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Worcester County, MA

Obituaries
Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool
Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool A 4-year-old autistic girl named Eva was found unresponsive in her neighbor's pool in Worcester County on Thursday, July 11, after she went missing from her home. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital a short time later.  Police in Sutton received a 911 call around 3:50 p.m. that the girl had gone missing in the Peachtree Drive area, the Worcester County District Attorney said. Officers quickly began a search and found the girl in the pool. Responders rushed her to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where doctors pronounced her dead, authorities said.  Police did n…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Dies After Fall While Rock Climbing In Central Mass State Forest Man Dies After Fall While Rock Climbing In Central Mass State Forest
Man Dies After Fall While Rock Climbing In Central Mass State Forest A man fell and died on Thursday, July 11, in Leominster State Forest, the Worcester County District Attorney announced.  Little is known as of Thursday night as State Police are investigating the circumstances around the death. Authorities also did not reveal any information on the victim.  The DA's office said it would not release more information until detectives are further along in that investigation.  Follow The Daily Voice on Facebook for updates on this developing story. 

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Woman Ran Down Boyfriend In Car, Kicked Bystander Who Tried To Help Him In Central Mass: Police Woman Ran Down Boyfriend In Car, Kicked Bystander Who Tried To Help Him In Central Mass: Police
Woman Ran Down Boyfriend In Car, Kicked Bystander Who Tried To Help Him In Central Mass: Police A 37-year-old woman is accused of intentionally running down her longtime boyfriend in her car during an argument and attacking someone who tried to come to his aid in Worcester County, authorities said.  Angela R. Phaneuf faces multiple charges linked to the Tuesday, May 14, incident, according to police and reports. Officers were called to 9 Homestead Avenue in Auburn just after 12:30 p.m. and found a "chaotic scene," Auburn police said in a Facebook post. They found a man on the ground next to a Mazda 6 sedan screaming in pain and bleeding from a head wound.  Witnesses said&nb…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Central Mass After Luring Her Into His Car At Beach: Police Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Central Mass After Luring Her Into His Car At Beach: Police
Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Central Mass After Luring Her Into His Car At Beach: Police A 68-year-old Worcester County man is accused of using a dog to lure a child into his car, where he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.  Walter Fanion, of Southbridge, is charged with kidnapping, enticing a child under 16, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, Webster police said. The alleged incident happened on Monday, April 15.  The girl told police that she got into the man's car after he approached her at Memorial Beach with a dog. He walked her to his vehicle and then sped away once she was inside, officers said.  He d…

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by Josh Lanier
News
ID Released For Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Mass ID Released For Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Mass
ID Released For Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Mass The identity of a Massachusetts man who allegedly deliberately crashed into the front of a psychiatric hospital has been released by officials. Related: Driver Dies After Deliberate Crash Into Devens Health Center The incident occurred in Worcester County around 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, at 85 Patton Road in Devens. On Thursday, April 12, Lindsay Corcoran of the Worcester County District Attorney's Office identified John M. Ahern Jr., age 62, of West Boylston, as the person who crashed into the front of the building at 85 Patton Road in Devens.  The truck was on fir…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Massachusetts Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Massachusetts
Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Massachusetts Massachusetts State Police are investigating after a person was killed after allegedly deliberately crashing a truck into the front of a mental healthcare center. Click here for a new, updated story: ID Released For Driver Killed After Deliberate Crash Into Health Center In Mass The incident occurred in Worcester County around 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, at 85 Patton Road in Devens. According to Lindsay Corcoran of the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, a truck was found to have crashed into the front of the building at 85 Patton Road in Devens. The truck was on fire, …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Alleged Fugitive Discovered In CT After Unrelated 911 Call: Police Alleged Fugitive Discovered In CT After Unrelated 911 Call: Police
Marcus Lopez, Alleged Fugitive, Arrested In Stafford A man accused of domestic violence and strangulation in Massachusetts was caught in Connecticut when the cops were called on him for a different reason. The Tolland County incident occurred in the town of Stafford on Friday, April 5, according to Connecticut State Police. On that day, a School Street resident called the authorities on 30-year-old Marcus Lopez to report that he was unwelcome at the home. While police were investigating Lopez, who hails from Stafford, they discovered he had a felony arrest warrant in his name in connection to an alleged domestic assault and strangulation…

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by Sophie Grieser
Lifestyle
Support Rises For 'Wonderful' Central Mass Teacher After Cancer Diagnosis Support Rises For 'Wonderful' Central Mass Teacher After Cancer Diagnosis
Support Rises For 'Wonderful' Central Mass Teacher After Cancer Diagnosis After it was discovered that a beloved Massachusetts teacher had been fighting cancer for years, her community came together to help raise support for her and her family. Worcester County resident Kara Sullivan Wroblewski has been loved by her community for quite some time. The Roosevelt Elementary School teacher was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, though, according to the GoFundMe set up by her family, the news may come as a shock to some. “Everyone knows Kara is a wonderful mother, wife, sister, friend, and teacher for the Worcester Public Schools,” Beth Flynn wrote in the fundr…

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Central Mass Woman Missing More Than Week Found Dead Central Mass Woman Missing More Than Week Found Dead
Central Mass Woman Missing More Than Week Found Dead The remains of a 27-year-old Worcester County woman who went missing more than a week ago were found on Thursday, March 21.  Olivia Colby, of Westborough, vanished on Thursday, March 14, sparking a near-statewide search.  The Worcester County District Attorney's Office did not say how she died, where she was found, or how long she had been deceased in their announcement on Friday.  There was some hope in the case Monday when a man told police he believed he saw Colby at Kennebunk Cumberland Farms in Maine, but that alleged sighting led nowhere, according to an NBC station in…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
School Bus Driver Busted Drunk With Children Aboard Mass Bus: Police School Bus Driver Busted Drunk With Children Aboard Mass Bus: Police
School Bus Driver Busted Drunk With Children Aboard Mass Bus: Police A 51-year-old school bus driver faces charges after she was caught bringing children to school while under the influence of alcohol in Worcester County, police said.  Jane Welch, age 51, was arrested on Thursday, March 14, following an incident in Westborough, according to Westborough Police. On Thursday morning, police received reports regarding Welch's behavior while driving children to school. In response, officers made contact with Welch in the area of 135 East Main St. and conducted an investigation.  Soon after stopping her, police arrested Welch and charged her w…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
5-Alarm Fire Tears Through $2.5M Historic Central Mass Mansion 5-Alarm Fire Tears Through $2.5M Historic Central Mass Mansion
5-Alarm Fire Tears Through $2.5M Historic Central Mass Mansion An early morning fire on Friday, March 1, severely damaged a historic mansion in Worcester County.  Northridge firefighters were called to the Whitinsville Lasell Manor just after 1 a.m. to reports of a blaze, a Facebook post said. The flames grew fast, and the blaze quickly became a 5-alarm fire. The fire grew so hot that it collapsed part of the roof on the 25,0000 square-foot mansion, NBC Boston reported.  There were seven people inside the 120 Hill St. home when the fire began, but they were all able to escape without injury.  Seven people were i…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Central Mass First Responders Who Saved Officer's Life After He Suffered Heart Attack Honored Central Mass First Responders Who Saved Officer's Life After He Suffered Heart Attack Honored
Central Mass First Responders Who Saved Officer's Life After He Suffered Heart Attack Honored If it weren't for the quick thinking and fast action of his brothers and sisters in blue, Sturbridge police officer Jeffrey Lavallee would be dead.  That's what Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said during an award ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 28, as he honored those first responders who set aside their personal feelings to save a man's life.  “They answer the bell anytime they are called, no matter what. For these officers, this is one of the worst scenarios they can face – having to work on one of their own. They knew the severity of the …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Rocket Launcher Found At Central Mass Motel; Federal Agents Alerted Rocket Launcher Found At Central Mass Motel; Federal Agents Alerted
Rocket Launcher Found At Central Mass Motel; Federal Agents Alerted Chalk this under you don't see this every day. Police in Worcester County found a man in possession of crack and a rocket launcher sitting in a parked car at a Sutton motel on Monday, Feb. 19, authorities said.  Police were watching a suspicious vehicle in the side parking lot of the Red Roof Inn at 200 Worcester-Providence Turnpike when one of the detectives walked over and began making conversation with the person inside, Sutton police said in a Facebook post.  As they spoke, the detective scanned the car's interior until his eyes landed on an M190 U.S. Army Rocket Lau…

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by Josh Lanier
Lifestyle
100-Year-Old Mass Home Featuring Original Finishes Up For Sale For $2M: See Inside 100-Year-Old Mass Home Featuring Original Finishes Up For Sale For $2M: See Inside
100-Year-Old Mass Home Featuring Original Finishes Up For Sale For $2M: See Inside A mansion that just hit the market features a beautiful, million-dollar renovation, yet still retains original finishes and millwork. The Worcester County home, located at 57 North Street in Grafton, was put up for sale at the beginning of February 2024 with a price tag of a cool $2 million. With seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms spread across four full floors, the 6,229-square-foot colonial revival home combines modern and classic tastes. Sitting on six acres and protected by stone walls, the 1920s house was given a $1.5 million update, though the listing says it retains “beautifully …

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Armed Robber Who Zip-Tied Western Mass Bank Tellers, Got Into Vault Nabbed Months Later: Police Armed Robber Who Zip-Tied Western Mass Bank Tellers, Got Into Vault Nabbed Months Later: Police
Armed Robber Who Zip-Tied Western Mass Bank Tellers, Got Into Vault Nabbed Months Later: Police A suspect has been arrested months after an armed robbery at a bank in Western Massachusetts. The Berkshire County holdup happened Nov. 29, 2023, in Pittsfield, at the NBT Bank located on Merrill Road. Pittsfield police said employees called 911 at around 5 p.m. saying a masked man had pulled a gun on them and demanded cash. The robber directed the tellers to lock the doors, close the blinds, and open the vault. He then ordered the employees to sit on the floor and zip-tied their hands in front of them, police said. After grabbing all the cash he could from the vault and two tell…

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by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck The superintendent of the school district where a 35-year-old woman who worked has canceled classes on Friday, Dec. 8, so students and staff can attend her funeral.  Connecticut resident Kayla Morey, age 35, of Dayville in Windham County, died Saturday Dec. 2 in Massachusetts when she was involved in a head-on collision in Worcester County.  Related: 'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Webster Police said Jordan Pimentel, age 31, got onto I-395 in Webster, driving north in the southbound lane, and crashed into Morey just after 10:15 p.m. They both di…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Central Mass Along With Second Driver 'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Central Mass Along With Second Driver
'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Central Mass Along With Second Driver Two people were killed in a violent head-on collision when a wrong-way driver crashed into oncoming traffic in Massachusetts on I-395, authorities said.  A GMC Sierra truck got onto the highway driving north in the southbound lane in Worcester County just after 10:15 p.m. in the town of Webster and slammed into a Honda CRV in the left lane, Massachusetts State Police said.  Related: Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Webster Wrong-Way Wreck Jordan Pimentel, age 31, of Auburn, who was behind the wheel of the truck, died at the scene, police said.&…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds
Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds A Massachusetts man who performed as a children's magician for two decades across New England admitted to having child sexual abuse material and traveling to another country to rape a child, federal authorities said.  Worcester County resident Scott Jameson, age 46, of Sutton, faces decades in prison after he pleaded guilty in federal court to illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of transportation of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Action Pour Les Enfants, a Cambodian child-protection group, contacted US federal investigators in Febr…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Rite Aid Will Close Stores In Mass, Connecticut After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid Will Close Stores In Mass, Connecticut After Filing For Bankruptcy
Rite Aid Will Close Stores In Mass, Connecticut After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid, the pharmacy giant that filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, Oct. 15, plans to close 154 underperforming stores nationwide, according to a new filing. Some of those closures will be in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  Related: Why Is Rite Aid Filing For Bankruptcy? Rite Aid announced earlier this week that declining sales and rising debt forced the company's hand in filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain has more than 2,100 stores nationwide, and reducing rent costs will play a large part in bringing its balance sheet back into the black.  The only store in Massachusetts…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Sex Offender Gets Life For Killing Dancer, Leaving Body In Burning Car In Central Mass Cemetery Sex Offender Gets Life For Killing Dancer, Leaving Body In Burning Car In Central Mass Cemetery
Sex Offender Gets Life For Killing Dancer, Leaving Body In Burning Car In Central Mass Cemetery Nearly six years after a woman was found burnt beyond recognition in the trunk of a car in a Central Massachusetts cemetery, a convicted sex offender is heading to prison for her murder. Worcester County resident Steven Foley, age 62, formerly of Northborough, was sentenced to life in prison in Worcester County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 5. It followed his jury conviction for second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of 59-year-old Cynthia Webb. Webb, a sterling resident and dancer at a Webster gentleman’s club, was found dead in the trunk of her burning car in Worcester’s Hope Cemetery on Dec…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Man's Face Slashed Open As Roofers Trade Insults At Central Mass Party: Police Man's Face Slashed Open As Roofers Trade Insults At Central Mass Party: Police
Man's Face Slashed Open As Roofers Trade Insults At Central Mass Party: Police An argument between coworkers over who was the better roofer at a party in Worcester County ended in bloodshed over the weekend, authorities said.  Alix Ulloa-Hernandez, 34, of Vinton, Virginia, was arrested Saturday, Sept. 2, following the fight at a Super 8 Motel in Sturbridge, Sturbridge police said. He is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace, and was being held on a $7,500 cash bail, authorities said.  Police were called to the 358 Main Street motel just after 8 p.m. and found several broken bottles, a bloody knif…

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by Josh Lanier
News
'That Was Beautiful': Watch Mass Woman Wow Judges Again On 'America's Got Talent' 'That Was Beautiful': Watch Mass Woman Wow Judges Again On 'America's Got Talent'
'That Was Beautiful': Watch Mass Woman Wow Judges Again On 'America's Got Talent' Lavender Darcangelo returned to the "America's Got Talent" stage Tuesday night, Aug. 22, for her qualifier performance, and she did not disappoint.  The 27-year-old blind woman from Fitchburg in Worcester County belted out a beautiful rendition of Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is" that ended in a standing ovation. Viewers should have expected no less from the woman who earned the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum from her first performance in July.  Related: Blind Fitchburg Singer Has 'America's Got Talent' Judges Raving: 'Magical' King of the scowl judge Simon Cowell was …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Anti-Semitic Notes Left In Bags Of Rice At Mass Homes: Police Anti-Semitic Notes Left In Bags Of Rice At Mass Homes: Police
Anti-Semitic Notes Left In Bags Of Rice At Mass Homes: Police Several Jewish residents in Worcester County have started receiving strange items on their front door steps: bags of rice with anti-semitic fliers hidden inside. Sadly, this is not uncommon, as bags like these have shown up across the country for years, according to news reports.  The West Brookfield Police Department posted about the incidents on Facebook and said they are investigating their origins, but they believe they have a suspect in the case. They did not disclose what the flyers in the bag said.  On August 8, 2023, we received reports from individuals within our community who rec…

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by Josh Lanier
News
(Watch) Blind Central Mass Singer Has 'America's Got Talent' Judges Raving: 'Magical' (Watch) Blind Central Mass Singer Has 'America's Got Talent' Judges Raving: 'Magical'
(Watch) Blind Central Mass Singer Has 'America's Got Talent' Judges Raving: 'Magical' "America's Got Talent" judges couldn't get enough of Lavender Darcangelo, a 27-year-old woman from Worcester County, on Tuesday night's episode, July 11.  The blind and autistic woman Fitchburg resident had one of the most electric performances of the season with her rendition of Irene Cara's "Out Here On My Own." “That was sensational,” Simon Cowell said. “Everything about that was just magical. Magical. You have such a talent. You have such an amazing personality. “This is an audition I’ll never forget." That magic started before Darcangelo had sung a note. Her boundless optimism and pa…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Athol Woman Killed, 2 Injured In Head-On Western Mass Crash Athol Woman Killed, 2 Injured In Head-On Western Mass Crash
Athol Woman Killed, 2 Injured In Head-On Western Mass Crash A 57-year-old Worcester County woman was killed after a car drifted into her lane and collided with her car on Friday afternoon, June 30, authorities said.  Tracy Matthews, of Athol, was driving her Chevy Cobalt east in Franklin County on Route 2 in the town of Gill near Barton Cove Campground around 4 p.m. when a Mazda Miata crossed the center line and crashed into her, authorities said. Paramedics rushed her to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, where doctors pronounced Matthews dead.  The 63-year-old Needham driver of the Miati and his passenger were…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
New Update: Missing Boys, 12, Who Took SUV From Central Mass Found Safe in New York New Update: Missing Boys, 12, Who Took SUV From Central Mass Found Safe in New York
New Update: Missing Boys, 12, Who Took SUV From Central Mass Found Safe in New York New update: Police announced Wednesday morning, June 28, that two 12-year-old Massachusetts boys who drove away from home in an SUV have been found safe in New York.  Authorities did not release any further information, including where they were found in New York.  Amari Siders and Zyaire Siders were last seen on Monday, June 26, and in Worcester County were believed to be driving a white Toyota 4Runner Highlander with Massachusetts license plate 4AN622, Southbridge Police said.  Original report: Police in Worcester County are asking for the public's help to find two missi…

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by Josh Lanier
News
$1M Fraud: CT Business Owner Gets Prison Time $1M Fraud: CT Business Owner Gets Prison Time
$1M Fraud: CT Business Owner Gets Prison Time A Massachusetts business owner from northern Connecticut will spend time in prison for tax fraud after failing to report just under $1 million in income for several years, federal officials said.  Windham County resident Mariusz Kalinowski, age 48, of Woodstock, was sentenced to seven months in prison on Wednesday, April 26 for tax fraud, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  According to federal officials, Kalinowski is the owner of Webster, Massachusetts-based Kalinowski General Construction, Inc., in Worcester County, which provides&n…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Mug Shot Of Accused Airline Saboteur From Central Mass Released Mug Shot Of Accused Airline Saboteur From Central Mass Released
Mug Shot Of Accused Airline Saboteur From Central Mass Released Massachusetts State Police released the mugshot of the Worcester County man who attempted to open the door on a plane from Los Angeles to Boston mid-flight and tried to stab a flight attendant with a spoon on Sunday, March 5.  Francisco Severo Torres, 33, of Leominster, had to be subdued by fellow passengers aboard the United Airlines flight 2609 for 45 minutes after he lunged at a member of the flight crew, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Related: Terror After Takeoff: Leominster Man Tried To Open Plane Door Earlier in the flight, members of the crew noticed that the cabin door …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
(UPDATED) 'They Will Be Missed': Police ID Two 23-Year-Olds Killed In Central Mass Crash (UPDATED) 'They Will Be Missed': Police ID Two 23-Year-Olds Killed In Central Mass Crash
(Updated) 'They Will Be Missed': Police ID Two 23-Year-Olds Killed In Central Mass Crash Police in Worcester County identified two 23-year-olds as the victims killed in a head-on collision over the weekend, officials said.   Jasmine Colon, of Winchendon, and Nikolas Guzman, of Gardner, died in a two-car collision in Gardner just before 6 a.m. on Green Street in Gardner, authorities said. Investigators believe Colon was driving, and Guzman was her passenger. Gardner firefighters had to cut them from the vehicle, and both were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.  Paramedics rushed the driver of the other vehicle to a hospital in Worcester with serious injuries. Autho…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Worcester County Firefighter Dies Preparing To Answer Service Call: Fire Department Worcester County Firefighter Dies Preparing To Answer Service Call: Fire Department
Worcester County Firefighter Dies Preparing To Answer Service Call: Fire Department Fire officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 22, that one of their own had died while preparing to respond to a service call the day before.  In Worcester County, Paul Cloutier, age 52, joined the Webster Fire Department in March 2021. He also served as a volunteer firefighter at the Muddy Brook Fire Department and as lieutenant and president of the Woodstock volunteer station in Windham County. The Muddy Brook Fire Department regrets to announce the unexpected passing of Firefighter Paul Cloutier. Paul has served... Posted by Muddy Brook Fire Department on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Seen Her? Police Search For Missing 35-Year-Old Massachusetts Woman Seen Her? Police Search For Missing 35-Year-Old Massachusetts Woman
Seen Her? Police Search For Missing 35-Year-Old Massachusetts Woman Local and State Police are seeking the public's help in finding a missing 35-year-old woman from Massachusetts who was last seen almost a week ago.  Brittany Tee, of the Worcester County town of Brookfield, was last seen leaving a house in Brookfield around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, according to Massachusetts State Police. Her family reported her missing to Brookfield Police the following Friday.  Update on the investigation into the whereabouts of Brittany Tee, 35, of Brookfield. Anyone with information about... Posted by Joseph D. Early Jr., Worcester County District Attorney'…

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by David Cifarelli