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WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Daniel Kim, 49, of Maynard, was arraigned yesterday in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with the alleged intentional setting of a fire in a coffee shop in Newton in August of 2017. Kim is charged with one count of arson of a dwelling and two counts of placing a destructive device.

Assistant Clerk Magistrate Lisa McGovern ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing scheduled for November 20, 2017.

On August 28, 2017 at approximately 12:14 p.m., the Newton Police Department and Fire Department responded to a 911 call placed by the defendant stating that he was trapped by fire in the basement of The Broken Grounds Café on Walnut Street in Newton. Upon arrival authorities located the defendant lying on the floor of the basement. The defendant was transported to an area hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Fire and Explosion Investigative Unit were also called to the scene where they determined that the fire had been deliberately started.

Investigators found makeshift destructive devices in the area of the basement where the fire was started. Authorities also allegedly found a receipt for the purchases for components used to create those destructive devices in the defendant’s car.

Through their investigation authorities learned that the defendant, who owned the coffee shop, was a tenant of the residential/commercial building and that the building’s owner had instructed the defendant to vacate the premises by the end of August of 2017.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Kristen Noto. Contributed content.

 This is the time of year we all need to be careful when shopping. Feel free to COPY & PASTE if you want to share. Thank you.

Woman Escapes Possible Abduction (Real or Not?)

“I am posting this because one can never be vigilant enough. Last Thursday in the middle of the afternoon I went to do an errand at Shoppers World in Framingham. I parked smack dab in the middle of Barnes & Noble and World Market. There were NO cars in front, behind, to the left or to the right of me. When I say no cars I mean roughly alone with approximately 12 spaces in all direction.

"In the tiniest fraction of a millisecond after putting my keys and cellphone in my pocketbook I opened my door and knee-jerked it shut apologizing profusely to the guy in the minivan I almost banged my door into. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION: There was nobody around me. My door was about 1/3 of the way open and opened to an OPEN minivan slider with a man in the back behind the driver. Two men in the front seats. The man in the front passenger seat told me if I get out of my car right away they would fix my car.....

"Fraction of a millisecond...... I didn’t have time to think let alone process. I locked my door, turned the car back on and then got on my phone out to call the police. The silver/grey minivan with a New Jersey plate took off. I was trembling. It was SO fast. I drove to the second space next to World Market and got the mgr. She called 911. They dispatched immediately to local plazas/mall. After giving a 45 minute statement to 3 Framingham police officers I was told that I was the THIRD woman this happened to recently. PLEASE tell your friends, sisters, wives, daughters, nieces etc. In this day and age when too many people are looking at their phones instead of their environment it would take nothing to be abducted.” ~Anonymous.

Editor's note: Framingham Police Twitter feed addresses this type of incident, but without conclusion, and from a different perspective.

HopNews' policy is to reject all anonymous letters. In this case, there is no individual targeted, and no political motivation. We view it as a scenario worth repeating, a warning to those who may not ever have thought of it as a dangerous situation.

       Similarly, a woman arrives at her vehicle in a parking garage at work to find that her vehicle has a flat tire. A nearby vehicle starts, but is shut off right away as a handsome man in a three-piece suit, a White Knight, emerges from it, seeming to notice her plight, and offers to help. She will never know that he was the one who let out the air in the first place after seeing her park there at the beginning of the workday. He didn't kidnap her physically, but he did steal her heart by false pretense.

Swearing In of Colonel Kerry Gilpin 11.15.17

November 15, 2017 - Governor Charlie Baker announced the appointment of Colonel Kerry Gilpin to serve as Superintendent and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). A 23-year veteran of the State Police, Colonel Gilpin most recently served as Deputy Division Commander of the Division of Standards and Training. Her appointment is effective today. Contributed content

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Lowell bank robbery suspect arrested in New Hampshire

LOWELL, Mass. – On Wednesday, November 15, investigators located and apprehended a suspect in connection with two Merrimack Valley area bank robberies.

David Rivera, 37, of Lowell was arrested after members of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit (WAU), Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), and Lowell Police Department developed information that Rivera was in Salem, New Hampshire.  Rivera was taken into custody by the joint apprehension team with the assistance of the Salem, NH Police Department. Rivera was subsequently transported to the Salem Police Department for booking and is currently being held as a fugitive from justice pending extradition proceedings.

Rivera was wanted in connection with bank robberies that occurred on November 13 in Lowell and on November 14 in Lawrence.

HCA to Host New Year’s Eve pARTy

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is hosting a New Year’s Eve “pARTy” on Sunday, December 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe Street.

The over-21 evening will feature the music of Hot Acoustics. Cost is $40 and includes food, a champagne toast at midnight, music and dancing. A cash bar will also be available.

Don’t miss the chance to ring in 2018 with your friends! Book your ticket now at www.hopartscenter.org .

Free Pasta Dinner at St. Paul’s November 29

HOPKINTON, MASS. (November 16, 2017) – The November Community Pasta Supper at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 61 Wood Street (Rte. 135) will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29. All are welcome to this event, which is being supported by the churches of the Hopkinton Christian Service Connection. This pasta supper is held for the community on the last Wednesday of every month. There will not be a Pasta Supper in December due to the holidays.

The meal will feature pasta (gluten free available), vegetarian tomato sauce, meatballs on the side, green salad, bread, beverages, and dessert.

The pasta supper is free, although donations will be accepted.

The mission of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is to minister unconditionally to all in the name of Christ through shared worship, teaching, healing, and service. St. Paul’s is LGBTQ friendly. For more information call the church office at 508-435-4536 or visit www.stpaulhopkinton.org

KeepSmilin4Abbie Toy Drive

The KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation® will be sponsoring it's 5th Annual Toy Drive to benefit Children's Hospital between November 20 and December 8. There are two simple ways to support this important charitable drive - order through Amazon Smile ( smile.amazon.com/ch/47-7096233  ) and have your donation shipped directly to: The KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation Toy Drive, 4 Cider Mill Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748; OR drop off at one of the following locations: Hopkinton -all Public Schools; Southborough - Woodward Elementary School; Framingham - McAuliffe Charter School; Natick - Kennedy High School; or bring a toy for a free yoga class on December 9, 3:30 pm, Shanti Yoga, 61 Wood Street, Hopkinton.

Children's Hospital particularly needs unwrapped toys for children ages 0-3 years, and gift cards for older children. The KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code. For more information regarding the mission and activities of the foundation, please visit their website, www.KeepSmilin4Abbie.org .

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Hopkin10K

Saturday, December 2, 9:00 am

10K road race around Hopkinton's beautiful Lake Whitehall

Race is dedicated to the memory of former Hopkinton Resident and Running Club member Andy Welzel.

All proceeds from the race will be used to create a scholarship fund dispersed to High School students who were impacted by a role model like Andy.

Hopkinton's Start Line beer at the finish for donation to Andy Welzel Scholarship Fund.

Sign-Up at  runhopkinton.org/hopkin10K

Six Arrested for Trafficking Narcotics

SHREWSBURY - November 13, 2017 -- At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 13, Trooper Thomas Mace, assigned to the State Police Barracks in Holden, was on patrol on Route 290 eastbound in Shrewsbury when he observed the operator of a Chevy Astro van commit motor vehicle violations.  Trooper Mace activated his emergency lights and stopped the van. The van had six occupants, including the operator, RONALD LATOURETTE, 53, of Corinth, Maine.

Trooper Joshua Shirtcliff assisted Trooper Mace at the scene of the motor vehicle stop. As a result of an investigation and search of the van, troopers located the following: approximately 57 grams of heroin; approximately 113 grams of cocaine; four knives, two of which were doubled edged; and a .25 caliber semi-automatic firearm. None of the occupants possessed a license to carry a firearm in Massachusetts.  All six were placed under arrest and transported to the Holden Barracks where they were booked and held pending their arraignment in Westborough District Court. Contributed content.

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(508) 435-3725

Community Covenant Church

2 West Elm Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

www.comcovhop.org

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Audrey Connolly, 81
  

Audrey Connolly, 81, of Hopkinton (formerly Boston) entered into eternal peace on Thursday, November 9, 2017, surrounded by family in Westborough MA. Audrey was born April 27, 1936 in Boston to the late James W. Riggs of Newfoundland, Canada and the late Sadie Margaret Campbell Riggs of Prince Edward Island, Canada. She was raised in North Cambridge, MA and had an active childhood performing volunteer work for her church, dancing and performing in plays. She cherished her summers on Prince Edward Island with her mother's family and considered PEI her home away from home. Audrey began working for Honeywell Corporation in the late 1950s where she met the love of her life who became her husband, Jack Connolly, who pre-deceased her. She enjoyed her role as a mother to her four children and was active in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the PTA, and when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the young age of 33, she led the MS Society's local chapter.

She leaves her beloved daughters Jaynemarie and her partner Cesar Faes of North Attleboro, MA, Kathleen and her husband James Ciriello of Hopkinton, MA, Mary Ann and her husband Mark Shoup of Apple Valley CA, and son John of Milford MA. She also leaves her precious granddaughters Julia and Gianna who will miss her dearly and grandsons Andrew, Christopher, Timothy and Sam and one great-grandson. In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by a sister Myrna Riggs and her infant twin sons James and Joseph Connolly.

Audrey's family wishes to thank the nurses, especially Jess and Carlene, physical therapists, especially Karen Green, and staff at Kindred Transitional Care in Westborough for taking such good care of her and a completely separate entity Kindred Hospice care, especially Lori Hughes whose loving care took our mum comfortably and with dignity through her last days.

Visitation will be held Friday November 17 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton. A funeral service will follow at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Cremation and burial at Saint Joseph's Cemetery in west Roxbury will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Cancer Society.

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Warns of Ongoing Telephone Scams

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) is today warning residents of ongoing telephone scams in which perpetrators are posing as MSO employees.

The warning is being issued in response to recent incidents in which local residents reported calls from individuals falsely claiming to work for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.  In multiple calls, scammers alleged those receiving them had missed jury duty and were subject to arrest unless they immediately paid a fine using gift cards.

“Under no circumstances will our deputies ever threaten arrest over the phone or demand individuals pay a fine or debt using pre-paid debit or gift cards,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian.

Anyone who may have received similar calls is encouraged to report them to their local police department and the MSO Digital Forensics Unit at 978-932-3292.  Individuals with questions regarding jury duty can contact the Office of Jury Commissioner at 1-800-843-5879.

Framingham Firefighter Arraigned in Connection with Alleged Bank Robbery
    

FRAMINGHAM – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced Michael Espinosa, 34, of Framingham, was arraigned today in Framingham District Court and charged with armed robbery in connection with an alleged Natick bank robbery. Espinosa is a firefighter with the Framingham Fire Department.

Judge Martine Carroll ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing scheduled for November 16. Judge Carroll also ordered the defendant to surrender all firearms to the Framingham Police Department.

On November 9, 2017, at approximately 11:14 a.m. the defendant is alleged to have entered a bank on Worcester Street in Natick wearing sunglasses and a hat, and approached the counter demanding cash from the bank tellers. The defendant allegedly told the tellers that he was armed with gun. The tellers then allegedly gave the defendant approximately $1,000 in cash. Through surveillance footage, Natick Police allegedly identified the defendant’s motor vehicle. A search warrant executed on the defendant’s home allegedly located clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery, including the hat and sunglasses.

This charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to today’s arraignment was Assistant District Attorney Timothy Cochrane.

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Adeline (Preservati) Dailey, 92

HOPKINTON - Adeline (Preservati) Dailey, 92, died Wednesday November 9, 2017 at her daughter's home in Hopedale. She was the widow of the late John E. Dailey, who died in 2009. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of the late Prospero and Angelina (Perini) Preservati. She was a resident of Hopkinton for over 70 years.

She is survived by her children Edward Dailey and his wife Pamela of Hopkinton, Joanne Sparks and her husband Thomas of Hopedale, Deborah Vento of Upton and Marie Wood and her husband William of Hopkinton. She also leaves her sister Mary Alves of Ashland, her brother Richard Preservati of Eastham, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Anthony J. Vento and grandson Anthony J. Vento Jr.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Hopkinton. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton.

Donations may be made to the Autism Alliance of Metrowest, 1881 Worcester Road #100a, Framingham, MA 01701.

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HHS Presents Edgier ‘Seussical’

 Students at Hopkinton High School will present a socially relevant spin on Dr. Seuss’s beloved children’s books when they present “Seussical, the Musical,” in late November.

Starring a cast of 47, ‘Seussical” will feature singing, dancing, and those familiar childhood stories as a parable about the plight of the downtrodden. While the audience will recognize the references to Seuss’s whimsical children’s books -- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “One Fish Two Fish” and “The Butter Battle” -- this show will have political undertones that will make it relevant and timely. The unseen “Whos” are depicted as refugees, relocated to a strange land and feeling invisible to many. Horton the elephant, their protector, is depicted as a lonely creature himself who believes that “a person’s a person no matter how small.” The story is told from the standpoint of a child who is separated from her family.

Show director Valerie vonRosenvinge said that she faced some obstacles in producing “Seussical,” starting with the students who didn’t want to be part of what they thought would be a “silly children’s show.” Others were uncomfortable with the recent controversy surrounding Seuss, whose work was recently booted out of libraries and even the Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield because it was perceived as racist. VonRosenvinge said that while some of his work reflected the culture of the times, at the heart of Seuss’s books are a deep current of empathy.

“It’s interesting how easy it is to feel empathy for cute tiny cartoon creatures brightly colored in storybooks,” writes vonRosenvinge in the program for her show. “I would like to think that Dr. Seuss’s intention was that our empathy extends beyond the page to color our interactions with each other. . . that we acknowledge and feel the weight of the challenges and heartaches experienced by people around the world whom we can not see.”

Showtimes For “Seussical, the Musical” are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m., in the Hopkinton High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 and available at the high school office or at the door. Admission is free for senior citizens who live in Hopkinton. ~Cathy Buday

On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month

CEREMONY: The Hopkinton American Legion Post 202 will hold its’ annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Hopkinton Senior Center at the traditional time [11:00 AM] and date [ November 11] on Saturday. This event is open to all, and coffee and breakfast snacks will be served.

DINNER: The Hopkinton Veterans Celebration Committee continues the tradition of a Veterans Day dinner at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club on Saturday November 11, and doors open at 5:00 PM. All veterans are invited to attend, and will be treated to roast beef, plenty of desserts, and first class entertainment. Questions- call Mike Whalen 508-435-2397.

Home Heating Cost Assistance

If you are in need of Fuel Assistance this heating season and you would like to apply to SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council) for assistance, please contact the Hopkinton Senior Center Outreach Department (508-497-9730). We assist all households (you do not need to be a home owner to apply) in Hopkinton, not just seniors, so please spread the word to your neighbors.

The program runs November through April, and the income guidelines are set by the State. If your household of one has an income of $34,380 or under; two: $44,958 or under, etc., you should consider applying. All household members are counted in the totals. SMOC assists with all heating options - oil, natural gas, propane, electricity or wood.

You will need to provide: Social Security cards for all in the home, income verification, a recent copy of your heating bill, your electric bill, a photo I.D. (usually a driver's license), and a few other documents. It is a simple procedure, and the Outreach Department will meet with you to fill out the SMOC application. Outreach can also assist those applying for 'recertification,' if you received assistance last year.  ~Amy Beck

Deer Strike Ends in Fatality

WESTON - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Weston Police Chief Michael Goulding have confirmed that yesterday at approximately 5:25 p.m. Weston police responded to Wellesley Street in Weston to a report that two vehicles had struck a deer in the area of Newton Street.

The preliminary investigation suggests that a crossover sedan traveling southbound on Wellesley Street struck an adult male deer. After being struck the deer was thrown into the northbound lane where it struck the windshield of a minivan traveling in the opposite direction.
The passengers in the first vehicle were not injured.

The driver of the second vehicle, a male in his 70s, who was alone, was transported to Newton Wellesley hospital where he later died from his injuries.

This in an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Weston Police and Massachusetts State Police.

Serious Motorcycle Crash Injures 46 year-old Hopkinton Man

 November 8, 2017 -- During the very beginning of our LIVE! on Main webcast this evening (6:05), correspondent Ed Thompson informed us of a serious motorcycle crash on Lumber Street, which closed the road. The State Police Accident Reconstruction Team was called to aid in the investigation. A tow truck was ordered, and removed the motorcycle around 7:20 pm. HopNews will not release the  name of the patient until and if authorities release it.

Hopkinton Police Press Release:

The Hopkinton Police Department is actively investigating a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred on Lumber Street. At approximately 5:45pm the Communications Center received a 911 call of a motorcycle crash into a tree. Dispatchers immediately began offering Emergency Medical Dispatching instructions and dispatched public safety resources to the scene. On arrival units discovered a 46 year old Hopkinton man with critical injuries. The man was conscious and speaking at the time of his transport to the hospital. Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Team was requested to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

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At Hopkinton Center for the Arts:

We Are Monsters

4 shows: Friday November 10th @ 7 pm, Saturday November 11th @ 3 pm & 7 pm, Sunday November 12th @ 3 pm

Tickets may be purchased at the door or online: CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

We Are Monsters is a hilarious new musical that follows human kids into a monster cabaret filled with quirky monster characters. The adventurous humans uncover vegetarian vampires and rock n’ roll werewolves, gradually realizing there may be more to these monsters than meets the eye! Most importantly these monsters and kids discover the importance of friendship and celebrating in the attributes that make each of us different and unique.

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Student-run Turkey Drive

Hi all- a reminder that the 19th annual student run Turkey Drive is next week. Ethan Kramer (ekramer@hillers.org ) and Kevin Sullivan (kfsullivan@hillers.org ) are co-leading the drive this year. They will happily accept grocery store gift cards or cash (that I will change into grocery store cards). I will take any grocery store cards collected to the Salvation Army on the morning of November 15th (unless you would like to earmark your donation for Project Just Because here in town - we try to support their needs too). Thanks! For giving!

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The DPW wishes to remind all Hopkinton residents of By-Laws pertaining to the parking of motor vehicles during the winter months.

Traffic Rules and Orders, Town of Hopkinton, Article lV, Section 8 “It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than for an emergency, to park said vehicle on any street between the hours of 1:00am to 6:00am from November 15 through April 1.

Article X, Section 1 By-Laws Town of Hopkinton

The Highway Manager, for the purpose of removing or plowing snow, or removing the ice from any way shall be authorized to remove or cause to be removed to some convenient place, including in such term a public garage, any vehicle interfering with such work. The owner of any vehicle so removed shall be liable for the cost of such removal, and for the storage charges, if any, resulting therefrom. The Highway Manager, whenever any vehicle is so removed, shall notify the Police Department and said Department shall render all necessary assistance to the Highway Manager in enforcing this by-law.

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October 29-30th Storm

We are writing to provide information regarding the storm impact for the community following a meeting of the Hopkinton Emergency Management Group.

The first priorities that were identified included reopening Hayden Rowe and Wood Street and restoring power to critical infrastructure. Additionally, DPW removed debris from the roadways that was not associated with power lines.

As of this moment portions of the following six roads are closed;
Saddle Hill Road, Oakhurst Road, Spring Street, West Elm Street, Pond Street, and School Street.

Emergency Management will be partnering with Eversource and working throughout the night to open blocked roads and restore services to the remaining 234 customer outages. Given that Hayden Rowe is now fully passable and Wood Street is partially open, we anticipate that schools will resume their normal schedule tomorrow morning.

We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that any downed wire should be assumed to be live. Also any tree, pole or debris in contact with live wires should also be considered live, especially during wet conditions. Please do not touch or go near any wires. Call 911 to report any hazard.

Norman Khumalo
Town Manager

Young Philanthropist

Hopkinton High School senior Ben Scire has received the 2017 Young Philanthropist Award from the Foundation for Metrowest.  At a breakfast gathering of 350 business and community leaders, held Friday, Oct. 28 at the Newton Marriott, Ben was honored with the Foundation's highest youth award and spoke to the assembled leaders about his generation's perspective on corporate philanthropy.  He is a graduate of the Foundation's Hopkinton Youth in Philanthropy program, which is a selective, semester long course on leadership and community philanthropy.  Pictured here are Ben Scire (center), his parents Mike & Patty Scire (left) and Hopkinton Selectmen Claire Wright and John Coutinho (right). Photo by Renee Quinn

PEPPERELL – (October 28, 2017) Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Pepperell Chief of Police David Scott have confirmed the death of a skydiver this afternoon in Pepperell. At approximately 3:00 p.m. Pepperell Police responded to a report at the Pepperell Skydiving Center on Nashua Road. Upon arrival authorities located the body of a 60-year-old deceased male who was an experienced skydiver. He worked as an independent contractor filming jumps with the skydiving company. The preliminary investigation suggests that the decedent experienced a parachute malfunction.

No foul play is suspected. This is an open and active investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Pepperell Police Department, Massachusetts State Police assigned the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration.

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