5 Things You Need to Know Today: Oct. 28

1. Much of Massachusetts including Marlborough experienced longer periods of snow Thursday evening than what was originally expected. With that in mind, take a look at the morning forecast from the National Weather Service before you hit the road for work.

2. Ever wonder how far you could chuck a pumpkin? A group of students from will be competing in Bridgeville, DE at “World Champion Punkin Chunkin,” Nov. 4-6. The students, a combination of the precision machining technical program, and the pre-engineering advanced placement academic classes, will be entered in the Youth Trebuchet category, and hope to break or at least come close to the current record of 858 feet. With the help of volunteers and corporate donations from Phillips Precision Machine, Inc., of Boylston, Entwistle Company, Hudson, and the Collins Foundation of Sudbury, the students and staff designed and constructed a Catapult in hopes of chucking the winning pumpkin. They have been tweaking and practicing in a gravel pit in Berlin for weeks, and are very hopeful about their chances at the competition.

3. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) announced that the Massachusetts Department of Health has been awarded $1.57 million Community Transformation Grant to promote health and wellness in Middlesex County including the city Marlborough.The grant will help reduce death and disability in the county from health-related factors such as obesity, smoking, heart disease and stroke.

4. Main Street will be ground zero for the annual , giving youngsters an opportunity to show off their best costumes. The event will be held the evening of Friday, Oct. 28 with a time of trick or treating (4:30 to 5:30) and then the annual parade will follow. 

5. Prepare yourselves to vote next week in Marlborough's municipal elections! The will be at the top of the ballot, but seats are contested in the city council and school committee as well. 

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