Clarksburg Man Killed in Two-Car Crash

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The accident closed a section of Route 8 for more than four hours.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Longtime local farmer Clarence Kenneth Demers was killed Sunday evening, May 31, in a two-car crash on Route 8.

According to state police, Demers, 87, of Middle Road was pronounced dead at the scene after his 2000 Ford Focus was struck at about 5:30 p.m. by a pickup driven by Peter J. Boisvert, 45, of Wilmington, Vt.

Demers was apparently westbound on Henderson Road and attempting to cross Route 8 when Boisvert's northbound Ford pickup struck the driver's side of Demers' car and went off the road, according to a preliminary investigation by Trooper Ryan Dickinson from the Cheshire barracks.

Neither vehicle carried passengers and Boisvert declined medical assistance at the scene.


A section of the north- and southbound lanes were closed at the intersection for about 4 1/2 hours.

Demers, who went by his middle name, Ken, had operated his farm Middle and Wood roads for nearly five decades. Students from what was then North Adams State College participated in programs at the farm during the 1970s under the watchful eyes of Demers. He also was a common sight at many local events over the years, giving horse-and-wagon rides, and a painting by Gus Jammalo of him riding his tractor is prominently displayed at Town Hall.

The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. Clarksburg Police and Fire assisted troopers at the scene. The North Adams Ambulance Service and Stamford, Vt., Fire Department also responded.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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