REGIONAL DIGEST.

REGIONAL DIGEST

Vacant mill burns in Erving

ERVING - A general alarm blaze roared through a vacant building at the Usher Paper Mill yesterday, authorities said.

No injuries were reported, but a stretch of heavily-traveled Route 2 was closed for several hours, state police said.

The road was shut down westbound at Mountain Road and eastbound at Church Street, with commuters urged to seek alternate routes.

Fire departments from a number of surrounding communities helped battle the blaze in the paper mill, which was reported just before 1 a.m., said Erving Firefighter Theodore Henry.

Freshman sports to be offered again

GARDNER - Starting in the fall, the schools will offer freshman sports, thanks to a donation from the E.G. Watkins Family Foundation.

Mayor Gerald E. St. Hilaire, also chairman of the School Committee, said the city has deposited a $30,000 check donated for the purpose of restoring freshman sports, which have not been funded for the past two years. The foundation plans to finance the freshman program for three years, according to a letter Joseph Marzilli, trustee for the E.G. Watkins Family Foundation, sent to Superintendent Carol Daring earlier this month.

"The Watkins family, once again, has stepped up to the plate to help the young people in the Gardner area," Mr. St. Hilaire said. "The more extracurricular activities we can provide, the better."

Sandwich shop closes in Clinton

CLINTON - Vegetarians and dieters looking for those low-fat veggie subs will have to seek Subways in other communities starting today.

The Subway sandwich shop at 45 High St., a popular lunch spot and teen hangout for about a dozen years, closed yesterday.

The space will soon be taken up by the Hardbodies Gym and Family Center next door, which is expanding. The entire building at 45 High St. is owned by Dennis Ciccone, owner of Hardbodies. The gym, which is now open 24 hours a day, expanded its lower level and street level areas last year.

There are Subway franchises on Route 117 in Leominster and Bolton.

Shooting victims in stable condition

FITCHBURG - Police continue to investigate a double shooting Friday at 69 Beach St. that injured a 27-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man.

Aracelis Collazo and Angel Rivera are in stable condition, according to police.

"It appears someone shot at them from across the street," acting Chief Philip J. Kearns Jr. said yesterday.

Ms. Collazo suffered serious injuries to her abdomen and leg and was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus in Worcester after the incident, which was reported about 10:30 p.m.

Compiled from staff and wire reports.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Firefighters rest as others continue to put water on the smoldering remains of the Usher Paper Mill in Erving yesterday.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/RICK CINCLAIR