Chemical Plant Explosion, 'Perverted Justice' Nets School Principal, and More: Nearby News

Here are a few of the day’s must-read items from our Massachusetts network. We hope you enjoy! Give us your feedback at patrick.luce@patch.com

Stories worth talking about tonight:

‘Perverted Justice’ Sting Caught Former School Principal: Police

Former Swampscott High School Principal Edward Rozmiarek engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, according to a Beverly Police Department report.

Rozmiarek was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 7; one week later, he resigned. At the time, Swampscott Superintendent Pamela Angelakis said she had recently become aware that Rozmiarek had engaged in conduct on his school-issued computer that Angelakis “deemed inappropriate.”

Also worth a look today:

Several Injured at Chemical Plant Explosion

• Four people were injured, one seriously, on Thursday afternoon following a chemical explosion at the DOW Chemical Company in North Andover, according to the state fire marshal’s office.

ICYMI: Truck Fire Shuts Down Route 495 in Milford

• Watch the dramatic video of a tractor trailer truck fully engulfed in flames on the highway.

Opioid Epidemic Battle Gets Boost With $700K Grant

• The state grant will equips police and fire departments in 40 communities with Naloxone to reverse overdoses.

More headlines:

Charges Reduced in Mansfield Rape Case

Trash Dump Proposed in Charlestown

Water Main Break Topples Tractor, Closes Road

Pipeline Meeting Schedueld for Next Week

Check Powerball Tickets: $1M Winner in Massachusetts

Powerball Jackpot Estimated at $700M