Mass arrests in Brockton; 5 generations in East Bridgewater: 5 top stories last week

BROCKTON − In the second operation of its kind this year, police targeted criminal activity and drug trafficking in Brockton, resulting in mass arrests. The multi-agency sweep — dubbed Operation Fall Cleanup by those involved, as it was intended to target “quality-of-life issues in Brockton."

Earlier this month, Erica-Kilcoyne Rubinski, 45, of East Bridgewater, who spends her days taking care of her aging grandmother, became a grandmother herself − joining the ranks of the few people who can say they have five generations of family alive at the same time.

Expect a knock on the door. More than seven out of 10 Brockton residents have MassHealth. East Side native Bryan Winston and his team have knocked on doors since April to warn Brocktonians that they might lose that health coverage.

In case you missed it, here are five stories of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area.

Five generations of love passed down in this East Bridgewater, Brockton family

Earlier this month, Erica-Kilcoyne Rubinski, 45, who spends her days taking care of her aging grandmother, became a grandmother herself — joining the ranks of the few people who can say they have five generations of family alive at the same time.  On Sept. 14, Rubinski, of East Bridgewater, watched her eldest daughter, Kayley Gibson, 27, of Worcester, become a mother for the first time.

Five generations of love: Five generations of love passed down in this East Bridgewater, Brockton family

Four out of the five-generations. From left to right: Kayley Gibson (27); Erica-Kilcoyne Rubinski (45); Sandra Albrecht (72); and Cynthia Clark (97).
Four out of the five-generations. From left to right: Kayley Gibson (27); Erica-Kilcoyne Rubinski (45); Sandra Albrecht (72); and Cynthia Clark (97).

Brockton, State Police arrest 33 in Operation Fall Cleanup sweep

In the second "zero tolerance" operation of its kind this year, state and city law enforcement agencies from numerous divisions worked together to target criminal activity in the city of Brockton on Monday. It resulted in 33 arrests and eight criminal summonses, according to a Massachusetts State Police. The multi-agency sweep — dubbed Operation Fall Cleanup by those involved, as it was intended to target “quality-of-life issues in Brockton" — was conducted by the Brockton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Operation Fall Cleanup sweep: Brockton, State Police arrest 33 in Operation Fall Cleanup sweep

State and city police agencies from multiple divisions participated in 'Operation Fall Cleanup' on Monday.
State and city police agencies from multiple divisions participated in 'Operation Fall Cleanup' on Monday.

'Hometown hero': 48-year-old Middleboro Police lieutenant loses battle with cancer

Lt. Angelo AJ Lapanna III, a 22-year veteran of the Middleboro Police Department and beloved father of three, lost a two-year battle with head and neck cancer, the department announced. He was 48. The announcement, posted on Facebook garnered hundreds of comments from the community, many of whom are calling Lapanna “Middleboro’s hero.” “What can you say when you lose your hometown hero. Very few people in life leave a lasting legacy of heroism,” commented Jason S. Craig. “We lost one of the good ones today.”

'We lost one of the good ones': 'Hometown hero': 48-year-old Middleboro Police lieutenant loses battle with cancer

Lieutenant Angelo AJ Lapanna III., a 22-year veteran officer of the Middleboro Police Department, dies at 48.
Lieutenant Angelo AJ Lapanna III., a 22-year veteran officer of the Middleboro Police Department, dies at 48.

West Bridgewater town administrator threatened over recent hiring. Here is what we know

In mid-September Town Administrator David Gagne received a letter threatening to extort him over a recent town hiring he and the West Bridgewater Board of Selectmen approved. Gagne said that the West Bridgewater Police and other departments are conducting "a multi-pronged investigation" into the threat.

W.B. Town Administrator threatened:: West Bridgewater Town Administrator threatened over recent hiring. Here is what we know.

Town administrator David Gagne, shown in this file photo, gave his state of West Bridgewater address this week.
Town administrator David Gagne, shown in this file photo, gave his state of West Bridgewater address this week.

Expect a knock on your door: MassHealth renewal on the line for 7 of 10 Brocktonians

More than seven out of 10 Brockton residents have MassHealth. East Side native Bryan Winston and his team have knocked on doors since April to warn Brocktonians that they might lose that health coverage .During COVID, MassHealth stopped checking eligibility each year. But MassHealth is reviewing the rolls this year. Door-knockers want people to know they need to update their contact information, watch for a blue envelope in the mail and respond to any questions from MassHealth.

MassHealth renewal on the line: Expect a knock on your door: MassHealth renewal on the line for 7 of 10 Brocktonians

MassHealth Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Elizabeth Denniston speaks at a news conference and briefing at the Brockton Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, to discuss the MassHealth redeterminations process and detail ongoing efforts in Brockton to ensure MassHealth members know what they need to do to stay covered.
MassHealth Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Elizabeth Denniston speaks at a news conference and briefing at the Brockton Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, to discuss the MassHealth redeterminations process and detail ongoing efforts in Brockton to ensure MassHealth members know what they need to do to stay covered.

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: Mass arrests in Brockton; 5 generations