District Attorney Joseph Early’s office has announced The Worcester Program for Addiction Recovery will officially launch on December 19th. After months of intensive training, volunteer advocates will work in the community to bridge the gap between police and individuals in need of help and drug treatment. On Facebook, D.A. Early said, “I was honored to address this group of remarkable volunteers who will be working with Worcester Police Department on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.” Eight volunteers participated in a six week training program to prepare them for the work. The volunteers have been trained and will beginning their outreach work tomorrow. The Worcester Program for Addiction Recovery (WPAR) is a community-based program developed…
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Monday 7PM Update: This suspect still has not been apprehended. After searching in the woods near Paxton Road for approximately 5 hours last night, police called off their search for the suspect. Police are still looking for 38 year old Steven Patchen of Warren, Massachusetts. Spencer Police say he has an active warrant for a previous violation of a restraining order. Patchen was armed with a long gun and made threats to harm himself and then fled into the woods on foot. Members of the Spencer Police, Mass State Police, CEMLEC Swat Team, and the Mass State Police Air Wing conducted an extensive search of the area. At 9:15PM the search was called off as…
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Icy roads and speed contributed to this accident on Route 20 in Charlton this morning. Charlton Police say that this Chrysler was traveling east around 9AM on Sunday when it passed another vehicle and hit a patch of black ice. The vehicle skidded across the roadway into the westbound lane and collided with a signpost and the embankment. No injuries were reported. Charlton Police remind you to reduce your speed while driving in cold weather since the roads often frost over and create hazardous driving conditions.
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With the colder temperatures hitting the area, the Massachusetts Environmental Police have issued a warning encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to use extreme caution when engaging in activities on or around cold waters and ice. Fluctuating temperatures and flowing waters degrade ice conditions. When venturing onto ice, it should always be considered as potentially dangerous. It is also important to know that newly frozen ice is actually stronger than old ice. For example, 4 inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not. The Massachusetts Environmental Police wants to remind everyone that on state owned properties a minimum ice thickness of 5 inches…
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It would seem today’s 16th Annual “Goods for Guns Buyback Program” was a success, because even taking 1 gun off the streets is great for the community. The event was held at several locations throughout Central Massachusetts and was made possible by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office in association with UMass Medical Center, in an effort to prevent injury or death from unwanted or unsafe guns in local homes. People who anonymously turned in guns in Dudley were eligible to receive gift cards to Park N Shop Supermarket. In Dudley, Chief Steve Wojnar tells WGFP that 4 weapons were turned in at his police station today. These weapons have been already been turned over…
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The Massachusetts State Police have issued a hoax alert after a woman living in New York City alerted them to a phone call she received asking for her personal information. The Caller ID on her phone indicated that the call was coming from (508) 820-2300. That number belongs to the headquarters for the Massachusetts State Police in Framingham. State Police say they did not make the call but it was an example of phone number spoofing, where a hoaxer pretends to be calling from a different phone number than their own. State Police say, “It is fairly common for hoaxers to use police numbers to give their fraudulent calls an appearance of credibility or to support…
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A garbage truck was involved in a serious accident on Upland Street in Auburn yesterday. The driver of the truck is still in critical condition. Early reports say the driver may have been hit and run over by his own vehicle. The truck jumped a curb and went into a wooded area after snapping a telephone pole yesterday just after 1 in the afternoon. At 4:30PM on Saturday, Auburn Police gave an update saying the driver of the truck is still in very critical condition at UMASS Medical Center. The Auburn Police Department Crash Reconstruction Team along with the Massachusetts State Police are still investigating.
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Can you be somebody’s snow angel? The Town of Webster is looking for residents who are willing to help their neighbors that are unable to do snow removal after upcoming snow storms. If you are able to shovel or plow a neighbor who isn’t physically able to do it, please click the link below and fill out the questions. The town is compiling a list of residents that they can contact if someone is unable to remove snow. All you need to do is submit the part of town, name, address and phone number. The Webster Police will do a quick background check on you and then add you to the list. CLICK HERE TO…
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Webster’s Recreation Department has announced a contest open to all residents who have Christmas lights on their home. Don’t worry if you haven’t gotten them up yet, you still have time! To nominate your display, or one that you love – simply send an email to recreation@webster-ma.gov or call (508) 949-3800 extention 1023. All nominations must be submitted by December 21st. A group of 3 judges will visit all entries the next day. It’s free to enter, and the grand prize winner will get a free beach pass for 2018!
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Matthew Gregoire (Facebook) 6:00AM FRIDAY UPDATE: Fire crews from Oxford, Leicester, Millbury, Dudley, Webster, and Charlton spent most of the night battling a 3 alarm fire at 16 Sacarrappa Road in Oxford. The fire broke out shortly before 8PM Thursday and quickly rose to a 2, then 3 alarm fire. We have learned 1 person who was previously unaccounted for has been found, but another person and 2 dogs died as a result of the fire. Firefighters were on the scene for several hours trying to extinguish the smoldering fire. Crews had to fight the fire from the outside because conditions inside were too dangerous. There is also a report of at least 1 Oxford…
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