HockomockSports.com: FHS girls basketball season preview

"The new girls basketball season promises to be as competitive as ever with a number of teams jockeying for a place in the state tournament. Here is our team-by-team breakdown."  By HockomockSports.com Staff.

We share the Franklin preview here. The link to the other Hockomock girls team previews is shared below

FRANKLIN
2018-2019 Record: 21-4
2018-2019 Finish: Reached D1 State Semifinal.
Coach: John Leighton

"Franklin is coming off its best season in program history and the Panthers have the talent returning to potentially surpass that success this winter. After winning the program’s first sectional title and coming within minutes of reaching the state title game, Franklin returns three of its starters and a host of bench players ready to step into bigger roles this year.

The key to it all is senior Ali Brigham. The George Washington-commit controlled the paint on both ends of the floor last season and remains the league’s most dominant star, as she continues to expand her game to make it even more difficult for the opposition. Teams can’t focus only on Brigham, as senior forward Meghan O’Connell showed in the playoffs the problems she can present with her ability to score and rebound and sophomore Olivia Quinn is another forward with size that teams will struggle to match up with.

Junior point guard Erin Quaile is a tenacious defender and a solid ball-handler, who is developing her outside shot. Senior Sydney Garilli and juniors Elizabeth Wilson, Teagan Collins, and Carissa Alers all saw time last season and will be in the backcourt rotation. Franklin will also add several newcomers, who could step right in and contribute, including juniors Katelynn Taylor and Kaleigh Houlihan and sophomores Emma Sousa and Stefany Padula. On balance, the Panthers look likely to be the team to beat again in the Kelley-Rex.

“I am excited by what I have seen to date,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “They are a very motivated group who have bought into their team motto ‘We Over Me.’ They are good teammates who seek team success over individual glory.”

For other Hockomock girls team previews
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-2020-hockomock-girls-basketball-preview/

HockomockSports.com: FHS girls basketball season preview

HockomockSports.com: FHS boys basketball preview

The FHS boys basketball team 2019-20 season is upon us. Here is the team-by-team breakdown of the Hockomock League from HockomockSports.com Staff. We share the FHS preview here. The link for the remainder of the League is  below.


FRANKLIN
2018-2019 Record: 17-6
2018-2019 Finish: Reached D1 Central Quarterfinal
Coach: CJ Neely

Ever since the Hockomock League split into two divisions, Franklin has entered each season as one of the top teams in the Kelley-Rex and that looks to be the case yet again this year.

As it does each and every season, defense comes first for the Panthers. Franklin was the best defensive team in the Hockomock League last year, allowing just 48.9 points per game. Not only did the Panthers lead the league in that category, they were the lone team to keep opponents under 50 points on average. It’s the second straight year they’ve had the best defense in the division and third straight year they are in the top three. There are a lot of talented individual defenders on the team but year in and year out, Franklin’s team defense gives them a chance to win.

Offensively, the Panthers boast the top returning scorer in the league in three-year starter Chris Edgehill. Edgehill, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark last season, is an absolute handful to deal with on the offensive end of the court. He can score in a variety of ways, and on top of that, he is very good at getting teammates involved (four assists per game last year). Seniors Jack Rudolph and Steve Karayan are also back after playing valuable minutes last season and will be relied upon on both ends of the floor.

“We have a lot of guys who worked really hard in the offseason to improve and are excited to get on the court,” said head coach CJ Neely. “It’s a great group of people who have a lot of fun together. We need to stay aggressive and share the ball. We hope that strong team defense will continue to be something that defines our program.”


For other Hockomock League team previews
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-202020-hockomock-boys-basketball-preview/

HockomockSports.com: FHS boys basketball preview

“All bills have compromise"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"House and Senate leaders broke a weeks-long impasse over a more than $1 billion surplus spending bill on Wednesday night, cutting a deal that dropped a controversial corporate tax change that would have financially benefited Massachusetts businesses and set aside $32 million for repairs on the MBTA, which is less than the $50 million sought by Gov. Charlie Baker. 

The vote on the compromise budget bill to close the books on the fiscal year that ended back in June capped a tumultuous day during which Comptroller Andrew Maylor backed off a threat to sweep the entire surplus into reserves by mid-afternoon if the Legislature couldn’t resolve its differences. 

The total spending in the final version of the budget clocked in at $541 million, which was significantly less than previous iterations of the bill that ranged from $723 million to $853 million. Instead of spending more of the surplus, the budget bill proposed to deposit $587 million into the state’s “rainy day” fund, pushing the balance of the reserve account to $3.45 billion. 

House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz said the compromise reflected a increased level of caution that leaders felt was appropriate after passing a major $1.5 billion, seven-year education funding overhaul and hearing last week from economists about the risk of an economic slowdown in 2020 and beyond."

One key item of the bill 

"The bill does establish and fund a period of early voting ahead of the March 3 presidential primaries, but it does not create an early voting window as recommended by the Senate before the 2020 state primary, which the bill scheduled for Sept. 1."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191212/house-senate-agree-on-541m-surplus-spending-bill

While the article didn't include the legislative reference number this appears to be the bill  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4246

Franklin Library Book Sale - Dec 13-14

Library Book Sale

• Friday, December 13, 1:00-5:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.

All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale

• Saturday, December 14, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can! $5 A Bag

Note some of the Christmas ornaments are also available at the Library during the book sale while they last.

Holiday Christmas ornaments

Franklin Library Book Sale - Dec 13-14

In the News: new 3-digit number suicide hotline; some marijuana vaping products back on sale

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Federal regulators are setting up a new three-digit number to reach a suicide prevention hotline in order to make it easier to seek help and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. 

Once it’s implemented, people will just need to dial 988 to seek help, similar to calling 911 for emergencies or 311 for city services. Currently, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline uses a 10-digit number, 800-273-TALK (8255). Callers are routed to one of 163 crisis centers, where counselors answered 2.2 million calls last year. 

A law last year required the Federal Communications Commission to study assigning a three-digit number for suicide prevention. The FCC said in a report that there is overwhelming support for a three-digit number because it would be easier for distressed people to get help. 

Thursday’s vote starts the months-long process to make that happen. The next step is a comment period before the FCC moves to an order."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191212/house-senate-agree-on-541m-surplus-spending-bill

"State marijuana regulators on Thursday eased their ban on vaping product sales, allowing certain types of products to return to store shelves one day after state public health officials backed off a ban on nicotine vape sales. 

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the Cannabis Control Commission permitted licensed marijuana retailers to sell devices that vaporize marijuana flower for medical marijuana patients and non-medical users, devices that are used to vaporize marijuana concentrate but do not actually contain any marijuana themselves, and vaporizer cartridges that are manufactured beginning Thursday and pass a screening for contaminants like vitamin E acetate. 

Still off-limits are any vaping products manufactured before Thursday that contain marijuana, meaning retailers cannot sell any vape cartridges that they have been holding in quarantine. 

Marijuana vaping products have been unavailable to consumers since September, when Gov. Charlie Baker imposed a temporary ban on the sale of any vaping product amid a national outbreak of vaping-related lung disease, including three deaths in Massachusetts. When a judge ruled the CCC is the only agency that can regulate marijuana vapes, the CCC put in place an indefinite quarantine of all vaping products."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191212/marijuana-vape-sales-can-resume-ccc-declares

FTC Consumer Alert: Car wrap scam targets college students

Car wrap scam targets college students by Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC If you have a car, you know how expensive the upkeep can be. Gas, maintenance, parking – the whole lot. So what if a company offered to pay you to drive around – which you were already doing – with their branding wrapped onto your car? It could sound like a good deal. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/car-wrap-scam-targets-college-students?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Last chance to reply to the Economic Development Survey

Franklin Economic Development Survey

The Town of Franklin, in conjunction with the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) in conducting a community survey regarding economic development in our town. 

Please click on this link to access the survey form: https://forms.gle/6SJpXeWPvg2H37A96 

This survey will be available until December 13. There are hard copies available in the town administrators office if needed. Thank you in advance for your input, ideas and feedback!

Last chance to reply to the Economic Development Survey