Man Pleads Guilty To St. Joseph's Church Door Burning

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, April 3, Michael Innis pleaded guilty to Burn Building and Destruction of Place of Worship in Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
Judge Flannery sentenced Innis to 2.5-3.5 years in state prison. The Commonwealth recommended 3 to 4 years in state prison. The defense recommended 2.5 years in the House of Corrections.
 
On August 4, 2021, Michael Innis, who was 53 at the time, and a second defendant were discovered to have set fire to the south facing door of St. Joseph's Church. Damage caused by the fire was estimated to be over $10,000. 
 
The second defendant's case is pending.
 
Pittsfield Police investigated the crime. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano represented the Commonwealth. Tara Jones-Nutting served as the Victim Witness Advocate.

Tags: fire,   superior court,   

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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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