Middlesex DA, Natick Police Investigating Double Fatality

NATICK -- Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people in Natick, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Natick Police Chief James Hicks announced tonight.  

            At approximately 6:30 p.m. this evening, Natick Police responded to 42 Winter St. for a report of a deceased male.  An investigation began immediately and a second deceased victim, a female, was discovered inside the home.

           Authorities believe this to be an isolated incident. There are no safety concerns for the public.

           The decedents have been identified as Chester Ju, 64, and Shirley Ju, 64, a husband and wife who lived at this residence.  Autopsies will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

            The investigation is ongoing by Natick Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Press Release from DA

HOPKINTON - Ruth E. (Berry) Phipps, 92, died peacefully at her home on November 1, 2013.  She was the beloved wife of the late Paul M. Phipps, who died in December 2012.  They were married for 69 years.

She is survived by her sons Robert and his wife Nancy of Sutton, and Richard of Myanmar.  She also leaves her grandchildren Todd Phipps and his wife Val of Holden, Tanya Payne and her husband Alvin of Holliston, Suzanne Myers and her husband Joseph of Merrimack, NH, Megan Majeran and her husband Eric of Taunton, Michael Phipps and his wife Danielle of Wareham, and Avery Phipps of Myanmar.  In addition, she leaves four great grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her son Ronald, who died in 1974.

Ruth enjoyed many wonderful trips with her husband to Bermuda, Europe, Canada, Hawaii and Scotland.  She, along with her family, spent many happy summers at their cottage on Cape Cod.  More than anything, she cherished the time she shared with her family and friends.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, Hopkinton.  

Donations in Ruth's name may be made to the Baypath Humane Society, 5 Rafferty Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Letter From Superintendent of Schools

Cournoyer Resigns

Bishop Appointed Principal

November 1, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to share information with you about decisions I have made regarding the high school leadership team. Throughout these recent transitions, please know that my foremost consideration has been in maintaining the highest educational standards for our students.

First, I am pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Mr. Evan Bishop as Principal of Hopkinton High School. Mr. Bishop has demonstrated strong leadership skills during his 9 years in the district; 4 years as a guidance counselor and coach, and 31/2 years as Assistant Principal before assuming the Interim Principal position in December last year. He embraced the role with enthusiasm and earned the respect and confidence of the high school staff, his colleagues on the administrative team, and the community. I am very pleased to welcome Evan to the position and cannot think of a more thorough interview process than the opportunity we have had to observe him in this role. He has demonstrated leadership skills in promoting the learning and growth of all students, ensuring a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment, creating positive partnerships with families, and sustaining a school culture of reflective practice, high expectations, and continuous learning for staff.

Secondly, I have appointed Mr. Jake Santamaria to assume Mr. Bishop's former role for the remainder of the year. The students and staff are familiar with Mr. Santamaria given his role in the same position last year. We will conduct a full search this spring for a permanent, full-time replacement to begin July 1, 2014.

Thirdly, I have received and accepted a letter of resignation from Mr. Cournoyer as Principal of Hopkinton High School. By working strategically with the high school administration, we have developed a plan to provide for continuity and stability in leadership at the high school while minimizing any additional cost to the school department beyond that which was originally budgeted.

Finally, on November 6th at 7:00 PM there will be a public forum held in the high school library to introduce our strong and united administrative team. We are looking forward to sharing our enthusiasm for all of the great things that are happening in our schools, and to answering your questions.

Please join me in changing the conversation to focus on where we are going while learning from where we have been.

Sincerely,
Cathy MacLeod, Ed.D.

Water Meter Reader Installations

Please be advised that the DPW water and sewer division will be installing new outside water meter reading units at customer’s homes and business in the area of Ash St, Eastview Rd, Front St., East Main and side streets in those areas.  In most cases this does not require entry into the home.  However, in some instances technicians may need to gain access to your basement to make the necessary connection.

 
We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Eric J. Carty,  Water-Sewer Manager

Most Wanted Sex Offender Captured in Boston

The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section yesterday arrested one of the department’s Most Wanted High Risk Sex Offenders. Troopers apprehended UMAR SHABAZZ (a.k.a. SAMUEL PLEAS), D.O.B. 6/29/59, at an establishment on Tremont Street in Boston. SHABAZZ is wanted on three warrants issued out of Worcester District Court charging him with failure to register as a Level 3 sex offender, refusing to provide a DNA database sample, and possession of a Class B narcotic with intent to distribute.

Troopers recently developed information indicating that SHABAZZ was in the Boston area. Further investigation led the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section to set up surveillance in Boston. After a nearly nine-hour effort, SHABAZZ was located shortly before 6 p.m. at Slades Bar and Grill on Tremont Street in Roxbury Crossing. Troopers arrested SHABAZZ and transported him to the State Police Barracks in Millbury, where a member of the State Police CODIS Unit obtained a DNA sample from SHABAZZ, as required by law. Troopers then took the prisoner to the Worcester Police Department, where he was processed and held for arraignment.

SHABAZZ relocated to Worcester after serving a prison sentence for rape, kidnapping, and armed robbery, but never properly registered as a sex offender as required by law. SEE WANTED POSTER

Hoptoberfest Raises Over $18,000 for the Renovation and Expansion of Hopkinton Public Library, While 16 Homes Join the “1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library” Pledging an Additional $16,000

October 29, 2013, Hopkinton, Mass.  — Hopkinton Public Library Foundation’s “Hoptoberfest,” a fun night of tasting, generated over $18,000 for the planned expansion and renovation of Hopkinton Library.  Held on Friday, October 25, 275 guests enjoyed samples of numerous local microbrews, name brand beers and food from local restaurants. and caterers.

         In addition to the incredible outpouring of support for the Library by the partygoers, sponsors and local businesses at Hoptoberfest,  16 guests at the event pledged $1,000 toward the renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Library in response to HPLF’s new challenge - “1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library.”  With 1000 Homes willing to pledge $1,000 over the next four years, HPLF will raise $1 million for the restoration, renovation and expansion of Hopkinton’s most inclusive community asset. The contributions from these 16 generous Hopkinton families bring the grand total for Hoptoberfest to over $34,000! 

          Please continue to support the renovation and expansion of the Hopkinton Public Library at HPLF's upcoming events:

·         "Jump for the Library" from 3pm to 8pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at SkyZone in Westborough. Be sure to mention Hopkinton Public Library and 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Library renovation & expansion.

·       Third Annual "Princess Tea" on Sunday, January 26, 2013, at the Westborough DoubleTree.

        Want to be the first to know when tickets go on sale or what fun events are coming up?  Sign up for HPLF’s newsletter at www.hplfinc.org, or “Like” HPLF’s Facebook page. 

        All proceeds from HPLF events help to fund the Hopkinton Public Library building project.  In addition to the $4.5 million grant awarded to the Town of Hopkinton by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), funds raised by HPLF will defray the Town’s cost of restoring, renovating and expanding the library’s historic building.  In 2011, the MBLC approved Hopkinton’s plan for the renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library and awarded Hopkinton a $4.5 million Library Construction Grant, approximately 45% of the $10.2 million total cost of the library building project.  Hopkinton currently is #4 on the waiting list to receive these state construction funds, which could be awarded to the Town as soon as 2014.  Once completed, Hopkinton Public Library will provide a modern, accessible facility that meets the current and future needs of the community, while preserving and highlighting the architectural features of the beloved original building.  For more information about HPLF’s mission, please visit the HPLF website at www.hplfinc.org.

        Contributions to Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc. can be mailed to P.O. Box 16, Woodville, MA 01784, or made online at http://www.hplfinc.org.

Milford Regional Welcomes New Physicians to Cancer Center

           Cancer Center Services expand at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center with the appointment of several new physicians to Milford Regional’s active medical staff.

            Natalie Sinclair, MD (photo)graduated from the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT with a degree in medicine in 2006.  She performed an internal medicine residency at Fletcher Allen Health Care through the University of Vermont and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Rhode Island Hospital through Brown University, Providence, RI.  Dr. Sinclair is board certified in internal medicine and she is an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

            Milford Regional welcomes three Brigham and Women’s radiation oncologists to the medical staff.  Monica Krishnan, MD received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 2008.  She completed an internship in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a residency in radiation oncology at Harvard’s Radiation Oncology Program where she was chief resident.  Dr. Krishnan is a clinical instructor in radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School.

             Michael Corradetti, MD graduated with a degree in medicine and a PhD from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI in 2008.  He performed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in radiation oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.  Dr. Corradetti is a clinical instructor in radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School.

            Itai Pashtan, MD attended the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine where he graduated with honors and also completed an internal medicine residency program.  He continued his training with a residency in radiation oncology in Harvard’s Radiation Oncology Program and at Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, completing a fellowship in the Cancer Program.

            “The success of Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center can largely be attributed to the quality of the physicians,” says Edward J. Kelly, president, Milford Regional Medical Center.  “We are pleased to welcome these new, high caliber physicians to our medical staff.”          

            An appointment may be scheduled with Dr. Natalie Sinclair by calling the medical oncology department at The Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center, 508-488-3700.  To make an appointment with Drs. Kashtan, Corradetti or Pashtan, call the radiation oncology department at 508-488-3800.