At 7:20 on Monday, August 13th, troopers from the Massachusetts State Police responded to reports of a crash on Route 49 at the intersection with Putnam Road in Sturbridge. Upon arrival, Trooper Scott Shea discovered that a 2008 Buick LaCrosse, driven by a 50-year-old woman from Spencer, was travelling westbound on Putnam Road, came to a stop at the intersection with Route 49, then pulled out, attempting to go southbound on Route 49, directly in front of a tractor-trailer car carrier, driven by a 54-year-old man from Manchester, New Hampshire. State Police say the woman died at the scene. Her identity has not been released. The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained non-life threatening injuries and…
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The Southbridge Police Department is reminding motorists it is never a good idea to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and now they will be patrolling local roads and looking for impaired drivers even more closely with help from a state grant. Funds from the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security were made available to the Southbridge Police and other local departments across the state as part of the national ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ enforcement mobilization and public information campaign. This year’s campaign will urge drivers drinking alcohol or using marijuana and other drugs to plan ahead and designate a sober driver, use a ride-share…
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Every day the hard working men and women of local police departments around the country are risking their lives to protect and serve, but this final radio call of a Southbridge Patrolman has gone viral. Perhaps you’ve seen the video on the national ABC News, or CBS News, or maybe one of the millions who have viewed it on Facebook, but we couldn’t help but share it in case you missed it. Right in our own backyard, Southbridge Officer Duane Ledoux has retired after 31 years on the police force. Ledoux had just called in his final “code 5,” which is the department’s way of wrapping up a scene. It is also the tradition to…
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On Friday afternoon, Governor Charlie Baker made it official, signing the tax-free holiday weekend into effect for Massachusetts on August 11th and 12th for most purchases under $2,500. In a tweet, Governor Baker posted, “I am pleased to sign, as part of the [Economic Development] bill this provision into law to support our small businesses and give our residents a break.” The 6.25 percent tax will be waived on most items sold in retail stores, including at one of Webster’s newest local businesses, Vee’s Furniture & Mattresses, located at 183 Main Street. The store, which had its grand opening ribbon cutting one week ago today, less than an hour before a tornado ripped through a…
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An investigation is ongoing after a motorist from Sturbridge took his own life during a traffic stop in Gardiner, Maine on Thursday afternoon. The deceased, identified as 34 year old Gyrth Rutan, was transporting a body of a dead woman in the trunk of his car at the time he was pulled over. Investigators believe she was killed in Massachusetts before being placed in the trunk and driven to Maine. She has not been identified yet. The car was reportedly seen being driven erratically on Route 295 in Maine minutes before police pulled Rutan over. The Maine medical examiner says he died from a shotgun blast to the head. The woman’s death is under investigation…
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At 4PM on Thursday, August 9th, Dudley Police, Fire and Emergency Services Personnel responded to a two car motor vehicle crash on West Main Street in the area west of the Dudley District Court. Police say a 2009 Honda Accord operated by 38 year old Stephen Richard of Dudley, appears to have crossed into the westbound lane of travel and collided with a 2009 Dodge Journey, operated by 63 year old Joseph Reidy of Dudley. Both vehicles suffered heavy damage. There were two passengers in the Dodge Journey, a 57 year old female and a four year old male. No life threatening injuries were reported, but all adults were transported to local hospitals. The child was…
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Hot off the presses at The Airbrush Shack in Thompson, you could be one of the first people in town to get your very own Webster Strong T-shirt, to benefit local businesses affected by the recent Webster tornado. Tamara Beland from Get Your Local On started the online fundraiser with the goal of helping the establishments that were immediately impacted by the storm. In less than 24 hours, over $5,000 had been raised. In the days following, Dave Laabs from The Airbrush Shack had the idea to design a logo, and print the shirts for the community to show their support. Now the total is over $8,000 in donations. Tamara says, “As we move through this process…
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Police in North Smithfield, RI have arrested a Woonsocket man who they say nearly overdosed on the side of the road with a young child in the backseat of his car. On Friday, August 3rd around 7PM, officers responded to a possible overdose near the intersection of Victory Highway and North Main Street. Police found 33 year old Michael Krajczynski passed out in the driver’s seat of his car. First responders administered one dose of Narcan, but had no effect. Police said 3 more doses of Narcan were given, at which point Krajczynski became conscious and alert. He was transported to Landmark Medical Center for medical evaluation. Officers on scene removed the child from the vehicle and contacted…
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THE LAKE 940 AUDIO: Jody Melanson of Dog Orphans on Route 16 in Douglas tells Mike Roberts about this weekend’s dog friendly music event in Oxford. Calling all dogs, and their owners! The 6th Annual Dog Orphans Sounds For Hounds Music Festival is this Sunday at Singletary Rod & Gun Club, 300 Sutton Avenue in Oxford. Jody Melanson explains, “it’s going to be a great event, with 3 live bands, a beer hut and dog massages.” Bring your dog on a leash and treat them to a day of fun for them and their human companions. The fun begins at 12 noon and wraps up at 5:30PM. While your pooch is getting pampered, enjoy the sounds…
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THE LAKE 940 thanks the Webster Police Department, Webster Fire Department, Webster EMS and all of the area first responders for the jobs that they do day in and day out to keep Webster a safe place to live and work. The Webster Police Department hosted National Night Out on Tuesday, August 7th as a free community event. Members of the town were greeted with a lot of free food, fun and prizes, with music provided by Webster’s Local Radio Station, The Lake, AM 940. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the…
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