9 Firefighters Contract Coronvirus: Patch PM

Today is Thursday, Oct. 1. This regional Patch PM is a daily recap of some of the biggest stories we are covering south of Boston and on the Cape and Islands today.

A week after a firefighter within the Attleboro Fire Department tested positive for the coronavirus, eight more firefighters and two dispatchers have also been diagnosed with confirmed cases, town officials have announced.

Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux and Fire Chief Scott Lachance confirmed the positive cases in a news release this week. The 11 confirmed cases were as of Tuesday, officials said, and were all tied to one shift of the department. Most of those who tested positive were asymptomatic or have mild symptoms but one firefighter became seriously ill and is currently hospitalized in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital, officials said.

Heroux told Patch on Thursday that there have been no further confirmed cases since Monday and that as of Thursday, 57 people within the department have tested negative, including nine negative tests on Thursday.

Read more here.

Top Stories: South of Boston

Emergency Shutdown Triggered At Weymouth Natural Gas Plant

Crews working at the natural gas plant on the bank of the Fore River have triggered an emergency shutdown. The shutdown brought new calls from U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston), for Enbridge to close the facility.

Enbridge spokesperson Max Bergeron said the automatic emergency shutdown system went into effect Wednesday Morning and vented an unspecified amount of natural gas.
This is the second such incident to occur in the last three weeks. The last emergency shutdown happen on Sept. 11 when 265,000 cubic feet of natural gas was released at the facility.

Lynch has long been an opponent of the compressor station's construction and said he's "extremely concerned for the public's safety" following the two emergency shutdowns in less than a month.

Cooke's Seafood In Hyannis Closing After 43 Years

After 43 years as a staple seafood spot in the Hyannis community, Cooke's Seafood will serve up its last dish when it closes next month.

Cooke's, known for its fried oysters, clams, scallops, lobster rolls and more, will close Nov. 29. The restaurant's owners the Haidas family in a Facebook post said they were proud to have "consistently served the best in seafood with a friendly smile."

Patriots Place Hosting Halloween Drive-In Movies All October Long

Showcase Cinemas has partnered with Patriot Place to bring spooky Halloween-themed movies to a pop-up drive-in all October long.

Each night will feature two movies, starting with a family-friendly movie and followed with a conventional horror movie.

Movies include "The Addams Family," "Hocus Pocus," "Night of the Living Dead" and more.

Across Massachusetts Today

How Massachusetts Spent $1.1 Billion On Its Coronavirus Response

A report shows how the state government has spent $1.1 billion that had been set aside for the coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts.

Friday The 13th Turns 40: Massachusetts Theaters Host Screenings

Jason Voorhees returns to terrorize the campers of Camp Crystal Lake at select theaters in greater Boston.

Coronavirus Surge May Force MA To Return To Full Shutdown: ER Doc

Jeremy Faust, who published excess mortality reports earlier in the pandemic, called on Gov. Charlie Baker to end indoor dining.

Somerville Restaurant Target Of Anti-Armenian Attacks, Owners Say

The owners of Noor Mediterranean Grill say they have received "hundreds of hate messages, fake negative reviews and death threats."