It may be the spooky season for some people, but for Hallmark Channel watchers, October means the network’s perennial “Countdown to Christmas” is about to begin, with 47 new movies and a first-ever limited series.

Hallmark Channel is celebrating 15 years of “Countdown to Christmas” with 31 new movies, while Hallmark Mystery will air nine new movies as part of “Miracles of Christmas.” The annual event kicks off on Oct. 18.

It may still technically be summer for a few more days, but Hallmark is ready to dive into the fall and winter holidays. The network will celebrate its 15th annual "Countdown to Christmas" programming block starting on Oct.

A Lawrence man who prosecutors say fatally shot a 29-year-old man inside a nightclub last year before fleeing to Mexico was in court Friday, officials said.

Franklin M. Laras, 27, is due to be arraigned Friday in Salem Superior Court for the alleged murder of Edward Javier-Perez, 29, prosecutors said.

The suspect accused of shooting and killing a man inside a Lawrence nightclub last Christmas Eve is in custody and will be arraigned on Friday, officials said Thursday.