Latest Globe Local headlines

A bobcat is seen in Methuen, a car gets pulled out of a pond in Groton, and other odd tales from local police blotters. 

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone recently named Ted Louis-Jacques to serve as the city’s next director of veterans services. 

Expecting a greater demand during the coronavirus crisis, food pantries are quickly adapting their operations to help protect their clients and volunteers from the disease. 

The Newton-based organization's mission is to collect and distribute household items free of charge to anyone in need. 

Decades after winning awards for “The Dark is Rising” series, Susan Cooper is still writing. Her latest book is “The Shortest Day.”  

Nicole Banks, who previously led the recreation department in Westwood for seven years, took over Newton’s department in February. 

The state has awarded $420,000 to 75 communities to buy machines that clean smoke and toxic chemicals from firefighting gear. 

Rotary spokesman Dennis Zaia said that while lots of other group activities are being canceled to avoid possible exposure to the new coronavirus, the Kenberma Sweep was deemed to be safe. 

A West Concord assisted living community is undergoing an expansion and renovation with the help of state financing.  

Stacey Mulroy, who was recreation director in Arlington, assumed her new position in Needham on Feb. 24.  

Bulldozers knocked down a wing of the old Gates Middle School in Scituate to make room for a new senior center. 

The event, set for 9 a.m. to noon at 211 Bridge St., is the ninth in a continuing series of sessions that began in 2017. 

Lawrence General Hospital staff will be better prepared to avoid and respond to violent incidents with the help of new funding.  

The Leonard Florence Center for Living was the nation’s first urban “Green House” skilled nursing residence serving people with ALS and multiple sclerosis.  

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The Natick Board of Selectmen recently signed an agreement with a builder seeking to construct a mixed-use development on the downtown site of the former St. Patrick’s school.  

The New England Free Jacks, a professional rugby team, will play its inaugural home game on March 14 at the sports complex in Union Point.  

The public is invited to the Sandpaper Factory in Rockland on March 15 for a Spring Artist Fair sponsored by the 4th Floor Artists group. 

A group looking at regional transportation needs for older people will hold a focus group at the Milton Council on Aging on Monday, March 9, to find out what local seniors think. 

Needham is getting some help from students at Babson College in assessing how well the town’s economy is doing. 

Acton will be able to advance plans to remove the River Street Dam and restore the brook that runs beneath it with the help of a new $112,500 state grant. 

Somerville residents have a chance to hear an update on the city’s high school building project at a community meeting on March 16.  

The Peabody Education Foundation has found a way to honor the memory of the city’s late school superintendent Cara E. Murtagh, who died suddenly last Nov. 29 at the age of 44.  

Lawrence General Hospital recently concluded its search for a new president and chief executive officer when it named Deborah J. Wilson to the position.  

The senior guard is the lone starter from Massachusetts for the top-ranked program in Division 3. 

The two-time Division 2 All-American soccer player carries the same determination in his position as a firefighter in Nashua, N.H.  

There is plenty of confidence as Hingham heads to this year’s States at Berkshire East on March 4. 

Diane Welch in Arlington and Nancy Bersani in Milton shared the Animal Control Officer of the Year award for 2019. 

Outdoor enthusiast Eliot Goodwin offering classes on skills needed at DCR’s Camp Nihan Education Center. 

The defending state boys’ and girls’ champions will be challenged on the Prospect Mountain course at Tuesday’s state final.