FROM THE REGION.

COLUMN: FROM THE REGION

Sutton

Woman, 4 grandkids led to safety out of Chasm

SUTTON - State police said they helped rescue a Rhode Island woman and her four grandchildren lost for more than an hour in the forest of Purgatory Chasm State Reservation yesterday afternoon.

State police said they received a cellphone call about 2:25 p.m. from a 57-year-old woman who said she was lost in the woods with her four grandchildren, ranging in age from 7 to 14. She told state police she could hear cars from a highway, but could not see them. No information was available on whether the Woonsocket, R.I., family had brought water or other supplies with them.

State police set up a command post, and troopers from the Millbury barracks took up locations along the fence line that separates the forest from Route 146. Using cruiser sirens, troopers directed the family to safety, state police said. While troopers were waiting for cutting tools to get through a fence, one of the four children collapsed. Troopers scaled the fence and gave first aid; as they were doing that, the grandmother collapsed. She also received first aid.

State police said all five family members were taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Worcester, where they were treated for dehydration and abrasions.

Marlboro

Man gets probation in illegal gaming biz

WORCESTER-A Marlboro man who ran an illegal sports betting business was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to three years' probation, including six months of home confinement.

Robert Duplessis, 64, pleaded guilty in July 2010 to operating an illegal gambling business. His sports betting business of more than 10 years included an offshore operation in Jamaica.

Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV imposed the sentence jointly recommended by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak Jr. and defense lawyer Louis P. Aloise.

The two lawyers urged a departure below the federal guideline sentence of 12 to 18 months in prison. They said Mr. Duplessis immediately accepted responsibility for his crime and cooperated with state and federal law enforcement investigating illegal gambling and loan sharking in the Milford area.

Because of that cooperation, Mr. Aloise said, the grandfather of five is at risk of harm if sentenced to prison.

Mr. Wyshak said Mr. Duplessis' testimony before a grand jury helped secure an indictment in September against John Pizzillo, who subsequently pleaded guilty to three counts of financing an...