Boston, Massachusetts

As New Englanders, you don’t have to tell us that Boston is a city that will give you plenty of physical activity if you are looking for it.  Whether you are into walking long distances, going to a playground, or playing tennis or basketball, Boston has plenty of places for you and your family to play, so much so that Beantown was named one of the top 12 cities in the nation for recreation.

According to WalletHub, recreation for each city in the country was ranked based on the number of public golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, basketball hoops, baseball and softball diamonds, parks, and playgrounds.

The rankings were also based on how accessible the recreation places were, and how many walking trails, bike trails (lanes), and shopping centers there were.

If you’re looking for an example of a good walk in Boston, check out the Freedom Trail. It’s one of my favorites because it has the most history to explore about the American Revolution.  You are likely to see many joggers and other walkers on this route.  It’s just over three miles, and is pretty easy.

If you are just looking for a scenic route, check out the Neponset River Reservation.  It’s a scenic and easy walk.

Portland, Maine, Was #2 Best City in the Country for Recreation Spots

Boston isn’t the only city that made the list.  Portland, Maine, was ranked even higher, coming in at #2 for recreation.  The whole state of Maine, in my opinion, ought to rank excellently for recreation.  It has the best hiking in the country, but I might be biased.

WALTHAM, MA — Massachusetts saw the biggest year-over-year decline in opioid deaths in two decades last year, and Waltham numbers matched that trend.

Massachusetts opioid overdose deaths increased every year between 2019 and 2022, reaching an all-time high of 2,357 in 2022. An estimated 2,125 died in 2023, and deaths over the first three months of 2024 were trending lower than in previous years, the state Department of Public Health said Wednesday.

In Waltham, six people died from opioid overdoses in 2023, a decline from 14 in 2022.

It’s the lowest mark for Waltham since 2020, when only four people died from opioid overdoses. In the period from 2016 to 2023, only 2018 marked lower death numbers than those two years, when just three people died.

State officials attributed the reduction to increased investments in treatment programs and housing, the distribution of nearly 200,000 naloxone overdose kits and increasing access to medications to treat opioid-use disorder. The state has focused its efforts especially on people living in rural areas and in communities of color.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Friday at 3:59 p.m. valid until 5 p.m. for Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties.

Expect penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.

“At 3:58 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Amherst, moving northeast at 10 mph,” states the weather service. “Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Amherst, Northampton, South Hadley, Belchertown, Ware, Granby, Hadley, Sunderland, Hatfield, Hardwick, Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham, Petersham and New Salem.

The weather service comments, “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

1. Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

• Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay cautious:

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

• Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

• The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
• If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.