5 Things You Need to Know Today, Friday, March 29

Here are 5 pieces of information designed to get your weekend off to an early start and to help make you the smartest person in your neighborhood.

1. Your 3-Day Weekend Local Weather Forecast:

• According to the NWS, there is a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday Night A slight chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
• Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Sunday A chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Sunday Night Showers likely, mainly between 10pm and midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

2. By The Numbers: 107. That's how many DUI arrests Tewksbury Police made in 2012. That's a record for the department and up from 78 in 2011 and 40 in 2010. The TPD also issued a record 5523 citations, up from 3311 in 2011. What does this all mean? It might provide an explanation why there were just 792 motor vehicle accidents in 2012, down from 898 in 2011 and the lowest number since at least 2005. Nice job!

3. Reader Comment of the Day: "No and no. I wouldn't buy one, and i only buy American trucks, have three of them currently. I feel that Japan, Germany and Korea have enough of our jobs and money!" Reader "Fatty Arbuckle," commenting on the story, "Do You Own a Hybrid? Would You Buy a Hybrid?"

4. It's Happening Tonight: TMHS Lacrosse Boosters Fundraiser - 21 and Over Night Out. Tonight at the Tewksbury Country Club. Tickets are just $10 and are available at the door. There will be a DJ, light snacks, raffles and prizes.

5. It's Happening This Weekend: Are you interested in the proposed Rail Trail? The you will want to stop by Town Hall on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the Rail Trail Information Session and Walk. Tewksbury Rail Trails will be conducting a public information session. Volunteers will present plans for bicycle and walking trails in town. Learn about the upcoming Warrant Article at Town Meeting to advance a feasibility study that will assess the use of abandoned rail beds in Tewksbury. Meeting is free and open to the public. A trail walk will follow for those interested, commencing at the Senior Center immediately following the meeting, around 11:30 am. This is an unimproved trail so please dress accordingly.