Grafton State Trooper Jacob Mick Dies After Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash

DATELINE: GRAFTON

A Massachusetts State Trooper died from injuries sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Grafton, casting a shadow over a town otherwise gearing up for its annual Fourth of July parade next week.

TOWN HALL

The state Department of Public Health's weekly arbovirus surveillance report, covering June 21 through June 27, was posted Monday by the town. Residents should check the town's website for the latest findings on mosquito-borne illness activity in the region as the summer season gets underway. The full report is available at grafton-ma.gov.

With Independence Day approaching, the town has also been promoting its annual Fourth of July Parade, set for July 4 at North Street Elementary School. Free red, white, and blue decorations will be available for bike riders at the starting point, and this year's festivities again include a "Doggy Mayor" competition — organizers are inviting residents to enter their most commanding canines.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

Grafton Public Library will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. The library's summer reading program, themed "Plant a Seed — Read!," is currently underway for all ages. Drop-in cribbage continues every Friday during regular hours for adults looking for low-key fun before the holiday closure.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"MA State Trooper Dies After Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash In Grafton" — A state trooper identified as Jacob Mick died from injuries he sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash that occurred in Grafton on Sunday, per Grafton Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton/ma-state-trooper-dies-after-off-duty-motorcycle-crash-grafton)

"'Extreme' Heat Will Feel Like 110+ Degrees, Bring Severe Storm Risk To MA: See Latest Forecast" — A prolonged stretch of dangerous heat and humidity is forecast to peak Wednesday through Friday across Massachusetts, with severe storm potential also in the mix, according to Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/across-massachusetts/extreme-heat-will-feel-110-degrees-bring-severe-storm-risk-ma-see-latest-forecast)

COMING UP

- June 30: Chair Yoga and Senior Exercise at the Grafton Recreation Gym; Grafton Girls Softball at Nelson Fields - July 3–4: Grafton Public Library closed for Independence Day - July 4: Grafton Annual Fourth of July Parade (starting point: North Street Elementary School) - July 15: Grafton Middle School School Council meeting, 4–5:05 p.m. - Aug. 28: Senior Sunrise at Grafton High School, 5:45–7:15 a.m.