Red Sox Dropping Lowell Spinners As Minor League Team: Patch PM

TEWKSBURY, MA — It's Wednesday, Dec. 9. Here's what Patch has been covering in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts today.

The Red Sox dropped the Lowell Spinners from their minor league farm system, the team announced Wednesday, as part of a league-wide minor league reorganization.

All MLB teams were required to cut their minor league affiliates to four teams, and the short season single A Spinners ended up on the chopping block — as the MLB wanted. Teams were not allowed to reveal their picks until Wednesday.

The Sox are keeping the AAA Worcester and AA Portland Red Sox as well as the high A Greenville Drive and the single A Salem Red Sox.

The Spinners could regain their affiliation with Boston in the future, and the Red Sox are working on keeping baseball in Lowell, they said. Read More.

Also in the Merrimack Valley

Wilmington, Tewksbury Residents To Compete On Holiday Light Show

Tonight's the night that Wilmington's Fiore family, along with friends in Wilmington and Tewksbury, appear on ABC's "Great Christmas Light Fight."

Charles Fiore, 23, has been creating Christmas light displays for 16 years, he said, but last year he had to step it up, when ABC filmed this year's episodes of the show. He brought in his brother and four friends and built a massive Christmas village at his family's Concord Street home.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. The Fiores face a Utah family, a Missouri family and a New York family. The winner receives $50,000 and the "Light Fight Trophy."

Shakes And Teas Spot Coming To North Andover

A tea and protein shake café is due to open in North Andover in coming weeks, after the Board of Selectmen recently granted a license to the new business.

Jet Nutrition will be located at 125 Main Street, next to Boston Chowda Company.

Geminids, Best 2020 Meteor Show: How To See In The Merrimack Valley

Grab the blankets, wake up the kids (or hire a sitter) and head out to a dark sky area to take in one of the greatest sky shows of the year — the annual Geminid meteor shower, which peaks over the area Dec. 13-14.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Merrimack Valley calls for partly or mostly cloudy skies both nights.

Across Massachusetts

MA Vaccine Distribution Plan: General Public Waits Until April

The timeline on a new three-phase distribution plan starts next week with hospitals receiving the first 60,000 Pfizer doses.

Here's What MA's Rollback Means For You

The state is taking a step back in its reopening process beginning Sunday. Here are the industries the order impacts.

Worcester City Manager Positive For Coronavirus

City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. is in isolation, and 20 other city employees are in quarantine after having contact with him.

Medford OKs $40M Investment In Old Whole Foods Bakery Site

The City Council approved a tax increment financing agreement for Monogram Gourmet Foods to refurbish the site and bring back 250 jobs.

And finally today:

Patch is still collecting submissions for our tour of the Merrimack Valley's best holiday light displays. Check out the current guide and learn how to get your display on the list.