WORCESTER - The building boom at a local college just got another jolt.

BOSTON - Two prominent mental health groups are recommending expanded police training on dealing with the mentally ill and development of new court diversion programs to provide care and treatment for those charged with low-level crimes.

The already roiling political outcry from the American Roman Catholic Church over a new federal regulation that will force religious organizations to provide their employees with health insurance plans that cover contraception is expected to become even more turbulent this weekend - with prelates from across the country, including Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus, asking their flocks to lobby Congress to overturn the controversial directive by the Obama administration.

GARDNER - Cheryl Girouard understands about routine maintenance, but with her furnace she has found herself in a quagmire of problems that so far have defied explanation.

STERLING - Ask just about anyone what the animal shelter in Sterling is called and you'll get "the Sterling Animal Shelter" as a response.