From the region.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

COLUMN: From the region

Worcester

Veterans Day events planned on Thursday

WORCESTER - The city's 57th annual Veterans Day ceremonies will be held Thursday beginning with a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St.

A parade will begin at 11 a.m. near 19 Glennie St. and proceed on Grove Street to the Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum, 44 Salisbury St. A program will begin at noon with guest speaker William Barbour, past commander for the American Legion in Massachusetts. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Green Hill Park.

The event is sponsored by the Worcester Veterans' Council, the city manager's office and the city's Veterans' Service department.

Northbridge

Brothers charged in home invasion

NORTHBRIDGE - Two brothers have been charged in connection with a home invasion Monday night in Linwood.

Robert Vespa, 23, and Joseph Vespa, 22, both of 310 Thompson Road, Webster, were arrested on warrants issued out of Uxbridge District Court. The two were charged with home invasion, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of drugs, larceny of property valued at more than $250, and disorderly conduct. They were scheduled to be arraigned yesterday in Uxbridge District Court.

Detective Donald J. Roy and Detective Sgt. John D. Ouillette investigated.

Oxford

Hometown Bank kicks off food pantry program

OXFORD - Hometown Bank has launched its annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign with a challenge to local residents to support local food pantries.

Each year, bank customers are invited to be a Hometown Hero for a $1 donation or a Hometown Superhero for a $5 donation.

Hometown Bank matches every dollar donated and divides the money among food pantries in Oxford, Webster and Sturbridge/Southbridge.

Southbridge Food Share President Raymond Fournier said the group's shelves are nearly bare with the holidays approaching. Food Share serves residents from Southbridge, Sturbridge, Charlton, Dudley and surrounding communities.

John Kneeland Jr., chairman of Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf, said: "Due to the current economy we are now seeing an average of three to five new families coming in every week. These new families are mostly younger families having a difficult time feeding their children."

Rick Nolan, director of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, has seen a marked increase in requests for food and emergency heating assistance.

"Requests from the Webster...