Chelmsford resident Russ Steeves builds snorting, smoking time machines in his garage — working steam engines that beckon echoes of a bygone time.

CHELMSFORD -- Retiring Fire Chief Jack Parow, a 34-veteran of the fire service industry, has been named president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The IAFC represents the leadership of more than 1.

CHELMSFORD -- The School Committee voted unanimously last night to give Business Manager Kathy McWilliams the authority to eliminate a bus designed to carry eight special-education students after learning that none of the eight students using it is in special-education classes.

CHELMSFORD -- The School Committee voted to hold off on spending about $553,000 in federal education money until next year in an effort to avoid layoffs. The money comes from $204 million in federal education job funds that Gov.

CHELMSFORD -- North Chelmsford real-estate company Prime Properties Inc. and its agent, Joan Eident, are being sued for violating state anti-discrimination laws by Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

CHELMSFORD -- Temperatures soared yesterday, but some parents felt the sting of winter early as controversy surrounding an annual holiday school fundraiser lit up e-mail threads and social networking sites once more.

LOWELL -- An 18-year-old student at the Lighthouse School in Chelmsford has pleaded innocent to an assault charge, accused of striking a teacher in the face with a clipboard. In Lowell Superior Court last week, James Balchunis, of Nashua, pleaded innocent to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

While explorers in the movies don fedoras and leather boots while digging through historic ruins in India and other exotic places, history scholar Kim Scarfo of Chelmsford  found herself on Suffolk Street in Lowell, digging through the front lawn of St Patrick’s Church wearing a baseball cap and Spiderman T-shirt.

North Chelmsford real estate company Prime Properties Inc. and its agent, Joan Eident, are being sued for violating state anti-discrimination law by Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

CHELMSFORD SENIOR CENTER Located at 75 Groton Road. Contribution $2.50. Beverages served with each meal. Call 978-251-0533 or 978-251-8788 if transportation is needed. MONDAY -- NO LUNCH. TUESDAY -- Baked chicken parmesan, California-blend vegetables, romaine salad.