The following arrests were made recently by local police departments. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Massachusetts’ privacy law prevents police from releasing information involving domestic and sexual violence arrests with the goal to protect the alleged victims.
LOWELL
• Tasha Perry, 39, 65 Summer St., Apt. 162, Lowell; warrant (failure to appear for assault and battery with dangerous weapon).
• Ibrahim Mbouemboue-Yogno, 35, 218 Wilder St., Apt. 24, Lowell; keeper of disorderly house, disturbing peace, assault and battery on police officer, assault and battery with dangerous weapon (door).
• Kenneth Eng, 21, 27 Hastings St., Lowell; operating motor vehicle after license suspension, making illegal turn from wrong lane.
• Jeremy McWhinnie, 35, 157 Summer St., Apt. L, Lowell; warrants (failure to appear for assault and battery on police officer, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct).
NASHUA, N.H.
• Kevin Mulligan, 29, 7 1/2 Martin St., Nashua; simple assault.
• Hayden Lee Wilburn, 32, 44 Amherst St., Nashua; warrant.
• Ricardo Encarnacion, 31, 290 Ruggles St., Roxbury Crossing; three counts of theft by unauthorized taking ($0-$1,000).
• David Perez, 37, 18 Mulberry St., Nashua; nonappearance in court.
• Brian Anthony Desautels, 54, 23 Cushing Ave., Nashua; simple assault.
• Hector Solano, 54, 25 Amory St., Roxbury; lane control violation, driving motor vehicle after license revoked/suspended, nonappearances in court.
PELHAM, N.H.
• Victoria Coyle, 38, Dracut; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Nicholas Gentile, 39, Chelmsford; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Sara Beaulieu, 46, Tyngsboro; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Jean Richard, 28, Lowell; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Heloisa Moreira Oliveira, 28, Lowell; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Michael Ingham, 50, Pelham; driving under influence.
• Brian Arsenault, 39, Tyngsboro; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Robert Carleton, 23, Pelham; simple assault (domestic violence).
• Daniel McGillicuddy, 45, Dracut; two counts of violation of protective order.
• Jessica Conway, 25, Dracut; driving motor vehicle after license revoked/suspended.
• Luis Lopez, 55, Lowell; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Tamy Smith, 33, Lowell; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Frantz Letang, 48, Andover; arrest on another agency’s warrant.
• Nathan Harrington, 49, Lowell; suspension of vehicle registration.
• Carmen Ruiz, 25, Hudson, N.H.; suspension of vehicle registration.
• James Frederick, 51, Hudson, N.H.; operating motor vehicle after certified as habitual offender, driving under influence (subsequent offense), driving motor vehicle after license revoked/suspended for driving under influence.
WILMINGTON
• Mohammed Ali Jones, 43, 25 School St., Apt. 2, Everett; operation of motor vehicle with registration suspended or revoked, uninsured motor vehicle, license not in possession.
• Nolan Patrick Vigeant, 22, 42 Hanover St., Wilmington; operation under influence of alcohol, two counts of leaving scene of property damage, marked lanes violation, speeding.
Gordon Yamate, who serves on the Los Gatos Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, spoke about inspiring solidarity and activism for a panel at this year’s Day of Remembrance of Japanese American incarceration at San Jose State University.
Feb. 19 nationally commemorates the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, a 1942 decree that ordered the removal of all people of Japanese descent from the West Coast to camps in remote areas of California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Arkansas. San Jose State held an event on that day to acknowledge the Japanese American experience and the campus’ connection to it. In 1942, Yoshihiro Uchida Hall, which used to be the university’s men’s gymnasium, was used as a registration center for Japanese Americans in Santa Clara County before they were sent to the incarceration camps.
SJSU Asian American studies professor Yvonne Kwan said that just under 3,000 people with Japanese ancestry were processed through the gymnasium. About 125 of them were San Jose State students. The discovery of this history led Nina Chuang, then a San Jose State student, to lead the “Never Again Is Now” project, which aims to commemorate the history of Japanese American incarceration by establishing the annual Day of Remembrance at the university and acknowledging institutional responsibility with a mural on one of the walls of Uchida Hall and a monument.
“What we found was just shocking, heart (and) gut-wrenching, just to see, wow, what our students did or what our university did to our own neighbors, our own people,” Kwan said.
Kwan moderated the Thursday morning panel with Yamate and Vanessa Hatakeyama, executive director of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. The theme was “Neighbors, Not Enemies.” The discussion touched on issues like community work, interracial solidarity and activism.
The panelists were asked about the historical parallels between Japanese American incarceration and the federal crackdown on illegal immigration, leading to Yamate to answer that those currently being targeted for deportation are “being judged by the identity they wear on their faces.” He acknowledged that the circumstances that led to both events “didn’t happen in a vacuum,” as those being targeted then and now don’t have community resources at the federal level.
“This community doesn’t want to see it happening to any other community,” Yamate said.
Hatakeyama acknowledged the need for building solidarity, reminding a nearly full audience at the Student Union Theater that Japantown in San Jose has always been a multicultural, multiethnic community.
Kwan asked the panelists what people could do to start becoming engaged, and Yamate shared the story about the formation of Los Gatos’ DEI commission. He said Los Gatos is “one of the most segregated places in the country,” which led to a consulting firm recommending that the town form a DEI commission to monitor the community and deal with social issues. Yamate recommended that the audience look to some activist groups if they’re interested, plugging the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition and United We Stand/Indivisible Los Gatos.
“A lot of people don’t feel like they’re welcome in Los Gatos,” Yamate said. “(They later) discovered that there are a lot of good people; you just haven’t met them yet.”
Hatakeyama said small actions, like joining a newsletter or volunteering for a one-time event, can contribute to greater change and reminded the audience that vocal advocacy, especially by those who feel strongly about immigration enforcement, can lead to people who are impacted by these issues to feel supported.
The Day of Remembrance continued with three breakout sessions. One was a screening of “Home Court,” a film about a Cambodian American basketball prodigy, another was an interfaith coalition building panel, and the last was about navigating difficult conversations.
This was San Jose State’s fourth Day of Remembrance event. When asked why it was important to remember this history at the university, Chuang said, “As someone who’s not Japanese American, this project is especially meaningful for me because it’s because of legislation, because of policies and migration that I’m here, and it’s important for us to recognize this history because we are seeing it today, that it can happen to anyone.”
LOWELL — The Phan brothers charged in the 2020 killing of Tyrone Phet are asking a Middlesex Superior Court judge to reconsider the bail orders that have kept them behind bars for nearly five and a half years, arguing that new allegations of misconduct by a State Police homicide detective have thrown the case off course.
In a motion filed on Feb. 13, attorney Mark Wester — representing Billy Phan — argues that the recent disclosure that State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley’s alleged intoxication and speeding in a 2023 fatal crash qualifies as the kind of “changed circumstances” that Massachusetts law requires for bail reconsideration, writing that the revelations have “delayed the just resolution of this case.”
In the motion, Wester asks Judge Chris Barry‑Smith to reconsider holding Phan without bail and “grant him a reasonable cash bail.”
Attorneys Lorenzo Perez and William Dolan filed similar motions on behalf of Channa Phan and Billoeum Phan.
The three brothers, all in their 30s, each face life in prison without the possibility of parole after being charged with first‑degree murder in the shooting of 22‑year‑old Phet outside his home at 50 Spring Ave. in Lowell during the early‑morning hours of Sept. 14, 2020.
Phet — a 2016 Chelmsford High graduate and former high school football standout — was struck by gunfire eight times, with one bullet passing through both lungs and his heart and another entering and exiting his brain.
Police recovered 21 spent shell casings at the scene, including ten 10mm casings and eleven .40‑caliber casings.
The Phan brothers have been held without bail since their arrests in October 2020.
Dolan said earlier this month that while defendants in first‑degree murder cases are typically held without bail, the circumstances surrounding Quigley’s alleged misconduct justify reconsideration.
Quigley — a key investigator in the Phan case — is accused of being under the influence of alcohol and speeding while on duty in a State Police cruiser when he crossed into oncoming traffic and caused the December 2023 Woburn crash that killed 37‑year‑old Angelo Schettino, a paraplegic man with special needs.
Dolan also pointed to the outcome of the brothers’ first trial in November 2024, which ended in a hung jury and a mistrial, forcing the case into a second trial cycle.
“Because (the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office) didn’t meet their burden in their first trial and because of all the other things going on, they shouldn’t have to wait in jail,” Dolan said of the Phan brothers.
The defense had asked that the bail review be taken up alongside an evidentiary hearing they are seeking into the handling of Quigley’s 2023 crash.
The defense has argued that the evidentiary hearing is necessary because they believe the State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office covered up information about Quigley after the crash.
Quigley, who was assigned as a homicide investigator to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and played a central role in the Phan investigation, has since been suspended without pay. His crash has been referred to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office for possible criminal charges. Schettino’s mother, Lynn Schettino, is also pursuing a civil‑rights lawsuit against the State Police over her son’s death.
Michael Mahoney, who represents Schettino’s mother in the civil‑rights case, said of Quigley, “It keeps coming for this guy.”
In the motion requesting the evidentiary hearing, the Phan brothers’ defense team states testimony from Quigley and another 18 members of law enforcement is needed to determine whether there was an effort to shield him from scrutiny and to establish why his toxicology results were not disclosed to the Phan defense until jury selection in January.
Prosecutors were originally ordered to respond to the evidentiary‑hearing motion by Friday, but the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office requested — and was granted — an extension until Monday.
Dolan said on Friday that he and his client were frustrated to learn the extension had been granted to the DA’s office, calling it “just more of the same dragging their feet.”
The requests for the bail and evidentiary hearings come as the brothers’ retrial remains frozen, with Barry‑Smith halting jury selection late last month and dismissing the 12 jurors who had already been seated.
The judge paused the proceedings after the disclosures about Quigley surfaced during jury selection, prompting the court to order a full review before the case could continue.
Defense attorneys have also moved to dismiss the charges against the Phan brothers entirely, stating the delayed disclosures and questions surrounding Quigley’s conduct have irreparably tainted the prosecution.
In the meantime, a new retrial date is currently scheduled to begin on April 27.
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office was unavailable for comment on the status of its response to the evidentiary‑hearing motion.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
LOWELL — The numbers of Saturday night’s hockey game between UMass Lowell and Northeastern are perplexing.
But the video board at the Tsongas Center doesn’t hold any nuances in the Huskies’ 8-2 win that cued many of the 5,134 fans to trickle to the exits in the third period.
UML outshot Northeastern by a 35-20 margin and held a significant 38-19 advantage at the faceoff dot. Shot attempts were heavily slanted in favor of UMass Lowell, 72-28.
Even the eye test triggered a similar response from the opposing Hockey East coaches.
Northeastern bench boss Jerry Keefe said postgame that his team has “a lot of things we need to work on.” Longtime UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin quipped that he actually thought his team looked better compared to Friday’s 2-0 loss to the Huskies.
That’s because the River Hawks held large chunks of possession time and offensive zone opportunities for much of Saturday’s blowout loss. UML’s undoing was allowing eight goals on 20 shots in what was the first eight-spot UMass Lowell has relinquished since the 2014-15 season, when Michigan marched into the Tsongas Center with an 8-4 win.
“In an odd way, I was happier with our game today than I was yesterday,” Bazin said. “But it’s not reflected in the score.”
Statistics aside, momentum continues not to be on the side of the UMass Lowell men’s hockey team. And the group’s home struggles also remain prevalent, falling to 3-11-0 at the Tsongas.
After completing the Hockey East weekend sweep on the road at the University of Vermont, the River Hawks entered a two-game home set with Northeastern with a golden opportunity to stay hot as the regular season winds down against a Huskies team that had won just one game in their last eight tries entering Friday.
But a two-goal salvo from the visitors in the opening minutes was a backbreaker.
“I didn’t see this coming,” Bazin said. “I thought we were going to come out pretty well tonight.”
UMass Lowell (12-20-0, 8-14-0 HE) outshot Northeastern (15-15-1, 10-11-0 HE) 14-6 in the first period before holding a 12-4 advantage in the middle frame. But the Huskies blocked an eye-popping 23 shots on Saturday, as opposed to UML’s three.
“Making that commitment to eating pucks for each other is something we talk about all the time,” Keefe said. “I think that kind of shows the type of guys we have in our room.”
UML has been showing plenty of fight as of late, and it looked like the hosts were beginning to piece together a late comeback when TJ Schweighardt scored a power play goal on a shot from the point at 9:32 of the middle frame to cut the Northeastern lead to 4-1.
But the Huskies’ Austen May found twine 5:42 into the final stanza to position UML in a deep hole.
Northeastern came out firing in the first period, as Eli Sebastian and Joe Connor lit the lamp in a 50-second span just 1:53 into the game. Connor’s goal will certainly be added to his highlight reel. Northeastern’s second-leading goal scorer entered the attacking zone with speed along the right wall on his forehand before sliding the puck to his backhand and roofing it as he barreled into the boards with a defender on his hip.
Noah Jones scored his first career goal with under four minutes to play in the first to provide the Huskies with a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. Bazin yanked Samuel Richard from the crease after the starter allowed three goals on five shots.
“Everything that was shot towards our net went in today,” Bazin said. “Our goalies have had good games for us this year. Today wasn’t one of those.”
Northeastern’s lead ballooned to 4-0 when Dylan Compton scored in the opening six minutes of the middle period, until Schweighardt stopped the bleeding. But the Huskies would roll to the finish line with tallies off the sticks of May, Giacomo Martino, Jack Pechar and Matthew Perkins in the third period before Lee Parks scored in garbage time. Parks also picked up an assist earlier.
Martino’s laser off the top right post and in at 9:17 cued many fans in Lowell to trickle to the exits. Only two games remain on the regular season slate for UMass Lowell. After making the quick jaunt to North Andover for a rare Thursday meeting with Merrimack on March 5 (7 p.m.), UML will host Boston University in the season finale on March 7 at 6:05 p.m.
“We’re going to have to come up with a lot of solutions here,” Bazin said. “So we’ll work on that this week. I wish we weren’t off, but we are.”
Powered by Angel Montas Jr., the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team continued to surge Thursday night.
Montas tallied 25 points and ripped down 10 rebounds to fuel the River Hawks to a 78-56 America East win over New Hampshire at the Kennedy Family Athletic Center in Lowell.
Xavier Spencer heated up in the second half and finished with 17 points and six rebounds for UML (12-15, 7-5), which has won three straight and four out of five. The River Hawks are now 8-3 on their home floor.
Darrel Yepdo, a Dracut native, collected 12 points and dished out four assists, while Austin Green was powerful inside with seven points and 12 rebounds.
UNH (8-17) won the first meeting between the schools last month, 66-61. UML dominated the rematch, bolting out to a 42-28 halftime lead. Montas scored 16 of his points in the opening half. For the game, the River Hawks (31-for-61) shot better than 50 percent from the floor.
UML has averaged 85 points during its three-game winning streak.
Women’s basketball
Paris Gilmore sparked UMass Lowell to a tough 57-54 America East victory over host New Hampshire at Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham, N.H.
The River Hawks (8-18, 2-11 AE) held on for the clutch road win thanks to free throws down the stretch from Gilmore and Jaini Edmonds.
Two free throws by Gilmore put UML up 55-52 with 1:15 remaining. The Wildcats pulled to within one point before Gilmore drained two free throws with two seconds left.
Gilmore was 4-for-8 from 3-point range. Edmonds contributed 11 points, four rebounds and five assists. Sabrina Larrson was 3-for-7 on 3-pointers and finished with nine points. UNH’s Eva DeChent led all scorers with 29 points.
It was the third road win of the season for UML, which fell 62-58 in overtime to the Wildcats last month.
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Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher is running for the 5th District Cook County Board seat against Harvey Park District Executive Director Kisha McCaskill, who was appointed to the position last year, in the March 17 Democratic primary.
The seat was previously held by Monica Gordon, who was elected in 2022. It represents parts of the South Side and large sections of the south and southwest suburbs and includes portions of Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Lake, Rich, Thornton and Worth townships.
Gordon resigned in 2024 after being elected as Cook County clerk in a special election, and McCaskill was appointed to fill her seat in January 2025.
“Right now, that means that it’s two people on the ballot that have never been on the ballot for that seat,” Belcher said. “So we’re gonna let the residents decide.”
Kiana Belcher
Belcher was elected a Dolton trustee in 2021. She was reelected in 2025 as part of now-Mayor Jason House’s Clean House slate in opposition to former Mayor Tiffany Henyard.
“I think I may have a little bit more visibility because of the whole Dolton saga,” Belcher said. “People have seen that I don’t mind going against the grain, I don’t mind standing up for my residents, and I’ll do the same thing at the county level.”
Belcher said she wanted to be an advocate for the communities of the south suburbs and make sure they get their fair share of county resources.
“For a very long time the Southland has been underserved. And when I say underserved, most of the times, when knocking on doors, people don’t even know what the commissioner does,” Belcher said.
Proper allocation of county resources is especially important now, with federal funds being cut, Belcher said.
“The county has a $10 billion budget,” Belcher said. “We need to make sure that in the Southland, that someone is advocating for us, making sure to say like, hey, with all these water main breaks, safer water is very important, and most of our infrastructure is 80 years old.”
Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher speaks during a Village Board meeting Nov. 6, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / for the Daily Southtown)
If elected, her first priority would be learning how to work collaboratively with the other 16 commissioners.
“Getting acclimated would be first, because you can’t go in there and say, ‘Oh, you’re going to do this,’ or ‘Oh, let’s work on this’ without being acclimated to what’s actually going on,” Belcher said.
Both Belcher and McCaskill mentioned high property taxes as a priority.
Like McCaskill, Belcher was one of the five candidates who applied to fill the county commissioner seat following Gordon’s resignation. She said she felt she could benefit more people by working on the county level. Each Cook County district represents about 300,000 residents.
“As a trustee, at the Dolton level, it’s good to be a representation of your community,” Belcher said. “But at the county level, you have a substantial amount more people that would be able to benefit as long as they have an advocate there to make sure that they have someone to speak up for them.”
Kisha McCaskill
McCaskill has been executive director of the Harvey Park District since 2015. She said her desire to serve on the county board came from her experience as a lifelong Harvey resident.
“Just seeing the lack of care, just the lack of resources and lack of opportunity brought to my specific city and across the Southland,” McCaskill said. “That was what catapulted me to want to do it.”
McCaskill said her priorities are addressing high property taxes and housing instability in the Southland.
“We have a situation called the grey wave, where we’re seeing more and more seniors that are basically not able to live in their own homes,” McCaskill said.
She said she’s proud of her work in the year she’s spent on the board.
“I enjoy what I do because I’ve been able to be very effective,” McCaskill said. “Along with my fellow commissioners, of course, we’ve passed over 300 pieces of legislation, or resolutions, specifically for health care, affordable housing, infrastructure, economic development, and most importantly funding, specifically for small organizations and community-based organizations.”
STH Media
Kisha McCaskill speaks to Cook County Board members after being sworn in Jan. 16, 2025, as commissioner in the 5th District. (STH Media)
When she was appointed, McCaskill said her priorities included expanding vaccine access in the south suburbs and securing a Level I trauma center for the region, which represents the highest state-certified level of trauma care.
She said in the year since, she’s worked to expand health care services offered by clinics in Ford Heights, Robbins and Blue Island.
“Some of the things that are being done over at Blue Island (Health Center) for example, we’ve expanded our material services,” McCaskill said. “With Ford Heights, we’ve actually expanded immunization care, where we have outdoor events and more outreach into the churches and the community.”
Securing a Level I trauma center has been more difficult, she said. Improving trauma care in the south suburbs was also a goal of Gordon, her predecessor.
“We really don’t have the dynamics for that right now,” McCaskill said. “But the conversations are still taking place, so I’m still optimistic about it.”
McCaskill said she tries to think about benefiting neighboring districts and the region as a whole, not just the 5th District.
“When we look at economic development, our development has to be something that’s more regional,” McCaskill said. “That’s what people need to see, that it’s not just about a few being taken care of, but it’s about all of us having the opportunity.”
The Shawsheen Tech wrestling team dominated the Division 1 North Sectional field Saturday, rolling to the title with 258.5 points.
Placing first for the Rams were Dante Giusti (126 pounds), James Tildsley (157) and Logan Holmes (190). Ethan Caceres (120) and Hadi Sibay (138) came in second place. Placing third were Tristan Lane (165), Thomas Conn (113), Kyle Dube (10 6) and Gavin Lane (132).
Mill City thrills: Lowell finished in sixth (115.5 points) in the Division 1 North field, highlighted by a first-place finish from star Emmett Logan (150). Atilio Colon came in second at 285.
Lions roar: In Division 1 West/Central action, Chelmsford’s Christian Ortiz captured the 106-pound title. He picked up the major decision over Caden Anderson of Westford Academy by a score of 12-1 to seal the victory. Elsewhere, Michael Canada placed second at 150, while Frank Molloy (126) Alex Glennie (175) and Patrick Keough (113) pinned down fourth-place honors. Chelmsford finished in eighth (92 points).
Ghost sighting: Capturing second-place honors were Caden Anderson (106) and Jacob Blacksburg (215). Thomas Bonenfant claimed third at 190 as Westford Academy placed seventh.
Taking fourths were Kieran Donaghue at 164 and Alex Luhrs at 285. Ben Chen placed fifth at 157.
Billerica shines: Representing the Indians well at the Division 2 North Sectionals was Shane Breen, who came in second place at 126. Nicholas Costa finished fourth at 138. Billerica amassed 59 points for 10th place.
Tyngsboro/Dracut roll: Headlined by first-place titles from Dylan Walker (120), Samson Xayachack (150) and Jaden Merwin, Tyngsboro/Dracut edged Gloucester for the Division 3 North Sectional title.
Anthony Martinez and Anthony Maraganis took second, while James Shaffer placed third for the champions.
Tewksbury soars: Garnering Division 3 North crowns were Nicky Desisto (126), Sean Callahan (144) and Jack Lightfoot (132).
Brooke Lightfoot (113), Carlo Desisto (157) and Ryan Callahan (138) came in fourth.
Greater Lowell shines: Antoine Jackman won by fall in 47 seconds in the 113-pound final for the Gryphons at the Division 1 North Sectional in Methuen.
Gavin Espinola placed second to Central Catholic’s Sam Winship. The Gryphons picked up a fourth-place finish by Baraka Karanja at 215. Nehemiah Nieves earned sixth at 150.
Pelham goes 1-2: The Pythons defeated Portsmouth (42-17) and fell to Windham (36-35) and Alvirne (45-33) as forfeits again proved costly. The biggest highlight came when junior 285-pounder Victor Zanonni earned his 100th career win in the Alvirne match.
Zannonni went 3-0 on the day. Also going undefeated were teammates Matt Raymond at 126, Drew Nicolosi at 157 and Ben Maslanek at 165.
Girls swimming
Ghosts excel: Westford Academy turned in an impressive performance Saturday at the MIAA Division 1 Swimming & Diving Championships at MIT’s Zesiger Pool.
WA’s 200 medley relay team of Evelyn Hale, Sherry Ye, Maria Reuther and Emily Deeks combined to finish sixth in 1:56.65. The 200 free relay team of Bree Gouldson, Rhianna Barrett, Catherine Sperry and Deeks captured seventh in 1:45.48.
The 400 free relay team of Ye, Hale, Sperry and Gouldson claimed ninth in a clocking of 3:52.35.
Individually, Gouldson had a strong meet, finishing eighth in the 100 free in 55.58 and 10th in the 100 free in 25.87. Ye, meanwhile, placed 10th in the 200 IM in 2:17.88 and 10th in the 100 backstroke in 1:03.35.
Track
Crusaders shine: The Lowell Catholic track team earned seven medals at the Division 4 state track meet at the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton on Friday.
The small but mighty team received medals from senior Sean Ouellette in the 600 meters, junior Tyler Ouellette in the 1,000 and eighth-grader Grace Morasse in the two mile. Lowell Catholic’s 4x800m team of Tyler Ouellette, Sean Ouellette, Xavier Smay and Daniel Smith also earned medals.
G-D soars: Groton-Dunstable had several fine efforts at the Division 4 state track meet at the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton.
G-D multi-event athlete Xander Crouse placed eighth in the 55 hurdles with a time of 8.61, eighth in the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 10 inches, and 14th in the shot put with a throw of 40-7.25.
In the mile, Andrew Kosiba was G-D’s top finisher, placing fourth in 4:30. He was followed by Ashvik Yadav (10th, 4:37), Ashton Duane (18th, 4:50) and Cameron Duane (25th, 5:04). Duane claimed fifth in the 1,000 in 2:35.
The distance boys also competed in the 4×800, breaking the school record again and placing fifth in 8:40.04. On the girls side, Meghan McEleney placed seventh in the mile with a time of 5:13.
McDermott sparkles: Nashoba Tech senior Tristan McDermott took home two medals from the Division 5 state track meet at the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton.
McDermott began the day running a 6.72 in the 55, which placed him into the finals. He subsequently took eighth with a 6.69. He also entered the long jump, where he finished in second place with a jump of 21-5.5.
Wildcats roll: The Wilmington girls soared to fourth place with 33 points at the Division 5 state meet.
Lexi LeBlanc captured the long jump with a leap of 16-11.25, which was also a new Wilmington record. Also, the 4×200 relay team of Kayleigh Walker, Cate MacDonald, Isabel Carriere and LeBlanc won in a meet and school record record time of 1:46.45.
Also placing for the Wildcats were Isabel Carriere with a second-place finish in the 300 meters with a personal best time of 42.28 seconds and Abby Howie with a fourth-place finish in the shot put with a personal best toss of 31-10.75.
Panthers on prowl: The Ayer Shirley girls finished fifth (31 points) at the Division 5 state meet as Sastea Cherduville earned medals with a fifth-place 7.42 in the 55, fourth-place 15-9.25 long jump and 4×200 of 1:49 with Abby Stull, J’aliyah Mayes and Roxane McKenzie, who also took third in the 55.
Lorelai Levy was runner-up in the 55 hurdles in 8.92.
On the boys side, the Panthers scored 12 points. Jake Leone finished fifth in the two mile in 9:44, Aidan Reed finished sixth in the 600 in 1:25, and they also ran the 4×800 with AJ Arakelian and Josh Bly and finished fourth.
Boys hockey
Littleton 3, Abington 2: Riding a two-goal performance from Conor Glew, Littleton stayed red hot with the tough non-league win at Rockland Ice Arena.
Andrew Archer contributed to the offense with a goal and assist, while Liam Glew dished out two assists. Goaltender Jacob Dangel turned aside 11 of 13 shots.
BG 2, Londonderry 1: Jordan O’Hearn continued to pile up the goals with a two-goal performance during the tough NHAA Division 1 win at Skate 3 in Tyngsboro.
Picking up assists were Gavin Santos and Dominic Trepanier. BG held onto its lead during a scoreless third period.
Girls basketball
Dracut 57, Bedford 34: Dracut earned a 37-15 second-half advantage to advance to the finals of the Spartan Classic on Monday (5:45 p.m.) vs Bridgewater-Raynham.
Junior guard Kaylee Maier led the offensive attack with 21 points, freshman forward Lily White poured in 15 points and sophomore center Kelsey Hudon was strong with 14 points.
Tyngsboro 42, Maynard 35: Tyngsboro defeated league rival Maynard in the first round of the Clark Tournament. The Tigers were led by Katie O’Keefe with 14 points and five rebounds. Alanna Anderson added 12 points and Maddie Marino finished with seven points.
Central 44, Chelmsford 40: The Lions were nipped by the Lawrence school during a tough MVC battle.
Chelmsford (6-12) was sparked by sophomore Karlie Maxwell, who came off the bench to drain four 3-pointers and scored 13 points. Junior Elizabeth Robinson and freshman Mary Kathleen McDonald chipped in with nine and eight points, respectively.
Bow 40, Pelham 37: Sophia Guinazzo finished with 11 points for Pelham, the only player to reach double figures, as the Pythons were nipped by Bow in a battle of NHIAA Div. 2 teams that were 11-2.
The Pythons had the lead throughout but couldn’t survive Grace Riley and Jessica Phillips fouling out.
Central 70, Burlington 34: Freshman Addison Holmes-Lavallee collected 21 points to power the Red Raiders to the non-league victory.
Central (8-11) scored 39 points in the second half to pull away. Senior McKenna Devanney was also immense offensively with 20 points, while senior Syenna Diaz contributed 14 points.
WA 52, Lincoln-Sudbury 21: Powered by Alexa Coward, who compiled seven assists, five steals and four rebounds, an extremely well-balanced Westford Academy team romped to the Dual County League victory.
Scoring eight points apiece for the Ghosts were Phoenix Philbrick (5 rebounds), Brooke Nielsen (3 assists), Olivia Pillsbury and Hannah Lupien.
Boys basketball
North Andover 52, Billerica 51: Despite a monster effort from Jackson Vincent, the Indians were nipped in a MVC nail-biter.
Vincent compiled 19 points and 11 rebounds. Ethan Nsubuga contributed nine points and four rebounds, while Braden Martin chipped in nine points and two rebounds for Billerica.
Greater Lowell Tech’s Landyn Lane, left, works for position against Central Catholic’s Lucas Cooper in a 120-pound quarterfinal match Saturday at the Division 1 North Sectionals in Methuen. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)Tewksbury’s Nick Desisto controls the action against Lynnfield/North Reading’s Jakob Hulett during their 126-pound semifinal bout Saturday at the Division 3 North Sectionals in Dracut. Desisto went on to win the title. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)Anthony Maraganis of Tyngsboro/Dracut works to escape against Wilmington’s Mason Kwiatkowski in a 157-pound semifinal Saturday at the Division 3 North Sectionals in Dracut. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
South Bay officials were taking victory laps this week after a successful Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium, but they won’t be resting on their laurels long — with NCAA March Madness games and FIFA World Cup matches on the horizon.
“Hosting three major sporting events marks a major milestone for our region and is a truly historic moment for our city and the South Bay,” San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The upcoming basketball and soccer games “will further establish San Jose as the South Bay’s hub for sports, arts and entertainment,” she said.
While nearly all the official NFL events were in San Francisco, fans still showed up in droves for events in the South Bay organized by the San Jose Sports Authority, Visit San Jose and the city of San Jose during the week leading up to the big game. A city report on foot traffic in downtown San Jose shows about 459,000 unique visitors to downtown from Jan. 31 through Feb. 8. The biggest day was Feb. 7, when about 153,000 people descended on downtown for the Dom Dolla block party and San Pedro Super Fest event.
The city’s first use of an entertainment zone downtown, which allows partygoers to take certain drinks outside of bars and restaurants, brought just under 48,000 visitors to San Pedro Square — including 22,900 on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.
“This was without question the busiest weekend San Pedro Square Market has ever experienced,” said John Burroughs, operations manager for San Pedro Square Market. “Saturday alone shattered our previous single-day sales record by more than 30%, and throughout the weekend the Market felt like a nonstop Sharks game rush for nearly seven straight hours.”
Videos from the weekend showed people packed in so tightly at times that it was difficult for some to move along narrow San Pedro Street, indicating a need for a better crowd-control plan for future events.
David Mulvehill, president of Nuvo Hospitality, which operates several restaurants and bars in San Pedro Square, was initially skeptical about the city’s expectations for out-of-town visitors going into the week.
He was proven wrong, he said, and credited the city and its partners. “I underestimated what attention they brought to San Jose as a serious destination for traveling fans. They did a great job marketing and setting up events around the city,” he said. “Their effort was tenfold compared to 10 years ago.”
The party wasn’t just downtown. Santana Row’s four-day Super Row Weekend and Big Game Tailgate also packed the swanky shopping center in West San Jose with visitors. Its NFL Pop Up Shop exceeded its sales goals by 60 percent, and restaurant owners reported strong sales and foot traffic all weekend.
Collette Navarette, senior marketing director for the Western Region for Santana Row owner Federal Realty, said that following the success of the Super Bowl events, there are plans to have more for the World Cup games in June and July.
Fans arrive for Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Santa Clara, which hosted Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium, didn’t hold any official events connected to the game, but Mayor Lisa Gillmor praised the coordination of several city agencies for bringing the game to the goal line, especially crediting City Manager Jovan D. Grogan, among others.
“This event did not happen because of press releases or photo ops. It happened because a small but mighty city rolled up its sleeves and did the work,” Gillmor said during the Santa Clara City Council meeting on Tuesday. “I’ve seen a lot of people and cities eager to take a bow. That’s fine, but let’s be clear: Santa Clara owns the stadium, Santa Clara carried the load, and Santa Clara delivered. And we delivered with class.”
The week was not without its challenges. There were seven shootings downtown during a 24-hour period from early Sunday morning through Monday morning, resulting in two fatalities.
San Jose City Councilman Anthony Tordillos, whose district includes downtown, told constituents in a newsletter that the violence marred an otherwise great weekend. “In light of this, I’m prioritizing how we can improve on late-night safety as we prepare for more events this year — but also in general, because it’s not just visitors that deserve a safe downtown,” he said.
In the run-up to the big weekend, advocates for homeless people raised concerns that officials would increase sweeps of encampments.
Indeed, San Francisco caught flak nationally in 2016 for closing camps before Super Bowl 50, and again in 2023 when authorities moved people out of public view before an international economic summit.
In downtown San Jose, staff at shelters run by the nonprofit LifeMoves didn’t notice any changes in the city’s strategy, said spokesperson Maria Prato. Nor were more people referred to the shelters than usual, she said.
San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director John Poch said he and his team took Tuesday off and then were back at work getting ready for NCAA tournament games in March, the next event in the San Jose lineup for 2026. “It’s not just about the event, but what we can do around the event for people,” he said.
There is already a three-day concert series, Music Mania, announced in San Jose’s arty South First Area (SoFA) on March 27-29, featuring DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal), Bebe Rexha and Dustin Lynch. You can also expect another drone show and large-scale art installations at SAP Center.
San Jose Downtown Association CEO Brian Kurtz, who was at many of the Super Bowl-related events throughout the week, called it a “resounding success” that sets up San Jose for the rest of the year.
“Our community worked tirelessly preparing to welcome an unknown number of visitors to downtown — and they showed up en masse. Downtown was buzzing with activity at sold-out concerts, fan fests and packed streets,” he said. “We’ll consider this the practice round as we move forward towards March Madness, World Cup festivities and so much in between.”
A large crowd attends the Kehlani performance during the Big Game Block Party on East Santa Clara Street in front of City Hall in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
What began as a small clothing giveaway has grown into a far-reaching community effort providing food, clothing and emotional support to families across East Contra Costa County.
Gracefully Broken, a nonprofit founded by Antioch native Randi Garcia, has spent the past three-and-a-half years serving residents in need through resource distribution, family events and volunteer outreach rooted in dignity and compassion.
Garcia, born and raised in Antioch, said her connection to the community runs deep, having attended local schools before eventually settling in Oakley. The inspiration for Gracefully Broken came during her first clothing giveaway. Alongside clothing, Garcia assembled small “blessings in a bag” filled with hygiene essentials.
“A young boy about 8 years of age asked if he could have one,” she said. “He yelled across the room, ‘Mom, I got a new toothbrush.’ I had to walk away … the most basic item anyone can have, and here a small boy is so excited about it.”
That same day, a grieving mother approached Garcia, unsure how she would afford school clothes after losing her husband months earlier. The encounters reshaped Garcia’s vision.
“Although basic needs are important, the emotional support is needed as well,” she said. “I began to meet people one-on-one … and have conversations.”
Gracefully Broken originally operated as part of Antioch Covenant Church (antiochcovenant.org), where Garcia hosted outreach events. As attendance grew, she saw the need for expansion. Last July, the organization became an independent nonprofit — a move Garcia said was intentional.
“We saw such a great need … not only basic needs but love, support, kindness and respect,” she said. “Many people tend to shy away from a ‘church.’ We want our community to see us as a safe place that welcomes all.”
Though still based at a church, Gracefully Broken does not require religious participation.
“We do not force any kind of religion on our participants,” Garcia said. “That’s where the respect comes in.”
Garcia says the nonprofit group’s name reflects the shared humanity she sees in those they serve.
“I feel we have all been broken … but we are given grace,” she said. “People tell me how lost, scared and broken they feel. As we meet and talk … it helps them feel more comfortable and I hope less broken.”
She says the group’s core mission is simple: “To treat people with love and respect. To serve them with a happy heart and compassion.”
Gracefully Broken hosts quarterly clothing giveaways and seasonal events such as Easter egg hunts, trunk-or-treat celebrations and “Christmas with the Grinch.” Plans are underway for a community baby shower and school supply distributions.
Garcia said outreach happens through social media, school partnerships and word-of-mouth within the congregation. The nonprofit is funded entirely through donations, including food, clothing and financial gifts. Local businesses can sponsor events, and the group is beginning the grant-writing process.
Community partnerships include the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Sweet Beginnings Diaper Bank and Antioch’s CIWP (Community Integrated Work Program) center for disabled adults. For recipients, the impact is tangible. Barbara Blaser, 80, of Pittsburg, first encountered Gracefully Broken through Antioch Covenant Church.
“There is such a feeling of warmth and connection there,” Blaser said. “I may be able to get a salad mix, a few potatoes … eggs … hair products if I need them — but what I value most are the volunteers … who learned my name and welcomed me.”
Blaser now volunteers alongside her daughter.
“It has strengthened our relationship,” she said. “We have a common goal … to show love and compassion without prejudice.”
She recalled the happiness she has witnessed at events — from back-to-school giveaways to holiday celebrations at which children receive birthday party kits.
“I have seen the joy in children’s faces,” Blaser said.
Pittsburg’s Danika Phillips is both a volunteer and former recipient. A single parent living in public housing, she said food distributions were vital during difficult periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We rely heavily on food donations,” Phillips said. “I was a recipient for years until I began volunteering.”
Philips praised Garcia’s leadership as demand increased.
“She acted quickly to secure permits, attend meetings and manage an ever-evolving crew of volunteers,” Phillips said. “She doesn’t stop. She says, ‘Who else can we help?’ ”
Garcia said what moves her most is seeing stigma dissolve into community.
“It is a very humbling experience to come for free food and clothes,” she said. “You feel vulnerable … I want to put an end to the negative stigma of receiving help.”
Garcia said prefers not to call those served “clients.”
“To me they are friends,” she said.
Looking ahead, Garcia envisions classes on couponing, meal preparation and family nights designed to build connection alongside resources.
“We would love to build a place that people will tell others about,” she said. “Where they feel safe and welcomed no matter their circumstances.”
Her personal philosophy guides her work.
“Outside appearances do not matter, we all have a back story,” Garcia said. “We are all given a gift, and we have to do our best to use it.”
Even though they have kids who aren’t yet old enough to be in school, educators from Cook County School District 130 are lending a helping hand to parents who are struggling with “a lack of support, connection and guidance.”
Maria Zaragoza, a parent educator with the school district that serves parts of Alsip, Blue Island, Robbins and Crestwood, is part of a team that makes home visits to make sure parents are getting needed help.
The Families First/Prevention Initiative 0-3 program, which sends these helpers to families who request it, offers developmental screening, information about child abuse prevention, and connects parents with various resources, including nonprofits and therapists who offer focused early intervention services. They also connect parents with food pantries, counseling and domestic violence support.
Zaragoza and two of her five children actually benefited from the program in the district years ago, when one was an infant and the other a toddler.
“We are able to offer resources to our struggling families to help them, and their children thrive,” said Zaragoza of her current role.
Alma Cano, the district’s director of Early Childhood, oversees the parent educators and knows Zaragoza well. She said the ultimate goal is to help their kids succeed in life, and getting an early start is crucial.
Alma Cano, director of Early Childhood for Cook County School District 130 joins Principal Alicia Smith at the indoor playground at Horace Mann School in Blue Island. The district offers resources for parents even before their kids are old enough to attend classes. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
“We want to intervene early and provide services that would change their trajectory so they are having more of a successful academic future,” she said. “We’re just supporting them in this process. I wish I’d had it when I had my little ones.”
The program is for parents who face various challenges, including being single, speaking only Spanish, or experiencing a lack of income. It’s overseen and funded by the Illinois State Board of Education.
“I think all these resources are essential for parents,” said Cano, who has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in her 27 years in the district. “When we research statistics, these eligibility points (such as being single or speaking only Spanish) are predictors of future academic success.”
The parent educators are trained by Start Early in Chicago.
“Many of the families I work with have no support from their family, some due to living in a different state or country and some due to coming from broken families,” Cano said.
For the first visit, parent educators develop a rapport with the family. During subsequent visits, they check progress and needs. The educators also give tips on how to handle difficulties, such as tantrums or a child not knowing to wait their turn, bringing resources that might help them and which will help when they attend school.
For many, that begins in the district’s preschool program for kids aged 3-5, and the parent educators help connect the children with their new teachers.
“They become a bridge between school and home,” explained Cano.
Though the program has been in the district for roughly 30 years, it faced a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s picking back up gradually, Cano said. And mental health and safety of the district’s children are becoming more of an emphasis, both at home and when they get to school.
Alma Cano, director of Early Childhood for Cook County School District 130, meets with Safety Director Geoffery Farr, the district’s safety director, at Horace Mann School in Blue Island. Cano and Farr are implementing safety and mental health initiatives in an effort to make sure families feel safe, Cano said. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
Geoffery Farr, a former Blue Island police chief, was recently hired as the district’s director of safety, overseeing communication between families and local agencies, and training staff and students in emergency responses in case of violence.
“It’s the heads up, eyes open kind of stuff,” said Farr. “I think there’s been an increased emphasis just with the climate in the world.”
Farr said he’s also planning to implement a dog therapy program, which can have a calming effect on staff and students. He said the dogs will be trained in Florida by prison inmates, a common program in prisons to help inmates build skills and empathy and to help shelter dogs have a better chance at being adopted.
“There’s been statistics showing it (having dogs in school) improves absenteeism, de-escalates friction and tension,” said Farr, adding he has three dogs of his own. “You’re going to have your occasional meltdown and the dogs will be there.”
The district also has a 10-week Parent Leadership Class at Horace Mann School in Blue Island using the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum. “Honeybee University,” as the district calls it — the honeybee is the school’s mascot, helps parents of infants through 5 years old improve their child rearing skills. They also get to network and make friends.
“Parenthood can be lonely sometimes,” said Cano. “The parents come in as strangers and they walk out as friends.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
The Dracut/Tyngsboro hockey team found itself in a dogfight with Bedford Saturday at Tsongas Center, scoring late to secure a 2-all tie.
Charlie Wilkie potted a pair of goals for D/T, pulling the team even late in the third period. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the extra session, with D/T’s record going to 13-1-2 with the draw.
Bedford is now 4-9-2.
Lowell 8, Cambridge 2: Juniors Will Buckley and Kyle Novo each had two goals as Lowell defeated league rival Cambridge on Senior Day.
Senior Shane Peters, juniors Danny Gleason and Tyler Patenaude (two assists) and sophomore Brodie Anderson (two assists) each added single goals. Seniors Jeremy Dion and Matteo Gentile, junior Jack Hugo, sophomore Brendan McDonough and Connor Stevens and freshman Brennan Abrams each had single assists and senior Grady Lowell played well in net to earn the win for the Red Raiders.
Girls basketball
Hudson 49, Littleton 42: Trailing 32-21 at halftime, Littleton tried to rally but came up short in the Mid-Wach battle.
Littleton’s Annabelle Couette led all scorers with 20 points.
Boys basketball
Cambridge 61, WA 57: On Senior Night, Westford Academy suffered a tough double overtime loss to a strong Cambridge team.
For the Ghosts (7-9, 4-4 DCL), senior captain Teddy Hirbour had another monster game with 21 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Sophomore Sam Bramanti was immense with 16 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Senior Liam Arnold had six points and played terrific defense, taking two charges.
NM 74, Dracut 60: During a non-league clash, North Middlesex received a memorable 36-point outing from Colin Taylor to down the Middies.
G-D 44, Oakmont 42: Patrick Twomey drained two clutch free throws to break a tie and lift Groton-Dunstable to the exciting Mid-Wach victory in Groton.
Vinnie Sinatra scored a game-high 18 points for the Crusaders.
Burlington 71, Wilmington 40: The Wildcats couldn’t slow down powerful Burlington (14-2) and they had no answer for Matt Gray, who delivered a double-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds and five steals.
Hudson 74, Littleton 54: The Tigers fell to Anthony Moura, who canned 18 points, and Hudson during a Mid-Wach clash.
ST 60, Whittier Tech 55: Shawsheen Tech received a tremendous offensive and defensive performance from Nate Smith to capturing the CAC victory.
Smith collected 23 points on the offensive end and ruled defensively with nine steals for the Rams (7-9).
Wrestling
Tigers roar: Tewksbury had a strong showing at the Division 3 state dual tournament, going 2-1 and falling to eventual champion Holliston in the semifinals.
On the day, Tewksbury topped Southwick (53-18) and Franklin Tech (60-21) before falling to Holliston, 43-36.
Going 3-0 on the day for Tewksbury were Nick Desisto (126 pounds), Jack Lightfoot (132), Sean Callahan (144), Evan Brothers (150) and Jack Leone (190). Winning twice were Josh Kazibwe (106), Joel Torres (120) and Ryan Callahan (138).
Dracut/Tyngsboro forward Jake Haubner (10) pushes through Bedford defenders on a scoring chance during the first period of Saturday’s game in Lowell. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, one in five households in Chicago is experiencing food insecurity.
Recent federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are expected to intensify that crisis. Advocates warn the changes could result in hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents losing access to food assistance as early as May, increasing reliance on already-strained emergency food systems.
In response, the food depository hosted around 100 volunteers from “Divine Nine” fraternities and sororities Saturday morning for their fourth annual Black History Month repack event.
Bilal Ali, of Chicago and the Omega Psi Phi Inc. fraternity, tosses food into a large box at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. sorority dance while packing food into boxes at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Cursten Sturghill, left, and Davida Dixon, both of Chicago and the Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. sorority, react to another group packing early at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. There was friendly competition to see which team could pack the most pallets. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Samuel Pittman, of Chicago and the Omega Psi Phi Inc. fraternity, dances while members of his fraternity package food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities pose for a photo at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. An event held at the food depository in celebration of Black History Month where people gathered together to volunteer to repack food for distribution to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune) (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Tiffani Prophet, left, and Peneita Brown, both of Chicago and the Delta Sigma Theta Inc. soroity, sort through a tray of bread at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
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Bilal Ali, of Chicago and the Omega Psi Phi Inc. fraternity, tosses food into a large box at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities gathered to repack food for distribution at local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
“We broke records last year on the amount of food that we packed, and I’m quite sure this is going to challenge those records,” said Reginald Summerrise, president of the National Panhellenic Council of Chicago.
As a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Summerrise said service has always been central to the Divine Nine’s mission. The repack event is one of many ways the organizations push to support their communities.
Members from all nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities that make up the Divine Nine attended the event. Volunteers of multiple generations filled the warehouse, sporting their Greek letters and colors as they worked side by side. Some met for the first time, while others reunited with longtime friends.
Each fraternity and sorority competed to pack loaves of bread into cardboard boxes, with teams racing to repack the most by weight. Within a week, all of the bread packed during the event will be distributed to food pantries throughout Cook County.
Opening remarks from Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority via video and State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (D-Oak Park) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority set the tone for the morning.
“As the Divine Nine, we have been denied some things in our journey here in America, and that’s why we came together,” Rep. Lilly said. “We came together to continue to bring equity and justice into our communities.”
The Greater Chicago Food Depository worked with Lilly and State Sen. Elgie Sims to introduce two bills in the Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 5062 and Senate Bill 3276 would create a SNAP Response Working Group to analyze the impact and cost of the changes, while Senate Bill 3277 would establish the FRESH Program, a temporary state-funded benefit for households losing or seeing reductions in SNAP.
Danielle Perry, vice president of policy and advocacy at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, followed with a presentation discussing how President Donald Trump’s ‘beautiful’ law would impact people throughout the country.
“For every meal we can provide in the emergency food system, SNAP provides nine,” Perry said. “We cannot end hunger by just putting food at a pantry. We end hunger by focusing on policies that help people afford food.”
Perry urged attendees to educate their communities on the recent SNAP work requirements, which she said could cause 200,000 people in Illinois to lose their benefits.
The competition kicked off at 10 a.m. with Beyoncé’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (Homecoming Live)” booming throughout the warehouse. The teams were divided into two rooms, split by a wall painted with a map of every neighborhood the Food Depository serves in Chicago.
Volunteers scrambled to check expiration dates, build and label boxes and pack bread. Everyone stayed focused and moved swiftly, taking occasional breaks to dance to the music.
Johnsy Edwards, 67, representing the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, works as a registered nurse and case manager at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“I see the food deserts, and I see all the people that are deprived,” Edwards said. “I wanted to assist.”
After an hour and a half of packing, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority claimed first place, repacking 2,676 pounds of bread and earning the women of pink and green a first-place trophy. Across all Divine Nine groups, volunteers packed 16,104 pounds of bread for the Food Depository’s network of more than 850 food pantries, soup kitchens and meal programs.
“History will remember how we showed up when they decided to try to eliminate the safety net as we know it,” Perry said.
What a touchdown of a day! Building Blocks Preschool in Tewksbury turned into the ultimate Patriots fan zone Friday, with kiddos decked out in red, white, and blue wearing their favorite Patriots attire. From football tosses to goalpost challenges, every classroom was buzzing with team energy.
The school even sent some serious Boston love westward with an epic balloon-o-gram — talk about spreading team spirit across the country! Building Blocks’ A-MAYE-ZING families brought in their favorite game-day snacks that made the celebration extra special.
State Rep. Bob Rita was among those who testified Friday in the trial of a Tinley Park political operative who stands accused of sending obscene and harassing text messages ahead of a previous election.
Timothy Pawula, a former political ally of Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, was charged in October 2024 with two counts of both electronic harassment and transmitting obscene messages. Both charges are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail and an up to $1,500 fine, according to Cook County Associate Judge Mohammad Abedelal Ahmad.
The charges stem from texts Pawula allegedly sent to as many as 20 people, including Rita, April 4, 2023. One message, as presented during Friday’s trial, addresses voters of Tinley Park with claims that Ahleah Salefski, a candidate for village clerk at the time, lusted for both votes and sexual relations with Rita.
It was accompanied by a photoshopped image of a message Salefski posted on social media in 2017 that references “lusting after someone you know you probably shouldn’t,” according to prosecutors. Superimposed over the text were images of Rita’s and Salefski’s faces, with Salefski’s picture photoshopped to reference a sexual act.
“I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Rita said during his testimony.
According to prosecutors, the content of the messages is false and qualifies as illegally obscene under state statute, using “language or terms which are obscene, lewd or immoral with the intent to offend.”
Pawula was working for the Big Tent Coalition, a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024. Pawula was Ozinga’s chief of staff and treasurer of his election committee.
In an ongoing lawsuit filed in February 2025, state Sen. Michael Hastings alleges Pawula, Glotz and the Big Tent Coalition conspired to organize a “smear campaign” leading up to the November 2022 election, which included sending out obscene text messages to voters.
At the time the message was sent, Rita was running for re-election as state representative and Salefski was running for the village clerk in Tinley Park. Salefski said during her testimony that Rita’s daughter is one of her best friends, and Rita was supporting her candidacy.
Upon seeing the messages, Salefski said she felt humiliated and worried about how many people it had been sent to.
“I felt like people were going to look at me like I was some sexual deviant,” Salefski said. “I was planning to start coaching for a youth organization, and I was worried that all these kids that I was planning to coach as well as their families were seeing these things about me.”
Master Sgt. Cary Morin of the Illinois State Police’s criminal investigations unit testified that Salefski reported the text message to police after her husband, Chad Salefski, received it on Election Day. The text allegedly came from an unknown number, which state police tied to Pawula after obtaining a search warrant for documents from Ping, the messaging app used by the sender, and Apple Inc.
Morin said state police also searched Pawula’s phone, where they found evidence of the messages sent to Chad Salefski and Rita along with a screenshot of them sent to a group chat that included Glotz. In one text sent to the group referencing the messages, prosecutors said Pawula described himself as “the dirtiest piggy in the pen.”
Prosecutors said messages in the group chat along with the fact that the Pawula sent the texts to Rita, Chad Salefski and other family and friends of Rita and Salefski show they were intended to offend the two political candidates.
But defense attorney Frank Andreano said while Pawula’s political tactics may have been unsavory, the text messages targeting Rita and Salefski qualify as protected speech under the First Amendment.
“An insult isn’t an obscenity,” Andreano said.
Andreano said reacting to the speech with subpoenas and search warrants is “frightening and scary” and sends a clear message.
“Oppose us, and if you say something we don’t like, the whole weight and force of the state of Illinois will come down on you,” Andreano said.
Judge Ahmad said he will issue a ruling in the case at 9 a.m. on March 27 at the Cook County courthouse at 10220 South 76th Ave., Bridgeview.
Freshman goaltender Austin Elliott made 21 saves to backbone the UMass Lowell hockey team to a 3-1 win over UMass during a Hockey East clash Friday night at the Tsongas Center.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak by UML (10-17-0, 5-11-0). The River Hawks received goals from senior forward Dillan Bentley (No. 12), sophomore forward Lee Parks (No. 4) and junior forward Jak Vaarwerk (No. 6) to defeat 19th-ranked UMass.
Vaarwerk’s empty-net goal with 2:07 left in regulation sealed the victory for the River Hawks. Libor Nemec and Connor Eddy picked up assists.
Bentley opened the scoring in the second period, wristing a shot from the left faceoff circle into the top right corner behind UMass goalie Michael Hrabal. Assists on the play were earned by Luke Shipley and Mirko Buttazzoni.
UMass tied it on a goal by Justin Kerr. But late in the second period, Parks tallied the game-winning goal. Nate Misskey passed behind UML’s net to TJ Schweighardt.
Situated next to the rear boards, Schweighardt feathered a pass more than 100 feet to Parks, who broke in alone on Hrabal. Parks’ low shot found the net.
UML held a 33-22 shots advantage.
UML will play at UMass (16-11-0, 9-8-0) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It will be the third meeting in seven days.
Teo, ranked in the top 10 in the state and first in the Central Coast Section, won the title at the Judy Rider Memorial tournament at Hollister High on Saturday.
HOUSTON (AP) — Derrick White made six 3-pointers and scored 28 points and the Boston Celtics used a big third quarter to build the lead and cruise to a 114-93 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
White’s performance helped the Celtics win a fourth straight game despite missing star Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left hamstring tightness in the second game of a back-to-back.
Houston coach Ime Udoka was ejected at the end of the third quarter after receiving a double technical for arguing with officials, and Alperen Sengun was tossed midway through the fourth after receiving two technical fouls for yelling at an official following a no-call.
The Rockets trailed by four after a 3-pointer by Amen Thompson early in the third before Boston went on an 18-3 run to make it 67-48 with about seven minutes left in the quarter. The Celtics made five 3-pointers in that stretch, with two apiece from White and Baylor Scheierman.
Thompson made a basket for Houston before Boston used a 10-1 spurt to push the lead to 77-51 with four minutes remaining in the quarter. White led the way during that run, scoring the first eight points, with two 3-pointers.
Reed Sheppard received a loose ball foul near the end of the quarter and Udoka received two technical fouls after the call and was tossed. Boston converted four free throws off those fouls to make it 87-63 entering the fourth.
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 15 points in his return after sitting out Monday with a sprained left ankle. Sengun, who had 39 points and 16 rebounds in Monday’s win over Indiana, had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Neemias Queta had 10 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, and Luka Garza added 19 points to help the Celtics to the victory.
After sitting through jury selection and an extensive evidence hearing on Monday, Damian “Rico” Donaldson declined to leave his jail cell Tuesday.
Donaldson, 38, is charged with 15 felonies, including rape, burglary and strangulation. He also faces a half-dozen misdemeanors.
Among several allegations, court records state he sexually assaulted a woman, broke her windshield, and poured marinara sauce in her gas tank in October.
He has pleaded not guilty.
The case is further complicated since the victim indicated by November that she would stop cooperating with police and prosecutors. She ignored a subpoena served last month, ordering her to testify.
Deputy Prosecutor Infinity Westberg — who leads the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office’s special victims unit — said in opening arguments that Donaldson launched a campaign to pressure her to do so, which included calling her from jail — or having others reach her — and threatened to call child protective services.
Both Westberg and now-former Gary Detective Olivia Vasquez told the woman they would do the trial without her.
Westberg told jurors they had a tumultuous “on-and-off” relationship with children, according to court documents.
There was a stack of evidence implicating Donaldson, including multiple 911 calls dating back to a different incident in April, bodycam footage, “limited” information from his cell phone, and the woman’s hospital exam.
Hours after the Oct. 28 assault, one preteen child recorded Donaldson on a cell phone threatening to kill the woman and damaging her windshield and headlights, Westberg said.
Defense lawyer Roseann Ivanovich told jurors to pay attention to “details” and “bias” witnesses may have, and what the “timeline” of events was.
Gary Police responded at 8:18 a.m. Oct. 28 after the reported rape. They found her damaged vehicle and a broken pasta sauce jar outside.
The woman said Donaldson showed up around 1 a.m. at her back door uninvited.
He claimed the Indiana Department of Child Services would take her children if police were called. She allowed him to wait for a ride, but soon doubted why he was there.
The kids woke up during their argument. After they went back to sleep, he grabbed the woman’s face, trying to get her to perform a sex act. When she resisted, he choked and raped her instead.
“(If) you don’t do it, I’ll kill you,” he said.
The woman had a previous protection order filed in Cook County.
Donaldson was later charged with a stalking case on Nov. 12 after pressuring the woman against testifying.
In the April 17-19 incident, the woman said he punched and choked her in front of the children, smashed her vehicle windows with a pick axe, smashed in the front door and various windows with it, knocked holes in her walls, then swung the pick axe at her.
The Illini Republicans club at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is facing backlash after posting an illustration on social media of a masked gunman holding a weapon to a kneeling man’s head — alongside the caption, “Only traitors help invaders.”
The Instagram post, published Friday, also says Alex Pretti and Renée Good — who were both fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month — had “voided their liberties the moment they decided they were above the law.”
“Our nation has come under invasion from the masses of the third world and those incompatible with Western civilization,” the post says. “Now, the current administration, as duly elected by its people to do so, has taken a stand against this invasion.”
The illustration was later deleted from the post, as first reported by the Daily Illini. But it prompted a complaint to the university’s Title VI Office, and drew a slew of criticism from U. of I. students online, who argue that it glorified the deaths of Pretti and Good as well as the unrest engulfing Minnesota.
“My first initial reaction was just disgust, horror and nausea,” said sophomore Rylee Graves, 19, a member of Illini Democrats. “For them to say that that post was not violent or they weren’t condoning violence is a lie, and they know exactly what they’re doing.”
The image, set against the backdrop of the American flag, depicts a bearded man with his back turned as the gunman looms above him. Some students said that both the man and the scene resembled the Jan. 24 killing of Pretti, who was shot multiple times in the back.
An illustration, posted by Illini Republicans on Instagram, depicts what appears to be a federal agent pointing a gun at a man’s head. The group has said it stands with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Illini Republicans)
Illini Republicans wrote in an email to the Tribune that the image was removed “to prevent misinterpretation while we review concerns,” but it was “not an admission of wrongdoing.” They declined a request for an interview.
“We take concerns raised by others seriously and are committed to engaging in good-faith dialogue while exercising our right to express political viewpoints as a registered student organization,” the club wrote.
“The claim that the post glorifies or endorses violence is incorrect,” the club added. “At no point did it advocate harm, violence or extrajudicial action against any individual or group.”
The post is under review by the university’s Title VI Office, which investigates civil rights complaints, according to a statement from a U. of I. spokesperson. As a registered student organization, Illini Republicans are required to follow the student code of conduct, but U. of I. “cannot discipline them for the viewpoint or content of protected speech,” the spokesperson added.
“Hate and intolerance are not aligned with our university values,” the spokesperson said. “We strive to be a campus where every member of our community has a transformative and positive experience.”
More than 1,600 people have commented on the post since Friday. It was posted the same day as “ICE Out” demonstrations across the U.S., including a walkout on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
The intensified immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, began in December. Good was shot during an encounter with agents Jan. 7, and Pretti was shot Jan. 24. The Trump administration said the use of force was justified — but videos of both incidents contradict those claims.
When Lillie Salas saw the Illini Republicans’ post, her emotions fluctuated from disbelief to outrage. It’s jarring knowing that some of her classmates felt comfortable using phrases such as “foreign invaders” to refer to immigrants, the 22-year-old senior said.
Citizens who stand against Trump’s immigration aren’t “traitors” either, she added. She said that type of rhetoric is “racist” and shouldn’t be acceptable on campus.
“I honestly felt very concerned and scared,” Salas said. “It kind of hits differently to see groups so close to you spewing hate so outspokenly. … I know a lot of immigrants who are the most dedicated, hardworking people I’ve ever met in my life.”
It’s a feeling Salas, who is Mexican American, said she’s grown accustomed to during Trump’s immigration crackdown. She’s sensed anxiety on campus, particularly with her Hispanic friends who’ve told her about feeling “frozen in time “and “stuck.”
Cat Lodico, a 20-year-old sophomore, likewise, said she’s seen the stress her friends who are international students have faced in recent months. They worry that if they do or say the wrong thing, their visa will get revoked, and they won’t be able to continue their studies.
U. of I. has one of the largest international student populations in the country. The Illini Republicans post calls immigrants without legal status “enemies of the American people.”
“Although the main focus is studying and getting good grades and the normal college life, because of what’s going on in the country now, there is that anxiety and worriedness in the back of everyone’s mind,” Lodico said, adding that her mom also immigrated to the U.S. from China.
Lodico said as an engineering major, she’s not the most politically involved, but she tries to stay informed. Even still, she said she was shocked and “genuinely concerned” that people her age could agree with Illini Republicans’ post.
“Saying we stand with enforcement of the law, like is it really lawful for random (immigration agents) to be killing other people,” she said. “I just feel like it’s so backward.”
College campuses have increasingly become flashpoints in national debates over free speech.
In the wake of mass student protests over the war in Gaza in 2024, Republican lawmakers have criticized elite colleges and progressive campus culture. The Trump administration froze millions in federal research funding at universities, including at Northwestern University, accusing them of failing to address antisemitism.
Meanwhile, in September, the killing of Charlie Kirk — a right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA — ignited a surge of conservative activism on campuses.
Lodico said it seems hypocritical for Illini Republicans to seemingly make light of the deaths of Pretti and Good, given the outcry over Kirk’s killing.
“When people die from ICE suddenly it doesn’t matter? Suddenly it’s valid to shoot people? The logic is not logic-ing, you know,” she said.
