E-mail: Charlene.Arsenault@patch.com
Phone: 508-736-7708
Hometown: Central Massachusetts
Birthday: June 29, 1970
Snapshot: Married, keyboard player, animal activist who started the Pet Rock Festival, writer, night owl, chatterbox, kind of sporty, adventurous, bad at math and eating small portions.
I grew up in Leicester, MA, and graduated with an English degree from Fitchburg State College in 1993. Out of college, I landed a small weekly music column called The Beat Goes On (yeah, I didn't name it) under the tutelage of editor Sandy Bowles, who was also an editor at Patch.
But my first "real" job was at Worcester Magazine, which I nabbed not long after. Spending days in the news room, where then the pages were still tacked to the lightboard in the production room, typing led to becoming a music column, and ultimately to an editor position.
As a reporter Worcester Magazine, the Telegram and Gazette, Central MA News and a host of other publications, I have covered just about anything imaginable.
Politically, I'm unusual, especially in Massachusetts. Unusual in that I'm gay, yet I most often vote conservatively. I consider myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative and generally subscribe to the Libertarian way of thinking.
I am very concerned about never letting biases get in the way of presenting an objective story. In the end, the story is about the subjects—not me—and I always let them talk.
Over the years, I've gotten quite a few letters and comments that compliment my ability to be fair, my concern over anonymity (when it is requested) and sensitivity to keeping a comment in context.
I edit and provide content for Massachusetts Patch sites.
Patrolman William Welch was shot and killed when he investigated a "suspicious person" in 1923. No one was ever convicted of the homicide.
The town hosts its annual parade and events for Memorial Day.
After one of the driver's took off and maneuvered around police, he got hung up in heavy traffic and officers were able to catch up to him.
The following are excerpts from the Marlborough police log. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation of 67 communities as Housing Choice Communities this week.
You don't even have to like lacrosse to love this event and major fundraiser for Wayland lacrosse.
The following are excerpts from the Framingham police log. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
You could be getting a knock on your door from the police department. It's just to explain the importance of tossing unused meds.
Here are the results for the annual Grafton town election.
So it's a thunderstorm. Why not have fun with it? Here are some storm pics sent in by our Patch readers.
Ryan paid tribute to local, state and federal officers on Tuesday, joining Natick police.
And then there were three. Meet the Milford High School finalists.
Worcester County is among those under a tornado watch in Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon into the evening.
The application period is open for nonprofits based in Westborough or Grafton.
The commencement exercises will also celebrate the accomplishments of 97 doctor of veterinary medicine candidates.
