By Tiffany Williams –
NEW ENGLAND — A murder conviction in Maine, questions over ferry fare increases, a mysterious sonic boom heard across southern New England, a fatal fire in New Hampshire, and community events throughout Massachusetts were among the developments making headlines across the region in recent days.
In Bangor, a Penobscot County jury found Richard Thorpe guilty in the killing of his ex-girlfriend, Virginia Cookson, following a week-long murder trial. Thorpe was charged with intentional, knowing or depraved indifference murder in the death of the 39-year-old Cookson. Investigators said Cookson was found strangled inside her Larkin Street home in September 2024.
Elsewhere in Maine, the state’s Public Advocate is asking regulators to investigate recent and upcoming fare increases by Casco Bay Lines. The request filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission focuses on vehicle fee increases that took effect last summer and passenger fare increases scheduled to take effect later this month. The Public Advocate argues the changes could place an unfair financial burden on island residents who rely on the ferry service.
Across southern New England, residents reported hearing and feeling a loud boom on Saturday, May 30. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that a sonic boom was heard and felt in portions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and said it was most likely caused by a bolide entering the atmosphere off the Massachusetts coast.
In Nashua, New Hampshire, a woman was found dead following a fire at a multi-family home on Morgan Street Sunday night. Firefighters located the body of 46-year-old Stephanie Lemay inside a second-floor apartment. Officials said 10 people were displaced by the fire. One apartment sustained significant damage while the remainder of the building suffered smoke damage. An autopsy determined Lemay died of smoke inhalation.
Thousands of first responders, community members, family and friends gathered Monday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston for the funeral of Boston firefighter Robert “BK” Kilduff Jr. Kilduff, a 24-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, was killed while battling a three-alarm fire in Dorchester on May 23. He died after being transported to Boston Medical Center following a fall from a window during firefighting operations.
Also on Monday, David Ortiz returned to Massachusetts for the seventh year of his foundation’s Boston Heart Classic. The golf tournament at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton raises money for heart services for children in the Dominican Republic and New England. According to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, the organization has saved the lives of more than 935 children in the Dominican Republic and assisted thousands more throughout New England. Ortiz was joined by several notable athletes and former teammates, including Keith Foulke, David Andrews, Brian Hoyer and Mariano Rivera.
In Worcester, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and his wife, Ann Michael Maye, hosted the inaugural Celebrity Softball Classic at Polar Park on Sunday through the MayeDay Family Foundation. The event featured a seven-inning game, a home run derby, a throwing competition and fireworks while raising money for a children’s hospital and other charitable causes.
In Taunton, police arrested a teenager after a shooting late Sunday night left two people injured. Officers responding to Adams Street found a vehicle struck by gunfire that had crashed into a fire hydrant, causing significant flooding in the area. A 16-year-old and a 19-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals. Another 16-year-old who was injured in the crash was later arrested on an active warrant connected to a January 2025 shooting investigation. Police said several homes were also struck by gunfire.
In Palmer, police arrested a driver after a well-being check led to the discovery of drugs and cash inside a vehicle stopped in the roadway. According to police, officers found the driver asleep inside the vehicle on Breckenridge Street. Authorities reported seizing more than 40 grams of cocaine/crack cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl, prescription or pressed pills and $930 in cash.
In western Massachusetts, Holyoke officials and residents gathered outside City Hall for the city’s annual Pride flag-raising ceremony marking the beginning of Pride Month. The event included remarks from local leaders, a proclamation from the mayor and participation from a youth speaker representing House of Colors.