"Biden’s new campaign manager is Franklin native Jennifer O’Malley Dillon"

From the Milford Daily News via the Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Former vice president Joe Biden named Jen O’Malley Dillon as his new campaign manager Thursday, a major shake-up that comes as the party’s leading candidate plans an organizational expansion to prepare for the general election.

The move is intended to quell concerns raised in recent weeks by senior Democratic strategists about the leadership structure of the Biden campaign, which has been beset by underwhelming fundraising, scant staffing resources and organizational miscues during the early nominating contests.

“She will be a tremendous asset to a campaign that is only growing and getting stronger as we prepare to take the fight to Donald Trump this fall,” Biden said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

The campaign shuffle is an acknowledgment that while Biden has had a remarkable recent run of victories - at least 15 of the past 21 contests - his operation was not up to the challenge posed by President Donald Trump if Biden wins the nomination."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200312/bidens-new-campaign-manager-is-franklin-native-jennifer-omalley-dillon

The Washington Post article (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/joe-biden-appoints-jen-omalley-dillon-as-new-campaign-manager/2020/03/12/9fbde70e-63fd-11ea-845d-e35b0234b136_story.html

In the News: Dean students get extra break; BAA marathon to be rescheduled

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

"In light of the continuing spread of the new coronavirus, Dean College students are getting an extra-long spring break.

Administrators, led by President Paula Rooney, issued a decision on Wednesday to extend the break at least through March 22; the break was original scheduled for March 9-13.

The decision comes a day after Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts regarding the respiratory illness, known as COVID-19, and as the World Health Organization on Wednesday labeled the virus a pandemic.

“Our focus is and will always be on the health, safety and well-being of our community of students, faculty and staff,” states an announcement posted by Rooney’s to the college website on Wednesday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200312/franklins-dean-college-extending-spring-break-in-light-of-covid-19-emergency/1

"Organizers of the 2020 Boston Marathon will postpone this year’s race amid concerns about COVID-19, sources told 5 Investigates.

The 124th running of the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathon was set for April 20, Patriots’ Day. Organizers are now looking to reschedule the event for September, although an exact date has not been determined, sources tell 5 Investigates. Sources say Sept. 5 - the Saturday before Labor Day - is being considered.

Legislators are talking about creating a special holiday in the fall in order to have the Marathon be held on a holiday, WCVB has learned. The bill would be subject to the same approval process as other bills.

The Boston Athletic Association had said it was working closely with state and local officials and would adhere to policies put forth by the Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200312/organizers-will-postpone-boston-marathon-according-to-wcvb

BAA web page with updates  https://www.baa.org/races/race-updates

BAA web page with updates

Massachusetts Legislature Approves a $15 Million Fund in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak

The Senate and House today passed a supplemental budget to create a $15 million fund in response to the outbreak of COVID 19 cases in Massachusetts. The funds, held in reserve, will support the Commonwealth’s monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts against the 2019 novel coronavirus by the Department of Public Health, regional and local boards of health, and other public entities.

“Massachusetts acted quickly to put in place funds for our public health system so that it may have resources immediately available to combat the spread of the coronavirus,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop). ““Thank you to Chair Michlewitz for his work to move this legislation this week and Leader Jones for his support. We took this action in partnership with our Senate colleagues, and we appreciate the leadership of Senate President Spilka and the work of Chair Rodrigues during this public health crisis.”

“This week, the Senate, along with our partners in the House, acted decisively to provide a flexible source of funding to assist state and local efforts to deal with our unfolding public health crisis,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I would like to thank everyone, from Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues and Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, to Speaker DeLeo and Chair Michlewitz, for their collaborative work to quickly pass this supplemental budget.”

“I am pleased that we were able to approve this critical funding so quickly,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways &; Means (D – Boston). “We will continue to work collaboratively with our partners in the Senate and with the Baker administration to combat this crisis however we can.”

“As COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt the day-to-day actions of our Commonwealth, we must continue to rapidly respond to this immediate public health crisis,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D-Westport). “Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Spilka, and the partnership of Speaker DeLeo and Chair Michlewitz, we have acted swiftly to provide an immediate infusion of $15 million to enhance state and local response efforts to ensure the well-being of our residents and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

“I’m pleased we were able to take quick action as a first step to address the coronavirus outbreak,” said House Minority Leader Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “I expect this will be the first of many actions we will take to respond to this rapidly evolving public health situation.”

“To combat the spread of Coronavirus illness, the Senate and House have acted quickly to give the state and local agencies charged with protecting the public health the resources they need to respond effectively to this threat,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Our actions today reflect our ongoing commitment to do what is necessary to reduce risk of harm to the people of the Commonwealth.”

The bill now goes to the governor.

Massachusetts Legislature Approves a $15 Million Fund  in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak

March Veterans Council Meeting Cancelled

March Veterans Council Meeting Cancelled

The monthly Veterans Council Meeting scheduled for March 19, 2020 has been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns.

Stay tuned for updates!

March Veterans Council Meeting Cancelled

Franklin Public Schools: Schools closed Friday, March 13

March 12, 2020

Dear Franklin Families,

We are writing to inform you that Franklin Public Schools will be closed Friday, March 13. All extracurricular activities and are also canceled. We will also be canceling SAT testing at FHS on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

We were notified late today by a staff member at the high school that they have been directed to self-quarantine. Out of an abundance of caution, we wish to conduct a thorough disinfection at the high school.

Additionally, we have reflected seriously on the information that has developed, particularly in the last 24 hours, across the Commonwealth and have applied our judgment as a leadership team about the most responsible course of action, which we believe is to close all District schools for Friday, March 13, 2020. Our first priority is the health and safety of our students and staff. We believe that the decision to close the District is in direct alignment with this responsibility.

The District leadership team will also use tomorrow to conduct a fuller assessment of the situation to plan and prepare for the continued support of our staff, students, and families. We will continue to closely monitor this ever-changing situation, following the guidance of our local Health Department, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We will reassess to determine if a longer closure is warranted and update the community prior to the weekend.

Earlier this week, the Commissioner of Education has informed Districts that schools will only be required to make up, at most, 5 days due to school closure. Therefore, at this point, Franklin Public Schools will have had 2 days of closure.

We wish to remind you that the Town of Franklin has developed a portal for the public to access the latest information on Coronavirus:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal

Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools


Get the PDF Copy of this notification
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SgTNy3mEkJTAhJrIHWYFG5YXWA0t10Bc/view?usp=sharing


 

Franklin Public Schools: Schools closed Friday, March 13

Cancellations of note: 3/12/20

On the FHS sports (Track and Field, Cheerleaders, basketball all stars), MICCA music, Recreation fronts:

Tonight's MICCA showcase concert has been cancelled.

— Franklin Ed.org (@FranklinEdOrg) March 12, 2020

All Recreation activities for this Saturday, March 14 are canceled. This affects ALL Recreation basketball and track & field. There have been no decisions made about Spring sports at this time.

— Franklin Recreation (@FranklinRec) March 12, 2020

With a heavy heart we would like to share that our championship game has been cancelled & we are CO CHAMPIONS💙 Obviously this isn’t the outcome we had intended, but we are so grateful for our amazing teammates & coaching staff! With love, #1, #34, #22💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/WmL8B6IiB0

— Franklin Girls Basketball (@fhsgvbasketball) March 12, 2020

As of 3:30 today, no decision has been made by the MIAA regarding Saturday's Basketball State Final Game. We continue to ask for your patience. The MIAA is exploring all avenues before they finalize their decision. @fhsgvbasketball

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) March 12, 2020

I feel very badly for this team. #1 in league and #1 in regionals. We are so VERY proud of your accomplishments! #PantherPride @FHScheer_ https://t.co/he1X5PNQX6

— Tom Angelo (@Coach_Angelo) March 12, 2020

ICYMI: 7th Annual Charity Basketball Classic Canceled - https://t.co/Jrtl4izI3O #hockomock

— HockomockSports (@HockomockSports) March 12, 2020

With the cancellation of this weekend’s New Balance Nationals, the winter season finally comes to a close. Very sad for the natties-bound guys but congrats to everyone who found success this season. Thank you seniors🙌🏼

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) March 12, 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal

Music4Kids fund raiser features Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones) with Monster Mike Welch - April 2

Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones)
Monster Mike Welch
Veronica Lewis
Nolan Leite

These musicians are coming to Wrentham! Come enjoy dinner, drinks and some awesome blues music! Proceeds of this event go to Franklin non-profit Music4Kids, helping us to provide musical instruments, lessons and special music education programs for disabled and disadvantaged children.

The Home for Little Waderers is highlighted as one of our ongoing projects that will be served by the proceeds of this event!

Auction and raffle items available for bidding. This is a great cause. Hope to see you there!

*This event is in open seating format with the exception of reserved tables.*

**If you would like to have one or more tables reserved, please contact Joshua Silver at 508-381-9052 after purchasing the desired number of tickets.**


Date And Time = Thu, April 2, 2020 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT

Location = Lake Pearl Ballroom, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sugar-ray-the-bluetones-with-monster-mike-welch-charity-benefit-concert-for-music4kids-the-home-for-tickets-91562378539 

Music4Kids fund raiser features Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones) with Monster Mike Welch - April 2