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🌱 How one Gardner officer’s school work earned top honors this year
Hello again Gardner! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How one Gardner officer’s school work earned top honors this year
- How Gardner’s new master plan and zoning talks could affect you
- How Gardner police helped unravel a multi-state federal drug trafficking case
Also on today's calendar: Wachusett Brewing (Westminster) — Fox and the Dragon and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 69 and low of 46 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 57, low: 45.
- Sunday: Showers; cooler in the p.m., with a high of 54 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Officer Spain Honored – Gardner News Magazine: Local News & Articles in Gardner MA (gardnermagazine.com) — Gardner residents are being recognized for keeping the community safer, as School Resource Officer Ryan Spain was named 2025 Officer of the Year for his work in Gardner Public Schools and community programs. At the annual Gardner Police Department banquet, attendees also honored late local officers and dispatcher Heather Newton, and celebrated officers reaching key service milestones. 
• Planning 4-14-26 (gardnermagazine.com) — Gardner’s Planning Board just reviewed key development issues, including a postponed decision on 0 Emerald Street and updated plans for the Walmart fuel station’s environmental safeguards. The board also backed changes to city signage rules and announced a public review period for Gardner’s new 20‑year Master Plan, which will shape future growth and land use.
• Feds charge 13 in alleged Worcester-based drug trafficking operation (telegram.com) — Gardner police played a supporting role in a major federal drug investigation that charged 13 people with allegedly moving cocaine, meth, and fentanyl into Worcester County from Puerto Rico. The case, led by federal agencies with help from several Central Mass departments, resulted in seized firearms and narcotics, and each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
📸 Around Gardner
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Gardner
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
The Hangout
The Black Dove Studio, 104-108 Parker St Unit 5, Gardner
7:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Wachusett Brewing (Westminster) — Fox and the Dragon
Wachusett Brewing Company , 175 State Rd E , Westminster
1:00 pm -
4/20 Yoga: Sanctuary Self-Care Sundays
The Black Dove Studio , 104-108 Parker St Unit 5 , Gardner
4:00 pm -
Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
Gardner MA Calendar , 95 Pleasant Street , Gardner
6:30 pm -
Bandstand Committee Regular Meeting
Gardner MA Calendar , 50 Manca Drive , Gardner
3:30 pm -
Gardner Museum presents: Women of '76
Gardner MA Calendar , 28 Pearl Street , Gardner
6:30 pm -
Women of ‘76
Gardner Museum , 28 Pearl St , Gardner
7:00 pm -
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Gardner MA Calendar , 55 West Lynde Street , Gardner
9:00 am
Sunday April 19
Wednesday April 22
Thursday April 23
Friday April 24
📣 Gardner Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Baby & Toddler Time
Athol Public Library , 568 Main St , Athol
11:00 am -
Quabbin Food Connector Meeting
Athol Public Library , 568 Main St , Athol
1:00 pm -
Cheer Youth Camp - Mon to Wed
TES Gym
9:00 am -
Class Reunion at the 1761 Old Mill
The 1761 Old Mill , 69 State Rd E , Westminster
7:00 pm
Friday April 17
Monday April 20
Friday April 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello all-
I’m looking for a local house cleaner- right now for a reset as my kids are moving out. Rooms would be: Living room Kitchen 1.5 bathrooms Empty room… (Nextdoor South Gardner)
- Mount Wachusett Community College posted a job opening for History/Anthropology-Adjunct Faculty (Pool) - Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. Apply here.
- Fitchburg State University posted a job opening for Assistant Coach Open Pool Posting (Men's Cross ... in Fitchburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gardner here.
🗞 Nearby News
Westminster
- Trader Joe's settlement: How to know if you're eligible for $102 payout (sentinelandenterprise.com)
- Congresswoman Trahan tours Westminster senior housing project (thegardnernews.com)
- Unexplained rashes, cancer cases, and sulfur smells: A small Mass. town's water supply is a source of fear (pfasproject.com)
Ashburnham
- Ashburnham's New Dawn Arts Center creates community (sentinelandenterprise.com)
- CT boys basketball standout guard Josh Charlot leaving Notre Dame Prep for Cushing Academy (middletownpress.com)
Fitchburg
- Shooting reported in Fitchburg (newportdispatch.com)
Ok Gardner! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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