5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 17

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Flags were lowered to half-staff across Milford on Monday, under a state order to recognize the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The flags will remain at half-staff until further notice.

2. A probable cause has been determined for the April 7 fire that destroyed a family's home on Oaktree Drive. The fire was accidental and most likely caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials, said Fire Chief John Touhey. The fire began near or on the front porch then spread into the structure.

3. State Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) released a statement Tuesday following the Boston Marathon bombing. It read, in part: "Recovery of those injured and from the trauma of this event on every one of us will, like the Marathon itself, take time and a dedicated resolve to find and punish those responsible, and to appropriately honor those who lost their lives or sustained serious injuries. However, the people of Boston and of Massachusetts are resilient and courageous. Let the words on the banner in the eagle’s beak that hangs in the Massachusetts Senate Chamber be our constant prayer, 'God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts'."

4. If parents need help in how to talk to their children about the events in Boston on Monday, this post provides some helpful links.

5. The spring clean-up of the Milford Upper Charles Trail will be on Saturday, April 20 (which is also Earth Day). Volunteers who want to participate should meet at 9 a.m. at Fino Field.