Latest news with #Methuen
CBS News
12-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Massachusetts firefighter with PTSD fights for disability benefits: "This is costing people's lives"
Jeff Sirois's flashbacks come on without warning. They are vivid memories of the worst traumas the Methuen fire lieutenant experienced over his more than two-decade long career. During one of those traumas, Sirois tried to resuscitate a baby who was in a car that filled with engine exhaust. "And I have the mother the whole time screaming, 'save my baby, save my baby, that's all I have to live for.' And the baby didn't make it," Sirois recalled, "I was a mess because, at the time, I had a one-and-a-half-year-old." In the moment, Sirois did not realize that the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder were seeping into his life. "I would cry all the time. I'd have panic attacks. I would have flashbacks. I didn't know what it was at the time until it was explained to me. My wife, I've known her since I've been four years old and she would say, I don't even know who you are," he said. In 2020, Sirois said he went to a call that broke him. He claims he was in a smoke-filled basement when he started to lose oxygen from his mask. "I'm lost in this room and now I'm panicking. I had a severe panic attack. Thought I was going to die," he said. Since then, Sirois says he has fought for his life and for a Methuen Retirement Board to recognize his disability and compensate him for it. In Massachusetts, first responders who can prove they were injured on the job are eligible for 72% of their salary, tax free, for life with approval from a local retirement board. In Methuen, the board is made up five people, some of them elected, others appointed by the mayor. After the 2020 call, Sirois says his therapist diagnosed him with severe complex PTSD. He left work and had four different inpatient hospital stays and then applied for retirement benefits. Despite input from roughly a dozen doctors who connected his PTSD to his job, the board denied him twice. "It's just insane when I have all these doctors saying the same thing," Sirois said. The problem for Sirois is a Massachusetts law which requires injured first responders to seek retirement within two years of being injured. His therapist, Jeff Zeizel, told WBZ that formula does not work when it comes to PTSD. "The problem with the two year rule is a first responder could be exposed literally decades prior, the systems show up currently," Zeizel said. There is proposed legislation at the State House to amend the two year rule. The 2020 call happened within two years of Sirois seeking retirement but the Methuen Retirement Board sent WBZ a statement saying the board did not agree that that event caused Sirois's PTSD. "Thus, while Mr. Sirois was able to convince the medical panel which examined him that the December 29, 2020 incident was what caused him to stop working 6 months later and aggravated his PTSD to the point of permanent incapacity, the Board - as the fact finder - believes the evidence does not support that opinion," said Michael Sacco, an attorney who represents the Methuen Retirement Board. Zeizel also argues that retirement boards have the power to disregard medical opinions. "You have non-medical or psychiatric professionals rendering opinions about psychiatric injuries that they have no experience about," he said. Sirois appealed the Board's denials and won his appeal before a magistrate. Now, the Retirement Board is seeking to overturn that decision before another state board, a process which could take five to seven years. While he waits, Sirois says he wants to help erase the stigma around first responder mental health and help others who are suffering from PTSD seek treatment. "I can't take the pressure. I can't take the sadness. I can't take the pain. I can't take the people not believing me. It's got to change. This is costing people's lives," he said. If you or someone you know is a first responder suffering from mental health issues, there are resources in our area:
CBS News
01-08-2025
- CBS News
DoorDash driver held at gunpoint and carjacked in Methuen, police say
A quiet street in Methuen was at the center of a police investigation after detectives say a DoorDash delivery driver was held at gunpoint and carjacked. Officers and detectives responded to the carjacking Thursday morning at about 2:55 a.m. An man from Lawrence had his Subaru Forester carjacked at gunpoint on Coolidge and East Prospect Streets, police said. Neighbors said police asked them if they ordered fast food around 3 a.m., but they didn't. Police say that may have been the set up to get the delivery driver to the street. Except when the victim got there, armed robbers pulled a gun on him and took his car, leaving him and neighbors on the quiet street shaken. "A little bit scared, I don't like seeing stuff like that, I feel we're in a safe neighborhood," said a neighbor, Karen. "Hopefully the cops will keep an eye on our neighborhood more closely, maybe they need to these days." "I'm also thankful for the police officers that came by because they came by right away and they were helping him out and scouring the neighborhood looking for clues," added another neighbor, Paul. There were no reported injuries. Detectives later tracked down the stolen car, but there is no word on the suspects. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Methuen Police at 978-983-8698.
Boston Globe
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Despite fighting cancer, Dave O'Hearn steadfastly led Methuen/Tewksbury girls' hockey. This week, he lost that battle.
First and foremost, say those close to him, he was a devoted father. 'He was beaming with pride for his daughters,' said Methuen athletic director Tom Ryan. 'He was very proud of his kids.' Sad day on Ranger Road, Methuen Red Rangers Girls Hockey Coach, Guidance Counselor and MHS Boys Hockey Famer Dave O'Hearn has passed away after his courageous battle with cancer. The services are TBD. They will be posted when we find out. May you rest in peace my friend. — Tom Ryan (@MethuenHighAD) Dubbed 'Mr. Methuen Hockey' by Ryan, O'Hearn's legacy as a player remains enshrined in the Methuen High School Hall of Fame. He logged the most minutes in program history, returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2017. Two years ago, Advertisement 'His rink was like his refuge from his problems,' said Ryan. 'He enjoyed going to the rink because for that brief amount of time, it was about hockey, and the girls, and the team.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The locker room was infused with O'Hearn's courageous spirit. Despite his declining health, O'Hearn continued to show up to the rink, leading the Red Rangers to a 19-2-3 mark, clinching the team's first Merrimack Valley/Dual County Large title since 2019. Despite having just 15 players on the roster, the The Red Rangers won 11 one-goal games. For his efforts, O'Hearn claimed Advertisement Dave O'Hearn led Methuen/Tewksbury to the Division 1 semifinals despite having just 15 players on the roster. Matthew Healey for The Boston Globe 'Obviously those things galvanize teams,' echoed Tewksbury athletic director Ron Drouin. 'I think they were able to draw a lot off of his courage and use that to their advantage.' Former Methuen/Tewksbury coach Sarah Doucette called O'Hearn a great friend and her right hand behind the bench. 'I feel very lucky that I got to coach with him while I did,' said Doucette. 'He's super knowledgeable and a great role model for our athletes.' O'Hearn navigated the task of merging two communities into one team. School indentities were left at the door in order to blend competitors into a family on the ice. He would break the ice with pregame dances in the locker room, unafraid to be himself. Once the puck dropped, he demanded 100 percent from his players.. 💔Tough Day….. Methuen/Tewksbury Red Ranger Head Coach Dave O'Hearn lost his courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer….. thoughts and prayers with his Family. RIP Coach! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 — TMHS Athletics (@TMHS_Athletics) A guidance counselor at Methuen High since 2017, O'Hearn spent more than 20 years at St. Ann's home. His professional work aided his passion for coaching, internalizing and understanding his players in order to form meaningful connections. Even as his fight with cancer drained his energy, he spoke to his players with utmost sincerity and the media with candor — win or lose. 'I can't say enough about his courage — his integrity, who he is as a person, who he is as a father,' said Drouin. In just two seasons as the head coach, Dave O'Hearn made a significant impact on the Methuen/Tewksbury girls' program. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff O'Hearn was well respected within coaching circles. His voice carried weight. The noted tactician turned the game into a chess match, altering forechecks and defensive systems depending on the opposition's tendencies. 'His legacy will go on to impact so many people,' said HPNA coach Gary Kane. 'He's going to be really missed.' Thoughts and prayers with the Tewksbury & Methuen High Scool Girls Hockey community as Coach Dave O'Hearn, passed away after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer at 47.. Class Act who will be missed by all .. — SJP Hockey (@SJP_Hockey) O'Hearn not only made his players better hockey players, but he taught them life lessons to become better people. Advertisement 'If you had Dave in your corner you were very lucky,' said Doucette. 'There was nothing he wouldn't do for you.' Cam Kerry can be reached at
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Competition Bureau sues DoorDash, accuses firm of misleading customers with fees
A DoorDash sign is posted on the door of a Dunkin' Donuts franchise, Feb. 27, 2023, in Methuen, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) TORONTO — Canada's competition watchdog is suing DoorDash Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary for marketing its online delivery services at a lower price than what consumers actually wind up paying. The Competition Bureau says an investigation found DoorDash customers were unable to purchase food and other items at prices advertised on DoorDash's websites and mobile apps because of mandatory fees added at checkout. The extra charges range from service and delivery fees to amounts sought for couriering things a further distance or placing smaller orders. The bureau says the charges were sometimes framed as if they were taxes and resulted in consumers paying higher prices than advertised, amounting to a deceptive practice known as drip pricing. The bureau alleges DoorDash used drip pricing for close to a decade, making nearly $1 billion from mandatory fees paid by customers. It wants the company to stop the practice, cease portraying fees as taxes, pay a penalty and issue restitution to affected consumers, but DoorDash says the requests are 'misguided' because it does not hide fees from consumers or mislead them in any way. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
Boston Globe
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Eastern Mass. boys' volleyball: Globe Players of the Week for May 1-8
Related : Shawn LaDuke , Methuen — Behind the senior's 55 assists, the Rangers won a five-setter to split their season series against Merrimack Valley rival Chelmsford. Metheun's Shawn LaDuke (right) dished a whopping 55 assist in a five-set win over Chelmsford. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Michael Najjar , Central Catholic — The junior racked up 20 assists, 12 service points, and 3 aces to put the Raiders in the win column, sweeping a nonconference match with Essex Tech. Peter Reale , Newton North — Smacking 18 kills as a middle, the junior powered the Tigers over Milford in a 3-1 nonleague decision. Advertisement AJ Traub can be reached at
