Regional digest

Rescuers search for swimmer

NEW SALEM -- Rescue workers were searching the Quabbin Reservoir late last night for a missing swimmer.

A state police helicopter began searching the reservoir from the skies over Petersham and New Salem after rescue crews received telephone calls of one swimmer stuck on a sandbar and another swimmer missing. A state police dive team was en route to the area at 9:30 p.m., and several local fire departments had also sent personnel to assist.

The rescuers were searching for a 22-year-old man.

The search appeared to be focused in the area of Gate 35 near the Petersham line.

There have been several drownings in the region this summer.

A 14-year-old Springfield boy drowned in East Brookfield Reservoir on July 31. A 34-year-old Auburn man and his 5-year-old son drowned on July 16 in Stoneville Pond in Auburn. And a Worcester man drowned in Lake Quinsigamond on July 11.

Gardner man arrested in robbery

GARDNER — A Greenwood Street man will be arraigned in Gardner District Court today on charges he tried to rob a woman at an automated teller machine on Parker Street early last night.

Corey P. Martin, 30, of 37 Greenwood St., was arrested after the alleged victim reported an attempted robbery at the GFA Credit Union on Parker Street and authorities searched the area, police Sgt. Kevin Minns said last night. The woman said she was using the ATM when a man emerged from around the building and demanded her money.

She refused to give him any cash and he fled, Sgt. Minns said. The incident was reported at 6:15 p.m.

Jet-Ski accident investigated

ASHBURNHAM — Police are investigating a Jet-Ski accident that injured a 51-year-old woman Saturday afternoon on Lake Watatic.

Police said a 57-year-old man was operating the Jet-Ski on the lake with a 51-year-old woman when they struck a dock about 30 feet from shore. The accident occurred around 5:45 p.m.

The woman suffered injuries, and rescue crews called for a Life Flight helicopter.

Local police and ambulance crews responded, along with the state Environmental Police.

No additional information, including the victim’s name, was released on the accident last night.

Trailer rolls over on Route 2

GARDNER — A trailer rollover created heavy traffic backups on Route 2 late yesterday morning but the accident did not cause any injuries, according to rescue workers.

A trailer pulled by a vehicle overturned just before 11 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway between Exits 23 and 24, rescue workers said. Firefighters stood by while the vehicle was righted. No fuel spilled and no injuries were reported, according to Gardner Fire Lt. Richard Ares.

Car wash on tap in Dudley

DUDLEY — The Dudley Leo Club will hold a car wash 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Dudley Fire Station. Proceeds will benefit local programs and organizations. The Leo Club is a youth civic organization sponsored by the Dudley Lions Club.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.