Weekly Digest - July 31, 2026

Here are this week's top stories, curated by our editorial team.

BESS Lawsuit Brought to Land Court

While the proposed BESS project on Schoosett Street has largely fallen out of public attention following the ZBA decision in April, the legal proceedings continue in a lawsuit brought by the developer against the town.

Pembroke Zoning Board Agrees Resident Lacked Standing to Challenge BESS

With the town and developer settling on the question of her standing, one self-represented Pembroke resident is left as the last party contesting the 48 Schoosett Street battery storage project.

Pembroke Citizen JournalWill Tavares

Pembroke Arts Festival

The Pembroke Arts Festival will take place at the Community Center next weekend, August 8-9. Featuring food, music, arts, and family fun - read more in our story below.

Pembroke Arts Festival Offers Fun for the Whole Family

The 59th iteration of the Pembroke Arts Festival will take place in and around the Pembroke Community Center Aug. 7 through 9. The festival gets underway Friday, Aug. 7 from 6-9 p.m. with two awards ceremonies – adult and young artists – and an opportunity for a first look at

Pembroke Citizen JournalPenny Winn

Recycling Plastic

Have you ever wondered what the numbers on the bottom of plastic containers mean? This week's Trash Talk article covers the dos and don'ts of plastic recycling.

Trash Talk: Recycling Numbers Explained

What do the numbers mean on the bottom of plastic containers?

Pembroke Citizen JournalNicole Lydic

Police Promotions and Select Board Code of Conduct

Two Pembroke officers were promoted and discussions took place on the Code of Conduct at this week's Select Board meeting.

Police Promotions, Code of Conduct discussed at Select Board meeting

The Select Board had a full agenda on July 29, 2026, including the promotion of two police officers and a discussion regarding the code of conduct for the Board. Police Chief Wendy LaPierre introduced the officers receiving promotions and Town Clerk Andraea Cesarini administered the oath of office to Lieutenant

Pembroke Citizen JournalAnne Stanton

Public Safety

Did you know that we publish a weekly police blotter detailing Pembroke public safety incidents on a weekly basis? Read our latest blotter below.

Police Blotter: July 17 – July 24, 2026

During the week of Friday, July 17 through Thursday, July 24, 2026, the Pembroke Police logged approximately 265 calls for service.

Pembroke Citizen JournalBob Kenney

And finally, our Pet of the Week

Pet of the Week, July 31, 2026

Meet Sid and Peaches, this week’s PCJ Pets of the Week! Would you like your pet to be selected as the PCJ pet of the week? Email us up to three pictures with “Pet of the Week” in the subject (any type of pet is eligible) and maybe you’

Pembroke Citizen JournalMike Corkren