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Massachusetts

Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores
Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores The party is over for a popular chain store that's been in business for decades. Party City is “winding down” operations immediately at its approximately 800 locations, CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees  in a video call on Friday, Dec. 20, CNN reports. Workers were told they will not receive severance pay, and that their benefits would end as the company goes out of business, CNN says. The company, headquartered in in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, is running low on cash and unable to pay rent in some locations, according to an earlier Bloomberg report. Party City was foun…
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores
Big Lots To Begin 'Going Out Of Business' Sales At Nearly 1,000 Remaining Stores Big Lots has announced plans to close all of its remaining 963 stores, initiating "going out of business" sales following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September. The company says it's started the process of closing stores in 48 states and liquidating inventory under its court-supervised Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.  The decision comes as the retailer seeks to maximize value for stakeholders while exploring potential going-concern sale opportunities. "We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale," Big Lots' President and Chie…
2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast 2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast
2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast A winter storm is poised to bring light to moderate snowfall to eastern New York, western Massachusetts, and parts of Connecticut from Friday morning, Dec. 20 through Saturday evening, Dec. 21, according to the National Weather Service. A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for the region, warning of slippery travel conditions, particularly during the Friday evening commute. While snowfall amounts are expected to remain below advisory levels—less than 4 inches—hazardous road conditions are likely. Thursday will be partly sunny with a high near 39°F and northwest winds of 7 to 10 mph, …
Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at Fairfield Rest Stop: Cops Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at Fairfield Rest Stop: Cops
Baby Injured By Glass As Man Smashes Truck Window, Strangles Mom at Fairfield Rest Stop: Cops A Dominican Republic man is accused of strangling a woman and hurting her baby with falling glass after he smashed his way into a truck at a Connecticut rest stop on I-95, authorities said.  Ariel Dejesus Valdez, 28, who was in the US on a temporary visa, was extradited from Rhode Island on Monday, Dec. 16, following an alleged attack at the North Fairfield Service Plaza on I-95 on Dec. 7, Connecticut State Police said.  A woman who was riding with Valdez said they were returning to Massachusetts from transporting vehicles when they stopped at the Fairfield County rest stop t…
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers distributed throughout the US and Canada and organic eggs sold in 25 Costco stores in several states have been recalled due to the risk of Salmonella contamination. Cucumber recall SunFed Produce, LLC (SunFed) is recalling all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V." The recalled cucumbers were sold between Saturday, Oct. 12, through Thursday, Nov. 26, 2024. The whole fresh America…
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products An E. coli outbreak linked to bagged organic carrots has prompted an expanded recall as the number of cases grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 39 people across 18 states have been sickened.  Click here for a new, updated story - Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving The outbreak has resulted in 15 hospitalizations and one death. The recall initially began earlier this month when reports of illnesses linked to Grimmway Farms’ bagged carrots surfaced. The recall now covers multiple brands of orga…
Famed Stamford-Based Pizzeria Opens New Location In Westport Famed Stamford-Based Pizzeria Opens New Location In Westport
Famed Stamford-Based Pizzeria Opens New Location In Westport A Connecticut-based pizza chain unveiled its newest location this week.  Riko's Pizza opened its 11th restaurant and sixth in Fairfield County in Westport at 60 Charles St., across from Westport Metro North train station and Luciano Park. The owners and several local and state dignitaries attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.  Rico Imbrogno, the co-founder and CEO of the chain said he chose Westport because he believed the town has nothing like it, he said in a news release when he announced the opening this summer.  "Westport is not only one of the most dynamic ma…
Former New England Resident Jay Leno Falls Down 60-Foot Hill, Hits Head On Rock Former New England Resident Jay Leno Falls Down 60-Foot Hill, Hits Head On Rock
Former New England Resident Jay Leno Falls Down 60-Foot Hill, Hits Head On Rock Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno is again making headlines for an accident that left him bruised and battered, according to reports.  Leno, age 74, a native New Yorker who grew up in Massachusetts, is recovering from injuries sustained from falling down a 60-foot hill and hitting a rock while trying to make his way to a restaurant in Pennsylvania, the comedian told TMZ in an interview on Tuesday, Nov. 19.  In his interview with the outlet, Leno, seen with an eyepatch and bruised face, explained that he had been trying to take a shortcut to the restaurant from his hotel about 30 m…
1 Dead, Dozens Sickened In 18 States From E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Carrots 1 Dead, Dozens Sickened In 18 States From E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Carrots
1 Dead, Dozens Sickened In 18 States From E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Carrots An E. coli outbreak linked to carrots has left one person dead and sickened 39 people in 18 states. Click here for a new, updated story: Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says the infections have come from multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms, which is based in Bakersfield, California.  "Carrots on store shelves right now are likely not affected but may be in people's homes," the CDC said. "If you have any recalled carrots…
Here's Where This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Is Coming From Here's Where This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Is Coming From
Here's Where This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Is Coming From With Spooky Season over, attention is turning to the holidays and New York’s iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This year’s tree is a 74-foot tall Norway Spruce from Massachusetts that was grown in Berkshire County in West Stockbridge, Rockefeller Center announced on Instagram. Weighing in at around 11 tons, it’s the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to come from the Bay State since 1959. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rockefeller Center (@rockefellercenter) The colossal tree will make the 136-mile journey to Manha…
2 Men Hospitalized With Serious, Life-Threatening Injuries After Stamford Motorcycle Crash 2 Men Hospitalized With Serious, Life-Threatening Injuries After Stamford Motorcycle Crash
2 Men Hospitalized With Serious, Life-Threatening Injuries After Stamford Motorcycle Crash A 28-year-old Connecticut man and a 24-year-old pedestrian were both rushed to the hospital following a crash Wednesday evening, Oct. 30, according to authorities. Police said the 28-year-old was on a motorcycle driving west of Tresser Boulevard in Stamford around 7:45 p.m. when it crashed into the pedestrian. Authorities did not identify either of them.  The impact ejected the motorcyclist from the bike, causing him serious injuries, Stamford Police said. He was taken to Stamford Hospital in serious condition.  The pedestrian, a Massachusetts man, suffered life-threatening …
Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals
Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals A 40-year-old wanted man was found hiding in a camp deep in the woods in Windham County on Monday, Oct. 21, after months on the run, authorities said.  Steven Labrecque, 40, is wanted by authorities in Massachusetts on charges of child pornography, photographing intimate parts of a child, intimidation of a witness, reckless endangerment of a child, threatening, obscene matter to a minor, assault, and battery, the US Marshal Service said.  Marshals were asked to help find Labrecque after police in Franklin and New Bedford, Massachusetts, were unable to track him down. Aut…
CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers
CVS To Lay Off Nearly 3K Workers CVS announced it will lay off nearly 3,000 workers as part of a cost-cutting move aimed at saving $2 billion. These approximately 2,900 layoffs, primarily in corporate roles in the company's CVS Health division, represent less than 1 percent of the company's workforce, CVS said.  "The reductions will not impact front-line jobs in our stores, pharmacies and distribution centers,” a CVS spokesperson told CNN. The move comes a day after CVS management met with major shareholder Glenview Capital to discuss the company’s deficits and its dipping stock price, according to CNBC. Founded in…
Organs Of 17-Year-Old Killed In Triple-Fatal Crash Will Help 3 Others Live Organs Of 17-Year-Old Killed In Triple-Fatal Crash Will Help 3 Others Live
Organs Of 17-Year-Old Killed In Triple-Fatal Crash Will Help 3 Others Live Bella Trezza’s final act of generosity will help others live. Just days after the 17-year-old high school senior and aspiring nurse from Babylon was taken off life support following a car crash that killed two others, doctors removed her organs to help three strangers in need. An honor walk was held at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, before Trezza’s kidneys and liver were recovered, LiveOnNY confirmed to Daily Voice. Earlier Report: 'Ray Of Sunshine' Mourned As County Opens Traffic Study At Troubled Long Island Intersection “Two women in their 30’s received her ki…
Stop & Shop Launches Own Coffee Brand With These 7 Varieties Stop & Shop Launches Own Coffee Brand With These 7 Varieties
Stop & Shop Launches Own Coffee Brand With These 7 Varieties Stop & Shop is introducing its own private-label coffee brand in days. The seven new varieties of its "Taste of Inspirations" are Bold Barista, Cozy Cabin, Dawn’s Dance, Smoky Symphony, Sunrise Solace, Tropical Twist, and Mellow Moonlight (decaf). They are available at the supermarket's 360 stores in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island starting this weekend, in time for National Coffee Day, on Sunday, Sept. 29. All flavors are made with 100 percent premium Arabica beans. The coffee collection was produced in collaboration with coffee specialist Andrew He…
NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared
NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared A New York resident has died days after contracting the state’s first human case of a rare but serious mosquito-borne virus in nearly a decade. The Ulster County resident died from complications stemming from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office confirmed on Monday, Sept. 23. It marks the first human case of EEE in New York State since 2015. Earlier Report: Human Case Of Severe Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed In Ulster County, First In NY Since 2015 “We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE, we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out t…
Lacrosse Players Remain Hospitalized Days After Practice With Navy SEAL Trainee Lacrosse Players Remain Hospitalized Days After Practice With Navy SEAL Trainee
Lacrosse Players Remain Hospitalized Days After Practice With Navy SEAL Trainee Several members of a Massachusetts university lacrosse team are hospitalized after falling ill with a rare muscle-destroying illness after a practice with a Navy SEAL trainee.  Twelve members of the Tufts University men's lacrosse team were taken to an area hospital and treated for rhabdomyolysis, according to the school's spokesperson. Five remained hospitalized on Friday,  Sept. 20. Rhabdomyolysis is a "rare muscle injury where your muscles break down. This is a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest," the Cleveland Clinic s…
Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including CT Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including CT
Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including CT A package with a suspicious white substance was intercepted at a United States Post Office in Connecticut earlier this week and could be part of a much larger scheme to disrupt or scare election workers ahead of election day, authorities said.  The package was found at a West Hartford post office on Monday, Sept. 16, the Connecticut Secretary of State said in a news release. No one was injured, but the contents were sent to a lab for testing.  Election offices in New York, Tennessee, Wyoming, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Massachusetts, …
COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases
Covid-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases A newly discovered more contagious COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through Europe is sparking concerns among health authorities around the globe as the United States is experiencing its largest wave of cases in over two years. XEC, which was first identified in Germany, may eventually overtake the current dominant subvariant, KP.3.1.1, which is currently most common in the United States, accounting for about 42 percent of cases nationally according to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Saturday, Aug. 31. XEC make take weeks or even months before it s…
Come On Down: 'The Price Is Right Live' Coming To Bridgeport Come On Down: 'The Price Is Right Live' Coming To Bridgeport
Come On Down: 'The Price Is Right Live' Coming To Bridgeport If you’ve ever dreamed of spinning that big wheel, now’s your chance to “come on down.” Game show aficionados will have the opportunity to take part in “The Price is Right Live,” coming to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts this fall. The live, traveling production brings the iconic television game show to life as randomly selected contestants play game show favorites like Plinko, Cliffhangers, and the famous Showcase. In true “The Price is Right” fashion, prizes will include everything from electronics and appliances to dream vacations and new cars. Lucky audience members can also …
10-Foot Great White Shark Spotted Off New England Coast 10-Foot Great White Shark Spotted Off New England Coast
10-Foot Great White Shark Spotted Off New England Coast Like a Massachusett's "snowbird" heading South after too many Northeastern winters in reverse, a great white shark recently traveled from Florida to cooler waters in Cape Cod Bay. OCEARCH, the nonprofit that tracks several turtles' and sharks' migrations with GPS, reported that Miss May, a 10-foot, 846-pound great white, was last pinged off the Massachusetts coast south of Provincetown on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Miss May was first reported off the Florida coast in 2019. She made her way to the Florida Keys before turning north. She's not the only one enjoying the waters off the Bay State coas…
Winter Outlook Predictions Released: Here's What Forecasters Expect Winter Outlook Predictions Released: Here's What Forecasters Expect
Winter Outlook Predictions Released: Here's What Forecasters Expect With the Labor Day weekend marking the unofficial end of summer, forecasters are starting to look ahead and predict what's in store for the winter of 2025. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says heavy precipitation is expected in the areas shown in the darkest shade of green in the first image above. Areas shown in light green are "leaning above average" in terms of snowfall. NOAA predicts temperatures should also lean above average. (See the second image above.) The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has been in business since 1792, is singing a bit of a di…
Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus
Spraying For Mosquitoes Set For CT State Park In Response To Deadly EEE Virus While there have been no recent cases of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) in humans in Connecticut, the state will begin spraying a state park where the risk level remains elevated.  Earlier report - 41-Year-Old In New England Dies From Serious Mosquito Virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Mosquito Management Program will conduct insecticide spraying on the evening of Thursday, August 29 (weather permitting) in New London County. This area in eastern Connecticut has consistently detected mammal-biting …
Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including CT Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including CT
Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including CT Apple juice sold at Walmart has been recalled due to high arsenic levels. The US Food and Drug Administration says 9,535 cases of the company's  Great Value brand 100 percent apple juice were sold in six-packs of 8-ounce plastic bottles bearing this expiration date: Best if Used by DEC2824 CT89-6, and a UPC code of 0-78742-29655-5. According to the FDA, the product contains inorganic arsenic above the action level set in industry guidance (13.2 parts per billion). They were sold in 23 states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia,…
Stop & Shop Will No Longer Sell Tobacco Products Stop & Shop Will No Longer Sell Tobacco Products
Stop & Shop Will No Longer Sell Tobacco Products Stop & Shop, the supermarket chain with 360 stores throughout the Northeast, said its locations will stop carrying tobacco products at the end of the month.  The chain announced the move on Monday, Aug. 26, after it partnered with the American  American Cancer Society to improve community health, Stop & Shop CEO Gordon Reid said in a statement.  Our responsibility as a grocer goes far beyond our aisles, and we are committed to taking bold steps to help our associates, customers, and communities work towards better health outcomes. From our team of registered diet…
New England's Own Nedoroscik Unpacks His Paris Olympic Trip For Jimmy Fallon New England's Own Nedoroscik Unpacks His Paris Olympic Trip For Jimmy Fallon
New England's Own Nedoroscik Unpacks His Paris Olympic Trip For Jimmy Fallon Stephen Nedoroscik left for Paris, a talented but relatively unknown person outside of gymnastics.  Now, the Massachusetts native is one of the most recognizable sports figures in the world and a big draw for talk shows like "The Tonight Show." The bespeckled 25-year-old Worcester native and Pennsylvania State Alumni became one of the breakout stars at the 2024 Paris Olympics after he pulled off near perfection on the pommel horse.  That landed him the nickname "the pommel horse guy" but also a bronze medal for the US men's gymnastics team. It was the team's first Olympic me…
COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern
Covid-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern A surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States and around the globe is sparking concern among health officials who are warning that more severe variants of the virus may be coming. “COVID-19 is still very much with us and circulating in all countries," Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said in a news conference last week. “Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks." Wastewater surveillance suggests that the circulation of COVID is two to 20 times…
Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …
Big Lots To Close Hundreds More Stores, Including In CT Big Lots To Close Hundreds More Stores, Including In CT
Big Lots To Close Hundreds More Stores, Including In CT It's more bad news for discount retailer Big Lots. The nationwide chain announced in June that it would close 40 stores following dismal sales and rising costs, but in a new filing last week, the company said it may need to shutter nearly 300 locations — several of them in the Northeast.  Big Lots announced in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday, Aug. 2, that under an updated term sheet, the company would need to close 20 percent of its 1,392 stores — about 290 in all.  Here are some of the local closures. Connecticut — Eight stores Manchester — 1…
CT Residents Can Audition For 'American Idol' — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates CT Residents Can Audition For 'American Idol' — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates
CT Residents Can Audition For 'American Idol' — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates Are you the next "American Idol?" The popular ABC singing competition is holding virtual auditions for the upcoming season this month and next. As long as you are of a certain age (scroll down for audition dates). According to the "American Idol" casting application website, contestants must be born between June 2, 1995 and Feb. 15, 2010.  Additionally, contestants must be legal U.S. residents authorized to participate in the entire competition. Auditions for residents in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania via Zoom will be Wednesday, Aug. 21.  Virginia re…
Stop & Shop Issues New Guidance To Customers After Massive Boar's Head Deli Meat Recall Expands Stop & Shop Issues New Guidance To Customers After Massive Boar's Head Deli Meat Recall Expands
Stop & Shop Issues New Guidance To Customers After Massive Boar's Head Deli Meat Recall Expands Stop & Shop has issued new guidance to customers after a massive recall of Boar's Head deli meats has expanded by seven million pounds due to the threat of Listeria contamination. The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the recall expansion includes 71 products produced between Friday, May 10, and Monday, July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. The products, all made at Boar's Head's facility in Jarratt, Virginia, have “sell by” dates ranging from 29 July 2024 to 17 Oct. 24. The products shipped to retailers bear the …