Patch's Roundups Of Pumpkins And Haunted Yards: Patch PM

WILMIGNTON, MA — It's Friday, Oct. 23. Here's what Patch has been covering in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts today.

Earlier this month, Patch asked readers for their help putting together a tour of the area's best Halloween Yard displays. We also asked you to send in your pumpkins. On both counts, you delivered.

See both lists and plan your tour of the Merrimack Valley and nearby communities' best Halloween decorations:

• Patch's 2020 Guide To The Area's Best Halloween Yards
• Middlesex County Patch Pumpkin Photo Gallery 2020

_{"The force is strong with this pumpkin," available for viewing at Whitelam Books in Reading. (Courtesy of Erin Reilly)}

GET YOUR DECORATIONS IN OUR ROUND-UPS: Both lists continue to grow. We LOVE reader submissions, so we'll be updating the list until Halloween.

• Got a spooky haunted yard? Tell us why your yard haunt is special and send your pictures to chris.huffaker@patch.com. (Read more about getting on the list.)
• Proud of your pumpkins? Send your best shots to alex.newman@patch.com. Make sure to include where the photo was taken and any other important info for the caption. Please only send photos you took yourself.

Also in the Merrimack Valley

Andover Police Respond To Noose In Resident's Yard

Andover police responded Wednesday to a resident's home after a noose was seen on display in the yard, according to a statement by the town's legislative delegation.

"Symbols and acts of hate have no place in Andover and in every case, they will be actively and thoroughly investigated by the Andover Police Department," the town said.

State Rep. Tram Nguyen said she was sent a photo by a Black resident who saw it while driving. She reached out to Andover police, who told her the noose was taken down after an officer spoke to the homeowner.

Trump 2020 Sign Tied Around Live Electrical Wires Above Wilmington Street

Someone hung a Trump 2020 sign on live electrical wires above a street in Wilmington and police would like to speak with them.

The letters and numbers were tied around power lines across Main Street early Friday morning, a safety risk for both the sign-hanger and for cars driving underneath.

North Andover High School Goes Remote As Town Remains High-Risk

North Andover High School went remote, Friday, and won't return to hybrid learning for at least two weeks, after five coronavirus cases at the school were linked to gatherings outside of school where safety precautions were not followed.

The town is a high-risk community, with 40 cases in the last two weeks. According to the school officials, fifteen other high school students are in quarantine pending testing results.

Tewksbury Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Morphine From Veterans

A Tewksbury woman pleaded guilty, Wednesday, to tampering with and diverting morphine intended for patients at the Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

Kathleen Noftle, 55, was a nurse in the hospice unit. In January, 2017, she used her position to obtain doses of morphine meant for veterans under her care, federal prosecutors said. Noftle admitted to mixing water from the sink into liquid morphine doses and then administering the diluted drug orally.

Westford Votes Against Allowing Drive-Thru Restaurants

Every few years the question of whether or not to permit restaurants to have drive-thru window comes to Town Meeting. Saturday, the question came before the town's legislative body, which is anyone that showed up to Town Meeting, and it failed. Again.

Across Massachusetts

Beverly Psychic Sees Signs Of Hope In the City

Summer Evans said that while clients have had trouble balancing their energy during the coronavirus crisis, better times are ahead.

MA Schools, Districts Report 202 New Coronavirus Cases

Over 100 schools and districts reported at least one coronavirus case from Oct. 15 to Oct. 11.

Massachusetts Suspends Youth Hockey For 2 Weeks

Indoor ice facilities are barred from hosting games or practice through Nov 6.

And finally today:

Saturday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Thousands of voters have already returned their ballots whether through the mail or participating in early voting. Have you voted already?