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Community Support

Gold Star Father ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Crash Gold Star Father ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Crash
Gold Star Father ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Crash The Massachusetts father of a soldier killed in Afghanistan died earlier this week after being hit by a car while on his way to deliver an award in his son's honor, his family said. Michael Demarsico, 63, of North Adams in Berkshire County, was crossing Route 8 to go to the Bounti-Fare restaurant in Adams on Sunday, Nov. 17, just after 5 p.m. when a car struck him, authorities said. Demarsico was pronounced dead in the back of an ambulance en route to Berkshire Medical Center, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said. The driver of the car that hit Demarsico remained at the sce…
Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms
Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms A Massachusetts restaurant thanked its customers for their support during an "emotional week" after the owners received threats for serving World War II re-enactors wearing Nazi uniforms.  In a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 18, the owners of Kith And Kin in Hudson, Massachusetts, said they were flooded with positive messages from customers and community members.  As you can imagine, it has been an emotional week for us. We have been greatly uplifted by the outpouring of love and support from the Hudson and surrounding communities. Our family and our staff cannot thank you enough f…
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home New details are offering insight into the mind of an accused murderer just hours before he allegedly gunned down his ex-wife and her boyfriend inside their New York home. The Long Island killings happened in St. James, at a residence on Brasswood Road, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Suffolk County Police said Daniel Coppola, age 50, put his 15-year-old daughter into his car before going inside and shooting his ex-wife, 50-year-old Kelly Coppola, and her boyfriend, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman. Earlier Report: Man Kills Ex-Wife, Her BF At St. James Home, Police Say Both vic…
'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash 'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash
'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash David "Spanky" Sousa spent his life giving back to the Stoughton community he loved. After he was killed while picking up debris along a highway, they're paying it back to his family.  "Spanky loved his hometown of Stoughton and helping people in need," an obituary for the 57-year-old said. "He was a former Selectman for the Town of Stoughton and was also the Chairman for a time. He played Santa for many charities in the area at Christmas time. He was a founder of the Parade of Lights holiday parade in Stoughton. He loved riding his motorcycle, meeting new friends, and the character Fre…
Massachusetts' Littlest Garbage Man Makes His Rounds Thanks To Make-A-Wish Massachusetts' Littlest Garbage Man Makes His Rounds Thanks To Make-A-Wish
Massachusetts' Littlest Garbage Man Makes His Rounds Thanks To Make-a-wish For four-year-old Alan, there was always something special about the garbage trucks that came through his Ashland neighborhood each week. He fell in love with the big green machines and wanted to be like the men and women who drove them.  He even dressed up as a garbage man for Halloween one year.  So, it was a no-brainer when Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island offered him the chance to make a wish that he would don the high-vis vest and hard hat and climb aboard a WM truck to put in a hard day's work. They even gave him a time card to punch in and out.   …
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…
Mom Of 6-Year-Old Who Drowned In Mass. Lake Asks For Help: 'Incredibly Difficult' Mom Of 6-Year-Old Who Drowned In Mass. Lake Asks For Help: 'Incredibly Difficult'
Mom Of 6-Year-Old Who Drowned In Mass. Lake Asks For Help: 'Incredibly Difficult' Community support has poured in for the family of a 6-year-old non-verbal autistic boy who drowned over the weekend in a Westford Lake after the child's mother created a fundraising campaign.   The body of Zayan Mayanja was found in Nabnasset Lake on Sunday, June 23, after he snuck out of a window at his family's home on Chestnut Road.  Nazifah Namaganda, Zayan's mother, wrote that her son loved to read and cared about animals. She created a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of the boy's funeral, which was held on Wednesday, June 26.  It's with gr…
Funeral Set For Central Mass Marine Killed In California Motorcycle Crash Funeral Set For Central Mass Marine Killed In California Motorcycle Crash
Funeral Set For Central Mass Marine Killed In California Motorcycle Crash A funeral for a beloved US Marine from Worcester County who was killed last month in a motorcycle crash is scheduled for later this week.  Connor Kelly, 21, of Webster, died on May 30 while driving home from taking his fiancee to a dentist's appointment, his family said. The Worcester native would have turned 22 years old on July 1.  His family will hold calling hours on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home at 357 Main St. in Oxford. A funeral service will follow with family and friends sharing stories of the young man.  Related:…
90 Percent Of Western Mass Motel Destroyed In Late-Night Fire 90 Percent Of Western Mass Motel Destroyed In Late-Night Fire
Rainbow Motel In Whately Goes Up In Flames In Weekend Fire Seventeen people were displaced when a two-alarm fire tore through a well-known, family-owned Franklin County motel over the weekend, authorities said.  The fire began at The Rainbow Motel at 64 State Road in Whately just after midnight on Saturday, May 18, the Whately Fire Department said in a Facebook post. The fire burned so hot and fast that 10 agencies from surrounding communities sent firefighters, equipment, and mutual aid to battle the blaze.  The department said 10 of the 16 motel rooms were heavily burned in the fire.  Luckily, no one was injured, but a Whatel…
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street More than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised to support the families of a police officer and sheriff's deputy killed in a shootout with a suspect who also died on a quiet suburban street in upstate New York earlier this week. The two officers were  Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, age 37, and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, age 29. Hoosock is survived by his wife, Caitlin, and their three young children, ages 7, 5, and 3. As of Wednesday morning, April 17, a Fund the First drive for the families of the two has pulled in around $255,000 of a go…
'His Kindness Was A Beacon': Support Swells For Late Mass Father, Fiancé 'His Kindness Was A Beacon': Support Swells For Late Mass Father, Fiancé
'His Kindness Was A Beacon': Support Swells For Late Mass Father, Fiancé After a Massachusetts brother, fiancé, and father unexpectedly died, the community is helping support the family he left behind while remembering his lasting legacy. William Harris (known to many as “Bill” or “Billy”), a lifelong Norfolk County resident, died on Saturday, April 6. Bill, who was born in Norwood and lived with his family in Stoughton at the time of his death, had recently come back from a weekend vacation with his fiancée and the pair’s three children when he came down with the flu. The flu quickly turned into pneumonia, which led to a blood clot that required Harris to b…
'With Deep Regret' Popular Restaurant In Western Mass Closing After 50 Years In Business 'With Deep Regret' Popular Restaurant In Western Mass Closing After 50 Years In Business
'With Deep Regret' Popular Restaurant In Western Mass Closing After 50 Years In Business A popular Western Massachusetts restaurant serving Chinese/Polynesian fusion is set to close after more than 50 years in business. Berkshire County eatery Luau Hale Restaurant – located in Lenox at 365 Pittsfield Road – will serve its last customer on Saturday, March 30. “It is with deep regret that I have to announce the closing of the Luau. It has been our honor and privilege to be a part of this community for decades,” the owners said on Facebook. “Watching generations of Berkshire locals sharing food, drink, laughs and life with us. From holidays and weddings to birthdays and funera…
Fundraiser For Mom, Daughter, 11, Gunned Down In Central Mass Surpasses $50K Fundraiser For Mom, Daughter, 11, Gunned Down In Central Mass Surpasses $50K
Fundraiser For Mom, Daughter, 11, Gunned Down In Central Mass Surpasses $50K More than 650 people have donated to a fundraiser that will go to the family of a mom and 11-year-old daughter who were gunned down in their car last week in Worcester.  Chasity Nuñez and her daughter Zella were shot and killed inside their car in the area of Lisbon Street at Englewood Avenue around 3 p.m. on March 5. Two men have since been arrested in the slayings.  The GoFundMe hopes to raise $100,000, some of which will cover the burial costs for Chasity Nuñez and 11-year-old Zella Nuñez. The remaining money will go to the care of Chasity's 2-year-old daughter Isla and he…
Community Rallies To Raise Tuition Funds For Sons of Mass Father Who Died Suddenly Community Rallies To Raise Tuition Funds For Sons of Mass Father Who Died Suddenly
Community Rallies To Raise Tuition Funds For Sons of Mass Father Who Died Suddenly In an amazing display of generosity, a Massachusetts community has raised over $150,000 in college tuition funds for the children of a beloved father following his sudden death from a heart attack.  The rush of support came after the sudden death of 47-year-old Middlesex County resident Kalaiarasu Mani of Lexington on Saturday, Feb. 3, caused by a sudden and massive heart attack.  In the days after Mani's death, his sister-in-law, Sangeetha Govindarajan, created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his children's future.  "The shock of Kalai's sudden death …
Support Rushes In For Beloved Art Teacher From Massachusetts Battling Aggressive Cancer Support Rushes In For Beloved Art Teacher From Massachusetts Battling Aggressive Cancer
Support Rushes In For Beloved Art Teacher From Massachusetts Battling Aggressive Cancer A community in Massachusetts is coming together to raise tens of thousands of dollars and give back to a much-loved elementary school teacher battling an aggressive form of cancer.  The effort was started for Colby Caravaggio, a beloved art teacher at Peter Noyes Elementary School in Sudbury, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in July 2023.  Soon after Caravaggio's devastating diagnosis, the school community began showing their deep love for the teacher, who has brought joy and shared his passion for pottery and creativity with young students …
'Long Journey Ahead': Support Rushes In For Mass Family Of Toddler With Stage 4 Cancer 'Long Journey Ahead': Support Rushes In For Mass Family Of Toddler With Stage 4 Cancer
'Long Journey Ahead': Support Rushes In For Mass Family Of Toddler With Stage 4 Cancer In a beautiful display of generosity, a community has rushed to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Massachusetts family of a resilient toddler who is facing an unimaginable battle. One-year-old Grace Donovan of Middlesex County, who was born in April 2022 to her parents, Kayla and Jimmy, soon displayed an energetic, affectionate personality and developed an intense love for her family, preschool friends, reading, music, and the beach.  However, the family's world turned upside down on Friday, Jan. 12, when Grace had a routine MRI for what was believed to be a facial cyst. Inste…
Support Floods In For Son Of Single Mom Killed In Central Mass Attack Support Floods In For Son Of Single Mom Killed In Central Mass Attack
Support Floods In For Son Of Single Mom Killed In Central Mass Attack Multiple GoFundMes have been created to help provide for the 15-year-old boy who was at home the night his mother was stabbed to death at a Worcester County trailer park.  Maria Murray, 53, was stabbed multiple times in the back at Meadow Woods on Massachusetts Ave. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, the Worcester County District Attorney said. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she died of her wounds.  Orlando Garcia Rosado, her boyfriend, was arrested and charged with the killing, reports said.  Since the killing, several people have stepped up to ask for help providing for Mu…
Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue
Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue Call it mother’s intuition. As the dreaded 48-hour mark approached since 9-year-old Charlotte Sena disappeared from a state park in New York, her mother suddenly had a feeling that everything would be alright just before the girl was rescued, according to Albany radio station WGNA.  Speaking with the station’s “Brian and Chrissy in the Morning” show Tuesday, Oct. 3, Charlotte’s aunt, Jene′ Sena, said the girl’s parents Trisha and Dave were gathered with friends and relatives around their campsite when Trisha made a rather prophetic statement. "I don't know...maybe it's mother's intuition,…
Support Pours In For Family Of Mass Man, 41, Killed In 'Horrific' Multi-Car Crash Support Pours In For Family Of Mass Man, 41, Killed In 'Horrific' Multi-Car Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of Mass Man, 41, Killed In 'Horrific' Multi-Car Crash A community is coming together to raise money for the family of a man who was killed in a multi-vehicle Norfolk County crash, leaving his two children without a father.  The outpouring of support comes in the aftermath of a crash on Thursday, Sept. 28 in Weymouth that killed 41-year-old Whitman resident Adam Fallon.  Earlier Report - Man, 41, Killed In Weymouth Multi-Car Crash ID'd By Police According to state police, Fallon was killed around 5 a.m. when his 2014 Mazda CX5 was involved in a three-vehicle crash in the southbound lane of Route 3 near Exit 38B.  …
Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road' Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road'
Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road' The hallways of the Corinth Central School District were flooded with orange Tuesday morning, Oct. 3, as students and teachers celebrated the safe return of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena following her kidnapping at a state park in New York and subsequent rescue two days later. “Promote unity by wearing your orange!” reads a message on the district’s Facebook page. “Other schools in our region will be wearing orange to support Corinth, too.” The heartwarming display hinted at the immense support the community has shown the girl’s family throughout the terrifying 48-hour manhunt that garnered na…
Community Rallies Around Central Mass Family Who Lost Home, Cars In Overnight Fire Community Rallies Around Central Mass Family Who Lost Home, Cars In Overnight Fire
Community Rallies Around Central Mass Family Who Lost Home, Cars In Overnight Fire Authorities still aren't sure what sparked a Worcester County fire early Sunday morning, Sept. 24, but the repercussions are clear. A family of four has "lost everything," and their community is coming together to help, a fundraiser for them said.  The fire began at 45 Chace Hill Road in Sterling just before 3:30 a.m. Crews were delayed in reaching the scene because of poor cell phone reception in the area,  WCVB reported. But when they arrived, they did so in force. Fire departments from multiple cities — Leominster, Clinton, and West Boylston — joined in the fight to douse the flames, and…
Donations Flood In For Family Of Center Mass Educator Who Died Of Cancer Donations Flood In For Family Of Center Mass Educator Who Died Of Cancer
Donations Flood In For Family Of Center Mass Educator Who Died Of Cancer Meghan Milonopoulos spent her life helping Worcester's North High School students prepare for their future. She died on Saturday, July 22, of stage IV colon cancer. Now the community she taught wants to help provide for her three young children and support their education. A GoFundMe to start a college fund for McKenna, Mia, and Mathaios Milonopoulos has raised more than $11,000 in just two days. The fundraiser hopes to generate $75,000 for the children's college fund.  Meghan Milonopoulos learned of her cancer diagnosis 18 months ago. Since that day, the North High vice principal focused …
Massachusetts Steps Up To Support Children Of Mother Allegedly Killed By Husband Massachusetts Steps Up To Support Children Of Mother Allegedly Killed By Husband
Massachusetts Steps Up To Support Children Of Mother Allegedly Killed By Husband The family that fell victim to an "unthinkable" tragedy in Massachusetts received a flood of support from compassionate Middlesex County community members.  Nancy Hanson, age 54, died on Saturday, July 15, in her Brookline Street home in Newton after her husband, Richard Hanson, allegedly beat her to death with multiple items in their home, according to the Newton Police Department.  Nancy had issued a restraining order against Richard Hanson days earlier, but police had not been able to serve it. She leaves behind three sons who are being cared for by a family member. In the wa…
Woman Who Died Trying To Save Dog In Hudson Valley Flash Flood Remembered For 'Generous Heart' Woman Who Died Trying To Save Dog In Hudson Valley Flash Flood Remembered For 'Generous Heart'
Woman Who Died Trying To Save Dog In Hudson Valley Flash Flood Remembered For 'Generous Heart' Support is swelling for the family of a New York woman who died while trying to save her dog during a rare flash flood. Hudson Valley resident Pamela Nugent, age 35, was swept away after water surrounded her Orange County home in the hamlet of Fort Montgomery during the severe storms on Sunday, July 9, according to a GoFundMe. "She came out, seeing her house was taking on too much water," Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a news conference Monday in Highland Falls. "She was with her dog and her fiancé literally saw her swept away. Terror, right here." Emergency responders later found Nugent’s …
Fire Destroys Home Of 'Sweet Lady' In 'Tight-Knit' Central Mass Neighborhood Fire Destroys Home Of 'Sweet Lady' In 'Tight-Knit' Central Mass Neighborhood
Fire Destroys Home Of 'Sweet Lady' In 'Tight-Knit' Central Mass Neighborhood A community in Central Massachusetts is coming together to support a woman who lost everything in a fire this week.  "Ms. Toni’s house was tragically perished by a fire in the tight knit Milford neighborhood," a GoFundMe campaign reads.  "Toni is a sweet lady who always offers a helping hand to those near her," the campaign continued. "She is kind, loving, and giving. Please consider donating to help Toni pay for not only repairs, but items and priceless memorabilia in the home."  Smoke was seen coming from the home several blocks awayRob Sheedy on Facebook The fire broke out at a home…
'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident 'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident
'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident Vickie St. Francis says one of the worst moments of her life has shown her why she is so happy to live in Auburn.  Earlier this month, St. Francis' 13-year-old son Cameron was seriously injured while playing with friends at the Pappas Recreational Complex. Since then, she says she's had endless support from the community and even some strangers who want to help.  "I can't speak more highly of this community (Auburn)," she said in a phone interview on Monday, April 24. "... The amount of calls of people offering help or kindness has really shown me we're a family." A GoFundMe for …
One-Year-Old Girl Dies, Central Mass Community Rallies Around Family One-Year-Old Girl Dies, Central Mass Community Rallies Around Family
One-Year-Old Girl Dies, Central Mass Community Rallies Around Family A fundraiser created to help provide meals and support for a Central Massachusett family following the death of their one-year-old daughter surpassed its halfway point.  Elsie Maeve Lafferty, of Ashburnham, died on Wednesday, April 12, according to her obituary. She was born in February 2022.  Loved ones created a MealTrain fundraiser for the family to coordinate food donations and raise money for them during this tragic time.  During this awful time when we feel so helpless, let's show our love and support. Please pick a day and provide either a home-cooked meal, take out, …
Community Mourns Death Of 79-Year-Old Woman Killed In Central Mass Explosive Fire Community Mourns Death Of 79-Year-Old Woman Killed In Central Mass Explosive Fire
Community Mourns Death Of 79-Year-Old Woman Killed In Central Mass Explosive Fire A community in Central Massachusetts is coming together to mourn the loss of woman who tragically died in an explosive house fire a day after her 79th birthday last week. Anyone who lived in or around Berlin most likely had a great story about Judy Christensen, according to a GoFundMe campaign.  The woman "was always the fire person to lend a hand or her home to anyone who needed it," the campaign reads.  Judy Christensen was the the definition of kind. She would have given the clothes off her back and a room in her home to... Posted by Felicia Lowe on Saturday, April 15, 2023 "Countl…
Community Rallies To Help People Who Lost Cars In Springfield Fire Community Rallies To Help People Who Lost Cars In Springfield Fire
Community Rallies To Help People Who Lost Cars In Springfield Fire Springfield firefighters were able to beat back a brush fire on Wednesday, April 12, before anyone was hurt, but two cars weren't so lucky. Now, the community is rallying to help raise money to replace those destroyed rides.  The fire started around 250 Albany St. near Gasoline Alley. Fire crews were able to douse the blaze, but photos from the aftermath show how hot the flames got. Only the metal was left on one of the vehicles.  SFD responded to 250-270 Albany St. Brush fire that extended to vehicles 2 vehicles where damaged there are no reported injuries scene is clear. Posted by Dr…
Fundraiser For Family Of Central Mass Cop Who Died Off Duty Nears Its Goal Fundraiser For Family Of Central Mass Cop Who Died Off Duty Nears Its Goal
Fundraiser For Family Of Central Mass Cop Who Died Off Duty Nears Its Goal Friends of Worcester police Sgt. Derrick Leto created a fundraiser to help support his wife and two children to help them after his unexpected death last week.  The GoFundMe called "Help Support Derrick Leto's Family" has raised nearly $7,000 in less than two days, more than half of its goal of $10,000.  There is also a memorial fund for the family of the 18-year veteran and former US Marine at the Worcester Police Department Federal Credit Union. Checks can be made to the Worcester Police Officials IBPO Local 504 c/o Sgt. Derrick Leto, according to fundraiser organizers.  L…
Donations Pour In For Westborough Family Who Lost Home To Fire Donations Pour In For Westborough Family Who Lost Home To Fire
Donations Pour In For Westborough Family Who Lost Home To Fire A GoFundMe for a Westborough family who lost their home in a fire last week has surpassed its goal of $25,000 in just a few days.  Matthew Travis created the fundraiser after his parent's home at 65 Adams St. was destroyed in a February 24 fire. The fire marshal estimated the damage to the house at $500,000. It's unclear what sparked the blaze, but officials say it started in the living room.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.  Related: Westborough Firefighters Close Intersection To Battle House Fire Matthew wrote that his father, Paul Travis, wasn't home, but his quick-thinking…