Good Sam update; support for East Bridgewaer fire victims: 5 top stories last week
BROCKTON − A 51-year-old Brockton man died after the foundation of a home in Hanson partially collapsed Wednesday, the Plymouth County district attorney's office said.
There's been an outpouring of support for a displaced family after a two-alarm fire tore through an East Bridgewater home and left it a total loss. Two of the home's occupants escaped the building with their dog through a first-floor window.
At a special Brockton School Committee, meeting an emotional Brockton teacher said students are smashing family photos, stealing, doing drugs and having sex in empty classrooms teachers can't lock.
A Brockton family was reunited with its beloved family dog Speedy after she went missing more than three months ago. Speedy was found safe in a vehicle after Brockton police made a traffic stop that lead to the arrest of the operator.
In case you missed it, here are five stories of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area.
One dead after Hanson home foundation partially collapses, DA says
A man was killed when the foundation of a single-family home in Hanson partially collapsed. Federal, state and local authorities are investigating the death of 51-year-old Gerceir Osvaldo DeFaria, who became trapped at a construction site at 50 Dwight St. on Wednesday morning. The basement of the home was being waterproofed, according to a news release from the Plymouth County district attorney's office. The home's foundation fell on DeFaria while someone was digging a trench on the side of the home. The Plymouth County Technical Rescue team worked to rescue DeFaria. Brockton and Kingston firefighters also responded to the collapse.
Brockton man killed: One dead after Hanson home foundation partially collapses, DA says
Photos from the scene: Brockton man dead after Hanson home foundation partially collapses
Outpouring of support for displaced family after fire rips through East Bridgewater home
Four people were able to escape a two alarm fire that tore through an East Bridgewater home — but the home is a total loss and all four residents have been displaced, officials said. Upon arrival, responders discovered that the fire had spread to much of the home, a two-story, L-shaped dwelling, East Bridgewater Fire Chief Timothy Harhen said in a written statement. Two of the home's occupants escaped the building with their dog through a first-floor window. The other two occupants were also able to escape, but four pet cats are still unaccounted for, according to Harhen.
Outpouring of support after fire: Outpouring of support for displaced family after fire rips through East Bridgewater home
PHotos from the scene of the fire: Multiple towns battle fast-moving 2-alarm house fire in East Bridgewater
Brockton public safety building $34.5 million over budget. Where will money come from?
The new Brockton public safety building may cost $34.5 million more than planned. Consultants broke the news to the City Council on Monday night, Feb. 5. Kevin and Joe Sullivan of CHA Consulting, which is managing the project, blamed unexpectedly expensive site prep and skyrocketing per-square-foot construction costs. Mayor Robert F. Sullivan took his lumps as city councilors lined up to support extra money for the project, which was originally expected to cost $98 million.
Public safety building over budget: Brockton public safety building $34.5 million over budget. Where will money come from?
Council approves $98M for complex:: Brockton council authorizes $98 million for public safety complex — without public input
BHS students 'having sex,' 'doing drugs' in empty classrooms
At a special Brockton School Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 31, administrators, teachers, students and parents discussed security and safety in Brockton High and shocking levels of violence and mayhem in the hallways. "Please give teachers back their keys," said BHS teachers Eleri Merrikin at the meeting. "They're having sex and doing drugs and cutting class in empty classrooms and we can't lock our own classrooms. They're stealing laptops, and they are vandalizing."
BHS students 'having sex' in classrooms: BHS students 'having sex,' 'doing drugs' in empty classrooms. Why teachers don't have keys
Teachers describe violence and chaos: Emotional teachers describe shocking levels of violence and chaos at Brockton High School
Brockton mayor: Steward pledges it won't close Good Samaritan Medical Center
Steward Health Care executives told Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan they have no plans to close Good Samaritan Medical Center. Sullivan said he confirmed with Good Sam President Matthew Hesketh and other Steward officials that the West Side hospital will stay open despite the financial troubles of its for-profit parent company. A Steward spokesperson verified: "The short answer is we are not closing Good Sam," said Deborah Chiaravalloti.
Steward pledges not to close: Brockton mayor: Steward pledges it won't close Good Samaritan Medical Center
Owner of Good Sam can't make rent: Owner of Good Sam, Morton and St. Anne's hospitals can't make rent payments. What we know
Steward can close Stoughotn rehab:: Even if Stoughton rehab hospital deemed essential Steward can close it
Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton-area top 5 stories: Good Samaritan Medical Center; E.B. fire
