Massachusetts
Massachusetts pediatric pneumonia cases going up: ‘No evidence’ it’s tied to mycoplasma
Pediatric pneumonia cases have been rising in the Bay State, according to health officials who say there’s “no evidence” that the seasonal jump is tied to the increase in mycoplasma pneumonia flare-ups around the world.
Massachusetts has seen a modest uptick in pediatric pneumonia cases during the past few weeks, the state Department of Public Health said on Friday.
This increase is “seasonally appropriate” and is in line with the levels of pneumonia typically seen at this time of year before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to DPH. These pneumonia cases are most likely linked to a combo of respiratory viruses — including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which normally jumps in the winter months.
“We are aware of the attention to the increase in pneumonia in several geographic regions of the world that has been attributed in part to mycoplasma pneumonia,” DPH said in a statement. “There is no evidence that the normal and expected increase in pneumonia cases we are currently seeing in Massachusetts is related to mycoplasma.”
Mycoplasma is a bacterium that can infect the lungs, and often causes what is referred to as “walking pneumonia.” While this type of pneumonia tends to be mild in adolescents and adults, it can be problematic in infants and children.
In Ohio, a county has recorded an “extremely high number” of pediatric pneumonia cases, including mycoplasma pneumonia, the Warren County Health District reported this week.
“We do not think this is a novel/new respiratory disease but rather a large uptick in the number of pneumonia cases normally seen at one time,” the county health officials said.
Countries in Europe have been reporting a spike in mycoplasma pneumonia cases.
Meanwhile, an increase in respiratory illnesses across China has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization.
“DPH urges everyone to take measures to help prevent all respiratory illness — including COVID, flu, and RSV,” Massachusetts DPH said. “These measures include washing your hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, staying home when you are ill, and getting the appropriate vaccines.”
Herald wire services were used in this report.
Massachusetts
Man admits to role in fentanyl trafficking conspiracy across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, North and South Carolina
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas and North and South Carolina.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 35-year-old Erik Ventura pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2024. Ventura was arrested and charged in February 2022 and has remained in custody since.
In September 2019, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization based in Providence, Rhode Island and known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. The investigation revealed that Ventura was a trusted member of the DTO and maintained one of the drug stash locations. Ventura transported cash and kilogram quantities of drugs to and from New York on behalf of the DTO, distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts and was paid by the DTO for his work as a drug distributor. In February 2022, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills, were seized.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Providence Field Office; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police; and the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts May Be Saying Goodbye to a Popular Restaurant Chain
Massachusetts shoppers and diners aren’t strangers to businesses closing locations throughout the state. It seems like regularly another company is shutting down another store or restaurant location. Enter Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Friendly’s, etc.
For whatever reason, whether it’s price sensitivity, online shopping, at-home cooking, struggling to pay bills, fallout from the pandemic, etc. Massachusetts among the rest of the country is in an era where companies are closing up shop either by trimming the fat or completely going under.
A Popular Restaurant Chain Plans to Close 25-35 Locations This Year
It was recently announced by several online sources and by Dine Brands Global which owns restaurant chains IHOP and Applebee’s that the company will be closing 25-35 Applebee’s locations across the country this year. Since 2017 over 100 hundred Applebees locations have shut down. While the company is eliminating Applebee’s in struggling areas, it recently opened over 40 new IHOP locations. So it doesn’t appear that Dine Brands Global is going under they’re just cutting locations where performance isn’t up to par.
Will Some Massachusetts Locations Be on the Chopping Block?
At this point, the folks at Dial Brands Global haven’t announced exactly which locations of Applebees will be shutting down this year. Applebees operates over 20 locations in Massachusetts including some of the Bay State’s bigger areas like Worcester, Springfield, and Chicopee.
Massachusetts Diners Should Enjoy Themselves and Not Worry at This Point
When Applebees does release its list of upcoming closures we will let you know if any Massachusetts locations are on the list. Until then, go eat good in the hood for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mom and Dad deserve a great meal.
50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America
YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America’s vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you’ll even find a favorite or two.
Gallery Credit: Paul Feinstein
From coast to coast: The 20 best regional fast-food chains to try
Gallery Credit: Kiersten Hickman
LOOK: How Many of These Discontinued Millennial Munchies Do You Remember?
Gallery Credit: Meg Dowdy
Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Police investigating assault of driver on Route 140 | ABC6
FREETOWN, Mass. (WLNE) — Massachusetts State Police said that troopers are investigating an assault on a motorist that occurred on Route 140 on May 9.
State police said the victim stopped on the side of the road around 10 p.m. to check a mechanical issue on their vehicle when another car pulled up behind him and two individuals exited.
The suspects then pointed a gun at the man, robbed him of his wallet and a lockbox from the vehicle, and struck him before leaving.
Troopers are actively investigating the incident.
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