Local Worcester News by The Telegram

BOSTON - A group of religious and minority group leaders unleashed harsh criticism Friday on a proposed "three strikes bill" that would maximize sentences and eliminate parole for those who commit a third serious violent crime.

STURBRIDGE - The Village Furniture & Clock sale signs often posted facing Main Street proclaim in bold letters "STORE CLOSING," "THIS IS IT - TOTAL LIQUIDATION" and "EVERYTHING MUST GO!!"

I haven't hit a pedestrian in what,

How much more would you pay for electricity that comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydropower and reduces the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere?

This is a day for many football fans to visit their favorite sports bars or go to parties, but it isn't a day to go out for a meal at some of Worcester County's most popular restaurants.

ATHOL - Police Sgt. Christopher Casella said he was somewhat skeptical when a Pinedale Avenue homeowner called the station yesterday afternoon to report a python in his backyard.

Could it be time to start wondering if Worcester is going to get all it was promised by the state for allowing CSX to expand its freight yard between Shrewsbury and Franklin streets?

CLINTON - The Clinton Hospital Guild will hold its annual Valentine's Day Tea at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the hospital, 201 Highland St. The speaker will be Dr. Rishi Vohara, a cardiologist.

WORCESTER - The Alumni Association of the former Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing has donated $40,000 to the Worcester State University Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship for graduate nursing students. The association had already established an endowed scholarship for Worcester State University undergraduate nursing students.

DUDLEY - The Fire Department is warning residents about a possible scam going around town.

SHREWSBURY - The Planning Board voted Thursday night to continue its public hearing regarding a proposed flea market at 420 Boston Turnpike until March 1.

NORTH BROOKFIELD - Voters at Friday night's special town meeting needed about an hour to act on 18 articles on the warrant.

FITCHBURG - Police last night were looking for a woman suspected of stabbing her boyfriend at 454 Elm St. at about 8:30 p.m. The victim was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, according to Sgt. Timothy McDermott of the Fitchburg police.

DUDLEY - A Charlton man injured in an accident Thursday night on Pierpont Road remained in serious condition yesterday at UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus in Worcester, according to a nursing supervisor.

WORCESTER - The question Nivedha Ram answered to win the sixth annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee would have been a brain-buster for many people.

Hot meals: Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc. and Tri-Valley Elder Services Inc. sponsor a dining program on weekdays for people 60 and older.

The word change has been bandied about quite freely by many recently, and faculty, students and staff at Worcester State University are among those, but they are doing more than just talking - they and others in the Worcester community are trying to be agents of social change.

NORTHBRIDGE - Nothing inspires fevered debate more than religion and politics. Evan Smith's "The Savannah Disputation" takes on the former with a mix of humor and pedantry.

WORCESTER - The building boom at a local college just got another jolt.

BOSTON - Two prominent mental health groups are recommending expanded police training on dealing with the mentally ill and development of new court diversion programs to provide care and treatment for those charged with low-level crimes.