Middlesex County, MA

In 2018, one in five Americans lived in rural towns across the country, generating 10% of Gross Domestic Product. In Massachusetts, rural workers, on average, earned 71% of those in urban areas. However, in 2015, the percentage of people living below the poverty threshold was only three points lower in rural areas than urban. To better understand these statistics, data available on employment across Massachusetts counties is helpful. This blog will investigate the employment trends in Franklin and Middlesex Counties from 1999-2019.

MIDDLESEX - A number Stonehamites and town officials believe a changing climate could worsen area flooding hazards, including by Montvale Avenue and within neighborhoods by various streams. Based upon a draft version of a joint hazard mitigation and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) plan, those residing within the town have reason...

The Miss Massachusetts USA 2021 preliminary competition will be held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States on June 12, 2021. It is the 70th edition of the statewide beauty competition that selects Massachusetts’ official Miss USA candidate. Miss Massachusetts USA 2020 Sabrina Victor of...

MCC gardeners harvest strawberries to donate to food pantry. Middlesex Community College is once again opening its Bedford campus community garden to gardeners from the broader Bedford community. Members of the college and surrounding community visited the Bedford campus June 7 to harvest strawberries that have been growing in the garden, and which will be donated to the college’s food bank.

ASHBY — Middlesex County Foundation Inc., representing 4-H Camp Middlesex, is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program, according to an announcement from the foundation. The Ashby-based organization was chosen from a total of 590 applicants during...

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says it has set aside almost 10,000 doses of expired vaccine and is awaiting federal guidance on what to do with another 107,000 doses set to expire by the end of the month. OSDH Deputy Commissioner Buffy Heater on Wednesday said the state has...

Middlesex Community College is once again opening its Bedford campus community garden to gardeners from the broader Bedford community. Members of the college and surrounding community visited the Bedford campus on Monday, June 7 to harvest strawberries that have been growing in the garden, and which will be donated to the college’s food bank.

WINCHESTER - The town is nearing completion of year 3 (of a five year permit cycle) of its MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) obligations. Year 3 ends on June 30. According to Journee Schwartz of engineering firm Weston & Sampson, the town accomplished a lot during the past year including updating its stormwater management plan that outlines permit requirements. The plan includes six main elements:

FRAMINGHAM — The city is opening three cooling centers today and Tuesday with temperatures in the 90s expected both days. Cooling centers will be open at the main library branch, McAuliffe library branch and Callahan Center. The main library branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the McAuliffe cooling center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Callahan Center will be open until 4:30 p.m. Monday and from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

In full transparency the following is a press release from the City of Framingham issued at 11:30 a.m. FRAMINGHAM The National Weather Service announced a heat advisory for Middlesex County today. Heat index values of 95 – 99 will be in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. Please take extra precautions...

At the end of 2020, when WBJ conducted its annual Economic Forecast survey of its readers, the pervasive feeling was the region’s economy had nowhere to go but up. This fueled optimism in that 2020 survey of significant jumps forward in economic growth and business progress and recovery from the turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Micaela Rainha has spent the past year working on the front line of the pandemic while preparing to graduate from Middlesex Community College’s Nursing program. From her time as a student at MCC and as a nurse assistant at Lowell General Hospital she has gained a strong foundation of experience and knowledge.

The Shirley Democratic Town Committee will host its caucus of registered Democrats in town on Tuesday, June 29, at 7:00pm in Meeting Room A/B of the town offices, located at 7 Keady Way. There will also be a virtual option to join, for which a link will be shared closer to the date. Registration will be from 7:00 to 7:30pm. At this caucus, the committee will elect one male and one female, or one female and one non-binary gender, or one male and one non-binary gender, or two non-binary gender delegates, plus one alternate to attend the Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform Convention in late September. (The specific date and location of the convention have not yet been formally announced.)

Chemicals used to improve our quality of life also can conspire against our sense of well-being. That’s the conclusion of federal and state regulators in the case of a manmade chemical class known as PFAS, which linger far after their commercial use has expired. They’re found in a range of...

Each day, citizens of Massachusetts use predominantly non-renewable sources of energy to power their lives. The price of our current energy consumption comes at a cost to our environment because we are reliant upon fossil fuels that pump tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere each year. By maintaining our current approach, we are mortgaging our future and the collective future of generations to come.

LOWELL — Middlesex Community College will award $1.5 million in federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant funds to students through fall 2022. All new and returning students are eligible to apply for financial assistance. The HEERF Grant provides funding opportunities for students to begin, return to school and complete...

Adolescent Consultation Services is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Middlesex County organization was chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $250,000 over 10 years. Adolescent Consultation...

BEDFORD — The Edinburg Center, a leading nonprofit human services provider in Middlesex County, was awarded a $100,000 Cummings Foundation grant for its pioneering Jail Diversion program. “This four-year grant will help us deliver essential support to hundreds of families each year by providing crisis counseling, referral to services and...