Fitchburg

The School Committee is conducting a survey soliciting residents' opinions on its search for a new superintendent to lead the town's school system. The survey asks residents which qualities they consider most important in a superintendent, as well as issues they feel the new superintendent must address. Barbara Durand, the district's director of finance and services, has been serving as acting superintendent following Ann Dargon's resignation this fall. The survey can be found on the school district's website, www.ashland.k12.ma.us. - Rachel Lebeaux

A flu vaccination clinic will be held in Room 204 at Town Hall tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m. The clinic is open to all town residents, but participants are asked to register in advance by calling 978-929-6650.

A holiday service will be held by the nonprofit Visiting Nurse and Community Health organization's Hospice Care program Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Church of Our Saviour at 21 Marathon St. The service will include readings, music and the opportunity to light candles for a loved one. The service is designed particularly for those who are experiencing loss or other problems during the holiday season. The Arlington-based nonprofit agency is also raffling off a holiday quilt on Dec. 15 in remembrance of the home health, hospice and private-care patients it has served. Tickets for the raffle are $2, or $5 for three tickets, and can be obtained by contacting Lauren Shaughnessy at 781-643-6090, ext. 1206. - Brock Parker

In the first three games, Nieves was immense - averaging 18.3 points and 2.7 assists in wins over University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, SUNY-Potsdam, and Williams.

BAY STATE (CAREY)

FITCHBURG - After an 0-3 start to begin the season, Leominster made it look relatively easy, racking up victories in each of the following seven games.

Along with selling costumes, magic tricks, and high-grade stage makeup, Mr. Bertolino was a self-styled magician and comedian whose stage never extended past the front door. He created an oasis for budding performers looking for a little support, curious tourists drawn by the storefront, and professionals who wanted top-notch equipment.

``The disturbing nature of this case is compounded by the fact that the defendant isolated the victim from her family and friends,'' the prosecutor said in the statement.

Unemployment rates for metro areas in the Northeast in November, at a glance.

Metro area unemployment rates for the Northeast region, by state and city, at a glance.

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UMass Memorial Health Care system to cut 350 jobs in an effort to trim $27M from budget. Officials at UMass Memorial Health Care, the dominant hospital system in central Massachusetts, say they are cutting the equivalent of 350 jobs.

Bank of America delays foreclosures in 23 states as it examines handling of documents. Bank of America is delaying foreclosures in 23 states as it examines whether it rushed the foreclosure process for thousands of homeowners without reading the documents.

Unemployment rates for August in Northeastern metro areas, at a glance.

Golly Gator: Massachusetts woman bags 1,025-pound alligator during hunt on SC's Lake Moultrie. A Massachusetts woman has a remarkable souvenir from South Carolina.

Golly Gator: Massachusetts woman bags 1,025-pound alligator during hunt on SC's Lake Moultrie. A Massachusetts woman has a remarkable souvenir from South Carolina. Maryellen Mara-Christian bagged a 13 1/2-foot, 1,025-pound alligator in Lake Moultrie. Mara-Christian said Friday that she is an experienced hunter, but this was her first gator.

Mass. woman chastised by Rep. Frank at town hall meeting now running against him in primary. Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank's retort was an Internet sensation.

Flicker of trouble? Backyard volunteers help scientists track possible firefly decline. The yellow-green streaks of fireflies that bring a magical air to summer nights, inspire camp songs and often end up in jars in children's bedrooms may be flickering out in the nation's backyards as suburban sprawl encroaches on their habitats.

Immigrants heading to Washington from across the country to rally for immigration reform. Day laborers on foot from Long Island and Californians who sold tamales to pay for their trip are expected to rally on Sunday in Washington, D.C., with tens of thousands of immigrants, many of them undocumented Hispanics, to dramatize their pleas for immigration reform.

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