News digest, March 20

March 20, 2008 09:46 am

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Prom queen avoids 1st elimination

North Andover's Ashley Arillotta survived the first elimination round on Monday, March 17, of the ABC Family reality show, "America's Prom Queen."

The judges, who include "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" style guru Jai Rodriguez and pop culture icon Brooke Hogan seemed charmed by the bubbly brunette.

Ten girls are competing for the title of "America's Prom Queen" and the prizes that will go with it — including a vacation to Europe, a diamond necklace and the chance to be CosmoGirl magazine's prom correspondent for the year.

The show is hosted by Lawrence/Methuen native Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003. Arillotta chatted with Castillo about hometown haunts and life here in the Merrimack Valley during the filming, she said.

— Rosemary Ford

Firefighters pull pooch from pond

A 6-year-old purebred collie had to be rescued by Boxford firefighters Sunday morning, March 16, after it fell through ice covering a pond on Bald Hill.

"The ice was pretty thin," fire Chief Kerry Stickney said. "There was water showing in and around where the dog went through, but there was ice. Somehow he got out there, went through and couldn't get himself back out."

The dog's owner, Tamara Gaydos of 17 Moonpenny Drive, learned of her dog's ordeal when police called to say firefighters were working to rescue the dog, named Kaisa. Gaydos' home abuts Bald Hill, and the pond is in the back of her property.

"She's fine now," Gaydos said Monday. "I brought her home and gave her a warm bath, and she was just fine. I'm very grateful to the Fire Department, and I appreciate who called it in."

Stickney said a husband and wife walking their own dog on a nearby trail spotted the collie in distress.

Since the pond was only 3 feet deep,firefighters Dave Carnevale and Michael Devlin donned protective suits and waded into the pond. The firefighters put a rope around the dog and brought her back to shore, about 40 yards away.

— Bruno Matarazzo Jr.

Middle school track team forms

A track team for North Andover students in fifth through eighth grades will start next month.

Organized by Bill Varney, past president of the North Andover Youth Soccer Association, Dave Johns of North Andover Lacrosse and Booster Club board member Jack McManus, the team was created as an opportunity for kids to get involved in athletics, from those who are looking for a sport to try to those who play sports in other seasons and want to stay active during the spring.

"Everybody makes the team provided they are committed. You are competing as much against yourself as you are against others," said Varney, who ran track in high school and college. "At the middle school, we are going to focus on individual achievement."

He hopes at least 75 children will come out for this season, which starts at the end of April and goes into June with competitions against surrounding schools and the Cape Ann League. Registration is tentatively set at $65, which covers a T-shirt and the cost of meets.

In-person registration is April 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Atkinson Elementary School.

For more information or to register after April 8, visit the Booster Web site at: eteamz.active.com/NABC/index.cfm

— Drake Lucas