5 Things You Need to Know Today: Sept. 21

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Preliminary plans for a small subdivision were approved Tuesday by the The "Woodland Meadows" subdivision consists of five lots on 4.37 acres, east of Woodland Avenue, just south of Rogers Street. The lots will accommodate a two-family home on each. One new access street will be created.

2. Teens and pre-teens like to make their own decisions, as most parents and teachers know. Why not put those opinions to good use? has started its weekly meetings and all youth, ages 10 to 17, are wlecome to attend. Meetings are from 3 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday at the

3. Do you have rusty First Aid skills? Do you know how to handle a burn? A person with frostbite? is hosting a Tuesday which includes training in the care of injuries, wounds, poisoning, heat stroke, burns, frostbite, shock and respiratory emergencies. The cost is $50. To register, call 508-422-2206.

4. Here's some positive unemployment news: According to a state press release, August unemployment rates declined in the state and in the region that includes Milford, both over-the-month and over-the-year. Statewide, the August seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate was 7 percent, down from 7.8 percent in July. The rate was down 1.2 percentage points from the 8.2 percent rate of August 2010.

5. Massachusetts State Police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on a public road, somewhere in Worcester County, from Saturday into Sunday. According to a press release: "The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways."