A 24-year-old has appeared in court charged with murdering another man in Shrewsbury Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Kai Michael Sainz-Stafford appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Shropshire Star’s free newsletter The 24-year-old, of Field Crescent, Shrewsbury, entered the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt, and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address. The clerk told him he faces one charge, of murdering Sam Siviter on May 2. The severity of the alleged offence means that the case can only be dealt with at the crown court, so the matter was committed to Stafford Crown Court, with no pleas entered. Addressing Sainz-Stafford the clerk said: "That is a matter that can only be dealt with at the crown court and the magistrates will in a moment send the matter to the crown court at Stafford." The chairman of the bench committed the case to crown court and told Sainz-Stafford he was being remanded in custody pending an appearance at Stafford Crown Court tomorrow - Tuesday, May 6. Details: cache-fra-eddf8230068-FRA 1746510091 1534987574 Shrewsbury Town are the ninth club of Michael Appleton's managerial career Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton has signed a two-year contract as the club's permanent manager The 49-year-old was appointed head coach on 26 March on a deal for the rest of the current campaign following Gareth Ainsworth's departure for Gillingham Appleton was unable to save Salop from relegation to League Two a fate confirmed by other results on 18 April but he has been in talks with the board about remaining at the club Oxford and Lincoln City boss has won one of his eight league games in charge "It's no secret that I wanted to stay at this football club so I'm really pleased the deal is now done," Appleton told Shrewsbury's official club website., external "The last few weeks have been a challenge but I've been really encouraged by how the players have responded and taken on board what I've asked of them I've learned a lot about the group - what we need going forward and who I want to be part of the journey next season." Michael Appleton's assistant Richard O'Donnell has also committed his future to Shrewsbury Town Appleton had been out of work since being sacked as Charlton boss in January 2024 following a run of 10 league matches without a win Despite being unable to halt their slide to League Two the club have decided to stick with Appleton - who is known for his ability to work with young players - as they plan their return to the fourth tier for the first time in 10 years Shrewsbury also confirmed Appleton's assistant will remain in his role ahead of the 2025-2026 season "The club has a clear vision for how it wants the team to play And I hope in the games I've had so far you've seen the type of football we are working to introduce," Appleton added "The positive feedback I've had from supporters has been fantastic That identity though doesn't just happen in a few weeks both Richard and I are determined to build a team that will really make you proud next season." 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A man accused of murder is set to appear in court today The charge came after the death of a 35-year-old man in Shrewsbury on Friday Sainz-Stafford is due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court later today The charge relates to an incident on Thursday where emergency services were called to Lambourn Drive in Shrewsbury at 11.58pm A man has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Shrewsbury Kai Sainz-Stafford, aged 24, of no fixed abode, remains in police custody and is due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court tomorrow (May 5) He has been charged with murder after the death of a 35-year-old man on Friday Emergency services were called to Lambourn Drive in Shrewsbury at 11.58pm following a report of a man suffering what was thought to be knife wounds Despite the best efforts of emergency services the 35-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and a murder investigation was launched Several residents in the street were oblivious to the incident overnight and woke up to a cordon around the houses They spoke of their shock at the incident A prominent former Shrewsbury restaurant has been put up for sale this week The Grade II listed building on Frankwell Roundabout in Shrewsbury was once home to Italian eatery Guiseppe's and laterly seafood restaurant La Mer Rouge - before they moved further into town The three-storey building has now been placed up for sale with an asking price of £285k A listing posted online earlier this week said the property contains an "attractive ground floor retail/restaurant unit with further sales/storage area on the upper floors," adding that the building had undergoine "extensive refurbishment and structural works" in recent years The property also features a first-floor balcony level and rear courtyard area The building traces its roots back as far as the 17th century, with Historic England's official listing record suggesting it was originally a residential dwelling The building was officially listed in 1972 The curtain fell on Shrewsbury's Town's disappointing campaign with a 2-1 loss to Crawley Town at the Croud Meadow The Town goalkeeper was defiant when called into action and saved several Crawley efforts and free-kicks during the second-half Slammed home Shrewsbury’s late consolation goal to provide the Town faithful with something to cheer about and give Shrewsbury hope of potentially salvaging a draw coaching staff and supporters were furious at the decision that saw him sent off Feeney had a soft penalty given against him just minutes into the second-half The Town defender came close with a first-half header and defended well at the back for Town in the first period He was one of four Shrewsbury players who received a booking without defensive partner Feeney in the second-half the defence came under increased pressure and was exploited The wing-back often got forward as he likes to and was alert to make interceptions He came under pressure from a Kelly who looked to be tricky but stood strong Biggins looked lively in the centre of the park and the majority of play came through him in the first period The midfielder was at the heart of several lovely passages of play and pressed to win the ball back Made some nice runs forward and looked to create from the middle Tracked back to do his defensive duties and showed great composure to bring the wall away from danger Town’s top-scorer was unable to have a major say on the game He made a brilliant interception before squaring to Lloyd for a big chance and was denied with a powerful effort He ran the show in the early stages and was eager to impress on what was his first home start Got on the ball but was unable to test Crawley’s keeper Dropped deep to win the ball and repeatedly drew fouls Presented with a golden opportunity to earn the lead but took a touch before going down under challenge Members of Shrewsbury Flower Club are putting on a fabulous Flower Festival "A Festival of Colour" at the beautiful St Chad's Church in Shrewsbury We are raising much needed funds for the Church and for our Flower Club which is now 67 years old Please put the weekend of June 13 to 15 in your diaries to go and see the church decorated in stunning flowers The talented Castlefield yarnbombers are also involved in decorating the pillars outside this historic circular church With the Shrewsbury Flower Show unfortunately being cancelled this is an opportunity to get your flower fix and see many floral arrangements in one building coffees and home made cakes will be available too Liberal Democrats who have been elected in Shrewsbury have vowed to "prioritise protecting local services" The party secured a majority in the Shrewsbury Town Council election. It came as the Lib Dems also took control of Shropshire Council  Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Shropshire Star’s free newsletter Councillor Rob Wilson has been elected as the Shrewsbury Liberal Democrat leader The party has pledged "immediate action and ambition" to tackle issues in the town We know that we now have a huge amount of work to do and a strong mandate to deliver change for residents "We're going to prioritise protecting local services Whether that's investing in keeping Shrewsbury tidy or stepping up to fill the space left by the County Council as it goes through financial turbulence - we're on your side and to everyone who turned out to vote in general This is a mandate for change and ambition in how we deliver services "We fully intend to repay the trust people have put in us with hard work all year round."  Confirmation of a road closure for a VE Day celebration event in Shrewsbury on June 1 has been revealed today Abbey Foregate will be the centre for the day which is being organised by Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces accepting the Nazi’s unconditional surrender from World War 2 During the war Shrewsbury’s sky was protected by the Air Raid Precaution HQ (ARP) located in the Abbey Station building Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club is therefore keen to centre the celebrations in the Abbey Foregate area and to hold the event need the road to be closed to public vehicles between 7.00 am and 4.30 pm who is principal organiser of the event which is his brainchild said today that normal rights of access for residents – in a car or on foot – would remain exactly as they are at the moment A letter has been previously hand delivered to local residents by willing volunteers and formal notice consequently served on Shrewsbury Town Council Further advanced activity has included David meeting Shropshire Council’s traffic engineer to look at traffic management and on-site highway signage The consequence of the Shrewsbury VE Day Celebration is that Abbey Foregate – the one-way section around north of the Abbey Church – will be closed from o/s 13 to The Gables Parking will be suspended from opposite 18 to opposite 24 to facilitate a display of military vehicles On Saturday May 31 there will be a re-creation of the ARP HQ inside the Abbey Station building with a WW2 Glenn Millier tribute concert within the Abbey Church in the evening David continues to work towards holding a WW2 military vehicle display on the road itself He said: “This will be the section of Abbey Foregate leading from Abbey Hardware (no.15) to The Gables (no.41) at its junction with the section of highway leading to Underdale Road “Parking will be suspended from opposite 18 to opposite 24 to facilitate display of military vehicles “This section of road will be closed to public' traffic - so that display vehicles can be parked - but access for emergencies residents and church visitors will always be available “For safety reasons we would be grateful if everyone could help us to keep any vehicle movements to an absolute minimum If anyone has any concerns or requirements regarding large deliveries or vehicle movements I can be contacted on 01743 232651 or 07773 537564.” He added: “This event will bring many additional visitors into this part of town with a consequently advantageous effect on the prosperity of businesses in the vicinity “We are working in close partnership with the Abbey Church and Headway to raise money for both organisations as well as the Rotary Club’s other partners which include the Shrewsbury Foodbank “I do hope that that as many as possible will be able to enjoy the celebration with us.” He can also be contacted for more information about the VE Day Celebration Firefighters have extinguished a fire involving a discarded tyre in a village near Shrewsbury The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.10pm reporting the incident in Uffington One fire crew was sent from Shrewsbury Fire Station to the scene Reports from the fire service said one discarded tyre was alight Firefighters extinguished the blaze using a hose reel jet Thousands of music fans have been flocking to Shrewsbury over the weekend as Loopfest returned for the fourth time which began on Friday and goes on until Sunday features 300 acts playing 40 venues over the weekend Loopfest in Shrewsbury, is the brainchild of musician and promoter Jamie Smith and David Gregg, who runs the Albert’s Shed group of music venues and is one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the UK The three-day musical extravaganza features both renowned artists such as Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff Goldie Lookin’ Chain and producer Mandidextrous along with local acts and grassroots artists These have included The Cheap Thrills from Liverpool from Nottingham and Shropshire bands Adult Play and Boom Boom Womb Shrewsbury Town Council is inviting residents to celebrate a landmark moment in the town’s heritage the 600th Anniversary of the iconic Loggerheads emblem 2nd May 2025 marked exactly 600 years since the Loggerheads emblem was first recorded as a symbol of Shrewsbury have represented the town since 1425 and remain a proud emblem of Shrewsbury’s civic identity they are used by local organisations including Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury Town Football Club the Town Council is launching a Loggerheads Hunt This free interactive trail invites families and individuals to find 20 specially designed posters featuring unique versions of the Loggerheads emblem Each version has been sourced from a real location within the town centre and participants will be challenged to match each image to its original setting Entry forms will be available from Quarry Kitchen entries can be submitted to Shrewsbury Town Council at 7 St John’s Hill All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a special Shrewsbury hamper The competition will close on Sunday 31st August If any other cafes would like to hand out the trail sheets please contact Shrewsbury Town Council at enquiries@shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk History enthusiasts can also explore The Mysteries of the Loggerheads a specially curated walking guide created by local historian Mark Stewart The guide leads readers on a journey to uncover 100 examples of the emblem across Shrewsbury showcasing how deeply the Loggerheads are embedded in the town’s story The booklet is available for £2 from Pengwern Books Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and Shrewsbury Library Shropshire Live has been providing Shropshire news and entertainment since 2009 We reach tens of thousands of readers per month making us the biggest online-only news publication in the county You can now also listen to Shropshire Live Read more about us For general enquiries and press releases email interact@shropshirelive.com or call 01743 818 095 For advertising opportunities call Fiona on 01743 816 817 or email sales@shropshirelive.com Shropshire Live is regulated by impress Read our Privacy Policy or find out more about our use of cookies and change your personal settings by viewing our Cookies Policy We and our {{count}} partners use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website We may store and/or access information on a device and process personal data audience research and services development we may utilize precise geolocation data and identification through device scanning Please note that your consent will be valid across all our subdomains You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “Consent Preferences” button at the bottom of your screen We respect your choices and are committed to providing you with a transparent and secure browsing experience Firefighters rushed to a popular walking trail in Shrewsbury after a fire in the open caused by a disposable barbeque The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 6.44pm on Saturday reporting a fire on Haughmond Hill Two fire crews including the incident support unit were sent from Newport and Shrewsbury to the scene Reports from the fire service said crews arrived to find a small fire that was caused by a disposable BBQ a hose reel jet and knapsacks to extinguish the fire Michael Appleton revealed there are a few “gentlemen's agreements” in place with players who are set to join Shrewsbury Town in the summer Town’s dismal season concluded on Saturday with defeat to also relegated Crawley Town Salop’s last outing of the season will also have been the final appearance for some players in a Shrewsbury shirt with Appleton maintaining that big changes lie ahead Now the campaign is over and Appleton has put pen to paper - signing a two-year deal - the Town boss said the re-build for next season starts immediately with agreements with some players already in place “Once I left here (the club) on Friday night I was on the phone to players,” Appleton said “I have set up meetings for this week and the next week and hopefully we are good to go “I don’t know if you can have a ‘gentlemen’s agreement' these days but if there is such a thing as a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ then there are already a couple of them that have already happened “We will see what happens in the next few weeks “Trust me they will make us a million times better.” There was uncertainty surrounding Appleton’s position before last Friday and whether he would definitely be the man to lead Shrewsbury next season He added: “We have already started from a recruitment point of view putting things in place and making contact with potential signings for next year and that will continue full throttle in the next few days “There are a few things that we need to tidy up in the next week in terms of making sure that the season is locked off and that we know exactly what is happening “Once that has happened then we can continue and make sure that when we come back for pre-season that we have as many new faces as we possibly can but for me it is going to be an exciting one Getting today (Crawley match) out of the way as quickly as we could was the main thing “I cannot wait to get back on the phone and on the road meeting players.” Asked if enticing players to join ahead of a League Two campaign as opposed to a League One season will be more difficult I have been around quite a long time now and have worked with a lot of players “Whether it is players that I have worked with in the past or players that I have worked with who have spoken about me to other players I would like to back myself that we can get players here that we maybe wouldn’t have got at another time.” A Shrewsbury woman has thanked a quick-acting train driver and a vet for saving her dog's life after it escaped and was hit by a locomotive Labradoodle Dora escaped from her garden in Shrewsbury on February 10 The nine-year-old dog ended up on a live railway line and was hit by a moving train but miraculously survived After spotting her on the tracks, train driver, Charlie Cridland, stopped his train, coaxed Dora onboard, and took her straight to Vets for Pets in Hereford The first Dora's owner knew of the incident was when the vet called to say she had been brought to them and was recovering  from her treatment after she was found running along a railway line described the shock of learning about her dog’s new habit for exploration  "When I  got the call to ask if I was near Hereford or had lost a dog by the railways I couldn't understand how she had ended up so far away and on a train track," she said a Transport for Wales train driver and a former  British Army dog handler said: "Driving trains but seeing a dog on the tracks was truly heart stopping "It was a huge relief when I saw she was okay but knew she needed some  expert help to make sure she could recover for more – slightly more tame – adventures in the future." Owner Jane credits Charlie's quick actions and the dedicated team at Vets for Pets Hereford Without his quick actions and  the immediate care from the Vets for Pets team Vets for Pets Hereford played a key part in a remarkable story of kindness helping a canine explorer named Dora defy all odds and survive an ill-advised adventure on train tracks and 54-mile journey from  Shrewsbury to Hereford The nine-year-old Labradoodle’s story left her owners in awe and incredibly  grateful for the quick actions that saved Dora’s life is keen to use Dora’s recent travels as a  reminder to pet owners who live near train tracks to be extra careful especially with pooches with a love  of adventure "Situations like this can unfold in moments whether it’s a gap in a fence or an open gate  It’s a good idea to regularly check your garden for potential escape routes keep  your pet's microchip details up to date; without it reuniting Dora with Jane wouldn't have been  possible.”  A spokesperson for Transport for Wales added: “We’re so pleased Charlie was able to step in and help rescue Dora and we’re delighted to hear she’s made a full recovery We also want to remind pet owners how important it is never to follow their dog  onto the tracks Our staff are fully trained to handle situations like this safely Going onto the railway  lines is both illegal and extremely dangerous—and could lead to a fine of up to £1,000 or even arrest  The safest thing to do is contact railway staff who can respond quickly and in the right way.” playing safely in her garden and sticking to adventures closer to  home A Shrewsbury stationery shop is set to close down later this month after serving notice on its premises Stationary chain Smiggle, which sells "colourful, fun, fashion-forward stationery" along with accessories such as lunchboxes and drinks bottles, is set to close its shop in the Darwin Centre in Shrewsbury at the end of May A brief statement from the Darwin Centre said the company had served notice on its store with no official conformation of a closure date "We can confirm that Smiggle has made the difficult decision to close its premises at The Darwin," said a spokesperson for the shopping centre "The store’s management team has served notice in accordance with the terms of its lease agreement  "While the exact date of closure has not yet been confirmed it is expected that the store will cease trading later this month  "We would like to thank Smiggle for being a valued part of The Darwin and extend our appreciation to the customers and community who have supported the store during its time with us." The company opened a store in Telford in 2023, and also operates in Brierley Hill inside the Merry Hill Shopping Centre Smiggle did not respond to a request for comment A thief has admitted stealing coffee and confectionery from shops in Shrewsbury as well as having a screwdriver and being "aggressive" He admitted taking coffee on the first occasion and confectionery on the second At Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday (May 1) he also pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon Two men have appeared in court accused of raping a woman in Shrewsbury Philip Duffield and Jack Chaplin are alleged to have attacked the woman on April 26 and 27 last year Duffield, aged 25, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court via video link from prison while 20-year-old Chaplin appeared in the dock The curtains have fallen on Shrewsbury Town’s miserable campaign Their decade-long stay in League One has officially concluded beaten by fellow relegated side Crawley Town Frustrations grew by the minute as decisions went against the home side and Josh Feeney slowly trudged off in disbelief after being sent off for a soft foul The decision changed the whole dynamic of the game Shrewsbury were dismantled again as they have been so often this season The loss was Town’s 29th of the season and 15th at home It has been anything but pleasant viewing for the Shrewsbury faithful who haven’t seen a win on home turf since the first day of February They finished with 33 points - the lowest since three points for a win was introduced After Michael Appleton secured his first victory in charge of Shrewsbury at Barnsley it was hoped that Town could finish the season in style the wait for his first win at the Croud Meadow continues into the next campaign A football season is often compared to a rollercoaster This painful and unpleasant ride has finally finished for Town – heads are left spinning and wondering what comes next and banana costumes were donned by some travelling Crawley supporters but the Salop faithful were not in a similar mood The only cause for celebration was the news that Appleton had signed a two-year deal with the club and the announcement of the news prior to kick-off was met with cheers and applause Appleton has spoken of trying to instil an identity and Shrewsbury played some attractive football in the first half showing glimmers of hope for the future Yet Town failed to find the net before the break against the league’s worst defence The clash had a real pre-season feel with both preparing for their League Two tenure Toto Nsiala was unable to divert his header goal-bound on the 15-minute-mark And Town should have found themselves in front just five minutes later John Marquis was alert to smartly latch onto a loose ball The Salop top-scorer raced forward with George Lloyd in assistance The pass to Lloyd was delayed until they reached the box and seemed to lack pace nevertheless Shrewsbury fans held their breath expecting Lloyd to spank a shot into the back of the net by which time several Crawley defenders had hurtled back and under challenge Lloyd crashed to the surface The hosts came under pressure before the break His first effort presented little worry but his second was seen away for a corner the visitors found an opening as nobody tracked the run of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy who beat and rounded goalkeeper Jamal Blackman in a huge sigh of relief the ball raced away and the forward was unable to steer an effort towards goal and what unfolded inside the opening five minutes of the second period was devastating and fitting for Shrewsbury’s dire campaign Crawley were awarded a soft penalty as Josh Feeney challenged Holohan in front of goal The hosts were furious enough that the spot kick was given referee Lee Swabey reached to his pocket and produced a red card Hepburn-Murphy slammed home the spot-kick and Appleton was furious Things went from bad to worse when Max Anderson turned and struck with a sumptuous volley It was now damage limitation for Shrewsbury Marquis would see a powerful effort palmed away while Blackman was kept busy by several free-kicks Mal Benning did eventually provide the home crowd with something to cheer Substitute Vadaine Oliver attempted an overhead kick that became the perfect pass for Benning Tempers flared late-on as frustrations boiled over and a late rally wasn’t enough for the sides to share the spoils The best end of season present for the Shrewsbury supporters was the full-time whistle that finally brought the catastrophic and tormenting season to an end “Floreat Salopia” Shrewsbury’s club’s crest says and hopefully Town will be back flourishing again Residents of a Shrewsbury street were in shock after the death of a 35-year-old man sparked a murder investigation Police were called to a home on Lambourn Drive just before midnight on Thursday Many of the neighbours on the residential street were oblivious to the incident overnight and woke up to the cordon around the houses There is most definitely no shortage of stunning greenland in Shropshire But when the sun is beaming down on the county little sounds more appealing than a walk and picnic in a park So as we head into this Bank Holiday weekend we have rounded just a few of the best parks to visit across the county Here are 11 of the best-rated parks to visit as the weather warms Note: The following parks have a rating of more than 4.5 stars on Google from over 100 reviews Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley has a rating of 4.7 stars from 1,248 Google reviews One visitor said: “I had an amazing time at the Severn Valley Country Park today with clean toilets and plenty of parking spaces The views of the countryside were breathtaking and the overall experience was incredibly fun Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great way to start their weekend!” The Quarry, Shrewsbury has a rating of 4.7 stars from 5,635 Google reviews this almost hidden beautiful park is by the grandstand near the river ornaments and a lovely 'bust' of the gardener Percy Thrower has a rating of 4.6 stars from 3,344 Google reviews One visitor said: “The most beautiful green space that has something for everyone just a stone throw away from the shopping centre.”  Attingham Park has a rating of 4.7 stars from 6,884 Google reviews One visitor said: “Fab way to spend your day And of course a walk through the Deer park Lots of parking space.We had a lovely 3 mile walk through the woods and deer park and thoroughly enjoyed it.” has a rating of 4.8 stars from 1,655 Google reviews One visitor said: “What an absolutely stunning place We arrived at 11am and left about 3pm so was definitely a full day out We took the lower path back and it was certainly strenuous but definitely worth the effort Wasn't a single thing that let the place down.” Cae Glas Park, Oswestry has a rating of 4.7 stars from 798 Google reviews One visitor said: "A fabulous place that is astonishingly well maintained Weston Park, Shifnal has a rating of 4.5 stars from 1,995 Google reviews One customer said: "Beautiful place with gorgeous parkland and gardens Great playground for the kids with a small train that runs around the woodland Lovely walks through the woods and around the gardens Ordered a pizza for lunch which was very tasty followed by a delicious ice cream cone - recommend Great place for a picnic for all ages or just to sit and enjoy the peace and listen to the birds." Hodnet Hall Gardens, Market Drayton has a rating of 4.8 stars from 344 Google reviews One visitor said: "Have been coming here regularly for over a year now Great value season ticket if you live within the area lakes and waterfalls with botanical interest around every corner with a large Cafe serving a good range of food and scrumptious cakes stocking a wide range of flowers fruit and vegetables." Whitchurch Waterways Country Park, Whitchurch has a rating of 4.6 stars from 238 Google reviews One visitor said: "I enjoyed the tranquillity of the place Lovely relaxing views with a beautiful sunset and then the walk along the Whitchurch Arm of the Llangollen canal Much Wenlock Park, Much Wenlock has a rating of 4.6 stars from 212 Google reviews One visitor said: "Has a well maintained little play area football and crown green bowling facilities Plenty of footpaths around the park and Much Wenlock Dale End Park, Ironbridge has a rating of 4.6 stars from 969 Google reviews One visitor said: "A beautiful Park dating back to 1870; the park always has a serene atmosphere with beautiful views and well-maintained grounds There’s lots to visit within a few minutes walk such as the Art Gallery- Ironbridge Fine Arts and Teddy Bear Factory at Merrythought Village and yummy food at Embers at the Greenwood Centre." Luke Powell gives his thoughts following the final day defeat to Crawley  Director of football Micky Moore has issued an apology to Shrewsbury Town fans and admits mistakes have been made at the club as their ten year League One stay comes to an end On the eve of Salop's final game following relegation from League One the club announced interim head coach Michael Appleton had penned a two year deal to remain at the Croud Meadow with Salop already destined for the drop after a disastrous campaign that had seen Paul Hurst axed and Gareth Ainsworth walk out of the club a proposed takeover collapsed shortly after Ainsworth's departure with the club now in talks with potential parties about taking over from long term chairman Roland Wycherley With Salop's ten year League One stint heading for a conclusion director of football Moore has penned an open letter to fans who has come under scrutiny from sections of Salop fans during his time at the club went on to outline the reasons behind the managerial appointments that have been made during his time in Shropshire Moore arrived shortly after Steve Cotterill's departure with new head coach Matt Taylor only lasting a matter of months in the hot seat Then after Hurst steered Salop away from the danger zone last season he lost his job earlier in this campaign to be replaced by Ainsworth Moore also revealed that the club will soon release its released and retained list with 13 players still under contract at the Croud Meadow He also explained that he has been regularly been meeting with Appleton during his time as interim boss to discuss potential targets for the summer And he also revealed another big reason why the club moved to tie Appleton down on a longer term deal Shrewsbury Town’s dismal season ended in defeat to relegated Crawley Town with Town’s Josh Feeney sent off much to the host’s anger Shrewsbury were left furious after Crawley were awarded a soft second-half penalty and defender Feeney shown a red Card Rushian Hepburn-Murphy converted from the spot before Max Anderson‘s volley added a second for the visitors Salop’s Mal Benning grabbed a consolation goal late-on but Crawley were able to see out for the win Town fans do have reasons to look forward to life under Michael Appleton in League Two next season with glimpses of quality in the first-half the Town boss will have to wait until the new campaign to claim his first home win Appleton named an unchanged side from the one that beat Barnsley last weekend and handed Callum Stewart his first home start Crawley too lined-up as they did in the previous game against Northampton It was an encouraging start for Shrewsbury who had the first effort on goal through Mal Benning Boss Appleton has spoken of trying to give Shrewsbury an identity and they certainly played some attractive football in the opening Town supporters protested against Director of Football Mickey Moore their attention quickly turned back to the pitch as Toto Nsiala headed over from a corner on the 15-minute mark John Marquis was alert to smartly pick-up on a loose ball and raced forward accompanied by Lloyd Town’s top scorer eventually squared the ball to Lloyd but he took a touch instead of immediately firing at goal and penalty appeals were waved away after he went down under challenge Crawley’s Gavan Holohan was a danger and twice let fly at goal but his second was better and was seen away for a corner The visitors gathered momentum approaching the break Crawley’s Rushian Hepburn-Murphy was played through on goal where he managed to beat and round Jamal Blackman he was unable to steer an effort goalbound Just under three-minutes into the second period Crawley were awarded a soft penalty and Town defender Josh Feeney was remarkably sent off coaches and supporters were shocked at the decision and vented their frustrations Hepburn-Murphy slammed the spot-kick home and Appleton was furious George Nurse’s corner less than 10-minutes later was nearly turned home by Crawley’s Panutche Camara as Shrewsbury looked for a response Crawley extended their lead in emphatic style on the hour-mark as Max Anderson turned and volleyed into the bottom left corner to give the visitors daylight and it became about damaged limitation for Appleton’s side and Jack Roles’ free-kick was easily held by Blackman Frustrations grew as decisions continued to go against the hosts Blackman denied Armnando Quitirna’s free-kick effort before Hepburn-Murphy squandered a late Crawley chance Mal Benning then gave Shrewsbury hope in the 88th-minute Oliver’s ambitious overhead kick turned into a perfect pass for the defender who hammered home from close-range Michael Appleton is raring to get started on plans to build a new identity after penning a new Shrewsbury Town contract - but added promotion guarantees would be "naïve" The 49-year-old from Salford signed a two-year contract to extend his temporary spell at the club beyond Saturday's season finale at home to Crawley It will Town's final fixture in League One after a miserable season ended in relegation and Appleton - who was appointed to replace Gareth Ainsworth in late March - has been selected as the man to lead the squad's long-term rebuild Town remain in a position where chairman Roland Wycherley is actively looking for a sale of the club and head coach Appleton suggested while things such as playing budgets are up in the air there can be no guarantees of immediate League Two success "That (promotion) will depend on a lot of things," Appleton said at his press conference after signing the deal "The chairman is working really hard for investment into the club or a potential takeover I'm not going to be naïve enough to say we're going to get automatic promotion or promotion as a definite That would be stupid without 100 per cent knowing the figures." Asked if his new contract was a sign a takeover was progressing Appleton replied: "From what I hear there's definitely a lot of interest in the club and why wouldn't there a really well run club for a number of years "There's a lot of basket cases out there and this certainly isn't one "Only yesterday I had conversations with the chairman and he told me there are still lots of interested parties." He added on whether a takeover would result in an increased budget: "If a takeover happens then that is an obvious thing The reality is we're a club relegated from League One "If the club does go to another group or person they will want to be successful and to do that I'd imagine they'd have an idea on the finances of success for League Two level and it's up to them."  Following Saturday's home finale Appleton will hold talks with the squad to deliver news about the futures of players who are both under and out of contract A significant chunk - 13 in total - remain under deals into next season at Croud Meadow  Appleton said there is a possibility contracts can be settled to allow some players to move on as the club look to rebuild Blackpool and Portsmouth boss confirmed there will be no further changes to his backroom staff Officers have made an arrest following the death of a 35-year-old man in Shrewsbury last night West Mercia Police responded to a call to a property in Lambourn Drive, Shrewsbury A man had suffered serious injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene officers arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of murder The arrested man is currently in police custody Jonny Drury gives his take after Michael Appleton was handed the Shrewsbury Town job on a permanent basis Appleton stepped in as interim boss following the sudden departure of Gareth Ainsworth Appleton has overseen a change in Salop's style of play and picked up his first victory in charge with an impressive at at Barnsley on Saturday who has achieved success in League Two in the past is the right move and why his track record in the transfer market should bring optimism to the Salop fans Shrewsbury Town interim boss Michael Appleton has been handed the job on a permanent basis - penning a two year deal at the Croud Meadow The former Lincoln City and Oxford United boss answered Salop's call earlier this season taking over as interim manager following the sudden departure of Gareth Ainsworth Appleton has received plaudits for changing relegated Salop's style of play and picked up his first win in charge at Barnsley on Saturday Appleton has outlined his ambition to remain at the club beyond the end of the season and has repeatedly been asked about his future in Shropshire he indicated that the delay in his contract being made permanent could be down to the takeover talks the club are currently involved in ahead of the final game of the campaign against Crawley Town Appleton has penned a two-year deal at the club alongside his assistant Richard O'Donnell The former West Brom midfielder was delighted to get the deal over the line and explained that his interim period has allowed him time to learn what he will need going forward He said: "It’s no secret that I wanted to stay at this football club so I’m really pleased the deal is now done but I’ve been really encouraged by how the players have responded and taken on board what I’ve asked of them I’ve learned a lot about the group — what we need going forward and who I want to be part of the journey next season “The club has a clear vision for how it wants the team to play you’ve seen the type of football we are working to introduce “The positive feedback I’ve had from supporters has been fantastic “That identity though doesn’t just happen in a few weeks both Richard and I are determined to build a team that will really make you proud next season.” Following confirmation of Appleton's permanent deal director of football Micky Moore is set to publish an open letter to supporters later on Friday Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 35-year-old man in Shrewsbury West Mercia Police said officers were called to a property on Lambourn Drive just before midnight on Thursday following a report of a man suffering from what is thought to be knife wounds On arrival it was found that the man had sustained serious injuries and despite the best efforts by emergency workers our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life and you may see an increased police presence in the area as our enquiries continue “We do not believe there to be a wider risk to the public."  Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions Search autocomplete is currently not responding The Town of Shrewsbury has many beautiful hiking trails  If the lengths of the trails were all added together In the latest edition of From the Desk of the Select Board Assistant to Town Manager - Communications Coordinator This policy provides citizens an opportunity to allow public comments during a desi.. will conduct sewer system rehabilitation maintenance work on Monday The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is hosting the Spring session of its Spotted Lanternfly Quarterly Update on Wednesday  The May session will feature a presentation by B.. Whereas The Select Board has determined that a shortage of water exists and conservation measures are necessary to ensure an adequate supply of water to all water consumers You know all those clothes in your closet that haven’t been touched in the past year (or two or three or ...)?Recycle your unwanted clothes by scheduling a pickup appointment today.  Visit SimpleRecycling.com or call 866-835-5068 to get started You know all those clothes in your closet that haven’t been touched in the past year (or two Visit SimpleRecycling.com or call 866-835-5068 to get.. Plastic Mailers with Bubble Wrap (inside):🚫 Not recyclable — not in your cart not at store drop-offs.🗑️ Toss it in the trash We are now accepting Holiday Lights for recycling Simply bring your unwanted holiday lights to DPW and we will recycle it for you.  The Central MA Suicide Prevention Center is excited to offer the L.I.S.T.E.N Training – Tools for Showing Up During Hard Times a 90-minute session designed to help us better support those who may be struggling with mental health Did you know your greasy pizza box is a needed material for recycling mills?  Simply remove the uneaten pizza and recycle your box 3 billion pizza boxes can be recycled into new products Reminder: Yard Waste Curbside Collection will occur during the week of May 5-9 Yard waste must be in the 30-gallon paper lawn & leaf bags and lined up at the curb by 7:00 a.m Yard Waste collection schedule can be downloaded here PAYT Bags can be purchased at the following locations: Shred Day at Shrewsbury FCU – Protect Your Information & Help Your Community Join Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union Bank at their Annual Shred Day Important Curbside Recycling Pick up Changes starting January 1 The Town switched to single-stream recycling on July 1 and provided each household with a wheeled recycling cart Since Casella took over the contract on July 1 Having trouble with those new large Shrewsbury trash bag wraps No need to remove the paper label/wrapper —just treat it like a deli bag and gently pull/slide your finger under at the edge Did you know that Shrewsbury's biggest recycling contaminants are clothes Let's work together to keep these out of our recycling carts Did you purchase your Food Scrap Collection Containers already? The New Age Outdoor Composters are now in stock as well Each Composter is priced at $50.00. The cost of the bins is partially subsidized.. Is your closet filled with clothes that haven't seen the light of day for years Don't throw them in your curbside recycling cart or trash Have Simple Recycling pick them up for you at no charge This message serves as a reminder for your trash and recycling collection. Please ensure that your trash and recycling is placed at the curb no later than 7am on your designated pick-up day. If your materials were not out in time Contact NEDT to schedule an appointment to drop off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) We prioritize the quality control standards of our bag provider If you encounter any issues with the bags you purchased please report them through our Open Gov platform.You can find the form on the Town website under SERVICE REQUESTS -> Pay As You Thr.. The recycling carts that were delivered to Shrewsbury residents are property of the Town and are attached to the property not to the homeowner Please note the following guidelines regarding recycling carts: Food Scrap Collection Containers are now in stock at the Shrewsbury DPW You can find them on the 2nd Floor of the DPW.Payments can be made in cash or by check Starting the process of composting in your backyar.. Reminding the Shrewsbury community that a Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw went into effect on 07-01-17 and a Polystyrene Reduction Bylaw went into effect on 01-01-20 They remain in place and are enforceable by the Town The annual drinking water quality report for calendar year 2023 is now ready and can be viewed at www.shrewsburyma.gov/depreportccr   also known as the Customer Confidence Report contains important information about Shrewsbury’s dr.. Updated MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) Fish Consumption Advisory SignsDepartment of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) WaterbodiesDate of Record: 08-09-24An updated version of the MA Department of Public Health&rsquo;s (MDPH) fish consumption ad...Keep reading for more information Read on... The Shrewsbury Council on Aging is seeking volunteers and community partners to assist with the distribution of our Senior Edition newsletter to local businesses and community centers in Shrewsbury and surrounding towns &nbsp;The May session will feature a presentation by B.. Navigating the Healthcare Highway has been canceled due to the Annual Town Election on Tuesday 2025.We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause Read on... Attention!The Annual Friends Luncheon has been&nbsp;rescheduled to June.The new date and time will be announced soon—stay tuned for updates!But don’t worry the fun continues...Please join the Friends on Monday Read on... Youth Registration Form: https://forms.gle/XEFS7J1FDbmNLyUJA Chaperone Registration Form: https://forms.gle/4kosPSk1qMqBDuGXA Read on... Mother Nature might have a different idea of fun with rain in the forecast—but we’re still excited to announce that the Walking Club is (hopefully) BACK at the Shrewsbury Senior Center Here’s what you need to know:When: Every.. Read on... Help us bring the Shrewsbury Senior Center Sensory Garden to life Our goal is to raise $40,000 to create a vibrant and thoughtfully selected plants that engage the senses.&nbsp; Green Street will be closed to through traffic from Appaloosa Drive to the Grafton town line The closure will be from 7am to 4pm to allow Eversource Energy to install a gas main This closure will be active daily and work.. New fee schedules for Driveway, Trench on private property and Road Opening Permits have been in effect since January 1, 2019.&nbsp;Click here to see more details. &nbsp;Dear Lake Quinsigamond/Flint Pond Abutter: &nbsp;Notification of Refilling&nbsp; The Lake Quinsigamond Commission will raise the water level Did you know plastic wraps are one of the top contaminants in recycling bins?1 Plastic Mailers with Bubble Wrap (inside):??&nbsp;Not recyclable — not in your cart Did you know your greasy pizza box is a needed material for recycling mills?&nbsp; Yard waste must be in the 30-gallon paper lawn & leaf bags and lined up at the curb by 7:00 a.m Shred Day at Shrewsbury FCU – Protect Your Information & Help Your Community Simply bring your unwanted holiday lights to DPW and we will recycle it for you.&nbsp; please report them through our Open Gov platform.You can find the form on the Town website under SERVICE REQUESTS -> Pay As You Thr.. This message serves as a reminder for your trash and recycling collection.&nbsp;Please ensure that your trash and recycling is placed at the curb no later than 7am on your designated pick-up day.&nbsp;If your materials were not out in time You know all those clothes in your closet that haven&rsquo;t been touched in the past year (or two or three or ...)?Recycle your unwanted clothes by scheduling a pickup appointment today.&nbsp; Did you purchase your Food Scrap Collection Containers already?&nbsp;The New Age Outdoor Composters are now in stock as well Each Composter is priced at $50.00.&nbsp;The cost of the bins is partially subsidized.. Each container is priced at&nbsp;$10.00 &nbsp;Most of the trails are very short &nbsp;If the lengths of the trails were all added together The annual drinking water quality report for calendar year 2023 is now ready and can be viewed at www.shrewsburyma.gov/depreportccr &nbsp; will continue investigations of the sanitary sewer system in the Grafton Street and Old Brook Road neighborhood areas of.. Monday:            8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Tuesday:     8:00 AM to 6:30 PM Wednesday:    8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Thursday:     8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Friday:               8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Harmon Retail Holdings has snagged the lease for the out-of-business Joann crafts store at Shrewsbury Plaza on Route 35 Court papers say Harmon will assume the lease on June 1 "We had a previous location in Shrewsbury and we're looking to reopen a location in that city," a spokesperson for Harmon Retail Holdings told What's Going There Joann declared bankruptcy in early February and announced that it would close all of its remaining stores which includes the 15,000-square-foot storefront at Shrewsbury Plaza What's Going There? UK clothing chain Seasalt Cornwall opens its second American store in Shrewsbury Joann's bankruptcy case may influence the timing of Harmon's opening we will look to open as soon as possible this summer," the spokesperson said It will mark the return of Harmon, which is now under new ownership, to Shrewsbury. Bed Bath & Beyond closed all of its Harmon stores in March 2023 as the home goods and decor retail giant struggled and died Previously, Harmon Face Values had a store on Route 35 in Shrewsbury at Grove West The Harmon brand was sold during Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy to Purchase Other Harmon stores are planned for Garwood and on Route 202 in Bridgewater "We've been looking at this neighborhood and market for some time now," the Harmon spokesperson said of the Shrewsbury spot "We are looking to open in a lot of our former top locations." The new Harmon will be "almost identical" to the old It was part of a failure of Bed Bath & Beyond," he said We have really not changed much of anything at all." David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business, retail, real estate and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 27 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates. Embed on your websiteClose×Copy the code below to embed the WBUR audio player on your site<iframe width="100%" height="124" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://player.wbur.org/news/2025/05/01/new-ground-round-shrewsbury"></iframe> Howard Johnson’s started the franchise in Shrewsbury back in 1969 in an effort to convert underperforming locations for traveling guests into family-friendly neighborhood destinations. The brand grew to over 200 locations in the 1980s with zany draws like soft-serve in mini baseball cap cups and televisions playing old cartoons. It lost out to other fast-casual chains over the following decades and filed for bankruptcy in 2004, the same year the original location shut its doors. Ground Round owners Joseph and Nachi Shea at the entrance to the restaurant. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)Twenty years later, Joseph and Nachi Shea bought the branding rights. They opened their first Ground Round a short distance from the original location. “ We're just a husband and wife team,” said Joseph Shea in the midst of renovations back in January. “We don't have investors or deep pockets. We're bootstrapping this.” The Sheas each have their own memories of visiting the Ground Round in their youth. Joseph Shea recalled sitting at a long table with his teammates. Nachi Shea’s mother worked on the cleaning crew at the original Ground Round for years. “I actually remember on a couple different occasions going to the Ground Round after hours with her, or before opening,” she said. Bartender Greg Callaghan chats with a customer at the Ground Round. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)A community of Ground Round enthusiasts with similar fondness for the old days have followed the Sheas’ progress on social media. People from across the country have reached out to the couple with requests to open new locations in their towns and listings of vacant restaurant properties. Nachi Shea said people have even gifted the Sheas with their Ground Round memorabilia from years past. “ People have brought in different menus. They've brought in employee manuals from the old one. We had a lady bring in her old suspenders from when she used to work at the original Ground Round here in town.” Some of these items are on display in the restaurant. Exposed wood beams and a stone fireplace give the main dining room a comfortable cabin feel. The decor includes many odes to the Ground Rounds of the past. A carousel horse may remind visitors of a similar one at the original Shrewsbury location. An antique scale beckons memories of Pay What You Weigh Nights, a special the Sheas have shared will be making a comeback with the same cent per pound pricing model (with the accompanying purchase of an adult entree). An antique scale reflects diners at the Ground Round in Shrewsbury Mass. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)The Sheas hope that this blend of modern appeal and nostalgic pull is enough to bring guests through the door, at least for a first visit. But there’s another reason that the Ground Round may be better poised for success in the 2020s than it was in the late ‘90s and early 2000s: a national upward trend in fast casual restaurants. Steve Clark, president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, explained the driving forces behind that swing. “ The cost of everything is up. Inflation, household budgets, et cetera,” said Clark, who also shared that he remembers eating salty popcorn at the Ground Round after little league games as a child. “The consumer wants the experience they're getting from a full service dining restaurant, but they don't want the price that you have to get from a fine dining place.” The soft opening in early April quickly became a full opening as word spread. Popular dishes so far have included the steak tips, burgers, fish and chips, cheddar and broccoli soup and the mozzarella half moons. Patrons Kristen Richards and Heather Dudko sipped lemon drop and blueberry bella cocktails at the bar on their first visit to this Ground Round. They reminisced about the days when beer was their drink of choice and the Worcester Ground Round location was an industry hangout for fellow wait staff. Richards noted that she sees the enduring appeal. “ It's not overly expensive, and it’s a family atmosphere,” she said. “I just think people are craving this type of a place.” The new Ground Round in Shrewsbury is a short distance from the original location. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)The phone rang every couple of minutes after doors opened on a Thursday afternoon. The front of the parking lot and bar were already full, and there was a wait to be seated. It was a bustling scene, and there may be more like it in the future since the Sheas didn’t just purchase the franchise rights for this one location. They bought the rights to the Ground Round brand. Joseph Shea tempered expectations as he stood beside a noisy popcorn machine. “We're solely focused on Shrewsbury,” he said. “We wanna make sure we get it right here, then we’ll see what the future holds.” Solon Kelleher Arts WriterSolon Kelleher is an arts and culture contributor at WBUR SHREWSBURY — Owners Joseph and Nachi Shea worked hard for the rebirth of the Ground Round and their work has paid off hungry for hearty meals and for happy memories Joseph Shea’s father and Shrewsbury’s answer to Sam Elliott Nostalgia and nourishment joined hands April 30 when the Ground Round at 271 Grafton St had its eagerly anticipated “official” opening despite having its “soft” opening in the first week of April that was greeted with a packed dining room and no reservations available we were trying to do that but once people heard we were open it became a not so soft opening,” Joseph Shea said moments before they officially opened And the team has been handling it really well.” A blast from the past that folks still speak fondly of despite being closed for more than two decades the Ground Round was a popular family restaurant chain and neighborhood watering hole especially the branch that was replaced by a Walgreens just a stone's throw away from the iconic Spag’s on Route 9 the staff was eager to serve patrons with a smile — not those put-on smiles used to hide a foul mood but a genuine smile that they are reliving part of their youth and happier “When they first walk in they see a picture of the old Ground Round in Shrewsbury at the front door That hits them with some of those old memories Then they come in and they see all the green and yellow paint a lot of our guests have commented on that,” Joseph Shea said “Right out of the gate when you walk through the door you get some of those memories we have incredible food and the servers are awesome and the bartenders are awesome More: Popcorn on the floor? Shrewsbury businessman wants to revive faded Ground Round restaurant Joseph Shea said the Ground already has its share of “regulars,” patrons that have come in two or three times already fish and chips and steak tips have been the most popular “My memories of the Shrewsbury one is going here after Pop Warner games and Little League games with your teammates,” Joseph Shea said “That is something we wanted to recreate here making this the place where you go for gatherings with plans for lunch and bar menu coming shortly Susan Andrews worked at the old Ground Round on Route 9 from 1995 to when it closed And she is so glad the owners of the new place hired her where the bartenders and waitresses had teams and we would flip bottles to a song and do a routine We would do it twice a year and travel to other Ground Rounds and compete against them Andrews said she has served some of her old customers She gives the owners and the new location high marks “They’re trying to do everything that they possibly can to carry the tradition,” Andrews said Will Spilva was waiting with his wife to get in the new Ground Round on opening day He said they went there last week and loved the place “I use go there (to the old one) for years and years because of the atmosphere,” Spilva said Greg Lavertu said he used to go to the Ground Round in the Cambridge-Arlington area “I was actually quite surprised and quite pleased when they opened,” Lavertu said “I’ve missed the Ground Round since it’s been gone.” this was the second time in a week Lavertu visited the place He also loved the new place and said the workers were extremely nice “When I first came here the first thing that caught my attention was the smell of the popcorn going into the door,” Lavertu said “It reminded me back in the day when I was younger While there was a Ground Round restaurant overlooking Lincoln Plaza in Worcester it wasn’t the same as the Ground Round in Shrewsbury that was the go-to destination for munching on a complimentary bowl of popcorn before a reasonably priced meal Declaring themselves “Shrewsbury lifers” and “high school sweethearts,” Tony and Heidi Maenzo said they have fond memories of date night at the old Ground Round and wanted to check the new one with the hopes of starting new memories “We’re trying to relive our twenties,” Heidi Maenzo joked Taking a moment to take the place in and to munch on some freshly popped popcorn Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More - Shrewsbury may have arrived late to the field but their hitting and pitching were right on time as the Colonials beat Doherty 12-0 at Foley Stadium on Monday.  Shrewsbury pitcher Drew Vincequere struck out 9 in a masterfull display on the mound the Junior only allowed 2 hits.  Owen Michalowski had 5 RBI for the Colonials who improve to 8-2 Doherty is now 6-3 and the Highlanders have a tough week with 4 games The Shrewsbury and Etters Walmart locations are getting a makeover Part of a new ambitious goal to upgrade and remodel more than 600 stores across the country Walmart is bringing these locations new signage new items and expanding pickup and delivery services to fulfill its growing online orders the stores will remain open during the remodel process "Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in and these remodels are a testament to our dedication to enhancing that role,” said Annie Walker “By investing in our stores and associates we are not only improving the shopping experience but also reinforcing our commitment to being a vital part of the community’s fabric helping to build a brighter future for all.”  locations undergoing a remodel including the Etters Walmart located at 50 Newberry Parkway and the Shrewsbury location at 698 Shrewsbury Commons Ave. Walmart is also remodeling its Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg locations A Worcester man jailed in 2021 for blinding his 15-year-old friend in a shooting was arrested April 21 after Shrewsbury police allege he was committing thefts in a neighborhood there was arrested April 21 after being “tackled” as he tried to escape through a fence Shrewsbury police wrote in a news release April 23 Goyette was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison in 2021, court records show, after pleading guilty to charges tied to allegations he, in 2015, shot his 15-year-old friend in the face, blinding him and was issued a warrant about a month ago by the probation department According to the Shrewsbury police news release officers responded to an area off Gifford Drive around 10:14 p.m April 21 for a report of a suspicious man walking through yards Police said they set up a perimeter and began using a drone after initially failing to find the man; an officer spotted Goyette around 11:45 p.m Kevin Caviston was “able to tackle the suspect as he attempted to escape through a fence and after a brief struggle he was placed into custody.”  Police said they found Goyette had numerous items they believed to be stolen debit cards and “various other items with other people’s names on them.”  They charged Goyette with receiving stolen property over $1,200 Police also noted Goyette had two warrants out of Worcester — one for assault and battery and another which relates to his Worcester Superior Court case regarding the 2015 shooting sentenced to five to seven years in December 2021 and received 1,367 days of credit for time spent in jail awaiting his plea While electronic Superior Court records do not show a release date for Goyette when a warrant was issued for his arrest by the probation department who was given three years of probation following his sentence Another warrant for his arrest was issued March 31 following another request by the probation department Goyette was accused of assault and battery two days prior had a pending violation of probation hearing and “has a history of non-compliance mental health issues and recent cocaine use.” Court records show Goyette was ordered held in lieu of posting $2,500 bail following arraignment in Westborough District Court April 22 for the Shrewsbury charges The T&G has reached out to a lawyer representing Goyette for comment SHREWSBURY — The hottest restaurant opening of the season may not be a sleek city bistro but a lodge-like edifice in Shrewsbury where the air smells as golden and buttery as a fresh batch of free popcorn For many who grew up going to the Ground Round founded locally in 1969 as an offshoot of Howard Johnson’s once had more than 200 outposts nationwide There were in-state locations from Andover to Fairhaven rolling out the menu in stages and getting up to speed there were people pounding at the door,” says Joe Shea who is reviving the Ground Round brand with his wife (Right now they are focusing on Shrewsbury without plans to expand.) “It became a not-so-soft opening So what’s it like to have dinner at the Ground Round again “It’ll be 40 minutes for a table,” says Nachi She gives us a buzzer and we settle in to wait The restaurant smells right: golden and buttery handing out baskets lined with green-checked tissue paper and filled with fluffy piles of bright yellow popcorn The carpet has a geometric floral motif with yellow accents that match the detritus of an evening’s worth of snacking The end-of-the-night vacuuming must be epic The soundtrack hasn’t changed since the last time we were here even if the steady stream of what are now oldies is delivered from a jukebox app accessed by an on-screen QR code and teammates squeezing into booths in the dining room or perched at the bar watching a game This Ground Round has a New Hampshire cabin vibe with log beams and walls and a stone fireplace with a chimney that reaches toward the high ceiling It’s classier than the Ground Rounds I recall Maybe that’s why the kids seem less crazed and more contained: As little hellions we ran rampant at Ground Round birthday parties throwing now-illicit peanuts all over the floor When departing children reach their hands into a bowl of after-dinner Andes mints and their parents shout “justonejustonejustonejustone!,” they actually seem to listen We would have laughed and crammed whole handfuls into our mouths It’s worth noting here that beer isn’t sold by the pitcher anymore We eat free popcorn until our mouths are as dry as the Sahara and watch the classic cartoons — “The Pink Panther,” “Tom and Jerry” — that still play on screens in the dining room The menu is filled with comfort food classics: warm pretzels with cheese sauce and fried mozzarella moons with marinara The bestsellers have been the cheeseburger There are some obvious nods to modern sensibilities: Soba with stir-fried vegetables and grilled tofu wasn’t on any Ground Round menu I ever saw People’s palates and dietary needs and awareness have changed We’re making sure things are more elevated a little healthier and less processed.” Executive chef Shannon Woodward and team make things from scratch rather than relying on frozen Steak tips are hand-cut; microgreen garnishes bloom on the plates We get an order of bone-in wings in Gold Fever sauce It appears to have everything remotely barbecue sauce-related in it: mustard The menu says the broccoli cheddar soup is a fan favorite It seems wrong not to have an iceberg lettuce salad on the table There’s a Cobb salad that looks pretty good and fried pickles on a grilled pretzel bun but we’re left wanting more of the beer-cheese sauce which is made with Ground Round lager (crisp The fish and chips is a portion that could feed three people golden battered fish draped over a pile of French fries adorned with lemon wedges and more microgreens And the steak tips are the star of the show They come with mashed potatoes and green beans and our server knows her target audience: She used to work at the old Ground Round in Shrewsbury There’s an old-timey scale at the back of the Ground Round but it’s hard to imagine the return of the “kids pay what they weigh” promotion which charged 12-and-unders a penny a pound and traumatized a generation a mascot-like figure named Bingo the Clown has been retired altogether Nightmare fuel.) In Bingo’s place is the Ground Round Hound But nostalgia unfurls its full glory when it comes to desserts you can get an ice cream sundae in an upended plastic baseball helmet chocolate pudding with crushed cookie “dirt,” whipped cream served in a flower pot with a mini plastic shovel for a spoon And nostalgia is what the Ground Round is really all about The restaurant originally opened as an alternative to Howard Johnson’s when that business’s traffic tanked along with highway travel during the 1973 oil embargo these sell nostalgia and nightly musical entertainment along with peanuts in shells and pitchers of beer Ground Round is everybody’s idea of what life was like when grandpa was young,” reads a Forbes article from 1978 We’re talking about a different turn of the century 271 Grafton St., Shrewsbury, 508-845-9044, www.groundround.com Devra First can be reached at devra.first@globe.com. Follow her on Instagram @devrafirst. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information This is the latest in a series of stories about city and town payrolls in Worcester County SHREWSBURY ― Public Schools Superintendent Joseph M Sawyer was the highest earner on the Shrewsbury municipal payroll in calendar year 2024 general manager of Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations Mizikar was third on the list with earnings of $239,430.99 Anderson following with a gross total $222,813.05 Working foremen Jeffrey Huard and Matthew H respectively earning $216,090.96 and $209,553.30 Bazydlo placed 15th with a gross total $180,494.44 Municipal employees made a total of $108.5 million in 2024 up nearly 11% from the $97.8 million total in 2023 Here’s a list of the top 25 municipal earners for calendar 2024 according to information provided by the town The grand opening of the Ground Round in Shrewsbury will be held on April 30 Since November, when word got out that a modern version of the faded restaurant was planned for the former Bauhinia restaurant off Route 9 prospective customers have been waiting for word that the vision is a reality including a waitress and a kitchen worker who had jobs at the once-popular Ground Round at Route 9 and Harrington Avenue in Shrewsbury "The feedback has just been unbelievable," Nachi Shea said Friday citing the buzz on social media that followed the announcement that a revival was in the works The Ground Round was a popular family restaurant chain for more than 30 years when the majority of the locations had closed Floors covered with peanut shells and popcorn were part of the experience he has purchased the trademarks and is owner of the Ground Round brand He has a rent agreement with the owner of 271 Grafton St. Social media has been flooded with nostalgia since the plans became public with people sharing stories of childhood visits to Ground Round Many talked about dates that evolved into marriage "They'll come for more memories," said Joseph Shea "It's up to us to make it so they keep coming." The Sheas have spent months working with contractors to upgrade the building The dining area has been redone and the kitchen and bar were essentially built from scratch with long-ago menus from the Ground Round on the walls and a stool that was once positioned at the earlier Ground Round in Shrewsbury A picture above the stool shows a smiling Bob Bonin Some of the familiar themes of the Ground Round will be part of the Sheas' restaurant Joseph Shea tracked down the lollipop-style scale on Facebook Marketplace Endless popcorn will be part of the experience will include old-school cartoons and magic shows While April 30 is the grand opening, the restaurant will be in operation with limited seating leading up to that day. Customers should check the restaurant's Facebook page for details Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Shrewsbury – Dave Nelson…known to many by ‘Nelly’ or ‘The Mayor’ had an affable and fun-loving personality he loved all things outdoors including time on the Cape in Dennisport at The Salt Air Village Another lifelong passion and interest of Dave’s was Nascar racing and had the added benefit and opportunity to work with local racers including Dave Caruso and family and Jeff Fuller 1963 in Worcester a son of the late David P Raised in Shrewsbury he graduated from Shrewsbury High School with the class of 1982 While at SHS he played on both football and wrestling teams as well as in the school band playing the tuba 1998 in Saint Mary of the Hills Church in Boylston and on June 19 2006 life brought immeasurable joy with the birth of their daughter She remained the sparkle in his eye and did all he could…while he could...to foster a father-daughter relationship that was perfect She completed his world and Dave worked with and spent as much time possible helping Emily navigate the challenges of her world And he did this with patience and perseverance and unconditional love and admiration for she would always remain as ‘daddy’s little girl’ Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 49 Dave’s world slowly changed and he marveled at the role Deb would willingly assume as dual parent given his physical limitations and later the added effects of dementia But yet…it remained the three…David He worked for many years as a service engineer with Netstal Machinery USA in until his health prohibited his ability to continue His work at Netstal afforded him extensive travel throughout the United States and Europe and he loved his work We pray he now knows the comfort and sweetness…of peace Dave’s family offers a word of thanks to the entire staff of Shrewsbury Nursing Home for the wonderful care provided to David over the last eleven months Darlyn Nelson (Stephen Olson) of Shrewsbury and Gayle Bouvier (Todd Keefe) of Webster; in-laws Scannell Laursen (Bill) of Harvard; an uncle whom he considered an older brother Paul Fairhurst of Harwich; also survived by many nieces & nephews Family and friends will honor and remember David's life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Eastern Shores Club (formerly Knights of Columbus) His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Emily J Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors