Merrimac News

Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport will hold multiple services on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day.

In giving her initial projections for next year's budget, Finance Director Tracy Blais said a deficit may be looming.

Four local cities and towns will be receiving reimbursements to cover some of the costs associated with the December 2008 ice storm, which crippled the region.

Many sounds and styles of music and dance offered by more than 150 artists will help bring a bit of Christmas magic to the Rogers Center for the Arts during the 2009 production of Not Your Typical Silent Night later this month.

Sending preliminary tax bills if necessary due to possible delay in the state Department of Revenue's setting of the tax rate.

The distance between Newburyport and Merrimac is just a few miles. But a powerful storm that swept through the region yesterday created two very different scenes in the two communities.

Santa and Mrs. Claus ushered in the holiday season this weekend, as they made their way along the streets of Merrimac and Amesury in each town's annual Santa Parade.

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays. Many local communities are celebrating the season with Santa parades, tree lightings and other holiday events.

They've been shuttling Santa around the town of Merrimac year after year. And frankly, the jolly old man's team of reindeer was starting to look a little haggard.

Everyone is invited to a Community Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow at 1 p.m. hosted by Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St.

The Holy Redeemer Parish Holiday Fair will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nativity Parish Hall on Green Street in Merrimac.

A Greek luncheon and bake sale will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nicholson Hall at 7 Harris St.

The following item was recorded in the log of the Newbury police: Evan Kinlock, 20, 27 Central St., Byfield, was arrested Thursday at 4:16 p.m. on a warrant.

Selectmen at Monday's meeting were focused on upcoming or current financial issues in the town.

This summer in Haverhill there was a frightening incident with a woman who was walking her dog in a wooded area and was aggressively challenged by a pack of coyotes.

For the first time in recent years, Community Action Inc. Heating Assistance appointments are available in downtown Newburyport at the YWCA, 13 Federal St.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. Units will form in front of fire headquarters at 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and proceed to Huntington Square down Main Street to the grounds of the middle school, where the ceremonies will take place.

The following items were recorded in the log of the Newburyport police: Louie J. Caron, 40, 81A Church St., Merrimac, was issued a summons yesterday at 3:47 a.m. on charges of driving after license suspension , furnishing a false name to police, driving with a revoked registration and not having a license in possession.

School officials have sent out notices to all parents notifying them of the district's response to the H1N1 virus.

What would happen to the emergency needs of the public if an epidemic or catastrophe sickens police officers and shuts down local police stations? Who responds to the roadside emergency 911 call if the local department's officers are all out with the H1N1 flu? With flu, swine and seasonal, striking in historic proportions, decimating school ...