Northeast
Wealthy coastal enclave nanny charged with manslaughter in toddler's death
A nanny in Martha’s Vineyard has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly leaving two young children who were under her care inside her SUV for several hours, resulting in the death of one of the children.
Aimee Cotton, 41, was arrested on March 13 by authorities on charges of assault and battery on a child with injury and reckless endangerment, according to an arrest report from the Massachusetts State Police.
She was later charged with manslaughter when one of the children, a 3-year-old, died on March 19. The child has not been named.
“A CHILD CALLED ‘IT’” AUTHOR SAYS CONNECTICUT HOUSE OF HORRORS CASE IS ‘ATTEMPTED MURDER’
Cotton called the police in the early afternoon on March 13, reporting that “a child whom she was babysitting was not breathing and turning blue.” The Oaks Bluff Police Department first responded to the call, and alerted the state police, who arrived shortly thereafter.
The Oak Bluffs Police Department first responded to a 911 call made by Aimee Cotton, who is now charged with manslaughter in the death of a child under her care. (Oaks Bluff Police Department)
The victim was initially taken to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Emergency Room, and later transported by Boston Medflight helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition.
The victim died six days later.
The arrest report indicates that Cotton first told responding officers that she and the children had had a relatively normal morning during which she attempted to take them for a walk, but scrapped the idea and took the children home when one of them would not cooperate.
She said that she took the children back to her home, where they played with toys and ate lunch, and explained that shortly after noon, she began loading her vehicle with hockey equipment and changed the children’s diapers in the process, before putting them in the vehicle.
UTAH MOMMY BLOGGER RUBY FRANKE’S POWER, PUBLIC IMAGE ALLOWED CHILD ABUSE TO GO ‘UNCHECKED’: EXPERT
A sprawling Victorian home on ritzy vacation spot Martha’s Vineyard. (John Greim/LightRocket )
Cotton, who was described as “cooperative,” told police the children were in the car alone for no more than 15 minutes, and that she called the police around 1:15 p.m. because one of the children looked “sick and ill.”
Shortly thereafter, police obtained a Nest home camera with Cotton’s permission, which contained surveillance footage from outside the house.
That footage told a completely different story.
Police said that around 9:15 a.m., Cotton could be seen entering the driveway in her 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. She allegedly spent 10 minutes unloading items from the car and bringing them inside, but neither of the children were removed from the car.
TENNESSEE PAIR CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE FOR LOCKING AUTISTIC CHILD IN STORAGE BIN AT UNSANITARY HOME
Victorian gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Police said a period of nearly three hours passed without any activity on the Nest footage, before she began loading the SUV with the hockey equipment around noon. Over the course of the next hour, she loaded the vehicle and briefly brought the younger child, who survived, inside the house for about 10 minutes before returning that child to the car.
That is when she called 911 to report the unresponsive victim.
The next morning, state troopers brought Cotton in for questioning, where she capitulated and told officers that she left the children in the car for about three hours while she cooked herself food, attended to her personal hygiene, packed her son’s hockey equipment and completed other chores.
Massachusetts State Police ultimately arrested Aimee Cotton on manslaughter charges on March 20. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe)
The arrest report noted that Cotton showed remorse, but also made excuses for her behavior.
She was initially arrested on March 14 for assault and battery on a child with injury and reckless endangerment. She was booked into the Dukes County Jail and arraigned later that day.
On March 20, the day after the child died, she was arraigned in Edgartown District Court on the charge of manslaughter.
Edgartown Lighthouse, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (iStock)
Cotton pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge and posted $21,000 bail. She was released with a GPS ankle monitor. She was also given a mandatory 6 p.m. curfew.
Cotton faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Her next court date is scheduled for April 3.
Harrison Barrow III, Cotton’s attorney, declined to comment.
Read the full article from Here
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Steelers get injury updates on five players, including ascending pass rusher
The Pittsburgh Steelers got some injury updates on Tuesday courtesy of head coach Mike Tomlin, with the most promising one being that pass rusher Nick Herbig should return this week against the Cleveland Browns.
Herbig suffered a hamstring injury against the Miami Dolphins and practiced late last week but could not make the final push to suit up against the Lions.
Meanwhile, four other players are working through soft tissue injuries as well. Cornerback James Pierre has a calf issue that has kept him out of the last two games, but he went through a workout on Tuesday and that could get him back on the practice field.
Tomlin seemed optimistic that Pierre would return to practice this week. He did not give the same level of optimism to guard Isaac Seumalo, who is still battling through a triceps injury.
Seumalo missed last week after not practicing, and could be out for another game if he can not practice. Spencer Anderson, his backup, will be limited after getting banged-up against the Lions.
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III has a hamstring strain that Tomlin said will leave as questionable this week, and will likely limit him early in the practice week. The same can be said for slot cornerback Brandin Echols, who is battling a groin injury.
Connecticut
Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend
CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.
In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.
Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.
For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.
Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.
As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.
For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.
Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.
Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.
Maine
York and Kittery resolve ‘border war’ dating back centuries
Maine’s two oldest towns, Kittery and York, have resolved a centuries-old dispute over their borders.
The issue dates back to the 1600s but reemerged a few years ago after a land developer purchased a parcel of land along Route 1 that straddles the boundary between the two towns.
York officials contended the border was a straight line, while Kittery argued that the divide meandered eastward from neighboring Eliot to Brave Boat Harbor on the coast.
The dispute between the two towns remained friendly — with residents of both towns making tongue-in-cheek references to a “border war” — until 2022, when York filed a lawsuit against Kittery in an effort to redraw the border. But the lawsuit was soon dismissed by a York County judge.
Now, over three and a half years later, the two towns have reached an agreement on a new boundary that the Maine Legislature is expected to officially approve in 2026.
The revised boundary was drawn up after a 2024 survey, the cost of which was split by both towns.
The proposed agreement follows roughly the same border both towns had been using, save for an added 4 acres of land designated for tree growth that will officially shift from York to Kittery.
York Town Manager Peter Thompson said officials are thrilled to have finally reached an agreement.
“ People that have been at this a lot longer than I have are very happy that this is kind of the last piece,” he said.
Kittery Town Council Chair Judy Spiller likewise said she is pleased to put the dispute to bed.
“It was our belief that we could sit down and sort this out,” she said. “Finally, the Select Board agreed with us that we should get the land surveyed, and then based on the results of the survey, we would ask the state Legislature to approve the new boundary line.”
The dispute initially arose in 2020 after a survey paid for by the developer indicated the true border was actually 333 feet south of the border both towns had been observing for much of their history.
York officials said a straight-line border had been established in 1652. Kittery disagreed and argued that the process to change the border would be an expensive and complicated one that could affect several families and businesses.
In 2020, Spiller defended the boundary line the towns had been following in a letter to the York Selectboard.
“In any event, the Town of Kittery will vigorously protect and defend her borders against any and all claims now, or in the future,” she wrote.
While any boundary change would not have altered property ownership, some officials feared it could prompt major changes to affected residents’ taxes and where they would send their children to school.
But the final agreement will have limited impact, officials from both towns said.
The 4 acres that are changing hands are wooded wetlands that won’t be developed.
And Thompson said the taxes for the affected property owners will only increase by a dollar or two.
Considering Kittery and York’s friendly histories with each other, Thompson said he’s glad the neighbors have finally put an end to the dispute.
“ The people of Kittery were great to work with,” he said. “Once we got over the initial rough patch there, it’s been fantastic.”
-
Iowa1 week agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Maine1 week agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland1 week agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
New Mexico7 days agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
South Dakota1 week agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
-
Health1 week ago‘Aggressive’ new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms
-
Maine7 days agoFamily in Maine host food pantry for deer | Hand Off