School's 'Vibrant' Therapist Remembered After Slaying: Patch PM
Today is Wednesday, Jan. 20. Here are some of the top stories we've been covering.
A speech pathologist found dead in her Wakefield home Tuesday is being remembered as a "vibrant and integral" part of the school district. Wakefield Superintendent Doug Lyons said in a statement this week Pamela Wood was a "beloved staff member at the Greenwood School and Doyle Early Childhood Center."
"Pam worked with many students and families over the years in her role as a Speech and Language Pathologist," Lyons said. "She will be missed by students, families and staff alike. Our hearts go out to her family during this tremendously difficult time."
Wood, 61, was found in the basement of her Otis Street home Tuesday morning. Her son, 23-year-old Timothy Martin, was shot by police after he charged them with a knife, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said.
Other top stories
Watch: Stephen Colbert Jokes About Wayland Potato Mystery
The mystery of several (possibly baked) potatoes found scattered at the Wayland Free Public Library is now nationally famous.
Stephen Colbert joked about last week's discovery on Tuesday's episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." The former "Colbert Report" host featured news clips from Wayland Patch, CBS Boston and the MetroWest Daily News in the segment, part of a regular routine about goings-on during the pandemic.
"This is the kind of news I'm hoping to spend more time thinking about in 2021," he said introducing the segment.
In case you don't know, last week Wayland Free Library Director Sandy Raymond found two potatoes — one on Monday, another on Tuesday — while walking around the library grounds. The library posted about the mystery on Facebook, drawing dozens of theories about the tuber appearances.
Two Wenham Selectmen Resign Amid Discrimination Complaint
Wenham is down to just one selectman on its board after two selectmen resigned on Tuesday.
Selectmen John Clemenzi and Jack Wilhelm both stepped down on Tuesday night, following a discrimination complaint against the town and Clemenzi and calls for resignation. Chairman Gary Cheeseman is the only selectman left on the board. He issued a statement on Wednesday reassuring residents that town government functions will carry-on as usual.
A discrimination complaint was filed in December by a town employee against Clemenzi and the town. The complaint names Wilhelm as well. The employee accused Clemenzi of sending a "sexual harassing" text message, which Clemenzi has admitted to sending. The complaint claims the town failed to take action and that the employee faced retaliation.
Norwood Firefighters Union Doubles Down On Stance Against Chief
The Norwood firefighters union and town officials are at odds on their confidence in Norwood Fire Chief George Morrice.
The Norwood firefighters union, Local 1631 of the International Association of Firefighters, voted that it had "no confidence" in Fire Chief George Morrice's leadership. After the results of the internal vote were published on the union's Facebook page, Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco and Board of Selectmen Chair William Plasko authored a statement standing by Chief Morrice, and claimed several statements made by the firefighters union were untrue.
The back and forth exchange between the firefighters union and town officials has been ongoing since last week. The union criticized Morrice's leadership and protocol for the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming firefighters had to share breathing apparatus' and that firefighters were not told about a virus outbreak within the department. The union also claimed that the chief and town did not follow through on recommendations made by an outside agency that studied morale within the Norwood Fire Department.
Also
Fatal Road Rage Incident In Belmont Under Investigation
A Boston man died after a hit-and-run in Belmont — the driver eventually returned to the police station.
Dedham Police Investigate Stabbing, Robbery At Holiday Inn
An 18-year-old from Rhode Island was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Salem Woman To Be Charged With Leaving Scene Of Skateboard Crash
Salem police said 25-year-old Arianna Gallagher will be charged with the criminal complaint after hitting a teen skateboarder last week.
Melrose Getting Another Mexican Restaurant
The former Papa Gino's building will be getting downtown's third Mexican restaurant in just a few blocks.
This article originally appeared on the Boston Patch
