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Massachusetts, federal lawmakers support bill that helps veterans exposed to burn pits

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Massachusetts, federal lawmakers support bill that helps veterans exposed to burn pits


Assist for troopers uncovered to poisonous burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan is on the way in which.

State Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, mentioned laws he has filed would complement a invoice, signed into legislation by President Biden on Tuesday, which offers extra well being care and monetary help to veterans.

Velis, a U.S. Military Reserves main who served for a couple of yr in Afghanistan, has lobbied for years for laws that would offer extra consciousness to veterans about burn pits and the dangerous results that publicity can deliver, he mentioned.

“Burn pits is to my era of veterans what Agent Orange was to Vietnam veterans,” Velis mentioned. “One of many classes realized from Agent Orange is that numerous occasions, these situations, no matter they could be, they form of current themselves and manifest themselves years after the actual fact.”

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He first filed the invoice within the Home, and now as a senator, within the state Senate — the laws shouldn’t be mandating, however would encourage uncovered veterans to register within the federal VA database.

Velis mentioned that might complement the federal laws that was signed into legislation by Biden, which might enhance well being care providers for affected veterans and supply them with compensation if they’ve well being situations that they consider are associated to the poisonous publicity.

“They’re going to create this presumption that should you’re uncovered and you’ve got these situations, you’re going to be compensated,” Velis mentioned. “However you may’t be compensated until you’re within the database which is what our laws does.”

The federal laws would presume that sure diseases and cancers have been associated to burn pit publicity, which can enable Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to acquire incapacity advantages to compensate for his or her damage with out having to show that the sickness was a results of their service.

The Division of Veterans Affairs reported almost 80% of publicity claims associated to burn pits are denied. At Tuesday’s invoice signing, Biden spoke of burn pits that “incinerate wastes of battle, tires, toxic chemical compounds, jet fuels and a lot extra.”

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“After they got here house, most of the fittest and best-trained warriors we’ve ever seen weren’t the identical — complications, dizziness, most cancers,” Biden mentioned. “My son, Beau, was one in every of them.”

Biden mentioned the invoice will even assist to make sure uncovered veterans get entry to the VA well being care and preventative care they want.

The Senate reached an settlement on the invoice on Might 18 after months of negotiations. The Home handed a model of the invoice in March that the Congressional Funds Workplace projected would enhance federal spending by greater than $300 billion over 10 years.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and voted for the Home model of the invoice, mentioned he was initially hesitant to get “too deeply concerned” in negotiations over the laws as a result of it could profit him personally.

“However the greater image is that 3.5 million different veterans have been additionally uncovered,” Moulton mentioned. “Whereas we’re far previous as a consequence of make good on America’s promise to toxic-exposed veterans, I’m relieved to lastly see this on the way in which to changing into legislation.”

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Alanis Morissette, Mates Of State: 5 MA Events This Week

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Alanis Morissette, Mates Of State: 5 MA Events This Week


MASSACHUSETTS — Are you saving your nights outside of the house for the weekend? In Massachusetts, that can often mean missing out on a bevy of great concerts, art exhibits and other events across the state.

In Patch’s latest weekly column, we focus on the events happening throughout the week in the Boston area and beyond.

Below are five events worth checking out, including concerts, film screenings and a celebration — through competition — of poetry and hip-hop.



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KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Avenue

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KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Avenue


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -On Monday, the Knoxville Fire Department reported responding to a house fire in a bedroom at 1544 Massachusetts Avenue.

According to KFD, when fire crews arrived, officers told them the entire house at the dead end of the street was on fire. Crews successfully extinguished the fire and a small yard fire near the home.

KFD responds to house fire on Massachusetts Ave(Knoxville Fire Department)

According to KFD, the home suffered significant damage and was a total loss. Officials also report that despite the building having no electricity and being uninhabitable prior to the fire, three people—two females and one male — still managed to illegally live inside the home.

KFD said one female was taken into custody by Knoxville Fire Investigators and charged with aggravated arson.

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According to KFD, no injuries have been reported from the incident.



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Massachusetts woman killed in crash on Route 495 remembered as gifted doll maker and crafter

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Massachusetts woman killed in crash on Route 495 remembered as gifted doll maker and crafter


A woman who was killed in a fatal highway crash on Saturday is being remembered.

According to Massachusetts State Police, at just after 3:15 p.m., State Troopers assigned to the Middleborough Barracks responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 495 southbound in Bridgewater that resulted in the death of passenger in the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling on Interstate 495 when, for reasons still under investigation, it went into the wooded median of the roadway and rolled over. The Malibu’s driver, a 79-year-old Mashpee man, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of the vehicle, 74-year-old Lana Testa of Mashpee, sustained fatal injuries and was determined to be deceased by on scene medical personnel.

Friends say that the driver was Lana’s husband Dave.

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Lana was being remembered for her primitive dolls and craft show creations in addition to her contributions to Primitive Place magazine which led the publication to issue a tribute.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Lana Testa’s passing. Lana has been a dedicated supporter and contributor to A Primitive Place magazine from the very beginning. Her passion and creativity left an indelible mark on our community. As a gifted doll maker, Lana brought joy and inspiration to many through her exclusive creations, each one a testament to her extraordinary talent and meticulous craftsmanship.

“One of the cherished memories we hold dear is the feature in the Fall 2011 issue, where Lana and her husband David’s beautiful home was showcased. The image of one of Lana’s dolls “reading” that very issue stands as a poignant reminder of her contributions and the joy she brought to our readers. Lana’s dolls were more than just artistic pieces; they embodied her spirit, love, and dedication to the primitive arts.

“Lana’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those touched by her work. We extend our deepest condolences to David and the entire Testa family during this difficult time. Lana will be profoundly missed, but her memory will forever be cherished.”

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Services have not yet been announced.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and investigators from the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit. Troopers were assisted by Brockton and Raynham Fire and EMS, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.



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