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WINTHROP — Health Director Meredith Hurley reports that the Town of Winthrop is inviting the community to attend the town’s third-annual Recovery Event to honor those who have overcome substance use disorder and to remember those who have been lost to it.

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Winthrop Town Hall lawn, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA

WHAT:

The town’s third-annual Recovery Event will honor those who have overcome substance use disorder, and remember those who have been lost to it.

The event will begin at the lawn of Winthrop Town Hall at 5:30 p.m., with several speakers scheduled and resource tables providing information on substance use disorder and treatments. Light refreshments will be served.

Afterward, participants will be given candles for a candlelight walk from Town Hall to French Square.

The Town of Winthrop Health Department has also partnered with Recovery on the Harbor in East Boston to launch a Purple Ribbon Campaign throughout the month of September.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign seeks to raise awareness of substance use disorder, to end overdose stigma, and to honor those who have passed away as a result of substance use disorder.

WINTHROP — Health Director Meredith Hurley reports that a mosquito tested in Winthrop has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) and that the town’s risk level has now been increased to high risk for WNV infection.

As a result, the Town of Winthrop is sharing safety tips to help prevent mosquito bites and the transmission of WNV.

A mosquito from ongoing monitoring on Monday in the northeast area of Winthrop tested positive for WNV. The town was notified of the results on Thursday.

In Massachusetts, public health surveillance is done for two mosquito-borne viruses — West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The period of highest risk of getting either disease can be from late July through the fall, until the first frost.

Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds. People and animals can get these diseases by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying WNV will experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms and will recover on their own. Persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe WNV disease.

The Town of Winthrop and the Winthrop Health Department offer the following tips so that residents may protect themselves and their loved ones.

Avoid Mosquito Bites — Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening, after 6 p.m. or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing. Mosquitoes can be active during daylight hours when the temperatures are cool.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it is hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent When You Go Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants younger than 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children younger than 3 years of age.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home — Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitted screens on all windows and doors.

The state offers useful information about West Nile Virus here.

Information about WNV and EEE is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), or the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800. There is a helpful fact sheet located at https://www.mass.gov/doc/wnv-factsheet-english/download.

Health Director Meredith Hurley and the Town of Winthrop invite the community to a candlelight procession and community event in recognition of National Recovery Month.

WHEN:

Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Beginning at Winthrop Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA, ending at Harold  French Square

WHAT:

September is National Recovery Month, which aims to highlight gains in substance use treatment and prevention while also honoring the lives lost to substance use disorder.

Winthrop Public Health and Clinical Services is hosting a community event that will include a candlelight procession from Town Hall to French Square to honor those lost to substance use disorder, followed by an event in French Square with several speakers, educational resources and information provided by local addiction and recovery organizations, food and other refreshments.

There will be several speakers in French Square, and emotional supports will be available in consideration of people who may experience grief while attending.

Organizations that include the Winthrop Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) team, the Massachusetts Organization of Addiction and Recovery (MOAR) and Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA) will provide information on recovery and treatment resources.

Food and refreshments will be provided by several Winthrop restaurants.

For more information and to view the candlelight walk route, visit: https://winthropclear.com/.

WINTHROP — Public Health Director Meredith Hurley would like to issue a warning for marijuana laced with fentanyl.

The Connecticut State Lab recently confirmed the presence of fentanyl in a marijuana sample after numerous people who reported only using marijuana overdosed. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and has been linked to overdoses and death.

“Fentanyl is often disguised with other drugs, and people may not know that they are consuming it,” Director Hurley said. “With the recent discovery of marijuana laced with fentanyl in Connecticut, it is more important than ever to be vigilant and to know the signs of an overdose. Remember, always dial 911 in the event of an overdose.”

The Winthrop Public Health Department wishes to share the following symptoms, which may be signs of an overdose:

• Small, constricted pupils
• Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• A limp body
• Pale, blue or cold skin

If residents notice someone that they believe is experiencing an overdose, they should immediately dial 911 and administer Narcan if available. Narcan, otherwise known as Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of a potentially fatal overdose by displacing the drug from the receptors in the brain. Narcan is available for purchase without a prescription at most pharmacies, and health insurance can be used to offset the cost.

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WINTHROP – Chief Paul Flanagan reports that the Winthrop Fire Department responded to an explosion in a multi-unit dwelling.

At 10:56 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 12, Winthrop Fire dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting an explosion at 5 Irwin St. Upon arrival first responders found exterior damage to a basement door. Once inside the building, they discovered there had been an explosion in the laundry in the basement.

Winthrop first responders treated a 57-year-old woman who had been burned severely in the explosion. The woman was later transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The explosion caused damage on all floors. The Fire Department and Building Commissioner consider the building uninhabitable, due to both the damage and compromised safety devices such as smoke alarms.

Twenty-eight residents from the 14 units have been relocated to area hotels.

The Winthrop Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney Crime Prevention and Control (CPAC) Unit.

The American Red Cross was instrumental in assisting displaced residents with relocation. The Town also has received an offer of assistance from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency during the weekend, if needed.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Winthrop Fire Department and the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

Town Manager Austin Faison reports that water service has been restored after an interruption earlier today.

Residents may see some discoloration in their water, but it is safe to use. Residents are advised to run their facet until it is clear.

Earlier this afternoon a pressure reducing station on the Winthrop-Revere line malfunctioned, preventing water from entering into Winthrop from Revere via Massachusetts Water Resources Authority infrastructure. The Winthrop DPW worked with MWRA officials to establish an alternative water source and correct the issue.

Town Manager Austin Faison reports that the Town of Winthrop’s Department of Public Works is working to correct an issue that has resulted in an interruption in water service in town.

Earlier this afternoon a pressure reducing station on the Winthrop-Revere line malfunctioned, preventing water from entering into Winthrop from Revere via Massachusetts Water Resources Authority infrastructure. The Winthrop DPW is working with MWRA officials to establish an alternative water source and correct the issue.

An alternative water line has been established and service will gradually be restored.

“We apologize for the sudden inconvenience this has caused and want to assure our residents we’re doing everything we can to correct it as efficiently as possible,” Public Works Director Steven Calla said.

The Town of Winthrop will provide updates as they become available.