Flags planted along the Center Common raise awareness for victims of the opioid epidemic.
NOTE: This segment originally aired back in August of 2023.
September is recognized by the CDC as National Recovery Month, as advocates aim to highlight treatment and recovery resources for those with substance use disorder.
Framingham FORCE is a local group that aims to raise awareness and compassion in regard to the nation’s ongoing opioid epidemic. If you’ve driven by the Center Common over the past few days, you may have noticed flags planted in the grass along Edgell Road. Those flags each represent one person who died due to an overdose within Massachusetts.
Last year, we met with Cathy Miles—the co-founder of Framingham FORCE—along with other community members who took part in the flag-planting.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, Framingham FORCE could be of assistance. Their website is www.framinghamforce.org–more details can be found there.
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Local school leaders are progressing through a feasibility study to develop a plan for a new elementary school along Bethany Road, which would replace Hemenway Elementary. The company brought on board for the process estimates that construction could begin in September 2028.
About 23% of registered Framingham voters cast a ballot in 2025. Charlie Sisitsky defeated Geoff Epstein to win another term as mayor, while John Stefanini and Mary Kate Feeney won in their respective City Council races. Brandon Ward and Michael Cannon were reelected to the local legislative board, while Lorena Tovar and Brent Lewis were victorious in their School Committee bids. Changes to the city's Home Rule Charter received overwhelming support as well.
November’s funding for the food program—otherwise known as food stamps—remains uncertain amid the federal government shutdown. In turn, organizations such as Daniel’s Table are experiencing a rise in demand.
