tobacco violations addressed,
39 Lake Street to be razed

by Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - There were 13 confirmed flu cases reported for the month of December. This does not reflect the number of cases that went unreported. The town had 50 doses of vaccines available. At the Jan. 14 Board of Health meeting Health Agent, Cathleen Liberty stated that the Commonwealth has no more to issue. Webster residents have already taken advantage of 30 free vaccines, leaving 20 remaining. The board reports that reported flu cases in Massachusetts have dropped 2.91% for the beginning of January. The number of cases reported was up 4.95%.

By Steev Riccardo

WARREN - The Quaboag Cougars stymied the Bartlett Indians defensively and used some of their own hot shooting en route to defeating their Southern Worcester County League rival 56-40 on Wednesday, January 9, in a game that raised a few eyebrows.

The Indians were coming off a huge offensive performance in which they scored 104 points against Southbridge two days earlier and were on a seven-game winning streak, so no one really expected a role reversal this extreme.

BOSTON – Students at the Bartlett Junior Senior High School and Park Avenue School in Webster will benefit from afterschool activities that support their learning, announced Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. The Webster Public Schools was one of 22 school districts awarded a highly competitive
$264,000 21^st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) grant that will fund this initiative.

“The 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant program is an excellent means for extending the school day to promote enrichment and positive student outcomes,” said Sen. Moore, a supporter of Webster’s effort in applying for the CLC grant. “The need for CLC services often outpaces districts’ ability to pay for them. I therefore applaud the Webster Public School for taking full advantage of this alternative funding source, for the full benefit of its students.”

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The Bartlett Indians fell to the Millbury Woolies 53-14 last Thursday, Jan. 4, in girls SWCL action.

Junior Kayla Podell played a solid defensive game, blocking eight shots to go along with four points for the Indians, who stayed close to the Woolies early, trailing only 7-4 after one quarter.

Freshman Katie Kobel scored four points, while freshman Natalie Terranova, playing in her second varsity game, scored her first points in a varsity uniform for the Indians.

Discuss snowy sidewalks, regional dispatching

by Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - The Webster Board of Selectmen officially opened the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 25, at Bartlett High School. All departments, boards and commission petitions must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, and the citizens petitions deadline is 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 29.

The board also addressed the issue of sidewalks that are still obstructed by snow. According to the town charter, sidewalks in front of private properties must be cleared within twenty-four hours of a storm. Many residents, along with several businesses, have failed to comply. Vice Chair Deborah Keefe stated there is a police-enforced fifty-dollar citation for failure to comply with the regulation. “It’s a shame because it’s not that I really want to penalize people that haven’t shoveled, but it’s not fair to the people, and we have a lot of them who have shoveled.”

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – For the past seven years Bartlett high school head coach Tony Paranto and Bartlett High School have been hosting the Bob Paranto Holiday Tournament during Christmas school vacation, and it has become of a big hit in these parts.

St. Louis School, Thompson Middle School, Bartlett Junior High and Middle School, and St. Joseph’s School all played in the tournament this year which, among its many positives, helps support two Bartlett High School scholarships.

Amber Facchini, a local student from Auburn, MA, was a 3rd place winner in James Patterson's College Book Bucks Scholarship. For the second year in a row, the best selling author has held an essay contest for college bound high school seniors across the country. The essay question was "How has your favorite book inspired you toward what you'd like to do in life?" Amber won a $250 gift certificate to spend at the independent bookstore of her choice, Booklovers' Gourmet in Webster, MA. Amber is attending WPI in Worcester, MA with a major in computer science.

For more information about the contest go to http://jamespatterson.com/college-book-bucks-winners.php#.UOS6yKw5hU5

WEBSTER -  On Monday, December 31, just before midnight the Webster Police Department received a 911 call stating that there had been an accidental discharge of a firearm and there was a victim at 94 North Main Street. Webster Police and EMS responded and learned that Daniel Grenon, 24 who had a valid License to Carry, was playing a “game” with his friend, Ryan Aldridge. The game involved Grenon having a firearm and Aldridge had a knife. They were seeing who could draw it faster when Grenon accidentally shot Aldridge in the lower abdomen.

Grenon was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, 6 counts of improper storage of a firearm, and improper storage of ammunition.

He was arraigned in Dudley District Court on Wednesday. Police have revoked his license to carry and seized all of his firearms and ammunition.

Alcohol was not a factor in the incident.

Aldrich was transported to Umass Memorial Hospital where he remains today.

behind Huberdault’s 7 three-pointers

Photo: Alex Givins-Perry (#3) and Michael Rapoza (#25) fought hard all night

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – Bartlett senior co-captain Matt Huberdault had a career- high 28 points, including 7 three-pointers, to lead the Indians past the Shepherd Hill Rams 69-64 in a real thriller in front of a packed house at Bartlett on Friday night.

The Indians came out shooting early and opened an 18-12 lead after the opening quarter behind a couple of three-pointers by Huberdault and 6 points by sophomore Jacob Mailloux.

Sophomore power forward Chris Lindstrom, making his first varsity start, scored 6 points and the Rams played a strong zone defense to outscore the Indians 15-14 in the second quarter to cut the Indians lead to 32-27 at the half.

Photo: Kayla Podell (#44) tries to block a shot

by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY -  The Shepherd Hill Rams opened a 30-5 lead in the first quarter and coasted to a 75-20 win over the Bartlett Indians in Southern Worcester County League girl’s action on Thursday night.

Junior guard Brooke Packard led the Rams in scoring with 17 points in limited action as the Rams were able to get a big lead and maintain it throughout the contest.

The Rams lineup of senior co-captain guard Tina Gauvin, senior co-captain forward Taylor Daniels, senior center Johanna L' Heureux,  junior Dominique Woods, and Packard proved too strong for the less experienced Indians, who were no match for the Rams.