Deadly Plane Crash + 1st Flu-Related Child Death Of Season + SS Payments Set To Increase: MA Weekend

MASSACHUSETTS — A pilot has died after a small plane crash at a Cape Cod airport this past weekend.

Meanwhile, the victim of a fatal hit-and-run in Boston has been identified as a longtime prominent figure for the Museum of Fine Arts.

Plus, social security payments are set to increase in the new year for 1.6 million residents as the cost of living continues to get higher.

Pilot Killed In Plane Crash On Cape Cod
The Cessna 172N private aircraft crashed around 3:15 p.m. at Provincetown Municipal Airport at Race Point Road with only the pilot on board. The plane caught fire and the blaze was extinguished by emergency personnel. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene soon after. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Museum Of Fine Arts Figure Killed In Boston Hit-and-run

John Axelrod was killed after being hit by a car while walking his dog in the Back Bay neighborhood on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 3. Axelrod was transported to the hospital, where he later died. Axelrod’s dog also died as a result of the collision. An arrest has since been made in connection with the incident, and the collision is believed to be intentional.

Axelrod was an Honorary Advisor to the MFA and had been involved with the museum for more than 40 years, and during that time donated hundreds of works. A gallery was dedicated in his name in 2009.

Social Security Payments To Increase In January: What MA Residents Should Know
The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment means higher payments for about 75 million Americans starting in January, or December for Supplemental Security Income recipients. The average Social Security recipient will see a monthly increase of about $56. Massachusetts has 1,634,170 Social Security recipients. The increase reflects inflation and affects both Social Security and SSI, although rising Medicare Part B costs offset some of the relief.

MA Reports 1st Flu-Related Child Death Of Season

The child reportedly died between Sunday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 27. Three adult deaths were also reported in that same span of time. According to state data, 11.85% of sentinel site visits during those six days were related to influenza-like illness, which exceeds the regional baseline by 2.2% and was up from 7.63% the previous week. The Department of Public Health issued a new standing order last month authorizing qualified health personnel in local boards of health to administer the influenza vaccine to eligible individuals this respiratory virus season.

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