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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
N.H. restaurant owner who alleged conspiracy of retaliation by police reaches $75,000 settlement
Unlike Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up 'Even if I didn't receive the outcome I desired, it still briefly held them accountable, at least in the media and in the public, and shined the spotlight on people in positions of power behaving poorly,' she said. Advertisement The story began in July 2022, when Kovacs turned to the Franklin Police Department for help after she and her business were bombarded with anonymous phone calls, fake reviews, and antisemitic messages after she condemned a white supremacist group online. Kovacs was unsatisfied with how officers handled her complaint, so she publicly criticized the department — and Police Chief David Goldstein responded by Advertisement Goldstein also strongly implied that the officer who was dating Kovacs at the time would need to choose between his girlfriend and his job, since Kovacs was promoting 'anti-law enforcement attitudes and behaviors.' News coverage spurred public debate over how Franklin officials had responded to Kovacs and how leaders everywhere should tackle bias-related incidents. Kovacs filed her lawsuit in August 2023 against the city, its police department, and eight local officials, including Goldstein, the mayor, and certain city councilors. Her attorneys, The lawsuit accused city officials of intentionally inflicting emotional distress on Kovacs, including by commenting publicly about her mental health and saying she looked 'like a thug' when she criticized police. The lawsuit also accused local officials of violating the state's public records law and trying to interfere with Kovacs's plans to meet with the New Hampshire Department of Justice's Civil Rights Unit. Officials denied the allegations, and one by one, most of them left their posts: The mayor The defendants have perhaps moved on collectively as well. Their attorneys did not respond to a request for comment. A judge in Merrimack County Superior Court signed off Friday on the joint stipulation to dismiss Kovacs's case. The $75,000 payment is due within two weeks, according to a copy of the settlement agreement. Advertisement Miriam Kovacs, owner of the Broken Spoon in Franklin, N.H., accused the city, its police department, and eight local officials of conspiring to deprive her of her First Amendment rights. Steven Porter/Globe Staff Looking ahead, Kovacs sees an uncertain future for the Broken Spoon. After closing her dine-in business temporarily in 2023, she reopened for much of 2024, but found business was considerably slower. She shuttered the eatery again, as she explores other business models, including catering and wholesale options. As far as her storefront in Franklin is concerned, Kovacs said she expects to close that permanently by the end of the year, though she hopes to hold This story appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, a free newsletter focused on New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles elsewhere. To receive it via email Monday through Friday, . Steven Porter can be reached at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Suspect robs Middle Tennessee McDonald's wrapped in 'WWE wrestler logo' blanket
An armed robbery suspect was wrapped in a blanket featuring "WWE wrester logos" when he entered a McDonald's on Galleria Boulevard June 11 and pointed a gun at an employee, Franklin police said. The man, described by police as "heavy set," was also wearing a black head covering in an effort to hide his identity, investigators said. He wanted cash as he entered the restaurant, in the 1700 block of Galleria Boulevard in Cool Springs, around 8:30 p.m. and pulled out a gun. No injuries were reported as a result of the robbery. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of money and fled the area in a white Kia Soul. Police said the Soul had duct tape covering a Tennessee license plate. Anyone with information about the man or his identity is asked to call the Franklin Police Department at 615-794-2513. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 615-794-4000. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 in reward money if a tip leads to an arrest. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Police: Suspect in 'WWE wrestler' blanket robs Tennessee McDonald's
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Remembrance service set for beloved mother killed in Franklin crash by accused drunk driver
Family and friends of a beloved mother killed in a crash by an accused drunk driver in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend are set to gather Thursday night for a remembrance service. The family of Minaben Patel has invited the community to honor her life at a service at the crash site at 72 Grove Street in Franklin at 6 p.m. 'Together, we remember and celebrate a life marked by love, kindness, and quiet strength,' an announcement on the Town of Medway's Facebook page read. Patel, 38, of Franklin, died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, according to the district attorney and a Facebook post by the SAFE Coalition on Tuesday afternoon. The Town of Medway also released a statement on Patel's passing and shared a photo of the late mother holding her daughter, Krisha Patel. 'With deep sadness, we share the heartbreaking news that Minaben Patel, beloved mother of Krisha Patel,' the statement read. 'Minaben was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a dear friend to many.' 'The Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minaben's family, and we extend our heartfelt condolences,' Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch said in a joint statement Tuesday. Another vigil was held for Krisha Patel at the crash site last Wednesday. 'We would like to share, through the family's wishes, that Minaben Patel, mother of sweet Krisha, has passed away,' the SAFE Coalition said in its post. 'Minaben's family is again deeply thankful for all the love and support shared over the last week,' the group said. 'They invite the community to honor this amazing Mother, Wife, Family Member, and friend this Thursday for a service of remembrance.' The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchard's behalf. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. It was immediately unclear Tuesday if Blanchard would face additional charges in the case. During his arraignment, prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard told police he had two beers while at a landscaping job on Saturday, May 24 after working that morning at his job as a mechanic. When he left his landscaping job, he opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka. He began drinking straight out of the bottle and drove home in his truck, Meade said during the arraignment in Wrentham District Court. Investigators later found a second, empty 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's in his truck that Blanchard told police was 'from the night before,' Meade said. While driving home around 6:22 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Blanchard crashed into a Honda Accord carrying a family of four on Grove Street in Franklin, Meade said. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party. The 5-year-old girl died following the crash, Meade said. Her mother and brother were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The brother's condition was not known on Tuesday. Her father, the driver of the Honda, was treated and released. Defense attorney Timothy Flaherty had asked the court during Blanchard's arraignment to impose a lesser amount of $10,000 cash bail, with conditions for his release to include electronic monitoring and that he enter an alcohol rehabilitation center. 'It's probably the right place for this young man at this time,' Flaherty said during the arraignment. 'It's a significant case but significant penalties. But I can tell the court that this young man is not a risk of flight.' An autopsy will be performed to determine a cause of Minaben Patel's death, the district attorney said. Meanwhile, services were held for Krisha Patel on May 31, according to the girl's obituary. 'Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love,' her obituary states. 'Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met.' 'Though her time here was far too brief, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved her,' her obituary states. 'We will carry her memory with us always - like a beautiful, shining star in the sky. May she rest peacefully, wrapped in love and light.' The crash remains under investigation by Franklin Police, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mother dies days after crash in Mass. that killed young daughter
A 38-year-old woman died after being wounded in a car crash in Franklin on May 24 that killed her daughter, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey's office announced. The district attorney's office identified the woman as Minaben Patel, of Franklin. Patel was a passenger in a car driven by her husband that collided with a pickup truck being driven by 21-year-old James Blanchard, of Franklin, Morrissey's office said in a statement. Blanchard faces several criminal charges, including motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, in connection with the crash. Another juvenile, Patel's son, was hospitalized after the crash. Patel's husband was released from the hospital after treatment. A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said no update was available on the boy's condition. 'The Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minaben's family and we extend our heartfelt condolences,' Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas J. Lynch said today. The crash remains under investigation. As Harvard fights Trump admin in court, professors are quietly dropping courses 2 men arrested in connection with shooting near University Park in Worcester Central Mass. man now facing manslaughter charge in connection with brother's death PeoplesBank buys naming rights to Hartford arena Thunderbirds, MassMutual partner for 3rd annual Community Caravan Program Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mother of 5-year-old girl killed in Franklin crash by accused drunk driver has also died, DA says
A vigil is planned for the mother of a 5-year-old girl killed in a crash by an accused drunk driver in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend who has also died. Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, has died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, according to the district attorney and a Facebook post by the SAFE Coalition on Tuesday afternoon. 'The Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minaben's family and we extend our heartfelt condolences,' Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch said in a statement Tuesday. A vigil for Minaben Patel is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at the crash site on Grove Street in Franklin, The SAFE Coalition, a Franklin-based nonprofit group, said in its Facebook post. Another vigil was held for her daughter, Krisha Patel, at the site last Wednesday. 'We would like to share, through the families wishes, that Minaben Patel, mother of sweet Krisha, has passed away,' the SAFE Coalition said in its post. 'Minaben's family is again deeply thankful for all the love and support shared over the last week,' the group said. 'They invite the community to honor this amazing Mother, Wife, Family Member and friend this Thursday for a service of remembrance.' The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchard's behalf. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. It was immediately unclear Tuesday if Blanchard would face additional charges in the case. Boston 25 has reached out to Morrissey's office for comment. During his arraignment, prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard told police he had two beers while at a landscaping job on Saturday, May 24 after working that morning at his job as a mechanic. When he left his landscaping job, he opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka. He began drinking straight out of the bottle and drove home in his truck, Meade said during the arraignment in Wrentham District Court. Investigators later found a second, empty 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's in his truck that Blanchard told police was 'from the night before,' Meade said. While driving home around 6:22 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Blanchard crashed into a Honda Accord carrying a family of four on Grove Street in Franklin, Meade said. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party. The 5-year-old girl died following the crash, Meade said. Her mother and brother were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The brother's condition was not known on Tuesday. Her father, the driver of the Honda, was treated and released. Defense attorney Timothy Flaherty had asked the court during Blanchard's arraignment to impose a lesser amount of $10,000 cash bail, with conditions for his release to include electronic monitoring and that he enter an alcohol rehabilitation center. 'It's probably the right place for this young man at this time,' Flaherty said during the arraignment. 'It's a significant case but significant penalties. But I can tell the court that this young man is not a risk of flight.' An autopsy will be performed to determine a cause of Minaben Patel's death, the district attorney said. Meanwhile, services were held for Krisha Patel on May 31, according to the girl's obituary. 'Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love,' her obituary states. 'Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met.' 'Though her time here was far too brief, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved her,' her obituary states. 'We will carry her memory with us always - like a beautiful, shining star in the sky. May she rest peacefully, wrapped in love and light.' The crash remains under investigation by Franklin Police, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
