Massachusetts
Farmers from North Easton, Raynham, Ipswich, and Sharon win Massachusetts Tomato Contest – The Boston Globe
Four farms placed first Tuesday in the Massachusetts Tomato Contest, which aims to encourage people to buy locally-grown produce during the peak harvest season.
Langwater Farm in North Easton, Freedom Food Farm in Raynham, Russell Orchards in Ipswich, and Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon took home the top prizes for cherry bomb, speckled roman, oxheart tomatoes, and other juicy varieties, according to the statement.
The Boston Public Market Association hosted the 39th annual contest, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association.
State agricultural commissioner Ashley Randle urged people to show support for farmers and “take advantage” of the fresh tomatoes.
“Late summer is the peak harvest season in Massachusetts which includes tomatoes that our growers have spent a lot of time and effort to produce one of the most delicious local crops available to consumers,” Randle said in a statement.
A panel of food writers, produce experts, and state officials, judged entries on flavor, firmness and slicing quality, exterior color, and shape , the statement said.
The tastiest and best-looking tomatoes were presented by 108 entries from 24 farms located across Massachusetts, the statement said. Approximately 5.9 million pounds of tomatoes are produced every year on 739 farms and 520 acres of land at a value of nearly $10 million dollars in the state, according to the statement.
Trevor Hardy, president of the New England Vegetable and Grower’s Association, said long winters in New England can be challenging for farmers.
“The best compliment is when a customer says, ‘These taste like the tomatoes from my grandmother’s garden when I was a kid,’” he said. “Our tomatoes don’t have to travel very far to get to our customers so we can grow unique heirloom varieties meant for shipping, and for customers, it can be a real summer treat.”
Cheryl Cronin, chief executive officer of the Boston Public Market, said it was an honor to host the competition and showcase the hard work of farmers.
“In New England, we count down to tomato season all summer long and we’re thrilled to celebrate and honor our local farmers,” she said.
Kiera McDonald can be reached at kiera.mcdonald@globe.com.
A body part was found in a pond in Shirley, Massachusetts and investigators said foul play is suspected.
It was discovered around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday as a group of people were walking along Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.
Police said the group noticed something suspicious in the water of Phoenix Pond. The Middlesex District Attorney confirmed that the item was a body part, but would not elaborate.
Police shut down the road and divers could be seen exploring the pond late Wednesday. Authorities were back at the scene Thursday morning.
No other information is available at this point in the investigation.
Phoenix Pond connects to the Catacoonamug Brook, which flows into the Nashua River. It’s also connected to Lake Shirley.
Shirley, Massachusetts is about 44 miles northwest of Boston and around 13 miles from the New Hampshire border.
Human remains were discovered Wednesday in the water in Shirley, Massachusetts, and authorities suspect foul play.
Police in Shirley said in a social media post at 7:15 p.m. that they responded to “a suspicious object in the water near the Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.” Massachusetts State Police later said the object was believed to be human remains.
The bridge crosses Catacoonamug Brook near Phoenix Pond.
The office of Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said a group of young people was walking in the area around 5:30 p.m. and “reported seeing what appeared to be something consistent with a body part in the water.”
Foul play is suspected, Ryan’s office said.
Authorities will continue investigating overnight into Thursday, and an increased police presence is expected in the area.
No further information was immediately available.
Massachusetts
Ice covered highways, streets and sidewalks in Boston area rattled nerves during morning commute: “I’m ready for the thaw”
It was a treacherous commute for drivers across Massachusetts Wednesday morning. Ice on roads and highways caused several crashes during rush hour.
In Danvers, 22 miles north of Boston, the ramp from Interstate 95 to Route 1 north was covered in ice, leading to three separate crashes involving twelve cars. Three people were taken to local hospitals.
In Revere, just seven miles north of the city, two tractor-trailers collided on North Shore Road. Police said it will be shut down for most of the day. It’s unclear if this crash was caused by icy conditions.
Forty-four miles west of Boston, a tractor-trailer ran off the westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Westboro. One person was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with what were described by the fire department as “non-life threatening injuries.”
The ice wasn’t just a problem for drivers. People walking around Boston were also slipping and sliding Wednesday morning.
“I almost fell at least five times but I didn’t. I don’t know how. I screamed and caught edges,” Swapna Vantzelfde told CBS News Boston about her walk to work in the South End. It took longer than usual.
“The internal streets they just don’t get plowed, the little ones that people live on and then these arteries, the big streets, they’re cleaned a lot better,” she said.
Those on two legs and four were all stepping gingerly across slick spots.
“A little treacherous. Very slick and icy out here,” said a father pushing a stroller. “Sometimes you have something to hold on to, which helps.”
With plenty of snow piled along sidewalks and between parking spots, most people are done with winter.
“I’m over it. I’m ready for the thaw,” said one man.
Heavy rain soaks central Indiana, but drought relief uneven across the state
Iowa women’s wrestling star Kylie Welker on competing for official NCAA championship
Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography
Kentucky Bill Filed to Legalize Fixed-Odds Wagering
Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?
Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump testifies Iran pressured him, says Biden and Haley were other possible targets
DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling