A family of six and their dogs escaped injury shortly after midnight yesterday when a fire caused extensive damage to their home. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/07/family-flees-burning-topsfield-home?fromrss=1

More than 50 antique cars will be among the highlights at the town's annual Fourth of July parade on Saturday. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/antique-cars-will-be-part-of-july-4-parade?fromrss=1

A state overseer is putting a stop to increased fees the Essex Regional Retirement Board has been charging local towns after it attempted to unilaterally reclassify police and fire dispatchers. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/state-to-nix-extra-charges-to-towns?fromrss=1

Tears welled in Laurie Blake's eyes and her voice cracked with emotion. "I'm sorry,'' she said. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/play-ball-everyone?fromrss=1

It's been a soggy month, making summer feel like it really isn't here. But summer arrived this week in spite of all the rain, and a local teen band will greet the season in true summer style as it performs beachside at Salisbury Beach. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/voice-of-the-cosmic-noise?fromrss=1

Aki Olia has a nagging fear that the violence and upheaval in Iran might someday find its way to his own doorstep in Boxford. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/iranian-expatriate-watching-hoping?fromrss=1

Congressman John Tierney invites small businesses, nonprofit agencies and municipalities to a free seminar on special funding opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/special-funding-meeting-monday-with-tierney?fromrss=1

The signs can come down. The Masconomet Regional School Committee has agreed to a two-year contract with the Masconomet Teachers' Association. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/school-board-teachers-sign-new-contract?fromrss=1

Boxford officials are hoping to shutter a state-run salt shed on Topsfield Road they say contaminated the drinking water of several households. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/judge-pushes-back-decision-on-salt-shed-lawsuit?fromrss=1

Two weeks after the unexpected withdrawal of one of its two finalists caused the Masconomet Regional School Committee to table its search for a new superintendent, the panel has agreed to reopen the process but postpone the effective hiring date to summer 2010. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/school-search-goes-back-to-start?fromrss=1

Six years ago, an all-girl middle school in the city was just a dream for many. That dream not only became a reality, but it was solidified yesterday when Esperanza Academy graduated its first class at Grace Episcopal Church. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/esperanza-academy-gives-graduates-hope-for-the-future?fromrss=1

The following items were recorded in the log of the Newburyport police: Eric W. Johnson, 47, 16 Baileys Lane, West Newbury, was issued a summons Friday at 10:21 p.m. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended driver's license. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/police-log?fromrss=1

The following students from North Shore towns were named to the honor roll for the second trimester of 2008-2009 at Shore Country Day School: HONORS Grade six: Aisling Batchelder and Duncan Lechner of Manchester; Christopher Brady, Matt Sheridan and Ali Sledge of Marblehead; Samantha Brainard of Wenham; James Burr, Carter Daume, Lizzie Flynn, Lily ... http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/shore-country-day-school-honor-roll?fromrss=1

June is nesting time in the bird world. Most of our local birds are settling down to nest, if, in fact, they haven't done so already. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/many-birds-busy-nesting-this-month?fromrss=1

Thanks to a subtle change in job title, some North Shore emergency dispatchers will be able to retire five years early under new rules approved by the Essex Regional Retirement Board. http://www.topix.net/city/boxford-ma/2009/06/earlier-pensions-okd-for-911-staff?fromrss=1