to join a new committee that will study whether the town should create a separate, elected Water Commission. The group will report back to the Select Board with a...

Teacher, principal, superintendent: Barbara Starkie comes full circle in FreeLake School District

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Starkie may have only spent 17 days in the superintendent’s office at Apponequet Regional High School, but she’s spent 25 years on the campus. The Freetown-Lakeville School Committee appointed Starkie as interim superintendent in...

Lakeville, Middleboro part of meeting to support senior centers

LAKEVILLE — Representatives from the Lakeville and Middleboro councils on aging were among those who attended an April 15 gathering at the Lakeville Senior Center to discuss ways to raise money for senior centers, among other topics. Thirty-seven...

Budget changes avoid cutting four Lakeville firefighters

LAKEVILLE — Four firefighter positions are back in the proposed Lakeville budget for next year, Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth told Select Board members at their April 28 meeting. He and Town Accountant Michael Ellis made some moves within the...

Middleboro Town Meeting tackles water system improvement, PFAS

MIDDLEBORO — Voters approved a slew of measures aimed at improving the water system and addressing PFAS — also known as "forever chemicals"— at Town Meeting on Monday, April 28. In 2024, one of Middleboro’s largest wells tested above a new state...

Middleboro Town Meeting voters allow guns in municipal buildings

MIDDLEBORO — After contentious debate, Middleboro voters narrowly decided to continue allowing firearms in municipal buildings at the Monday, April 28 Town Meeting. The restriction that voters struck down was part of a state law titled “An Act...

Middleboro Finance Committee members accuse each other of open meeting law violations

MIDDLEBORO — Tensions continued at the April 24 Finance Committee meeting after members John Barrella and Matthew Phillips filed complaints alleging other members of the committee violated open meeting law. On April 14, the Finance Committee held a...

Help needed to hang Hometown Heroes banners

The Middleboro veterans office is seeking volunteers to help place banners in town that depict local veterans. The Hometown Heroes banners will be placed starting at 9 a.m. at Middleboro Town Hall Saturday May 17, which is Armed Forces Day. To sign...

Volunteers needed to replace flags on veterans’ graves

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro veterans office is looking for volunteers to help replace veterans flags at local cemeteries. The flags will be replaced May 3, with a rain date of May 10. A volunteer breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. at the Middleboro...

On the wings of love, Scouts boost butterflies

LAKEVILLE — The simple beating of a butterfly’s wings can lead to significant changes many miles away. Members of Brownie Troop 77318 from Lakeville and Freetown are hoping their actions prove that the theory — sometimes referred to as the butterfly...

Lakeville Democratic Town Committee to select delegates

LAKEVILLE — The Lakeville Democratic Town Committee will hold its caucus on Saturday, May 10, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Public Library, 4 Precinct Street. The caucus will select delegates to attend the state Democratic convention in...

Member sought for Lakeville Economic Development Committee

LAKEVILLE — The Select Board is still looking for one more at large member to serve on the Economic Development Committee. The Committee will focus on several key initiatives to support Lakeville’s economic growth. These include identifying changing...

Members needed for Lakeville Town Hall Building Reuse Subcommittee

LAKEVILLE — The Select Board is looking for three at large members of the public to serve on the Town Hall Building Reuse Subcommittee. The duties of the subcommittee are to consider a comprehensive analysis of current conditions and potential...

Children roar with eggs-citement at Lions Easter egg hunt

LAKEVILLE — A whistle blew and the egg-cellent adventure began. A week after bad weather cancelled the original plan, the Lions Club Easter egg hunt was greeted by warmer temperatures and enthusiastic egg searchers. Children in varying age groups...

Got to collect ‘em all: Middleboro springs into Easter

As the countdown hit zero hundreds of kids charged forward in an Easter egg frenzy, scooping up more than 5,000 thousand colorful candy-filled eggs in minutes. The event, hosted by Middleboro Meeting House Church, took place the morning of Saturday...

Middleboro Town Meeting to address PFAS, budget, recreation projects and more

MIDDLEBORO — Voters will address water system improvements, project spending, and several routine budget items at the April 28 Town Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Middleboro High School. Town Meeting attendees will also consider local gun...

He otter be more grateful: Animal claps back at rescuer

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Animal Control Officer David Frates was sad to see an otter laying on the side of the road. The animal had apparently been struck by a car and Frates feared it was dead. But in fact the otter was still breathing. Frates gave...

Seniors have Wicked good time at movie screening

LAKEVILLE — Some were good witches, some were bad but all had a good time when “Wicked’’ was screened recently at the Lakeville Council on Aging. Staff members attended in character. Administrative Assistant Cheryl Walters was Glinda, Clerk Karen...

Bees and garden beds: Soule Homestead to host events

MIDDLEBORO — Soule Homestead Education Center is hosting two upcoming events to reflect the spring planting and growing season. An organic gardening workshop will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. April 26. This program is geared towards beginners, but...

Finance Committee member ordered not to contact Town Manager

MIDDLEBORO — Finance Committee member John Barrella has been accused of “constant harassment’’ of Town Manager James McGrail and ordered to have no further communication with him. Select Board Chair Mark Germain wrote in an e-mail, supported by...

Lakeville considers rehiring previous Town Planner as consultant

LAKEVILLE — The Select Board discussed rehiring former Town Planner Nancy Durfee as an interim-consultant to the Planning Board. In January 2025 the town hired Durfee to fill the role of Town Planner. However, on March 24, she left the Lakeville...

Hooked on herring: Festival celebrates fish journey

MIDDLEBORO — People gathered in Middleboro to watch the herring complete their trek up the Nemasket River, at the annual Herring Run Festival on Saturday, April 13. Crowds braved the rain on Saturday afternoon to take part in an event, held at...

Sunny spirits despite rainy weather at Easter Bunny event

MIDDLEBORO —The Easter Bunny hopped between the raindrops to Middleboro on Saturday, April 12. Though the annual Meeting House Church egg hunt on the town hall lawn was postponed until April 19, families still got in the Easter spirit thanks to the...

Like busy bees, volunteers create buzz by helping seniors

LAKEVILLE — Nearly 100 volunteers drove more than 17,000 miles to deliver more than 10,000 meals in 2024 for the Lakeville Council on Aging. About 100 rides totaling nearly 6,000 miles were provided by volunteers to medical appointments. These...

Two eggs-cellent chances to hunt for Easter goodies April 19

Easter egg hunts fans will have twice as much to celebrate Saturday, April 19. The Lakeville Lions Club will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Lions clubhouse, 170 Main St., Lakeville. Children 9 and younger...

Transfer station stickers on sale

LAKEVILLE — Transfer Station stickers are available for purchase. The cost remains $70 for the first vehicle and $10 for each additional vehicle. Stickers can be purchased in-person or online through the Lakeville Department of Public Works website...

Descendants sought for Middleboro soldier killed in World War I

Veterans’ Service officials are asking for the public’s help in locating any living descendants of Sgt. Simeon L. Nickerson, a World War I soldier killed in action on July 23, 1918, whose bravery saved the lives of many in his company. Nickerson,...

Changes in downtown Easter plans due to wet forecast

MIDDLEBORO — Due to predicted inclement weather, the Middleboro Merchants have changed the time of their Easter event Saturday April 12 and some of the details. The event will now begin at 10 a.m. with the Easter bunny available for free photos from...

Herring festival puts spotlight on Middleboro’s beloved fish

MIDDLEBORO — One of Middleboro’s most famous natural resources, the herring, will be celebrated at the annual Herring Run Festival to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 at Oliver Mill Park, Route 44 and Nemasket...

Two newcomers defeat incumbent for Lakeville Select Board

LAKEVILLE — Newcomers Christopher Plonka and Paul Hunt won Select Board seats in the April 7 Town Election, defeating incumbent Evagelia “Lia” Fabian. The election filled the two available Select Board positions after former member Brynna Donahue...

Middleboro Select Board replaces Cultural Council

MIDDLEBORO —- The Select Board rescinded all current appointments to the Cultural Council and replaced them with five new members at their Monday, April 7 meeting. “The past couple of months we’ve had issues with the Cultural Council itself, we’ve...

Researchers talk PFAS and how residents can avoid them

MIDDLEBORO — In 2024, Middleboro declared that one of its largest public wells tested above a new state standard for the concentration of PFAS, or perfluoralkyl and polyfluoroalyl substances, in water. Since then, forever chemicals have been a...

Giovanoni, Pike win Middleboro Select Board seat; Breen and Benson to serve on School Committee

MIDDLEBORO — Brian Giovanoni and William Pike secured seats on the Select Board in the April 5 Middleboro Town Election, while newcomer Shannan Breen and incumbent Christopher Bensen won positions on the School Committee. Giovanoni and Pike defeated...

Lakeville could cut four firefighters amid budget struggles

LAKEVILLE — Four firefighter positions could be cut from next year’s Lakeville budget as the town tackles several fiscal challenges, Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth told the Select Board at their March 31 meeting. The firefighter positions had...

Middleboro, Lakeville headed to the polls

Voters in Middleboro and Lakeville will be heading to the polls for the annual town elections in both communities. Middleboro town elections will be held Saturday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Lakeville town elections will be held on Monday,...

New home for non-profit helping the homeless

Turning Point of Wareham has found a new home to continued their work of helping the homeless in Middleboro and beyond. Turning Point is a non-profit based in Wareham that provides support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or are...

Eighth graders are bringing the heat

Eighth graders at Mullein Christian Hill Academy in Lakeville have been learning about fire science from Lakeville Fire Lieutenant Ryan Sylvia and on March 27, the kids got to hop in a firetruck. The eighth graders were are making a video telling...

Middleboro Elks honor local student writers

Hundreds of essays poured into the Middleboro Elks Lodge from Mullein Christian Hill Academy students and the lodge selected the eight best to honor as part of their patriotism essay contest. The contest was for sixth through eighth grade students...

Seniors have IT: Graduates of digital literacy course celebrated

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville seniors learned to become more comfortable with their laptops through a recent inaugural Digital Literacy program at the Lakeville Council on Aging. Participants who completed the course were honored at a Digital Literacy...

Rabies clinic scheduled April 5 in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Board of Health and Lakeville Animal Hospital are sponsoring a rabies clinic Saturday, April 6 at the Highway Barn, 6 Montgomery St. Fee is $10 per dog or cat. Dogs are welcome from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cats can be seen from 3 to 3:...

Middleboro Democrats to host caucus April 12

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Democratic Town Committee will hold a caucus on Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at the Massachusetts Archeological Society’s Robbin’s Museum, 17 Jackson St. The caucus will select nine delegates and four alternative...

Girl Scouts shine light on mental health for Silver Award

MIDDLEBORO — Lily Silva, Mackenzie Nelson, Paige Silva, and Sophia Terrizzi of Middleboro Girl Scout Troop 62922 recently completed their Silver Award project on Self-Care and Mental Health. The Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout...

Lakeville Select Board candidates tackle issues at forum

LAKEVILLE — Attracting new businesses to town, keeping costs down and the town’s involvement in the former Lakeville Hospital site were among the subjects discussed by select board hopefuls during a candidates forum held March 24 at the Lakeville...

Three run for two seats on Lakeville Select Board

With two seats on the ballot, three candidates are vying for a on Lakeville Select Board as the Tuesday, April 7 town election approaches. Candidates recently sat down with reporter Leighah Beausoleil to discuss why they are running, their goals and...

Middleboro MBTA station opens as line extends to South Coast

MIDDLEBORO — The new Middleboro train station is officially on track as part of the newly launched South Coast Rail. The Middleboro Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) station opened Monday, March 24, serving as a stop on the service...

Fernando wins coveted crown of Soule sweetheart

MIDDLEBORO _ The votes are in and Fernando has been crowned the king of the goats. In a yearly fund-raiser, Soule Homestead Education Center sponsors a contest to determine the Soule Sweetheart 2025 crown. This year, Fernando received more votes...

Middleboro Elks honor Joseph Arruda as Citizen of the Year

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Elks have honored Joseph Arruda as their Citizen of The Year. The award was presented March 9 by Exalted Ruler Laura O’Connor. Arruda donated all the materials, labor, and supplies to build the new baseball fields in Wood...

Program on April 2 to discuss how to deal with PFAS issue

MIDDLEBORO — How much should people worry about “forever chemicals”? And what can they do about them? Two experts on this class of chemicals will be speaking on “How to Reduce PFAS in Your Home and in Our Town,” on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m., at...

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