Fans Call Wes Welker Departure ‘A Big Mistake’ by Patriots … Do You Agree?

Foxborough Patch readers reacted on Facebook to news of Wes Welker agreeing to a deal with the Denver Broncos Wednesday. Here's what they had to say.

News of Wes Welker leaving Foxborough for Denver did not sit well with Patriots Nation Wednesday as the majority of readers called the receiver’s departure from New England a mistake by the organization. Foxborough Patch readers took to Facebook to express their dismay with the fan-favorite’s decision to leave town for two years, $12 million to join Peyton Manning and the rival Broncos. Here’s what some of our readers had to say: “Damn, now I need a new Pats jersey,” said Ryan Sylvia. Said Donna Phelan: “So wrong.” Said Sebastian Scardocci: “That’s crazy! Steadiest receiver in football the last few years.” Said Deborah A Stewart: “This is a huge mistake on Bill Belichick’s part. This one makes no sense. Very sad day in Patriots Nation.” …

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You Be the GM: Patriots Needs Heading into NFL Free Agency

Tell us which players or positions you think the New England Patriots should focus on in NFL free agency, which begins Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The New England Patriots are expected to spend the off-season retooling a roster that fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance last season. That work begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. when the NFL free agency period opens and players are free to sign contracts with new teams. With 19 players from the 2012-13 Patriots squad set to hit the free agent market Tuesday, the Pats will be busy filling its roster with new – and hopefully some familiar – faces. Among the Patriots’ biggest free agents this off-season are wide receiver Wes Welker, cornerback Aqib Talib and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer. While retaining some or all of these free agents will be important for the Patriots, so will be going outside of the organization to upgrade at several …

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Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Thank You Foxborough DPW for All The Hard Work

Two Chestnut Street residents write in to extend their thanks and appreciation to everyone at Foxborough’s DPW for the hard work and tireless efforts of the town’s workers.

To the Foxborough DPW workers, We moved to Chestnut Street this past November and just experienced our first major snowstorm in Foxborough we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to each and every one of you for your efforts during – and after – the Blizzard of 2013. While we were waiting out the 29 inches of snow from the warmth of our home, you were all out there keeping up with the blizzard in cold and dangerous conditions. You have worked day and night with little to no rest for over three days just so people like us can get out of our homes and onto the roads. We know some have complained about the town’s roads just a day after the blizzard and we believe that is just not fair criticism. Period. We read the comments on Facebook …

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What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

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What Was Your Favorite Super Bowl Commercial? (VIDEOS)

Super Bowl ads cost as much as $3.8 million this year. Which were the best Super Bowl commercials of 2013? Which were your favorites? Watch some of them right here on Patch.

Millions of sports enthusiasts watched Super Bowl 47 on Super Bowl Sunday.  Even more, likely, tuned in to watch Super Bowl commercials.  According to Ad Age, CBS essentially sold out its ad inventory for Super Bowl XLVII at prices averaging between $3.7 million and $3.8 million. More from Ad Age: The usual coterie of big sponsors is more or less on board again -- hello, Pepsi! hello Bud Light! -- accompanied by opportunistic, smaller brands that want to make a big splash, such as Century 21 and GoDaddy.com, both of which are also returning to the game. In addition to Ms. Patrick and Mr. Fogle, celebrities and pseudo-celebs on the ad roster will include Willem Dafoe, Amy Poehler, Bar Refaeli, Tracy Morgan, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Psy, …

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SOUND OFF: Should Women Serve in Combat?

The Pentagon lifted its ban Thursday on women serving in combat roles, including roles on the front lines of battle. What do you think about the change? Tell us below.

The Pentagon made a historic move Thursday when it lifted its ban against women serving in combat, according to USA Today.  A 1994 restriction prevented women in the military from serving in combat, including service on the front lines. However, many argued, including the American Civil Liberties Union, that reality showed women already serving on the front lines.  U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Armed Services Committee who strongly supports the historic change, issued the following statement after the announcement.  “I applaud the Secretary for formally removing the ban," Reed said. "The reality of today’s battlefield is that all who serve are in combat.” The military's lift of the ban opens up 230,000 posts to women in …

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What Would You Ban in Foxborough?

A number of communities around the Commonwealth have deep-sixed some interesting items and activities over the past year. Should Foxborough join the banning bandwagon?

Concord’s so-called bottle ban became a bylaw earlier this week, Brookline recently banned plastic bags and Styrofoam cups, and Arlington’s Town Meeting this fall upheld a seasonal leaf blower ban. Meanwhile, home-cooked foods have been forced out of many schools, an ostensible attempt to protect against allergies and childhood obesity. This past August, Foxborough established a residential parking ban during Gillette Stadium events that prohibits residents from parking vehicles on their property for a fee. While the ban has reportedly angered many residents in town, it has not been much of an issue throughout the 2012 Patriots season, according to Foxborough Police Chief Edward O'Leary. TELL US: Is there another activity or item you would…

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Should Sperm Donors Be Held Financially Responsible?

Three years after a Kansas man donated his sperm, the state wants him to pay child support.

A mechanic who answered a Craigslist ad to donate his sperm to a lesbian couple, is now being pursued by the State of Kansas for child support, reports the Kansas City Star. In 2009, Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner entered into an agreement with the donor, William Marotta to provide his sperm. They signed a contract that outlined he would be free from any financial responsibility as well as parental privileges, according to the newspaper. The legal contract stated Marotta was not responsible “for any child support payments demanded of him by any other person or entity, public or private, including any district attorney’s office or other state or county agency, regardless of the circumstances or said demand.” Although the women offered…

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Tell Us: Foxborough Hereby Resolves To ...

What resolution would you like to see Foxborough declare and keep?

We know the routine. The resolution dance. It starts lively. We boot bad habits, turn to good ones and leap into the year. Calendar pages flip and some forge patterns anew — exercing daily, eating salads and spurning fatty foods or cigarettes; and some return to familiar footing and the dance reverts to old rhythms. What about a collective resolution? What resolution would you like Foxborough to accomplish? Maybe it's more of something. Or less. Or a clear-cut goal. What would it be? What resolution would you like the town to make — and keep? Let us know in the comments section below!

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