SNAP Fraud Charges + Teen Hikers Rescued From Mountain + State Capital Gets National Ranking: MA Weekend

MASSACHUSETTS — Two variety store owners are facing fraud charges after reportedly trafficking government SNAP benefits for profit.

Meanwhile, three young residents had to be rescued from New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock after getting trapped in a brook during a late-night hike.

Plus, this trademark city received national recognition as one of the best places to experience in 2026.

2 MA Men Defrauded SNAP Out Of $7 Million, Prosecutors Say
The pair have been charged with one count of food stamp fraud each after both their stores reportedly had SNAP redemption amounts five times higher than the average food supplier. Both men are also accused of selling MannaPack meals, a donated food product manufactured by the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children intended to feed starving children overseas.

Freezing MA Hikers Rescued From New Hampshire Mountain
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said the three hikers were in a life-threatening situation due to strong winds, cold temperatures, and lack of resources. The two 18-year old Winchendon residents had fallen into a wet brook and were unable to get out on their own. The third tried to rescue them but was unsuccessful. According to rescuers, one of the hikers was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.

This MA Destination Is Among The Top 25 Places To Visit In America
U.S. News and World Report highlighted Fenway Park, The Freedom Trail, art museums, and its roster of historic universities as reasons why the state capital made the cut for 2026. Grand Canyon National Park, 2,200 miles west, took the top spot.

Dominican Man Living In Worcester Indicted For Fraud, Identity Theft
The Dominican national was indicted on five counts of theft of government money and three counts of aggravated identity theft after reportedly using other people’s identities to fraudulently receive more than $100,000 in emergency rental assistance funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he claimed that applicants were landlords and tenants of rental properties in Massachusetts.

More Than 65K Without Power In MA Due To Strong Winds
Strong winds between 55 and 65 miles per hour left tens of thousands without electricity, especially those closest to the coast such as Cape Cod and the islands. A Friday storm brought about the gusts as well as heavy rain, knocking down tree branches and power lines.

10 Events In Massachusetts To Keep Kids Busy During School Break
There is no shortage of classic winter activities in the Boston area and beyond to help ensure children maximize their holiday break and keep any potential boredom at bay. For example, they can bundle up for a nighttime visual spectacle with the Stone Zoo’s Zoolights in Stoneham. Families can also head down to the Cape for a Polar Express train ride that takes children on the nice list to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.

See Also: See Some Of The Best Holiday Light Shows Across MA