Massachusetts
Local roundup: Massachusetts Pirates to play Indoor Football League playoff game in Texas
Despite limping into the playoffs, the Massachusetts Pirates are one of the eight teams to make the Indoor Football League’s postseason.
The third-seeded Pirates (8-8) will attempt to upset the second-seeded Frisco Fighters (13-3). The teams will clash Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas in a first-round Eastern Conference game.
In its first season in Lowell playing out of the Tsongas Center, Massachusetts looked like one of the best teams in the IFL during the first month.
The Pirates captured a thrilling 44-40 win over a strong Green Bay Blizzard team in its season opener on the road. Green Bay went on to capture the No. 1 seed.
The Pirates followed that up with three straight wins at home to start at 4-0 thanks to victories over the Jacksonville Sharks (26-21), Sioux Falls Storm (49-41) and Iowa Barnstormers (52-29).
But they have been unable to duplicate that magic down the stretch. Massachusetts went 3-5 on the road and ended the regular season with two straight losses. In the Pirates’ last game, they fell 44-22 to the Tulsa, Oilers in their worst loss of the season.
In that game, former Westford Academy quarterback Connor Degenhardt scored a pair of touchdowns.
Massachusetts and Frisco waged a terrific battle in the regular season. On June 1 in Texas, the Fighters held off the Pirates, 52-48.
If the Pirates go on the road and upset Frisco, they will meet the winner of No. 4 Quad City and No. 1 Green Bay, who open the playoffs Friday.
In the Western Conference, No. 3 Arizona will visit No. 2 Vegas on Saturday and No. 4 San Diego will play at No. 1 Bay Area on Sunday.
Future River Hawk
The UMass Lowell baseball program has received a commitment from a talented New York infielder.
Tyler McKillop announced recently on social media his intention to play for head coach Nick Barese and his staff. A 6-1, 180-pound shortstop/third baseman, McKillop is coming off a terrific junior season at Bayport-Blue Point High School.
He hit .377 with a .500 on-base percentage, .492 slugging, 23 hits, 16 RBI, 12 walks and six steals.
New WHS coach
Wilmington High boys basketball players are set to meet their new coach on Thursday.
Former Methuen High coach Anthony Faradie will coach the Wildcat varsity program. He’s considered a very solid hire as he did a terrific job turning around the Rangers in the tough Merrimack Valley Conference.
Faradie lives in Wilmington and works in Medford so changing coaching jobs will certainly help his commute.
Faradie posted a 125-103 record at Methuen, including a 49-29 mark since the pandemic. Prior to coaching in Methuen, he coached six seasons at Medford.
Witkum victorious
The worth was wait it for Westford’s Ed Witkum on Saturday night in North Woodstock, N.H.
In the final race of the night – six divisions were in action – at White Mountain Motorsports Park, Witkum drove to victory to capture the debut of the Little Webb’s 350 Supermodified Series. Witkum wasn’t deterred by a major caution on lap 14 as he led for all 40 laps during a dominating performance.
Another local joined him in the top 10. James Capps III of Tewksbury drove to sixth.
Originally Published:
Attention all non-traditional pet lovers! A non-profit organization in Massachusetts received a boatload of pet rats in need of new homes.
An individual in northeastern Massachusetts surrendered 163 rats in early February. That’s almost 60 percent more than the total number of rats that were adopted from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell (MSPCA-Angell) in 2025 alone.
“A well-meaning person got into a tough spot, and we were able to help,” Mike Keiley, Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, said in a statement. “As a humane law enforcement department, we want to work with people who love their animals to make sure those animals are getting the care they need.Sometimes that means helping with resources, other times it means facilitating a surrender, which was the case here.”
MSPCA-Angell must have also found itself in need of a hand, because the sheer size of the rat surrender prompted the organization to request support from adopters as well as other animal welfare organizations. Ultimately, MSPCA-Angell kept 53 rats, increasing the total number of rats the organization is caring for to over 70, which is almost 75 percent of all the rats they adopted out last year.
Massachusetts’ Dakin Humane Society, Lowell Humane Society, Berkshire Humane Society, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and New Hampshire SPCA and the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire also took in rats from the surrender.
“Taking in so many of one kind of small animal or bird really taxes resources,” Keiley said. “It pulls our attention to accommodating one species when we’re caring for so many at the same time.This kind of surrender wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support we’ve received from other shelters—and we’re hoping we get a similar level of amazing support from the community!”
MSPCA-Angell’s plans to bring the rats to their four shelters—Boston, Salem, Methuen, and Centerville—despite the fact that the Salem location normally only hosts cats and dogs. This surrender was so big that the organization had to use every location.
So if you’re looking for a pet rat—or just a small furry animal—now is your time. Keep an eye on the websites of MSPCA-Angell, Dakin Humane, Lowell Humane, Berkshire Humane, ARL Boston, NHSPCA, and ARL New Hampshire for information on where there are rats up for adoption, and stop by during open hours to adopt the next member of your family.
“Rats have a bad reputation, but they actually make really great companion pets,” Keiley pointed out. “They’re smart and clean. They also form deep bonds with their owners,” he continued. “We’re hoping that rat lovers—and anyone looking for a less conventional small pet—comes out and gives these great animals the happy homes they deserve!”
Several school districts in Massachusetts have delayed the start of classes for Friday, March 6 because of a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow.
Take a look below for the full list of school closings and delays.
The list displays all public schools in alphabetical order, followed by private schools and then colleges and universities.
Delays on this page are current as of
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.
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