Massachusetts
‘Don’t be a Michael Scott’ and avoid getting Storrowed: Massachusetts DCR adds new ‘Cars Only’ sign ahead of move-in day
Will the state’s efforts to curb Storrowing actually work this move-in season?
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has been on a full-court press ahead of move-in day on Sept. 1 — trying to get the word out so people moving their couches and beds in U-Haul trucks don’t slam into low-clearance bridges and overpasses on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive.
In addition to a funny social media campaign, DCR on Monday put up a new, more visible and durable “Cars Only” sign on David G. Mugar Way.
“This year DCR has expanded our efforts to ensure the public knows about low bridge clearances on our river roads to ensure that we can safely welcome students back to school and new residents to the area,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo.
“We have implemented a pilot program to test out new, more visible and durable signage on Mugar Way and to warn people of the dangers of driving box trucks on low clearance roadways,” he added. “We hope our creative social media campaign will save our bridges and moving trucks from damage and ensure new residents return their trucks, roofs and all.”
That social media campaign includes a video of Michael Scott in the hit TV show “The Office” following his GPS and driving directly into a lake, a classic scene from the sitcom.
In DCR’s PSA video, DCR employee Ryan Hutton explains that Michael Scott (Steve Carell) blindly followed his GPS into the lake.
“Don’t be a Michael Scott,” said Hutton, who is DCR’s social media strategist, photographer and videographer. “Actually look for the low-clearance signs on Soldiers Field Road and Storrow Drive in Boston, and Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
“Your GPS doesn’t know you’re driving a moving truck, but you do, because you’re the one driving it,” he added. “Hopefully not while you’re watching this video. Hopefully you’re watching for the signs, and following their instructions.”
The new sign that was put up on Monday is made of a yellow aluminum, high-visibility retroreflective sheet — which will make it more visible to drivers and reduce the likelihood of letters peeling off, especially during the winter, DCR said.
The sign also has an extra four inches of rubber hanging at the bottom, intended to provide a soft “first contact” for an over-height vehicle. Down the road, DCR will determine whether to add more of these signs or go with alternatives.
🚫🙍🏻♂️Don’t be a Michael Scott this Move In Season, look up from your GPS and watch for the low clearance signs on Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road in Boston and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. Don’t get Storrowed! 🚨🚛 pic.twitter.com/SC7p0BfgI1
— MassDCR (@MassDCR) August 25, 2023
Massachusetts
Fallen police officer remembered by Massachusetts community 14 years after fatal robbery
WOBURN – For 14 years and counting, a Massachusetts community has come together to remember a fallen officer who gave his life to protect his community the day after Christmas.
Killed while responding to robbery
The town of Woburn remembered Officer Jack Maguire with a police procession and a Christmas tree draped in blue lights. The tree overlooks the tragedy.
Maguire was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at Kohl’s on Dec. 26, 2010. He wasn’t even supposed to work that evening.
“Jack had enough seniority to take Christmas off, but he worked, so the younger people with younger kids could spend it with their family,” remembered former Woburn Police Chief Robert Ferullo. He was there the night that Maguire died but at the time he was a lieutenant on the force. “It was a miserable blizzard, it was a horrible night, Jack didn’t need to be here. Jack was right over there. Jack got out of his car, and engaged. And did what he was trained to do.”
Maguire exchanged gunfire with one of the men involved, Dominic Cinelli, who was out of jail on parole. He died from gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
“A good officer”
“Jack was always a friend, a role model, a mentor, somebody I spent my entire career with,” said Ferullo.
“Jack was a really hard-working cop, grinding it out. He would work on all of the details. He would work all of the time,” said Maguire’s brother, Chuck Maguire.
That night, Chuck Maguire got a call from his cousin telling him that his brother had been shot. It wasn’t until he got to the hospital and started asking questions that he heard the final news.
“Then as I turned my head, they announce the code that he had died,” said Chuck Maguire. “It’s sad that he died just after turning 60, and just after he announced he was going to retire. We miss him. His kids miss him. My kids don’t see him.”
Chuck Maguire is thankful for the years of community support. People lined Washington Street in Woburn Thursday to watch the police cars pass by the tree in his brother’s honor.
“He was a great guy, a good family man, a good officer,” remembered Bruce Hildebrandt, a Woburn resident who takes the time every year to make sure the tree and its ornaments remain in place. “I pick them up, freezing my fingers off pinching the hooks, but that was not much of a suffering for me compared to what Jack gave for us.”
Massachusetts
Roof collapses as massive fire tears through Massachusetts mansion
BROOKLINE – A massive fire tore through a mansion in Brookline, Massachusetts Thursday morning which resulted in part of the home’s roof collapsing.
It happened at 10:40 a.m. at a home on Sargent Road. Firefighters said they received a 911 call about smoke coming from the home’s attic. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the attic when firefighters arrived.
The fire spread and part of the roof collapsed at one point. Firefighters from several departments, including Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Newton ended up responding and were on the scene for more than two hours.
All five people in the home got out safely and no one was hurt.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but firefighters said it does not appear to be suspicious.
Massachusetts
Police investigating shooting that left a man injured in Chelsea
A police investigation is underway in after a shooting in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
Overnight, police had blocked off the sidewalk outside of the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center on Everett Avenue.
Police say the victim was identified as a 30-year-old man who was shot twice.
The man has non life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
Yellow crime scene tape was seen marking the area, and what appeared to be shattered glass was on the pavement nearby.
The incident is under investigation.
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