News

Supreme Court won’t hear ‘two genders’ T-shirt case

MIDDLEBORO — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of a student at Nichols Middle School in Middleboro who was instructed to remove a T-shirt with the words “There Are Only Two Genders.” The court's decision on Tuesday, May...

Memorial Day marches through Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO — A National Guard Humvee trundled behind the Nichols Middle School marching band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” as the Memorial Day parade made its way through downtown Middleboro on May 26. The National Guard and the middle...
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‘I’d like to run him home’: Middle school principal runs 32 memorial miles

“It’s not about me. It’s about Tyler, his memory, and doing hard things for our kids — they pay attention,” said Jacqueline Francisco after finishing a 32-plus-mile memorial run on May 25. Francisco, principal of Freetown Lakeville Middle School,...

Girl Scouts join in Memorial Day remembrance

Girl Scouts from several troops in Lakeville and Freetown replaced the flags at White Cemetery in Freetown as part of the areas Memorial Day remembrance. Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Board of Directors member Michelle Hecht said troops “...

Clearly better: Clear Pond Park could see extensive renovations

LAKEVILLE — An improved parking lot, better beach access, a fishing pier, hammocks and a zipline — these are just some of the improvements that may be in store for Clear Pond Park. An engineering firm contracted by the town presented an initial...

Select Board puts a bow on Middleboro High School project

MIDDLEBORO — More than four years after the first students entered the new Middleboro High School, the final bell has officially rung on the construction project. In the end the project cost was nearly $7 million less than had been anticipated,...

Lakeville Select Board won’t hold special election to fill vacant seat

LAKEVILLE — The Select Board has decided against holding a special election to fill Brian Day’s seat following his resignation two weeks ago. At the board’s meeting on Monday, May 19, members discussed the possibility of calling a special election...

Rotary club donation fills book boxes

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro/Lakeville Rotary Club recently received a donation of three boxes of children's books to help stock its nine Little Book Boxes located throughout the community. “Once again, a caring individual answered the club's call...

A place for community: Lakeville Day takes over Ted Williams Camp

LAKEVILLE — There’s more to Ted Williams Camp than athletic fields. The green space can accommodate runners, walkers and people just looking to relax on a nice day, Park Commission member Melissa Turcotte said. “People see Ted Williams Camp as a...

Town honors Middleboro’s heroes

MIDDLEBORO — Many Middleboro streets are now lined with star-spangled banners. The hanging banners feature images of genuine stars of the community: Veterans who have served in the military, from the Revolutionary War to today. The Revolutionary War...

Lakeville seeks associate Planning Board member

LAKEVILLE — The Select Board is seeking letters of interest from residents who would like to serve as an associate member on the Planning Board. This is a one-year term and offers an opportunity to learn about the Planning Board’s responsibilities...

Shear fun at Soule Homestead Sheep Day

MIDDLEBORO — Using short blasts on a red whistle, Mike Perry directed Tex the border collie around a field at Soule Homestead on Saturday, May 17. Perry, Tex and a third border collie Dakota were conducting a sheep herding demonstration — part of...

Talented community members raise food pantry funds

LAKEVILLE — A sold-out crowd filled the ballroom at Oak Point on Saturday, May 10, for “Oak Point’s Got Talent,” a talent show sponsored by the community’s Car Club. The event raised $3,949 for the Sacred Heart Food Pantry through ticket sales,...

Rotary Club takes on outdoor spring cleaning

MIDDLEBORO — Members of the Middleboro/Lakeville Rotary Club recently completed a cleanup and landscaping project at the John F. Glass Square “Island,” a traffic island the club has adopted for ongoing maintenance. Volunteers spent several...

Sacred Heart Food Pantry receives healthy heartfelt donations

MIDDLEBORO — The Sacred Heart Food Pantry recently received donations of personal care items and Girl Scout cookies through contributions from Elks Lodge #1274 and the Girl Scouts of America. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the...

Attorney general rejects rezoning aimed at preventing development

MIDDLEBORO — Last year, Town Meeting voters agreed to rezone the area around the former Meadowbrook Drive-in property in an effort to prevent commercial development — recently the attorney general rejected that decision. The land in question...

Brian Day resigns from Lakeville Select Board

Lakeville Select Board member Brian Day resigned Friday, May 2, effective immediately. “Due to recent changes in personal and career responsibilities, I no longer have the time to focus on municipal issues with the level of dedication I expect of...

Middleboro volunteers place memorial flags at veterans’ graves

MIDDLEBORO — More than 60 volunteers gathered to place memorial flags at the gravesites of veterans throughout Middleboro on Saturday, May 3. Children, Boy Scouts and senior citizens, joined together to honor those who served in the armed...

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...

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...

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...

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