A Breath of Fresh Air Stephen M
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Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.WEBSTERTIMES.NET Friday, July 18, 2014 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE “Do something. If State funding it doesn’t work, do something to support drug else. No idea is too crazy.” education Jim Hightower LOCAL YOUTH PROGRAMS INSIDE RECEIVE STATE MONEY Seniors ................. A5 Learning .............A6-7 BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER Viewpoint ............. A10 Sports ..................A12 With prescription med- ication and general opiate Obituaries ............. B2 abuse on the rise through- out the country, local law- Events Calendar ...... B3 Joy Richard photos makers recently aimed to Real Estate ........Sect.B Greeted with a hug as soon as he stepped off the Fresh Air Fund bus, Miroku, 9, of Queens, stem the problem before Legal Notices ..... Sect.B N.Y., embraces Southbridge resident and host Lori Allen who will host him for the second its started through the year funding of youth sub- stance abuse programs throughout southern LOCAL Worcester County. According to Sen. A breath of Fresh Air Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, and Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Richard Moore CITY KIDS GET A TASTE OF it was apparent that the issue is high on both stance abuse epidemic COUNTRY LIFE legislators’ priority list, in Massachusetts is a and the key to reducing priority of this bud- the cases of addiction is get,” said Brewer. “I am BY JOY RICHARD ond year in Central youth education. proud that this funding TIMES STAFF WRITER Massachusetts, while for In a press release issued has been included. With STURBRIDGE — The others it was like retun- from Brewer’s office this new funding from bus may have been held ing to their second home on Tuesday, July 8, the the state, YMCAs across Team Moore back by traffic, delaying — some spending five or senator announced that Massachusetts — includ- arrival by a couple hours more years with their $200,000 has been allo- ing ones in my district ‘red hot’ at 65th On Thursday, July 10, Fresh Air families. cated for the Alliance of — will work to educate It is always good to see a but that did not dampen Residents from Massachsuetts YMCA’s youth on the serious Southbridge friendly face after a long the enthusiasm of Fresh Southbridge, Webster, Inc., which will go toward nature of substance abuse ride. Webster resident Air Fund families who Auburn and Rutland “high-impact speaking race and Fresh Air Fund host and bring us one step waited for the return of gathered at the Hobbs engagement,” which Christina Ralph embrac- closer to ending this ter- Page A3 their kids from the city. Brook complex in will target teenagers and es her guest Ashley with rible scourge.” Sturbridge on Thursday those at highest risk for Some children were a warm hug. This will be Moore added that fund- returning for their sec- substance abuse. Please Read KIDS, page A9 Ashley’s fifth year in the “Fighting the sub- Please Read FUNDING, page A9 LOCAL program. WESO sold to More than just a fight Catholic radio DMS STUDENT FINDS A FAMILY IN company SOUTHBRIDGE GYM BY JOY RICHAD OSV marks BY DAVID DORE approves the sale. TIMES STAFF WRITER STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WNEB, known on air Independence Day WRITER DUDLEY — After as “1230 AM Emmanuel years of traditional with historical SOUTHBRIDGE — Radio,” has been sports, one local teen is Southbridge’s AM radio owned by Emmanuel flair making the move into station is being sold to Communications since the boxing ring, and a new owner, which 2011. WNEB broadcasts Page A7 hasn’t looked back. intends to change its for- Roman Catholic pro- For Dudley Middle mat to Catholic talk and gramming, primarily School eighth grader SPORTS teaching. from the radio service Wilson Reich, 13, the An application of the Eternal Word idea of contact sports was filed last week Television Network. seemed like something with the Federal A June 27 press release right up his alley. He Communications posted on the WNEB web- said after a few years Commission to sell site stated Emmanuel of baseball and soccer, WESO-AM 970, owned by Communications would, he was ready to take on Money Matters Radio in over the next 60 days, something with more Needham, to Worcester- look to “raise enough physicality, something based Emmanuel donations and pledges that would make him Communications, for from listeners, fans and work harder. $250,000. local business under- Reich said that Emmanuel writing sponsors to sus- was when his dad, Communications tain programming and Christopher Reich, intends to simulcast expand broadcasting Courtesy photo took him to Uptown its only other station, operations to Catholics Boxing in Southbridge, WNEB-AM 1230 in and non-Catholics alike Dudley Middle School eighth grader Wilson Reich, 13, sits Leicester and introduced him to Worcester, on WESO in Southbridge and sur- in a boxing ring at Uptown Boxing in Southbridge. Reich his longtime friend and All-Stars take and convert WESO rounding communities.” recently made it through to the finals of the high-profile into a non-commercial Silver Mittens event in Lowell. Please Read FIGHT, page A9 down Webster in radio station if the FCC Major Division Please Read WESO, page A8 quarterfinals Page A12 Women in the Outdoors event returns for third year BY AMANDA COLLINS a bow and arrows, hunt the third annual “Women ties, for women ages 13 the importance shooting STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER turkeys and throw hatch- in the Outdoors Event,” and older. sports, ethical hunting ets to celebrate their which is put on the by According to Keith and scientific wildlife AUBURN — A girls’ place in the world of out- Central Mass. Chapter of Fritz, NWTF chapter management play in the day out doesn’t necessar- door sporting. the National Wild Turkey president and Spencer organization’s conserva- ily involve shopping or This year at least as Federation. The program resident, it’s their hope tion efforts. nail polish. many ladies — if not provides interactive edu- that through the educa- The idea to have a pro- Last year, more than more — will gather at cational outdoor opportu- tion program, women gram to get females more 100 local women came the Auburn Sportsman’s nities, including hunting attendees will form a together to shoot with Club on Elm Street for and non-hunting activi- better understanding of Please Read EVENT, page A14 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES Friday,• July 18, 2014 www.webstertimes.net Former gym teacher sentenced to five years in prison BY JOY RICHARD The court also stipulated that Nguyen shock to the district as Nguyen was not said Himmelberger. “What we did [last] TIMES STAFF WRITER stay away/have no contact with the vic- only a physical education teacher at the Tuesday was we had assemblies with OXFORD — Months after turning tim or with any child less than 14 years high school, but one of the girl’s varsity the high school facility and all of the himself in to Holden police, former of age. He will also need to complete a soccer coaches and a local youth soccer students. We emphasized to them to Oxford High School gym teacher Dung sex offender containment program and coach. stay off of social media [regarding the V. Nguyen, 41, was recently sentenced be monitored by GPS. He said a crisis team had been estab- case] and to keep the victim in their to prison for five years. According to court documents, lished for students and team members thoughts. We told them this could be a After pleading not guilty to two Nguyen has no criminal record, and of Nguyen’s, adding that staff and friend of yours, it could be your sister, counts of rape and one count of indecent all background information, includ- administrators had encouraged kids to it could be someone sitting next to you, assault and battery on an child under ing dialogue from the victim, has been take advantage of these resources if and that they have to be respectful.” 14, during his Monday, May 19, arraign- impounded or sealed by the court. they had questions. He added that he made an all-call ment at Dudley District Court, charges Speaking with Oxford Public School “It is a delicate situation from so to the community-at-large to give par- were amended as of Thursday, July 10, Interim Superintendent Mark Garceau many angles,” said Himmelberger. ents and residents a few facts about to three counts of indecent assault and on Monday, July 14, he said Nguyen “This involves a minor, it involves the case and to reassure to them there battery on a child under 14. Nguyen had resigned from his position as gym someone’s career, someone’s family everything is being done to keep their received two and a half years for two teacher in June and “is no longer with and the district.” children safe. counts, with 53 days credited as served. the district.” He said to his knowledge, At the time Nguyen was placed on According to court records, it was the position will be refilled in time for paid administrative leave as a result of Joy Richard may be reached at 508- recommended that Nguyen serve his the upcoming school year. the charges. 909-4129 or by email at jrichard@stone- time at the Franklin County House of Former Oxford Superintendent Alan “When there is evidence of felony [the bridgepress.com Corrections. Himmelberger said during an inter- person] is always place on paid admin- view in May that the situation was a istrative leave, because of due process,” WEBSTER SENIOR CENTER 116 School Street — Monday, Tuesday, made for his or her house.