Massachusetts
State leaders look for new ways to improve living conditions in Western Massachusetts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – State leaders are search for new ways to improve living conditions in Springfield and around Western Massachusetts.
State Representative Carlos Gonzales is having a closed-door meeting on Tuesday with the Baystate’s Health and Human Services Secretary to discuss how access to healthcare, social services, and community resources can aid those living condition improvements.
State and local leaders are hosting Secretary Kate Walsh with the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday to discuss how to improve living conditions in Springfield and the greater Western Massachusetts community.
“I think it’s important for the secretary to hear directly the different challenges that our hospitals are facing here in western Massachusetts, particularly here in Springfield,” explained Rep. Gonzalez. “As well as our public health agency leaders to get their perspective as to the best way to provide social services and health services.”
State Representative Carlos Gonzalez is spearheading the conversations and he told Western Mass News, local organizations can better communicate the problems in western Mass. communities and better utilize community resources.
“I think the specific issues are going to come from the public health leaders and hospital leaders,” added Rep. Gonzalez. “Those are different and unique conversations that will take place about what is it they’re seeing in western Mass. that may be unique, what challenges they’re facing and what strategies we can use to address those concerns when it comes to human services.”
Gonzalez said that perspective is key to finding comprehensive solutions to combat these issues at the state level.
Gonzalez told us the meeting between him, local health officials, and the health and human services secretary will be on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Copyright 2023. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
Massachusetts
What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?
It’s Christmas Day! Time to open presents, be with loved ones and celebrate the beauty of giving. Even on Christmas, there are still a few places you can go for last-minute provisions. But can you go to the bank or post office or catch a bus?
Here’s what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2024.
Government
City and town offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
State and local courts: Closed
Federal courts: Closed
Finance
Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open.
Stock market: Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed.
Alcohol and recreational drugs
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Christmas Day.
Convenience stores and gas stations
Gas stations are allowed to be open on holidays, according to Massachusetts labor laws.
The following gas stations and adjoining convenience stores should be open on Christmas:
- BP
- Citgo
- Circle K
- Cumberland Farms
- Exxon Mobil
- Gulf
- Irving Oil
- Neon Marketplace
- Season’s Corner Market
- Sunoco
- Shell
- Speedway
- 7-Eleven
Shopping
Auburn Mall: Closed
Holyoke Mall: Closed
Hampshire Mall: Closed
Eastfield Mall: Closed
Natick Mall: Closed
Big Y: Closed
Stop & Shop: Closed
Market Basket: Closed
Price Rite: Closed
Star Market: Closed
Walmart: Closed
Target: Closed
Wegmans: Closed
Safeway: Open
Costco: Closed
CVS: Open
Walgreens: Closed
Aldi: Closed
Whole Foods: Closed
Trader Joe’s: Closed
Parcel services
Post offices: Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: Closed
Transportation
Lowell RTA: Lowell RTA will be closed
MBTA: Subway, bus and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. Meanwhile, the Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.
Merrimack Valley RTA: Buses won’t be running
MetroWest RTA: Buses won’t be running
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Buses won’t be running
Worcester RTA: Buses won’t be running
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts ‘belligerent’ woman allegedly assaults off-duty police officer in road rage incident
An off-duty police sergeant was allegedly assaulted by a “belligerent” woman during a road rage incident in the days before Christmas, police said.
Randolph woman Vashiyra Mason, 20, was arrested and charged by Stoughton Police after allegedly striking the off-duty cop’s vehicle and assaulting him.
Stoughton police officers responded to the area of 278 Washington St. for a report of a disturbance on Sunday at about 1:06 p.m.
An off-duty Stoughton police sergeant had called the station and reported that he was following a vehicle that side-swiped his car and left the scene.
Mason had allegedly driven into the oncoming traffic lane and around the off-duty officer’s vehicle on Pine Street, and side-swiped the front of his car. Mason later stopped in a parking lot, where the off-duty officer followed her.
“In the parking lot, the off-duty officer identified himself multiple times as a Stoughton Police sergeant in an attempt to de-escalate the situation,” police wrote about the incident. “Mason became belligerent, using slurs and hitting the off-duty officer in the upper body, neck, and face area.”
The off-duty officer then reportedly restrained Mason to prevent her from injuring him or herself.
The passenger of Mason’s car, a 19-year-old Brockton woman, then allegedly hit the off-duty officer in the back of his head and neck. The passenger also began to attack a woman who was with the off-duty officer.
Officers arrived shortly after, and saw Mason hitting the woman who was with the off-duty officer. Mason allegedly grabbed the woman by her hair, and punched her in the back of the head multiple times.
Mason was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Mason’s passenger will be issued a summons to appear in Stoughton District Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, and resisting arrest. Because the suspect is being summonsed and the court has not issued a criminal complaint, her identity cannot be released.
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