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Franklin, MA

Intoxicated Driver Kills 10-Year-Old Boys, Sends 6 Others To Hospital In Plainville Crash: DA Intoxicated Driver Kills 10-Year-Old Boys, Sends 6 Others To Hospital In Plainville Crash: DA
Intoxicated Driver Kills 10-Year-Old Boys, Sends 6 Others To Hospital In Plainville Crash: DA A 42-year-old man is accused of crashing a stolen car into a family, killing a 10-year-old boy, and sending several others to the hospital in Norfolk County this weekend, authorities said.  Michael Escolas, of Oxford, is expected to be charged with motor vehicular manslaughter — OUI, theft of a vehicle, and others, the Norfolk County District Attorney said. He was being held on a $25,000 bail.  Escola is accused of stealing a Jeep Cherokee parked at the Kenny Chesney concert at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 24, and crashing into a family of six stopped at a traffic light on R…
235-Mile Trail In CT, MA Named As New US National Park: 'Lined With Natural Beauty' 235-Mile Trail In CT, MA Named As New US National Park: 'Lined With Natural Beauty'
235-Mile Trail In CT, MA Named As New US National Park: 'Lined With Natural Beauty' An over 200-mile trail stretching from the Connecticut shoreline to the northern border of Massachusetts has been designated as one of the country's newest national parks, officials announced. The New England National Scenic Trail, which stretches 235 miles from the Connecticut shoreline on Long Island Sound to the border between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, is one of the country's three newest national parks, the National Park Service announced earlier in December.  The trail received national park status along with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin and the North Coun…
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Fairfield County, With Damaging Winds, Tornadoes Possible Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Fairfield County, With Damaging Winds, Tornadoes Possible
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Fairfield County, With Damaging Winds, Tornadoes Possible A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for most of the region as a potent system develops that will bring drenching downpours, and damaging wind gusts between 60 and 70 miles per hour with 1-inch hail and an isolated tornado. The watch was issued just before 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and is in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday. In New York, the watch covers the following counties: All of New York City Nassau Suffolk Westchester Putnam Rockland Orange Dutchess Ulster Sullivan Columbia Greene Albany Rensselaer Schenectady Schoharie Broome  Chenango Delaware Montgomery OtsegoI…
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Westchester Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Westchester
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Westchester With a new round of storms developing, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for much of the Northeast. In New York, the following counties: Westchester Putnam Dutchess Rockland Orange Ulster Sullivan Albany Columbia Greene Rensselaer Schoharie The watch covers all eight counties in Connecticut and the following counties in Massachusetts: Berkshire Bristol Essex Franklin Hampden Hampshire Middlesex Norfolk Plymouth Suffolk Worcester The watch was issued at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, July 27, by the National Weather Service and is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday. Some of the storms could…
$1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Used Race Cars, Convenience Store To Pick Numbers $1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Used Race Cars, Convenience Store To Pick Numbers
$1M Lottery Win: Western Mass Woman Used Race Cars, Convenience Store To Pick Numbers Three people from Massachusetts won $1 million each in the $1 billion Powerball drawing on Friday, July 21. Two of those winners said they had help picking their numbers.  Rae Ann Wentworth-Cadieux, of Hadley, chose her numbers based on a convenience store chain 7-11 and race cars, the Massachusetts State Lottery said.  The winning numbers were 7, 10, 11, 13, 24, with the Powerball number 24.  Wentworth-Cadieux got all the numbers but missed the Powerball. She said she plans to buy a summer home with her winnings. She purchased her ticket at Pride Station & Sto…
Trio of $1 Million Powerball Tickets Sold In Mass Trio of $1 Million Powerball Tickets Sold In Mass
Trio of $1 Million Powerball Tickets Sold In Mass They may not have snagged the $1 billion jackpot, but three Massachusetts tickets still hit it big.  Three Powerball tickets sold in Massachusetts scored $1 million in the Wednesday, July 19 drawing, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Eight other Massachusetts tickets also brought home serious cash, with one winning a $100,000 prize and seven others winning $50,000 prizes.  The three $1 million winning tickets were purchased from the following locations:  In Norfolk County: Shaw’s Supermarket, located at 255 East Central Street in Franklin, in No…
Tornado Watch Issued For Much Of Region, With 60 MPH Wind Gusts, Hail Also Possible Tornado Watch Issued For Much Of Region, With 60 MPH Wind Gusts, Hail Also Possible
Tornado Watch Issued For Much Of Region, With 60 MPH Wind Gusts, Hail Also Possible As a slow-moving storm system barrels through the Northeast, a Tornado Watch has now been issued for much of the region until 3 p.m. Sunday, July 16. It includes parts of southeastern New York -- Long Island, as well as Westchester, and Putnam counties -- as well as all eight counties in Connecticut, and the following counties in Massachusetts: Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, and Worcester. A look at all areas under the watch, also including parts of Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine, is marked in yellow in the image above from the National Weather Service. …
Courts Closed In Central, Western Mass Because Of Storm Courts Closed In Central, Western Mass Because Of Storm
Courts Closed In Central, Western Mass Because Of Storm Trial courts in Worcester, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties are closed on Tuesday, March 14, because of the heavy snow burying much of the state.  The court posted a notice on its website that said the decision was "in the interest of safety for the public and staff, given the predicted impact of the storm." All first day jurors are also canceled statewide, the notice continued.  Parts of Western Massachusetts could get as much as two feet of snow once the nor'easter finishes its assault on the region. As of Tuesday morning, thousands were without power, …
Fairfield County Native, 'Law & Order' Star Richard Belzer Dies Fairfield County Native, 'Law & Order' Star Richard Belzer Dies
Fairfield County Native, 'Law & Order' Star Richard Belzer Dies Richard Belzer, an actor with New England ties who appeared in one of the most popular crime shows on television has died, the producer of "Law & Order" franchise, Dick Wolf, confirmed on Sunday, Feb. 19. Belzer was 78 years old. Belzer's death was mourned by an original cast member of "Saturday Night Live" and friend Laraine Newman confirming the actor's death on Twitter. "I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing," Newman wrote. I" loved this guy so much. "He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay …
Snow, Rain May Make Roads Dangerous In Central, Western Mass: NWS Snow, Rain May Make Roads Dangerous In Central, Western Mass: NWS
Snow, Rain May Make Roads Dangerous In Central, Western Mass: NWS The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for most of Massachusetts for Friday, Jan. 6, as freezing rain overnight is expected to turn to snow by mid-morning, which could make driving conditions dicey.   Forecasters said most of western and central Massachusetts should expect a mix of snow and rain for most of the morning before cold air moves in from the north eliminating the rain. Most areas will receive an inch or more of snow, but higher elevations in Franklin, Worcester, and Middlesex counties could receive between two-to-five inches.  National Weather Service …
Thousands Without Power As Snow Blankets Parts Of Western Mass Thousands Without Power As Snow Blankets Parts Of Western Mass
Thousands Without Power As Snow Blankets Parts Of Western Mass As much as a foot of snow has fallen in parts of Western Massachusetts on Friday, Dec. 16, with more on the way. But along with the beautiful views come traffic issues and power outages.  The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) lists more than 3,000 power outages in pockets across the state, with most reported in the west, where snow is at its heaviest. With more snow forecast to fall throughout the day and into Saturday, those numbers could increase.  Click here to see an updated map of power outages across Massachusetts.  Here's a look at snowfall reports through ~11:30 …
No More 'Fido Ran Away': Plymouth Nurse Writes Book To Teach Kids About Death No More 'Fido Ran Away': Plymouth Nurse Writes Book To Teach Kids About Death
No More 'Fido Ran Away': Plymouth Nurse Writes Book To Teach Kids About Death A Franklin-born nurse channeled pain from the loss of her father and brother and wrote a book called "My Hot Air Balloon Ride" to teach kids about death and grieving. She also now reads it to her 16-month-old daughter. Alexa Getchell is familiar with grief, after her father died when she was 13 and her brother died on Christmas Eve of 2021. Getchell kept a journal in the years following her father's death, and in 2020 was inspired to turn her penchant for writing into a way to help the children she saw dealing with loss as a pediatric nurse. Her book is for loss of any kind, Getchell says, …
Recent College Grad Killed In Thanksgiving Day Crash In South Massachusetts Recent College Grad Killed In Thanksgiving Day Crash In South Massachusetts
Recent College Grad Killed In Thanksgiving Day Crash In South Massachusetts A recent college graduate who was gearing up to take on the world had his life tragically cut short this past week. Holdjer Decarvalho, age 22, of Fall River, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on I-195 in Westport on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 24, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office reports.  Decarvalho, who was the only person in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle burst into flames, the office continues.  "You were ready to start your life and take on this crazy, massive, unfair world by storm and make it your own," Decarvalho's sister Chue…
No One Walks Alone: Sherborn Officer Walking Across State To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health No One Walks Alone: Sherborn Officer Walking Across State To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health
No One Walks Alone: Sherborn Officer Walking Across State To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health One Sherborn officer takes walking a beat to a whole new level. Officer Doug Kingsley is hiking across Massachusetts —219 miles — to raise awareness of the mental health struggles of his brothers and sisters in uniform.  Kingsley started at the New York border in Egremont on Oct. 12, and he plans to end at the Chatham lighthouse in Chatham on Friday, Oct. 21. Sometimes he walks by himself, and sometimes others join him. But even when no one is with him, he doesn't walk alone. He wants all first responders to realize that too.  View this post on Instagram …
Man Who Damaged Women's Cars In Worcester, Hampshire As Part Of A Fetish Ordered To Get Therapy Man Who Damaged Women's Cars In Worcester, Hampshire As Part Of A Fetish Ordered To Get Therapy
Man Who Damaged Women's Cars In Worcester, Hampshire As Part Of A Fetish Ordered To Get Therapy A judge ordered a 38-year-old Winchendon man who confessed to disabling cars in several cities in Hampton and Worcester counties as part of a fetish to undergo counseling, authorities said.  Judge Richard Cary sentenced Alexander K. Yee to three years probation after he pleaded guilty to four counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle late last month, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. He must also wear a GPS monitor and attend therapy.  “This disturbing behavior went on despite Yee knowing that all eyes were on him," Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Erin Aiello s…
Man, Woman Each Claim $4 Million Prizes In Massachusetts State Lottery Man, Woman Each Claim $4 Million Prizes In Massachusetts State Lottery
Man, Woman Each Claim $4 Million Prizes In Massachusetts State Lottery Two people each claimed $4 million Massachusetts Lottery prizes last week. David Spillane, a trustee representing Wolverine Nominee Trust of Quincy in Norfolk County, accepted a “100X The Money” instant ticket prize, the lottery reported on Monday, Aug. 8. The trust chose to receive its prize in the form of a one-time payment of $2,600,000, MA Lottery said. According to the announcement, the winning ticket was purchased at Old Gold Convenience Store, located at 326 Union St. in Franklin. On Tuesday, Aug. 9, the lottery reported that Bristol County resident Donna Stigh, of Taunto…
COVID-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties Mask mandates in Massachusetts are being eased by federal health officials as the state recovers from the surge of new infections in early spring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and newly reported infections, leaving some parts of the state still encouraged to continue masking up indoors. With the state's seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate nearly 10 percent, with 83 virus-related deaths in the past week, some counties in Massachusetts are being encouraged to con…
COVID-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These Massachusetts Counties Massachusetts residents are being advised by federal health officials to start masking back up amid the latest spike in new COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and newly reported infections, leaving most of the state being encouraged to return to wearing facial coverings indoors. According to the CDC, in the past seven days, there have been more than 13,000 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Massachusetts, including 50 new patients that were admitted to hospital…
Gas Prices Hit New Record High In Massachusetts Amid Surge In Oil Costs Gas Prices Hit New Record High In Massachusetts Amid Surge In Oil Costs
Gas Prices Hit New Record High In Massachusetts Amid Surge In Oil Costs There is no relief in sight for motorists in Massachusetts as prices at the pump continue to rise to new record highs, according to AAA. As of Monday, May 16, AAA was reporting that the average price per gallon has risen to $4.60 in Massachusetts, setting another new record after peaking at $4.39 a week prior, the previous high. Diesel gas is also on the rise, up to $6.38 as of May 16, also a new record in the Commonwealth. According to AAA, there is not expected to be any relief for drivers with Memorial Day and the busy summer driving season fast approaching. “The high cost of oil, the…
Gas Prices In Massachusetts Reach Record High, AAA Says Gas Prices In Massachusetts Reach Record High, AAA Says
Gas Prices In Massachusetts Reach Record High, AAA Says Gas prices in Massachusetts have reached a new record high as the country deals with rising oil prices and nationwide inflation amid tensions overseas. On Monday, May 9, AAA was reporting that the average price per regular gallon of gas in the Commonwealth has hit $4.39, the highest recorded average price in history. Likewise, truck drivers are also seeking relief at the pump, as the price of diesel fuel also set a record on May 9 when it hit $6.27 per gallon. In Massachusetts, the price per gallon is up 18 cents from a week ago, 26 cents from a month ago, and $2.86 from May 9, 2021. …
Here's Breakdown By County On How Much Massachusetts Gas Prices Have Increased Since Last Week Here's Breakdown By County On How Much Massachusetts Gas Prices Have Increased Since Last Week
Here's Breakdown By County On How Much Massachusetts Gas Prices Have Increased Since Last Week The ongoing conflict overseas between Ukraine and Russia has forced gas prices in Massachusetts to dramatically spike to previously unseen highs. As of Monday, March 7, the average price of gas is up to $4.16 per gallon in The Commonwealth, according to AAA, ahead of the national average, which has risen to $4.07 as crude oil prices continue to soar during the Russian invasion. In Massachusetts, the average price per gallon is up eight cents in the past 24 hours, and 54 cents in the past week. The state average has not been this high since May 2012, according to AAA. The national average …
COVID-19: Mass Seeing Red As Each County Now At High Risk For Spread COVID-19: Mass Seeing Red As Each County Now At High Risk For Spread
Covid-19: Mass Seeing Red As Each County Now At High Risk For Spread Each of Massachusetts’ 14 counties has now been designated within the “high transmission” category for COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With variants of the virus surging through the region, the CDC no counties in Massachusetts fall under the “substantial” or “low” designation. "Substantial” transmission means the county has seen between 50 and 99.99 total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days, according to the CDC. However, “High” transmission includes anything above that number. Here’s the breakdown of new COVID-19 in Massachusetts over t…
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With Damaging Wind Gusts Possible Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With Damaging Wind Gusts Possible
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With Damaging Wind Gusts Possible A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for the entire region. Damaging winds with gusts that could cause power outings are the main threat, the National Weather Service said in issuing the alert. Flash flooding, frequent lightning and large hail are possible. It lasts until 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, for these areas: Long Island,  Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties in the Hudson  Valley,  All of New York City, Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, New London, Middlesex, Tolland, and New London counties in Connecticut. Al…
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With 65 MPH Wind Gusts Possible Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With 65 MPH Wind Gusts Possible
Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Entire Region, With 65 MPH Wind Gusts Possible A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for the entire region. Damaging winds with gusts of 65 miles per hour that could cause power outings are the main threat, the National Weather Service said in issuing the alert. Frequent lightning and large hail are possible. It lasts until 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, for these areas: Long Island,  Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange counties  The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island,  Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties in Connecticut.  It last until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, for these areas: A…
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Now In Effect With Damaging Wind Gusts, Tornadoes Possible Severe Thunderstorm Watch Now In Effect With Damaging Wind Gusts, Tornadoes Possible
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Now In Effect With Damaging Wind Gusts, Tornadoes Possible A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has now been issued for much of the region. It lasts until 11 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex,c and Essex counties in Massachusetts, until 8 p.m. in the Berkshires, and until 11 p.m. in Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties in Connecticut, and until 10 p.m. in Litchfield and Fairfield counties. "An approaching cold front will bring potential for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening," the National Weather Service said in a statement accompanying the alert. "Strong to dama…
Here's How Massachusetts Gas Prices Compare To National Average Here's How Massachusetts Gas Prices Compare To National Average
Here's How Massachusetts Gas Prices Compare To National Average Gas prices in Massachusetts continue to climb as the East Coast contends with a gas shortage following the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline due to a cyberattack. Statewide, prices at the pump have soared six cents in the past week, from $2.84 to $2.90 a gallon, though it is still behind the national average, which has topped $3 and hit $3.04 as of Friday, May 14. A month ago, the average price per gallon in Massachusetts was at $2.73 and a year ago it was sitting at $1.96. In Western Massachusetts, here’s a breakdown of the average price per gallon, by county on Friday: Ha…
DEP Fines Local Businesses Nearly $100K For Environmental Violations This Year DEP Fines Local Businesses Nearly $100K For Environmental Violations This Year
DEP Fines Local Businesses Nearly $100K For Environmental Violations This Year A Central Massachusetts man has been assessed the largest fine from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection so far in 2021. Nathaniel Odell of Upton has been fined a little over $40,000 for allegedly demolishing a Franklin residence without proper care for asbestos, according to a Feb. 8 “notice of intent to assess a civil administrative penalty.” Odell has a right to challenge the allegations and appeal the fine through a hearing. While Odell has been assessed the highest fine yet this year, he is not the only local company to receive a hefty penalty from the Massachusetts Dep…
COVID-19: Advocates Win More Vaccines, New Vaccination Sites For Central, Western MA COVID-19: Advocates Win More Vaccines, New Vaccination Sites For Central, Western MA
Covid-19: Advocates Win More Vaccines, New Vaccination Sites For Central, Western MA In a turn of events, Central and Western Massachusetts and the Berkshires will be receiving thousands of more COVID-19 vaccine doses - and establishing more vaccination sites -  than previously scheduled. On Thursday, Jan. 28, Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Mindy Domb said in a joint statement that Western Massachusetts would be receiving 3,000 additional COVID-19 vaccines per week starting Feb. 1. In a Jan. 21 report of vaccination distribution, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health doled out COVID-19 vaccines to counties in the following amounts: Worcester - 69,825 Hampden - 34…
COVID-19: County-By-County Chart Shows Daily Infection Highs, Lows For December COVID-19: County-By-County Chart Shows Daily Infection Highs, Lows For December
Covid-19: County-By-County Chart Shows Daily Infection Highs, Lows For December In Massachusetts and across most of the nation, COVID-19 is infecting more people now than at any other point since the start of the pandemic. The day after Christmas saw the most newly reported cases of COVID-19 in a single day since the pandemic touched down in Massachusetts, according to a year’s worth of data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 7,400 new COVID-19 cases reported in Massachusetts on Saturday, Dec. 26. However, the number may be inflated by the lack of reporting done on the prior day, Christmas, Dec. 25. But even if Dec. 26 is discounted…
COVID-19: 300-Plus New Cases Reported In Pioneer Valley COVID-19: 300-Plus New Cases Reported In Pioneer Valley
Covid-19: 300-Plus New Cases Reported In Pioneer Valley Another 333 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Pioneer Valley on Monday, Dec. 21. According to the most recent state data, most of the new infections happened in Hampden County - which reported 290 new cases on Monday. There were 4 COVID-19 related deaths on Monday in the Pioneer Valley. Below are the latest COVID-19 numbers per county as well as a recounting of new cases reported over the last three days per county. NEW CASES, DEATHS Berkshire 37 new cases of COVID-19 infection reported - for a total of 4,581 reported COVID-19 incidents since the start of the pandemic - 3 new dea…
8-Time Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges 8-Time Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges
8-Time Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges A registered level 3 sex offender - who has been convicted on sexual assault charges 8 times - is facing 15 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Nicholas Robillard, 39, of North Attleboro, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. ATtorney’s Office, Massachusetts. Robillard, 42, admitted to distributing and possessing child porn between October 2018 and February 2019. Due to a prior record, Robillard faces the possibility of a longer prison sentenc…