August 5,
2007 — The video camera operator asked the band to play on the lawn in front of the
Gazebo, so they could be seen. The drooping trees branches on the Common have not
been trimmed for quite a while, making it nearly impossible from many
locations to see who
is playing if they are on the Gazebo. In addition, the design of the
Gazebo itself makes it very difficult to see through the posts, as does
its very height. The Gazebo as well as the common are being studied for
a makeover by the Friends of the Common, a group looking to raise
private funds to accomplish the effort.
Taps Vigil
August 5,
2007 — The veterans of Hopkinton's American Legion Post gathered at the
Evergreen Cemetery this evening to honor the memory of the fallen, and to
participate in a nationwide "Taps Vigil" at 7:15 pm. Teen Bugler Michael
McCann donated his time and expertise to an appreciative group of
veterans and others who gathered for the monthly event. Next month on
September 2, always the first Sunday of the month, the ceremony will
begin at 7:00 pm at the King Memorial in front of the Mt. Auburn
Cemetery.
Taps Vigil
August 5,
2007 — Bugler Michael McCann gave his time and talent to the veterans
Sunday evening during a "Taps Vigil" at the Evergreen Cemetery, above,
as they salute the Flag during the playing of Taps. According to
a handout this evening, the military stopped paying buglers after World
War II, so it is volunteers who play at up to 1,000 funerals per month.
Sunday
evening's event is below:
Silver Bells
August 5,
2007 — Two readers, Simon Vos and Anne Henderson, wrote separately that
the plant above photographed at Whitehall on Friday is called "Indian
Pipes," and is not a fungus, even though it lacks chlorophyll.
Drive-In Movie makes a Comeback in Hopkinton
August 5, 2007 — For those who missed it, young families and others
gathered on the field behind the Doyle Gym to watch Night at the
Museum and eat popcorn after warming up with some football,
sparklers and music videos on Saturday night, in a Parks and Recreation
program.
Changing
Like the Weather
August 5,
2007 — The band, New England Weather, entertained the multitude at ESL
Theater's newly enlarged facility at 30 Main Street on Saturday night.
Putting on
the Feedbag
August 5,
2007 — The Woodville Rod and Gun put on a day-long family seafood bake
yesterday, with horseshoes and music and side dishes.
State
Watches Out for Invasive Species
August 4,
2007 — Boat Inspector for the Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Linda Konvalinka, spent her day at Lake Whitehall State Park being sure
no one was bring one invasive specie of aquatic plant from one pond or
lake to this one. Ms. Konvalinka said that people should not only
visually inspect and remove all plant life from their boats upon exiting
the water, but must also wash their boats upon arrival at home to remove
small plants and seeds that cannot be seen easily with the eyes.
A large part of Ms. Konvalinka's job is to educate the boating public to
the need to keep an exotic plant, such as fanwort, Eurasian milfoil, or
variable milfoil from being introduced into a lake or pond and choking
it.
Avon
Resident Killed During Encounter With Framingham Police Officer
Shooting to
be investigated by DA, State Police
FRAMINGHAM - Middlesex
District Attorney Gerry Leone (File photo) informed the public today
that an Avon resident was shot and killed during an encounter with a
Framingham Police officer last evening.
Karl Thomsen, age 41, of Avon, was
pronounced dead at the MetroWest Medical Center last evening at
approximately 8:41 p.m.
“The decedent was shot and killed last
evening after he flagged down the officer on patrol and then apparently
came at him wielding a large knife,” District Attorney Leone said. “As
with any incident in which an on-dutyofficer discharges his firearm
and a fatality results, our office along with the Massachusetts State
Police will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the shooting.”
According to authorities, at approximately
8:19 p.m. last evening, Framingham Police Officer Steve Casey was on
patrol when he was flagged down by Thomsen in the area of 380 Concord
Street in Framingham. The officer was on patrol duty in a marked
Framingham Police cruiser and in full uniform. Thomsen then explained to
the officer that he had discovered a dead body nearby. There is no
present evidence to support that is true.
Shortly after the officer exited his
cruiser, Thomsen then apparently approached the officer in a threatening
manner while wielding a large knife. Casey then discharged his firearm
four times, wounding Thomsen.
Thomsen was transported by ambulance to the
MetroWest Medical Center where he was
pronounced dead. The officer appears to have been uninjured during the
incident.
Per protocol, under these circumstances, the
shooting and death are under investigation by the Massachusetts State
Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The Framingham Police Department will also conduct an internal
administrative review of the incident per department policy.
A Fungus
Among Us
August 4,
2007 — "Teed off" could have been another title for this photo of a
mushroom that could be mistaken from afar as a golf ball on a tee. The
nuclear "mushroom cloud" was never more appropriate as a model for this
fungus discovered on the side of a trail at Lake Whitehall on Friday.
State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on
Route 195 East in Dartmouth
Passenger
ejected, dies
UPDATE
August
4, 2007 — Today at approximately 2:45 a.m., Troopers
assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a single vehiclecrash on the Route 195 East just beyond
Reed Road
(Exit # 11) in Dartmouth that resulted in two fatalities and
one serious injury.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Frank
Ashley indicates that 18 year-old
Jose Beniquez of
New Bedford
was operating a 1988 Honda Civic hatch on Route 195 East when he lost
control of the vehicle, struck the guardrail on the right, exited the
roadway and crashed into several trees. Beniquez
suffered serious injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at
the scene. 18 year-old rear-seat
passenger Angel Figueroa of New Bedford was not wearing his
safety belt and was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at
the scene. 26 year-old front-seat
passenger Hector Figueroa of
New Bedford
was wearing his safety belt and suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Hector Figueroa was
transported by ambulance to
St.LukesHospital in New
Bedford.
Although this crash remains under
investigation with the assistance of the Bristol County State Police
Detectives, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction
Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, it appears
that speed may have been a factor. The Dartmouth Fire Department and
Masshighways assisted troopers at the scene.
Arrest on
South Street
August 3,
2007 — Officer Aaron O'Neil and Officer Matthew McNeil lead a male
prisoner to the cruiser for transport, as Sgt. Joseph Bennett shuts the
door after placing the female prisoner in his cruiser on Thursday
evening. The pair was at the heliport of a South Street company at an
area that has had more than its share of vehicular smash and grab
breaks. Drug law violations are alleged.
Arrrrrrr!
August 3,
2007 — A young man on a sailboat at an offshore dock on the Hopkinton
Reservoir unfurls some sort of pirate flag, matey!
Summer Days
August 3,
2007 — This young man is not walking on water as it may appear at first
glance, but is about to slam into the water after riding a rope swing at an
undisclosed location in Hopkinton. See more on video below.
CONNECTICUT
STATE POLICE CONTINUE SEARCH FOR MISSING SALISBURY
MAN
State
Police continue to investigate a missing person case in the town of Salisbury. THOMAS DREW was reported
missing to State Police at about 7:30 PM on Saturday, July 21,
2007. Reported sightings of Mr. Drew have not produced any new
information in this case.
Mr. Drew was reported missing from his home on 34 Ravine Ridge
Road, Salisbury, CT. State Police utilized K-9 teams, Trooper One (the
State Police Helicopter) and manpower to attempt to locate Mr. Drew. The
search was conducted throughout the night and continued through July
22. Thomas
Drew is 91-years-old and suffers from dementia. He is a while male,
5'6", 125 pounds, thin build, gray/brown hair. He was last seen wearing
a maroon sweatshirt, a tan jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers.
Anyone who may have seen this person since his disappearance is asked
to call State Police at Troop B in Canaan at (860) 824-2500.
Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Gives Back
August 3,
2007 — David Sheehan asks the folks from the DCR about their Forests and
Parks on Wheels program, today at Hopkinton State Park.
Bridges Crumbling Down
In light of the
recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis, reports have claimed that
over 500 bridges in Massachusetts are "deficient," and 75,000
nationwide are in the same category.
Do you feel any
differently about traveling over bridges?
See a welcome
message above from Bob Savin of Fitness Together, a new
advertiser.
Group
Raises $48,000 So Far
"We'll hit $60,000" ~Martha Gold
by Elizabeth
Eidlitz
August 3, 2007 —
Author Jane Howard writes, “call it a clan, call it a network,
call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever
you are, you need one.”
In that case, call 4,800 cyclists from 36 U.S. states and six
countries, and 2000 non-riding volunteers, a remarkable family.
On Aug. 4 and 5, in a collective effort to raise $27 million for
cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute --
they will participate in the 28th annual Pan-Massachusetts
Challenge (PMC.)
One branch of the PMC extended family is the Stem Cell Cyclists
team. Its 11 members include Metrowest residents
Alan and Nancy Cantor of Ashland, Carol Conway of Framingham,
Nancy Levy of Sherborn, Jan Herzog of Ashland, and team captain
Martha Gold, who will be riding for her seventh consecutive
year. (Photo of Martha Gold, right, with friend Jennifer
Kessler, who came out from Laguna Beach, just for the ride.)
Gold, who lost her sister to acute myeloid leukemia, founded the
stem cell cyclists in 2005 with a special commitment to raise
awareness of the potential medical breakthroughs of stem cell
therapy. She contacted the development office at the Dana Farber
to find a stem cell researcher and was introduced to Corey
Cutler, MD, MPH.
Through the Pan Mass Challenge organization, she could earmark
money raised by her team to fund stem cell transplantation
research by Dr. Cutler who treats patients with various blood
cancers.
Dr. Cutler values being personally accountable to the team. He
has joined them at their lunch stop along the PMC route to offer
encouragement and appreciation and hosts a barbecue at his home
after the event.
The team values the personal relationship with Cutler, whose
research team has been the recipient of the $40,000 they raised
in 2005 and again in 2006.
READ FULL STORY HERE
SUNDAY TAPS VIGIL AUGUST 5, 2007
Hopkinton to join thousands of communities across America
Please join the Hopkinton Veteran’s Celebration Committee on August 5,
2007 as we join thousands of communities across America for a
remembrance ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Woodville (Hopkinton)
Massachusetts. The Committee is hosting a “Sunday Taps Vigil” starting
at 7pm. The ceremony will consist of a short tribute to American
soldiers, veterans and their families and is expected to last 15
minutes. The ceremony will include the sounding of the 24 hauntuntingly
beautiful notes of “Taps”.
“Taps” traditionally serves two important purposes. At military outposts
around the world it is played in the evening to signal the time for
quiet, rest and reflection after a day of duty. It is also mandiated by
the Department of Defense to be sounded live by a bugler, if possible,
at the funeral of each and every American veteran as a final tribute to
that individual veteran’s honorable time of service to his or her
country. An average of over 1,600 American veterans are laid to rest
each day.
Hopkinton has held this ceremony, on the first Sunday each month, since
it was initiated in March 2004 by the national non-profit organization
Bugles Across America. Since the ceremony was first proposed over 1,500
communities across America as well as in Canada and several other
countries now participate.
Follow the
Leader
August 3,
2007 — "I haven't seen the geese in quite a while. I wonder if they're
still around," said a bystander moments before about 50 of them appeared
flying about 5 feet over the water at the Hopkinton Reservoir yesterday.
The lead Canada goose has his head cocked slightly to the left, perhaps
eyeing the photographer, or making sure everyone is following.
Town-wide Finance Model Moves Forward “We now have a raging structural deficit” ~
Brian Herr, Selectman
by
David Hamacher
August 2, 2007 — Frustrated by the on-going annual balancing act of
assigning appropriate service levels with available revenues,
School Committee Vice-Chair, Mr. Phil Totino voiced his concerns during
a committee meeting several months ago that something needed to be done
to avoid pain in future budget building exercises. Today, Mr. Totino
chaired a meeting of the Financial Plan Working Group (FPWG) in Town
Hall. When asked how he had come up with the concept, Mr. Totino said,
“Every year we’re faced with reduced staffing and service levels, so
it’s time to take the initiative to address the structural deficit as a
town.”
The overall objective of the FPWG is to bring greater
clarity to all Hopkinton department heads and committees involved in
driving town revenues and planning expenditures together through a
finance model that will help plan for the timing and implementation of
capital improvements, debt exclusions, stabilization funds, and
operating budgets in the hopes of diminishing the ongoing need for
overrides.
Most, if not all people, either as an employee or committee volunteer,
with a responsibility of constructing budgets was in attendance. Mr.
Stuart Cowart, Appropriations Chairman; Ms. Heidi Kriger, Town
Accountant; Dr. John Duffy, Chairman of the Board of Assessors; Dr. Jack
Phelan, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Geoff MacDonald, Director of
Finance; Maureen Dwinnell, Town Treasurer; Mr. Ron Eldridge,
Appropriations Committee; Mr. Bob
Bushway, Principal Assessor; Dave Catone, Capital Improvements
Committee; Mr. Gary Daugherty, Fire Chief and acting Town Manager;
Police Chief, Mr. Tom Irvin; Mr. John McCarthy High School Principal;
Mr. J. T. Gaucher, DPW Director; and Mr. Brian Herr, Selectmen, engaged
in a spirited debate about how to properly plan town finances over the
next ten years through the model that had been suggested by Mr. Totino.
Mr. Daugherty clearly stated, “I think the
voters have spoken. Last year’s override passed barely by eight votes
and nearly everything else was denied this year, including the fields on
Fruit Street. They don’t want anymore overrides,” he said.
There has long been a three year planning process in
place and the FPWG is looking to expand the process through this model
to a ten year forecasting process. Mr. Eldridge stated that, “We need a
really integrated model to build the stabilization back up. What is the
ten year debt service that the voters will be comfortable with,” he
asked.
FULL REPORT
Howie Newman
at ESL Coffeehouse August 18
August 2,
2007 — Like a little baseball with your music? Comical singer-songwriter
Howie Newman, appearing at
the ESL Coffeehouse on August 18 at 8:00 p.m., can deliver a clever
diamond ditty with the best of them, as evidenced his recent
compositions, “Why Did You Go, Johnny Damon?” and “It’s the End of the
Curse and We Know It” (yes, it’s an R.E.M. parody).
For the most part, though, Newman sings about other offbeat topics –
like cell phones, Boston drivers and overseas rock stardom – from his
new CD, Trust Me, You’ll Like It. He does have a serious side, too,
sharing his thoughts about second chances, middle- age dating and
skeptical lovers – but just for a change of pace.
You can see Newman at the Enter Stage Left Coffeehouse, 30 Main St.,
Hopkinton, on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. For further
information, call 508-435-2114 or visit the ESL Coffeehouse Web site at
www.enterstagelefttheater.com .
Newman’s songs have been heard on 92.5 The River, WRKO, WEEI, the
nationally syndicated Dr. Demento show, National Public Radio, WUMB-FM
and many other stations across the country. He has opened for a number
of well known national acts, including Tom Paxton, Vance Gilbert, Bill
Staines, Don White, Lui Collins, Modern Man and many others. For further
information about
Howie Newman, see
www.entertomusic.com/newman .
ATF SPECIAL AGENT
KILLED IN TWO-VEHICLE CRASH
August
2, 2007 — Yesterday at approximately 6:37 pm, there was a two vehicle
crash on Route 91 South in West Springfield that resulted in two fatalities.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a 19 year-old male,
19 year-old Eduardo Gonzalez of
Springfield, was operating
a 2001 Mazda sedan on Route 91 North when he lost control of his
vehicle, crossed over the median and entered the southbound lanes,
colliding head-on with a 1998 Buick sedan operated by 43 year-old
Kimberly Place of Westfield.
Kimberly Place
was employed as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and was currently assigned to the
Springfield Gun Task Force. She was returning from an enforcement
operation with other team members when the crash occurred.
Special Agent Place began her career with ATF in
1987 as a regulatory inspector in the Boston Field Division. She spent
nine years in that position providing regulatory oversight to the
alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives industries throughout
New England. In 1996, she transferred to ATF’s budget
office in
Washington, D.C. In 1998, Kimberly Place
became a Special Agent and was transferred to the Dallas Field
Division. In 2005, she returned to her New England roots and was
assigned to the Springfield Field Office in Massachusetts.
In addition to her dedication as a public
servant with ATF, Special
Agent Place also gave of herself as a
volunteer for several charitable organizations. Since 2005, she has
impacted the lives of several young women through her work with the Big
Sister’s Program and had recently been accepted into the Massachusetts
Foster Parents Program. Kimberly Place was
also a devout animal lover as evidenced by her volunteer work with the
Animal Rescue League.
Kimberly Place,
a Gloucester, Massachusetts native, is survived by her
mother Caroline Place,
sister Deborah Machain and brother-in-law George Machain, as well as
several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and
great-nephews. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
HCAM-TV is honored by the
Massachusetts Medical Society
Statewide physician
group recognizes public access station on the 3rd anniversary
of its collaboration
in producing healthcare program for patients
Above: B. Dale Magee, M.D.,
(2nd from right) President of the Massachusetts Medical Society,
presents a certificate of recognition to Hopkinton Community Access
Media (HCAM) President Mike Preite as the two organizations celebrate
the third anniversary of their collaboration in producing the healthcare
educational program Physician Focus
for public access stations in Massachusetts. At left is Jim Cozzens,
HCAM station manager; at right is principal show host and Hopkinton
resident, Bruce Karlin, M.D. Dr.
Magee was the guest for the 36th show, entitled Becoming a Smarter Patient.
The show is now distributed to 132 stations, reaching 190 communities
and nearly 1.7 million households across the state.
August 2, 2007 — Hopkinton Community Access
Media, HCAM-TV, has been honored by the Massachusetts Medical Society,
as both organizations celebrated the third anniversary of their
collaboration in producing Physician
Focus, an educational healthcare program produced for public
access television stations across the Commonwealth.
Mike Priete, HCAM President, and Jim Cozzens,
HCAM Station Manager, were presented with a framed certificate of
recognition by B. Dale Magee, M.D., President of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, and Bruce Karlin, M.D., principal show host, a member
of the Society's Communications Committee, and a Hopkinton resident. Dr.
Magee was the featured guest at the August 1 taping of the program's
36th episode, entitled Becoming a
Smarter Patient.
In recognizing the station's commitment and
enthusiasm for the project, the citation in part read: "Our
collaborative effort has resulted in an important program to share with
other public access stations in the state, the opportunity for the
Society to become a primary provider of health and medical information
for patients, and the ability to increase participation and enthusiasm
among our members. Most important, it has resulted in a more informed
patient population. Those are multiple, valuable assets derived from a
single venture."
Taped at HCAM facilities each month, Physician Focus is
co-produced by Cozzens and Richard Gulla of the Medical Society's
communications staff and directed by HCAM's Mike Torosian. It features
physicians and other experts in patient-friendly discussions on a
different health care or medical topic each month. When it began, the
show was seen in just a handful of communities. It is now distributed to
some 132 public access stations reaching more than 190 communities and
nearly 1.7 million households across the state. Distributed to stations
as a public service, Physician Focus
is perhaps the most widely distributed healthcare program for public
access television in Massachusetts. It has also received interest
from access stations in several other states, including Michigan, Virginia,
Vermont, Maine, and North
Dakota.
The
collaboration has to date resulted in the tapings of 36 monthly
half-hour programs, on a range of topics addressing both personal and
public health issues. In addition, a one-hour special, "One-on-One with
the Candidates for Governor" focusing on the candidates' health care
policies and platforms, was produced last year.
Remaining programs for 2007 include discussions on preventing medication
errors, bariatric surgery, and pathology. The producers are already
planning 2008 programming, with shows on primary care, nutrition,
emergency preparedness, and psychiatric care slated for production.
The
Farmers’ Market at Weston Nurseries
Fridays noon to 6 p.m. Fresh produce, baked goods, eggs, herbs, jams and jellies, vinegars,
honey, handcrafted items, and more.
Special Event This Friday:
Aug. 3 - "Dog Day of Summer". Come meet Greyhound Friends and Save A Dog
programs to learn about adoption and foster care. Buy your favorite dog
cookies at Filly's Canine Cookies booth. Learn what is available nearby:
from 12:00 to 2:00 watch demonstrations by Mark Macrae of Pawsitive
Training and meet with April Liscombe of Leo’s Canine Camp. From
3:00-5:00 watch demonstrations by Fran Masterpeace of Masterpeace
Training and dog massage therapy demos by Julie Robitaille of Canine
Massage Therapy.
Clement J. "Scotty" MacDonald,
82, of Hopkinton, died Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at the Beaumont Nursing &
Rehabilitation Center in Northbridge.
He was the husband of Joan (Elliott) MacDonald, who died in 2004.
Born in Malden, he was a son of the late Daniel and Margaret (Glynn)
MacDonald and had been a resident of Hopkinton for more than 30 years.
He had been employed as an
inspector by Bay State Abrasives in Westborough for 44 years and by the
town of Hopkinton Department of Public Works until his retirement.
Arrangements Complete
State Police Apprehend Violent Fugitive
Wanted in New York City
On
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Troopers assigned
to the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section along with
investigators from the United States Marshals Service and the New York
City Police Department culminated a joint investigation by arresting 22
year-old Ermal Qoshja of Revere.
Qoshja was sought by the New York City
Police Department in connection with two armed robberies that occurred
in April and May of 2007 at the Millennium and Roosevelt Hotels in New
York City. After the New York City Police Department identified Qoshja
as the suspect in the robberies, the NYPD Robbery Squad contacted the
United States Marshals Service, who in turn asked the Massachusetts
State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section to join the
investigation due to Qoshja's ties to Massachusetts.
Qoshja was arrested on Hyde Park Avenue in
Hyde Park without incident and was transported to the State Police South
Boston Barracks for booking. Qoshja was charged by the Massachusetts
State Police with being a Fugitive from Justice in New York and will be
arraigned on Thursday, August 2, 2007 in Chelsea District Court.
Two new advertising supporters.
<-- Please check
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If you
received this postcard in the mail, and it is in color, you have won
money.
We are sending out
thousands of black and white postcards to Hopkinton households. However,
a few are in color. The first who has called 508-435-5534 after
receiving the card in color, and with a legitimate claim, wins $125.
If yours was black
and white, perhaps your neighbor got one in color. Ask them!
Parade Rest
August 2, 2007 — These bad boys are not plowing through the hedgerows of
Europe, but are at rest at the Lake Maspenock home of a collector. They
are used in parades to accompany military purposes.
Give Me
Liberty, or...
August 2,
2007 — The car in the foreground apparently hit the rear of the white
van in the background that displays a woman with a torch and the name of
an insurance company on the side door. The airbags were deployed in the
sedan, and there were no injuries.
Welcome to
Hay Bale City
August 2,
2007 — In response to a reader's query, the HopNews camera captured the
above photo and called DPW Director JT Gaucher to find out when the hay
bales and silt fences are coming down.
Mr. Gaucher said that there were a few more loose ends on West Main
Street, but the contractor is supposed to remove them by August 31. The
contractor got slowed down by some ledge on Spring Street and received
an extension on the contract, but it is not known if that extends to
this part of the project.
The silt fences and hay bales are installed to protect wetlands and
vernal pools from silt and run off, but it looks like there may be some
protected species growing on them already.
Student
Troopers Graduate
August 1, 2007
— Incoming Hopkinton High School Juniors Michael Stanley, 16, left,
and Philip Powers, 16, pose with Massachusetts State Police Sgt.
Michael Lyver after graduating from the Student Trooper
Academy last Friday.
The American Legion of
Massachusetts and the State Police co-sponsor the
one-week Student Trooper Program at the State Police
Academy in New Braintree.
The State's website
states "The program will provide first hand
experience and lifetime insight into the role of
police officers in promoting and safeguarding
American freedom and rights. The program affords
highly motivated young people an opportunity to
consider law enforcement as a potential career
choice. Student Troopers will be placed into the
police-training environment and will be required to
perform as a police recruit."
READ MORE at MSP. Contributed photo.
Traffic
Advisory -Route 91 South in West Springfield
Route 91 South in West Springfield is
completely closed South of the Mass Pike due to a serious crash.
Traffic is being diverted off of Route 91 South onto the Mass Pike at
Exit 14.
Travelers are advised to seek alternate
routes as traffic is expected to be heavy until the investigation is
completed and the vehicles are removed.
Senator Karen Spilka Votes for Sales Tax Holiday on August 11th & 12th
Senate approves tax exemption for fourth consecutive year
August 1, 2007 - Yesterday, the Senate approved an August sales tax
holiday weekend for 2007. This is the third year that the Commonwealth
will provide a sales tax exemption for an entire weekend, and the fourth
year a tax free day has been approved.
"The sales tax holiday will be good for both businesses and consumers in
the Commonwealth," stated Senator Karen Spilka, who has voted in favor
or the legislation every year. "I look forward to it each year, as I
know many people do. This weekend will bring in much-needed business
during an otherwise relatively quiet time for retailers. Most
importantly, it keeps economic activity in the state."
Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said a tax free weekend
encourages consumers to go shopping and make larger purchases.
"These weekends benefit large and small retail businesses alike, but
they also benefit parents who have to make larger school purchases, such
as computers, for their children," the Senate President said. "We have
seen great success over the past few years with our tax free weekend,
and I expect this year's to be as robust as they have been in the past."
This year's tax free weekend will be August 11th and 12th. As in
previous years, almost all purchases under $2,500 will be tax-free.
Vehicles, motorized boats, tobacco, meals and utilities are excluded.
"The Legislature has provided incentives to many industries to help
create more jobs in the Commonwealth," Sen. Jack Hart (D-Boston) said.
"This legislation is an opportunity to give something back to consumers
while boosting a sector that employs nearly 600,000 workers."
The Senate has consistently supported a sales tax holiday, citing the
bump in sales for local businesses as an economic plus that outweighs
any cost to the Commonwealth.
Last year's tax free weekend produced $500 million in sales.
The bill will now go to the Governor for his signature.
The
Hilltopper Senior Newsletter is now online. It is always behind the
button above.
Teacher Learns Lessons
One in a million?
Hopkinton boy is one in 1.6 billion!
by Robert Falcione
August 1, 2007 — When Karin Perry
signed up to be a single mom, she didn't know it would involve
her baby being on a respirator the first eight days of his life,
seeing him through twenty-one surgeries by the time he was
thirteen, and expecting many more to come in the future. And she
had no idea that her education as a special education teacher —
she's taught for twenty-three years in public schools — would be of such
an immense
value in her own home. Ms. Perry's son, Andrew, who is now
thirteen, was born prematurely, and with facial deficits that
were so severe, he could not eat with his mouth.
"He
had a g-tube in his stomach until he was nine years-old," Ms.
Perry said.
"His
jaw was so small, he had room for some primary teeth buds in the
bone but no secondary teeth to replace them when those come out.
They have to make room on the bottom for teeth," Ms. Perry
explained in an interview at their Hopkinton home Tuesday
afternoon. Andrew was born without bone between his cheeks — a
chin — and underwent procedures where his jaw was broken and the
pieces separated — his mom would have to turn screws to keep the
broken pieces apart to induce bone growth — so that the bone
would generate more of itself and connect.
"Andrew is only one of four kids in the world in this type of
situation," she said.
"He
needs a jaw distraction and a gum reconstruction. When they
align the gum, he'll need a dental implant," she said. And this
is where the tricky part comes in. The dental work is expected
to cost $60,000, but her dental plan ends at $500.
"They
are calling it cosmetic surgery. If he
loses his teeth, he'll have to go back to the tube in his
stomach. Would the same condition resulting from a car accident
be called cosmetic?"
The
conditions are called micrognathia — a very small mandible, and
microglossia — a small or nonexistent tongue. Andrew also has
facial paralysis on the right of his face. Ms. Perry is involved
with two organizations that speak to these conditions:
Children's Cranial Facial Association and About Face USA.
The
Perrys recently had a visit from CNN, which was doing a story on
the denial of insurance for one in four claimants by
insurance companies, who then denied denying that many
insurance claims. The video is here.
August 1,
2007 — The photographer had to be quick to catch Alec Corsini and Nikki
Woodward looking at each other for a split second, as they kept Sandy
Island Beach under their watchful eyes late yesterday afternoon.
Sexual
Assault and Robbery of a Female at the Esplanade in Boston
Police
seek public's help
On July 29, 2007, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a female was abducted at
knifepoint on Beacon Street in Boston and forced to walk
to the Esplanade where she was sexually assaulted and subsequently
robbed.
The suspect is described as a black male, 28-32 years old, 5’10”,
approximately 220 lbs, muscular with a shaved head. The suspect was
wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and dark colored jeans. The suspect also
took the victims cell phone, camera and money prior to leaving the area.
Please
see the artist’s sketch.
Anyone with information about this subject or incident should contact
the State Police Barracks in Boston at 617-727-6780 or Sergeant Brian Howe
at 617-740-7544.
Hooked on Education
Hopkinton woman to open additional location
Above, Mary Murphy with two of her
five children, Sinead, 2, and Declan 4.
by Elizabeth Eidlitz
August 1, 2007 — Unlike the woman
who lived in a shoe, with so many children she didn't know what
to do, Mary Murphy, who lives in a spacious house on Elizabeth
Road, knows exactly what to do with the children who come to
participate in her Hooray for Books/ Hooked on Books programs in
Hopkinton and Medfield. (Hooked on Books is in the process of
changing its name slightly to Hooray for Books.)
“Everyone likes to laugh; it’s universal,” says Murphy, who,
finds that humor connects with every young personality style,
from the painfully shy to the active extrovert. Her imaginative
classes emphasize learning to read, encouraged by cooking and
having fun.
“I grew up in Simsbury, Connecticut, as one of five children. My
husband (Brian Herr) was one of seven, and now we have five
kids,” notes Murphy, who likes big families with a lot going on.
“When I created Hooked on Books/Hooray for Books more than six
years ago I put on several "hats" to consider what the program
should look like. As a mom, I know children love to cook, but
moms don't always like the mess at home! I was also frustrated
by typical 45 minute classes because†there's not enough time to
get any errands done.
“As a Kindergarten teacher for 12 years in the Newton Public
School System, I knew how many transitions kids could handle and
I knew what activities took place in the schools and what ones
did not. Finally, as an educator, with a degree from Boston
College in Early Childhood Education, I knew small class sizes
were a must. Children can survive in big classes, but they
thrive in small ones.
“When it comes to noise levels, transitions, and ability to
learn and be heard, twenty four children with three teachers is
not the same as eight children with one.”STORY CONTINUES
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that an Avon resident was shot and killed during an encounter with a
Framingham Police officer last evening.
,
School Committee Vice-Chair, Mr. Phil Totino voiced his concerns during
a committee meeting several months ago that something needed to be done
to avoid pain in future budget building exercises. Today, Mr. Totino
chaired a meeting of the Financial Plan Working Group (FPWG) in Town
Hall. When asked how he had come up with the concept, Mr. Totino said,
“Every year we’re faced with reduced staffing and service levels, so
it’s time to take the initiative to address the structural deficit as a
town.”
Most, if not all people, either as an employee or committee volunteer,
with a responsibility of constructing budgets was in attendance. Mr.
Stuart Cowart, Appropriations Chairman; Ms. Heidi Kriger, Town
Accountant; Dr. John Duffy, Chairman of the Board of Assessors; Dr. Jack
Phelan, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Geoff MacDonald, Direc
tor of
Finance; Maureen Dwinnell, Town Treasurer; Mr. Ron Eldridge,
Appropriations Committee; Mr. Bob
Bushway, Principal Assessor; Dave Catone, Capital Improvements
Committee; Mr. Gary Daugherty, Fire Chief and acting Town Manager;
Police Chief, Mr. Tom Irvin; Mr. John McCarthy High School Principal;
Mr. J. T. Gaucher, DPW Director; and Mr. Brian Herr, Selectmen, engaged
in a spirited debate about how to properly plan town finances over the
next ten years through the model that had been suggested by Mr. Totino.
the ESL Coffeehouse on August 18 at 8:00 p.m., can deliver a clever
diamond ditty with the best of them, as evidenced his recent
compositions, “Why Did You Go, Johnny Damon?” and “It’s the End of the
Curse and We Know It” (yes, it’s an R.E.M. parody).
August
2, 2007 — Yesterday at approximately 6:37 pm, there was a two vehicle
crash on Route 91 South in 
The
Farmers’ Market at Weston Nurseries 
On
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Troopers assigned
to the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section along with
investigators from the United States Marshals Service and the New York
City Police Department culminated a joint investigation by arresting 22
year-old Ermal Qoshja of Revere. 
Win Money
those come out.
They have to make room on the bottom for teeth," Ms. Perry
explained in an interview at their Hopkinton home Tuesday
afternoon. Andrew was born without bone between his cheeks — a
chin — and underwent procedures where his jaw was broken and the
pieces separated — his mom would have to turn screws to keep the
broken pieces apart to induce bone growth — so that the bone
would generate more of itself and connect.
