CO exposure at Red Rock Plaza sends shoppers to hospital

SOUTHAMPTON — Multiple patients were exposed to carbon monoxide Wednesday morning at Red Rock Plaza in Southampton, according to the fire department.

Crews on scene found that the exposure came from a propane-powered floor grinder, and responders requested multiple ambulances from surrounding towns, including the Easthampton, Northampton and Westfield fire departments, along with Action Ambulance Service Inc. and the Southampton Police Department.

Patients were immediately triaged, and there were no casualties or injuries at the scene. Patients were then transported to Baystate Medical Center for evaluation, and three patients were reported to have “more severe symptoms,” according to the fire department.

Easthampton public safety dispatchers handled the call, after a change was recently made to transfer Southampton public safety communications to Easthampton.

Motorist drives into poles in front of Holyoke PD

HOLYOKE — A motorist was charged with several offenses after she allegedly drove into a light pole and two flagpoles outside the front door of the Police Department on Appleton Street around 6:50 a.m. Wednesday, police reported.

Brenda Johnson, 30, was subsequently charged with two warrants and the following motor vehicle offenses: operating under the influence of drugs, third offense; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; use of a motor vehicle without authority; operating with a suspended license; refusal to identify self; and a marked lanes violation.

Nobody was injured in the crash, police said, and Holyoke Gas & Electric and the Department of Public Works responded quickly to remove the poles.

— Staff reports