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Kathy Reakes
Reporter
kreakes@dailyvoice.com
Kathy Reaks has worked as a reporter in the local news business since 1984, starting as a news clerk and working her way up. She spent 17 years at Florida Today in Melbourne, Florida as a general assignment reporter, crime reporter, entertainment reporter and restaurant critic. She worked four years at Hometown News as a general assignment reporter, then another two years at Spacecoast Daily in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She attended Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Florida.
Armed Suspect Fires On Officers, Bystanders In Western Mass, Police Say
A Western Massachusetts man has been arrested for allegedly firing a gun at police officers and bystanders on a city street before being arrested.
Jose Montanez, age 43, of Springfield was apprehended around 7:25 p.m., Sunday, June 20,
Montanez, who is well-known to police, was arrested after officers responded to the 0-100 block of High Street for a ShotSpotter Activation indicating five rounds of gunfire, said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the Springfield Police Department.
Jose MontanezSpringfield Police Department
When officers arrived Montanez began fleeing, as is seen in but continu…
Fairfield County Teen Arrested For Selling 'Bombs' On Facebook Marketplace, Police Say
A Fairfield County teen was charged with allegedly manufacturing bombs after he was caught selling the illegal fireworks on Facebook Marketplace and police are warning anyone who bought them that they could cause “serious physical injury."
Bryan Oceguera, age 19, of Stamford, was arrested on Friday, June 18, after Stamford Police received a tip that he was selling IEDs or improvised explosive devices on Facebook Marketplace.
According to Sgt. James Comstock, commander of the Stamford Police Bomb Squad, the department received the tip on Wednesday, June 9, and began an investigation along wi…
Western Mass Man Nabbed With Large-Capacity Firearm, Ammo, Police Say
A Western Massachusetts man has been arrested after police seized a large-capacity firearm from his vehicle.
Shamal Thomas, age 21, of Springfield, was arrested on Thursday, June 17, after narcotic detectives received a tip that he was in possession of a firearm, said Springfield Police Spokesman Ryan Walsh.
Police found Thomas and the vehicle on Main Street and when they approached, located a loaded large-capacity firearm in his lap, Walsh said.
The gun and ammo.Springfield Police Department
Police also seized 25 rounds of ammunition, he added.
Thomas was charged with:
Carrying a f…
Two Schools Closed In Response To Death Of 7-Year-Old In Fairfield County Murder-Suicide
Two Fairfield County schools will be closed on Monday, June 21, following the deaths of a 7-year-old student and her mother.
The schools, Coleytown Elementary School, which the child attended, along with Stepping Stones Preschool, which is located inside Coleytown, will be closed Monday in response to the tragedy.
Monday was supposed to be the last day of school, but School Superintendent Thomas Scarice said that instead of classes, students and teachers and staff, can receive grief counseling.
Scarice sent out a letter to parents which said: "As our community mourns the tragic loss of one…
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