The Yankee Xpress and Blackstone Valley Xpress

10/01/2025

09/22/2025

As part of the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Voices and Votes Exhibit, we are pleased to invite you ...

Monday 9/22 Local historical society experts present "How Ephemera Tells the Story" Do you have campaign pins, election signs or other "ephemera" associated with sharing your voice? Bring it along and join us for some "show and tell" when we'll hear some amazing local stories!
7 p.m. at the E.N. Jenckes Store Museum at 283 Main Street Douglas
NOTE: Special Hour: The exhibit at 29 Depot Street will be open from 6pm - 7pm for those wishing to see it before the program.

09/06/2025

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT FOR NORTH CENTRAL WINDHAM...SOUTHEASTERN WORCESTER...SOUTHWESTERN NORFOLK AND SOUTH CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES

At 503 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Holliston, or
near Milford, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
trees and power lines.

Locations impacted include...
Worcester, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Natick, Franklin, Milford,
Westborough, Grafton, Webster, Ashland, Bellingham, Auburn,
Northbridge, Hopkinton, Oxford, Holliston, Uxbridge, Millbury,
Charlton, and Medway.

Hope everyone came through safely!

09/03/2025

Through Sept. 5 drop off your unused craft supplies at the Charlton Public Library in time for the Craft Supply Swap on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Supplies that will be accepted are arts and crafts materials only (fabrics, yarn, paper, patterns, tools, beads, etc.) These items must be able to be reused (new or gently used, not expired).
We cannot accept opened liquids such as paints, chemicals and glue. We will not be accepting office supply donations (binders, file organizers, etc.)
Stop by and take whatever you need for free!
Charlton Public Library is located at 40 Main Street in Charlton, Massachusetts.

08/25/2025

We'll get word tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 26) on whether the lake will re-open for swimming.
MDPH collected a water sample from Webster Lake on Tuesday (8/19). Laboratory analysis showed cyanobacteria levels of the following:
Webster – Middle Basin 4,700 cells/mL
Webster – North Basin 6,300 cells/mL
Webster – South Basin 8,900 cells/mL
These levels are below the MDPH guideline level of 70,000 cells/ml. The toxin microcystin was non-detect (

08/22/2025

Museum on Main Street: Voices & Votes: Democracy in America is a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit based on the Museum of American History's permanent exhibit, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. Voices & Votes will turn the Douglas Municipal Center Gymnasium into a miniature exhibit from Saturday, September 13 through October 25 and will explore the action and reaction, vision and revision, that democracy demands as Americans continue to question how to shape the country.

Along with the exhibit, throughout the six weeks, there will be presentations, reenactments, conversations, contests and much more. To learn more about the exhibit, please visit www.mysfpl.org/moms.

08/13/2025

Warrant opens Aug. 18 for Auburn's fall town meeting.

08/11/2025

🚦 Town-Wide Traffic & Safety Concerns 🚦

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several residents come in to speak with me directly about traffic and safety issues happening throughout town, and I want you to know that I take these concerns seriously.

We’ve been hearing a consistent message: drivers are rolling through stop signs, speeding, and failing to slow down at intersections. At the same time, we’re seeing reports of kids riding bikes in the middle of the road and even playing “chicken” with oncoming vehicles. Both sides of this issue are creating frustration and more importantly, real safety risks.

If you’re a parent, please take a few minutes to talk with your kids about staying out of the road, riding safely, and being aware of traffic. We’ve got to look out for one another before something preventable turns tragic.

From an enforcement side, we do what we can, but our staffing remains limited. A recent study confirmed we're below recommended levels, and the Proposition 2½ override, which would have allowed us to add officers, didn’t pass. That’s made it harder to keep a regular enforcement presence at every trouble spot.

That said, I want to be clear we’re not ignoring the problem. These intersections are on our radar, and I appreciate those who’ve come in to speak with me directly. Those conversations help guide where we focus our limited resources, and I encourage anyone with concerns to continue reaching out.

We’ll keep doing everything we can with the resources we have and your continued support makes all the difference.

Chief Daniels

08/08/2025

The Dudley Town Beach was closed to swimming on August 6 due to a high bacteria count. The beach will re-open when the counts are healthy.

08/05/2025

Grafton Police Department's celebration of National Night Out starts in just two hours from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. All are invited.
The event will be held on the grounds adjacent to the Grafton Police Station. There will be games and prizes for children and adults as well as literature on crime prevention, drug awareness, fraud, personal safety, health, emergency preparedness and fire prevention. Citizens will also have the opportunity to speak with police and town officials about problems or concerns in their neighborhood.
There will be a display of police cruisers, motorcycles, seized drug paraphernalia and fire department vehicles. Other local and state and law enforcement agencies will also be participating. Free pizza, hot dogs, pies and other refreshments will also be available. Throughout the event, we will be giving away prizes donated to us by area businesses