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Massachusetts State Rep. announces with disappointment that facility chosen for new 450-person overflow shelter

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Massachusetts State Rep. announces with disappointment that facility chosen for new 450-person overflow shelter


A Massachusetts State Rep. has announced that a former prison is set to become an emergency homeless shelter.

In a letter to Norfolk Residents, Marcus Vaughn announced that Norfolk has been chosen as the next site for an overflow shelter, a decision he said he received with deep disappointment Friday afternoon.

Vaughn stated that he firmly believes in transparency and shared the following information. 

“In response to mounting concerns regarding migrant families at Logan Airport, Governor Healey has decided to designate Bay State Correctional Center as the next overflow shelter location. Although efforts will be made to transform the facility into a welcoming space, the prospect of accommodating around 450 individuals comprising 150 families is a stark reality we must confront. The anticipated move is set for mid-June. When I asked for a timeframe for the site to remain online, I was told that because the state owns the facility there are no timelines on taking the facility offline.”

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Bay State Correctional Center was a medium security prison that closed in 2015 to save money.

Vaughn expressed concern over the strain that will occur on school systems in Norfolk and stated it will likely impact public safety infrastructure.

“While assurances were given regarding on-site security, I intend to meet with Chief Heinz to explore avenues to mitigate the burden on our town’s public safety departments. “

Vaughn mentioned in the letter that he conveyed the concerns about reimbursement to the Govenor’s office, who assured him of ongoing dialogue with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

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“Norfolk, as a small community, faces an unprecedented challenge with this decision. I share in your disappointment. However, I received assurances that our office, alongside town and school officials, will be regularly updated. Rest assured, we are committed to providing timely updates as we navigate this situation together.”

According to Boston 25 News, “the site will be set up with play areas for children, as well as classroom spaces for adults to engage in activities that support pathways to stability such as ESOL classes, job training courses, and housing search workshops.”



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‘No way to leave’: Mass. families stuck in Middle East amid war in Iran

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‘No way to leave’: Mass. families stuck in Middle East amid war in Iran


Massachusetts families are stuck in the Middle East amid the war in Iran, and Democratic Sen. Ed Markey says the State Department needs to do more to get them home.

The Trump administration is telling Americans to leave the region, and families would love to, but they haven’t been able to get out.

Stacey Schuhwerk of Hingham has been sheltering in place in a Doha hotel since Saturday.

“We hear the missiles outside,” she said. “We can see them.”

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The Hingham mother and her son are among nearly 1,600 Americans trapped in the Middle East with no way to get home.

“Airspace is shut down. There’s no planes,” said Schuhwerk. “There’s no way to leave.”

Flights between Boston and the Middle East are canceled or delayed as travelers express anxiety over the conflict.

At first, U.S. officials told people to shelter in place and register with the State Department — something Schuhwerk did days ago.

“There’s no help there. The last time we called was 20 minutes ago, and they continue to say that ‘We don’t know anything about any plans for government help to get people out,’” she said.

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Embassies and consulates across the region — including the U.S. Embassy in Israel — have now suspended services, saying they simply can’t get Americans out.

“They did not have a plan to conduct this war, and they clearly did not have a plan as to how to evacuate innocent families,” Markey said.

The senator says his office is hearing from Massachusetts families, and he’s pressuring the Trump administration to come up with an evacuation plan fast.

“We are going to apply that pressure on the State Department until every American who wants to leave that region is out,” he said.

Back in Doha, Schuhwerk keeps watching the war outside her window.

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“The talk here is ‘How much defensive ammunition’s left?’ Good question, you know, because the missiles aren’t stopping,” she said. “So how long are we going to be safe here?”

With no clear end to this conflict, she’s worried she could be stuck there for weeks.



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Snow, ice, rain to impact roads in Massachusetts – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Snow, ice, rain to impact roads in Massachusetts – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


Happy Tuesday! While today started off dry, we’re already looking at snow out there across the area. While this event will primarily stay as rain on the Cape and islands, it will be an icy mix of snow, ice and rain for the rest of us.

The rain/snow line will continue to advance from the south to the north as the evening progresses. Before the changeover, there will be a quick coating to 2 inches for most of our area.

The threshold between the snow and rain will feature sleet and freezing rain, leading to that icing.

For the rest of the night, there will primarily be rain with continued pockets of freezing rain, leading to increasing spotty ice accretion. Be extremely careful on roads, especially since switching between rain and freezing rain can wash off any road salt.

The rain and freezing rain will exit by 6 a.m. Wednesday, but temperatures will still be close to freezing during the morning commute, so watch out for some spotty black ice.

The rest of Wednesday will be really nice! Highs will warm up to the mid 50s with the help of ample sun.

Thursday we start off in the mid 20s and top off in the mid 40s. We’ll be partly sunny with another chance for some wintry weather Thursday night. This primarily looks like some rain and freezing rain, rather than the triple threat with snow too. We’ll keep an eye on that for you.

That will continue into Friday morning. The rest of Friday: cloudy with a chance for a spot shower and highs cooler again in the upper 30s. Saturday will be dry, breezy and cloudy but gorgeous near 50 degrees! There’s a chance for some rain showers Saturday night. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour before you to go bed!

Sunday we start the day mild in the 40s and make it all the way into the upper 50s with more sun. Monday and Tuesday both look bright and in the 60s! Stay tuned.

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Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks

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Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks




Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks – CBS Boston

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Watch CBS News


Poya Sohrabi hasn’t heard from his family since they took shelter from attacks in Tehran. WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reports.

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