Massachusetts
Massachusetts town warns parents, students of dangerous ‘galaxy gas’ trend
Medfield’s school district warned parents and students about a viral TikTok trend that could be deadly in the most severe cases.
Galaxy Gas, a brand of canned Nitrous Oxide for culinary use, has taken social media by storm. Young adults can be seen inhaling the gas that causes lightheadedness, dizziness, and weakness.
Medfield’s Social Emotional Learning department said they haven’t dealt with a case at any district schools.
“A lot of this is preventative medicine,” said Dr. Dave Worthley, director of the Social Emotional Learning department.
He works daily with students at the high school to catch onto the latest trends.
He asks the student body questions like, “What kinds of stuff are you seeing online? What kinds of stuff are you exposed to? What do you see as far as your friends? What do you see in other communities?”
Dr. Worthley and the district issued a statement to parents this week about the TikTok trend that can cause long-term damage.
The statement about Galaxy read in part:
· It is easy to get.
· It is legal to purchase over 18
· It is technically for culinary purposes only
· It is being packaged in bright, fun colors and designs to appeal to kids
· It is in all area Vape shops
· It is extremely dangerous and can lead to brain injury, cardiac injury, and death.
· Galaxy Gas may have paused distribution (on Friday) but many other brands are selling Nitrous Oxide, and Vape shops, Walmart, and other places have lots of stock, as well as Amazon.
Worthley told Boston 25 Thursday, “I’ve had a lot of parent responses saying, ‘Thank you. I hadn’t heard of this. I never knew this existed. I’ll go home and talk to my kids right now.’”
David Richards, CEO of Fish Public Relations and a professor at Emerson College, said this is the latest of many social media trends.
“Parents are 10 steps behind,” he said.
Richards blamed young adults with easy access to social media as the root cause of the viral trend.
He added, “It’s exposing children to all kinds of issues and problems and bad behaviors.”
Galaxy Gas reportedly halted their sales Friday after the social media craze.
A statement on their website reads in part:
“Products containing nitrous oxide are sold solely as a food processing propellant for whipped cream and culinary food use only. It is unlawful for a person to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for any purpose not intended herein and legally authorized.”
The district is asking parents in Medfield and across the state to have tough conversations with their children to safeguard them from dangerous substances.
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A Massachusetts man was arrested on numerous charges, including gun and drug offenses, police said.
Georgie Estrella, 41, of Attleboro was arrested shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on charges of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent the to deliver crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, crack cocaine, psilocybin, clonazepam, alprazolam, and buprenorphine, carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit, possession of a firearm by certain persons prohibited, carrying a firearm when committing a crime of violence, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, alteration of marks of identification on firearms, carjacking, attempted larceny of more than $10,000, assault on a police officer, vandalism or malicious injury to property, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct, the Rhode Island State Police said in a media release.
Estrella was also arrested on three warrants charging him with failing to appear in court for drug cases, according to the release.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The average gas price in Massachusetts has fallen by 10 cents from last week, now averaging $4.29 per gallon.
This decline occurs despite ongoing disruptions in global oil markets and overseas conflict.
According to AAA Northeast, the average gas price in Massachusetts is 17 cents lower than one month ago. However, prices remain $1.30 higher than the same day last year and 13 cents above the national average.
Petroleum markets remain unsettled as negotiations to end the war in Iran continue. The conflict in Iran has entered its 15th week, contributing to market instability. U.S. crude inventories are currently at their lowest levels since mid-February.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced the return of its Pride Hikes, a series of guided walks across several state parks in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
These events will take place throughout June to create welcoming outdoor experiences for all communities during Pride Month. Each of the six hikes will be held at a different DCR property, with the events varying in length, terrain, and level of difficulty.
Participants are welcome to dress in Pride colors and are encouraged to bring necessary hiking supplies, including sturdy footwear, water, bug spray, and sunscreen.
“Our public lands and open spaces belong to everyone, and our Pride Hikes are a chance to celebrate the beauty of our landscapes and of each other,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We’re welcoming members of the LGBTQIA+ community, their families, friends, and allies into our parks to enjoy the outdoors together and strengthen connections to nature and one another. We’re grateful to our partners across the state for helping create welcoming spaces where people can celebrate Pride, build community and experience a sense of belonging.”
The DCR is partnering with Queer Men of the Berkshires, the Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst, OUT MetroWest, and the Greater Boston and Franklin-Hampshire chapters of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to host this series of hikes, with additional support from volunteers with Mass Audubon and RiverCulture.
This year’s Pride Hikes will take place at the following DCR properties:
- Great Falls Discovery Center, Montague
- Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
- Saturday, June 20, 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.
- Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Amherst
- Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Riverfront State Park, Lawrence
- Saturday, June 27, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Douglas State Forest, Douglas
- Saturday, June 27, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Bristol Blake State Reservation, Norfolk
- Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The hikes are subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. To learn more about each Pride Hike location, visit mass.gov.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.
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