By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Word has been received that the stork has visited a North Reading family and the baby has been declared the winner of the Transcript’s ninth annual First Baby of the New Year contest.

The contest is now officially closed. The town’s newest resident will be introduced to the community in an upcoming edition of the Transcript.

Many local businesses have donated several hundred dollars worth of prizes to welcome baby and shower the family with a bevy of gifts to celebrate the occasion.