Rare Endangered Plant Found Growing In Western Mass For First Time Rare Endangered Plant Found Growing In Western Mass For First Time
Rare Endangered Plant Found Growing In Western Mass For First Time Botanists rejoice. A plant that has never been seen in Massachusetts before was spotted growing in Berkshire County. Meet the pine-drops plant.  Amateur botanist Syke van der Laan discovered while hiking in the Berkshires recently. He wasn't sure what it was but realized its significance and alerted the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, who were thrilled at the find.  “The discovery of a new native plant here in Massachusetts is extraordinary,”  said MassWildlife’s State Botanist Robert Wernerehl. “We have more active professional botanists per square mil…
Lowell Sex Offender Who Forced Girl, 11, To Make Sexual Videos Gets 17 Years: Feds Lowell Sex Offender Who Forced Girl, 11, To Make Sexual Videos Gets 17 Years: Feds
Lowell Sex Offender Who Forced Girl, 11, To Make Sexual Videos Gets 17 Years: Feds A Lowell man who has been convicted of sex offenses twice before was sentenced on Thursday, July 28, for another heinous charge, this time involving an 11-year-old girl, authorities said.  Chayanne Nieves, 25, will spend the next 17 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty in June 2022 to one count of receiving child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Nieves met an 11-year-old Vermont girl on the social media app Snapchat in December 2020. He obtained nude photos from the child and then extorted her to make graphic video chats while he …
Suspect In Springfield Man's Murder Busted Returning To US Months Later: Police Suspect In Springfield Man's Murder Busted Returning To US Months Later: Police
Suspect In Springfield Man's Murder Busted Returning To US Months Later: Police A 43-year-old Connecticut man wanted for allegedly killing a Springfield man and critically wounding a second in Vermont was arrested on Saturday, July 22, as he returned from Jamaica, authorities said.  Devon Dennis, of Hartford, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder in the May 12 shooting in Brookfield, Vermont, Vermont State Police said.  Related: Springfield Man Killed In Vermont, 2nd Man Wounded Juan Sierra, age 27, of Springfield, was shot in the chest and killed after driving to Vermont with Miguel Fuentes, 29, police said. Sierra died at…
New Rounds Of Storms With Downpours, Flash Flood Risk Threaten Region New Rounds Of Storms With Downpours, Flash Flood Risk Threaten Region
New Rounds Of Storms With Downpours, Flash Flood Risk Threaten Region New rounds of storms with localized downpours and risks of flash flooding are taking aim at the region. The time frame for the first system is Thursday night, July 13 into Friday, July 14 with the approach of a frontal system, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall of about 1 inch with locally higher amounts of around 2 inches is possible. "The strongest thunderstorms during this time may also be capable of producing damaging wind gusts," according to the weather service. The stormy pattern is expected to linger through Tuesday, July 18. "While a setup ex…
Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says
Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says A new report found that every state nationwide is experiencing a "stunning" rise in avoidable, premature deaths, but despite this, the Bay State is topping the charts in overall health care performance.   Massachusetts received the best overall score out of any state, ranking high in categories including reproductive care and women's health, health care access, and health outcomes, according to the Commonwealth Fund's annual scorecard measuring state health system performance. The report focuses on three main challenges states are facing in terms of health care, including a "histo…
Treat Williams, PA College Football Player Turned Actor, Dies In Motorcycle Crash Treat Williams, PA College Football Player Turned Actor, Dies In Motorcycle Crash
Treat Williams, PA College Football Player Turned Actor, Dies In Motorcycle Crash Actor Treat Williams — who got his start on a college stage in Lancaster, PA — died in a motorcycle crash in Vermont on Monday, June 12, authorities said. He was 71 years old. According to Vermont State Police, Williams died when a southbound 2008 Honda Element driven by Ryan M. Koss, 35, of Pownal, Vermont, attempted to turn left into a parking lot. State police said an initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams. "Williams was unable to avoid a collision and wa…
Attempted Murder: Western Mass Police Bust Man Wanted In Vermont With Drugs, Gun Attempted Murder: Western Mass Police Bust Man Wanted In Vermont With Drugs, Gun
Attempted Murder: Western Mass Police Bust Man Wanted In Vermont With Drugs, Gun A man caught on a doorbell camera shootout was arrested in Hampden County over the holiday weekend on attempted murder charges in Vermont, authorities said.  Springfield police were called to Franklin Street around 5 p.m. on Monday, May 29, for a routine gun call. But when officers arrived, they said they found a loaded pistol, more than $5,000 in cash, cocaine, and marijuana, Springfield police said. They also learned that one of the people the suspects had several outstanding warrants in Vermont, including trying to kill someone in Bennington in September.  Johnathan Nazar…
Packaged Salad Greens Recalled Because Of Possible Health Risk Packaged Salad Greens Recalled Because Of Possible Health Risk
Packaged Salad Greens Recalled Because Of Possible Health Risk A recall has been issued for a brand of packaged salad greens due to a possible health risk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that lēf Farms of Loudon, New Hampshire, is voluntarily recalling a single lot of the lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens ("best by" date 5/5/23, lot number SP10723- 1RGH1, UPC 8 50439 00709 1) produced in its Loudon, New Hampshire greenhouse because they have the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) bacteria.  The FDA says lēf Farms “Spice” is the only product impacted to date and affected retail…
Mass Bicyclist Killed In VT Race Remembered For His 'Commitment To Others' Mass Bicyclist Killed In VT Race Remembered For His 'Commitment To Others'
Mass Bicyclist Killed In VT Race Remembered For His 'Commitment To Others' A Massachusetts bicyclist who died while competing in a race in Vermont last month was dedicated in several areas of his life, but perhaps his biggest passion was helping others.  Richard "Rick" Wanstall was committed to many things throughout his 54 years of life. The North Shore resident was a passionate athlete, veteran and leader in the workforce. Sadly, Wanstall's life ended while he was doing one of the things he loved the most: competing.  "In recent years, Rick found a passion for fitness as he participated in various triathlons and later moved onto Ironman Competitions," his obitu…
Immersive Disney Experience Makes Boston Audience Members' Dreams Come True Immersive Disney Experience Makes Boston Audience Members' Dreams Come True
Immersive Disney Experience Makes Boston Audience Members' Dreams Come True When people step into the castle at Lighthouse Artspace in Boston for the Immersive Disney Animation experience, they instantly feel like they are a part of the Disney magic. Guests can literally chase stars on the activated floors and pop bubbles in-between scenes, but the true magic comes from watching the wall-to-wall screens that surround the entire theater. “They’re stories about wishing, hoping and dreaming,” said Dorothy McKim, an Oscar-nominated special projects producer for Immersive Disney Animation. Immersive Disney Animation ExperienceDisney “It really brings the child ou…
Routine Traffic Stop Could Lead To Years Behind Bars For Western Mass Driver: Police Routine Traffic Stop Could Lead To Years Behind Bars For Western Mass Driver: Police
Routine Traffic Stop Could Lead To Years Behind Bars For Western Mass Driver: Police A traffic stop in Hampden County earlier this week began like any other, but it could have long-lasting implications for the Springfield man behind the wheel.  Steven Santiago was pulled over on Tuesday, April 11, around 2 p.m. on Route 20 near Rodgers Avenue for going 63 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone, West Springfield police said. But things quickly spiraled down for Santiago from here.  Police said he had a suspended driver's license and was arrested. But during a search of his car, officers found a loaded .22 Ruger in his unlocked glove compartment, authorities said. The gun …
Honda Recalls 564K Vehicles Due To Rust Risk Concern Honda Recalls 564K Vehicles Due To Rust Risk Concern
Honda Recalls 564K Vehicles Due To Rust Risk Concern Hundreds of thousands of Honda SUVs are being recalled due to concerns that road salt could cause the frame of the vehicle to rust and unintentionally detach parts of the rear suspension. Officials announced this week that Honda is recalling nearly 564,000 CR-V models that were produced between 2007 and 2011 that were sold in states where salt and other de-icing chemicals are used to clear roads during winter storms. According to Honda, “in salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame throu…