The Five Minute Read

Arciero Honored by NMCOG

CHELMSFORD – State Rep. James Arciero was recently honored by the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) with one of its inaugural Distinguished Service Awards. The award was presented during NMCOG’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 15 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts.

This award recognizes Rep. Arciero’s legislative leadership and his ongoing commitment to addressing challenges facing communities across the NMCOG region and throughout the Commonwealth. NMCOG’s new awards initiative celebrates individuals and partners whose work exemplifies the agency’s mission: advancing regional collaboration, planning, and policy that strengthen local communities.

NMCOG serves as the regional planning agency for the Greater Lowell region. Established under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B, NMCOG provides technical assistance, data analysis, and policy guidance to its member communities in areas such as transportation, land use, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Arciero represents the 2nd Middlesex District, including the towns of Chelmsford, Littleton, and Westford. He has consistently advocated for regional cooperation and equitable resource distribution.

For more information about NMCOG’s programs and services, visit nmcog.org.

U.S. Senate Candidate Rikleen Speaks to Voters

DRACUT – Alex Rikleen, a declared candidate in the 2026 race for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, will speak at the Dracut Democratic Town Committee’s monthly meeting on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m. The event will take place in the Varnum Room at Harmony Hall, 1660 Lakeview Ave. All are welcome to attend.

Rikleen, a former high school teacher and resident of Acton, joins fellow challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in seeking to unseat the two-term senator, who announced his 2026 bid in October 2024. Republican John Deaton, who ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2024, is also a declared candidate.

Describing himself as an “ordinary Bay Stater” running because “the status quo isn’t working,” Rikleen will make remarks and take questions from attendees.

For more information, call 978-985-7486.

First United Baptist Church Celebrates 200 Years

LOWELL – The First United Baptist Church of Lowell is marking its 200th anniversary throughout the year with special worship services, a Christmas Concert, and opportunities to reflect on its long history.

Continuing its tradition of community support, the church is undertaking several outreach projects, including collecting supplies for Rogers STEM Academy. The community contributed more than 700 items, such as scissors, tissues, glue sticks, crayons, headsets for tablets, and construction paper.

Other ongoing projects include collecting socks for Catie’s Closet and the Eliot Day Center, preparing brown bag lunches for unhoused people, and knitting items for children. In honor of the 200th anniversary, the church is also collecting 200 nonperishable food items for Lowell food pantries.

Food and/or cash donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning from 11 a.m. to noon, or Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Monetary donations may be mailed to: FUBC, 99 Church St., Lowell, MA 01852.

Donations will also be accepted at the free Christmas Concert, open to the public on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

Coming up next week: Taffeta Music Hall event.
https://www.lowellsun.com/2025/12/05/the-five-minute-read-1395/

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