by Steev Riccardo

Webster - Bartlett Junior/Senior High School held its first-ever open house showcase at the school on Wednesday, February 6, from 6:30-8:30. 

The school was open to the general public and featured booths set up throughout the building, including the cafeteria and gymnasium, showcasing activities that were run by both students and teachers.

Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas said the night, which was the brainchild of Bartlett Principal Steven Knowlton, was a huge success and gave the public the opportunity to see all the great things that are happening at the high school.

WEBSTER -- On Thursday, February 7, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Webster Police received a call from 37 Maple Street on the third floor. It was reported that several males had broken into the apartment and threatened the three juvenile occupants inside. One of the occupants was believed to be armed with a meat cleaver.

After an investigation by Officer James Young Jr and Detective Gordon Wentworth, Webster Police arrested the following for Home Invasion and Conspiracy.

WEBSTER – Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, the Webster Board of Selectmen, the Webster Redevelopment Authority and Carol Cyr, Town Administrator John McAuliffe and the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) are excited to announce that the Town of Webster has been granted the necessary $3.9 million in Department of Community and Housing Development (DHCD) housing subsidies to finance a $19.5 million proposal that will convert the historic A.J. Sitkowski School into 66 units of senior housing and a senior/community center.

The long-vacant 88,000 sq. ft. Sitkowski School is an important component of the Town’s on-going redevelopment of downtown Webster which will include a new police station, a proposed new library, and infrastructure improvements such as a pocket park, a proposed French River walkway, more municipal parking, private eating establishments and additional private sector investments.

Text by Steev Riccardo; Patriot staff photos. More photos follow

WEBSTER – The Quaboag Cougars, led by the outstanding scoring duo of senior guard Thomas Jankins and sophomore forward Jake Wisniewski, knocked off the Bartlett Indians for the fifth time in the last two seasons and in the process kept them from winning a SWCL championship on Tuesday (February 5) 74-62 in front of a big crowd at the Bartlett gym.

The Indians, who are 11-3 in their division and 12-5 overall, could still gain the SWCL title if they win their final two games and the Cougars, also 11-3, loses at least one of their two remaining SWCL games. If the Indians had beat the Cougars Tuesday, they would have been in a much better position, but it didn’t happen.

Nuisance properties also on the agenda

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER -   Webster Board of Health Agent Cathleen Liberty is concerned that the new laws and regulations regarding the legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts are still too convoluted. The state has yet to issue final regulations for possession of medical marijuana and the registration of up to 35 treatment centers. Up to five dispensaries could be located in Worcester County. The board discussed the issue at its meeting on Monday.

The board also questioned how existing tobacco rules may apply to marijuana usage, such as where it can be smoked or ingested, sold, dispensed, and contained. The key word at this point is “may.”

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - Two dangerous dog hearings were held during the Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday February 4, due to injuries sustained by three residents in town. On November 20, 2012, Kim Moberg was attacked while running when a dog owned by Sean and Amy hazard broke its leash and escaped through a fence. Moberg, who was bitten several times, spent a week in the hospital and contracted a bone infection due to the bites. She is also undergoing therapy for her left hand. Moberg stated that she has run by the home on her usual route for the last eighteen months. Every time she has run by the home in the last six months, the dog barks “viciously.”

WEBSTER --The Webster Cultural Council has announced the awarded grants for the year 2013.

A total of $6600 has been approved, pending final approval from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in March.

The council has undergone a renovation, is looking for additional members, and will be accepting grant proposals again in August of 2013 for the following year.  Any art programs, humanities, science and related areas that benefit the community of Webster will be considered.  It is the effort of local volunteers to this town committee that makes this program work.

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The Bartlett Indians overcame a five-point halftime deficit and went on to defeat the David Prouty Panthers 35-27 in Southern Worcester League girls basketball action last Friday (February 1) night at the Bartlett gym.

Spurred by freshman guard Caroline James, who had six of her nine points during a third-quarter surge, the Indians were able to pick up their third victory of the season.

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The Bartlett Indians were victimized by nine 3-pointers and fell to the Auburn Rockets 62-56 on Tuesday night, Jan. 29, in a Southern Worcester County League game at Bartlett High School.

The Rockets opened a 12-3 lead in the opening minutes of the game before senior co-captain Akeem Belnavis connected on a pair of 3-pointers to get the Indians within three points.

Senior co-captain Matt Huberdault hit a deep 3-point shot at the buzzer making it 21-21 after the opening quarter in a game that was highly contested throughout.

BOSTON – Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, announced today that the Webster Public Schools has been awarded a 21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) competitive grant through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The $55,707 grant will enable the creation of a CCLC Demonstration Site at the Webster Middle School.

“These funds will go a long way to help Webster students to achieve success and ultimately boost learning outcomes in the district,” said Sen. Moore. “I applaud the faculty and staff of the Webster Public Schools for their hard work and foresight in applying for this grant,” he continued.

The purpose of the Massachusetts 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Exemplary Program is to expand and enhance the mentoring capacity of Community Learning Centers that operate during out-of-school hours. Programs provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with other activities designed to complement the students' school-day programs. Community Learning Centers may offer literacy and related educational development to families of students participating in the 21^st CCLC programs.