News Story Archive

Massachusetts: Candidate links rival's supporter to Chavez

Massachusetts congressional candidate Joseph Malone says a rival in the 10th District race used flawed judgment in accepting the endorsement of a longtime GOP loyalist who Malone calls "Hugo Chavez's lobbyist." State Rep. Jeffrey Perry responded on Monday that he was proud of the endorsement from Ron Kaufman, a Republican National Committee member and onetime political director for President George H.W. Bush. Kaufman is chairman of a lobbying firm that represents Citgo Petroleum Corp., the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela's national oil company.

Scituate: Debate held between democratic congressional candidates

Democratic primary candidates Rob O’Leary and Bill Keating running for congress in the 10th congressional district, faced off during a debate Monday night at Scituate High School auditorium.

Massachusetts: Man asks for new trial in death penalty case

A federal judge in Boston has begun hearing arguments for a new trial from Gary Lee Sampson, who faces the death penalty for a week-long crime spree in 2001. But the son of a man who was killed by Sampson is calling the hearing a "big waste of time." Scott McLoskey says victims' relatives should be watching Sampson's execution, not going through the legal process again.

Massachusetts: Gas prices drop a nickel

Gas prices in Massachusetts are dropping just in time for the holiday weekend.

Massachusetts: GOP again blocks wind turbine bill in Senate

A Republican lawmaker has again blocked the Massachusetts Senate from taking a final vote on a bill that backers say will make it easier to site wind turbine facilities. The bill had passed the Massachusetts Senate and House, but failed to win a final parliamentary vote in the Senate before the clock ran out in the Legislature's formal session on July 31. 

Martha's Vineyard: First family's visit a positive force in island economy

President Barack Obama and his family wrapped up their Martha's Vineyard vacation on Sunday.

Carver: Police search for pair of muggers

Police in Carver are looking for two thieves who robbed a man of his backpack Saturday night around 9:00 near Tremont and Lakeview Streets.

Massachusetts: Senior citizens buying reverse mortgages must now first get counseling

It's called a reverse mortgage, where you trade equity in your home for money. A bank gets your house, and you get the money, either over time or in a lump sum. However, some senior citizens are getting shortchanged by reverse mortgages and their hidden fees. So says Barbara Anthony, undersecretary of the executive office of consumer affairs and business regulation. She says a foreclosure relief bill signed by Governor Patrick earlier this month offers new consumer protections for those ages 65 and older who are seeking reverse mortgages.

Beverly: Flight instructor from South Shore dies in horrible accident

A South Shore neighborhood is reeling after the tragic, sudden death of a flight instructor.

Middleboro: EEE prompts cancellation of outdoor activities

The town of Middleboro has canceled all outside evening activities after state health officials announced Friday that a Plymouth County man is hospitalized with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Middleboro: Residents remain free to speak up at meetings

Middleboro residents--and selectmen--have spoken up, blocking an attempt from the board chair to keep people from speaking up at weekly meetings.

Hurricane Earl: Storm strengthens to Category 4

The National Hurricane Center says Earl has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane with winds near 135 mph (215 kph) as it moves away from the Virgin Islands. Earl is on a path that could brush the coast of the U.S. later in the week, though it's too early to tell exactly where it will go. For now, tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, among other places. Puerto Rico is also bracing for heavy rains and high seas.

Halifax: Volunteers needed for town committees

With the beginning of fall approaching, the Halifax Board of Selectmen is looking for volunteers to serve on a number of committees.

Rockland: Illegal fireworks maker arrested- again

A South Shore man with a long history of making illegal explosives has been busted again. Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said they got a call from state police at around 6:30 Thursday night to assist in a raid on the house of 59-year-old Robert Rinald at 293 Union Street. "As we arrived-- the initial investigation by the state police-- they were removing numerous packages that appeared to be numerous chemicals, bomb-making devices," said Chief Duffey.

Plymouth: CPC and PRA agree on historic survey

The Community Preservation Committee, or CPC, is in agreement with the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority, or PRA, and the 1820 Courthouse Consortium that a historic structural survey of the historic structure is needed.

Weymouth: Company ordered to pay double on delinquent fine

A Weymouth company and its president have been ordered to pay a more than $200,000 fine by the state's attorney general and the Department of Environmental protection.

MBTA: Snake report slows Boston train line

Snake on a train? Transit officials in Boston weren't taking any chances.

Medford: South Shore man murdered, suspect due in court

There are more questions than answers as authorities investigate the weekend murder of a South Shore man in Medford.

Vineyard Haven: Noisy fishing boat protest of Obama catch policy

Northeast fishermen have been sounding off - literally - about administration catch limits in anoisy demonstration during President Barack Obama's vacation. More than a dozen boats from across the region circled the harbor at Vineyard Haven on Thursday, tooting their horns in protest. The action followed an ad in a local paper Tuesday that was headlined, "Mr. President, We Need Your Help."

Marshfield: Foreclosure pushing more families to the brink

It's the first step of the foreclosure process: the filing of soldiers and sailors notices. And in the just the last week, a number of Marshfield families got theirs. Housing Coordinator Jack Mather says it shows that foreclosure continues to be a problem in town. "We had 10 families in Marshfield receive that notice," Mather said.