Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent, Author at Whitman-Hanson Express • Page 15 of 20

Sept 29. Main Street Home invasion Update

October 6, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — A search of a Main Street apartment last week has led to the arrest of residents Jennifer Best, 26, and Marlon Teixeira, 27, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, according to Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch.

Arrest warrants were obtained from Plymouth District Court for both Best and Teixeira of 230 Main St., Apt. 2 on charges of trafficking in Fentanyl and possession of a Class E substance. Hanson Police executed a search warrant at the residence as a result of information gathered from the reported breaking and entering.

“This apartment was the apparent target of the four individuals that had broken into the home earlier in the day [Sept. 29],” Miksch stated in a press release.

Seized in the search warrant was approximately 48 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be Fentanyl, $20,000 in cash, a small amount of pills (Xanax and Gabapentin), scales, and plastic baggies.

“Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid pain medication that has led to thousands of overdose deaths each year around the country,” Miksch said.

Arrested on Sept. 29 and held pending a dangerousness hearing Oct. 6 in Plymouth District Court were Anthony Marcelino, 22, of Warren Ave., Brockton and Andrew Jorge, 31, of Vermont Ave., Brockton. Two other subjects are still wanted in connection with the breaking and entering.

Police have released photos two people begin sought in connection with the Sept. 29 from the Hanson home invasion. Anyone with information on the identity of the individual is asked to call Hanson Police at 781-293-4625.

On Oct. 5, Hanson Police along with Stoughton Police, U.S Marshals, Pembroke, Brockton, and State police located Best and Teixeira at a home on Lowe Avenue in Stoughton.

“Upon entry into the home to arrest Ms. Best and Mr. Teixeira officers located approximately 100 grams of Fentanyl and $1,100 in U.S. currency as well as drug packaging materials,” Miksch stated. “Lowe Ave in Stoughton is located next to a public school.”

Best and Texeira were arrested and transported back to the Hanson Police Department for booking. Best was held overnight at the Hanson Police Department on $100,000 cash bail for arraignment Oct. 5 in Plymouth District Court.

Teixeira was held at the Plymouth County House of Correction on $100,000 cash bail for arraignment Thursday, Oct. 6 in Plymouth District Court.

Stoughton Police will be seeking charges in Stoughton District Court on both Best and Teixeira.The Hanson Police are still searching for two individuals who were involved in the breaking and entering on Sept. 29.

The Hanson Police would like to recognize and thank the following agencies for their hard work on taking these dangerous drug and guns off the street while apprehending Best and Teixeira:

Stoughton Police, Pembroke Police, Whitman Police, State Police assigned to the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and K9 Unit, Brockton Police, U.S. Marshal’s Office, and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Two charged in Hanson home invasion

September 30, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — Police have captured two men in connection with a home invasion — one an armed suspect fleeing from a multi-family home around 10:30 a.m. Thursday on Main Street in Hanson, after he allegedly broke in while a woman was home.

She fled the house unharmed, calling 911.

Officers were active in the investigation into the evening, and are still in pursuit of two other suspects, Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch said during a press conference in the early afternoon following the apprehension of a second suspect.

The second male was captured with help from K-9 officers from the Plymouth County BCI and State Police. He was located in the Indian Head Pond area in the brush when apprehended, Miksch said.

Police have also released a photo of a person of interest from the Hanson incident. Anyone with information on the identity of the individual is asked to call Hanson Police at 781-293-4625. The search for the two additional suspects from the breaking and entering had concluded by 7:30 p.m. Thursday, police wrote on Facebook.

“The investigation remains ongoing but we believe the individuals involved have left the area,” the post read. “We thank you for your assistance during today’s incident.”

Hanson Middle, Maquan Elementary and Indian Head Schools were all notified during the search, and Miksch said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner was notified, placing the schools under a shelter in place due to the close proximity of the search areas.

“As an overabundance of caution we had officers and state police escort the buses home to make sure that everyone got home safe,” he said.

A nearly two-hour search with numerous K-9 officers, environmental police, and several local and state agencies, including the State Police Air Wing, were brought to secure the large acreage of bogs, water, and wooded trails behind the home on Main Street where the suspects allegedly fled.

Following a length of time with no additional sightings, officers believe the two remaining suspects may have fled in a waiting car. Evidence was being processed and recovered at the scene and a safe was found in the backyard of the house, said Miksch.

Home breaks were reported in Pembroke earlier on Thursday, which were prior to the Hanson incident. Witness statements and surveillance video in the area will hopefully help officers put together information to see if the crimes were related, Miksch said.

Andrew Jorge, 31, of Vermont Ave., Brockton was charged with breaking and entering in the daytime while armed, armed home invasion, possession of burglarious instruments, and possession of a firearm. He is being held on $75,0000 cash bail for arraignment in Plymouth District Court on Friday.

Also taken into custody was Anthony Marcelino, 22, of Warren Ave., Brockton, taken into custody by Hanson Police officer Meegan, after being located by a Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit. Marcelino is charged with breaking and entering in the daytime while armed, armed home invasion, possession of burglarious instruments, and larceny. He was being held on $100,000 cash bail for arraignment in Plymouth District Court on Friday.

Hanson Police, State Police, BCI and K-9 officers stand by after one of the suspects in the Indian Head Pond area.
Stephanie Spyropoulos

A witness stated possibly seeing a person in a covered tent area, near the First Baptist Church but officers cleared the scene and no other suspects were taken in custody.

In an unrelated incident on Monponsett Street Hanson and State Police officers took a male into custody during the search for the original suspects. He had an outstanding warrant, but was reportedly not related to the original home invasion incident, said Miksch.

Honoring a great Lady

September 22, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — In just a few weeks, Barbara Meiggs of Hanson will be 101 years old.

Friends, family and members of the selectmen and congress were among those who attended a special pre-birthday event at the Meeting House Lane community room Tuesday. Selectman Bill Scott presented the Boston Post Cane to Meiggs.

Hanson state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, presented her with a citation from the General Court and representatives of state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass, were present as well as Veterans’ Agent Bob Arsenault and Town Administrator Michael McCue.

The tradition so honoring the oldest resident in town has been recently reestablished at McCue’s suggestion. He had presided over such programs in Mansfield and Avon — where worked with North Easton Savings Bank, which had started a program to replace missing Boston Post canes as a public service.

Jim Alfieri who was the presenter on behalf of the North Easton Savings Bank spoke briefly on the now-reinstated historical tradition.

The cane program was founded by the defunct Boston Post newspaper in 1909 as a promotional project. Canes made of ebony with gold grip and tip, for 700 towns in New England, including Maine, Massachusetts New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

No cities were included in the program, according to the Maynard town website, but some present-day cities were still towns in 1909.

In replacing the Boston Post Canes, Alfieri said it was discovered that the 700 original canes that were given out exclusively to male residents. Eventually women were recognized as the longest-living citizens in the 1930s, and thus were allowed the awarded canes.

Meiggs formerly of Whitman, was born Oct. 27, 1915. She graduated from Whitman High School at age 18. She was married to husband Carlton for 67 years. They raised two sons Russell and Weston.

Director of Hanson Multipurpose Senior Center Mary Collins told Barbara that her life has been inspirational to others. The center threw a 100th birthday party for Meiggs last year.

“If you ever want to see the most sparkling set of blue eyes… look no further than Barbara,” Collins said. “I believe the list of adjectives that best describes Barbara is absolutely endless. Inspirational is the strongest word. … I have had the pleasure of knowing Barbara for eight years and in that time I have witnessed her inspiring others.”

Many years of volunteering among the list of qualities she assembled in a life well lived, she said.

Collins quoted an essay from Ralph Waldo Emerson that she felt described how Meiggs lived her life.

“‘The purpose in life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.’ I believe this is truly how Barbara has lived her life.” Collins said.

Meiggs was a longtime volunteer at the Jordan Hospital starting in the late 1970’s at the receptionist office and eventually having a hand in the Bonnets for Every Baby program. Her hand knit bonnets were officially a welcome into the world for hundreds of infants over the years.

Arrests made in robbery

September 15, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — Hanson police made two arrests in an afternoon bank robbery on Tuesday after a car was located on route 228 in Norwell matching the alleged get-away vehicle.

At approximately 1:28 p.m., Tuesday, the Hanson Police Department received a report that the Rockland Trust Bank branch, located at 470 Liberty Street had been robbed, according to Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch.

David A. Poulos, 28, and Paige A. Banagis, 24, both Rockland residents were charged in the crime.

Poulos was described as a white male, who did not show a weapon when he gave the teller a note demanding cash in large bills. Banagis was named as the alleged driver in the robbery.

Police broadcasted a description of the suspect alerting other towns to the incident and possible suspect/s. Officers from neighboring communities spotted the suspect vehicle and a stop was made by the Massachusetts State Police in Norwell. During the stop the suspect attempted to dispose of cash in the trash at the gas station.

The undisclosed amount of cash was recovered, said Miksch.

Hanson officers responded to the gas station and were able to make a positive identification of the suspect.

Hanson Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI and K9 Unit, Massachusetts State Police and the FBI Bank Task Force also responded to the scene.

The pair is charged with unarmed robbery and larceny over $250 [an undisclosed total amount].

Banagis is being held on $10,000 bail. Poulos is held on $15,000 bail. They were due to be arraigned in Plymouth District Court on Wednesday.

The Hanson police are currently co-operating with the FBI Bank Task Force and State Police further investigating whether the suspects are responsible for bank robberies in other towns, Miksch stated.

“The Hanson Police Department would like to thank the above mentioned agencies as well as the Rockland, Weymouth, Canton, and Norwell Police Departments,” Miksch said.

A rolling rally for gun owners’ rights

September 1, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Sunday morning a rolling rally organized by the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) traveled to Hanson Rod and Gun Club to raise awareness on recent attempted changes to gun laws in Massachusetts.

A member of GOAL’s Board of Directors, Jim Finnerty helped organize the rally on behalf of responsible gun owners who want to protest the changes.

“We follow the rules to the letter,” Finnerty said. “For the last 22 years (we) have been very careful — if we weren’t, we would not be here today.”

“The fact that the Attorney Maura General Healey continues to interpret the Second Amendment and most recently the definitions of copycat weapons, is why we are here today,” he added.

Finnerty said about 150 vehicles were part of the rolling rally, which began in Billerica, with each participant given a handout packet regarding participant radio communications, appropriate signage and the general rules of being courteous on the road. Finnerty expressed that their group was strictly standing up for their rights and protesting peacefully in a correct manner on public streets — to say they oppose the attorney general’s recent practice.

“We were not trying to occupy — we don’t like it ( what is happening) but we are not going to misbehave,” he said.

Peter Boncek grew up in Halifax and now resides in Kingston. As a member of the Hanson Rod and Gun Club he supported the rally by placing signs along his South Shore roadway but did not ride in the rally.

He has carried a gun license for more than 37 years and is a lifetime member of the NRA. He supported the event on Sunday because he said he firmly believes in the Second Amendment.

“What Maura Healey has done, or tried to do — and we are going to get it back — is totally illegal, and wrong. She doesn’t have the right. She is there to enforce the laws not make the laws,” said Boncek. “This is why we are here. You get a lot more people when you start messing with the Second Amendment. As you see people here and at the State House just three weeks ago approximately 5,000 people were there on a two days’ notice ( to promote the rally).”

Approximately 300 people participated in the rolling rally Sunday and Boncek said he extended his invitation to 7th Plymouth District state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, who did attend the event.

Diehl who has a Class A LTC said he disagrees with Healey’s recent attempted changes to the commonwealth’s gun laws.

“First of all, I am against what Maura Healey did with the ban on the guns that she has now determined illegal,” Diehl said. “There is a lawsuit involved with that. Mike Sullivan, former U.S. Attorney is counsel on that. The legislature, unfortunately, she only did the [ban] with three days to go so we were unable to do anything to reverse the decision.” Although, over 100 legislators did sign a letter asking her not to [make the change]. Diehl pointed out the local gun clubs and gun owners rare allying to get people actively involved in protecting the Second Amendment.

DARE Camp sizzles at W-H: Program mixes fun, sobering safety message

August 4, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

There was a lot to be loud and proud about last week at the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) Summer Program held at host school Whitman-Hanson July 25-28 as more than 600 campers cheered for their teams and took over the grounds for fun and education in the sun.

With the temperature reaching 90 degrees nearly all week, campers had both in and outdoor activities where special guest performers and educators spoke to them about DARE and avoiding situations or substances that could potentially cause them harm.

Lead Camp Organizer Peter Veneto spoke to families, campers and staff at the closing ceremony on Friday as campers from 20 of the 27 communities within Plymouth County gathered to share a week of non-stop fun. The camp celebrated its 22nd year in Plymouth County and is sponsored by Plymouth County D.A Timothy J. Cruz., The Plymouth County Police Chiefs and Drug education and resource officers.

“Your behavior was fantastic,” Veneto said. “As campers you have earned your T-shirts — wear them proudly as leaders in the community. Let your friends know who you are: Leaders of a drug-free community. Be proud of yourselves.”

Host town DARE Officer Billy Frazier of Hanson asked for a moment of silence honoring law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty across the United States over past few months, as well as three former DARE Officers who have passed away since the camp was established.

Awards honoring the former DARE Officers were presented to Peer Leader Liz Short of Hanson’s Team 5 in memory of Officer Robert Quigley of the Marshfield Police Department, student service awards were presented to Emma Wojag of Hanson in memory of Helen Gray and Brayden Ferguson of Whitman was presented with a student service award in memory of Officer Gerald Mont of Whitman police.

District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz pledged his efforts to continue the camp and reminded campers that it took many officers, and donations of food, time, money and most of the things they were able to participate in were due to the generosity of so many local companies.

Cruz intends to see the camp grow and eventually have all 27 communities in Plymouth County have resource officers and participate in the camp.

On Tuesday, July 26 Cruz and Sherriff McDonald presented two Hanson natives — Chief Warrant 3 pilot Scott Landis and Anthony Celia — with recognition awards for their decade of service in the Army flying Black Hawk helicopters. The pair talked with campers after landing on the soccer field, giving a tour of equipment and allowing the kids to explore the aircraft.

Kudos

DARE Camp organizers thanked Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr. and the Hanson Fire Department for its help in making the Thursday, July 28 foam and water day a success as well as the following Plymouth County police chiefs: Christopher Delmonte of Bridgewater; John Crowley of Brockton; Marc Duphily of Carver; Matthew Clancy of Duxbury; Scott Allen of East Bridgewater; Walter Sweeney of Hanover; Michael Miksch of Hanson; Glenn Olsson of Hingham; Robert Sawtelle of Hull; Frank Alivihiera of Lakeville; Philip Tavarers of Marshfield; Theodore Ross of Norwell; Richard Wall of Pembroke; Michael Botieri of Plymouth; Patrick Dillon of Plympton; John Llewellyn of Rockland; Michael Stewart of Scituate; Kevin Walsh of Wareham; Victor Flaherty of West Bridgewater and Scott Benton of Whitman. Thanks were also extended to Chief Christopher Cummings of the Massasoit Community College Police and Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald Jr.

Benefit to aid Hanson couple

July 14, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — Saturday, July 9 marked their fifth wedding anniversary, and despite the broken bones and bruises from a recent motorcycle crash, they were celebrating the gift of life.

Dave and Heather Hanlon of Hanson face a long road of recovery following a motorcycle crash six weeks ago.

Friends of the couple are planning a benefit from 1-6 p.m., Sunday, July 31 at the Hanson Athletic Association pavilion, 171 Reed St., Hanson to aid in financial burdens as they recoup. The event will be held rain or shine.

Their lives were turned upside down while they were stopped in traffic waiting for a left turn on South Meadow Road in Plymouth May 28. They were hit from behind by a car reportedly traveling 40 m.p.h. The driver never hit the brakes before pushing the couple into the car in front of them.

The experienced riders often took an open air spin on a pleasant day — a passion and hobby, which they now have had taken away, said Hanlon.

The Harley Davidson Heritage soft tail they were riding was turned into a heap of metal at the crash scene.

“Heather saw the car coming behind us in the side mirror and said, ‘Oh (expletive)”, said Hanlon.

Moments later Dave was lying on the opposite side of the road in the lane of oncoming traffic. He was bleeding heavily from his head, ejected off the bike and landing 35 feet from Heather who had stayed on the bike. She fractured her pelvis in three places, among numerous other injuries.

Hanlon has lived in town for 46 years and has worked for the Hanson Highway Department for the past 19 years and is also currently the Hanson Tree Warden for the next three years. He is also a former call firefighter.

Heather is originally from Freetown and has called Hanson home for approximately 10 years. The couple has five children between them, two are in their 20s.

Hanlon’s eldest daughter Stephanie, 24, is a nurse and lives in Hanson. Courtney, 20, is stationed in Hawaii in the Army. Her planned leave to come home was the day of their bike accident.

“My first visit with her was at the hospital. She came up to see us there,” said Hanlon, his voice reflected disappointment that her holiday was marred by negative circumstances.

Things have been in disarray but the pair is making the best of their circumstances. He will be seeing an orthopedist for his healing broken elbow. For now he is caring for his wife. She has a visiting nurse, occupational and physical therapist making visits to the house.

A difficult part of Heather’s healing is the immobility. Her reconstruction included screws, wires and plates to rebuild her pelvis. She is now in a wheelchair restricted to sitting or lying in bed non-weight bearing position for the next three months. However, the once active bowler and avid rider were not promised a full recovery.

Taking the healing one step at a time Heather is hopeful she will not have further complications. They look forward to their walks again in the Burrage Wildlife area behind their home.

With caring friends and fellow American Legion riders they are also members at the Hanson Athletic Association. Hanlon who has 30 years’ experience riding expressed appreciation of all who have reached out to assist them in the last weeks.

The accident, by chance, happened in front of a house where there were fellow motorcycle riders. After hearing the crash they raced to assist until first responders arrived.

“The people were great. They held Heather’s head in place to keep her still … a man gave me a T-shirt and held it to my head, “said Hanlon.

The upcoming benefit, which Hanlon said he is humbled by, was a gesture by local friends, members at the Hanson AA and fellow riders who have helped the couple stay positive and optimistic.

The organizers of the benefit hope to offset medical expenses for the pair following stays at the trauma center at the South Shore Hospital where he stayed for two nights. Heather was transported to Boston to Brigham and Women’s Hospital where she had surgery on June 1, remaining there until June 8 when she was moved to Braintree Rehabilitation. After rehabbing she arrived home on June 16.

Seeing her in pain has not been easy, he said.

“We can’t enjoy our walks, we can no longer enjoy the motorcycle. That has been taken away from us. She says she will never get on another motorcycle because of the accident,” he said.

The couple has laid tracks all over the New England states and most of Cape Cod. Two of their favorite places are Laconia, N.H and Newport, R.I.

Riding in the car provokes anxiety because the last thing she saw was the bike coming up behind them, he said.

July fourth at Whitman Park

July 7, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Sobering message to teens

May 26, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Mock crash illustrates consequences of OUI

The W-H Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter held its biannual mock car crash May 20 — a strong, emotion-laden performance to, it is hoped, drive home a point for W-H juniors and seniors.

As this week brings the senior prom, educators said they hope to have reached students with a life lesson. With help from law enforcement from both towns as well as EMS the group responded to a crash in which students had reportedly left a party after drinking. In an assembly beforehand students watched their fellow classmates in a play depicting, drinking games, chugging beers and then discussing who was OK to drive.

A short movie was then played of the group who chose to drive, with realistic blurring, swerving and sounds of glass as the students are involved in the car “crash.” The student body then headed outside to view the aftermath in a realistic scene of mangled metal, blood, and glass in the W-H parking lot. The wrecked vehicles were provided by McQuarrie Auto Engineering of Hanson.

Darcie MacDonald, actress and real life mom to Brody MacDonald, 11, of Hanson, hysterically reacted to her son nearly being killed in the car as they awaited medical help. Her emotions were so real several students could be seen wiping their tears and clutching their arms together as she cried out she needed to be with her son. He lay unconscious in the car as police escorted her away and she collapsed in the officers’ arms.

She appeared helpless a victim of someone else’s poor choices, which W-H SADD volunteers later said “felt terribly real.”

Seniors Rachel Sword, Matt Evans, and Marena DeMinico were just three students playing parts, but after the mock crash while students returned inside the building they still had adrenalin coursing through their veins.

Covered in fake blood the three compared notes on how the crowd perceived the performance.

“I forgot I was acting at one point,” said Sword as she described her character trying to take and then fail sobriety tests.

No one was talking as they watched the crowd watching them Sword and Evans agreed they got their point across to the crowd of their peers.

Nick Smith who played the fatality was brought away in a hearse at the end of the crash leaving students dumbfounded. His real mother Rene’ Smith arrived at the end as she was told they “lost him.” Watching a mother get the news of losing her son although fabricated for the performance appeared to affect many who stood in stunned silence.

Matt Evans called Smith, also known as “Turbo” because of his running speed a “great kid an all-around respected three sport captain. Even though this was not real — it could have happened,” he said.

“Teens shouldn’t feel invincible,” said DeMinico. “This is reality. It’s hard but we are glad we did it. People think it won’t happen to them but we just watched it happen.”

A mother’s Day

May 12, 2016 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

A mother swan nests with her cygnets Tuesday, May 3 on Wampatuck Pond near the Hanson Town Hall behind the Jack Conway Real Estate office. There appeared to be four or five babies. The business has been documenting the nesting process on its Facebook page as a community resource, and held a contest to name the parents — Gloria Swanson and Larry Bird were the winning entries.