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Obituaries
'Adored Daughter' From Pepperell Dies Suddenly Month Ahead Of 16th Birthday 'Adored Daughter' From Pepperell Dies Suddenly Month Ahead Of 16th Birthday
'Adored Daughter' From Pepperell Dies Suddenly Month Ahead Of 16th Birthday A community in North Central Massachusetts is doing the unbearable task of saying goodbye to one of their most vibrant members.  Jenny "Benny" Marques, of Pepperell, died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 11, according to her obituary. "The adored daughter of Richard 'Rickie' and Eileen Marques," Jenny would have turned 16 on June 27. "Jenny was a lively, outgoing spirit who resided in Pepperell her entire life, where she was always surrounded by friends and family," her obituary reads. "Although her time with us was cut way too short, we loved every moment!" The teenager attended Varnum Brook…

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by David Cifarelli
Lifestyle
Community Rallies Around CT Family After Newborn Son's Cancer Diagnosis Community Rallies Around CT Family After Newborn Son's Cancer Diagnosis
Community Rallies Around CT Family After Newborn Son's Cancer Diagnosis Days after Brendan and Karen Filburn gave birth to their second son Brody, they received the news no parents ever deserve: their seemingly happy newborn has an aggressive form of cancer. Sixteen days after Brody was born, he began his first round of chemotherapy.  But the Filburns aren't facing this alone. Friends and family of the Hartford County couple, who live in the town of Simsbury, have created a GoFundMe to help provide for them while they give Brody their full attention.  Related: GoFundMe For The Filburns So far, the campaign has raised more than $5,200 of its $7,000 go…

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by Josh Lanier
News
'I Have A Future': NY Mother Jubilant For Life-Saving Heart Transplant In Mass 'I Have A Future': NY Mother Jubilant For Life-Saving Heart Transplant In Mass
'I Have A Future': NY Mother Jubilant For Life-Saving Heart Transplant In Mass A woman from upstate New York has a new lease on life after she received a crucial heart transplant surgery in Massachusetts at the end of last month.  Erica Raspante, of Oriskany Falls, NY, got the life-saving news that a heart was donated on her behalf on Sunday, April 30, according to a GoFundMe campaign. The organ came from another family's loved one, and their generosity left Raspante speechless. "I have no words. Not sure I ever will," she said in a Facebook post. "I am alive because someone chose to donate. I’m alive because God chose this path for me. I have a future."  It’s o…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Five-Year-Old Killed: Man Crashed Into Girl As She Crossed Worcester Street With Mom, DA Says Five-Year-Old Killed: Man Crashed Into Girl As She Crossed Worcester Street With Mom, DA Says
Five-Year-Old Killed: Man Crashed Into Girl As She Crossed Worcester Street With Mom, DA Says An Auburn was charged recently with crashing into and killing a 5-year-old Worcester girl as she left a store with her mother last year, authorities said.  Christopher Remillard, 58, was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide by negligence, and negligent driving of a motor vehicle in the April 2022 crash, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said.  Remillard has previously said he was reaching into his pocket to retrieve a $20 bill for gas and didn't see Candice Asare-Yeboah and her mother as they left the Queen Beaut…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son
Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son A family of four was visiting an outlet mall in North Texas when a gunman tore their family apart, killing a mother, father, and son.  A gunman killed eight people on Saturday, May 6, one of whom was identified by the Allen, Texas Police Department as Kyu Song Cho, a University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate.  "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our UMass Amherst alumnus Kyu Cho, his wife, and their three-year-old son in the Texas mall shooting," said UMass Amherst representative Ed Blaguszewski.  Kyu graduated in 2007 with a degree in political science. &…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Neighbors
'Happiest' Pup Needs Emergency Surgery After Getting Hit By Car In The Berks 'Happiest' Pup Needs Emergency Surgery After Getting Hit By Car In The Berks
'Happiest' Pup Needs Emergency Surgery After Getting Hit By Car In The Berks Every dog owner's worst nightmare came alive for one Western Massachusetts mom who witnessed her puppy get involved in a horrific hit-and-run crash this week.  Stephanie McDonough's 1-year-old Bernese Mountain dog suffered two broken bones in his front leg after he was hit by an SUV on Route 7 in Pittsfield on Thursday afternoon, May 4.  The SUV was going about 40-45 mph and the impact resulted in him rolling about four times before he landed back in the driveway of McDonough's house. While, the driver did not stop to help the injured pup, McDonough said a woman and young girl pulled over …

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by David Cifarelli
Neighbors
Brave, Smiling 2-Year-Old Son Of Western Mass Firefighter Needs New Kidney Brave, Smiling 2-Year-Old Son Of Western Mass Firefighter Needs New Kidney
Brave, Smiling 2-Year-Old Son Of Western Mass Firefighter Needs New Kidney While the two-year-old son of a first responder from Western Massachusetts is waiting for a new kidney, his family is still dealing with the financial backlash associated with getting him treatment. Americo was born with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD), according to a GoFundMe campaign organized on his behalf.  The disease causes cysts to cover the inside and outside of the kidneys and inhibits them from working properly. The disease has brought Americo to the ICU and transplant floor multiple times due to his declining health, the GoFundMe continued.  "Every admissio…

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by David Cifarelli
Neighbors
MA Family Looking To Hire Private Investigator To Find Cousin Missing In WA MA Family Looking To Hire Private Investigator To Find Cousin Missing In WA
MA Family Looking To Hire Private Investigator To Find Cousin Missing In WA A family from Massachusetts is hoping to raise enough money to hire a private investigator to help find their cousin who has been missing in Washington for more than two weeks.  Michael Ash, age 35, was reported missing from Renton, WA on Sunday, April 16, according to the Renton Police Department.  Police have reason to believe that Ash was last seen walking around the Maple Valley area around 7 p.m. on Monday, April 17. That was also the last time he spoke to his family, some of whom reside in Lynn, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Update 05/03/23: We have received information tha…

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by David Cifarelli
Neighbors
Central Mass Mother In 'Shock' As Daughter, Dog Both Combat Kidney Disease Central Mass Mother In 'Shock' As Daughter, Dog Both Combat Kidney Disease
Central Mass Mother In 'Shock' As Daughter, Dog Both Combat Kidney Disease Two 4-year-old best friends from Central Massachusetts are going through the same medical journey, and their mother needs an incredible amount of support. Shannon Grasso was already used to the life her daughter Hope was living as someone who was born with Chronic Kidney Disease and only one working kidney.  However, the Sutton mother never imagined she would have to deal with this diagnosis again, but with her beloved dog Archie.  How did this. Become this. Become this… These first two pictures were taken just a few hours apart. ♥️💔❤️‍🩹 Hope... Posted by Hope’s Journey on Tuesday,…

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by David Cifarelli
News
Massachusetts Family Hospitalized While On Irish Vacation, Flooded With Support Massachusetts Family Hospitalized While On Irish Vacation, Flooded With Support
Massachusetts Family Hospitalized While On Irish Vacation, Flooded With Support A time of joy and celebration for a young couple's engagement turned into a "horrible accident" for the pair and their family members.  Connor Colbert, of Somerville, proposed to his girlfriend Bridget Kelley shortly after arriving in Ireland for a vacation with Colbert's mother, step-brother, and step-father, Ken Mitchell. The joy the family felt soon turned into pain when the group was involved in a car crash on Wednesday, April 26 while still overseas, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to help the family recover.  Kelley received life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Gal…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Neighbors
Central Mass Community Rallies For Tractor-Loving Toddler Battling Cancer Central Mass Community Rallies For Tractor-Loving Toddler Battling Cancer
Central Mass Community Rallies For Tractor-Loving Toddler Battling Cancer A community in Central Massachusetts is raising money to help the family of a little boy who is battling a form of cancer, according to an online fundraiser.  Taylor Esler, of Worcester, organized a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of her nephew Liam, who turned 3 on Saturday, April 29.  "He loves tractors (LOVES them), cars, dinosaurs, and blocks," Esler wrote on the campaign page. "He also loves his siblings, Carson, Brielle, and Keon." While Liam's symptoms started in December 2022, Esler said doctors found a tumor taking up "a large portion of his abdomen" on Saturday, April 22. From there…

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by David Cifarelli
News
Mass Teenager Survives Nearly Fatal Collision While Vacationing In Florida Mass Teenager Survives Nearly Fatal Collision While Vacationing In Florida
Mass Teenager Survives Nearly Fatal Collision While Vacationing In Florida A family vacation became a nightmare for two Massachusetts parents after their son was hit by a car while vacationing in Florida earlier this month, according to an online fundraiser.  "On April 17th, 2023 at 2pm in the afternoon, my wife Karen and I lived through a nightmare that no parent should ever have to experience," a GoFundMe for Michael Lane, of Hingham, reads. "While crossing the road on his bike at the crosswalk on First Coast Highway near Harris Teeter on Amelia Island, we witnessed our 13-year-old son Michael be struck by a car and thrown 36ft face down on pavement," …

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by David Cifarelli