Five Massachusetts State Police troopers and three civilian mechanics who work for the department obtained fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses as part of a bribery scheme that was made public earlier this week, the agency said Friday followi…
Massachusetts
Police create task force to reexamine disappearance of 16-year-old Stow girl in 1985
Police in Stow, Massachusetts announced Friday that they have formed a task force to reexamine the disappearance of a local teen nearly four decades ago.
Catherine “Cathy” Malcolmson was 16 years old when she disappeared in 1985 while riding her bike to work in nearby Hudson. Stow police said the case has been looked at multiple times since her disappearance, but this is the department’s first task force solely dedicated to finding out what happened to her.
Cathy’s bicycle was found in Hudson about two years after she went missing. But since then, there have been no substantial leads or new developments in the case. The task force was announced one day before National Missing Persons Day, which is Saturday, Feb. 3.
“Cathy’s disappearance has always remained on the minds of our department members and this town” Stow Police Chief Michael Sallese said in a release. “I am glad that we were given the opportunity to bring more attention to this case. There have been both technological and investigative advancements since her disappearance and we are looking forward to utilizing those tools. Our hope is that given the time that has passed, people who may not have come forward then will come forward with information now and we can finally get some answers as to what may have happened to Cathy.”
The task force will be led by Sgt. Cassandra Scott, Stow police said.
Stow police said they received funding for the task force through the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. This will help pay for overtime for the officers involved as well as a podcast focusing on Cathy’s disappearance and the subsequent investigations.
Anyone with information about Cathy’s disappearance can call the tip line at 978-897-4545, ext. 1985 or email the task force at tipsforcathy@stow-ma.gov.
Ms. G didn’t go out for Groundhog’s Day 2024, but still has a spring forecast
Punxsutawney Phil’s not the only groundhog making predictions about spring. The incomparable Ms. G has been Massachusetts’ official prognosticator since 2008.
But Groundhog’s Day 2024 looked different from years past at Ms. G’s home at Drumlin Farms in Lincoln Friday morning. The ceremony was held inside because of recent health changes for the animal.
Mass Audubon, which runs Drumlin Farms, noted on its event page that “an outdoor prognostication will be replaced with an indoor meet and greet with Ms. G at the Farm Life Center.”
Gov. Maura Healey even shared a status update on Ms. G, noting on social media that the weather-attuned groundhog is “taking a break from the spotlight today.”
We went to Drumlin Farms on Friday to check in on Ms. G, who was happily munching on broccoli when we found her inside.
“Ms. G is a juvenile, so she has a temporary hormonal condition that caused a little bit of hair loss, so out of respect for her, and holding us to our high standards with wildlife care, we didn’t feel comfortable having to go outside doors. this year,” said Scott Mccue, the Metro West regional director for Mass Audubon.
Punxsutawney Phil and Ms. G aren’t always in agreement, but they were for 2024: expect an early spring.
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Whale found dead off Martha’s Vineyard was 3, had rope in tail, scientists say
The North Atlantic right whale found dead this past weekend off Martha’s Vineyard was a 3-year-old female, scientists at the New England Aquarium confirmed Friday.
The deceased female was found entangled in a rope near Joseph Sylvia State Bea…
