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Franklin County, MA

Police & Fire
Pittsfield Woman Killed, Motorcyclist Husband Hurt In Crash With SUV In Charlemont Pittsfield Woman Killed, Motorcyclist Husband Hurt In Crash With SUV In Charlemont
Pittsfield Woman Killed, Motorcyclist Husband Hurt In Crash With SUV In Charlemont A 72-year-old woman was killed and her 69-year-old husband was seriously injured after they were involved in a crash with an SUV in Franklin County, authorities said.  Sheila Rombeiro, of Pittsfield, was on the back of her husband's motorcycle when it was involved in a crash on Route 2 in Charlemont on Sunday, Sept. 1, around 5 p.m., Northwestern District Attorney said. Paramedics rushed her to Baystate Franklin Medical Center, where she later died of her wounds.  Sheila leaves behind two adult children.  Her husband, Robert Rombeiro, of Pittsfield, was seriously injured in…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Who Admitted To Western Mass Crash That Sent 8 On Motorcycles To Hospital Gets Prison Man Who Admitted To Western Mass Crash That Sent 8 On Motorcycles To Hospital Gets Prison
Man Who Admitted To Western Mass Crash That Sent 8 On Motorcycles To Hospital Gets Prison A Rhode Island man who admitted to being under the influence when he crashed into a group of motorcyclists, sending eight people to the hospital with serious injuries, in Franklin County was sentenced to prison, authorities said.  Ryan O’Farrell, 34, was sentenced to nine to 12 years behind bars on Monday, Aug. 19, for the 2022 crash, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  O'Farrell was behind the wheel of an SUV pulling a trailer with a motorcycle when he drifted over the center line on Route 10 in Northfield near Main Street on a sunny May 29, 2022, day when he …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
'This Was An Avoidable Crash': Driver Admits To Fatal Charlemont Motorcycle Wreck 'This Was An Avoidable Crash': Driver Admits To Fatal Charlemont Motorcycle Wreck
'This Was An Avoidable Crash': Driver Admits To Fatal Charlemont Motorcycle Wreck A 39-year-old Berkshire County woman admitted to causing a 2023 crash that killed a Franklin County motorcyclist, authorities said on Tuesday, July 30.  Melissa Repka, of North Adams, pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation on Tuesday, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. A judge sentenced her to two-and-a-half years in prison, though she will only spend nine months behind bars. The remainder was suspended, as she serves two years of probation, the prosecutor said.  Repka was driving her 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on Rout…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
No Bail For Men Charged With Hate Crime Beating At Western Mass Liquor Store: DA No Bail For Men Charged With Hate Crime Beating At Western Mass Liquor Store: DA
No Bail For Men Charged With Hate Crime Beating At Western Mass Liquor Store: DA Two men were ordered held without bail after they were arrested for the vicious beating of a Franklin County liquor store employee earlier this month, authorities said.  Warren Martinez, 30, of Northampton, and Thomas Patnode, 24, of Greenfield, face several felonies including mayhem and a hate crime following the July 16 attack, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  A judge ruled the men were too dangerous to be released before their trial.  The men are accused of attacking a Sunderland liquor store employee after they refused to sell the duo any alcohol, the prose…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Admits To Killing Athol Woman In Head-On Western Mass Crash, Will Lose License For 15 Years Man Admits To Killing Athol Woman In Head-On Western Mass Crash, Will Lose License For 15 Years
Man Admits To Killing Athol Woman In Head-On Western Mass Crash, Will Lose License For 15 Years A 64-year-old Needham man has admitted to causing the head-on collision in Franklin County last year that killed a 57-year-old woman, authorities announced on Monday, June 24.  Benoit Marande, 64, pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation in the June 30, 2023, crash and was sentenced to nine months in prison along with a 15-year revocation of his license, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. A judge suspended all but 30 days of Marande's prison term.  Marande was accused of killing Tracy Matthews when his Mazda MX-5 Miata crossed o…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train 'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train
'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train Jennifer Grace Jarvis's death made headlines, but her family said she will be remembered for her many talents as an artist and loving caregiver.  Jarvis, 45, of Greenfield, died around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, when she was struck by a train in Shelburne Falls in Franklin County.  Related: Greenfield Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike Her family released her obituary on Friday, painting a picture of a gifted woman who provided a great deal to her loved ones and community.  Jenny brought a hands-on approach to her many interests and endeavors. She loved gardening, …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Wendell Man ID'd In Fatal Motorcycle Crash With SUV Wendell Man ID'd In Fatal Motorcycle Crash With SUV
Wendell Man ID'd In Fatal Motorcycle Crash With SUV A 34-year-old Franklin County man has been identified as the motorcyclist who was killed on Monday, June 10, when he was involved in a crash, authorities said.  Evan Stoos, of Wendell, was hit by an SUV driven by a 21-year-old Athol man just before 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Wendell Depot Road and Farley Road in Wendell, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  Leverett police responded to the crash, and paramedics rushed Stoos to Athol Memorial Hospital, where he died of his wounds.  Police closed the road for several hours as they cleaned and cleared the s…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
(UPDATE) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike (UPDATE) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike
(Update) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike Update: Jennifer Jarvis' family wrote in her obituary that she was a talented artist who gave grace to those she loved. Click here to read what people have said about her.  Original: Authorities have identified the woman who was struck by a train in Franklin County early Monday morning, June 10.  Jennifer Jarvis, 45, of Greenfield, was killed when she was struck by the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad freight train around 5 a.m. in Shelburne Falls, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  Related: Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Shelburne Falls The crash happened about half …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
(UPDATE) Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Western Mass (UPDATE) Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Western Mass
(Update) Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Western Mass Update: Authorities have identified the woman killed as Jennifer Jarvis. Click here for more information on the victim.  Original: A woman was struck and killed by a train in Franklin County on Monday, June 10.  The crash happened about half a mile from the Bardwell's Ferry bridge in Shelburne Falls when a Berkshire & Eastern Railroad freight train slammed into the woman walking on or near the tracks around 5 a.m., the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene. Police are still working to identify the woman.  …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
90 Percent Of Western Mass Motel Destroyed In Late-Night Fire 90 Percent Of Western Mass Motel Destroyed In Late-Night Fire
90 Percent Of Western Mass Motel Destroyed In Late-Night 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…

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by Josh Lanier