Massachusetts

Massachusetts town with state’s first EEE human case since 2020 urges sports to move indoors

Published

2 hours ago

August 22, 2024

Massachusetts town with state’s first EEE human case since 2020 urges sports to move indoors

Days after learning it had recorded the state’s first human case of EEE in four years, a town outside of Worcester has recommended sports practices be held outside of evening hours and moved indoors if possible.

Oxford is one of the four towns where the state Department of Public Health raised the risk level for EEE to critical last Friday after an 80-year-old man was exposed to a mosquito infected with the disease.

Oxford’s neighboring towns of Sutton, Webster and Douglas are also at critical risk.

The recommendation to finish outdoor activities before “peak mosquito biting time” – before 6 p.m. through Sept. 30 and before 5 p.m. starting Oct. 1 until the first hard frost – came during a heated Board of Health meeting on Wednesday.

Oxford schools will be following the recommendation, which health board Chairwoman Kerrie Singer and Director of Public Health Services Rike Sterrett stressed is not a ban on outdoor activities after those times.

“The hope is they, when able, will move the activities to those indoor locations or move practices up or move them to the weekend,” Sterrett said. “I understand this is not ideal for anybody, but we take this really seriously.”

Private and recreational leagues or organizations that decide to use town property and not follow recommendations must “complete and file an indemnification form with and provide proof of adequate insurance coverage to both the Recreation Commission and Town Manager’s Office.”

That’s according to a memo Town Manager Jennifer Callahan wrote to the Board of Health. In it, she explained she’s been in touch with a family member of the individual diagnosed twice within the past week. The man remains hospitalized, “courageously battling this virus,” she wrote.

“They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences,” Callahan wrote of the family. “They want residents to take the public health recommendations … seriously.”

Other recommendations to keep safe include applying insect repellent and mosquito-proofing homes, consistent with the state Department of Public Health. Sutton, Webster and Douglas have also implemented the guidelines.

Singer said the board learned about the EEE risk being raised to critical last Friday, and Wednesday’s meeting marked the first discussion on the development and protocols.

“I would ask that you give us the opportunity to please discuss this and not interrupt us during this meeting,” she said. “I think you would be very enlightened to hear what we have to say and be educated about this.”

Within minutes, Singer found herself in an exchange with a resident, repeatedly saying “I’m going to ask you to please sit as we continue.” The resident responded “Madam chair, I’m just asking to make sure that we will be heard tonight,” and then “Madam chair, I’m trying to be as professional as possible.”

Singer did not allow comments from the public, calling questions from residents an “open meeting violation.” The board chair recessed the meeting for roughly 10 minutes.

Before Oxford became designated as a critical risk, the state had collected mosquito traps and sampling about every two weeks. Trapping is now being conducted much more often, Sterrett said.

Though rare, EEE is serious and a potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages, according to state health officials.

There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

The first symptoms include high fever, stiff neck and a lack of energy which typically occur within 3 to 10 days after being bitten by a mosquito infected with EEE, Sterrett said. Symptoms could progress to encephalitis, the swelling of the brain, she said, adding how 22 people have died in Massachusetts within the past couple of decades.

“Those who do survive Triple E will often be permanently disabled due to neurological damage,” Sterrett said. “Few people who get Triple E, who are diagnosed with it, recover completely. That’s why, knowing all of this … we do take this very seriously.”

Originally Published: August 21, 2024 at 8:29 p.m.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts delegates and voters are feeling new energy after DNC

Published

10 hours ago

August 21, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts delegates and voters are feeling new energy after DNC

BOSTON – The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is in full swing, and Massachusetts delegates and voters are feeling energized by the party’s fresh-faced ticket.

DNC brings energetic tone to convention

“The energy was just palpable,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan, citing a renewed energy and joy on the convention floor as the state’s delegates committed to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz in November.

“I always say Massachusetts has two great exports: cranberries and political activism. The vice president is talking a lot about the future relative to our economy… to freedom… to protect reproductive rights, rights for LGBTQ people. We understand our role, and it’s to support Democrats,” said Kerrigan.

Massachusetts pledged their Democratic delegates to the tune of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” as Lil Jon turned the voting into a big dance party.

“It was a great moment of energy. This ticket is appealing to all ages, across all demographics. I think it was just fun,” Kerrigan said.

Is the DNC reaching young voters?

The viral social media moment helped convinced young people like Atlanta native and Boston University student Elaina Gross to get to the ballot box.

‘I saw it on TikTok. It was just something you didn’t expected to see at the DNC,” Gross said, adding that Kamala Harris as a nominee is exciting. “I do think a lot of young people will probably show up that weren’t before.

But not all young people are sure the energetic atmosphere is appropriate.

“There are definitely a lot of big issues going on in the world people are concerned about. Maybe being too positive and too fun might not be the best tone,” said Peter Sircovich, of Boston.

But do these party meetings make much of a difference?

“Both conventions this summer have achieved what conventions can achieve: unify the base, excite the faithful, and help define the brand of your candidate,” said WBZ-TV Political Analyst Jon Keller, adding the big goal now is convincing undecided voters to choose.

Laura Haefeli

Laura Haefeli joined WBZ-TV News in February 2023 as a multi-skilled journalist after three years at CBS Sacramento.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts man remains missing in Hilton Head, S.C.

Published

17 hours ago

August 21, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts man remains missing in Hilton Head, S.C.

Local News

The search for Stanley Kotowski, who disappeared while on vacation, stretches into the fifth day.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

Officials say the search continues for a Massachusetts man who went missing while on vacation with his family in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, last week.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported that Stanley Kotowski, 60, was last seen on Friday, Aug. 16, around 10:30 a.m. in the area of South Sea Pines Drive.

The sheriff’s office describes Kotowski as 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark Coors Light T-shirt, shorts, and no shoes.

Officials say Kotowski left the area without his wallet and phone.

The sheriff’s office has deployed police dogs, helicopters, drones, and boats and has had people searching the area on foot since Kotowski disappeared.

Kotowski’s family of Methuen spoke with Boston 25 News, saying he walked out of their rental and disappeared. His wife said that Kotowski developed insomnia in the last month.

“His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse and worse,” Jackie Kotowski told Boston 25 News. “And he started to get a little paranoid. He thought someone was chasing him.”

However, it is unclear if that has to do with his disappearance.

His son Zak told Boston 25, “You’re not in trouble, Dad. We love you. Yeah, come home. We just want you home.”

Authorities asked residents and visitors to check their security cameras to see if they had picked up Kotowski. The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to call their non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts officials shut down boy's charity ice cream stand: 'Disappointed'

Published

24 hours ago

August 21, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts officials shut down boy's charity ice cream stand: 'Disappointed'

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A boy from Norwood, Massachusetts, has gotten creative after town officials shut down his ice cream stand, citing a food code violation.

Danny Doherty, 12, and his mother, Nancy Doherty, began a small stand in their neighborhood with some profits going to a charity that hits close to home for them.

After only one week, they had to stop the sales of their homemade ice cream.

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“I think the most disappointing part of that was that someone, one of our neighbors, somebody driving by, decided to take time to complain about a kid’s stand,” Nancy Doherty told Fox News Digital.

“I was really not mad. I’d say more disappointed that [it] happened,” she added.

Danny Doherty, right, started an ice cream stand and was donating half the funds to his brother’s special hockey team in Massachusetts. (Nancy Doherty)

When her son became bored during summer vacation, Nancy Doherty gave him the idea to start an ice cream stand and donate half the proceeds to charity.

“I suggested to him, ‘Instead of a lemonade stand, if you really want to generate some interest, why don’t you make ice cream?’” the mom said, noting that her family makes their own ice cream at home.

“A good amount of people came down.”

Danny Doherty loved the idea and worked with his mom to come up with various flavors for his “Tree Street Treats” stand.

The two made vanilla and shaved chocolate, plus cannoli and a New England fluffernutter.

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Danny Doherty made his own business logo. He also created an Instagram account to advertise the sweets sale to family and friends.

“[My friends] thought it was fun. A good amount of people came down,” Danny Doherty told Fox News Digital.

Half of all proceeds were donated to the Boston Bears Club, a special education hockey team for kids.

“It’s my brother’s hockey team, it’s like a special hockey team … It’s where he goes and plays hockey,” Danny Doherty said.

patrick doherty brother of Massachusetts boy who launched ice cream stand

Patrick Doherty, 15, has been on the Boston Bears Club hockey team for 10 years. (Nancy Doherty)

His 15-year-old brother, Patrick, who is autistic with moderate support needs, has been on the Boston Bear Club hockey team for 10 years, joining when he was 5 years old, Nancy Doherty said.

John Quill started the team 25 years ago for his own son who is autistic.

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“Tree Street Treats” raised $124 in its first week, donating $62 to the Boston Bears Club.

‘Please desist in these activities’

It was a few days later when the Dohertys received an official letter from the Town of Norwood Board of Health.

“The Norwood Health Department has received a complaint that you are making and selling scooped ice cream and cookies at your residential property,” said the letter, which was shown to Fox News Digital.

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“The Massachusetts Food Code (105CMR. 590) does not allow for the sale of ice cream made in the home. Please desist in these activities,” the letter added.

Nancy Doherty decided, instead of throwing away all the ice cream or trying to eat it all, that they would just give it away to friends and family while accepting donations to the Bears Club.

A scoop of chocolate ice cream next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The mom and son came up with a few flavors of homemade ice cream to sell at the stand, namely vanilla and shaved chocolate (not pictured), plus cannoli and a New England fluffernutter. (iStock)

“We had so many people show up to support us, and we ran out of our ice cream in 10 minutes, but we raised about $1,000,” she said.

“I talked to the head coach, and I think they were up to $6,000 or something already. So that’s, you know, heartwarming… We took a disappointing and discouraging situation. We made a decision to do something positive with it — and look at all of the positivity that came out of it.”

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Quill confirmed that Danny Doherty’s ice cream stand has received more than 200 donations totaling $7,500.

“Three local ice cream shops have reached out to do fundraisers and it has raised awareness of our team,” Quill said. “I’ve had a number of parents reach out as they did not know that special hockey even existed.”