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Power outages, flight cancellations hit Mass. after first big storm of 2024
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It’s back to the weekday grind after our first big snow storm of the year (and winter season). But before you head outside to chip the ice off your car, let’s get into the news:
After the storm: While some joked about the meager snowfall in Boston proper, Massachusetts residents north and west of the city certainly had plowable and icy snow. (You can see pictures of the snowfall from Lincoln to Cambridge here.)
- The totals: The National Weather Service reports Lowell was hit the hardest, with 16 inches of snow, closely followed by Worcester, which got 15 inches. And though only three inches was measured at Logan Airport, it’s still feeling the strain this morning: 10 flights are canceled so far and dozens more are delayed.
- Power down: As of 8:30 a.m., there were still over 5,900 customers experiencing power outages across the state. Nearly half of them are in Billerica and Tewksbury.
- Police in Littleton reported one death during the storm — a 39-year-old man from Wilton, New Hampshire, who was found dead in his car after crashing into a tree on Route 119.
- PSA: An overnight temperature drop caused much of yesterday’s snow to freeze over, so be careful as you venture out this morning — and be sure to scrape and salt as needed.
A police watchdog system has revoked the certification of two Massachusetts police officers from Woburn and Acton, following an investigation into accusations of sexual harassment, misconduct, domestic battery and assault.
- The Massachusetts’ police oversight board Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission is fairly new, but it has already made a few notable personnel changes. The most recent officers’ decertifications come after Robert Kennedy — a former Stoneham officer who was sentenced to 90 days in federal prison for cheating landlords — was recently suspended.
- What is decertification? While some officers may be put on administrative leave, suspended or fired for misconduct or past errors, they can still be rehired at other police departments. Decertification bars officers who have been found guilty of egregious misconduct or felonies from working as police in Massachusetts and out of state, too.
- Go deeper: A 2022 WBUR investigation — prior to the launch of POST — found that some ousted officers have found work in other police departments, and explains the lack of local and national systems that could better provide insight into past misconduct. “I think a lack of transparency enables bad behavior,” Philip Stinson, a professor at Bowling Green State University who studies police crime across the United State, told WBUR.
From home to Hollywood: Boston won big last night at the 2024 Golden Globes by way of rising star Ayo Edebiri. The Dorchester native won the award for best actress in a comedy or musical TV series for her role in the FX/Hulu production “The Bear.”
What’s next for Bill: Patriots head coach and general manager Bill Belichick’s future with the team remains unclear this morning. Rumors circulated last week that yesterday’s game would be Belichick’s last with the Pats. But even after Sunday’s 17-3 loss to the Jets, Belichick declined to discuss his next steps with the team, WBUR’s newsroom reports.
- The Patriots have not won a playoff game in the last five seasons with Belichick as coach. Belichick is also being blamed for the poor performance of the team’s recent draft picks.
- Looking ahead: ESPN reports that Belichick and Patriots team owner Robert Kraft are expected to meet later today. Keep an eye on the WBUR.org for any updates.
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Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the former Stoneham police officer mentioned above had been decertified. He is actually suspended from the department. We regret the error.
