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Dudley, MA

Newly Minted Millionaire: Dudley Woman Lands Major Lottery Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Dudley Woman Lands Major Lottery Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Dudley Woman Lands Major Lottery Payday It was a very lucky week for one Worcester County woman after she won a $1 million cash prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Anna Ceppetelli, of Dudley, won the seven-figure prize playing the "$15,000,000 Money Maker,” a $30 scratch-off game. Ceppetelli chose to take the lump-sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  She bought the ticket at Xtra Mart, 465 East Main St. in Southbridge. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 
Longtime PA Girl Scout Volunteer Killed By Cancers Less Than 1 Week After Diagnoses Longtime PA Girl Scout Volunteer Killed By Cancers Less Than 1 Week After Diagnoses
Longtime PA Girl Scout Volunteer Killed By Cancers Less Than 1 Week After Diagnoses A mom of two of her own children but scout mom to hundreds, has died following a short battle with cancers, her family told Daily Voice shortly after her passing. Stephanie J. (Porter) Pikora, 61 originally of Dudley, Mass. but more recently of Harrisburg, PA, passed away just after 3 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024. She was the youngest of five children born to Lorraine (Bonnette) and Lawrence Porter in Webster, MA on Oct. 14, 1962. It wasn't long before she first met the love of her life and future husband Dennis. When he was 6-years-old he couldn't recall the address of his new home on t…
$1M Lottery Winner: Central Mass Woman Plans Massive Vacation With Winnings $1M Lottery Winner: Central Mass Woman Plans Massive Vacation With Winnings
$1M Lottery Winner: Central Mass Woman Plans Massive Vacation With Winnings A Worcester County woman said he already has big plans for his $1 million lottery win she picked recently.  Sarah Megarry, of Dudley, won the seven-figure sum playing the “Gold Mine 50X” $5 scratch-off game.  She elected to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Related: 2 $1M Lottery Tickets Sold In Boston; 2 $100K Tickets Sold At Same Chelsea Store Megarry and her husband plan to spend the money on life, family, and vacation.  She bought the ticket at Riverside Mart at 54 Canal St. in Millbury. The store will get a…
Drunk Driver Left Biker Bleeding On Roadside After Hit-Run Crash In Dudley: Police Drunk Driver Left Biker Bleeding On Roadside After Hit-Run Crash In Dudley: Police
Drunk Driver Left Biker Bleeding On Roadside After Hit-Run Crash In Dudley: Police Police in Worcester County said a man with two previous OUIs crashed into a motorcyclist last week, causing a serious injury before speeding away.  Edward Mahoney faces charges of OUI-3rd offense, failure to yield at an intersection, negligent operation of motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of personal injury, Dudley police said.  Officers were called to West Main Street and Lyons Road in Dudley around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28. They found a motorcyclist lying on the ground with a severe cut just above his knee, authorities said. He told officers a car had smashed into him an…
High-Speed Chase Through 4 Towns Ends With Multi-Car Crash In Central Mass: Police High-Speed Chase Through 4 Towns Ends With Multi-Car Crash In Central Mass: Police
High-Speed Chase Through 4 Towns Ends With Multi-Car Crash In Central Mass: Police A wanted woman evaded multiple police traps, drove on a flat tire, and ran several red lights before she crashed into cars and a motorcycle in Worcester County earlier this week, authorities said.  Latihfa Morgan-Day, 27, of Webster in Worcester County, faces several charges, and more could be on the way following her alleged Tuesday, July 11, escape attempt, Webster police said.  The chase began in Brimfield when state troopers spotted Morgan-Day's car and tried to pull her over for outstanding warrants. She is accused of dragging a Uxbridge police officer who tried to arres…
CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash
CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash A family from Northern Connecticut is "not mentally or physically prepared" to live without their 28-year-old patriarch, who suddenly lost his life last week. Windham County resident Rafal Lachcik, of Thompson, was killed in a car crash in Dudley, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 16. His unexpected death leaves a massive hole in his family's life that they are desperately trying to fill.  Earlier Report: ID Released For 28-Year-Old Man Killed In Dudley Car Crash: Police "Rafał was the best husband to his beloved high school sweetheart, Talia, and the most loving and playful fa…
ID Released For 28-Year-Old Man Killed In Central Mass Car Crash: Police ID Released For 28-Year-Old Man Killed In Central Mass Car Crash: Police
ID Released For 28-Year-Old Man Killed In Central Mass Car Crash: Police A 28-year-old man who died following a car crash in one Central Massachusetts town last week was identified as Rafal Lachcik of Thompson, Connecticut, authorities said.  First responders were called to the crash in the area of Schofield Avenue near Perryville Road in Dudley around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, June 16, Dudley Police said on Facebook.  Upon arrival, officers found a heavily damaged vehicle with Lachcik inside. He was taken to UMASS Hubbard where he later died from his injuries, police said.  The crash remains under investigation. 
28-Year-Old Man Dies From Injuries Sustained In Central Mass Car Crash: Police 28-Year-Old Man Dies From Injuries Sustained In Central Mass Car Crash: Police
28-Year-Old Man Dies From Injuries Sustained In Central Mass Car Crash: Police A 28-year-old man has died following a car crash in one Central Massachusetts town this week, according to authorities.  First responders were called to the crash in the area of Schofield Avenue near Perryville Road in Dudley around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, June 16, Dudley Police said on Facebook.  Upon arrival, officers found a heavily damaged vehicle with the man inside. He was taken to UMASS Hubbard where he later died from his injuries, police said. His identity was not released. The crash remains under investigation. 
Mother, Son Duo Are 2 Of 16 $100K Lottery Wins Drawn In Single Night, All But 5 Claimed Mother, Son Duo Are 2 Of 16 $100K Lottery Wins Drawn In Single Night, All But 5 Claimed
Mother, Son Duo Are 2 Of 16 $100K Lottery Wins Drawn In Single Night, All But 5 Claimed One Keno lottery game drawing doled out $100,00 wins to over a dozen Massachusetts lottery players in only a single night. Monday, April 11 was a lucky night for 16 lottery players who all won $100,000 in a Keno game drawing, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery.  The following day, 11 of the winners picked up their checks. Among them were Patricia Johnson and her son John, both of whom won a $100,000 prize.  The winning numbers for the game were 2556795, a set of digits that included every number between one and 10.  The Keno game involves picking from a field…
Deported Twice Before: Convicted Worcester Drug Trafficker Kicked Out Of US Again, Feds Say Deported Twice Before: Convicted Worcester Drug Trafficker Kicked Out Of US Again, Feds Say
Deported Twice Before: Convicted Worcester Drug Trafficker Kicked Out Of US Again, Feds Say Maybe the third time's the charm. A Jamaican man who's been deported twice before was sentenced this week to federal deportation for a third time, authorities said.  Arik Hugh Halliman, 40, was arrested for illegal reentry into the country in July 2022 and pleaded guilty, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A judge sentenced him on Monday, Feb. 27, to time served (seven months) and a third deportation order.  Police in Worcester County first arrested Halliman in 2008 on cocaine trafficking charges. He was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to five years in prison, the prosecutor …
Standoff In Dudley: Man Led Police On Chase, Fired Gun Into Air, Officers Say Standoff In Dudley: Man Led Police On Chase, Fired Gun Into Air, Officers Say
Standoff In Dudley: Man Led Police On Chase, Fired Gun Into Air, Officers Say A man in Dudley led police on a chase before firing a gun into the air when cornered by officers on Thursday, Feb. 9.  Dudley police were called to Chase Avenue just before noon after someone called police to say the man, whose name was not released, had left the area with a "training gun," officials said. Officers spotted him near Village Street and tried to pull him over, but he sped away.  The chase was short-lived as the man got out of the car and fired several blanks into the air. Police pulled back and called for backup. Officers from Webster, Oxford, Douglas, and State Troo…
Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police
Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police A 35-year-old Charlton man had a child in his car when he crashed into a Dudley home last week while drunk, authorities said.  Eric Daniels faces several charges stemming from the weekend crash at 115 Pierpoint Road, Dudley police said.  Officers said Daniels crossed the center line of the road before crashing into a utility police guide wire, a fence, and then the house just before 6 p.m. Police did not release any information on the child but said they contacted the Department of Children and Families following the crash to investigate the incident.  Daniel is expected to …
Mail Truck Meltdown: No Packages Harmed After Car Catches Fire In Central Mass Mail Truck Meltdown: No Packages Harmed After Car Catches Fire In Central Mass
Mail Truck Meltdown: No Packages Harmed After Car Catches Fire In Central Mass No packages were harmed but the same cannot be said for the mail truck when it burst into flames in Central Mass this week, authorities said. Crews responded to the vehicle fire at Dresser Hill Road in Dudley around 11:43 a.m., on Friday Dec. 2, Dudley Police said on Facebook. Upon arrival, officers found the mail truck completely engulfed in flames.  At approximately 11:43 am this morning, Dudley Police and Dudley Fire were dispatched to Dresser Hill Road for a report... Posted by Dudley Police Department on Friday, December 2, 2022 It was later determined that the mail carrier called…
GoFundMe RoundUp: Help These Massachusetts Women Fight Breast Cancer GoFundMe RoundUp: Help These Massachusetts Women Fight Breast Cancer
GoFundMe RoundUp: Help These Massachusetts Women Fight Breast Cancer October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we'd like to highlight some of the Massachusetts families battling this awful disease who need our help.  Aliza Is Battling Cancer Again, But She Dreams Of Hobbits For Aliza Guyer by Rachael Kalan (Arlington): Aliza Guyer will soon start another round of chemotherapy — a more potent and toxic version. She's been told that once she starts this new treatment, her mobility and lower quality of life may make traveling impossible. Aliza's son, Jonah, has wanted to travel to New Zealand for a long time since he first saw Lord of the Rin…
Boston Man Set Fire Inside Central Mass Dunkin' Van To Keep Warm: Police Boston Man Set Fire Inside Central Mass Dunkin' Van To Keep Warm: Police
Boston Man Set Fire Inside Central Mass Dunkin' Van To Keep Warm: Police When the coffee shop runs out of coffee, perhaps a fire could be the perfect alternative for staying warm – if it’s not set in the same place. However, one Boston man didn’t seem to get the memo because he was arrested for setting a fire inside a parked Dunkin’ Donuts Mobile Walk-In Van in central Massachusetts, authorities said. A passerby saw smoke coming from the van shortly before 5 a.m. on Oct. 6, Webster Police said on Facebook. The fire from the van was so bad, that it was blistering the outside, police said. Further investigation suggested that the fire was intentionally set. …
5-Alarm Fire Demolishes Central Massachusetts Adhesive Company 5-Alarm Fire Demolishes Central Massachusetts Adhesive Company
5-Alarm Fire Demolishes Central Massachusetts Adhesive Company A company that produces adhesives is without a home after a 5-alarm fire completely destroyed their warehouse in central Massachusetts.  Firefighters first responded to the fire at Mace Adhesives, located at 38 Roberts Road, at 9:43 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, Dudley Fire said on Facebook.  The fire originally started at three alarms but was quickly upgraded to five. Dudley Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski said the blaze was so hot that some of the concrete walls inside collapsed, Boston25 reports. He also said crews struggled to get enough water on the flames.  Commercial building fire in …
Bail Denied For Massachusetts Father Accused Of Stabbing Man Who Was In Bed With His Daughter Bail Denied For Massachusetts Father Accused Of Stabbing Man Who Was In Bed With His Daughter
Bail Denied For Massachusetts Father Accused Of Stabbing Man Who Was In Bed With His Daughter A Massachusetts father accused of breaking into a Worcester County home and stabbing a man in bed with his daughter will stay behind bars after being denied bail by a judge. Officers from the Dudley Police Department responded to a Dudley Southbridge Road residence at approximately 10:50 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, during which he ran into two residents of the home. Police said that during the incident, Jeffrey Sprague, age 40, of Leicester in Worcester County, encountered a 19-year-old woman and 39-year-old man who suffered knife wounds to his face, neck, chest, and arms. According to polic…
COVID-19: Two 'Red' Central Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates COVID-19: Two 'Red' Central Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates
Covid-19: Two 'Red' Central Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates Keeping with the trend of declining COVID-19 infections, Central Massachusetts has only 2 “red” communities - cities and towns with the highest risk of virus transmission. On Thursday, March 4, Massachusetts unveiled its latest weekly update on COVID-19 incidents by the municipality. Red communities in Central Massachusetts for the week of March 4 are: Blackstone, 26.1 new incidents per 100,000 people, And Clinton, 29,9. Both communities experienced increases in COVID-19 incidents, according to state data. Statewide, the average daily incident rate was 21.3 new cases per 100,000 people…
Small Town's Crack Down On New Year's Drunk Driving Leads To 3 Arrests Small Town's Crack Down On New Year's Drunk Driving Leads To 3 Arrests
Small Town's Crack Down On New Year's Drunk Driving Leads To 3 Arrests Police in a small Central Massachusetts town cracked down on drunk or drugged driving on New Year’s making 3 OUI arrests between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. In a town of 11,000 people, Dudley Police responded to three reports of “erratic operation” on New Year’s Eve/Day.  The first was on Dec. 31, at around 11 a.m., police went to Oxford Avenue where they saw a vehicle allegedly driving on the wrong side of Chase Avenue, police said. Police conducted a traffic stop and then arrested the driver Kerri Larson, 47, of Webster, on the charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of li…
COVID-19: New Town-By-Town Rates, Trends - Worcester County - Rates Drop COVID-19: New Town-By-Town Rates, Trends - Worcester County - Rates Drop
Covid-19: New Town-By-Town Rates, Trends - Worcester County - Rates Drop Good news! The COVID-19 rate in most Worcester County cities and towns has gone down, according to the most recent information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Worcester County now has 4 “green” communities as well - a term for communities with a low risk for the spread of the virus. They are Harvard, Holland, Hubbardston, and Millville, according to the Massachusetts weekly community-level report, Dec. 31. SCROLL TO THE END OF THE ARTICLE FOR A LIST OF TOWN STATS Other Worcester County communities where the risk is low include New Braintree, Hardwick, Berlin, Chester, a…
Police Arrest Teen Allegedly Drinking, Driving, And Planning To Sell Marijuana Police Arrest Teen Allegedly Drinking, Driving, And Planning To Sell Marijuana
Police Arrest Teen Allegedly Drinking, Driving, And Planning To Sell Marijuana A 19-year-old allegedly found driving with open beer bottles and marijuana in an unregistered car has been released on $240 cash bail. On Sunday, Dec. 20, around midnight, police stopped a motor vehicle in Dudley. While talking to the driver, Leonardo Hernandez, 19, of Southbridge, police allegedly observed open and unopened beer bottles, police said. Hernandez allegedly confessed to drinking while driving, police said. Upon further investigation, police allegedly found marijuana, 50 plastic baggies, a digital scale, $368 in cash, and other paraphernalia consistent with drug distribution, …
Photos: Fires Sparked In 2 Central Mass Communities Over Weekend Photos: Fires Sparked In 2 Central Mass Communities Over Weekend
Photos: Fires Sparked In 2 Central Mass Communities Over Weekend Fires broke out in two Central Massachusetts communities over the weekend. From Saturday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 6, firefighters responded to blazes in Southbridge and West Boylston. In both cases, mutual aid responded, including firefighters from Holden, Dudley, and Boylston. SOUTHBRIDGE The fast-spreading fire broke out sometime around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, the town’s Fire Department said. The three-alarm fire was at 15 Dennison Lane, a residential structure. The flames spread quickly due to there being 2 venting 20 lb. propane cylinders involved in the fire, firefighte…
State Goes To Biden, But Here Are The Massachusetts Towns Where Trump Won State Goes To Biden, But Here Are The Massachusetts Towns Where Trump Won
State Goes To Biden, But Here Are The Massachusetts Towns Where Trump Won As many elections, including for president, are still being counted, Massachusetts has finished voting for president. As was anticipated, challenger Democrat Joe Biden won the majority vote for president. Biden won 66% of the vote with more than 2 million ballots cast in his favor.  Incumbent Republican Donald Trump won 34% of the vote with more than 1 million people supporting him at the polls. The following is a list of communities that went against the grain in Massachusetts and the majority of residents there voted for Trump - Central and Western Massachusetts are in bold, v…
COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average
Covid-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average The daily COVID-19 positive test rate has shot up to 4 percent in Massachusetts - a stark change from the 2 percent - or under - rates that the state enjoyed for much of the summer. More than 4.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic. In the most recent weekly COVID-19 town-by-town state data, there were 40 communities listed as high-risk for the virus’ spread. The data was reported on Oct. 7. The week prior, there were 23 communities considered high-risk. The places where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest are in the Northeastern p…
COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection
Covid-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19 rates are spiking in new communities in Western and Central Massachusetts. According to the most recent state data, Wednesday, Oct. 7, there are about a dozen “high-risk” or “red” communities in the second half of Massachusetts. High-risk communities have 8 or more positive COVID-19 tests per 100,000 residents - a level that puts the town at high-risk for spreading the disease. The community with the highest rate of average daily COVID-19 infections is Sunderland, with 20.67 new infections per 100,000 residents. The community with the most total cases over the past two weeks is …
Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident
Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident Police have identified the man who died when an excavator he was operating rolled over and down a ravine on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Sten R. Brote, 66, of Sutton, died in the excavator accident on Leland Hill Road, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He owned his own truck and auto repair service - B&P Auto Services on Millbury Street in Worcester - for nearly 40 years. Brote was an avid antique engine collector, his obituary said. He was a member of the Central Massachusetts Steam, Gas and Machinery Association, a past commander of the SONDS of the American Legion Post 414 i…
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest The downpour that soaked the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29-30, deposited 1.5-2 inches of rain, but still, much of southern Massachusetts is experiencing extreme drought. According to state data released Thursday, Oct.1, nearly 30 percent of the state is experiencing “extreme” drought - the second highest degree of drought tracked by the state. The worst degree of drought is “exceptional.” The ranking goes, from least to most drought-like conditions, are None, Abnormallly Dry, Moderate Drought, Severe Drought, Extreme Drought, and Exceptional Drought. In…
COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County, Sept. COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County, Sept.
Covid-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County, Sept. COVID-19 positive test rates are down in most Worcester County communities - including the City of Worcester, which had its fourth straight week of declining cases, according to the most recent state information available. The 14-day positive test rate in Worcester is down to 0.8 from a high of 2.5 just about a month ago (Aug. 5). There are some other communities that saw significant declines while others shot up. Barre had a positive test case for the first time in weeks. Test rates are up in Blackstone, Douglas, Holden, and Northbridge. Northbridge has the highest rate of the four with 1.…
COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County (Aug.) COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County (Aug.)
Covid-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Worcester County (Aug.) Town COVID-19 positive test rates changed dramatically in Worcester County communities this past week with some of the biggest increases seen in Athol, Brookfield, and Fitchburg. Communities that saw the largest decline in positive test rates included Blackstone, Dudley, Leominster, and North Brookfield. Cases in Worcester and Spencer continue to steadily decrease. Athol’s 14-day positive COVID-19 infection rate went from 0 last week to 2.1 percent this week; 11 more people contracted the virus. Brookfield has the highest positive test rate in the county with 3.1 percent of tests showing …
CT Man Charged With Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Massachusetts Girl CT Man Charged With Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Massachusetts Girl
CT Man Charged With Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Massachusetts Girl A 35-year-old man from Connecticut is facing charges after allegedly abducting a 12-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her in the woods, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Joshua Besaw, of Thompson, was arrested this week on a federal criminal complaint that charged him with offenses related to the kidnapping and sexual assault of his alleged 12-year-old victim who is from Massachusetts. It is alleged that on May 31, Besaw encountered his 12-year-old victim at a park in Webster, Mass. and enticed her to get into his vehicle while using the pseudonym “Chuck.” He then allegedly drove the…
12-Year-Old Girl Taken To Connecticut To Be Sexually Assaulted, Police Say 12-Year-Old Girl Taken To Connecticut To Be Sexually Assaulted, Police Say
12-Year-Old Girl Taken To Connecticut To Be Sexually Assaulted, Police Say A leisurely bike ride led to a terrifying ordeal for a 12-year-old girl in Massachusetts who was allegedly abducted by a man, taken to Connecticut and sexually assaulted, police said. Investigators with the Webster Police Department in Massachusetts are working with Connecticut State Police after the girl was taken near the May Street Park on May 31. Police said the 12-year-old girl was riding to the park to meet with a friend when she was approached by a man in the car. She was then enticed to go with him under the guise of needing help with a friend. According to police, the girl went wi…