The Leicester Police Department is issuing an alert to residents pertaining to a suspicious vehicle that has been involved in two incidents in Leicester where the occupant(s) of the vehicle reportedly took photos of a teenager and two children.  A similar incident was reported in Paxton where the vehicle involved was of a similar description.  For specifics about these incidents, please go to the Leicester Police Department webpage.  If similarly suspicious incidents occur in your neighborhood, please call 911 immediately. 

A black bear was spotted in Cherry Valley.  Police are reminding area residents that these are wild animals and that residents should not approach a bear.  If you see a bear, please contact the Leicester Police Department immediately. 

A presentation for two options for the FY14 School Department Budget took place on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 and the School Committee voted to endorse the two budget options.  One budget option is contingent upon a 2 1/2 override approval while the other option was developed in case the voters reject an override this fall.  Updated budget documents as well as documents from the original proposal are available on our website under the tab, "Finance Office."   Town residents will vote on the combined town and school budgets at the continuance of the annual town meeting, to be held on Wednesday, May 29th at 7pm at the Leicester High School Auditorium.  For more information about the budget options, please refer to the PowerPoint from the May 1st meeting, which is available through the Finance Office link. 

The Leicester School Committee had a first reading of six policies associated with policy development and adoption at its May 14th meeting.  These policies (BG, BGB, BGC, BGD, BGE, and BGF) can be viewed on the new policy webpage, available through this link.  Please note that the new webpage is in development; the complete set of adopted policies can be found through the School Committee link at the left.  Once all adopted policies have been added to the new website, this website link will be available through the School Committee link at the left. 

The second reading of these policies will take place at the June 11th School Committee meeting.  Anyone wishing to make suggestions to these drafts should contact Judy Paolucci or any member of the School Committee.

The Hope In hands Community Garden begins its fourth season with a full compliment of gardeners.

Christ Episcopal Church of Rochdale owns , oversees, and provides the insurance coverage for garden volunteers.  All other organizations involved provide their own liability insurance. This years gardeners are: Primary School, Leicester Food Pantry, Christ Episcopal Church, Leicester 4-H Club,  and several individual gardeners from the community at large.

The Leicester Fire Dept. provides water for the rain barrels; the Leicester DPW provides wood chips as needed.   One of the primary goals for the garden is to offer fresh produce to the Leicester Food Pantry who provides food for approx. 170 local families.The project received donations from Christ Church Episcopal Church Women; local residents and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Any person or organization wishing to help out in any way please contact Lois Dorr-Wicklund 508 8928156 or Beth Rowden  bethrowden@hotmail.com. Financial donations may be mailed to Christ Episcopal Church, PO box 142 Rochdale, Ma. 01542  attn: Hope In Hands Community Garden  AND please make your check out to 'Hope In Hands Community Garden.'

The Leicester Food Pantry which is located to the rear of St. Joseph's Church can also use volunteers throughout the year.  Co ordinator of the pantry is Cheryl Cooney. Call the church office fo leave your name and number for Cheryl to contact  508 892-5695.