Quantcast
Channel: News
Viewing all 62489 articles
Browse latest View live

How much snow did we get? Snow totals for Massachusetts

$
0
0

Here are some of the top snow depth totals reported so far and the time they were reported. With an ongoing storm, these numbers will change. They'll be updated as newer reports are made.

The following is an updated list of reported snow totals as reported by weather spotters and to the National Weather Service for Monday, Feb. 13. Numbers include the time at which the report was made.

Barnstable County

  • Pocasset, 0.8 inches at 6:02 a.m.
  • Sandwich, 1.3 inches at 6:50 a.m.

Berkshire County

  • Clarksburg, 9.8 inches at 6:25 a.m.
  • Florida, 11 inches at 1 a.m. 
  • Lanesborough, 8 inches at 6:20 a.m.
  • New Marlborough, 5 inches at 6:20 a.m.
  • Pittsfield, 11 inches at 1 a.m.
  • Savoy, 10.5 inches at 11:58 p.m.

Bristol County

  • Attleboro, 2.8 inches at 5:58 p.m.
  • East Freetown, 1.1 inches at 6:51 a.m.
  • Fairhaven, 1 inch at 6:10 a.m.
  • Mansfield, 3.3 inches at 7:28 p.m.
  • Rehoboth, 3.5 inches at 7:28 p.m.
  • Taunton 3 inches at 7:17 a.m.

Essex County

  • Danvers, 4.5 inches at 10:06 p.m.
  • East Boxford, 5 inches at 6:07 p.m.
  • Haverhill, 9 inches at 7:07 a.m.
  • Ipswich, 4 inches at 9:30 p.m.
  • Lynn, 2 inches at 9:12 p.m.
  • Methuen, 5 inches at 7:20 p.m.
  • Peabody, 4 inches at 9:30 p.m.
  • West Peabody, 5 inches at 9:55 p.m.
  • Topsfield, 9.6 inches at 6:27 a.m.
  • West Peabody, 5 inches at 9:55 p.m.

Franklin County

  • Deerfield, 6.5 inches at 11:49 p.m.
  • Heath, 9 inches at 11:15 p.m.
  • Leverett, 6 inches at 6:40 p.m.
  • Orange, 6 inches at 9:40 p.m.
  • Rowe, 12.5 inches at 7 a.m.
  • Shelburne, 12 inches

Hampden County

  • East Longmeadow, 5.4 inches at 8:13 p.m.
  • Ludlow, 6.5 inches at 12:30 a.m.
  • Southwick, 5.4 inches at 9:09 p.m.
  • Springfield, 6 inches at 11:05 p.m.
  • Westfield, 6.4 inches at 11:05 p.m.

Hampshire County

  • Easthampton, 7 inches at 7:10 a.m.
  • Florence, 6.7 inches at 12:02 a.m.
  • Granby, 6.8 inches at 5:46 a.m.
  • North Amherst, 6.1 inches at 11:41 p.m.
  • Ware. 5.8 inches at 8:09 p.m.
  • Worthington, 6.4 inches at 10:05 p.m.

Middlesex County

  • Acton, 10.5 inches at 7:08 a.m.
  • Arlington, 10 inches at 4:02 a.m.
  • Ayer, 7.1 inches at 12:12 a.m.
  • Burlington, 6 inches at 8:24 p.m.
  • Carlisle, 8.7 inches at 12:19 a.m.
  • Chelmsford, 7 inches at 10:25 p.m.
  • Concord, 6.3 inches at 7:45 p.m.
  • Dracut, 7 inches at 9:45 p.m.
  • Framingham, 1.1 inches at 7:33 p.m.
  • Groton, 5.5 inches at 6:58 p.m.
  • Hopkinton, 6.5 inches at 4:33 a.m.
  • Lexington, 8.3 inches at 12 a.m.
  • Littleton, 5 inches at 6:22 p.m.
  • Lowell, 5.3 inches at 9:49 p.m.
  • Melrose, 4.5 inches at 9:36 p.m.
  • Natick, 9 inches at 6:20 a.m.
  • North Chelmsford, 7.5 inches at 8:31 p.m.
  • North Reading, 6.5 inches at 10 p.m.
  • Pepperell, 12 inches
  • sudbury, 6 inches at 10:15 p.m.
  • Tewksbury, 6.8 inches 11:21 p.m.
  • Wayland, 4.5 inches at 6:17 p.m.
  • Westford, 7.5 inches at 7:45 p.m.
  • West Newton, 8.6 inches at 2:41 a.m.
  • West Willmington, 9.8 inches at 4 a.m.
  • Winchester, 8.1 inches at 12:33 a.m.
  • Woburn, 7 inches at 11:02 p.m.

Norfolk County

  • Braintree, 3.5 inches at 9:58 p.m.
  • Millis, 4.4 inches at 10:37 p.m.
  • Norwood, 3.6 inches at 6:46 p.m.
  • Randolph, 4 inches at 5:03 a.m.
  • Stoughton, 4 inches at 10:08 p.m.

Plymouth County

  • Hingham, 1 inch at 7:40 p.m.
  • Plymouth, 1.8 inches at 11:12 p.m.

Suffolk County

  • Boston, 3.5 inches at 5:10 a.m.
  • Chelsea, 2.9 inches at 7:01 p.m.
  • East Boston, 1.5 inches at 12 a.m.
  • South Boston, 1 inch at 11:56 p.m.
  • Winthrop, 1.5 inches at 11:48 p.m.

Worcester County

  • Auburn, 5.4 inches at 8:42 p.m.
  • Ashburnham, 9.3 inches at 6:30 a.m.
  • Athol, 8 inches at 5:39 a.m.
  • Barre, 6 inches at 5:28 a.m.
  • Boylston, 6.5 inches at 11:29 p.m.
  • Lancaster, 9.2 inches at 7:05 a.m.
  • Leominster, 7.7 inches at 11:06 p.m.
  • Lunenburg, 7.5 inches at 9:07 p.m.
  • Mendon, 6.5 inches at 4:20 a.m.
  • Northborough, 6.6 at 11:50 p.m.
  • North Ashburnham, 6 inches at 6:54 p.m.
  • Oxford, 5 inches at 10:05 p.m.
  • Rutland, 5.7 inches at 7:35 p.m.
  • Spencer, 5 inches at 9:49 p.m.
  • Sterling, 9.3 inches at 6:50 a.m.
  • Westborough, 5.7 inches at 10:46 p.m.
  • Westminster, 6.2 inches at 6:42 p.m.
  • West Warren, 5 inches at 9:51 p.m.
  • Worcester 6.8 inches at 11:53 p.m.

Receive breaking weather alerts and school closings on your phone

Gallery preview 

Winter Storm Orson: Massachusetts courts to open late Monday

$
0
0

Courthouses in all counties will open late due to snow.

Massachusetts state courts will open at 10 a.m. on Monday due to Winter Storm Orson.

Courthouses in all counties will open late, to give people more time to travel after the overnight snowstorm.

Anyone with a matter scheduled before the court should call that court's clerk's office to find out if it was rescheduled.

To find information about court closures, visit mass.gov/courts or follow the court system on Twitter at @macourtclosings.

Separately, state government will open at 11 a.m.

The winter storm that hit Massachusetts Sunday is expected to continue into Monday in the eastern part of the state.

Winter Storm Orson delays double-murder trial for former Patriots player Aaron Hernandez

Courthouses delay opening across Massachusetts because of Winter Storm Orson

$
0
0

As Winter Storm Orson continued into Monday morning, officials announced that courthouses across the state would not be opening until 10 a.m.

As Winter Storm Orson continued into Monday morning, officials announced that courthouses across the state would delay opening 10 a.m. Monday. 

Snow was expected to continue in certain communities across Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service, but potentially damaging winds were moving in across the state.

Courthouses usually open at 8 a.m. The delayed opening was announced around 5:45 a.m. Monday.

The courts were closed on Thursday when Winter Storm Niko and the first blizzard of the year dumped snow across the state.

Snow totals across the state measured from 1 inch to 9 inches after Orson brought snow on Sunday and into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Winter Storm Orson delays double-murder trial for former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez

$
0
0

Jury selection will begin Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court instead.

Jury selection for the double murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez was delayed Monday due to Winter Storm Orson, WCVB.com reports. 

Jury selection will begin Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court instead.

Hernandez is already facing life behind bars for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd.

He is accused of shooting Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado outside a Boston nightclub. De Abreu and Furtado were killed in their BMW sedan on July 16, 2012, and Hernandez was indicted in the shootings in 2014.

The former tight end has pleaded not guilty to the deaths of the two men. 

The trial has been long delayed and was originally scheduled for December 2015. 

Anticipation has been building for Hernandez's day in court.

A judge ruled last month in favor of allowing prosecutors access to the contents of his phone, according to Fox News Sports

A judge also allowed prosecutors to tell the jury about Hernandez's tattoos, which they say tell the story of how he committed the murders are could be an admission of guilt, the Boston Globe reported. 

According to the Globe, a tattoo located on Hernandez's hand and arm reads "God forgives," and another tattoo on his body depicts a pair of .38-caliber revolvers, one with five live rounds. Prosecutors say the firearm depicted is an exact replica of the weapon used to kill De Abreu and Furtado. 

Snowstorm delays for Chicopee: Trash collection put off, Westover postpones work

$
0
0

The parking ban continues because of the storm.

CHICOPEE - After the latest snowstorm dumped about 6 inches of snow on the city, officials are announcing a number of cancellations and delays while cleanup continues.

This is the second sizable snowstorm since Thursday and there was an about 1 inch snowfall on Friday night into Saturday morning as well.

Because the Department of Public Works continue to clear streets curbside pick-up will be delayed one day this week. There will be no trash or recycling collection on Monday.

The Department of Public Works is also being assisted by employees from the Water Department and Parks and Recreation Department, who have also been plowing since Sunday.

Schools have also been closed for the day.

Westover Air Reserve Base, the city's largest employer, is also announcing a delay with all non-essential employees being called to report to work no later than 11 a.m.

The parking ban continues through 5 p.m. Monday. There is no parking on main streets and no parking on one-way streets. Parking is permitted on the odd side of side streets, said Michael Wilk, public information officer for Chicopee Police Department.

Some of the main streets where parking is banned include Broadway, Center Street, Columba Street, Exchange Street, Granby Road, Meadow Street, Montgomery Street, James Street and Fairview Avenue. A full list of streets where parking is banned is available on the city's website.

Wilbraham police break down the physics of winter driving

$
0
0

It's pretty simple: Four-wheel or all-wheel drive won't help you stop any faster thanks to momentum, a powerful law of physics. Watch video

WILBRAHAM -- Ready for a physics lesson from the Wilbraham Police Department?

OK, here we go ...

"Remember this law: That which makes you go WON'T make you stop," the Police Department said in a Facebook post, reminding drivers about one of the most powerful laws in physics: momentum.

Having a four- or all-wheel-drive vehicle is definitely helpful for winter driving in New England, but don't get cocky.

"If you drive a four-wheel drive or AWD vehicle, you're not immune to the laws of physics. In fact, you're a bit more susceptible (if for no other reason than your overconfidence)," police said.

A truck or SUV moving rapidly has a large momentum, and it takes a large or prolonged force to get a vehicle up to this speed. With that, it takes a similarly large or prolonged force to bring these vehicles to a stop.

If the truck were lighter, or moving more slowly, it would have less momentum and require less impulse -- the change of momentum of an object when the object is acted upon by a force for an interval of time -- to start or stop.

"Whether you drive a Fiat or a Hummer, it doesn't matter," police said, pointing out that the heavier the vehicle, the longer it takes for that vehicle to stop.

Four-wheel and all-wheel drive capabilities "will not make you stop any quicker," police said. "Lesson over."

 

Verizon reintroduces unlimited data plan, more than five years after discontinuing service

$
0
0

Smartphone or tablet users may soon purchase an unlimited data plan from Verizon Wireless for the first time in more than five years.

Smartphone or tablet users may soon purchase an unlimited data plan from Verizon Wireless for the first time in more than five years. 

The company on Sunday announced plans to launch an unlimited LTE data plan on Feb. 13, Business Insider reports. Individual users will pay $80 per month and groups of four or more will pay $45 a line under the forthcoming plan. 

The move comes not only more than five years since Verizon stopped offering unlimited data plans, but also amid company efforts to kick legacy unlimited data users of their plans and comments by executives downplaying the usefulness of such plans, Business Insider notes. 

Perhaps most enlightening, Sunday's announcement comes following aggressive efforts by competitors like T-Mobile to market unlimited plans.

Dubbed Verizon Unlimited, the plan promises high definition video streaming, up to 10GB of LTE mobile hotspot data before downgrading to 3G speeds and unlimited calling and texting to Canada and Mexico, according to the report in Business Insider. The company's other tiered plans will remain available as well. 

Last summer, Verizon hiked its prices by $5 to $10 per month but offered customers more data by lowering its per-gigabyte costs.

The Verizon unlimited data plan will be more expensive than those offered by Sprint and T-Mobile -- $60 and $70 per month, respectively -- but cheaper than AT&T's $100-per-month plan. 

A recent study cited by Business Insider found Verizon still maintains the fastest and most widely available network in the U.S., but T-Mobile is now "neck-and-neck" with the company in terms of speed.

Methuen police release video of three masked home invaders

$
0
0

The Methuen Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify three men suspected of committing an armed home invasion over the weekend. Watch video

The Methuen Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify three men suspected of committing an armed home invasion over the weekend.

Police said the incident occurred at an apartment on Kirk Street Saturday night. There was one resident inside the apartment at the time. 

The victim told police that he answered a knock at his door around 7:30 p.m. and found three masked men waiting at the entrance.

They told the victim that they were looking for a specific male resident. When they discovered the resident was not there, they forced their way into the apartment, police said.

One of the masked men pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victims head, demanding to know where the missing resident's room was. 

The victim showed them the room, which they three men then ransacked. They fled the apartment with an undetermined amount of cash and some other items. 

The suspect armed with the handgun was described as a 5-foot-6-inch-tall male with bushy hair, wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The other two males were about 6-feet tall.

All three men had large winter coats on.

Police said they're looking for a grey Kia Soul or similar subcompact vehicle. 


Springfield Fire Department battling serious house fire in Forest Park neighborhood

$
0
0

Firefighters on the scene were ordered to evacuate the interior of house moments ago.

SPRINGFIELD - Springfield firefighters are battling a house fire on Keith Street in the city's Forest Park neighborhood.

The fire appears to be in the upper floor in the rear of the two story homeof the two story home.

Moments ago, the fire command ordered all firefighters to evacuate the house.

Republican reporter George Graham reports from the scene that the fire department is saying 6 people have been displaced.

There are no reported injuries.

According to city records, the two-family home was constructed in 1896. It is owned by Mason Dan Nguyen and has a total assessed value of $138,000.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it is known.

Winter Storm Orson: Delays on the MBTA Monday after snowstorm

$
0
0

MBTA passengers take to Twitter to express their frustration with delays on the T.

Although the MBTA and commuter rail were supposed to be operating on a normal schedule on Monday, there were still some significant delays due to the snowstorm.

During rush hour on the Red Line, the MBTA reported severe delays in both directions due to a disabled train at Harvard.

There were minor delays on some Silver Line trains.

Some commuter rail trains were also reporting delays, including a 30 to 40 minute delay on a train from Haverhill.

Customers turned to Twitter to express their frustrations.


Suffield Police arrest Agawam man for drunken driving following accident

$
0
0

Sergey Domnenko was held over the weekend on $5,000 bail.

SUFFIELD - An Agawam man is being held on $5,000 bail after attempting to flee police following an accident in that city.

Sergey K. Domnenko, 50, of 36 Melrose Place, was arrested at about 5:55 p.m. Friday on Hickory Street on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, operating a motor vehicle without a license and failure to drive in the proper lane. He is scheduled to appear in Enfield Superior Court on the charges Tuesday, Suffield Police Capt. Christopher McKeen said.

Domnenko is being accused of initially causing an accident in Agawam and failing to stop. A witness called police and followed him into Suffield where he crashed into a snowbank and then ran away on foot, McKee said.

Police were able to find him hiding in a wooded area a short time later, McKee said.

After arresting him, police found he had a outstanding warrant from Massachusetts for failure to appear in court. Domnenko was held over the weekend by Suffield Police, he said.

Police thanked the witness for the assistance and asked all residents to report problems to the police at 860-668-3370.

"The Suffield Police strongly urges all residents and those traveling through Suffield to partner with police in the efforts to keep our roadways safe. Please do not hesitate to report suspected driving and all other dangerous driving behaviors," he said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren fires away at President Trump's Labor nominee Andrew Puzder, sends him 83-question letter

$
0
0

Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor nominee, fast food executive Andrew Puzder, is next in line for criticism from Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor nominee, a fast food executive, is next in line for criticism from Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Warren's office on Monday sent a 28-page letter to the nominee, Andrew Puzder, saying she's looking for answers to questions about labor and discrimination lawsuits against his company, CKE Restaurants, Inc.

"My staff's review of your 16-year tenure as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Hardee's and Carl's Jr., reveals that you've made your fortune by squeezing the very workers you'd be charged with protecting as Labor Secretary out of wages and benefits," Warren wrote in her letter.

Warren, D-Mass., is a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Puzder's confirmation hearing is set for Feb. 16.

Last week the Wall Street Journal reported Puzder employed an undocumented housekeeper and did not pay taxes for her until after he was nominated as labor secretary.

This new poll asked voters to rate Elizabeth Warren and Charlie Baker on how they're handling President Donald Trump

In her letter, Warren said the Republican chairman is limiting the time for questions and she is sending the letter so senators and members of the public can "obtain answers about your readiness" for the job.

"Your company's record of prolific labor law abuses and discrimination suits - the most of any major burger chain - gives me great pause given that as Labor Secretary you'd be charged with enforcing these very laws," she added.

He has also opposed minimum wage increases for workers, her letter said.

The letter contains 83 questions, including conflicts of interests with his companies and conflicts of interests with the companies owned by President Trump falling under Department of Labor regulation.

Warren has taken an aggressive stance towards Trump's nominees. Last week she took aim at Jeff Sessions, Trump's attorney general, as she attempted to read a letter from Coretta Scott King opposing Sessions for a federal judgeship in 1986, accusing him of racism.

Senate Republicans blocked her from finishing the letter, but Warren stepped outside the Senate chamber and continued reading on Facebook Live, prompting the issue to go viral. The Senate later voted to confirm Sessions.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren now hawking 'Nevertheless, She Persisted' t-shirts

Agawam St. Patrick's Parade Committee crowns 2017 Colleen and Court (Photos)

$
0
0

The Agawam St. Patrick's Committee presented their 2017 Colleen Coronation at the Chez Josef with eight Agawam girls competing for the Irish title.

AGAWAM - The Agawam St. Patrick's Committee presented its 2017 Colleen Coronation at the Chez Josef with eight Agawam girls competing for the Irish title on Sunday.

Winning the prestigious 2017 Agawam Colleen title was Hailey C. Lyne, 17, and a senior at Agawam High School. Lyne said she would like to promote her Irish heritage, education, leadership, and follow in her mother and aunt's footsteps. Lyne plans on majoring in psychology at the University of New Haven after graduation.

The 2017 Agawam Court is made up of Jenna M. Gamelli, Bianca M. Culhane, Lydia G. Koury, and Bailey M. Laviolette, all seniors at Agawam High School.

Following a social hour was the presentation of contestants. The contestants, all from Agawam, were Erin Berthiaume, Bianca Culhane, Jenna Gamelli, Katelyn Grasso, Lydia Koury, Bailey Laviolette, Hailey Lyne and Abaigeal  Malouin.

Other award winners included, Hailey Lyne who went home with the Irish Cultural William G. Pfau Award, Vera Conway was named the 2017 Agawam Parade Marshal, Laurie O'Connell was presented the Anne Sullivan Award, and Edward P. Borgatti claiming the 2017 Citizenship Award.

Also in attendance were Agawam Mayor Richard A. Cohen, state Sen. Donald Humason Jr., R-Westfield, and state Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga, R-Southwick, all of whom presented the award winners with a special recognition certificate.

The 2017 Colleen Committee members are, Mary Jo Safford, Nicole Stevenson, Laurie O'Connell, Kaitlyn O'Connell and Lynn Fitzpatrick. The Agawam Parade Committee Board of Directors are, Rosemary Sandlin, Laurie Wright, Vera Conway, Linda Wojcik, Laurie O'Connell, Lynn Fitzpatrick, Diane Pirnie, and Nicole Stevenson.  

The Sunday brunch featured a harvest salad with Zinfandel vinaigrette, Caesar salad, scrambled eggs and fixings, Smokehouse bacon, country sausage, red bliss home fries, Rotini Pasta Primavera with garlic cream sauce, fresh vegetables and Chicken Francaise. An estimated 150 guests attended the four-hour event. 

Man charged with drunk driving in Amherst after crashing into tree

$
0
0

Two men were arrested on drunk driving charges in Amherst this weekend including one man who crashed his vehicle into a tree and snow bank on Blackberry Lane.

AMHERST - A Boylston man was arrested on drunk driving charges this weekend after crashing his car into a tree and snow bank on Blackberry Lane.

Police charged Michael S. Brandt, 21, with operating under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle to endanger just before 3 a.m. Sunday after he allegedly crashed into a tree and snow bank.

According to police, the small tree was knocked over and crashed into a parked car, breaking the cars windows.

The driver was found a short distance from the accident site, according to police.

Brandt is expected to be arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown Monday.

Robert Kraft unconcerned by New England Patriots refusing to visit White House following Super Bowl win

$
0
0

New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft appeared on the TODAY show Monday morning and spoke of his team winning the Super Bowl and visiting the White House.

New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft appeared on the TODAY show Monday morning to speak of his team's latest Super Bowl win. 

TODAY show co-anchor Matt Lauer asked Kraft of his relationship with President Donald Trump, if his relationships with players have been strained by the friendship. 

While a loyal donor to democratic candidates, Kraft has considered the Republican president a friend for years and expressed his support for Trump prior to him taking office. 

Robert Kraft says he thinks President-Elect Donald Trump will 'be great for the economic side of America'

He dined with President Trump, first lady Melania, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Abe's wife Akie at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida on Friday. 

The New England Patriots have been invited to visit the White House after winning the Super Bowl, an invitation more than half a dozen players say they do not accept. 

Kraft said Monday he is not concerned. 

"Every time we've had the priviledge of going to the White House, a dozen of our players don't go," he said on the TODAY show. 

He added, "This is America, we're all free to do whatever is best for us."


$65-million-saving MBTA outsource plan could put hundreds of workers in precarious position

$
0
0

More than 600 MBTA workers could face uncertain futures if a plan to outsource jobs to the private sector to save as much as $65 million passes muster with the Board of Directors.

More than 600 MBTA workers could face uncertain futures if a plan to outsource jobs to the private sector to save as much as $65 million passes muster with the Board of Directors, The Boston Herald reports. 

The plan, supported by MBTA officials, finds its biggest savings in the potential privatization of the maintenance of its enormous bus fleet. A paid consultant estimated the move could save $40 million annually. 

Customer service jobs at MBTA stations would also be outsourced, under the plan, touted by acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve as an initiative to "competition" "creativity" and "innovation," according to The Herald. 

Some of the affected workers would possibly move into similar roles under new private contracts, the Herald wrote, while others may seek alternative MBTA employment or retire. 

Last year, the MBTA got concessions from its union, Carmen's Union Local 589, when it renegotiated its contract in a $1.6 billion agreement. The threat of privatization hung heavy over the negotiations, after which Shortsleeve said he believed in "significant opportunity beyond that," The Herald reports. 

A Florida-based company, TransPro Consulting, provided the estimates for the MBTA. The MBTA spent $125 million on bus maintenance last year, according to The Herald. 

'Pretty clear' Massachusetts snow removal budget will be overspent, Gov. Charlie Baker says

$
0
0

In an interview on Fox25 Monday morning, Governor Charlie Baker said the state would file a supplemental appropriation to request emergency funds for snow removal.

Despite that Massachusetts has seen its slowest winter in several years, Governor Charlie Baker says the state's snow removal budget will need additional funds to cover cleanup costs this year.

In an interview with Fox25 News Boston on Monday morning, Gov. Baker said the state's snow removal budget "is clearly going to get overspent" and that the state would most likely file a supplemental appropriation to cover funds.

Supplemental appropriations work as a governmental emergency fund, intended to cover situations that demand immediate attention, like blizzards and snow storms. The supplementals resolve issues deemed too urgent to be delayed until the next fiscal year.

"The good news is, to the extent we'd call it good news, they're allowed to spend over their appropriation to clean up and remove snow and ice after storms," Gov. Baker said in the interview.

How much snow did we get? Storm Orson snow totals for Massachusetts

The governor said he had fully expected and anticipated that overspending would happen, even before the storm on Sunday and Monday.

The snow removal budget is not new to overspending: In 2015, the snow and ice removal budgets for many cities and towns were exhausted after a series of paralyzing snow storms. In July 2015, Governor Baker filed a spending bill to offer cities in towns $25 million for the snow and ice removal costs they had incurred from the many storms. The bill also offered more than $30 million to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Rough winter, Nemo, drain snow removal budgets in Western Massachusetts

In the interview with Fox25 on Monday, Governor Baker also said clearing roads is the state's biggest challenge, because any snow leftovers will begin to freeze as the cold weather sets in.

You can watch the full interview here:

Amherst police respond to 23 weekend crashes, many related to snowstorms

$
0
0

Amherst police responded to 23 accidents this weekend, many related to slippery road conditions from Thursday's storm and then from the fresh snow from Sunday's storm.

AMHERST - Police responded to 23 accidents this weekend, many related to slippery road conditions from Thursday's snowstorm Niko storm and then from the fresh snow from Sunday's storm Orson.

Some accidents caused more than $1,000 in damage.

One woman on Montague Road was spared injuries after her foot allegedly slipped off the brake onto the gas pedal Friday morning.

She allegedly crashed into two cars, then a dumpster, pushing the dumpster into the woods before striking a tree.  

Another car struck some fencing after sliding on snow covered road Friday on Meadow Street. 

On Friday night, two cars were damaged after one slipped on an icy Triangle Street. One sustained more than $1,000 in damage after striking a utility pole. 

One crashed involved a town plow truck and car Sunday afternoon on Logtown Road. According to police the town plow was turning left and started backing up as if making a three-point turn. The town vehicle did not complete the the turn and allegedly struck the car.

No one was injured in any of the crashes.

Amherst police, meanwhile, towed five vehicles that were in violation of the town's parking ban and nine additional vehicles at the request of the Department of Public Works that were blocking access.

Department of Public Works Director Guilford Mooring in an email reported that with just six inches of snow the town was lucky and able to clear the snow in time for school Monday.

Amherst delayed the opening by two hours. Both the University of Massachusetts allowed delayed opening until 10 a.m.

He said crews Tuesday at 11 p.m. will be downtown clearing snow.

He reminded motorists that the town's parking ban remains in effect. Overnight parking with the exception of some lots and streets is banned from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.    

Death of man found in Lynn snow bank under investigation

$
0
0

Officials are investigating the death of a man found dead in a snow bank in Lynn on Monday morning.

Officials are investigating the death of a man who was found in the snow in Lynn on Monday morning.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office told NECN that the man's body was found by an area resident when he was snow blowing around 5 a.m.

The man had visible injuries, but those injuries were not specified, NECN reported.

The man was found on Surfside Road.

NECN reported that police had previously responded to a 911 call in the area around 4 a.m., but did not find anything suspicious.

 

Cause of fire that heavily damaged Forest Park neighborhood home remains under investigation

$
0
0

The blaze caused some $100,000 in damage to the two-family home at 36 Keith St. and displaced six people. No injuries were reported.

Updates story posted at 9:19 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD -- The cause of a wind-fueled fire that heavily damaged a Forest Park neighborhood home Monday morning and displaced six remains under investigation, a spokesman for the Springfield Department said.

Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, said damage to the two-family home at 36 Keith St. is estimated at $100,000.

None of the occupants were home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. It was reported shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Responding firefighters saw flames coming from the second and third floors and the attic, Leger said.

Leger said the wind and the fresh-fallen snow were factors in fighting the blaze. " A couple of hydrants were buried in the snow and had to get dug out," he said.

Next door neighbor Tracey Anh said her father, who was outside snowblowing, saw the smoke and ran inside to tell her to call 911.

Anh said the blaze spread quickly. "When I (first) saw it, it was just a little smoke, but by the time the fire department came it was in flames."

Two people were displaced from the first floor and four people were displaced from the second floor, Leger said.

As the fire intensified, fire command sounded multiple horn blasts to order firefighters to exit the burning structure.

According to city records, the two-family home was constructed in 1896. It is owned by Mason Dan Nguyen and has a total assessed value of $138,000.

Viewing all 62489 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images