News Briefs

ABCC KICKS OFF “OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAYS”

This holiday season the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) will focus their enforcement efforts at bars throughout the Commonwealth that have been most identified as the last bar to sell alcohol to a convicted drunk driver, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg announced.

“This effort supports safer roads throughout Massachusetts during the holiday season,” said Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. “This kind of enforcement prevents the sale of alcohol to intoxicated people who could put the public at risk. It also establishes a long-term deterrence for bar owners from over-serving.”

Run in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Impaired Driving Crackdown, the ABCC’s Sale to Intoxicated Persons (SIP) enforcement will be in effect through New Year’s Eve.

 The ABCC will also be working with local police departments that have identified high risk locations in their communities.

 Alcohol is involved in 40 percent of traffic crash fatalities resulting in 17,013 fatalities and injuring an estimated 275,000 people annually. Data indicates that well over 50% of impaired driving arrests originate at bars.

 The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is an agency under the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg. Its overall objective is to provide uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state.

CANDELIGHT SERVICE PLANNED ON DECEMBER 4

Puritan Lawn Memorial Park will host its 28th annual Holiday Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 4th, at 4:15 p.m. The service will be held outdoors at Puritan Lawn’s Veterans Circle on Pierce Boulevard, the main avenue leading into the cemetery.

The Candlelight Service is an annual community event offered as an opportunity for families to celebrate the season and pay respects to the memory of their loved ones, whether they are buried at Puritan Lawn or elsewhere. The always popular Masconomet Chamber Choir & Chorale will be singing selections from both traditional and modern composers. Members of the Puritan Lawn community will also recite short readings.

Candles are provided and will be handed out at the service. A FREE holiday raffle with several prizes will take place; one raffle will be specifically for children.

This year, Puritan Lawn is collecting monetary donations for Haven From Hunger in Peabody. If you are interested in contributing, please call Puritan Lawn at (978) 535-3660 or email familyservice@puritanlawn.com.

Beginning December 1st, families are invited to place Christmas ornaments on the evergreen tree at the Veterans Circle in memory of their loved ones. The 50-foot tree will be lit with Christmas lights as part of the service and will remain lit every evening through New Year’s. For more information, please contact Puritan Lawn Memorial Park at (978) 535-3660, email familyservice@puritanlawn.com or visit puritanlawn.com.