Registration Open for the Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

Children interact with local first responders during the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy. Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced registration for the popular Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Now entering its 21st year, YPSA is an educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County families. The camp is open to children ages 8-12 and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford.  Last year, more than 1,000 youngsters participated in the program. YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps, beginning the first full week of July (6-10) and running through the second week of August (10-14).  Transportation to and from designated bus stops, as well as breakfast and lunch are provided daily, with a graduation ceremony held each Friday in Chelmsford. Participants are not required to reside in one of the communities with a designated bus stop, but will be picked up and dropped off at those locations.

Man Who Abandoned Dog Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

A man faces charges of animal cruelty after he allegedly abandoned a dog in Watertown. On Nov. 7, 2019, a Prentiss Street resident found a malnourished dog on her doorstep in East Watertown. The resident contacted Watertown Animal Control officer Karen O’Reilly, who began an investigation into the case, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “The Animal Control Officer took custody of the dog and described the dog as ‘every bone of his body was visible to the eye,'” O’Connor said.

Hands-Free Driving Law Goes into Effect Sunday Feb. 23

Massachusetts drivers can face a fine of up to $500 for violating the hands-free law, beginning Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. The law aims at preventing drivers from being distracted by their cellphones while driving. This includes not only texting while driving, but also talking on the phone while holding the cellphone or dialing manually. Driver’s cannot even hold a phone while driving, even if not using it, and can only touch it to put it into hands-free mode.