What We Learned This Week: Sept. 3-9

Welcome to "What We Learned This Week," a recap of the top stories in town over the last seven days.

This week, a tongue-in-cheeck casino proposal from our columnist struck a nerve, while readers were most curious about what happened to Balancing Rock. Also, pre-season high school football proved that even the toughest athletes have hearts and the Holliston Police Dept. showed that its heart is with its brother officer and his famly as they battle cancer along with their two-year-old son.

1. Blunder no more. John Shannahan laid out his --with him in charge, of course. The column struck a nerve, likely because Holliston residents are a bit on edge about the prospect of a Milford casino going up just over the town line. 

2. Rock of ages. has ties to American history--legend has it George Washington tried to push it over when he was passing through town on the street that now bears his name. Police continue to investigate the recent case of graffiti and the management company of the nearby over-55 community continues to investigate how best to cover the tagging up. The story was the most popular on Patch this week and one of the most clicked-through on the Patch Facebook page. 

3. Football remembers. The third brought out a strong crowd to HHS last Friday as players raised money for a scholarship fund named after the former Panther. 

4. All politics is local. Even when you can't see them doing so, town leaders are engaging state officials on the casino topic. Selectmen Chairman Jay Marsden on the latest news on Tuesday. 

5. Walking the line. The Holliston Police Department stepped up when one of its own found himself in the . Joey's Warriors will walk in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund fundraiser later this month.