Category Archives: news

WMEO News Update — October Declared Massachusetts Cranberry Month

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. On the left, an orange long‑haired cat wearing a black bow tie sits upright with a serious expression. On the right, a black short‑haired cat looks toward the camera with bright green eyes. A microphone stands between them on the desk, along with papers featuring paw prints and two small plush toys — a gray mouse and a brown teddy bear. Behind them, a large studio screen displays a photo of a cranberry bog filled with floating red cranberries under a blue sky, along with the headline “WMEO 9 October Is Cranberry Month.”

Live from the Nature Desk at WMEO 9, We bring you the latest Cranberry update

WMEO 9- We Meow-You Listen

Banner: Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month,” honoring the state’s official berry and the many multi‑generational farming families that grow them. Moreover, it’s a nod to the deep agricultural roots that keep the Commonwealth colorful every fall.

Balboa: Cranberries? Those are tart little red berries that float. Naturally, they make me think of Thanksgiving — cranberry sauce, muffins, maybe pie.

Banner: Massachusetts is home to the nation’s oldest continuous cranberry cultivation. Therefore, even without the Governor’s declaration, October is a big month for cranberries. The harvest is in full swing.

Meanwhile, we go now to our roving reporter, Pumpkin Spice, who is currently enjoying a cranberry bog.

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, stands in a cranberry bog surrounded by floating red cranberries. He wears a white “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt and a black WMEO press hat decorated with an orange leaf. He holds a WMEO‑branded microphone in one paw and looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. Behind him are water, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.Pumpkin Spice: “Pumpkin Spice reporting live from the cranberry bogs of Massachusetts — where apparently the entire state is just… fruit water. Lots and lots of fruit. And lots and lots of cold water.”

“In the last week I’ve been soaked in a storm, chased by bears, and now I’m wading through berries. Consequently, this job is a hazard.”

Balboa (from off‑camera): “PUMPKIN THEY’RE GONNA COME BACK FOR YOU YOU’RE SMALL AND SNACK‑SIZED!”

Pumpkin Spice : “Balboa, please. I’m a professional. At least, I got this cool shirt out of it.”

A white T‑shirt featuring a playful design of three cartoon red cranberries dancing on a musical staff with a treble clef and music notes. Below the illustration, the text reads “Boogie in the Bog.”

Banner: “Thank you, Pumpkin. Please return safely. Otherwise, we cannot afford another bear‑related incident.”

Pumpkin (muttering): “They were surprisingly fast.”

Finally, Banner closes: “And just a reminder, folks — Ocean Spray’s 15th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration will be held at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM. This free, family‑friendly autumn tradition features seasonal activities throughout Patriot Place and behind Bass Pro Shop.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

 

 

 

 

 

WMEO WEATHER UPDATE — PUMPKIN SPICE GOES FULL JIM CANTORE

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Two cats sit behind a blue WMEO 9 news desk, posed as TV news anchors. On the left, an orange long‑haired cat wearing a black bow tie looks toward the camera. On the right, a short‑haired black cat sits upright. A microphone is centered between them. On the desk are papers with paw prints, a small teddy bear, and a toy mouse. Behind them, a large screen displays the headline “STORM UPDATE” above a photo of a fallen tree blocking a residential street with emergency vehicles present.

Reporting Live from the WMEO 9 Weather desk. Storm Update.  We Meow- You Listen

 Banner: Good evening, Taunton  WMEO is tracking the aftermath of the nor’easter that tore through the region this past weekend. Streets are flooded, debris is scattered across neighborhoods, and reports of property damage are coming in in torrents. Cleanup crews are already out, but conditions remain hazardous — and one very determined field reporter insisted on “getting the real story.”

Balboa: We told him not to go outside. We all told him not to go outside.

Cut to Pumpkin Spice, live in the field: A drenched orange cat wearing a black hat with an orange band and a blue bow tie stands outdoors in heavy rain. The cat holds a WMEO NEWS microphone and wears a soaked press badge labeled “WMEO PRESS PUMPKIN SPICE.” Behind him, large storm waves crash near coastal buildings under a dark, stormy sky.

Pumpkin Spice: “This is WMEO field reporter Pumpkin Spice, live on location. Conditions are… damp. Very damp. Extremely damp. I have seen wetter days, but only from inside the bathtub.”

Banner (back in studio): Pumpkin, why are you out there? The storm has already passed.

Pumpkin Spice: “Jim Cantore would be out here. I am honoring the tradition.”

Balboa: He said that with the seriousness of a cat applying for a mortgage.

Pumpkin Spice: “I attempted to open my umbrella. It immediately surrendered. I am now using it as a morale prop.”

Banner: Pumpkin, please come back inside. You’re dripping on the microphone.

Pumpkin Spice: “I will return when the situation stabilizes. Or when my fur dries. Whichever comes first.”

Balboa: So… never.

Banner: WMEO will continue monitoring cleanup efforts across the region. Please stay safe, avoid flooded streets and downed wires, and do not — under any circumstances — imitate Pumpkin Spice.

Pumpkin Spice : “I regret nothing.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

WMEO Late Breaking News — New Cat Species Discovered

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Two cats sitting behind a WMEO 9 news desk, an orange cat in a black bow tie and a black cat with a toy mouse and teddy bear, with a studio screen behind them showing a spotted wild cat and the headline “NEW CAT SPECIES IDENTIFIED.”

🐾 Dateline: Taunton, MA — This is a late‑breaking bulletin from WMEO: We Meow, You Listen.

Reporting live from the Nature Desk, here’s Banner with the latest update.

Banner: “Big news today, folks. It’s not every day science discovers a new species of cat. In fact, it’s almost suspicious.”

Balboa: “That’s right. We don’t need new species. We were good enough for the Egyptians — we should be good enough now.”

Banner: “Balboa is referring to the fact that ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as gods. But that has absolutely nothing to do with this story. A small wildcat known as the Atacama Tiger Cat was identified in Bolivia in 2016. WMEO has confirmed it weighs three pounds. Three. Pounds. That’s smaller than Balboa’s ego.”

Balboa: “2016?! What took them so long to tell us? Why the big secret? Were they afraid we’d unionize?”

Banner: “Sources say the cat is about 18 inches long, stripy, extremely cute, and definitely a wild cat — not a housecat, not adoptable, and not interested in sharing your couch.”

Close-up of a small spotted wild cat sitting against a black background, showing its patterned coat, large eyes, and long banded tail.

Pumpkin Spice, WMEO’s roving reporter, lounging on a hay bale in full autumn colors.

Roving Reporter, Pumpkin Spice

Balboa: “Pumpkin Spice volunteered to cover the story. He claims he speaks fluent Tiger Cat. We doubt it. He barely speaks housecat.”

Banner: “WMEO will continue monitoring this developing situation. Stay tuned for updates as our field reporter attempts to make contact — or at least avoid getting hissed at.”

Two cats sitting behind a WMEO 9 news desk, an orange cat in a black bow tie and a black cat with a toy mouse, teddy bear, and playing cards, with a studio backdrop and “Thank you for watching” displayed on the desk.

 

This concludes our WMEO Special Report. We Meow — You Listen. Thanks for watching… Balboa insists you applaud.

 

Breaking News from the Feline Desk – Daylight Saving Time Moves Ahead

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Banner and Balboa perched in front of the TV, one orange and fluffy, one black and sleek, looking like feline news anchors.

DST Déjà Vu

Well… here we go again. The House has once more nudged a bill forward to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. It’s not a done deal — it would still need to pass the full House and Senate — but the committee pushed it to the next step. We’ve been down this road before, so consider this another lap around the track.

Critics say keeping time saving daylight as a permanent fixture would mean darker mornings, groggy commutes, and kids waiting for buses in the shadows. Proponents counter that lighter evenings mean fewer accidents and a little more sunshine in our day.

Banner and Balboa have weighed in, of course. They love springing forward — earlier breakfast is a win in their book. But as for the concept of Daylight and Saving Time, “falling back”? Absolute chaos. Too many delays. Too much waiting. Feline outrage everywhere.

So what do you think? Would you want to keep Saving Time Daylight all year: good idea, bad idea, or “haven’t we talked about this every few years since the dawn of time”?

And finally, as Daylight Saving changes come up yet again, inquiring minds want to know your opinion.

What to Do with Your Coin Jar Now

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Pennies are being discontinued, but they’re far from worthless—your coin jar might hold hidden treasures, quirky uses, and nostalgic charm. Here’s how to turn your stash into stories, savings, or surprises.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Every penny helps keep Around Dusty Roads thriving!

🪙 The Last Penny Drops: What to Do with Your Coin Jar Now

The penny’s long goodbye is finally official. As of August 2025, the U.S. Mint has stopped producing one-cent coins, citing their rising cost—each penny costs nearly 3.7 cents to make. But while the presses have gone silent, your penny jar still hums with potential.

Whether you’ve got a coffee can full of copper or a cat-shaped bank stuffed with spare change, here’s how to turn those humble coins into something more than pocket clutter.

🔍 Are Any Pennies Worth More Than a Cent?

Yes! Some pennies are worth much more than their face value. Here’s what to look for:

  • Pre-1982 copper pennies: These contain 95% copper and have a metal value of 3–5 cents each.
  • Wheat pennies (1909–1958): Especially rare years like 1909-S VDB or 1943 copper pennies can fetch hundreds to thousands.
  • Error coins: Double dies, off-center strikes, or misprints can be worth big bucks.
  • Key dates: Check for 1914-D, 1922 no D, and 1955 double die—these are collector favorites.

🧠 Tip: Use “The 2026 Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins” or services like Numismatic Guaranty Company to assess value.

🏦 Spend, Save, or Swap?

Even though pennies are no longer minted, they’re still legal tender. You can:

  • Spend them: Retailers still accept them, though some are rounding transactions to the nearest nickel.
  • Deposit at banks: Most banks will take them, though some are rationing due to shortages.
  • Use Coinstar machines: Turn coins into cash or gift cards—some stores even offer bonus value for penny exchanges.

🌼 Creative Uses for Pennies at Home

Your pennies can still shine in unexpected ways:

  • Keep flowers fresh: Copper acts as a natural fungicide.
  • DIY cold packs: Fill a sock with frozen pennies.
  • Weigh down curtains or tablecloths: Add subtle heft with a handful of coins.
  • Crafts and mosaics: Create shimmering art with copper tones.

🧭 A Penny for Your Story

At Around Dusty Roads, we believe even the smallest things carry stories. That jar of pennies? It’s a time capsule. A reminder of candy-store splurges, tip jars, and the jingle of everyday magic.

So before you cash them in, take a moment. Sort through them. Look for the rare ones. Use the quirky ones. And maybe—just maybe—keep a few to remember the era when a single cent still mattered.

🛍️ Pennywise Corner: Tools & Treasures for Coin Lovers

Whether you’re sorting, saving, or showcasing your pennies, these affiliate-friendly picks can help:

Product Description Link
🧠 The Official Red Book Trusted coin value guide for collectors Shop on Amazon
🧺 Coin Sorting Tray Organize your coins by denomination Shop on Amazon
🖼️ Coin Display Case Showcase rare or sentimental pennies Shop on Amazon
🔍 Magnifying Loupe Spot tiny mint marks and errors Shop on Amazon
🧼 Coin Cleaning Kit Gently clean coins without damaging value Shop on Amazon