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Vernon Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police
A Connecticut funeral home owner was arrested this week after police said he embezzled $71,000 from mentally and physically disabled clients, using the funds to gamble, shop, and dine out.
Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was taken into custody on Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police.
Police began investigating Pietras in October 2024 after a financial agency that manages funds for disabled adults reported discrepancies in payments sent to one of Pietras’ funeral homes.
Pietras owns four funeral homes, including Bassinger and Do…
Ex-Somers High Coach Sent Student Nude Photos, Inappropriately Touched Them: Cops
Update: The former Somers High School assistant coach, now a Springfield police officer, has been suspended from the force after his arrest this week. Click here for more information.
Original: A 27-year-old former assistant coach at a Connecticut high school was arrested Tuesday, April 1, after a student told police he had inappropriately touched her, sent nude photos on social media, and tried to lure her into his hotel room during a tournament, authorities said.
Justin Perez, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was charged with second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempt at second-de…
Police ID 2 Involved In Fatal Hit, Run Chicopee Crash; Both Face Felony Charges: DA
Authorities have identified the men they say were involved in a hit-and-run crash in Western Mass last month that left a 34-year-old woman dead.
Lavonta Williams Jr., 29, of Chicopee, is charged with leaving the scene of personal injury and death. Jerimeldo Lopez, 23, of South Hadley, faces negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of personal injury and death charges, the Hampden District Attorney's Office said.
The prosecutor said they were in a vehicle that crashed into Vanessa Perez, of Springfield, on Feb. 9 on Abbey Memorial Road. Perez di…
Boston's St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Named Best In US, New Study Says: See The Full List
Every year, some Northeast and mid-Atlantic cities really feel the luck of the Irish more than others.
St. Patrick's Day traditions vary widely along the East Coast. Some cities are steeped in Irish tradition with huge parades, historic pubs, and thriving Irish communities, while others lack massive celebrations.
WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The study ranked 200 US cities based on holiday traditions, Irish pubs per capita, affordability, safety, and even weather.
WalletHub projects that Americans wi…
Gaithersburg Is The Most Diverse City In US, New Study Says: Here's Why
The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study.
WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010.
"The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Police ID Woman Hit, Killed By Car In Chicopee: 'She Leaves A Legacy Of Love'
Authorities have identified the 34-year-old woman killed earlier this month after she was struck by a car in Chicopee.
Vanessa Perez, of Springfield, was hit around 7:40 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the 1,200 block of Abbey Memorial Drive, Chicopee police said. She died of her injuries before paramedics could arrive to take her to a nearby hospital.
Police are investigating the crash.
Perez's family said the New Bedford native will be remembered for her kindness and caring spirit.
"She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and dedication to her family and friends," they wrote in her obit…
Man Who Gunned Down Mom, Infant In Hartford Drive-By Busted In Puerto Rico: Police
A 23-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a young mother and her infant son in Connecticut was arrested in Puerto Rico, authorities announced.
Lance Morales, the suspect in the drive-by shooting that killed 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, was taken into custody Saturday, Nov. 23, by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Marshal Service said.
He was found at a home in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and is being held on a $3 million bond.
The incident unfolded earlier this week when officers responded to Hartford Hospital after a vehicle arriv…
Teen Who Killed Mom In Hit-Run Crash, Impaling Her On Springfield Cemetery Fence Busted: DA
A teenager accused of a hit-and-run crash into a 36-year-old woman earlier this week that sent her body tumbling through the air until it landed atop a cemetery fence was arrested, authorities said.
Nathan Colon, 18, of Springfield, was arrested at his home on Lakevilla Avenue and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash causing death, and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, the Hampden District Attorney said.
He was being held on a $10,000 bond, authorities said.
Kristine Andrews was walking along Boston Road on Monday, Sept. 2, when she w…
