In Other News

FYI: Franklin Library Event Keeper is DOWN

Due to an
Eventkeeper Outage at the Franklin Public Library, event
registration, museum pass reservation, and study and conference room
reservations are inaccessible online.

To register for an
event, reserve a museum pass, or reserve the study or conference
room, please call the library directly at 508-520-4941.

We appreciate your
patience as we navigate this fluid situation! Hopefully we'll be back
in action soon with all of the online convenience you are used to! –
Franklin Public Library

Creepy: Dashe
Videira Responds to Threats

From the campaign
of Dashe Videira for State Senate:

After
a series of disturbing events surrounding the 10th Norfolk District
State Rep Candidate debate, State Senate candidate Dashe Videira is calling
for unity and a focus on respectful political discourse. An incident
outside the debate venue at a Medway school, which had reached
maximum capacity, left Dashe confronted by an aggressive individual
who verbally attacked her, escalating to threats against her life and
personal safety. These actions highlight the serious risks faced by
women and diverse candidates and underscore the rising tension in
today's political climate. “Such hostile acts threaten not only the
safety of candidates but also the spirit of civic engagement. We must
protect the right of every individual to run for office without fear
of violence or harassment,” said Dashe.

The
encounter took place as an older man approached Dashe, spewing
insults, calling her "a vile human being" and declaring
that she "didn't deserve to live." His outburst was
provoked by her endorsement from the Log Cabin Republicans, an
organization representing LGBT conservatives and their allies. Dashe
usually brings her children to events and is relieved they were not
present during the unsettling incidents that occurred that night.

After
the debate, while driving home with a friend, Dashe was tailed by a
vehicle, with the driver following her from the event all the way to
her home. Fearing for her safety and that of her family, Dashe
reported the incident to local police, underlining the gravity of the
situation and the need for increased vigilance against escalating
threats.

"No
one—man or woman—should have to endure threats or violence for
participating in our democratic process," said Dashe. "This
isn’t just about my safety; it’s about safeguarding the
democratic process itself. My campaign is based on three fundamental
pillars: unity, opportunity, and accountability. Allowing hatred and
aggression to infiltrate our political landscape undermines the
community we’re working to build."

Chill Challenge

With
the chill in the air, we are all digging through closets for that
perfect coat to keep us warm. As you find yourself searching, would
you please consider donating any children’s or adult winter coats
you no longer need?

Sheriff
Patrick W. McDermott and The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office are
teaming up with Coats for Kids & Families to collect winter coats
of all sizes for those in need. We are looking for warm
winter coats that are new or gently used, good
quality, and all sizes. The
Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office is proud to be a collection partner
in this effort. We
will have collections bins in the lobbies of our Correctional
Facility in Dedham and our Civil Process office in Quincy, starting
this Friday.

Drop-offs
at the Dedham facility will be accepted 7
days a week from
Friday, October 11th through Friday, November 8th between 7:00 am -
8:00 pm. The
Dedham facility is located at 200 West Street, Dedham, MA.

Drop-offs
at the Quincy office will be accepted Monday-Friday from
Friday, October 11th through Friday, November 8th between 8:30 am -
4:30 pm. The Quincy Office is located at 1255 Hancock Street, Quincy,
MA.

Second
Safest

Wallet
hub has ranked Franklin, Massachusetts the second safest town in
Massachusetts, and the fifth safest in America. They survey looked
and crime and other factors that contribute to over all safety.

Attention
Middle and High School Students: Join Pantry Elves and Help Raise
Funds for the Franklin Food Pantry

The
Franklin Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food and household
necessities, invites middle and high school students to volunteer for
the Pantry Elves campaign!

Since
2005, hundreds of students have participated in this holiday-inspired
campaign, which has evolved into one of The Pantry’s largest
fundraising events of the year. The annual campaign has been
instrumental in raising funds to fight food insecurity during the
holiday season and throughout the year.

This
year, Pantry Elves will fundraise electronically from their friends
and family members and will not canvass neighborhoods. Donations,
which will be used to purchase fresh produce, dairy, meats and
proteins, and household necessities, will be sent directly to The
Pantry.

Pantry
Elves registration is open through December 2, 2024, and volunteers
will receive 12 hours of community service. To register,
visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/pantryelves,
or contact Jen Johnson, Development Associate Franklin Food Pantry,
at jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org.

The Great Trash Barrell Caper

The evening before the Harvest Festival, the Frankln Historical Museum had a trash barrel and a recyclcing barrel. Then they were gone. And no one knows where. That trash barrell theft was a "thing" came as a surprise to all involved. The containers do contain serial numbers. So presumably, at some point in the future, the culprit will be revealed. In the meantime, Waste Management came up with replacements.

Wednesday Night Entrapment.

New England Fire News reported that the driver of a pickup truck was completely trapped in the vehicle after a single-vehicle accident on King Street. After considerable effort with 'jaws of life' the victim was extracted and evaluated. No word on identity of condition.