Massachusetts
Workers call on Massachusetts to step in and keep hospital from closing or get them severance
DEVENS – Health care workers and staff from Nashoba Valley Medical Center attended a meeting Thursday where they called on Massachusetts to do something to keep the hospital from closing.
Calling on state to keep hospital open
On August 31, Nashoba Valley will close, along with Carney Hospital in Dorchester. It’s a day that comes earlier than expected, and a day that feels inevitable for caregivers and local lawmakers who are trying to stop it.
“The Department of Public Health does not have the ability, nor the authority, to prevent or deny closure of this hospital,” said Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein while speaking at a meeting Thursday night with hospital workers and legislators.
For those who work at the hospital, it is starting to feel like a blame game. They are stuck in between Steward Health Care going under, and legislation hamstrung from doing anything.
“I don’t know how Governor Healey sees that, ‘Oh, it’ll be great if I close two, maybe three, hospitals,’” said Audra Sprague, a 17-year nurse at Nashoba Valley. On July 26, she learned that the hospital would close at the end of August. “By law you’re supposed to get 120 days, and that gives time for everything to be put into place,” said Sprague.
Concerns of health care desert
Sprague was at the meeting Thursday between city leaders, caregivers, and the DPH. Everyone is begging for someone to step in.
“That’s 2,000 people in this community that share one thing in common. On September 1, they’re going to be at an unacceptable, higher risk of a worse health outcome,” said Sen. John Cronin at the meeting.
A closure of this magnitude stands to cause mass disruption. The Ayer fire chief said EMS rides will go from 2.4 miles to 11-16 miles.
“It will create a public health care desert ,” said Jonathan Heimberg, a Lunenberg resident who has received care at the hospital.
Beth Reposa worked at NVMC for 50 years, but retired when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She told the crowd at the meeting, “I always thought my hospital would be there for me when I need it.”
“She has no where. This was her hospital that was going to care for her,” said Sprague.
The workers and local lawmakers are calling on Gov. Maura Healey to step in to declare a health state of emergency for more funding. As it stands, the workers don’t even know if they will be given severance.
“They don’t know if they’re going to have money to then go to the next job, or bridge the gap to retirement,” said Marlishia Aho with the Union 1199SEIU.
In a press release, Healey said she is insisting on worker severance in their negotiations. The MassHire Rapid Response team will also be hosting job fairs.
Massachusetts and California are the first US states to become IUCN members.
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Massachusetts is now an official member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global network of more than 1,400 governments and organizations.
Massachusetts and California are the first U.S. states to become members of the IUCN, marking a significant step in the states’ environmental leadership. This milestone places Massachusetts within the world’s leading coalition focused on advancing the conservation of nature and addressing environmental challenges at a global scale.
The IUCN membership strengthens Massachusetts’ commitment to biodiversity and climate action. It also builds on the state’s nation-leading Biodiversity Conservation Goals, which define a whole-of-government approach to rebuild biodiversity and invest in nature to sustain public health, well-being, food security and the economy.
“In Massachusetts, we are taking proactive steps to protect the natural resources people rely on, from clean water and open spaces to healthy wildlife,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Joining this global network puts Massachusetts at the table with leaders from around the world and gives us access to proven tools and practical solutions we can use here at home.”
Massachusetts is home to many globally rare habitats and threatened species, including coastal shorebirds, sea turtles, whales, salamanders, and dragonflies. The state is known for its coastline, fishing communities, cranberry bogs, orchards, and mountain glens. These species and landscapes face growing pressures from climate change, such as flooding and drought.
By joining IUCN, the state will strengthen its ability to respond to these challenges. It will gain access to a global network of conservation expertise and resources. Massachusetts will also bring its own experience protecting and restoring species and their habitats to the international forum.
This partnership, led by the Department of Fish & Game for Massachusetts, will support ongoing work to protect and restore biodiversity and natural areas, build resilience and connect the state to broader international efforts.
“As an IUCN member, Massachusetts is now part of a growing group of subnational governments who are contributing to crucial action on the ground, knowledge exchange, and progress towards achieving conservation targets of global significance,” said IUCN Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar.
The state’s membership in the IUCN aligns with investments proposed in Governor Healey’s Mass Ready Act. This act helps protect the state’s natural resources and prepares for extreme weather. The membership gives Massachusetts added support to better protect these resources and keep them accessible.
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.
A mother charged with two counts of murder after the deaths of her two young children agreed Monday in Rutland County Superior Court to be transferred to Massachusetts, where she will face the charges.
The Massachusetts State Police have charged Janette MacAusland, 49, with murdering her two children, ages 6 and 7, after they were found dead at their home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Friday.
According to a Bennington police press release, MacAusland arrived at a relative’s home in Vermont on Friday night with a neck injury, bleeding and appearing “highly distraught.”
The relatives called the Bennington police, who then prompted police in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to check on MacAusland’s children. Both were found dead. No details have been released about the cause or manner of death.
The Bennington Police Department arrested MacAusland and took her to Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Rutland, where she has been held without bail.
Appearing virtually in court Monday, MacAusland agreed to waive her right to a hearing and be immediately transferred back to Norfolk County in Massachusetts.
“She’s decided that the best thing is to get back to Massachusetts as soon as possible and address these charges,” Jeff Rubin, her attorney, said at the hearing.
The children’s deaths follow a custody battle between MacAusland and her former husband, according to the Associated Press. MacAusland’s husband filed for divorce in October after nine years of marriage and sought custody of the children and family home.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (WRGB) — A Massachusetts woman accused of killing her two children appeared in court virtually in Vermont on Monday.
Janette MacAusland joined the court hearing from Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Rutland and waived her extradition rights, signing a waiver to be transported back to Massachusetts.
The case began Friday night, when Bennington police were reportedly called for a welfare check on MacAusland. Police say she arrived at a family home distraught and with a neck injury.
PREVIOUS: Massachusetts mother arrested as fugitive in Bennington, charged in murder of two children
While speaking with police, officers reportedly became increasingly concerned for her children in Wellesley, Massachusetts — a boy and a girl, ages 7 and 6.
Authorities there conducted a welfare check and found the children dead.
MacAusland was arrested and charged with murder.
The Boston Globe reports MacAusland was going through a contentious divorce and seeking custody of both children.
A check-in will be required in two weeks to ensure she is picked up. In the meantime, she remains in jail without bail.
MORE: “Deeply disturbing”: Elderly woman attacked, son indicted
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