Walpole Girls' Hoop Coach Dismissed, Man Causes Multiple Accidents, Massive Drug Bust & More Regional News

WALPOLE

Walpole Girls’ Hoop Coach Stacy Bilodeau Ousted by WHS Principal

The final buzzer has apparently sounded on Stacy Bilodeau’s tenure with the Walpole High School girls’ basketball team.

According to the Boston Herald, Bilodeau was informed Tuesday “her services were no longer needed” as head coach of the girls’ basketball team. Bilodeau told the Herald’s Dan Ventura the decision was made by WHS principal Stephen Imbusch, who told the newspaper “it was a personnel decision.”

He declined further comment.

Bilodeau, who coached the Lady Rebels for 11 seasons, was a WHS standout from 1991-94. After returning to Walpole and taking over the program in 2002, Bilodeau won a Div. 2 state title in 2004.

FOXBOROUGH

Motor Vehicle Stop in Foxborough Leads Police to Massive Drug Bust

A motor vehicle stop on Mechanic Street Thursday turned out to be much more for Foxborough police as officers made a drug trafficking bust after discovering 119 grams of cocaine in the operator’s vehicle.

Foxborough Police Sgt. John Chamberlin stopped a vehicle on Mechanic Street earlier in the day Thursday where indicators of criminal activity were present, according to the police department’s Facebook page.

“Sgt. Chamberlin subsequently scanned the vehicle with assistance of Foxborough Police K9, Marley, who alerted to the presence of narcotics,” Foxborough police said on Facebook. “The vehicle was brought back to the Foxborough police station where it was further searched by Sgt. Chamberlin, Marley, and the Massachusetts State Police.”

During a search of the vehicle, a hidden electronic compartment was discovered, according to police.  Inside the compartment was 119 grams of cocaine and also discovered was approximately $2,000 in cash.

The operator of the motor vehicle was arrested on a number of charges including trafficking in cocaine, according to police.

NORWOOD

Norwood Man Arrested After Causing Multiple Accidents

State Police apprehended a Norwood man after he reportedly caused several motor vehicle crashes on Route 93 North near Exit 2A in Canton.

Police arrested Christopher L. Brooks, 35, of Norwood, and charged him with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (second offense).

He was arrested at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree at 12:45 p.m. after police received multiple 911 calls for an erratic driver causing accidents on Route 93, according to Massachusetts State Police.

DEDHAM

Will Dedham Finally See a Senior Center?

After years of trying, Council on Aging Board chairwoman Leanne Jasset is hoping so after next Monday's Special Town Meeting.

“It’s probably been 30 years that the town has been trying to build a senior center in Dedham,” Jasset said.

“Some of it has to do with funding, but most of it has to do with the NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) scenario. And most every neighborhood that it’s been proposed in the neighbors have been very outspoken about why they don’t want it there,” she said.

SHARON

Sharon Ultimate Disc Team Headed to Northeastern Regional Championship

Sharon High School's ultimate disc team is headed to the USA Ultimate Northeastern Regional Championships in Fort Devens next month.

The team will join a group of others from schools in the northeast as part of the open division. Among those headed from Massachsuetts in the open division are Xavier, Amherst Regional, Lexington, Needham and Newton North, according to USAUltimate.org.

CANTON

Canton Officials Release Impact Report for Plymouth Rubber Housing Proposal

Canton officials released a recent report that discusses a proposal of what to do with the former Plymouth Rubber property, which involves the development of 348 housing units: 64 own houses, 80 age-restricted for residents aged 55 and older and 204 apartments.

The proposal is estimated to generate 150 short-term and 178 long-term jobs and result in an estimated $10 million spent on goods and services from businesses in Canton, according to the report's findings.

STOUGHTON

Stoughton Man Bringing Play About Fight for Marriage Equality to Local Church

He's not an actor and hasn't been involved with theater since his college days, but after seeing an online production of "8 The Play," Stoughton's Tom Grenon was moved to action.

"8," which premiered on Broadway in September of 2011 and in Los Angeles in March of 2012, deals with the issue of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

It chronicles the legal effort to overturn California's Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot proposition passed by voters in that state, which defined marriage in California as only between a man and a woman, even though California had previously recognized same-sex marriage.

Grenon, who married his long-time partner, Bill Bunce, shortly after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage, saw the play on YouTube this past fall, went to the website for the play and saw a link for how to stage it and "just had to do it."

The play will be held at the Christ Congregational Church, 1350 Pleasant St. in Brockton, Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. There will be a talk back session after each performance with representatives from Mass Equality on the panel.

MANSFIELD

Mansfield Football Player Admits to Assaulting Student

Mansfield High School student and football captain Alex Ruddy admitted in Attleboro District Court yesterday to assaulting another student with his belt according to the Sun Chronicle.

The peal-bargain deal, where Ruddy admitted to committing assault and battery, a misdemeanor, will allow Ruddy to return to school.

The case was continued without a finding for one year with probation and will be dismissed if Ruddy is able to stay out of trouble.

EASTON

Town Administrator’s Capital Budget Fully Funds Technology Request For Schools

Easton Town Administrator David Colton told selectmen Monday night that he is recommending the town fully fund the school department's capital budget request for technology.

His decision overrides Easton's Capital Planning Committee, which recommended the town include $50,000 worth of the School Department's $173,000 request, the majority of which was dedicated for wireless internet funding in Easton Middle School and the Olmsted-Richardson schools.

Colton's Capital Budget also differs from the Capital Planning Committee in that it will not include pavement management road funding for the Department of Public Works. He said his decision is based on the fact that a bill is currently before the State Legislature that could increase state aid for roads by 1/3.

"Although it’s unlikely that the entire packet will be passed, I do expect some increase so I think we better see what that is before we recommend more funding," he said.

In all, Colton's Capital Budget is $2.9 million - slightly less than the $3 million recommended by the Capital Planning Committee. The Capital Budget is funded by a combination of borrowing and available funds.

NORTON

Norton South Shore Millwork Looking for Expansion Loan at Town Meeting

The South Shore Millwork made a proposal to the Norton Board of Selectmen for a Tax Increment Finance to expand the business Thursday night.

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is essentially a loan from the town to a company based on projected future tax revenue from the expansion based on an increase in property value. Selectmen were receptive to the idea, but it will be up to the town to decide at town meeting May 13.

Owner Jeff Burton said the TIF and the expansion project already have approval from the planning board.