Controversial Rolling Machine Comes to Reading

Smokers in Reading who are tired of paying the hefty state tax on pre-manufactured cigarettes now have another, albeit highly controversial, option—at least for the time being.  

A new RYO Machines Filling Station in the Mobil Mart attached to the Mobil Gas Station on Main Street allows customers to walk away with 200 rolled cigarettes for a fraction of what they would pay for the pre-rolled version, thanks to avoiding the nearly $2.51 per pack in taxes Massachusetts charges cigarette smokers.

Reading's Catholic Churches May Soon Be Part of Common Parish

Reading’s two Catholic Churches may see a slight decrease in autonomy before long, under a plan by the Archdiocese of Boston to cluster its 290 parishes into 125 smaller groupings. The goal is to counter fewer priests, falling Mass attendance and reduced finances.

Under the plan put forth by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Saint Athanasius and Saint Agnes churches—currently separate parishes—would be joined with common administrative and pastoral services.

Trio Simply 'Grand' for Reading High This Season

Scoring 1,000 points over a four-year span is a tough task, but not for Reading High basketball stars Jerry Ellis-Williams, Kenny Reed and Olivia Healy. All three players have reached that plateau during the 2011-2012 season. 

PHOTOS: Families Welcome Home Troops at Camp Curtis Guild

More than 150 members of the National Guard rejoined their families last night in Reading after a year-long deployment to Kabul City in Afghanistan.

Among the troops celebrating their homecoming from the 26th Yankee Brigade were two from nearby Wakefield—Major Danny McNeil and Specialist Kenneth Hickey.

UPDATED: Shell Station Robbed at Knifepoint; Mobil on West Street May Have Been First Target

If at first you don’t succeed, try again.

This appears to be the mantra of the man who robbed the Shell Gas Station on Walker’s Brook Road at knifepoint last night, as just 45 minutes earlier, it seems he may have tried unsuccessfully to hold up a Mobil on West Street at the Reading-Woburn town line.