LOCAL

McElwain School time capsules; police scandal: Top 5 Brockton-area stories last week

Kathy Bossa
The Enterprise

BROCKTON — The former police chief of Brockton pleaded not guilty to charges of negligent driving stemming from a May 2021 wreck. Here's what happened. 

The owners of 100 Pearl St. in Brockton, have been issued a cease and desist order by the city. Neighbors say they throw loud, disruptive all-night “event parties” to which they charge admission.

Middleboro Little League 12U Nationals players and coaches were honored at historic Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals game.

East Bridgewater Commercial Club members donated food items and, with the help of local businesses and charitable donations, raised $4,100 for the two food pantries in town.

Boston Medical Center (BMC) unveiled the Brockton Behavioral Health Center, an 82-bed in-patient mental health hospital, at 34 North Pearl St.

In case you missed it, here are five stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area that resonated with our readers.

A message from 1996: Forgotten Bridgewater McElwain School time capsules recovered, opened

Before the 1996 school year came to an end, the school’s principal had the idea for the final graduating class to bury time capsules on school grounds, to be opened in 2021. Students got to fill plastic bags with items they wouldn’t see again for 25 years. Three time capsules were buried. One for Mrs. Burns’ class, one for Mr. Lucia’s class and one for Ms. Devine’s (who’s now known as Mrs. Gibson). Each student was sent home with a half-sheet of paper saying the capsules would be opened in 2021. Suddenly, in August 2021, construction workers stumbled upon one of the capsules.

Bridgewater school time capsule recovered:A message from 1996: Forgotten Bridgewater McElwain School time capsules recovered, opened

Time capsule photos:Past students from shuttered McElwain School in Bridgewater open time capsule from 1990s 

Before the McElwain School closed in the late 1990s, the school’s final 4th grade class buried three time capsules on the grounds of the school. Past McElwain student Kyle Davies hosted a class reunion during which the former students picked up the items they placed in the forgotten time capsule at the Bridgewater Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

Herminio Furtado takes leave of absence from coaching Brockton High boys soccer team

The Brockton High boys soccer team will be without its head coach, Herminio Furtado, for the 2022 season. An interim coach has yet to be announced. "We are still trying to figure everything out," Brockton High athletic director Kevin Karo wrote in an email to The Enterprise. "Herminio is taking a leave of absence."  "We’re looking to solve it. Maybe in the near future we’ll be able to clarify some things but as of now, just for personal reasons, I’m taking a leave of absence,”  Furtado said via phone call Wednesday evening.

Coach taking leave of absence:Herminio Furtado takes leave of absence from coaching Brockton High boys soccer team 

Brockton FC coach Herminio Furtado, during practice at Randolph High School Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.Brockton FC is in the Final Four of the Eastern Regional of the United Premier Soccer League’s National Tournament. They're one of 16 teams left in the national tournament.

Mother-daughter café serves up hot panini sandwiches and wild acai bowls in Whitman

A mother-daughter duo set their eyes on a new business venture during COVID and ended up owning Wicked Loft Café. The café tucked away on 7 Marble St., Suite B1, in Whirman, gives customers a place to enjoy a bite to eat and room to relax on plush leather couches. Customers are encouraged to come in, get a sandwich and do some work.  The menu is comprised of organic coffee, breakfast sandwiches, natural fruit smoothies, panini-pressed sandwiches, acai bowls and sweets from the bakery.

'It's such a hidden gem':Mother-daughter café serves up hot panini sandwiches and wild acai bowls in Whitman

Take a look at the menu:Here's what's on the menu at Wicked Loft Café in Whitman

Cathy Mitchell (R) stands with her mother Jenn Mitchell in her new restaurant called Wicked Loft Cafe in downtown Whitman on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Cathy recently started her new business, taking over from a previous owner of the space and completely refurbishing the interior. Cathy's mom Jenn quit a job she had for 21 years to help her and work with her daughter.

Easton native builds multi-million dollar biz Booty by Brabants inspired by visit to Brazil

A small business that started out of an Easton woman's gym bag has grown into a multi-million dollar family company. Booty By Brabants, a wellness and fitness brand, began its humble journey in 2013 but officially launched in 2014. Kelly Brabants, the owner, traveled to brazil to visit family, not knowing she would leave with an item that would change their lives forever.

Booty by Brabants:Easton native builds multi-million dollar biz Booty by Brabants inspired by visit to Brazil

3 Stoughton cops had 'inappropriate relations' with woman who killed herself, chief says

Police Chief Donna McNamara said Friday that three now-former Stoughton police officers had "inappropriate relations" with Sandra Birchmore, a young woman who looked up to police and hoped to become a cop. She was pregnant when she killed herself in February 2021 in a Canton apartment, according to the Norfolk County district attorney's office. She was 23. "What I am here to talk about today is her life and how she was failed by, manipulated by and used by people of authority that she admired and trusted right up until her final days," McNamara said at a press conference held at police headquarters.

'Inappropriate relations':3 Stoughton cops had 'inappropriate relations' with woman who killed herself, chief says 

Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara, right, with Deputy Police Chief Brian Holmes beside her speaks at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at police headquarters. McNamara revealed the results of an internal investigation, which found that three now-former Stoughton police officers engaged in inappropriate relationships with a young woman who took her own life while pregnant last year.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.