Community Corner
🌱 How a $2.5M grant will safeguard Lowell’s drinking water
And on the Lowell Patch calendar - Oktoberfest

Hi Lowell! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $2.5M grant will safeguard Lowell's drinking water
- Which 13 new faces are joining UMass Lowell baseball this year?
- What new expertise Lowell's Capt. Fay brings home from Quantico
Also on today's calendar: Oktoberfest and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Sunny and cooler, with a high of 60 and low of 36 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 66, low: 51.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 46 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Lowell accepts $2.5M grant to improve climate resiliency at Lowell Regional Water Utility (lowellsun.com) — Lowell just secured a $2.5 million state grant to install a large battery backup at the Lowell Regional Water Utility, improving drinking water reliability during power outages. The system will pair with existing solar panels, cutting energy costs and boosting climate resilience for residents and businesses across the Greater Lowell area.
![]()
2. Baseball Adds 13 Newcomers to 2026-27 Roster (goriverhawks.com) — UMass Lowell's baseball team has reloaded with 13 newcomers, including two transfers and several highly ranked New England recruits, as they prepare for the 2026–27 season in Lowell. The River Hawks will showcase the revamped roster quickly, continuing fall ball with a home matchup against Northeastern at LeLacheur Park, giving local fans an early look at the program's next wave.
![]()
3. Lowell Police Capt. James Fay graduates from FBI National Academy (lowellsun.com) — Lowell residents may soon see a familiar police leader bringing back new skills after Capt. James Fay graduated from the FBI National Academy. The longtime Lowell officer, former SWAT commander and UMass Lowell graduate completed intensive leadership and fitness training, which department leaders say will strengthen the Police Department's operations and representation of the city.
![]()
4. FutureTEX Aims To StrengthenU.S. Textile Manufacturing (fiberjournal.com) — Lowell is set to host one of the hubs for FutureTEX, a new national textile innovation institute that includes UMass Lowell as a core partner. The 10-year effort aims to modernize U.S. textile manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and expand workforce training, potentially opening research, education and industry opportunities tied to advanced materials right in the city.
![]()
5. Press Release Massachusetts Delivers Specialized Training to Prepare Firefighters for Building Collapses and Major Emergencies (mass.gov) — Lowell firefighters just completed an intensive eight-day structural collapse rescue course, sharpening their skills for building failures and other complex emergencies. The state-funded training in Bridgewater brought together departments from across Massachusetts, giving Lowell's crews advanced tools and experience they can now bring back to protect residents during rare but high-risk disasters.
![]()
📸 Around Lowell
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lowell
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Oktoberfest →
Good Pickin' Farm, 5 Gould Rd, Westford
3:00 pm - Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Massachusetts Branch 6th Anniversary Concert →
Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington
6:00 pm - UNWIND & REALIGN: Navigating Anxiety, Menopause & Intuition →
Tranquility Wellness Center, Inc, 235 Littleton Rd, Westford
10:00 am - Girl Scouts STEM Challenge →
UMass Lowell, 327 Aiken Ave, Lowell
9:00 am
Saturday October 10
Sunday October 18
Sunday October 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Chess Club →
Main Branch, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell
5:30 pm - Heroes Meet Up- Support Group →
Greater Lowell Family YMCA, 35 Ymca Dr, Lowell
7:00 pm - 3rd Year Painters and Tapers - Group A →
Lowell MA Training Center, 120 Stedman St., Lowell
7:00 am - Anime Club →
Main Branch, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell
12:00 pm - Family Halloween Movie and Craft →
Main Branch, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell
2:30 pm - One-On-One Technology Help →
Main Branch, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell
4:00 pm - UFO (Unfinished Objects) Support Group →
Main Branch, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell
6:00 pm - Trinity's Trunk or Treat 2026 →
170 Old Westford Rd, Chelmsford
2:00 pm
Tuesday October 6
Wednesday October 7
Saturday October 17
📣 Lowell Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lowell PatchAM possible:
- Friends Beyond Boston-Waltham Social
- Cardinal Pediatrics — (978) 934-9474
- Mayhem Tattoo, LLC — (603) 912-4724
- Heavey Quinn Irish Dance — 9782509100
- Mill City Marketing MA — (978) 942-0389
- Beantown Statie Production Company-Beantown Studios — (978) 408-1573
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi, I would like to make new friends in my neighborhood, i have a small puppy her name is Mia and she really could use a new friend for play dates.
She is a very good girl. Lmk if anyone would like to maybe hangout with us. I am on Pawtucket Blvd next to Village Variety Store. (Nextdoor Trotting Park Rd)
- Dunkin' posted a job opening for Crew Member in Lowell. Apply here.
- Aramark posted a job opening for Cook - UMass Lowell - Catering in Lowell. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lowell here.
Ok Lowell! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.