FALMOUTH - A major fire in downtown Falmouth heavily damaged at least two businesses and snarled the afternoon commute along Route 28.The fire broke out in the Town Laundry at 812 Main Street and spread to the adjoining Bangkok Crusine Thai Restaurant which was safely evacuated.
Flames and heavy smoke could be seen shooting from the building. That forced firefighters to pull back and fight the blaze from outside.
A second-alarm brought in mutual aid from several towns including Bourne and Mashpee.
One firefighter was taken from the scene to Falmouth Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Route 28 in the area was completely blocked by hoses and fire trucks and police were asking motorists to avoid the area.
The State Fire Marshal's office was called to investigate the cause of the fire. Initial reports said the fire started in a clothes dryer in the laundromat.
CWN readers pitched in by submitting these dramatic photos from the scene. The top photo and first park of the slide show is courtesy Lt. Joel Carlisle FFRD ret., the photo at right and middle of the slideshow is courtesy of Kristin Brown. The latter part of the slideshow is courtesy of Matt Tavares.
If you see breaking news and can safely take photos please email them to us.
Cotuit cemetery vandalized again
COTUIT - The Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit was vandalized again Tuesday. At least a dozen tombstones were turned over or destroyed. Barnstable Police are investigating. The same cemetery was hit by vandals on January 3rd when 9 stones were toppled and another was broken in half.
Photo and video y Frank F. Paparo/CWN
Dramatic video: Air Station Cape Cod responds as fishing vessel sinks off Maine
KENNEBUNKPORT, ME - The Coast Guard assisted two fishermen after their fishing vessel began to take on water nine miles east Kennebunkport, Maine, Tuesday.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a call at 7:20 a.m. from the 81-foot fishing vessel Plan B reporting that they were taking on water and pumps were unable to keep up with the flooding audio available. The men were donning survival suits. The Coast Guard immediately launched an Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, a Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H., rescue boat crew, a Station South Portland, Maine, rescue boat crew, and diverted the crew of the cutter Tahoma. The Coast Guard also issued an urgent marine information broadcast asking boaters in the area to assist the fishermen. The crew of the fishing vessel Cameran Lee responded to the mayday and safely transferred the two fishermen from the Plan B to their vessel. Weather on scene was 10 to 15-knot winds and two-foot seas. The Tahoma and Station South Portland stayed on scene monitoring the situation.
"This rescue highlights the importance of communication in an already hazardous environment," said Lt. Nick Barrow, command center supervisor at Sector Northern New England. "The value of good Samaritans in our tight-knit community is invaluable."
The Coast Guard protects roughly 20,000 commercial fishing vessels in the northeastern U.S. and encourages fleets to prepare for the unexpected as the season continues.
The 81-foot fishing vessel Plan B sank Tuesday approximately eight miles west of Kennebunkport, Maine, after taking on water. Click here for video as the vessel sank.
Media release and multimedia furnished by U.S. Coast Guard
Driver escapes serious injury in dramatic rollover
EAST FALMOUTH - A driver somehow escaped with only minor injuries after this dramatic rollover. The Volkswagen Beetle was coming down Shorewood Drive and failed to negotiate a turn onto East Falmouth Highway (Route 28) ending up rolled over on its hood.These photos from a Cape Wide News reader appear to show the car narrowly missing careening right into the house at 46 East Falmouth Highway.
The crash is under investigation by Falmouth Police. A police report identifies the driver at Christine Gardner, 46, of East Falmouth. The repoprt indicates Gardner was cited for charges including operating to endanger, failing to stop at a stop sign and speeding.
Remember if you see news happening and can safely capture it please email us the photos.
Photos courtesy of Kristin Brown
Officers prevent suicide attempt
YARMOUTH - The Yarmouth Police Department reports that on Sunday, February 19, at 10:04 a.m. the department received information that a female was despondent and might commit suicide in her home.
Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Richard Fichter and Richard White responded to the Yarmouth residence and made an emergency entry into the home. They found the woman in a back bedroom with an electrical cord wrapped around her neck and tied to a door knob. The woman was slumped over and unconscious. The officers removed the cord, located a pulse and the woman regained consciousness.
Members of the Yarmouth Fire Department promptly arrived and provided additional services and transported her to Cape Cod Hospital. Today, the woman is doing much better and a variety of services are in place to provided ongoing assistance.
The Yarmouth Police Department is grateful to the concerned citizen for getting involved to help a friend in need and Patrol Officers White and Fichter are to be officially commended for their prompt and decisive actions that saved a life.
Media release provided by the Yarmouth Police Department
YARMOUTH - The Yarmouth Police Department reports that on Sunday, February 19, at 10:04 a.m. the department received information that a female was despondent and might commit suicide in her home.
Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Richard Fichter and Richard White responded to the Yarmouth residence and made an emergency entry into the home. They found the woman in a back bedroom with an electrical cord wrapped around her neck and tied to a door knob. The woman was slumped over and unconscious. The officers removed the cord, located a pulse and the woman regained consciousness.
Members of the Yarmouth Fire Department promptly arrived and provided additional services and transported her to Cape Cod Hospital. Today, the woman is doing much better and a variety of services are in place to provided ongoing assistance.
The Yarmouth Police Department is grateful to the concerned citizen for getting involved to help a friend in need and Patrol Officers White and Fichter are to be officially commended for their prompt and decisive actions that saved a life.
Media release provided by the Yarmouth Police Department
Sandwich Police weekly arrest report
SANDWICH - Sandwich Police report the following arrests for the past week. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
On February 13th at 1:54 p.m.
Michael A. Steitz, of Barnstable was charged with
Operating MV after license suspended
Possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance
Possession of Class D Marijuana (less than 1 oz.)
On February 13th at 2:13 p.m.
Christopher Callahan of Hanson, MA was charged with
Shoplifting
On February 14th at 12:59 p.m.
Domenic Pisano of West Yarmouth was charged with
Operating MV after license suspended
On February 15th at 1:01 a.m.
Judith E. Gibbs of Sandwich was charged with
Operating under the influence of liquor
Marked lanes violation
Disorderly conduct
On February 15th at 8:43 a.m.
Judith E. Gibbs of Sandwich was charged with
Operating MV after license suspended
On February 18th at 8:40 p.m.
Michael Joseph Warrington of Forestdale was charged with
Possession of a Class B substance
Possession of a Class C substance
Possession of a Class E substance
On February 19th at 5:44 p.m.
Christin F. Allen of Sandwich was charged with
Operating under the influence of liquor
Leaving the scene of property damage
Data furnished by Sandwich Police
Falmouth Police weekly arrest report
FALMOUTH - Falmouth Police report the following arrests for the past week. All suspects are considered
innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On February 13th at 11:27 a.m.
Kyle Brandon Jeglinski, 27, of East Falmouth was charged with
Assault and battery
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
and
Ryan Matthew Jeglinski, 29, of East Falmouth was charged with
Assault and battery
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
On February 13th at 11:09 p.m.
Brian Haskell, 21, of Hyannis was charged with
Warrant arrest (domestic A&B in Bourne)
On February 15th at 1:26 a.m.
John I. Ridino, 33, of East Falmouth was charged with
Operating under the influence of liquor
Open container of alcohol
Speeding
On February 15th at 1:35 p.m.
Shawn P. Stanley, 23, of East Falmouth was charged with
Possession with intent to distribute a class B substance
Drug violation near a school or park
Warrant service
On February 16th at 10:02 a.m.
Michael Henry Connors, 36, of North Falmouth was charged with
Operating after license suspended or revoked
Fail to identify self to police officer
Fugitive from justice
Warrant arrest (3 counts)
On February 16th at 10:06 a.m.
Janelle G. Wayman, 24, of Bourne was charged with
Warrant arrest
On February 16th at 4:07 p.m.
April Ebony Hicks, 23, of Mashpee was charged with
Shoplifting by asportation of merchandise
On February 16th at 5:02 p.m. as the result of a search warrant
Anthony Michael Hathaway, 23, of Bourne was charged with
Default warrant (failing to appear after recognizing to appear)
and
Eleeanna Marie Rivera, 19, of East Falmouth was charged with
Possession of a Class A substance
On February 17th at 12:44 a.m.
Andrew G. Weldon, 22, of East Falmouth was charged with
Breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor
Trespassing
Malicious destruction of property
Warrant arrest
and
Anthony J. Gilmette, 24, of East Falmouth was charged with
Breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor
Trespassing
Malicious destruction of property
On February 17th at 5:53 p.m.
Mark David Renkawitz, 36, of Waquoit was charged with
Operating under the influence of liquor (2nd offense)
Operating to endanger
Marked lanes violation
On February 19th at 11:30 a.m.
Josiah Dodson Campbell, 23, of East Falmouth was charged with
Warrant arrest (2 counts)
On February 19th at 5:00 p.m.
Gabriel E. Simmons, 24, of Cotuit was charged with
Shoplifting by asportation of merchandise (3rd offense)
On February 19th at 9:04 p.m.
Richard D. Lino, 56, of East Falmouth was charged with
Assault and battery (domestic)
Intimidating a witness
Data furnished by Falmouth Police
DHS warns of tax phishing scams
FALMOUTH - Falmouth Police have forwarded this timely reminder from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about tax phishing scams:
During the time period leading up to the deadline for filing US federal income tax returns, there is an understandable increase in email and TV advertisements related to tax filing. As such, it is not uncommon for malicious actors to exploit citizens filing taxes electronically by executing phishing attacks via email or social engineering attacks via telephone. Public and private sector organizations and individuals should keep close watch for the following indications that an email may be malicious or the caller on the phone is not who they claim to be: The sender of the email or initiator of the phone call is your first indication as to whether an email or phone call is legitimate. Be cognizant of how you file, whether electronically or via mail and whether through a third party tax service or the IRS directly. If being contacted by phone, ask for that person’s name and a call back number. If you file a paper copy but receive an email notification, there is a good chance the received email is malicious. The IRS and third party tax providers typically do not send email notifications, especially to taxpayers filing a paper return. If you file a paper return yet receive an email notification, contact the IRS or whomever prepared your taxes, directly. If you file your taxes online, but receive emails from other third parties stating you are eligible for a bigger refund, or there was an error on your return, treat these emails as suspicious and do not open them. Notify the IRS and your tax filing service provider about the email. Also, be aware of extension deadlines. Malicious actors may attempt to send emails around the time extensions are due or several weeks after filing deadlines when refunds are expected.
PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES
The following preventative strategies are intended to help our public and private partners proactively
look for emails attempting to deceive users into ‘clicking the link’ or opening attachments to seemingly
legitimate websites regarding tax filing status. The following list is not exhaustive, but represents some
best practices to follow. To minimize the likelihood of a successful attack, users are encouraged to take
the following precautionary steps: Do not click on links in emails. If you do think the email is legitimate, whether from a third party tax service or the IRS, go to the site and log on directly. Whatever notification or service offering was referenced in the email, if valid, will be available via regular website log on. Do not open the attachments. Typically, notifications from the IRS will come via postal service. If there is any doubt, contact the IRS directly and ask whether the email with the attachment was sent by them. This applies to third party tax services as well. It is not typical for providers to send attachments regarding taxes; again, if there is ever any doubt, contact your tax provider directly prior to opening any attachments. Do not give out personal information over the phone or in an email without properly verifying the other party’s identity. Social engineering is a process of deceiving individuals into providing personal information to seemingly trusted agents who turn out to be malicious actors. If contacted over the phone by someone claiming to be the IRS or your third party tax support provider, do not give out your personal information. Ask them to provide you their name and a call back number. Contact the IRS (or your third party tax provider) to verify the authenticity of the phone call and then call them back on the provided number.
NOTE: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial
information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social
media channels.
Media release furnished by DHS via Falmouth Police
Click here for more Cape Wide News
Please support these great companies that sponsor Cape Wide News: Carl F. Riedell - Central Construction - Beltone - Agway - Botello Lumber - Core Computers - Century 21 Seaside Village - Foran Realty - Silver Cloud Towing 508.394.4141 - Associated Alarms - Battles Buick GMC
E-Mail
Print