President's Uncle Admits To Sufficient Facts

                                                                                           FRAMINGHAM – (March 27, 2012) A Framingham man admitted to sufficient facts to charges that he was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.
       Onyango Obama, 67, of Framingham, an uncle of President Barack Obama, admitted to sufficient facts today in Framingham District Court to charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor.  The Commonwealth recommended a guilty conviction with one year probation and a 45 day loss of license on the count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor and requested a responsible finding for the failure to yield at an intersection charge.  Framingham District Court Judge Douglas Stoddart sentenced the defendant to one year probation and imposed the statutorily mandated probation conditions of attending a driver alcohol education program and incurring a license loss of 45 days.  Additionally, Judge Stoddart found the defendant not responsible for the failure to yield at an intersection charge.
       Obama was also originally charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  That charge was nolle prosequi after today’s plea.
        “By admitting to sufficient facts today to operating under the influence and failure to yield at an intersection, the defendant has admitted responsibility for the essence of the crime he committed and has now been held accountable for his actions,” District Attorney Leone said. 
         According to authorities, on August 24, 2011, at approximately 7:05 pm, an on-duty Framingham Police Officer traveling in an unmarked cruiser on Waverly Street, approached the intersection of Waverly Street and South Street in Framingham.  Upon entering the intersection, the officer observed a white Mitsubishi SUV rolling up to the stop sign on South Street.  The vehicle then made a quick right turn to proceed east.  As the Mitsubishi was turning, the officer was forced to quickly apply his breaks to avoid striking the motor vehicle.  The vehicle behind the cruiser was also required to do the same in order to avoid a collision.
        The officer activated his lights and siren and pulled over the Mitsubishi.  Upon speaking with the driver, who was later identified as the defendant, the officer observed the driver’s speech to be slurred, his eyes were red and glassy and there was an odor of alcohol coming from inside the motor vehicle.  The officer asked the defendant to exit the motor vehicle.  The defendant proceeded to fail several field sobriety tests and his blood alcohol level was .14, almost twice over the legal limit.
        The defendant was arrested on scene and arraigned on August 25, 2011 in Framingham District Court where Judge Douglas Stoddart released the defendant on personal recognizance.  The defendant was then held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
        The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Amanda Rowan.  This case was investigated by the Framingham Police Department. Contributed content.

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I am Missing From My Home

If I were a missing human I'd be on the side of a milk carton. But I am a cat, so I get to go on the missing cat website, HopNews.

And no, I don't know my name, but even if I did, I wouldn't be able to spell it. I never attended Feline University to study Saying Your Name 101. At least I can turn doorknobs, which your dog thinks is rocket science.

I know I am in Woodville at the moment, and I know I still have only one eye. Anne is feeding me and saying she is taking me to the vets soon. HELP!! You know I hate going to the vets. Please email Anne if you know me so I can get home before they find some flimsy excuse to take the other eye. anyawilde@verizon.net

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Sandy Beach Improvements Proposed

March 26, 2012 — The Parks and Recreation Commission held a Public hearing this evening to present a conceptual plan drawn by Weston and Sampson engineers on their behalf for proposed improvements to Sandy Island and Sandy Beach. Residents of the neighborhood as well as members of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association stopped by to learn about the plan, thank the commission for their consideration and offer suggestions.

          Parks and Rec Chairman Ken Driscoll said that the full plan would be about $700,000, but that they would be looking for $330,000 at this year's Town Meeting as a start. He said that the impetus for the improvements grew out of the survey that showed people saw the beach as an underutilized asset.

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Parking Expansion at Fruit Street Fields

March 26, 2012 — The Planning Board heard from Park and Recreation Commission's Brian O'Keefe on an amendment ot the Fruit Street site plan that would add 28 parking spaces to the fields area. Mr. O'Keefe said that the need is driven by high volume days. He added that the original plans did show these spaces.

         The board put off much of its scheduled business this evening, because although five members constitutes a quorum, some of the evening's business required a super majority, said board Chairman Ken Weismantel, of six members to pass in the affirmative.

Agreement Reached to Conserve Historic Elmwood Farm in Hopkinton

Walking tour scheduled March 31; Public information session scheduled April 10

HOPKINTON, MASS (March 26, 2012) Although Elmwood Farm in Hopkinton, Mass. has been dormant for much of the last decade, its fields could return to agriculture once again. The Trust for Public Land has reached an agreement with the Abbott Realty Trust to purchase and conserve the 80-acre property by the end of 2012.

Elmwood Farm was active for more than 200 years, and was the original home of Food for the Needy, a local organization which evolved into the Community Harvest Project, a group that grows fresh fruit and vegetables for the Worcester County Food Bank. The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation organization, has until December 2012 to raise the $1.8 million purchase price and conserve the land and protect an historic house and barn. TPL will work with the Town of Hopkinton to bring a warrant article to vote in 2012, and if approved the Town would ultimately own the majority of the land. 

"Although much of Elmwood Farm is tucked away and out of sight from Ash Street, it will make a special place to visit and hike, and the prospect of bringing farming back to the land is exciting," said Chris LaPointe, senior project manager for The Trust for Public Land. "We are grateful to the Abbot Realty Trust and the Town of Hopkinton for pursuing this conservation opportunity with us."

The conservation effort could result in historic preservation of the house and barn, passive recreation, and renewed farming operations, including a possible community supported agriculture operation.  The Bafflin Foundation has already committed $75,000 towards the effort.  The Town of Hopkinton Community Preservation Committee has voted to support investing up to $1.3 million in the acquisition, and the article will be before voters at Town Meeting in May.  The remainder of the funding will likely come from the sale of the house and from a handful of additional private foundations. A state LAND Grant, to be submitted in July, would reimburse up to $500,000 of the Town's investment, if the grant were awarded.

A site walk led by The Trust for Public Land has been scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at 10 a.m. Look for parking signs near 97 Ash Street. A public information session will be held at the Senior Center at 28 Mayhew St. on Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

For much of the 20th century Elmwood Farm was the home of Bill and Rose Abbott. They founded Food for the Needy in the 1960s, and the effort became the Community Harvest Project, a volunteer-based farming organization that grows vegetables for local hunger relief. The Abbotts passed away in 1997 and 2001 and left the property to Abbott Realty Trust, with the direction that the bulk of the value of the property would be used to fund a nonprofit foundation, whose purpose would be to provide support to Community Harvest Project.

TPL will also work to protect the historic house and barn with an historic preservation restriction, and sell the structures privately to a new owner who has the interest, financial capacity, and ability to stabilize and restore the structures. The private sale of the house will reduce the overall cost of the project. Interested parties should contact Chris LaPointe at 617-371-0558.

Michaelyn Holmes, Chair of the Hopkinton Historical Commission said, "Elmwood Farm has been among the Commission's most threatened properties for years, and I am thrilled that we have an opportunity to permanently protect the structures and the landscape, which provide such a tangible connection to the early years of our town."

David S. Goldman, President of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust said, "The land trust is pleased that the opportunity to permanently conserve Elmwood Farm has arrived after several years of discussions with the Trustees. Protection of this property has been an important priority for the town and for the Hopkinton Area Land Trust for several years, and we are glad to support the effort to protect such an irreplaceable historic landscape."

Elmwood Farm has a rich history. The original house was built by Hopkinton's second minister, Rev. Elijah Fitch more than 200 years ago, and Historical Society information indicates that the house was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Members of the Fitch family reportedly helped to hide escaped slaves hide in the pantry behind the potato sacks. 

Lucy Fitch Perkins became a well-known author of the children's book series "Twins" and her daughter Eleanor Ellis Perkins published "Eve Among the Puritans" (1956) which tells of the Fitch family. More recently, a 20th century resident of Elmwood Farm was Edward Goddard, architect of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit conservation organization conserving land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 3 million acres of land nationwide, including nearly 14,000 acres in Massachusetts. TPL depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. Visit online: tpl.org/massachusetts.  Contributed story.

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 March 26, 2012

CLICK ABOVE FOR FULL REPORT

Dial 911 in the Event of an Emergency Only

Hopkinton Police Business Line: 508-497-3401

Hopkinton Fire Business Line: 508-497-2323

8:36 pm Two units responded to the report of a fire in the woods on Third Road...

1:38 pm A Wood Street caller reports suspicious activity that he has captured on his Facebook of local youths who were...

4:48 pm A bicyclist was struck on South Street by a...

12:39 pm School Resource Officer Philip Powers logged three incidents regarding possession of marijuana...

12:48 pm An individual in a boat on Lake Maspenock called to report a group of approximately six kids lighting

 off fireworks from the Sandy Island Beach...

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS TO LAKE AREA RESIDENTS FROM LMPA

There are several upcoming meetings that the LMPA Executive Board would like to make lake area residents aware of.

1. Monday March 26th, 7:00 PM, Lower town hall – Parks and Recreation Board meeting - Ideas for improvements to Sandy Beach will be presented by the board. Come find out what the proposed future changes are for the beach area.

2. Tuesday April 3rd, 7:30 PM, Rm. 215 – Board of Selectmen meeting - The board of Selectmen have invited the LMPA to hear a presentation by the DPW Director, John Westerling and representatives from PARE Engineering. The presentation will cover the maintenance needs of the lake Maspenock dam.

3. Wednesday April 4th, 7:00 PM, Rm. 211 – Zoning Advisory Committee meeting – As some of you are probably aware, EMC Corporation, on South St., has submitted a proposal to change the zoning of 14.2 acres of land from agricultural to industrial. The proposed zoning change would bring the industrial zoning district to within 200’ of Old Town Rd. and the ends of Yale and Amherst Roads. The concern is that any industrial building and the associated lighting would be visible from both the neighborhood and the lake. The current buffer between the industrial zone and the neighborhood would be reduced by approximately 75%. The LMPA Executive Board is firmly against any further commercial or industrial encroachment into the lake area. The Zoning Advisory Committee will vote that evening as to whether or not they will recommend that the Planning Board sponsor an article at town meeting that would propose to make the zoning change. The LMPA Executive Board will voice their opposition to this proposal and encourage the ZAC to make a negative recommendation to the Planning Board. All lake area residents are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

4. Monday April 9th, 7:45 PM – Planning Board Meeting – The board will discuss and vote on whether to sponsor the EMC zoning change article at town meeting. The recommendation of the Zoning Advisory Committee and the residents’ opinions will be considered. All lake area residents are urged to attend this meeting.
 

As you can see there is a significant amount of activity taking place over the next couple of weeks. The LMPA Executive Board encourages lake area residents to attend as many of the upcoming meetings as possible. Come learn what future improvements are planned and help maintain the integrity of our lake area neighborhood. ~ Lake Maspenock Preservation Association Board

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 Great Use of Technology - Weekly Circular Online

Each week, Colella's puts their weekly flyer on their website. Above is a "tearsheet"  from this week's circular. To see the entire sale, click on the image above, or visit their website at any time to find weekly specials and daily deli meals.

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A Healthier You

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Clean It and They Will Come

March 25, 2012 — Parents and kids turned out to help clean the Parks and Rec fields this weekend, per yearly ritual.

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Life Imitates Art Imitates Life

March 25, 2012 — The roving HopNews Camera took a trip to Arcade Pond in Northbridge today hoping to capture the shots above and below. The subject is a mute swan, who looks a bit like the Concorde jet developed by Great Britain and France years ago and since retired. Below, it touches down, skidding to a stop assisted by its large webbed feet and wide wings.

Student Government Breakfast

"... you can change what happens around the world."

"I'm proud I got arrested."

— Congressman Jim McGovern

March 24, 2012 — Hopkinton High School juniors were treated yesterday to a breakfast to close Student Government Week, and were joined at their tables by local, state and federal officials. Above, students have a dialogue with Congressman Jim McGovern, who was recently arrested outside of the Sudanese Embassy in an act of civil disobedience to bring attention to a corrupt government in Sudan, which, he says, is keeping food from its people.

     Some of the speeches were recorded, below, in HD. In addition, click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Have a Seat

March 24, 2012 — This dog, a pit bull/greyhound mix, has a seat with its masters on one of the docks at Hopkinton State Park.

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Low Profile

March 24, 2012 — With its nose, ears and mouth all in the same plane, the beaver is able to keep a low profile just under the water's surface. Photo taken on Blood's Pond by Morrie Gasser.

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Busy, Smart?

March 24, 2012 — It appears a beaver or two is busy stacking up wood to use for its lodge on Ice House Pond. Or, it could be that the beavers simply cut too much, and the excess remains floating nearby. In a photo a few weeks ago taken at another location in Hopkinton, a beaver had cut all around trees to fell them, but because the wooded area was so dense, many started to fall after being cut, but didn't get very far before hitting the tree next to it, five feet away. Apparently, they do not look up before cutting.

       When told of both of these engineering errors, one wag laughed and said, "You've heard 'Busy as a beaver', but you've never heard, 'Smart as a beaver'."

The Concerts on the Common Series will begin on an earlier date, and it will end on an earlier date.

  Please click on the button at any time to see the schedule. it will remain above during the season.

Marathon Runners Peggy Shaw and Paul Newman Fundraising for Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc.

Hopkinton Public Library Foundation (HPLF) is pleased to announce that Peggy Shaw and Paul Newman will run the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16 to raise money to support HPLF’s mission of expanding and improving Hopkinton Public Library. Both Peggy and Paul will be having fundraising activities this week.

PAUL NEWMAN’S KANGAROO RUN IN SUPPORT OF HPLF.

This Sunday, March 24, Paul Newman will be running a 5K Road Race in Cambridge, the An Ras Mor Run, dressed in a Kangaroo outfit. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Asgard Irish Pub and Restaurant at 350 Massachusetts Avenue and goes from Central Square toward Harvard Square and back.

As an incentive to support Paul’s fundraising efforts, personal trainer Brian Day of Hopkinton (www.fitnessbyday.com) is offering a complimentary in-home personal training session to each of the first 10 (ten) Hopkinton residents who donate $200 or more to Paul’s fundraising campaign!  The session even includes a custom exercise program.

To read more about Paul, and contribute to HPLF’s mission in his name, please visit: http://hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org/hplf-events/2012-boston-marathon/paul-newman/ .

PEGGY SHAW’S RECYCLING DRIVE TO RAISE MONEY FOR HPLF.

To assist Peggy Shaw’s 2012 Boston Marathon fundraising effort for HPLF, Julio’s Liquors in Westborough will sponsor a bottle and can drive for the first 2 weeks of April (April 3^rd- 16^th). During this period, redemption receipts may be "donated" by placing receipts in the "charity of the week" box on the wall. Julio’s will match the amount of all receipts!!

To read more about Peggy, and contribute to HPLF’s mission in her name, please visit Peggy’s Marathon Fundraising webpage at http://hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org/hplf-events/2012-boston-marathon/peggy-shaw/.

Donations for either Peggy or Paul can be mailed to: Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 16, Woodville, MA 01784. All contributions to the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc. was established in September 2011 to raise private funds for the expansion and state-of-the-art renovation of the Hopkinton Public Library. Please visit HPLF's webpage for more information about the library project: www.hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

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Hopkinton Republicans to Meet Saturday, March 24th

The Hopkinton Republican Town Committee is meeting at 9 AM on Saturday, March 24th in the Second Floor Training Room at the Hopkinton Fire Station. Park at 77 Main Street and enter the back door. All registered Republicans or unenrolled voters are invited to attend.
 

The meeting will focus on Hopkinton issues and recruiting candidates for the upcoming May Town Elections. We will hear from announced candidates for local town office and a couple of state office candidates. The HRTC will help registered Republicans in their bid for public office. Candidates are needed for key positions in the upcoming town elections.
 

If you have any questions or wish to be a candidate in Hopkinton’s election, contact Ken Weismantel, Chairman at ken@weismantel.com or at 508 435-5725.

Celebrating 4 Decades of Women Running Boston Seminar

Friday, April 13 at 7PM

Hopkinton High School Auditorium, 90 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA

Cost: $5 donation. Tickets: Available on-line at http://fastandfabulous.eventbrite.com/

HOPKINTON, MA (March 23, 2012) --- The Boston Athletic Association (BAA), the 26.2 Foundation and Hopkinton’s 300^th Anniversary Celebration Committee are sponsoring an event to recognize and celebrate the 40^th anniversary of women running the Boston Marathon on Friday, April 13, 7PM, at the Hopkinton High School Auditorium, 90 Hayden Rowe, Hopkinton, MA.

The host for the event is WBZ Anchor Lisa Hughes who will lead the discussion with several members of the Boston Marathon 1972 women’s team. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the pioneers of the Boston Marathon who led the way for the first official run by women in 1972.

“I am really looking forward to the upcoming events at Boston,” said Val Rogosheske, who ran officially in 1972.

Sara Mae Berman, who ran unofficially in 1969, 1970 and 1971, as well as officially in 1972, had this to say about the challenges faced by women runners during that time, “We are so far from those days when women running, or doing any sport where you could be seen visibly sweating, were treated as curiosities. Today's young women, who find fulfillment in sports, tend to take Title 9 for granted.”

The charge for admission is a $5 donation to benefit Dreamfar High School Marathon and tickets can be purchased on-line at http://fastandfabulous.eventbrite.com/

Seating is limited to 200, so early reservations are recommended. Reception and dessert to follow. Tickets: Available on-line at http://fastandfabulous.eventbrite.com/

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McGovern Explains Arrest

March 23, 2012 — Congressman Jim McGovern was on hand for Student Government Day at Hopkinton High School. Above, he speaks to the junior class. A video will be processed later.

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Posturing

March 23, 2012 — Posturing. Nations, armies, teams, and people do it. And so do animals, like the Canada goose above whose body language, and the way he is racing toward another goose, is a threatening posture to take on in the world of geese. Photo taken on Ice House Pond today. REMINDER: To learn the meaning of any word on this page, just double-click on the word.

Curiosity

March 23, 2012 — These fish swimming in Lake Maspenock today are as curious about the photographer as he is about them, but they don't have a camera.

Retiring While at the Top

March 23, 2012 — Hopkinton High School history teacher Mrs. Nancy Clark received accolades from students and congratulations from her peers today upon announcements of her retirement following a long and distinguished career of teaching. Mrs. Clark has been the organizer of Student Government Day, an annual event where town and state leaders sit among the students and answer questions about what the officials do, and how the students can enter some sort of service to the local community, or the community at large.

       Congressman Jim McGovern was on hand, and spoke about his recent arrest. Some of his speech, as well as interviews with other governmental leaders, will be in the video featured later today.

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Huff and Puff

March 22, 2012 — This hooded merganser, whose head always looks a little too big for his body, appears to be puffing up his chest a bit, like his human counterpart, to impress the females he is surrounded by at Blood's Pond this afternoon, hidden away in the shade.

Assistance on the Way

March 22, 2012 — Engine Four rolled out of the station shortly after 10:00 pm this evening to assist Brush Eleven on Morse Lane to investigate the odor of smoke in the area of a brush fire they put down earlier today.

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I Cannot Tell a Lie - Cherry Blossoms are Early

March 22, 2012 — According to Weston Nurseries President Peter Mezitt, trees and shrubs are blooming earlier this year due to the warm weather, like this Okame Cherry tree photographed on Linden Street today, which, he said, is three weeks early.

Slow Ride

March 22, 2012 — These equestrians enjoy a casual ride through former Weston Nurseries fields this afternoon, as seen from East Main Street.

Soft Ball

March 22, 2012 — Debra Villani watches as son Michael, 5, tosses part of a hot dog bun rolled into a ball into the water at Blood's Pond today in hopes that the reclusive wildlife on the other shore might be lured for a closer look.

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Too Much Fire

March 22, 2012 — An East Main Street homeowner who was burning brush with a permit was ordered to put his fire out, because he let it get too big, according to one firefighter. Coincidentally, a fire at the house next door on November 28, 2011 that originated from an appliance in the kitchen displaced those homeowners. The home is still undergoing reconstruction.

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KEEFE STUDENTS WIN 20 MEDALS AT SCHOOL-HOSTED DISTRICT SKILLSUSA CONFERENCE - HOPKINTON STUDENT CAPTURES SILVER

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Keefe Regional Technical School once again hosted the District 3 SkillsUSA Conference on Wednesday, March 7, during which 20 Keefe students won gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Student representing Keefe Regional Technical School, Assabet Valley Regional Technical HS, Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Madison Park Technical Vocational HS, Minuteman Career and Technical HS, Quincy HS CTE, Rindge School of Technical Arts, Salem HS CTE, and Weymouth HS CTE competed at the District 3 Conference. The competition consists of a written SkillsUSA employment skills test, a written trade knowledge test, and a safety test as a tiebreaker.

Keefe Tech students finished with 8 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals in categories ranging from Internetworking and Office Computer Applications to First Aid, Welding Sculpture, and Nail Care. Additionally, Keefe Tech student Molly Dee of Natick was nominated as a SkillsUSA State Officer candidate. Dee, along with the district gold and silver medalists, will move on to the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, held from April 26 – 28 in Marlborough, MA.

Among the silver medal winners was Mackenzie Fairbanks of Hopkinton, left, who took home a silver medal for Residential Wiring.

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Kathryn Curry Has More Cowbell(s), More Running
 

March 22, 2012 — This year, Kathryn Curry will again run the Boston Marathon, and will once again be offering her custom made cowbells for sale on the Hopkinton Common.

Her run is to benefit the Daniel E. Colella Scholarship Fund, as has been the case each year she has taken part in the 26.2 mile footrace. And to spread the good cheer of "More Cowbell," Ms. Curry will be donating ALL of the profits from the sale of her bells, as well as the pledges she receives for running, to the Colella Fund. Young people will be able to paint their own cowbells, or other bells on hand, under the direction of Kathryn and her family.

Kathryn will be at the Common:

April 14^th -16^th : Saturday and Sunday: 10A – 6P

April 17 : Monday: 7A-1P

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Spaces

March 22, 2012 — Town employee Butch Phipps measures all of the parking spaces Downtown to give the Town Engineer a sense of total availability of linear footage. Most of the current spaces are not as long as the standard, which is one reason some drivers fail to negotiate a parallel parking attempt and then drive off.

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Vandalism

March 22, 2012 — A vandal has paraphrased one of the slogans of a well-known high-end organic grocery chain onto an expensive real estate sign at a now-familiar location.

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