Latest news with #FernaldSchool
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
The state's mistreatment of the disabled dead
For 50 years, his brother David yearned to know where John was buried and how he died, but Every year, states reject thousands of public requests for medical records and hidden burial locations of the disabled dead. They claim they are protecting patient privacy. It is a perverse abuse of an important legal protection for the living, and it has a frightening impact. With every person turned away, states prevent a long-overdue reckoning with how our continued reliance on government programs for institutionalizing disabled people has ripped apart the lives of Americans for nearly two centuries. Advertisement From Advertisement That's why they called the disabled people under their watch 'inmates' — not 'patients' — and subjected them to enslavement, sexual violence, and psychological torture. Three years ago, we took up these issues by spearheading the creation of the Massachusetts Massachusetts reformers first planted the seeds for a nationwide mass institutionalization movement in the mid-1800s. Ever since, the state Advertisement Yet much of this story is hidden. A Without consequences for state and local leaders who have knowingly allowed it to happen, this neglect enables communities to rewrite history. For example, at the Fernald School where John Scott died in 1973, powerful local interests are Nationwide, towns and cities have raced to redevelop former institutional sites without listening to survivors who say that there needs to be Massachusetts needs to pass much-delayed legislation to manage and open historical records while committing to a coordinated effort to open burial records, make an earnest search for unmarked graves, memorialize this history, teach it in schools, and stop this massive act of erasure. It must begin with a formal state apology because, as we saw with David Scott and so many others, we cannot walk out from under the shadow of institutions when it still hangs over so many today.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Reward offered for information on suspicious fires at Fernald School in Waltham
WALTHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and the Waltham Police and Fire Departments are investigating two suspicious fires on the Fernald School grounds last month, and are offering a reward for information. Springfield crews put out electrical fire on State Street On April 19th, the Waltham Fire Department was sent to 200 Trapelo Road for a reported fire. When crews arrived, a heavy fire was found in two buildings, one known as the schoolhouse/gym and the other the manual training building. Mutual aid was called to several nearby fire departments, and it took crews over six hours to put out the fire. It is believed by the Waltham Fire Department, Waltham Police Department, and State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit that the fires were set intentionally and separately based on an examination of both of the buildings. The two fires are being investigated as they might be related to fires on the Fernald grounds back in January of this year and December of 2024. On December 14th, 2024, an early evening fire caused damage to the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. On January 18th, another fire was reported in the late morning at Chipman Hall, which caused the roof to collapse. Like the most recent fire, both of these took place on a Saturday. The Arson Watch Reward Program is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on these fires. The program offers rewards for information that solves, prevents, or detects arson crimes. 'We are asking anyone with information on recent fires on the Fernald grounds to share it with investigators,' said Chief O'Connell. 'There have been four fires in that area since December. These incidents are dangerous, and we're deeply concerned that someone is going to be hurt.' 'These buildings were vacant, but any structure fire is inherently dangerous,' said Chief Mullin. 'Firefighters confronted heavy smoke and flames venting out the windows. They were present when the roof of one building collapsed and the first floor of another collapsed into the basement. First responders, curious onlookers, and even the person or persons responsible could have been injured or worse.' 'If you were in the area of the Fernald School on these dates and saw anything suspicious, or if you have specific information on the person or persons responsible, please share it with investigators at 1-800-682-9229,' said State Fire Marshal Davine. 'You can remain anonymous if you prefer. What's most important right now is that these fires stop before someone gets hurt.' Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
