Top: Officer Ryan Spain and family. Bottom: Deputy Chief Maroni, Chief McAvene, and Officer Spain. Publisher’s Note: Due to various proactive efforts, the crime rate in Gardner has fallen by almost half in the last 5 years. Officer of the Year Announced at Gardner PD Awards Banquet On Friday, AprilContinue Reading

Gardner Fire Department Provides Mutual Aid to Hubbardston Brush Fire – Highlights High Fire Risk Gardner’s Truck 5, Truck 10, and C1 responded to the Town of Hubbardston on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The firefighters were there to put out a brush fire. GFD posted: “Please use extreme caution whenContinue Reading

Vision Zero Action Committee Developing Comprehensive Roadway Safety Plan. The Vision Zero Action Committee for the City of Gardner had its first meeting on March 31, 2026. The goal is to develop a comprehensive roadway safety plan. City officials and consultants from Kimley Horn discuss a federal grant-funded initiative toContinue Reading

Drought is Better, but Fire Danger is Real in Greater Gardner MA. According to Drought.gov, the number of people in Worcester County affected by drought is down almost 90 percent since last month. However, Worcester County had the 9th driest February on record over the last 132 years. While notContinue Reading

2026 Fire Safety Grants Announced The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 307 Massachusetts Fire Departments will share $5 million in grant funding to support the purchase of new safety equipment. The following area communities received grants: Some Departments and award amounts: Town of Ashburnham $12,926.27, Town of Ashby $12,500.00, Town ofContinue Reading

Photo shows Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson holding a canvas presented to the City by Gardner Magazine on occasion of the Mayor’s 2000 Days in Office and in recognition of the strategic initiatives that have led to Gardner MA being labeled a “Model City for America.” 2000 Days Towards the “ModelContinue Reading

Westminster PD Press Release Explains Large Police Presence Yesterday in the Town View the complete Press Release, CLICK HERE. On Monday, March 23, 2026 at approximately 4:42pm, officers from the Westminster Police Department responded to a residence on South Ashburnham Road to serve an arrest warrant on a 22 yearContinue Reading

Abandoned Winchendon Factory Burns to the Ground – No Injuries Reported Just before 4am on Friday, March 20, 2026 firefighters from Winchendon, Gardner and 6 other area Fire Departments responded to 283 Lincoln Avenue Extension in Winchendon which was the site of the former White Mountain Freezer Company. The 3Continue Reading

Summary: Car crash resulted in no injuries. Building sustained damage, but Burger King expected to be open later today, March 13th, or at the latest, the morning of March 14th. Car Crashes into Gardner MA Burger King On the afternoon of March 13, 2026, the Gardner Fire Department received aContinue Reading

Update: Closings today, March 6, 2026 include: Ashburnham-Westminster, Athol-Royalston, Fitchburg, Fitchburg State, Gardner, Leominster, Lunenburg, Monty-Tech, Narragansett Regional (Facebook post just after 6am with change) Quabbin Regional, Wachusett Regional, Winchendon. 2 Hour Delays Friday March 6th: , Mount Wachusett Community College opening at 10am (still showing this at 7am onContinue Reading

From the City of Gardner: “After consultation with the Department of Public Works and Police Department, the Mayor has called an on-street parking ban for the following dates and times: Begins: Thursday, March 5 at 9:00PM – Ends: Friday, March 6 at 6:00AM – Per the City Ordinance, there willContinue Reading

From the City of Gardner: “After consultation with the Department of Public Works and Police Department, the Mayor has called an on-street parking ban for the following dates and times: Begins: Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00PM Ends: Wednesday, March 4 at 6:00AM Per the City Ordinance, there will be aContinue Reading

From Gardner Public Schools: “There will be a two-hour delay for all schools tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, 2026.” School Districts with a 2 hour delay on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 include Athol-Royalston, Gardner, Lunenburg, Montachusett Regional Voc. Tech, Narragansett Regional, Winchendon School Districts closed include: Fitchburg Public Schools, Fitchburg StateContinue Reading

Current Power Outages in Massachusetts About 800 power outages affecting just under 60,000 customers are prevalent in mostly the Eastern area of Massachusetts as of noon on Monday, February 23, 2026. See the map in graphic. View current conditions and estimated restoration times via the National Grid map, CLICK HERE.Continue Reading

School Closings for Monday 2-23-26 in Greater Gardner MA Closed: Ashburnham-Westminster, Athol-Royalston, Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Lunenburg, Montachusett Regional Voc. Tech, Mount Wachusett Community College, Quabbin Regional, Wachusett Regional, Winchendon. For a complete list of closings throughout Massachusetts, WCVB is a good source. CLICK HERE.Continue Reading

From the City of Gardner: “Due to the predicted inclement weather, there will be an on-street parking ban beginning tonight, Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9:00pm, and expiring at 9:00pm tomorrow, Monday, February 23, 2026. There will be a municipal parking lot parking ban from 9:00pm – 11:00pm tomorrow, Monday,Continue Reading