Fitchburg Leominster News Magazine - Local News, Articles, Sports - Fitchburg Leominster MA

Black birthing individuals have two to three times the maternal mortality and morbidity risk as white individuals. Nashira Baril, founder of the Neighborhood Birth Center in Boston, knows of the disparities in maternal health all too well. “There is a crisis in maternal health, and it bears down inequitably to communities of color, particularly around Black folks in this country. And that has everything to do with racism being embedded in every structure of society,” she said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with genetics or being predispositioned to a bad outcome. It has everything to do with living Black in a country that wasn’t designed for us to thrive.” This Black Maternal Health Week, the New Commonwealth Fund is granting $300,000 to the Neighborhood Birth Center. The Neighborhood Birth Center is using the money to open Boston’s first and only community birth center that emphasizes midwifery care in Roxbury. “Queen size bed, huge walk-in shower, a birthing tub that you could get in but your partner or anyone else who’s on your team, if you want, could get in there with you,” Baril said.

At a time when harsh storms, hot days and rising sea levels have become a reality for Boston, the mayor’s office is now looking to target these issues with a new position. Brian Swett, a native of Newton, Massachusetts, will soon become the city’s first chief climate officer. He says he’s looking to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, and addressing climate change resilience along the coast. “You’re seeing projects move forward in Moakley Park, Piers Park, on Border Street, where we’re taking action to protect against existing flooding,” said Swett. Swett says he also plans on organizing a new climate cabinet. “It’s an evolution, really, of Boston’s nation-leading work in organizing the cabinet officials to hold ourselves accountable,” he said. “Swett is a nationally recognized leader in climate change and sustainability strategy with over two decades of leadership experience in municipal government, private sector real estate development, federal government, and non-profit sectors,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement Wednesday. “He combines his advanced business, policy, and science background to lead effective policy development and management for built and natural environments.” Swett will officially move into his new role as chief climate officer on June 10.

Two people were hospitalized Wednesday after a crash in Framingham, according to Massachusetts State Police. The crash took place at the intersection of Edgell Road and Brook Street. Framingham police say it occurred around 7:30 p.m. and involved one vehicle. Police say one person was airlifted and another was transported to a hospital by ambulance. Aerial footage showed severe damage, with pieces of the vehicle scattered across the street. “I’m in shock, to see a car split in half,” said Bianca Divincenzo. Police in Framingham said Edgell Road would be shut down between Central Street and Frost Street as crews responded. No further information was immediately available.

Police in Boston are looking for a Dorchester man who has been missing since this weekend. The Boston Police Department said Wednesday that 31-year-old Dovany Pardovany was last seen around 10 a.m. Sunday in the Jacobs Street area. Pardovany is described as being a 6-7, 315-pound Black man with brown eyes, a curly Afro and a beard, police said. When he was last seen, Pardovany was wearing black jeans, a black jacket, a black backpack and white sneakers. Police say Pardovany suffers from mental health issues and can be aggressive. Anyone with information is asked to call 617-343-4712 or dial 911. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting “TIP” to 27463.

Aerial footage from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing helicopter shows a chase that ended with two arrests in Berkley. State police say troopers tried to stop a stolen vehicle shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The driver fled and was followed onto Route 79 northbound, but troopers stopped chasing the vehicle when it exited onto local roads. The Air Wing helicopter was able to locate the vehicle and track it as it got onto Route 24 northbound. Officers with the Berkley Police Department surrounded it after it exited the highway and went into a loop subdivision. Three people bailed out of the vehicle and were caught within a few minutes, according to authorities. State police say 21-year-old Alexia Springer and 19-year-old Kobe West, both of Fall River, were arrested. They did not give any information about the third person. Both suspects are charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle. West is also charged with driving with a revoked license, reckless operation, failure to stop, a marked lanes violation and speeding. There were five outstanding warrants for West’s arrest, police said, but the nature of those charges was not clear.