Southborough – Southborough Media Access, Inc. (SAM) announced Dec. 19 that the Southborough Board of Selectmen has approved a long-term funding plan to begin developing a public media program for Southborough residents.

Until recently, the Town of Southborough did not have a public access corporation. As a result, the availability of training for residents and students was lacking, as was modern equipment and a facility to produce programming. To remedy this, the Board of Selectmen approved the creation of Southborough Media Access in April.

As part of their franchise agreements with the Town of Southborough, the town’s three cable providers, Verizon, Charter Communications, and Comcast, pay the town subscription fees that are earmarked for the production of local programming. Public, educational, and government programming, known as PEG programming, is funded from these fees. On Dec. 17, the Board of Selectmen, after a review of the corporation’s structure and objectives, approved the transfer of the subscription fees to SAM to enable it to develop a first-class PEG production program for Southborough.

“We are very excited about what Southborough Media Access is going to do,” said Town Administrator Mark Purple. “For too long, the townspeople have not seen much of any return on the PEG subscription fees on their cable bills. By creating and funding a nonprofit PEG corporation, the Board of Selectmen has created a structure dedicated to delivering a return on this investment. I would encourage everyone who wishes to do so to get involved and help build a showcase of education, entertainment, and debate for all of Southborough.”

SAM’s vision for Southborough will now begin to take shape during 2014. SAM’s board members – Warren Palley, Neil Rossen, Katelyn Willis, and Alex Neihaus – will use the funding to hire an executive director, build a studio, and develop training programs for the schools and the community at large.

Instead of calling the organization “Southborough Cable Access,” as is common for PEG corporations, the board named it “Southborough Access Media” because PEG programming needs to be available on more than just the cable system. SAM intends to provide access to all distribution capabilities, as well as the equipment and facilities to produce content.

“As a public, nonprofit programming organization, our role is to facilitate the creation of content that the town itself wants to see and hear,” said Warren Palley, president of SAM. “We invite anyone in the town of Southborough who has an idea and an interest in communicating it to contact us to learn what we can offer. Our charter is to be open to all programming ideas and to make our facilities available to all who wish to use them. Even with our rather limited capabilities today, we encourage people to be pioneers with us and participate with us as we build a high quality programming center.”

Interested members of the community may visit www.sboromedia.org to learn more or send email to info@sboromedia.org. Town residents may watch televised meetings of the Southborough Board of Selectmen on channel 37 on Verizon’s system and on channel 12 on Charter’s system. At SAM’s website, visitors can also stream recordings of these meetings and other programs.

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Ben Riva of Southborough (second from the left) performs fiddle and vocals with Brother’s Rye. (Photo/submitted)

Southborough – Ben Riva of Southborough is a musician who has covered a lot of ground, both in musical styles and geographical regions. He started playing the violin at age 3 when his family lived in Philadelphia. Now he’s performing fiddle and vocals with Brother’s Rye, a country and bluegrass band who play nearly weekly at venues in the greater Boston area and on Cape Cod.

“The first violin music I heard was classical, which I thought was really cool,” he said. “These days, I do a lot more fiddling.”

Riva distinctly remembers his introduction to the violin when he was only 3 years old.

“I was a pretty active child and didn’t really want to sit down for too long,” he said. “My mother took me to the library and there happened to be a violinist playing there that day. I sat down and watched the entire performance. After that, my mom signed me up for violin lessons.”

Through his childhood, Riva studied with a violinist who played with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Soon after his family moved to Amherst when he was 11, he developed an interest in blues fiddling. He began studying with a teacher in western Massachusetts whose lessons included jazz, bluegrass, and other musical styles.

Riva’s artistic interest expanded to theater at age 18. After performing with the Mount Holyoke College Summer Theatre, he decided to move to Los Angeles.

“I tried my hand at acting while doing some music,” he said. “While I was out there, I was introduced to electronic music and production by a few deejays I’d been listening to and hanging out with. After a year in Los Angeles, I figured that I really liked music a whole lot more.”

Riva returned to Massachusetts and studied music synthesis at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“I had a wonderful time at Berklee,” he said. “It was great to have all sorts of musicians with a vast amount of knowledge that you can gain from being around them. The college has great teachers and cool classes to take.”

While instructing fiddle, Riva yearned to return to the musical style he learned years earlier.

“I was teaching fiddle in Boston and doing lots of stagehand work, and I started getting bitten by the bluegrass bug,” he explained. “I moved down to Asheville, N.C., in 2007.”

Soon afterward, Riva became active in the Western North Carolina music scene. He performed with a few bands, including the Trainwrecks. They were voted Best Alternative Country Band for four consecutive years in the Best of Western North Carolina Awards conducted by the Mountain Express, an independent weekly newspaper.

“Winning was a surprise to us each time,” he said with a laugh. “The Asheville, N.C., music scene and community was incredible. Big names from Nashville have moved there and it’s become quite a music hub.”

Now back in Massachusetts, Riva works as the audio-visual director at St. Mark’s School. Musically, he picked up where he left off by checking Craigslist and finding a band in search of a fiddler. He enjoys playing with Brother’s Rye, who are recording an album and performing gigs.

“We’re basically a jug band without a jug,” he said. “Sometimes we do have a jug onstage and anybody can come up and play it.”

They rehearse in a studio at the home of a band member in Woods Hole.

“It’s a long commute, but it’s worth it because it’s a really great band,” Riva said. “It’s nice to find people who you jive with musically.”

For more information about Brother’s Rye, visit: brothersrye.com.

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Logos courtesy of Southborough CERT/MRC

Southborough – The Southborough Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of volunteers in the process of restructuring its chain of command.

Neil Aspesi, director of operations for the Southborough Emergency Management Agency, is the CERT director, and Mark Spruill is its coordinator. Leslie Chamberlain, board of health nurse, is the MRC director, and Carol Willoughby is its coordinator. Willoughby, who formerly coordinated both CERT and MRC, said she welcomes the restructuring.

“The restructuring will divide the team into separate groups regarding authority,” Willoughby explained. “Southborough CERT/MRC came together as a team in 2006. Both units will still work together as one cohesive team, but the authority will be separated. CERT and MRC are two separate entities that work for the same causes. As it was before, CERT is under the Fire Department and MRC is under the Board of Health.”

The unified mission of the Southborough CERT/MRC is to educate and train volunteers in emergency preparedness, readiness, response and recovery, as well as public health preparedness and response. They also recruit medical and non-medical volunteers who are willing to train and assist with mass care, large-scale incidents, and disasters.

“We’re going to offer a lot more training,” Willoughby noted. “I do a PowerPoint presentation on emergency preparedness for our volunteers.”

In addition to current and new volunteers, she hopes to offer the PowerPoint presentation to businesses and the general public.

Willoughby cited several occasions in recent years when Southborough CERT/MRC deployed volunteers locally.

“In 2007, when we had severe thunderstorms, flooding and lightning strikes, a few of us were deployed to set up a trailer as an emergency operations center so the police and fire departments could work from there if necessary,” she said. “And I was deployed to go to the Senior Center with the police to calm down a lot of the elderly people who were there. They were frightened by the storm and couldn’t get home.”

In 2009, the team and the board of health organized a dispensing site for H1N1 flu vaccinations.

“We were deployed to the Mass Pike for an emergency shutdown in 2010,” Willoughby said. “Bricks had fallen off the bridge and we helped with traffic and safety.”

Among their other recent accomplishments were the openings of a cooling center during the heat wave of 2011; a shelter during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011; and an emergency operations center for Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

These volunteers have become familiar faces at annual community events as they assist with first aid and traffic detail at road races, Southborough Summer Nights, and the Southborough Heritage Day Celebration.

“We love helping our community,” Willoughby said. “The events run more smoothly having us out there and assisting the police department.”

She estimates they currently have about 40 volunteers, half of whom are active participants.

“We’re looking for new members,” she said. “It’s a strictly volunteer situation. They don’t need to be deployed if they don’t want to be deployed. The members who are active are always available and there for us – from the road races to a weather incident. The others are nurses and physicians who would be there if we had a large-scale incident and really needed them.”

Southborough CERT/MRC has been a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization since 2011.

Also, plans are underway to establish a Teen CERT for freshmen through seniors, which will be coordinated by Sherri Lajeunesse.

For more information and an application to volunteer, visit southboroughcertmrc.org.

Southborough – Mary (Midouhas) Peltekis, 95, of Southborough, formerly of Marlborough, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at Kindred Transitional Care in Westborough. She was the wife of the late James A. Peltekis, who died in 1980.

She was born in New York City, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Catherine (Tani) Midouhas, and was educated in the New York City school system where she excelled with two double promotions. She was also a champion swimmer.

Mary became the Chief Stewardess for Colonial Airlines, later to become TWA. She was instrumental in establishing the Flight Attendant Training Program for Linea Aeropostal Venezolana (LAN) in 1948.

Mary lived a storied life, meeting many movie stars and other celebrities on charter flights, which included many trips to the Kentucky Derby, hunting lodges, and foreign countries.

She leaves her son, James A. Peltekis and his wife, Betty, of Marlborough; four grandchildren, Jamie Peltekis of Athol, Nia Benoit and her husband, Daniel, of Marlborough, Nikki Fahlbeck and her husband, Steven, of Sterling, and Kristy Harvey and her husband, Shannon, of Hudson; and two great-grandchildren, Julian and Teddy Benoit of Marlborough. Her daughter, Faith K. Peltekis, of Southborough died in March 2012.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m., in Sts. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church, 9 Central St., Marlborough. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Pleasant Street, Marlborough. Calling hours will be held Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., in the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sts. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 9 Central St., Marlborough, MA 01752.

All are invited to sign Mary’s online guest book at www.CollinsFuneral.com.

Southborough – Katherine (Irwin) Best, 83, of Southborough, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in Westborough. She was the wife of the late Earl W. Best, who passed away in 1995.

Born in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Reginald and Katherine (O’Connor) Irwin. She earned her bachelor degree at North Adams State; her master’s degree at Framingham State, and her PhD at Boston College.

She was a teacher, assistant principal, and coordinator of special education in Natick.  After earning her PhD, Kate became the assistant chairman of special education and rehabilitation for Boston College.

Kate was a very active member of St. Matthew Church in Southborough, where she taught CCD for many years. She loved to teach, whether it was 3rd grade, special education, college students, or CCD at church.

She leaves her daughter, Maryjane Giacalone and her husband, Frank, of Southborough; two grandchildren, Emily Giacalone and her husband, Scott Sandler, and Matthew Giacalone and his wife, Katie; and four great-grandchildren, Olive, Talulah, Corrina, and Benjamin.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 – 10:30 a.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, Highland Street, Southborough. Burial will be private in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Pittsfield.

Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to St. Matthew Church, 105 Southville Rd., Southborough, MA 01772.

To leave words of condolence to the family, visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.

Southborough

Thursday, Jan. 2

1:14 a.m. Southborough officers assisted Hudson Police by checking for a vehicle on Route 85.

1:45 a.m. DPW was called out to treat the roadways.

4:48 a.m. Officers investigated a one car, motor vehicle accident on Overlook Drive. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

8:03 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Cordaville Road business.

9:02 a.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

9:14 a.m. Officers investigated a one car, motor vehicle accident on Johnson Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

10:24 a.m. Officers checked on an abandoned motor vehicle on Turnpike Road.

3:48 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Cordaville Road.

5:28 p.m. Officers investigated a hit & run accident that occurred on Parkerville Road. No injuries were reported from the scene, and the accident is currently under investigation.

5:42 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a large group of kids gathered in the parking lot of the Arts Center on Highland Street. The responding officers reported back negative findings in the area.

10:05 p.m. Officers conducted a requested well-being check on a Turnpike Road resident.

10:00 p.m. A Westborough resident reported losing a cell phone in the parking lot of a Cordaville Road business.

Friday, Jan. 3

12:15 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

10:44 a.m. Officers responded to an Edgewood Road residence to investigate a report of a possible intruder in the home. The officers reported back that the intruder was found to be a family member who had returned home unexpectedly. The officers cleared shortly after their arrival.

11:28 a.m. A medical was reported at a Park Street residence.

12:20 p.m. A caller reported that the traffic lights at Boston Road and Framingham Road were malfunctioning. The DPW was notified of the issue.

1:35 p.m. A medical was reported at a Pine Hill Road residence.

2:58 p.m. Officers responded to a one car, motor vehicle accident on Latisquama Road in which the vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

3:06 p.m. A medical was reported at a Brook Lane residence.

6:29 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious motor vehicle parked at a Northboro Road business. The vehicle was located by the responding officer, and everything checked out ok with the operator.

7:03 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

11:16 p.m. Officers investigated a one car, motor vehicle accident on Bantry Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

11:49 p.m. A medical was reported at a Pinecone Lane residence.

Saturday, Jan. 4

1:05 a.m. An officer on patrol reported a suspicious motor vehicle parked at a Turnpike Road business. The officer reported back that everything checked out ok.

1:27 a.m. Arrested, Tobias Leiner of Union Street, Natick. Mr. Tobias was arrested on an active arrest warrant out of Natick District Court for probation violation.

3:59 a.m. Officers investigated an abandoned 911 cell phone call in the area of Oregon Road.

4:31 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Pine Hill Road residence.

6:22 a.m. A medical was reported at a Madison Place residence.

8:54 a.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

9:10 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

10:41 a.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on East Main Street. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

11:29 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.

1:33 p.m. An officer assisted a Framingham resident with a report of a possible larceny that had occurred in Southborough.

4:33 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Cordaville Road.

6:13 p.m. An officer on patrol checked on a suspicious motor vehicle parked at the Transfer Station. The officer reported back that everything checked out ok.

8:05 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Breakneck Hill Road residence.

9:54 p.m. A medical was reported at a Boston Road residence.

Sunday, Jan. 5

1:26 a.m. Southborough Officers assisted Westborough Police with a two car motor vehicle accident that had occurred on Route 9 in their town.

4:57 a.m. A medical was reported at a Reservoir Drive residence.

9:48 a.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.

4:21 p.m. A motorist from Natick was issued a Criminal Application for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and speeding.

9:59 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

11:29 p.m. DPW was called out to treat the roadways.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Southborough

Thursday, Jan. 9

12:58 a.m. An officer on patrol checked on a suspicious motor vehicle parked at a Turnpike Road business. The occupant of the vehicle checked out ok.

1:16 a.m. An officer on patrol checked on a motor vehicle parked at Woodward School.

1:50 a.m. Officers were called to the Red Roof Inn to investigate a noise complaint (loud party). The individuals were located and advised to keep the noise down. The individuals quieted down for the night, and there were no further calls there for the rest of the evening.

6:56 a.m. A school bus driver called to report that a vehicle had just gone through the bus stop sign. The bus driver was not able to get a license plate for the vehicle, and just asked that the incident be logged in the police log.

10:41 a.m. Officers investigated an abandoned 911 call from a Turnpike Road business.

12:04 p.m. A medical was reported at a Mitchell Street residence.

12:11 p.m. Arrested, Aline Ramos of Washington Street, Hudson. Ms. Ramos was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a revoked driver’s license. She was also found to have an active arrest warrant out of Marlborough District Court.

1:47 p.m. Officers investigated a report of an erratic operator traveling on Southville Road. The responding officers reported back negative findings in the area.

3:20 p.m. A resident of Whistler Lane called to report that there was someone banging on the door of their home. Officers responded to the residence, but the suspect had left the area prior to their arrival. A search of the area resulted in negative findings.

3:53 p.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Boston Road. There were injuries reported at the scene of the accident.

10:01 p.m. A motorist from Hopkinton was issued a criminal application for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and speeding.

Friday, Jan. 10

3:38 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

4:05 a.m. A medical was reported at a William Onthank Lane residence.

4:48 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.

7:10 a.m. A medical was reported at a Cordaville Road residence.

7:25 a.m. DPW was called out to treat the roads.

9:09 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a David Henry Gardner Lane residence.

9:33 a.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.

9:41 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Lynbrook Road.

11:54 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

11:57 a.m. An officer responded to a Pine Hill Road residence with the Fire Department, to investigate a report of a fire outside the residence.

12:39 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a suspicious person on Angelica Lane. The individual was located and checked out ok.

12:58 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Blendon Woods Drive residence.

1:20 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

2:05 p.m. Officers responded to a Newton Street business for an out-of-control customer. The individual was located and asked to leave the business.

2:26 p.m. A ‘No Trespass Order’ was issued to the involved suspect from the Newton Street incident.

5:33 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Cordaville Road.

8:50 p.m.  Officers investigated a three car, motor vehicle accident on Cordaville Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

Saturday, Jan. 11

1:11 a.m. DPW was called out to treat the roads.

1:22 a.m. Arrested, Brandon Pena of Cordaville Road, Ashland. Mr. Pena was charged with OUI drugs.

2:18 a.m. A medical was reported at a Blueberry Lane residence.

9:35 a.m. Arrested, Divano DaSilva of Joanne Drive, Ashland. Mr. DaSilva was arrested on an active arrest warrant. He was also issued a criminal application for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a red light.

10:31 a.m. Officers investigated a report of a suspicious male party on Constitution Drive. The male party was located and checked out ok.

11:08 a.m. DPW was advised of a large pot hole on Breakneck Hill Road.

11:14 a.m. DPW was advised of a large pot hole in the area of the water pipe break on Turnpike Road.

11:51 a.m. A Pine Hill Road resident called to report that their front window was vandalized (by a BB gun). An officer responded to the home and took a report on the incident.

12:03 p.m. An officer responded to a Flagg Road residence to take a report of a vandalized mailbox.

12:53 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Crestview Drive residence.

1:13 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

1:13 p.m. Officers assisted a Ted Lane resident with a child custody issue.

2:52 p.m. An officer responded with the Fire Department to Turnpike Road to investigate a report of a motor vehicle fully engulfed in fire. The car fire was found to be over the town line in Westborough, and SPD & SFD provided assistance until Westborough emergency vehicles responded to the scene.

5:03 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

10:29 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Barn Lane residence.

Sunday, Jan. 12

2:13 a.m. Officers responded to a Flagg Road residence for a report of a family disturbance. The suspect left the area prior to officers arriving on scene.

10:36 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Southwood Drive residence.

11:04 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Johnson Road residence.

1:56 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Powdermill Lane residence.

2:20 p.m. Officer responded to a Turnpike Road business to investigate a report of three suspicious teenagers in the area. The individuals were located and checked out ok.

5:16 p.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

8:48 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a suspicious motor vehicle parked on Witherbee Lane.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Southborough – Southborough Access Media, Inc. (SAM) announced that it has appointed its first executive director, Katelyn Willis, effective Feb. 3. SAM is Southborough’s new nonprofit public access programming organization and its announcement of an executive director is an important milestone for SAM to be able to create and deliver public access programming in Southborough.

In this senior leadership role, Willis will be responsible for developing and implementing a first-rate public access station in Southborough. She will also be responsible for working with donors, schools, residents, and community organizations to bring a wealth of news, entertainment, and educational programming to the town’s cable systems, the web, and mobile devices.

“I have an expansive vision for what SAM will achieve,” Willis said. “I look forward to working with our current volunteers, SAM’s board, and everyone in Southborough who is interested in creating, producing and distributing programming. There are many stories in Southborough that can entertain, educate, and inform residents. It is my objective to make SAM the medium for the expression of all those stories.”

Willis has over a decade’s experience in television production and a background in public access programming. She has worked in community television in Dedham, Waltham, and Franklin, among others. Willis has also worked in the Everett public school system as a producer. Willis is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston and resides in Southborough.

“We are extremely pleased to have Katelyn join SAM and look forward to the leadership she will provide,” said SAM President Warren Palley. “Appointing an executive director was our first order of business in 2014. We cannot think of a more qualified, dedicated, and visionary candidate to accelerate our efforts to create a Southborough TV station that people will want to be part of and which is a resource for the entire community.”

Interested members of the community may visit www.sboromedia.org to learn more or send an email to info@sboromedia.org.

Southborough

Wednesday, Jan. 22

10:57 p.m. Arrested, Robyn Tarca of Applebriar Lane, Marlborough, for OUI alcohol and marked lanes violation.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Hingham – Katharine Honora (Comerford) Gunning, 86, of Hingham, formerly of Harwich and Southborough, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, surrounded by her family.  She was the beloved wife of the late James Fiske Gunning, who passed away in 2002.

Katharine was raised in Worcester, Baltimore, and Brighton. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Boston Teacher’s College and a Master’s in education from Boston College. Passionate about education, she started her career as an elementary school teacher in Brighton, and continued as a teacher and reading tutor in Boston and Southborough.

As a dedicated mother she was committed to the lives of her children. She served as a Girl Scout troop leader, was an administrator and umpire of the Southborough Jewel Softball League, and attended all of her children’s activities.

Through the years, she participated actively in the Southborough Catholic Women’s Club, where she served as both vice president and president and was named Catholic Woman of the Year.

Kay was an active member of St. Anne Church in Southborough, where she was an Eucharistic minister, teacher of Christian education, and member of the parish council. While living in Hingham, she was head of the Linden Ponds Catholic Organization. She was also a member of the Southborough Garden Club, Gourmet Club, and Bridge Club. In addition she was a member of Framingham Country Club, where she was an avid tennis player and golfer. She was a versatile, talented athlete capable of shooting the lowest golf score on any given day.

Kay was known for her love of the daily crossword puzzle, word games like Boggle, Scrabble, and Jeopardy. She was a voracious reader and also enjoyed knitting and painting. However, she will be most remembered as a devoted mother.

She leaves her children James A. Gunning and his wife, Trudy, of North Grafton; Stephen Gunning of Southborough; Kevin T. Gunning and his wife, Nancy, of Southbury, Conn.; John B. Gunning and his wife, Patricia, of Westborough; Paul J. Gunning and his wife, Jeanne, of Holden; Katie MacArthur and her husband, Paul, of Southborough; Anne-Margaret Gunning and her partner, Tamara Schurdak, of New York City, as well as eight grandchildren, Elizabeth MacArthur, Meghan, Colleen, and Joseph Gunning, Grace, Jacob, and  Kyle Gunning, and Sarah Gunning; her siblings, Annellen Walsh of Cohasset, Marylou Murphy and Jane Comerford of Washington, and Anthony Comerford of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, Feb. 3, from 3:30 – 7 p.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St. (Route 30), Southborough. A Mass of resurrection will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Rd., Southborough. Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to the Friends of the Southborough Library, 25 Main St., Southborough, MA 01772.

To send words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.

Southborough – The Southborough Police Department have issued this release regarding a man suspected of vandalizing cars at a local restaurant Feb. 2:

An officer responded to Owen O’Leary’s to investigate a vandalism report at the business. It was determined through witness interviews that that a customer was refused service and asked to leave the business. Soon after the customer was asked to leave, an employee observed him in the parking lot slicing the tires of other customers. The suspect then left the business in a large, blue, ice cream style truck, before officers could arrive on scene. Over seven (7) vehicles were vandalized by the suspect. The suspect was described as a white male, 6’8” tall, with a southern accent. The male party was also described as having only one leg. The vandalism is currently under investigation by the detective unit. If you have any information regarding this vandalism, please contact Det. Sean McCarthy at (508) 485-2121.

Southborough – The Southborough Police Department released this update today:

A suspect has been placed under arrest for the slashing of multiple tires outside Owen O’Leary’s pub over the weekend. Framingham resident Todd W. Fike, 46, of 1630 Worcester Road Apt. #212, has been arrested and charged with seven (7) felony counts of Malicious or Wanton Destruction of Property, Driving to Endanger, and Disorderly Conduct. Framingham Police and Southborough Police took Mr. Fike into custody at his home in Framingham on Tuesday night. Mr. Fike is due to be arraigned in Westborough District Court today (Wednesday).

We received many calls and emails in regards to this case. We just wanted to thank those of you who assisted the Southborough Police Department with this investigation.

For more on the original case, visit http://www.communityadvocate.com/2014/02/03/southborough-police-seek-one-legged-alleged-vandal.

Southborough

Friday, Jan. 24

10:17 p.m. Arrested, John LaBarre of Upland Road, Southborough, for OUI alcohol and speeding.

Sunday, Jan. 26

1:42 a.m. Arrested, Eluvio DeLeon of Winter Street, Milford, on a warrant out of Westborough District Court. He was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and marked lanes violations.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

9:08 p.m. Arrested, Kacie Rothwell of Western Road, East Lynn, for domestic assault & battery, intimidation of a witness, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Kayla Onyango, 4, of Marlborough rides a miniature roller coaster.

Region – Children and grownups from the Together We Can Family Network (TWCFN) enjoyed an active afternoon Feb. 2 at Playtown Express in Southborough. After a couple hours of climbing, bouncing, riding and laughing, the kids were treated to snacks and given a book to take home. TWCFN offers free activities for families up to age 8 from nine communities including Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Westborough. For information, call 774-463-0214 or visit twcfn.org.

For more photos, visit communityadvocate.com; click “Home,” then “Photo Galleries.”

Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Ethan Isaza, 14 months, of Northborough spots his mom while playing.

Tari, 3, of Marlborough glides down an inflatable slide.

Violet Boudo, 2, of Marlborough makes her away around a maze.

Eighth-graders Sherry Lin and Sue Lee serve South Korean scallion pie.

Southborough – Multicultural Week concluded Feb. 1 at Fay School with the annual Taste of Nations, an extensive international buffet dinner. Delicacies were prepared for guests by boarding students from around the world, faculty, staff and parents.

For more photos, visit communityadvocate.com; click “Home,” then “Photo Galleries.”

Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Eighth-graders Sherry Lin and Sue Lee serve South Korean scallion pie.

Eighth-graders Sherry Lin and Sue Lee serve South Korean scallion pie.

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Katelyn Willis, executive director of Southborough Access Media. (Photo/submitted)

Southborough – Southborough Access Media, Inc., (SAM) encourages residents to stay tuned for enhancements to the public-access television in own. The newly formed nonprofit programming organization has appointed Katelyn Willis of Southborough as its first executive director.

Willis grew up in Northborough where she graduated from Algonquin Regional High School in 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree in television and video production at Emerson College in Boston. Since then, she worked at public-access stations in Waltham, Dedham, Franklin, Everett, and Lexington.

She moved from Boston to Southborough five years ago and is glad to continue her passion for public-access television in her home region.

“I choose to work in public-access television because I like knowing that what I’m doing is improving the community,” she said. “I look forward to working with the town, the residents, local groups and schools.”

Based on experience gained in other communities, she understands the importance of welcoming volunteers who demonstrate an interest in the television station.

“When a resident approaches the station, we need to take them seriously and get them training as soon as possible,” she said. “I’ve seen at other stations where there wasn’t time to train the person right away and we lost them. We appreciate everyone who takes the time to stop by the studio or give a call.”

Among SAM’s goals is to conduct television production classes. Those students could practice their newly acquired skills by covering popular events such as the Southborough Heritage Day Celebration and Santa Day.

“The more people who are trained on the production equipment, the more events and meetings that we can play on the channel,” she said. “It’s valuable for people who want to do this as a hobby and for students in high school who want to start training now to prepare for work in news or production.”

In the 2011-2012 school year, Willis worked as station manager at Everett High School where students eagerly covered community events. Likewise, she’d like to see Southborough students participate.

“Students volunteered and helped out,” she said of her experience in Everett. “The outreach within the high school and getting kids involved was a huge eye-opener for me.”

SAM is operated in the Fayville Village Hall located at 42 Central St., which also houses Southborough Youth and Family Services. Another goal for SAM is to find a more spacious studio, Willis noted.

“I would like for residents, local groups and businesses to come in and be able to produce high quality, professional-looking programs,” she said. “That requires high ceilings and room for equipment. We’d also like to have several editing suites and a community meeting space so nonprofit organizations and boards could meet there and use projectors and all the media opportunities that we will have.”

Willis has reached out to a local developer and a realtor for insight regarding vacant facilities. She also arranged a meeting with the principal of Trottier Middle School to discuss it as a possible studio site.

“We’re open to all options,” she said. “We’ll make it work until we find a new space.”

Alex Neihaus, a SAM board member, extended an invitation for residents.

“Anyone with an idea should contact us,” he said. “While we’re in the process of building on this vision, we’re also doing television production. We have some equipment and some space, and now we have a brilliant and talented executive director.”

Contact Willis at 508-485-8156 or Katelyn@SboroMedia.org. For more information, visit the SAM website: SboroMedia.org; Facebook: Southboro Access Media; Twitter: @SboroMedia or Google +: Southborough Access Media.

Southborough – Amanda Packard, 4, displays the decorated heart she made for her mother while attending the annual Valentine’s Day Party, held Feb. 8 at the Southborough Public Library Children’s Room. In addition to creating holiday crafts, children played games and enjoyed snacks. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.

Photo/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Southborough – The Southborough Police Department released this statement this morning:

On Sunday, February 9th, 2014 at approximately 1900 hours, Officers of the Southborough Police Department received a complaint of sexual assaults that had been occurring within the Town of Southborough.

Through the investigation it was determined that Robert Cerqua of 9 Foley Drive, Southborough, was the suspect involved in the sexual assaults.

The Southborough Police Department Detective Division sent officers to Cerqua’s residence to make an arrest. It was determined that Cerqua was tipped off in regards to the investigation and was fleeing. This information was released to all law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth.

During the investigation it was determined that Cerqua was located at a motel in Albany, New York. On February 11th, 2014 at approximately 0015 hours, Cerqua was taken into custody without incident in New York State.

Cerqua is currently being held in a lock up facility in New York State on a Fugitive from Justice Warrant and is awaiting extradition to face charges in the Commonwealth.

At this current time Cerqua is being charged with the following: 2 counts of Rape of a Child, Statutory, Aggravated- 2 counts Indecent A&B on a Person 14 or over- 1 count of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors.

Chief Jeffrey Roy commends the quick response and professional actions of the first responding officers, William Woodford and Detective Sean McCarthy. Follow-up investigation by Det. Sean McCarthy and a great cooperative effort by area law enforcement, the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, along with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, brought this incident to a quick conclusion.

Southborough

Friday, Jan. 31

12:49 a.m. A medical was reported at a Walnut Drive residence.

8:25 a.m. Officers assisted a Boston Road resident with a civil matter.

9:47 a.m. An Oregon Road resident was served with court paperwork.

11:04 a.m. Officers investigated an abandoned 911 call from a Main Street business.

11:32 a.m. An officer responded to an Edgewood Road residence to investigate a report of vandalism at the residence. The officer reported back that unknown suspect(s) had thrown screws and nails onto the resident’s driveway. The officer took a report on the incident.

12:31 p.m. The Animal Control Officer responded to Graystone Way to pick up a black Labrador retriever that was found wandering in the neighborhood.

12:40 p.m. Officers investigated an abandoned 911 call from Fay School.

2:43 p.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.

3:17 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Main Street residence.

3:35 p.m. Officers assisted a General Henry Knox resident with a domestic issue.

5:13 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

5:47 p.m. Officers checked the Cordaville Road area for a report of an erratic operator in the area. The vehicle was located and everything checked out ok.

5:54 p.m. Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on River Street. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

6:12 p.m. A medical was reported at an East Main residence.

7:03 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Framingham Road.

Saturday, Feb. 1

12:34 a.m. Officers responded to the Turnpike Road area to investigate a report of two vehicles drag racing in the area. The vehicles had left the area prior to the officers arriving on scene.

12:35 a.m. Officers responded to a Clifford Street residence to assist in removing an unwanted guest.

12:53 a.m. Officers investigated an abandoned 911 call from a Liberty Drive residence.

5:45 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Newton Street business.

9:01 a.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.

9:33 a.m. Officers responded to a Turnpike Road business to mediate a dispute between a customer and the business owner.

9:43 a.m. Officers responded to the Turnpike Road area to investigate a report of an aggressive driver in the area.

10:26 a.m. Officers responded to a Park Street business to assist an employee with an unruly customer.

10:55 a.m. Solicitors registered at the police department.

11:28 a.m. A medical was reported at a Main Street business.

11:34 a.m. Additional solicitors registered at the police station.

11:44 a.m. A medical was reported at the police station.

12:08 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Hickory Road residence.

12:11 p.m. A medical was reported at Trottier Middle School.

12:15 p.m. An officer provided a civilian transport from Framingham Road to the Framingham town line.

2:40 p.m. An officer responded to the reservoir on Cordaville Road to investigate a report of people walking on the ice. The officer reported back that there was no one in the area.

3:51 p.m. Officers responded to Oak Hill Road to investigate a report of a verbal domestic in a motor vehicle in the area. The vehicle was later located in Ashland, and Ashland PD determined that everything checked out ok.

5:46 p.m. An officer responded to Turnpike Road to investigate a report of an aggressive operator in the area. The responding officer reported back negative findings in the area.

9:17 p.m. Officers investigated a motor vehicle vs. deer accident on Deerfoot Road. No injuries were reported from the scene of the accident.

11:11 p.m. A medical was reported at a General Henry Knox Road residence.

Sunday, Feb. 2

2:16 a.m. A motorist from Kalamazoo, MI was issued a Criminal Application for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked Registration.

2:47 a.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.

3:20 a.m. A juvenile was placed under arrest for Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License; Use of a Motor Vehicle without Authority; OUI Drugs; and Possession of a Class B Substance. The juvenile was also issued a civil citation for possession of marijuana.

9:43 a.m. A medical was reported at an East Main Street residence.

10:27 a.m. An officer responded to Central Street to investigate a report of an erratic operator in the area. The responding officer reported back negative findings.

12:44 p.m. Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Northboro Road business.

12:55 p.m. An officer responded to a Park Street business to assist with an unruly customer.

2:46 p.m. An officer investigated a report of an abandoned motor vehicle parked on Parkerville Road.

5:15 p.m. A medical was reported at a Lyman Street residence.

8:22 p.m. Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Boston Road.

9:45 p.m. An officer responded to Owen O’Leary’s to investigate a vandalism report at the business. It was determined through witness interviews that that a customer was refused service and asked to leave the business. Soon after the customer was asked to leave, an employee observed him in the parking lot slicing the tires of other customers. The suspect then left the business in a large, blue, ice cream style truck, before officers could arrive on scene. Over seven (7) vehicles were vandalized by the suspect. The suspect was described as a white male, 6’8” tall, with a southern accent. The male party was also described as having only one leg. The vandalism is currently under investigation by the detective unit. If you have any information regarding this vandalism, please contact Det. Sean McCarthy at (508) 485-2121.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Southborough – Daniel Boush, 9, reads the menu choices to Marge Spinner as Cub Scout Pack 26 hosted the annual Valentine’s Luncheon, held Feb. 15 at the Southborough Senior Center. Following lunch, the Scouts served dessert and helped with bingo games. Guests were requested to tip their waiter with a smile.

Photo/Ed Karvoski Jr.