“Hi! Does anyone teach their families about special needs these days???

I was raised that we are all different in many ways and to not stare or make fun of others. I raise my autistic 13-year-old granddaughter Amariannah and she is the most loving and energetic person you could meet. You would actually love her back if you knew her.

My granddaughter seems to think everyone is her friend but as an adult seeing her being stared at while she is out in our community I know not everyone cares to be her friend. ? Breaks my heart that special needs kids and adults are just something for many to stare at or even just laugh at.

Parents should really be teaching their kids about the difference in others. We already live in a messed up world today and there’s no need for anyone to act as if they are better than others. We are in a world of many different types of people and special needs.

Please instead of staring, become a friend to someone who will brighten up your day like my Amariannah! Teach your kids please. Special needs kids deserve better than disrespect from adults and children. Thank you!”-Jennifer Lee Staples-Villegas.

Jennifer Lee Staples-Villegas photo.

“STOW — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $5 million in awards to 321 Massachusetts fire departments through the state’s Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program.

“Every single day, firefighters across Massachusetts put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “They deserve our thanks and our support. The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program is just one way we can express our appreciation for that selfless dedication.”

“From structure fires and water rescues to hazardous materials and building collapses, firefighters never know what life-threatening risks the next call will bring,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will support the purchase of fundamental tools and specialty equipment to help them do a dangerous job more safely.”

Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of 135 different types of eligible equipment. Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards. This is the fourth year that funding has been awarded through the program.

“For the second year in a row, many fire departments are using this program to provide their personnel with ballistic vests and helmets so they can make life-saving rescues in active shooter situations,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “As we confront this growing threat and other emerging hazards, we are proud of the way Massachusetts fire departments have risen to every challenge.”

“While smoke and flames are the most obvious threats to firefighters’ safety, occupational cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service,” said Deputy Secretary Susan Terrey. “We now know that wearing the right type of protective gear and cleaning it properly can reduce that risk. This program will give many firefighters access to tools that will help protect them from the number one threat to their health and well-being.”

“The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants are an investment in the health and safety of Massachusetts firefighters,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “The flexibility of the program is especially valuable because it allows each department to make purchases based on their specific needs and resources. It has become a vital part of the way the Massachusetts fire service prepares for the constantly evolving threats in the world around us.”

“Firefighters who have the proper protective gear and contemporary rescue tools are much better able to protect themselves and the residents they serve,” said Hyannis Fire Chief Peter Burke, President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts. “These grant awards will have immeasurable impacts on public safety in Massachusetts for years to come.”

A complete list of the awards by department can be found here. The 20 item categories most frequently funded through this year’s grants are broken down by Item and Quantity:

• Hoses, Nozzles, Fittings, and Adapters 1,262
• Coats 659
• Gloves 618
• Hoods 539
• Ballistic Vest 515
• Helmets 436
• Pants 409
• Ballistic Helmet 371
• Boots 351
• Combustible/Hazardous Gas Detectors 166
• Thermal Imaging Cameras 133
• Hand Tools 119
• SCBA Facepieces 104
• SCBA Bottles 102
• Portable (handheld) Radios 97
• Rescue Litters 76
• Cold Water Immersion Suits 63
• Extrication Tools 54
• Rescue Saw 49
• Vehicle Stabilization Struts 43″

“Last night Officers Jarrod Levesque and Michael Chicca were each presented with the Distinguished Service Award from The Prince Henry Society.

This was for their life saving efforts on October 11, 2023. Both officers performed CPR, utilizing an AED, to save the life of an individual who had gone into cardiac arrest while the officers had been dispatched for an unrelated call.

The award was presented by Domingos Paiva from the Prince Henry Society.”-Westport Police Department.

Westport Police Department photo.

Westport Police Department photo.

“Last week, Sheriff Heroux swore in the 2024 Bristol County Deputy Sheriffs.

The Sheriff deputizes employees from various units such as civil process, internal affairs, special investigations, K-9, and legal, as well as individuals who are POST certified and wish to perform traffic details for different police departments throughout Bristol County.

Congratulations to our 2024 Deputies!”-Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

Bristol County Sheriff’s Office photo.

Bristol County Sheriff’s Office photo.

“I am delighted that all seven municipalities in my district received vital Firefighter Safety Equipment grant funding to protect our brave firefighting men and women.

They deserve the very latest in state-of-the-art equipment to make their perilous job as safe as possible.

• Fall River-$34,890
• Freetown-$15,500
• Lakeville-$18,880
• Rochester-$15,107
• Somerset-$19,000
• Swansea-$19,000
• Westport-$19,000”-Senator Michael Rodrigues.

“BOSTON – A Middleborough, Mass. man was sentenced to six days in prison for stealing and selling three firearms from FedEx packages he was responsible for delivering. The government recommended a sentence of 10 months in prison.

Frank P. O’Toole, 40, was sentenced on Feb. 2, 2024 by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to time served (six days) and three years of supervised release, during which period he must complete 250 hours of community service. On June 16, 2023, O’Toole pleaded guilty to two counts of possession or sale of a stolen firearm.

O’Toole previously worked as a FedEx delivery truck driver at a facility in Middleborough. Between October 2021 and June 2022, O’Toole stole three packages sent from out-of-state which he was responsible for delivering, each containing a firearm – specifically, two rifles and a shotgun – intended for a Federal Firearms Licensee. O’Toole subsequently sold the three firearms to an undercover agent during two separate controlled purchases on Aug. 9, 2022 and Aug. 12, 2022.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that the City of New Bedford has been awarded $2,293,066 in homeless assistance funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as part of a competitive grant process under HUD’s Continuum of Care Program.

HUD’s Continuum of Care grants provide critically needed support to local programs that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The federal department recently announced a total of $3.2 billion in awards to renew and expand support to thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation.

New Bedford’s grant funds are awarded through a very competitive national application process, with local application efforts led by the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development. The office coordinates the City’s comprehensive response to homelessness, using a Continuum of Care methodology and working with the local Homeless Service Provider Network.

A Continuum of Care is a community’s plan or strategy to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are in a housing crisis and/or are experiencing homelessness, as they move toward stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. The strategy includes action steps to break cycles of homelessness.

HUD grant funding supports an array of interventions for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, staying in shelters, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Each year, HUD funding serves hundreds of people through a coordinated entry system, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and permanent housing programs.

“This funding will strengthen our efforts to address homelessness in our City,” Mayor Mitchell said. “I want to thank all the members of our Homeless Service Provider Network for their hard work and dedication, as well as our Congressional delegation for their support.”

“Our network’s success in competing for these funds is directly attributable to the willingness of our partner agencies to evaluate and modify our systems and practices to meet complex and ever-changing needs,” said Josh Amaral, director of the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development. “At a time when our state is experiencing an acute housing shortage, the provision of high-quality, safe, permanent housing, and first-rate programs and services is more important than ever. We are pleased to see this part of our work validated among the many strategies we are employing to address housing challenges at all levels.”

The grant funding will support eight local programs, along with data and strategic planning efforts.

Funds will be distributed to the following agencies and programs:

• City of New Bedford: HMIS Project 2.0, $74,524
• City of New Bedford: CoC Planning Project, $125,600
• SEMCOA: Family Preservation Program, $459,487
• PACE: Green Light Project, $145,045
• CCFR: Portico, $687,718
• PAACA: Step Up, $342,068
• CCBC: The Call Combined, $50,000
• CCBC: The Call Combined Expansion, $70,352
• Steppingstone: Welcome Home, $338,272.”-City of New Bedford.

“On Wednesday January 31, 2024, at approximately 10:30PM the Auburn Police Department learned that a 12-year-old child left their home at approximately 8:30PM. The child was last seen in the Pakachoag Hill area of Auburn and their whereabouts was currently unknown.

Due to the freezing temperatures and nature of the incident numerous Auburn Police Officers and Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police converged on the area in an attempt to locate the child. Detectives from the Auburn Police Department, Detective Bureau responded to assist as well.

Officer Ljunggren and his K9 partner Biza were deployed. K9 Biza was able to pick up a scent and began to track the scent. K9 Biza tracked for a length of over two miles and led Officers to an area where evidence showed that the child had been present a short time earlier. Officers converged on this area and located the child a short time later. The child was reunited with their family and is safe.

We are proud of the hard work put in by K9 Biza and are happy to report a positive outcome!”-Auburn MA Police Department.

Auburn MA Police Department photo.

Auburn MA Police Department photo.

Auburn MA Police Department photo.

Auburn MA Police Department photo.

“The State Police Association of Massachusetts was saddened to learn of the passing of retired MSP K-9 Logan.

Following 6 years of service to the Commonwealth, K-9 Logan medically retired and was able to stay with his partner and family who graciously adopted him, allowing him to enjoy his final years on earth.

On January 27th, Logan passed on. The Association would like to honor his service to the Commonwealth, his partner and our members as a whole.”-State Police Association of Massachusetts.

State Police Association of Massachusetts photo.

“On Monday, February 5th at approximately 12:07pm, the Danvers Police Department received a 911 call from a female party located at 98 Newbury Street.

The female stated that she had been shot multiple times and had fled to a neighbor’s trailer. Responding officers proceeded to both the suspect’s trailer and the trailer where the victim was located, establishing a perimeter in both locations. As officers began to approach the trailers, the suspect fired several rounds out of the window, towards officers.

Officers were able to make contact with the victim who was safely extracted and transported to Beverly Hospital, and later med-flighted to a Boston Hospital. The Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) was activated and dispatched assets to assist along with the Massachusetts State Police and numerous area departments.

After approximately 2 hours, the suspect, identified as Joseph M. Hurley, 62-years-old, was taken into custody by NEMLEC officers and transported to the hospital.

This continues to be an active investigation by the Danvers Police Department, Essex County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services.

Hurely is being charged with Armed Assault with Intent to Murder, 3 counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. Hurley is expected to be arraigned in Salem District Court on Tuesday.” -Danvers Police Department.

All photos by the Danvers Police Department: