NASHOBA PUBLISHING / JOHN LOVE

AYER -- Though it was a week before her due date, Laurel Mabon's contractions spiked in intensity and frequency on the morning of Feb.   Full Story

PEPPERELL -- A water main break shut down one side of Hollis Street (Route 111) Sunday as crews worked to repair the damage, police said.   Full Story

SHIRLEY -- During the process leading to last Saturday's vote on forming a regional school district with Ayer, officials talked of moving middle-school students to Ayer in the unified district, but administration officials Wednesday proposed   Full Story

TOWNSEND -- The Finance Committee is beginning its review of departmental budget requests for the next fiscal year but failed to reach a quorum of members Thursday and rescheduled its meeting to next Thursday.   Full Story