PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 27 | No. 4 | February 25, 2026
Mitchell: Lack of ADHD meds led to altercation By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
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PHOTO/PHOEBE WU
DRUM LINE
Girls perform a dance as part of the Hopkinton Chinese American Association’s 10th annual Lunar New Year celebration, held Feb. 15 at Hopkinton High School.
Hillers race to state title
Jacob Logan (left) applauds after finishing second to teammate Harry Millar in the 55-meter hurdles at the Division 2 state meet Feb. 11 in Brighton.
By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
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opkinton High School boys indoor track coach Mike Donahue saw it coming three years ago. He saw the talent and depth of the then-freshman class and told the athletes they had the potential to do something special if they stuck with it and put in the work. Three years later, those athletes delivered, winning the Division 2 state championship in thrilling fashion Feb. 11 at The Track at New Balance in Brighton,
Mitchell | 4
INSIDE POLICE
Department gets K-9 unit after grant
PHOTO/MIKE BURDULIS
2TREVOR.COM
Debate continues over lake herbicides Former Hillers Pizza employee speaks out
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Boys track | 12
Hff
he former Marathon School assistant principal accused of assaulting a disabled veteran from West Bridgewater at a Plainville casino two years ago decided to share his side of the story with the Independent the day before the anniversary of the incident. Eric Mitchell was officially charged with assault and battery on a person over age 60 or with a disability with injury to Bryan Gallagher. Gallagher claimed that Mitchell assaulted him on Feb. 19, 2024, at the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville by striking his face and pushing his body and head into a slot machine. Mitchell was arraigned on June 5, 2024. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, according to court records. On May 14, 2025, Thomas L. Finigan, first justice of the Wrentham District Court, ruled “sufficient facts found but continued without a finding until 5/12/27.” According to the state