Massachusetts
Massachusetts school officials ask for National Guard support to prevent ‘potential tragedy’
Members of the Brockton School Committee urged the city’s mayor on Friday to ask Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey for National Guard support. Student violence and a high rate of teacher absences instigated the request. Four committee members—Joyce Asack, Tony Rodrigues, Claudio Gomes, and Ana Oliver—specifically requested that temporary National Guard support be deployed at Brockton High School but also voiced concern for the middle school and elementary levels. The school board called for order to be restored, safety for all on the school premises, and an urgent need to address the root causes of what the officials call an educational ‘crisis’ and ‘potential tragedy.’
The letter to the mayor cites instances of students aimlessly wandering the halls, serious physical altercations, and 35 teachers regularly calling in absent. Recent weeks have also seen an uptick in students leaving school grounds without permission and adult trespassers being found on school property. In a press conference, local news WCVB said the committee emphasized that these incidents undermine the learning environment, “jeopardize the integrity of statewide testing processes,” and compound health and safety risks for the students and staff.
The committee members believe the National Guard’s expertise in crisis management and community support could provide a vital temporary intervention. Boston25 news reported committee member Tony Rodrigez stated, “ the National Guard brings positivity, we used them to deploy Covid vaccinations….we are looking for them to step in and act as substitute teachers and hall monitors.”
However, other members of the Brockton High School committee and the mayor voiced concern over the request for the National Guard, citing the militarizated presence might infringe on students’ civil liberties and create an intimidating environment. No official statement from Maura Healey, the Governor of Massachusetts, regarding the request to deploy the Massachusetts National Guard at Brockton High School.
Massachusetts
Walmart rolls back DEI initiatives, Massachusetts AG Campbell urges retailer to reconsider
Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell is pushing back against Walmart’s plans to do away with its DEI practices, urging the world’s largest retailer to maintain the strategies which she says “benefit both companies and consumers.”
Originally Published:
Massachusetts
‘Light and fluffy’ snow sweeps across Massachusetts on Saturday
Snow flurries are expected to sweep across Massachusetts on Saturday morning, with some areas of the state potentially receiving up to three inches of accumulation by the end of the day.
The snow is “expected to be light and fluffy in nature given the cold atmosphere,” according to the National Weather Service.
It’s expected to taper off from west to east later in the afternoon.
Western Massachusetts and Worcester will likely see the lightest snowfall. These areas, with a high of 31 degrees, can expect less than an inch of accumulation, while Springfield may only see a dusting.
The Berkshires, where temperatures may struggle to reach 28 degrees could see up to an inch of snow.
Eastern parts of Massachusetts are expected to see the most snowfall. Boston, with a high of 33 degrees, may see around two inches of snow.
However, Essex County could reach three inches by the time snow wraps up after 8 p.m., the National Weather Service reported.
Cape Cod may have milder temperatures with a high of 35 degrees and is expected to see the least amount of snow, which will likely be less than an inch.
Massachusetts
Vigil marks 2 years since mysterious disappearance of Brittany Tee in Massachusetts
BROOKFIELD – The Brookfield community gathered for a candlelight vigil Friday night, marking two years since the disappearance of 35-year-old Brittany Tee on January 10, 2023.
The community packed the Brookfield Congregational Church, surrounding the family and vowing to keep looking for Brittany.
Since that January 10th day, her family has been carrying an unrelenting weight on their hearts, not knowing where she is.
“Where is she? What happened to her?”
“They say time heals all wounds, but I disagree, not when your family member disappears out of nowhere without a trace,” said Brittany’s sister Bethany Tee. “Time is making that wound bigger. There is no healing, no closure, just daily heaviness in your heart and constant thoughts of worry. Where is she? What happened to her? Is she safe? Are we doing enough?”
The 35-year-old was last seen leaving the Main Street house she shared with her boyfriend that Tuesday evening. Despite efforts to reach her, she was never seen again.
A nearby river and woods have been searched extensively with no results.
DA attends vigil
Worcester Country District Attorney Joseph Early joined the vigil to assure the community investigators are still working the case.
“It doesn’t always happen as quickly as we would like, and that’s the tough part, that’s tough, the anxiety, the wonder,” said DA Early. “But I can tell you this, everything they do they do it better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Two years later, they hold onto every hope, hug, kind word and prayer, refusing to give up on finding Brittany.
“We are not giving up; we will never give up. We love and miss you Brit and we’ll bring you home,” said Bethany Tee.
The night she was last seen, Brittany wore a black winter coat, a hoodie, jeans, and work boots.
An anonymous tip line has been set up at (508) 453-7589. People are encouraged to call if they know anything or something comes to mind.
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