Massachusetts
As ‘intense’ heat arrives, Massachusetts extends lifeguard hours; officials expect a rise in heat-related emergencies; tips on how to stay cool
With oppressive heat and humidity making it feel close to 100 degrees, Bay State officials are warning residents about the risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion, while they extend hours at swimming pools, beaches, waterfronts and spray decks.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Massachusetts with heat-index values of 95 to 104 degrees on Thursday and Friday afternoon. A heat emergency has been declared for Boston.
To help residents beat the heat, the state Department of Recreation and Conservation has extended lifeguard and operating hours at agency-managed pools, beaches, waterfronts, wading pools and spray decks by one hour.
DCR pools will be closing at 7:45 p.m.; beaches and waterfronts will be guarded until 6:45 p.m.; wading pools will operate until 7 p.m.; and spray decks will run until 9 p.m.
“As Massachusetts will experience some of its most intense heat in the coming days, it’s important for people to make a plan to stay safe — including staying hydrated, limiting strenuous activity, and checking in on one another,” said Gov. Maura Healey.
“We’ve expanded hours at DCR swimming pools, beaches, waterfronts and spray decks to allow for more opportunities for residents to cool off,” the governor added. “We’re grateful to the workers who are putting in the time and effort to support these extended hours. All of us can do our part to help our friends and neighbors beat the heat.”
Oppressive hot temps and high humidity may spark heat illnesses in the next couple of days, meteorologists and officials warn.
“The members of Local 718 remain prepared to continue their diligent service to the citizens of Boston as we expect an increase in heat-related emergencies,” Boston Firefighters Local 718 tweeted.
So how can you stay cool when the temps spike to triple digits? Here are some extreme heat safety tips:
- Limit time outdoors, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
- Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature will have a chance to recover. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoiding alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight, and help maintain normal body temperature.
- Seek out air conditioned buildings, like libraries and community centers to spend time in. Boston is opening cooling centers at 15 BCYF community centers on Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
- Never leave children or pets in the car alone. The temps will rise to unhealthy levels very quickly.
- Check in on neighbors who may need help, including the homebound, elderly, or disabled.
Meanwhile, if the heat wasn’t enough, the region will be facing a risk for severe thunderstorms and torrential rain on Thursday afternoon and evening. The ground is incredibly saturated from all the recent rain, so there will be a flooding risk on Thursday.
“Some of these storms may become severe,” the National Weather Service’s Boston office tweeted. “The primary threat is damaging straight line wind gusts and localized flash flooding. But a Tornado is also possible.”
It’s cold and gray and the idea of heading outside is literally chilling. You need beauty, history, intrigue and warmth.
Fortunately the Bay State is blessed with fantastic museums, both major institutions and small, unique versions.
Consider adding these museums to your cold winter venture list.
The One With the Heist
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston (https://www.gardnermuseum.org) is worth a winter visit for its beautiful indoor courtyard, lovely café and intimate art display rooms.
But there’s so much more. First, the story behind how the museum was founded is told via photos and written word along one wall of the museum. It’s a great story with a female lead: Isabella herself commissioned it all after the art collector inherited just under $2 million back in the late 1800s.
But then there’s The Heist: the largest and still-unsolved art theft that went down in the wee hours of March 18, 1990 is the stuff of legend – and documentaries. Read up – or watch up – on it before a visit.
The One With the Murder Mystery
Did Lizzie Borden take an ax? Head down to Fall River and spend some time in the home where the infamous murders took place on Aug. 4, 1892. The Lizzie Borden House (https://lizzie-borden.com) offers property tours, ghost tours, cemetery tours and even a 10 p.m. -midnight ghost hunt.
The day tours are the only time you get access to every room, including the one that Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, was murdered in.
You can stay overnight should you wish, sleeping (or staying awake listening for ghostly creaks) where it all happened.
Hosts share facts and encourage opinion and speculation about the murders, the existence of ghosts and more.
“The Trial of Lizzie Borden” by Cara Robinson is a perfect fireside read, and will get you up to speed on all the nuances of the case before you visit.
The One with the Cat in the Hat
You never grow out of Dr. Seuss, and a winter visit to The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield (https://seussinspringfield.org) is a great place to celebrate Theodor Geisel – his childhood in Springfield, creativity, success and more.
There are family friendly games, amazing displays and a setting that warms your heart. You’re treated to kid-friendly biographical information, and a Seuss trivia quiz.
The One With the Heroes
The Hull Lifesaving Museum isn’t big, but it packs a huge and amazing story.
Located in the former Point Allerton US Lifesaving Station on Nantasket Avenue (https://www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org) which opened in 1889 under the leadership of Joshua James who is considered a “father” of the US Coast Guard, the museum celebrates not just the founding of the Coast Guard, but “skills, courage and caring,” the hallmarks of sea lifesaving programs,
You’ll learn about the history of these lifesaving skills, the people who helped innovate those programs and more about the sea, ships and more.
The Museum has a standing collection as well as special exhibits and is open year-round. Before your visit, read up on the deadly Great Blizzard of 1888 in which more than 200 ships were either grounded or wrecked on the East Coast.
Massachusetts
Search underway for missing woman Owen Kasozi in Beverly, last seen walking dog on Christmas Eve
BEVERLY – A search is underway in Massachusetts for missing woman Owen Kasozi, who police say is “possibly endangered.” Police said she was last seen on Tuesday at about 3 p.m. near the JC Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly.
Her family tells WBZ-TV she was walking her dog at the time.
I-Team sources say police are looking into reports that Kasozi was walking or running after her dog when she went missing. A dog believed to be Kasozi’s was found wet in Topsfield, and her car was found nearby.
A Massachusetts State Police helicopter was helping to search the area around 801 Cabot St. in Beverly on Wednesday. Anyone who has seen Kasozi or has information is asked to call Beverly police at 978-922-1212.
It’s Christmas Day! Time to open presents, be with loved ones and celebrate the beauty of giving. Even on Christmas, there are still a few places you can go for last-minute provisions. But can you go to the bank or post office or catch a bus?
Here’s what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2024.
Government
City and town offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
State and local courts: Closed
Federal courts: Closed
Finance
Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open.
Stock market: Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed.
Alcohol and recreational drugs
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Christmas Day.
Convenience stores and gas stations
Gas stations are allowed to be open on holidays, according to Massachusetts labor laws.
The following gas stations and adjoining convenience stores should be open on Christmas:
- BP
- Citgo
- Circle K
- Cumberland Farms
- Exxon Mobil
- Gulf
- Irving Oil
- Neon Marketplace
- Season’s Corner Market
- Sunoco
- Shell
- Speedway
- 7-Eleven
Shopping
Auburn Mall: Closed
Holyoke Mall: Closed
Hampshire Mall: Closed
Eastfield Mall: Closed
Natick Mall: Closed
Big Y: Closed
Stop & Shop: Closed
Market Basket: Closed
Price Rite: Closed
Star Market: Closed
Walmart: Closed
Target: Closed
Wegmans: Closed
Safeway: Open
Costco: Closed
CVS: Open
Walgreens: Closed
Aldi: Closed
Whole Foods: Closed
Trader Joe’s: Closed
Parcel services
Post offices: Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: Closed
Transportation
Lowell RTA: Lowell RTA will be closed
MBTA: Subway, bus and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. Meanwhile, the Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.
Merrimack Valley RTA: Buses won’t be running
MetroWest RTA: Buses won’t be running
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Buses won’t be running
Worcester RTA: Buses won’t be running
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