Top story: Thunderstorms turn deadly as boater struck by lightning on Orleans pond
also: Lightning sparks house fire in West Yarmouth CWN storm team coverage by Tim Caldwell, Richard Copley and Kevin Morley, with Matt Pitta/WXTK. A boater was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning in this pond in Orleans Wednesday afternoon. ORLEANS - Thunderstorms take a deadly turn as a boater on Meetinghouse Pond in Orleans (above) was struck by lightning Wednesday afternoon. The man, 42-year-old Christopher West of Eastham was apparently killed instantly.
WXTK's Matt Pitta says Orleans Fire Chief William Quinn confirmed the fatality at a press conference Wednesday evening. Hear Matt's report here.
An eyewitness to the horror, 67-year-old John Jonason of Eastham had to be rescued off his boat and taken to Cape Cod Hospital (lower right) after suffering chest pains. We'll bring you further details as we get them. Aerial courtesy of Mapquest; Scene photos by Matt Pitta/WXTK; photo bottom right by Frank Paparo/CWN
Continuing storm team coveage: Yarmouth firefighters battle a fire apparently started by lightning. WEST YARMOUTH - At 5:50 p.m. Yarmoith fire responded to a 911 report of a structure fire at 59 Clover Rd West Yarmouth. On arrival Engine 45 confirmed smoke from the building. Crews made entry through the front door and proceeded to the garage where the fire was discovered. As firefighters made entry flames were visible from the garage area and heavy smoke was escaping the roof vents. The fire was knocked down and brought under control quickly. Engines 42, 43, Tower 41, and ambulance 56 assisted with ventilation, and overhaul. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. It appeared that lightning struck a tall pine tree and traveled underground to the garage area of the home and started the fire.
The first arriving Engine (45) responded from the recently re-opened station three and was on location in 4 minutes.
More storm team coverage: Lightning struck a tree in Dennis Wednesday afternoon. SOUTH DENNIS - A tree caught fire after being struck by lightning on Center Street in South Dennis (above). Ironically the tree was in the yard of retired Fire Chief Robert Hersey.
Elsewhere, Radar indicated hail may have fallen in the Chatham area. No warnings were issued by the weather service except for mariners.
Several fire alarms were tripped off and power flickered here and there.
Some traffic lights were left flashing yellow causing some traffic delays.
These nasty clouds (right) were spotted in Provincetown.
Photos above by Kevin Morley/CWN; photo right by Tim Caldwell/CWN
Yarmouth Police investigate stabbing WEST YARMOUTH - On Wednesday at 6:52 p.m., Yarmouth Police Officers responded to 49 Reid Avenue in West Yarmouth regarding a report of a violent fight and stabbing between two brothers.
Yarmouth Police and Fire Department personnel arrived at the rental home and determined that Randolph Mills had stabbed his younger brother six times in his side, hip, and back area and fled.
Yarmouth Firefighters treated and stabilized the victim and subsequently transported him to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis for treatment of non-life threatening stab wounds.
Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Neal Donohue—Sean Brewer—Albert Sprague—Philip Magnuson—Raymond Scichilone—David Dickey—K9 Patrol Officer Peter McClelland—and Patrol Sergeant John Lanata conducted an on-scene investigation and search for the suspect.
After establishing and inner and outer perimeter and rechecking the immediate area the suspect was found hiding inside a bedroom closet of the residence. 19-year-old Randolph J. Mills (left) of West Yarmouth was placed under arrest on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (knife) and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters. He was scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court today.
Members of the Barnstable County Crime Scene Investigation Unit provided crime scene and evidence collection services.
Another subject, 18-year-old William Foley of Yarmouthport (right), was also arrested at the residence for providing misleading information and interfering with the investigation. He was also scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court.
Photo by Richard Copley/CWN; mugshots furnished by YPD
Harwich Police investigate car break-ins, plead with owners to LOCK THEIR CARS HARWICH - From Tuesday, June 30, 2009 through Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the Harwich Police Department investigated 15 motor vehicle break ins. Most of the vehicles had cash, personal effects, and various types of mobile electronics stolen. All of the vehicles that were entered were UNLOCKED. The thefts occurred in the Pleasant Lake area of town as well as an area around the Harwichport Golf Course.
The Harwich Police were assisted by a Criminal Identification Officer and a K-9 Officer both from the Barnstable County Sheriffs Office.
The Harwich Police would like to remind citizens to always LOCK their vehicles. Locked vehicles present a much more difficult and unappealing target for would-be thieves.
One injured in two-vehicle crash in Centerville One person was injured in this two vehicle crash on Route 28 in Centerville. CENTERVILLE - One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash in Centerville Wednesday afternoon.
A Toyota Corolla and a Saturn sedan collided on Route 28 by the Bell Tower Mall around 2:30 p.m.
The injured driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital.
The crash is under investigation by Barnstable Police.
Photos by Frank Paparo/CWN
Man accused of assaulting wife YARMOUTH - On Tuesday at 7:32 p.m., the Yarmouth Police Department responded to a report of a violent attack of a woman by her husband on Partridge Valley Road in West Yarmouth.
Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Richard F. White arrived at the residence and met with the woman who reported that she and her husband have been separated and when she went to the residence to pick up her two young children her husband locked the doors and would not let her leave with them. Her husband then grabbed her by her arms and pinned her down to the floor. The woman screamed for help and was able to break free and get outside and call the police.
Additional police units were dispatched to the scene and Yarmouth Police K9 Patrol Officer Peter B. McClelland, Patrol Officer Christopher Marino, and Patrol Sergeant Francis L. Hennessey arrived and gained access to the residence and found the man laying on his bed with the two children in his lap. The suspect initially refused to hand over the children but eventually did comply with the Police Officers and the children were released.
The suspect, 22-year-old Skye A. Soares, was placed under arrest for assault and battery (domestic) and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters. He was held overnight and transported to the Barnstable District Court for arraignment this morning.
The children were not physically harmed and returned to their mother. The Yarmouth Police Department assisted the woman in obtaining an emergency Protection Order and filed a verbal and written report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Mugshot furnished by YPD
Two arrested in heroin bust FALMOUTH - Two men were arrested Tuesday night in a heroin bust in Falmouth. Police acting on information received stopped a Mercedes sedan at Teaticket Highway (Route 28) and Maravista Avenue Extension. Police say the occupants seemed nervous. A search of the vehicle netted a bag containing 14 grams of heroin and $4,466 in cash. After receiving consent to search a residence police reportedly found 13 more bags of heroin in the lining of a jacket and another "line" of heroin on a plate. Police arrested 41-year-old Mark Norton on charges of drug violation near a school or park, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of heroin, and 52-year-old Randall Clockedile on charges of drug violation near a school or park, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and heroin trafficking. Both were arraigned Tuesday in Falmouth District Court.
Two collared for B&E to motor vehicles SOUTH DENNIS – The Dennis Police Department reports that at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Ptlmn. Cleve Daniels observed a green 2000 Mazda Protégé containing two individuals operating southbound on Old Bass River Road without a front registration plate as required by law. Ptlmn. Daniels activated his emergency equipment and signaled for the vehicle to stop. In response, the vehicle sped up and attempted to elude the officer by turning onto a side road. The vehicle stopped a short time later and the passenger ran from the vehicle into nearby woods while the driver remained with the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Otis Reed, 36, of Chatham, was arrested and charged with Failure to Stop for a Police Officer, Failure to Display a Registration Plate, Speeding and Operating to Endanger.
In the process of arresting Mr. Reed, officers recovered a checkbook belonging to a New York woman and observed shards of motor vehicle window glass in the interior of the vehicle.
During this time period, the owner of the check book was reporting to the Dennis Police that her vehicle had been broken into while parked at Cold Storage Beach in East Dennis and her pocketbook and other items had been stolen.
The passenger in Mr. Reed’s vehicle was identified by Ptlmn. Daniels as Steven Laurie, 47, of Dennis, who had two misdemeanor warrants (shoplifting and drug possession) outstanding for him.
Ptlmn. Daniels and other officers later went to Mr. Laurie’s house and, during a search of the residence, located him hiding under a pile of clothes in his living room. Mr. Laurie was arrested on the warrants.
Both individuals are also being charged with two counts each of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and Larceny Over $250. Both suspects were held at the Barnstable County Jail overnight on cash bail. They will be arraigned Wednesday morning in Orleans District Court.
A second break into a parked motor vehicle was reported shortly after Ptlmn. Daniels initial contact with these individuals. This break occurred at Corporation Beach in Dennis. Various personal items were stolen from this vehicle. Man arrested for attack on woman and police officer WEST YARMOUTH - On Tuesday at 6:56 p.m. the Yarmouth Police Department responded to 52 Lake Road West in West Yarmouth regarding a domestic violence attack in progress.
Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Richard White and Patrol Sergeant Francis L. Hennessey arrived at the home and determined that a woman had been verbally assaulted and physically attacked by her ex-boyfriend who had fled the scene on foot prior to the police arrival.
A check of the area subsequently led to the suspect, Harvey Powell (pictured at right), 46, of West Yarmouth, hiding inside a bathroom of a nearby home. He was placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.
During the booking process the suspect was reportedly combative and uncooperative and allegedly punched Patrol Sergeant Hennessey in his left temple area and ripped the sleeve off of his uniform shirt. With the assistance of a Taser device, Patrol Sergeant Hennessey and Patrol Officer Erica Wenberg were able to overcome the attack and place the suspect in a holding cell.
The suspect was held overnight and transported to the Barnstable District Court this morning for arraignment charged with Domestic Assault and Battery and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer. Mug shot courtesy of YPD Click here for more Cape Wide News
Howie Carr
Sean Hannity
ORLEANS - Thunderstorms take a deadly turn as a boater on Meetinghouse Pond in Orleans (above) was struck by lightning Wednesday afternoon. The man, 42-year-old Christopher West of Eastham was apparently killed instantly.
WEST YARMOUTH - At 5:50 p.m. Yarmoith fire responded to a 911 report of a structure fire at 59 Clover Rd West Yarmouth. On arrival Engine 45 confirmed smoke from the building. Crews made entry through the front door and proceeded to the garage where the fire was discovered. As firefighters made entry flames were visible from the garage area and heavy smoke was escaping the roof vents. The fire was knocked down and brought under control quickly. Engines 42, 43, Tower 41, and ambulance 56 assisted with ventilation, and overhaul. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. It appeared that lightning struck a tall pine tree and traveled underground to the garage area of the home and started the fire.
SOUTH DENNIS - A tree caught fire after being struck by lightning on Center Street in South Dennis (above). Ironically the tree was in the yard of retired Fire Chief Robert Hersey.
WEST YARMOUTH 
After establishing and inner and outer perimeter and rechecking the immediate area the suspect was found hiding inside a bedroom closet of the residence. 19-year-old Randolph J. Mills (left) of West Yarmouth was placed under arrest on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (knife) and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters. He was scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court today.
CENTERVILLE
YARMOUTH
WEST YARMOUTH - On Tuesday at 6:56 p.m. the Yarmouth Police Department responded to 52 Lake Road West in West Yarmouth regarding a domestic violence attack in progress.
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