Massachusetts State Police, Weston Police, Animal Control, rescue wayward swan on turnpike

On Feb. 22, Troopers Paul Dabene and Darius McPherson rescued a wayward swan that was walking on the westbound side of the busy Massachusetts Turnpike in Weston. They protected the swan until Weston Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly arrived on-scene.

ACO O’Reilly surmised that the young swan miscalculated his landing and ended up on the highway instead of the river below it. “Since swans need about 30 yards to take flight, and being a bit stunned, he was unable to get airborne with all of the traffic,” Weston Police wrote on their Facebook page. After checking him out, ACO O’Reilly released the swan back to the Charles River, where he happily found and joined his flock, which had congregated directly beneath the section of the highway where he had landed.”

Well, if one happy swan ending is good, two are better. And wouldn’t you know it, at the risk of being typecast as a Swan Whisperer, Trooper Dabene came to the rescue again.

This past Sunday, Trooper Dabene was patrolling the Pike when he responded to the westbound side in Newton, where another swan, seen here in both photos, had got into a bit of bind. Trooper Dabene and some Good Samaritans who stopped to help were able to herd the swan from a travel lane into the breakdown lane and kept the bird safe there until Weston Animal Control responded yet again.

Swan #2 was also released back to a more appropriate landing spot and he, too, is presumably back enjoying his daily paddling on the river, safe from the Turnpike traffic.

Great job by all involved! And if you see a swan in distress on a highway, call Trooper Dabene … (kidding, just call us at 911 and we’ll send the closest available Trooper).


Massachusetts State Police photo.




Bristol County Sheriff’s Office assists New Bedford Police Department with food distribution

“The cold never bothered them anyway: Another week and another team of volunteers from the BCSO were assisting our friends at the City of New Bedford Police Department (Official) with food distribution to folks in need.

On a wet and cold Saturday morning, our volunteers were up and in New Bedford to assist the NBPD and others with food box distribution.

Thanks to Eric Decosta of NWD Trucking in New Bedford for letting us use a refrigerated truck to store food. We also want to thank Steve Xiarhos, Don Cox of the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation Inc., NBPD Chief Joseph Cordeiro and the kind people at New Life Church for all their help.

We’ll be back at it again next week – to sign up, please visit https://mmsfi.org/”


Bristol County Sheriff’s Office photo.




Massachusetts State Police work with Taunton Police towards common goal of promoting positive interactions within the community

“Our own Trooper Jessie Barbosa working with the City of Taunton. The below message is from Taunton PD:

“Positive community engagement and interaction, through response, events, meetings and forums is paramount for a police department to be effective when serving a community, promoting transparency and building legitimacy.

As a result, Chief Edward J. Walsh is pleased to introduce a new partnership with Massachusetts State Police Trooper Jessie Barbosa. Trooper Barbosa is assigned as a State Police Community Liaison and will be working cooperatively with Taunton Police Officers with a common goal of promoting positive interactions within the Taunton community we all serve.

In a short time, Trooper Barbosa has already attended UNITE Task Force meetings with Taunton Police Lt. Eric Nichols, has piloted a new program at Girls Inc. where she will work with female Taunton Police Officers and today teamed up with School Resource Officer Pete MacDougall.

SRO MacDougall introduced her to Taunton School Superintendent John Cabral and many members of the administration. Trooper Barbosa will be collaborating with Taunton officers in the upcoming weeks participating in Read Across America, where police officers read books to students. Dr. Seuss is always a favorite.

Please help us welcome Trooper Barbosa to our community.”


Massachusetts State Police photo.


Massachusetts State Police photo.




Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust is looking into acquiring all-terrain wheelchair

“The DNRT is currently looking into the possibility of acquiring an all-terrain wheelchair or other piece of adaptive equipment to loan to visitors with physical challenges so that they may enjoy some of our nature trails.

We are seeking input from community members who identify as physically disabled on the type of equipment and features that would provide a safe, comfortable, and positive trail experience. Our hope is to provide more support so people of all abilities have the opportunity to get outdoors in nature.

If you are a caregiver of someone who requires adaptive equipment, or requires adaptive equipment yourself, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey.

Caregiver Survey:
https://forms.gle/o83up2ENAiNReqFH6

Disabled Individual Survey:
https://forms.gle/QPnVxhxBYEJJsNR29




Massachusetts police officer takes “Serve and Protect” to another level

“Don’t Squeeze the Charmin!

During the Day Tour today we received a call from one of our senior residents who was in need of toilet paper and without the ability to obtain it for herself.

It became a priority call and Off Jeff McCabe carried out the assignment swiftly by getting to a market.

In addition to the needed supplies, he provided her a morning hot coffee where they got to share some good conversation and some laughs.

Another example of the real police work that goes on daily at Everett PD??”-Everett MA Police.


Everett MA Police photo.


Everett MA Police photo.




New Bedford High School’s Lady Whalers basketball team wants your old unwanted items

New Bedford’s Lady Whalers are collecting bags of gently used clothes, shoes, coats, handbags, and accessories. They will turn your old unwanted items into cash for the Girls Basketball Team. All monies will go directly to the girls.

Spring is right around the corner. Now is the time to do some spring cleaning and help the Lady Whalers in the process!




Massachusetts State Police, Environmental Police, Local Police continue search for 11-year old Aiden Blanchard

Numerous Massachusetts State Police, Chicopee Police, and state Environmental Police units today returned the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers and the areas along their banks to continue the search for missing 11-year-old boy Aiden Blanchard. Search teams were comprised of the State Police Marine Unit and boats from the Chicopee and Environmental Police, along with the State Police Dive Team, K9 Unit, Drone Unit, and Air Wing.

Today’s search did not locate any evidence related to Aiden’s disappearance. The operation remains focused on locating Aiden, or any evidence showing his direction of travel or whereabouts.

Aiden was last seen Friday, February 5, 2021 at approximately 11:30 a.m. as he was walking in the Willamansett area of Chicopee, near Old Field Road, and was believed to be heading in the direction of the Medina Street boat launch along the Connecticut River. Aiden is 5’ tall, 100 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a red ski jacket and black ski pants.


Massachusetts State Police photo.

Local police, Massachusetts State Police, and Environmental Police have previously searched the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers and the surrounding land on numerous days using officers, K9s, divers, boats, drones, and the MSP Air Wing.

All evidence known thus far suggests Aiden was alone and near the river when he went missing. Aiden was last known to be in the area of the Medina Street boat ramp. Based on the information currently known to detectives, no foul play is suspected at this time. All leads continue to be investigated by Chicopee Police detectives and the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has created a missing person poster for Aiden. Anyone who has information that may help locate Aiden, or who believes they may have seen him, should immediately call 911, Chicopee Police at 413-594-1639, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.


Missing Child poster from NCMEC.




Warwick Police Department shares Rowan’s story, 2-year old with very rare form of pediatric cancer

“Have you heard Rowan’s story?

In December, 2-year-old Rowan Shaw was diagnosed with high-risk metastatic neuroblastoma a very rare form of pediatric cancer. This little fighter is currently undergoing a very aggressive treatment. Both of his parents are out of work having to care for him.

The Warwick Police Department is working on ways to help the Shaw family through this fight.

To start, we have had #FightForRowan window decals made up. These are pictured below and will be in shortly, at which time they will be made available to purchase for $10.

Please email Sgt. Higgins at matthew.higgins@warwickri.com if interested.

You can find more information on Rowan through their Facebook page Fight For Rowan.” -Warwick Police Department.


Warwick Police Department photo.




Massachusetts State Police search for 11-year old Aiden continues

Chicopee Police and the Massachusetts State Police continue to search for Aiden Blanchard, the 11-year-old boy who went missing last Friday. A flight crew from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing today conducted an aerial search of the Connecticut River and its banks from the Massachusetts Turnpike down to the Connecticut state line, seeking any evidence related to Aiden’s disappearance.

The flight crew did not locate any evidence related to Aiden’s disappearance. The crew observed vast areas of ice covering parts of the river, including south of where Route 91 crosses the river down to Memorial Bridge in Springfield, and again further south north of Six Flags in Agawam.

Various State Police specialized units, including our Air Wing, Marine Unit, Dive Team, and Drone Unit, along the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County, will continue their search efforts with local police in coming days.


Massachusetts State Police photo.

Aiden was last seen Friday, February 5, 2021 at approximately 11:30 a.m. as he was walking in the Willamansett area of Chicopee, near Old Field Road, and was believed to be heading in the direction of the Medina Street boat launch along the Connecticut River.

Aiden is 5’ tall, 100 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a red ski jacket and black ski pants. Local and State Police previously searched the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers using divers, boats, drones, and the State Police Air Wing. The MSP Marine Unit hauled one of its boats to the river from Boston and conducted a water search during Tuesday’s snowstorm. MSP and fire department divers searched over the weekend. The area was searched based on information that Aiden was last known to be in the area of the boat ramp. The operation remains focused on locating Aiden, or any evidence showing his direction of travel or whereabouts.

All evidence known thus far suggests Aiden was alone and near the river when he went missing. Based on the information currently known to detectives, no foul play is suspected at this time. All leads continue to be investigated.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created a missing person poster for Aiden. Anyone who has information that may help locate Aiden, or who believes they may have seen him, should immediately call 911, Chicopee Police at 413-594-1639, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

Photos of the Connecticut River taken by the MSP Air Wing flight crew are below. Please attribute photos to Massachusetts State Police. Aiden’s Missing Person poster is also included again.


Massachusetts State Police photo.




Massachusetts State Police, Chicopee Police continue search for missing 11-year old Aiden Blanchard

Chicopee Police, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County, continue to investigate the disappearance of 11-year-old Aiden Blanchard. Aiden was last seen Friday, February 5, 2021 at approximately 11:30 a.m. as he was walking in the Willamansett area of Chicopee, near Old Field Road, and was believed to be heading in the direction of the Medina Street boat launch along the Connecticut River.

Aiden is 5’ tall, 100 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a red ski jacket and black ski pants.

Local and State Police thus far have conducted a thorough search of the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers using divers, boats, drones, and the State Police Air Wing. The area was searched based on information that Aiden was last known to be in the area of the boat ramp.

The operation focused on locating Aiden, or any evidence showing his direction of travel, whereabouts, or any other information to locate him. Due to a lack of specific evidence located during the extensive search, as well as poor weather conditions and dangerous diving conditions, the search was paused pending improved conditions.

All evidence known thus far suggests Aiden was alone and near the river when he went missing. Based on the information currently known to detectives, no foul play is suspected at this time. All leads continue to be investigated. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created a missing person poster for Aiden.

Anyone who has information to help locate Aiden, or who believes they may have seen him, should immediately call 911, Chicopee Police at 413-594-1639, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.


Massachusetts State Police photo.