Gardner CAC, MVOC, and Pool Pavilion Project to Benefit from Reallocated CDBG Funds At its November meeting, the Gardner Community Development Block Grant Steering Committee met regarding the transfer of $158k in unused funds from completed demolition and improvement projects to the Gardner Community Action Committee and the Massachusetts VeteransContinue Reading

Environmental Challenges and Modernization Topics at Conservation Commission Listen to the entire meeting of November 24, 2025 on any device, CLICK PLAY. Discussions revolved around several environmental and administrative issues. Key points include a citizen’s request to keep an enforcement order open and continue monitoring the Gardner Sludge Landfill, citingContinue Reading

Road Safety Grant Awarded to City of Gardner for a Variety of Initiatives Gardner has been awarded just under $31K through the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program for the purpose of enhancing traffic and road safety initiatives throughout the City of Gardner. Included are road safety patrols, bicycle helmets andContinue Reading

City of Gardner Informs Public Regarding Code Red Cybersecurity Incident The City of Gardner released this statement: “Code Red system had a cybersecurity incident that was contained to but damaged the OnSolve CodeRED environment. In an abundance of caution, they have decommissioned the CodeRed platform and have expedited a planContinue Reading

A very positive interview about Gardner’s Future. We cover many areas. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. Focus on Gardner’s Future – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson On November 17, 2025, Gardner Magazine spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in a very positive interview “Focus on Gardner’s Future” ListenContinue Reading

Greater Gardner MA Preparing for High Wind Gusts Late Wednesday into Thursday Time to secure objects so they don’t get blown around. Time to prepare for a possible power outage. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory in effect from 10pm Wednesday, November 5, 2025 through Thursday NovemberContinue Reading

An Update from Heywood Healthcare – Most Services Resumed Statement from Heywood Healthcare release 6pm 10-31-25 “We want to express our sincere gratitude to our patients, staff, and community for their patience, understanding, and support over the past few weeks. Your trust and cooperation have been instrumental as we’ve workedContinue Reading

Media Partners with City of Gardner for Even Greater Transparency – Alerts Displayed You’ll notice a change in the upper right hand corner of the WGAW website, CLICK HERE, and the Gardner Magazine website you are on right now. City of Gardner Alerts and City of Gardner news items areContinue Reading

The Problem of Illegal Cannabis Making it to Massachusetts This summer, Federal authorities charged 7 Chinese nationals in conjunction with an alleged multi-million dollar illegal marijuana trafficking operation. The group allegedly conspired to grow and distribute cannabis across New England using interconnected “grow houses” concealed inside single-family properties in bothContinue Reading

2 Years After Murder in Gardner, Fugitive Aaron Pennington Still Being Sought On October 22, 2023, the body of Breanne Pennington was discovered at 42 Cherry Street in Gardner. Breanne had been killed by a gunshot wound. Aaron Pennington, the husband of Breanne Pennington is a 35 year old manContinue Reading

3rd Party security experts have been working with Heywood Healthcare to restore full functionality. Gardner Magazine will publish an update from Heywood as soon as it is available. No Update Yet Regarding Cybersecurity Incident at Heywood There is no update yet from Heywood Healthcare on the Cybersecurity Incident which hasContinue Reading

City of Gardner Receives $365,000 Federal Grant for New Firefighter Radios Gardner City Hall Press Release: Gardner, MA — The City of Gardner has been awarded $365,000 through the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to purchase new fire-rated radio systems for all 42 members of the Gardner FireContinue Reading

Gardner Domestic Violence Advocate will be “Full-Time” Due to Grant Listen to the announcement on any device, CLICK PLAY. Speaking at the announcement were Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, and Gardner Police Chief Eric McAvene. Councilor Dana Heath represented the Gardner City Council Here is the completeContinue Reading

Family Emergency Preparedness Listen to the “Deep Dive” on any device. CLICK PLAY. This podcast outlines critical steps for family emergency preparedness, focusing on creating a robust plan and assembling essential supplies. It details the necessary components of an emergency supply kit, recommending items like water, non-perishable food, tools, andContinue Reading

A check on Area Beaches Closed Due to Bacterial Exceedance CLICK IMAGE for larger view. In the town of Templeton: Beamans Pond Campground and Beamans Pond Day Use are closed. In Winchendon: Lake Dennison State Park Day Use Beach is closed. The entire spreadsheet is listed here. CLICK on ImageContinue Reading

Fiscal 6 – The Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Fiscal 6 is the 6th Fiscal Year Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has been in office and that started on July 1, 2025. We spoke with the Mayor about various needs and issues, and how things have changed over the lastContinue Reading

Gardner Fire Department Rescues an Egg From Gardner Fire Department: “Today, Group 3 perfected their technique using hydraulic extraction tools. One member lifted the cinder block with the spreaders while another member used the cutters to carefully remove an egg without breaking it.” We are also showing you a photoContinue Reading

A Gardner mother posted on Facebook about the incident, “I brought my daughter swimming at the Gardner Pool this afternoon. The water was amazingly clear and perfect temperature. We were there for about 30 minutes before the pool started back washing with green/brown.. the lifeguards were yelling to get out…Continue Reading