Five Things You Need to Know in Mansfield for Oct. 8: Columbus Day, Breast Cancer Awareness and Fire Safety Month

1. A Partly Sunny, Fall Day in Mansfield

Today’s weather in Mansfield, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Monday NightA chance of rain, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

2. What's Open and Closed on Columbus Day in Mansfield?

Today is Columbus Day, a federal holiday since 1934. Many businesses are open today, however some may have reduced hours.

Town municipal offices, state and federal level are closed, including:

• Mansfield Town Hall
• All schools
• School administration offices
• Mansfield Town Library Library
• There is no mail delivery
• Due to Monday, holiday trash pickup will be delayed one day in Mansfield. 

3. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

And can you be sure what you're buying actually goes to the cause of helping to cure breast cancer?

Jenna Glazer, director of development for Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a global organization dedicated to helping young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, said that buyers should be on the lookout for a label or tag that tells where the money from the purchase goes.

"If you walk into Bed Bath & Beyond and see something with a pink ribbon and no information about where the money is going, chances are it doesn't benefit the cause," she said.

Click here to read more.

4. It's Fire Safety Week

Did you know this week is Fire Safety Week across the country? Across the United States, a fire department responds to a fire approximately every 23 seconds. To recognize Fire Safety Week, here's a compilation of fire safety tips, statistics, and facts from The National Fire Sprinkler Association:

• Make an escape plan
• Install smoke detectors in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and check the batteries often
• Install fire sprinklers throughout your house
• Once you’re out, stay out! Do not re-enter a burning building
• Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year

Tips for Children

• Never touch matches, candles or lighters. Make sure you tell an adult immediately if you see matches or a lighter in a room.
• Don’t cook alone.
• Remind your parents to turn pot handles toward the center of the stove.
• Never stick anything in an electric socket.
• Never hang anything on a lamp, heater, or radiator.
• Always let an adult know if there is any kind of smoke or fire in your house.
• If there is a fire, get out fast.
• Once you are out of the house, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• In case of fire, develop an escape plan with your parents.  Plan for two possible escape routes out of your house.  Practice your escape plan with your parents several times a year.
• Stay low to the floor when escaping a fire, as smoke rises and makes it difficult to see.

For more information on National Fire Prevention Week and local events in your area, visitwww.NFPA.org.  

5. Regional Roundup: Miss Something?

Former Mansfield Resident Wanted by FBI for Terrorist Activities

A local man is wanted by the FBI for conspiracy to provide material support or resource to al Qaeda in an effort to kill American soldiers.

The FBI said Wednesday Ahmad Abousamra, formally of Mansfield, traveled to Pakistan and Yemen to seek military training so he could kill American soldiers. There is a $50,000 reward for Abousamra's arrest.

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Students Talk About Recent Hazing Incident

As reports surfaced last Thursday about a hazing incident at Dedham High that involved five students, very little has become clear as neither the school nor the police will release a statement due to the age of the teens involved. At the end of last week, NECN and Boston.com reported that four students have been charged with alleged hazing, although offered no specifics on the circumstances.

Going in and out of the many stores in Legacy Place, Patch sought out some high schoolers to explain what they thought about the incident and stumbled upon the rumors that have been floating around the school.

Read more by clicking here.

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New Furniture Store to Open on Route 1A

now that Wrentham Artisan will not occupy the space. Over the weekend, it became a little more clear what would go in.

Recently, the sign tellings those who drive by 513 South Street to find Wrentham Artisan on Facebook has been replaced with a new sign promoting a website named Creative Art Funiture.

Read more by clicking here.

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Mr. WHS Competition a Hit for Walpole High Students

They sang, they danced and one kid cried...well, fake cried.

Eight senior boys at Walpole High showed off their talents Wednesday night as they vied for the coveted title of Mr. Walpole High School.

The students had to perform an act onstage and then tell the judges why they deserved to be named Mr. WHS.

Senior Jack Gately took home the crown with his crowd pleasing ribbon dancing performance - complete with tights and a too-too.

Read more by clicking here.

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Foxborough Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge Following Domestic Disturbance

A Foxborough man was arrested at his Morse Street home on Sept. 30 and charged with attempted murder after allegedly placing his left hand around a woman's neck during a domestic disturbance and threatening to “slit her throat with a knife,” according to court documents.

James Gallagher, 58, of Morse Street in Foxborough was arraigned in Wrentham District Court Monday on the following charges: attempted murder, simple assault and battery, two counts assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and threat to commit a crime.

Read more by clicking here.

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Four Arrested in Two Drug Investigations by Norfolk Detectives

Norwood Police, along with other detectives from the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime (NORPAC) Detectives Unit, arrested four suspects on Friday concluding two local drug investigations.

Brenden S. Zablocki, 18, of Norwood was arrested for possession with intent to distribute Marijuana, possession of class A (Heroin), conspiracy to violate the controlled substance law, and two counts of distribution of Marijuana. According to police, Zablocki is currently on probation for a prior possession with intent to distribute Marijuana arrest in April of 2012. One Norwood juvenile, 16, was arrested and charged with distribution of a class D substance (Marijuana) and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance law. Both were booked at the Norwood Police headquarters. Zablocki was expected to be arraigned at Dedham District Court on Monday. The juvenile will be arraigned at Dedham Juvenile Court.

Read more by clicking here.