Bridgewater boy succombs to cancer; discount stores to close: 5 top stories last week

Kathy Bossa, The Enterprise
·4 min read

BROCKTON − Is Brockton going bankrupt? It's a question Mayor Robert F. Sullivan has started to speak about in public. Here are the proposals on the table to help stop the bleeding — including a major trash fee hike.

Jase Russell's family and friends say they will remember him for his massive heart, smile, energetic spirit, kindness nd love. Jase died on Feb. 29 after a four-plus-year battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. He was 7 years old.

A chain of discount stores with 10 locations in and near Brockton announced it would close 1,000 of its 8,000 stores nationwide.

King of events, Lombardo's, has officially been sold. What is happening there now?

Elijah Popotte was crowned the 10th annual Mr. WB during a competition held at the West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School.

In case you missed it, here are five of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area.

'Loving, kind, empathetic, brave': Bridgewater boy, 7, dies of rare pediatric cancer

Jase Russell's family and friends say they will remember him for his massive heart, smile, energetic spirit, kindness and love. Jase died on Feb. 29 after a four-plus-year battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. He was 7 years old. Jase, the son of Danielle and Joshua Russell of Bridgewater, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in December 2019 and underwent surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants.

Bridgewater boy, 7, dies of cancer:: 'Loving, kind, empathetic, brave': Bridgewater boy, 7, dies of rare pediatric cancer

In this May 24, 2020, file photo, Jase Russell, 3, of West Bridgewater, who has neuroblastoma, points to vehicles taking part in a "Jase Train."
In this May 24, 2020, file photo, Jase Russell, 3, of West Bridgewater, who has neuroblastoma, points to vehicles taking part in a "Jase Train."

Family Dollar, with 10 locations in and near Brockton, to shut nearly 1,000 stores

A chain of discount stores with 10 locations in and near Brockton announced it would close 1,000 of its 8,000 stores nationwide. Dollar Tree, which owns Family Dollar, announced the closings Wednesday. The company said it reviewed store-by-store performance to decide which ones to shutter, move or put under a different brand. "As a result of this review, we plan on closing approximately 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of fiscal 2024. Additionally, approximately 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores will close over the next several years at the end of each store’s current lease term,” the company said in a press release.

Family Dollar stores to close:: Family Dollar, with 10 locations in and near Brockton, to shut nearly 1,000 stores

Mayor: 'We cannot let the city of Brockton go bankrupt'

Is Brockton going bankrupt? It's a question Mayor Robert F. Sullivan has started to speak about in public. "A lot of you have heard 'receivership,' 'control board,'" the third-term mayor told city councilors Monday, March 8. "The word that was mentioned recently was 'bankruptcy.' We cannot as elected officials, we all took the same oath, we cannot let the city of Brockton go bankrupt." The city's chief financial officer put it bluntly at the same Monday meeting where Sullivan dropped the "B" word. "We don't have any money left," said Troy Clarkson. "We drained the piggy bank to address the issues last year."

Is Borkcton going bankrupt?: Mayor: 'We cannot let the city of Brockton go bankrupt'

Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan speaks at a Brockton School Commmittee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan speaks at a Brockton School Commmittee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

King of events, Lombardo's, has officially been sold. What is happening there now?

Lombardo’s, the long-beloved event space and home of Vincent’s Nightclub, has been sold. Two Boston-based companies, Core Investments Inc. and Yankee Line, plan to develop the property together. The development and bus companies agreed to jointly develop the properties that include Lombardo’s after “expanding the partnership recently through a sale of the property to a Yankee affiliate,” according to the statement.

Lombarod's officially sold: King of events, Lombardo's, has officially been sold. What is happening there now?

The Lombardo's function facility in Randolph in March 2021.
The Lombardo's function facility in Randolph in March 2021.

Bridgewater cannabis dispensary not just medical anymore. What's on the menu?

Alternative Compassion Services, a once medical-only dispensary in Bridgewater, is now open for adult-use cannabis sales. ACS offers freshly baked goodies free of preservatives, in-house grown flowers, THC-infused drinks and accessories. Although the business is serving both medical and adult use clients, they want their medical use clients to know they’re dedicated to them and won’t leave them on the back burner.

Bridgewater cannabis dispensary: Bridgewater cannabis dispensary not just medical anymore. What's on the menu?

Zak Petti of Weymouth, who usually works at the ACS dispensary in Hull, prepares a display of accessories for the use of cannabis, with pens, glassware and other items at thee ACS dispensary in Bridgewater on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Zak Petti of Weymouth, who usually works at the ACS dispensary in Hull, prepares a display of accessories for the use of cannabis, with pens, glassware and other items at thee ACS dispensary in Bridgewater on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

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. 

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton-area top 5 stories:Bridgewater boy dies cancer; store closing