5 arrested in huge Peabody pot bust

PEABODY - A whopping 543 pounds of marijuana and nearly $200,000 in cash were seized Wednesday night during a drug bust that netted five arrests.

Massachusetts State Police broke up the large-scale narcotics delivery, in which Brian J. Toto, 42, of Revere; Philip Watson, 37, of Saugus, Michael Schrimpf, 36, of Saugus, RJ Norton, Jr., 41, and Melvin Vanmeter, 38, both of Indianapolis, Ind. were arrested and charged with trafficking Class D marijuana over 200 pounds and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

All of the men pleaded innocent Thursday at their arraignments in Peabody District Court. Judge Robert Brennan set bail at $250,000 for each defendant and continued their cases until June 18 for a status hearing.

Full Story - Lynn Item

Revere Powder Puff Team beats Peabody 14-7

Powder Puff debut ends in game loss, but moral victory
PEABODY — A second-half rally wasn't enough for Peabody High's Powder Puff team to tie up Saturday's game against Revere.

The first Tanners team lost, 14-7, but theirs was a valiant effort for their first outing, Principal Edward Sapienza said. On a late-in-the-game drive, the Tanners took the ball up to the Patriots' 20-yard line but couldn't put points on the board before the buzzer, according to Sapienza.

"Part of it was just because of our newness to it, and Revere's veteran status," he said.

The principal, also the offensive-line coach, said Revere scored quickly on the first drive up the field. The opponents put 14 up on the scoreboard before the Tanners answered with seven points of their own.

Sapienza said Peabody's defense turned up the heat, holding Revere to 14 points overall. All the points were scored in the first half.

"Both teams played admirably," he said. "It was a strong, strong competition. Our kids didn't give up."

The Salem News

Children’s Hospital to expand to Peabody

PEABODY - World-renowned Children’s Hospital Boston has decided to expand its services to the North Shore with a $46.5 million purchase of property located in Peabody’s Centennial Park.

The roughly 25.7 acres of land will serve as the home of Children’s Extended Care Center, Inc., a non-profit out-patient clinic affiliated with the Boston hospital. It will be located just off Route 128, close to the intersection of Route 95 North. The hospital will occupy approximately 120,000 square feet of space.

(Lynn Daily Item-Full Story)

Peabody ex-cop is unfit for trial

SALEM - A judge has ruled that a former Peabody police officer charged with beating his elderly mother into a coma on Thanksgiving Day 2004 is not competent to stand trial.

The ruling by Salem Superior Court Judge David Lowy is significant because it means the defendant, George Sideris, will be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital until he is deemed competent to stand trial. Sideris can't be tried on the charges until he regains competency.

Lowy made his ruling Monday after considering the findings of two psychiatrists who examined Sideris, according to the Associated Press.

Sideris, 37, was then sent back to the Bridgewater hospital for further evaluation. He is scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 5.

(Lynn Daily Item-Full Story)

Peabody mom pleads guilty to buying alcohol for kids

PEABODY - A 44-year-old Gloucester woman has pleaded guilty to giving alcohol to several 12- and 13-year-old children.

Prosecutors said Heidy Jordon admitted that she gave alcohol to six children at her home in 2007 after her 13-year-old daughter asked her to. Prosecutors said Jordon even asked the children what they wanted her to buy. She allegedly bought alcohol for five children a few days later. (Boston Globe - Full Story)

Man dies in collision with MBTA train

Driver, 76, took car into tunnel



An elderly Peabody man died after his car was struck by a Rockport-bound commuter rail train in Salem yesterday, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.

The 76-year-old, whose identity has not yet been released, drove about 100 yards into a train-only tunnel before a northbound commuter rail train hit the car, Pesaturo said.

The man drove down the train platform at Salem Station before entering the tunnel, according to witnesses, Pesaturo said.

A train operator saw the headlights of the car, sounded the horn, and began to brake shortly before 5:30 p.m., he said. (Boston.com - Full Story)