Gardner

Heywood Hospital in Gardner has launched a new bariatric medicine program with the opening of The Heywood Center for Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery.

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted Tuesday to approve Dr. James Vander Hooven as the third president of Mount Wachusett Community College, during a special meeting in Boston. He will take over the position March 19.

Heywood Medical Group in Gardner has promoted pediatrician Sari Miettinen to be its new medical director.

In December, after operating for 10 years, Rick Walton -- the man at the helm of the brewing company behind the Gardner Ale House -- starting distributing its Moon Hill beers at other bars, starting with the Columbia Tavern in Leominster.

The brewery at the Gardner Ale House has announced that it will distribute its beer under the name Moon Hill Brewing Co.

Irving is a champion of Gardner, having brought a company to the city and redeveloped a former factory space into a new shopping plaza.

The Gardner Redevelopment Authority and the City of Gardner are undertaking a $1.8-million cleanup of a former metals facility as the groups continue to prepare the area for commercial investment.

As the healthcare system strives to treat those with mental illness and addiction, urban providers may be able to cope with demand, but the picture is different in rural parts of Worcester County.

The search committee tasked with finding a replacement to long-time Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel Asquino announced its five finalists for the position at the Gardner-based college.

The Heywood HealthCare Charitable Foundation has awarded grants to nine area nonprofit groups, totaling nearly $100,000, the Gardner-based provider announced.