Days after learning it had recorded the state’s first human case of EEE in four years, a town outside of Worcester has recommended sports practices be held outside of evening hours and moved indoors if possible.

Oxford is one of the four towns where the state Department of Public Health raised the risk level for EEE to critical last Friday after an 80-year-old man was exposed to a mosquito infected with the disease.

Oxford’s neighboring towns of Sutton, Webster and Douglas are also at critical risk.

The recommendation to finish outdoor activities before “peak mosquito biting time” – before 6 p.m. through Sept. 30 and before 5 p.m. starting Oct. 1 until the first hard frost – came during a heated Board of Health meeting on Wednesday.

Oxford schools will be following the recommendation, which health board Chairwoman Kerrie Singer and Director of Public Health Services Rike Sterrett stressed is not a ban on outdoor activities after those times.

“The hope is they, when able, will move the activities to those indoor locations or move practices up or move them to the weekend,” Sterrett said. “I understand this is not ideal for anybody, but we take this really seriously.”

Private and recreational leagues or organizations that decide to use town property and not follow recommendations must “complete and file an indemnification form with and provide proof of adequate insurance coverage to both the Recreation Commission and Town Manager’s Office.”

That’s according to a memo Town Manager Jennifer Callahan wrote to the Board of Health. In it, she explained she’s been in touch with a family member of the individual diagnosed twice within the past week. The man remains hospitalized, “courageously battling this virus,” she wrote.

“They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences,” Callahan wrote of the family. “They want residents to take the public health recommendations … seriously.”

Other recommendations to keep safe include applying insect repellent and mosquito-proofing homes, consistent with the state Department of Public Health. Sutton, Webster and Douglas have also implemented the guidelines.

Singer said the board learned about the EEE risk being raised to critical last Friday, and Wednesday’s meeting marked the first discussion on the development and protocols.

“I would ask that you give us the opportunity to please discuss this and not interrupt us during this meeting,” she said. “I think you would be very enlightened to hear what we have to say and be educated about this.”

Within minutes, Singer found herself in an exchange with a resident, repeatedly saying “I’m going to ask you to please sit as we continue.” The resident responded “Madam chair, I’m just asking to make sure that we will be heard tonight,” and then “Madam chair, I’m trying to be as professional as possible.”

Singer did not allow comments from the public, calling questions from residents an “open meeting violation.” The board chair recessed the meeting for roughly 10 minutes.

Before Oxford became designated as a critical risk, the state had collected mosquito traps and sampling about every two weeks. Trapping is now being conducted much more often, Sterrett said.

Though rare, EEE is serious and a potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages, according to state health officials.

There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

The first symptoms include high fever, stiff neck and a lack of energy which typically occur within 3 to 10 days after being bitten by a mosquito infected with EEE, Sterrett said. Symptoms could progress to encephalitis, the swelling of the brain, she said, adding how 22 people have died in Massachusetts within the past couple of decades.

“Those who do survive Triple E will often be permanently disabled due to neurological damage,” Sterrett said. “Few people who get Triple E, who are diagnosed with it, recover completely. That’s why, knowing all of this … we do take this very seriously.”

Originally Published: August 21, 2024 at 8:29 p.m.

BOSTON – The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is in full swing, and Massachusetts delegates and voters are feeling energized by the party’s fresh-faced ticket.

DNC brings energetic tone to convention

“The energy was just palpable,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan, citing a renewed energy and joy on the convention floor as the state’s delegates committed to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz in November. 

“I always say Massachusetts has two great exports: cranberries and political activism. The vice president is talking a lot about the future relative to our economy… to freedom… to protect reproductive rights, rights for LGBTQ people. We understand our role, and it’s to support Democrats,” said Kerrigan.

Massachusetts pledged their Democratic delegates to the tune of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” as Lil Jon turned the voting into a big dance party.

“It was a great moment of energy. This ticket is appealing to all ages, across all demographics. I think it was just fun,” Kerrigan said.

Is the DNC reaching young voters?

The viral social media moment helped convinced young people like Atlanta native and Boston University student Elaina Gross to get to the ballot box.

‘I saw it on TikTok. It was just something you didn’t expected to see at the DNC,” Gross said, adding that Kamala Harris as a nominee is exciting. “I do think a lot of young people will probably show up that weren’t before.

But not all young people are sure the energetic atmosphere is appropriate. 

“There are definitely a lot of big issues going on in the world people are concerned about. Maybe being too positive and too fun might not be the best tone,” said Peter Sircovich, of Boston.

But do these party meetings make much of a difference?

“Both conventions this summer have achieved what conventions can achieve: unify the base, excite the faithful, and help define the brand of your candidate,” said WBZ-TV Political Analyst Jon Keller, adding the big goal now is convincing undecided voters to choose.

Officials say the search continues for a Massachusetts man who went missing while on vacation with his family in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, last week.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported that Stanley Kotowski, 60, was last seen on Friday, Aug. 16, around 10:30 a.m. in the area of South Sea Pines Drive. 

The sheriff’s office describes Kotowski as 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark Coors Light T-shirt, shorts, and no shoes.

Officials say Kotowski left the area without his wallet and phone.

The sheriff’s office has deployed police dogs, helicopters, drones, and boats and has had people searching the area on foot since Kotowski disappeared.

Kotowski’s family of Methuen spoke with Boston 25 News, saying he walked out of their rental and disappeared. His wife said that Kotowski developed insomnia in the last month.

“His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse and worse,” Jackie Kotowski told Boston 25 News. “And he started to get a little paranoid. He thought someone was chasing him.”

However, it is unclear if that has to do with his disappearance.

His son Zak told Boston 25, “You’re not in trouble, Dad. We love you. Yeah, come home. We just want you home.”

Authorities asked residents and visitors to check their security cameras to see if they had picked up Kotowski. The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to call their non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.