New approach identifies sidekick drug to help antibiotics defeat infections

Researchers from Boston University have developed a new approach to attack bacterial infections, by making them more susceptible to traditional antibiotics. The novel technique could allow scientists to identify sidekick drugs that spur bacteria to increase their production of compounds that damage their own DNA, thus making it easier for conventional therapies to deal the fatal blow. The strategy, described Sunday in the journal Nature Biotechnology, could offer an approach to fight resistant infections, which has become a national priority.(   01/06/2013 1:00 PM )

AG Martha Coakley fines National Grid for pay delays

With hundreds of National Grid employees still unpaid for work performed during Hurricane Sandy because of payroll system glitches, attorney general Martha Coakley on Monday fined the utility $270,000. She called on National Grid to "resolve this matter immediately" or risk more fines. National Grid began using a new payroll system shortly before Sandy hit the region in late October., leaving the company little time to fix any glitches before it had to handle the complex pay and overtime issues created by the massive storm. (   01/07/2013 1:19 PM )

Massachusetts man attacked by bobcat in his garage

BROOKFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- A man in Massachusetts says all he heard was a hiss before a bobcat pounced on him in his own garage, sinking its teeth into his face and its claws in his back. (   01/07/2013 1:20 PM )

Boeing 787 Dreamliner reported on fire at Logan International Airport

A fire has been reported in an empty airplane parked at a gate at Logan International Airport, a Massport spokesman said this morning. The affected aircraft was a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner, spokesman Richard Walsh said. The 787 is used on a nonstop flight from Boston to Tokyo, which has been a pivotal part of Governor Deval Patrick's efforts to expand trade between Massachusetts and Asia. (   01/07/2013 1:10 PM )

Belichick not impressed by team's Texans blowout

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- To hear Bill Belichick glumly address reporters on Monday, you'd think the Houston Texans blew out the Patriots in the regular season and not the other way around. (   01/07/2013 1:09 PM )

MA Lottery

BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) -- These Massachusetts lotteries were drawn Monday: Estimated jackpot: $47 million 6-8-2-3 Estimated jackpot: $70 million (   01/07/2013 1:07 PM )

Winning numbers drawn in 'Midday Numbers' game

BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) -- The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Massachusetts Lottery's "Midday Numbers" game were: (   01/07/2013 1:06 PM )

Gloucester wind turbines to save $1.47m annually

The three wind turbines erected in Gloucester cost $20 million, but combined are projected to save $1.47 million annually beginning this year. (   01/06/2013 1:19 AM )

Three wind turbines push Gloucester to renewable energy forefront

These days, the city of Gloucester and private developers are looking to the wind to save money and to cut down on burning fossil fuel. Here, where the average wind speed is nearly 16 miles per hour every day, is the first Massachusetts community north of Boston with three turbines. Two went into service last Monday that will allow the city to power all of its buildings at a subsidized rate, saving almost $500,000 a year for the next quarter-century. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

North: Players of the Week, Top 10 boys' and girls' basketball teams

Players of the Week and Pat Bradley's Top 10 boys' and girls' basketball teams from high school programs north of Boston.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Health effects of turbines up for debate

Newburyport City Councilor Ari Herzog recalled a 2009 meeting in which "residents stood and complained they couldn't sleep due to thumps, whooshes, and growling noises caused by the whirring blades 292 feet above ground. . . . I wondered -- and still wonder -- why a test tower was never erected. "I support wind energy in the Commonwealth, but not at the expense of disrupting people's homes and the lives they built there," Herzog said. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Hamilton's Steve Haladyna taking his best shot as a freshman for Tufts

Steve Haladyna is 6-foot-5, but at 175 pounds, the lanky St. John's Prep grad is the lightest player on the men's basketball team at Tufts. Recently, he's tried making it an advantage, taking his game out to the perimeter. As the Jumbos' sixth man, and averaging almost 18 minutes per game in the team's 6-5 start, Haladyna is third on the squad averaging 9.4 points per game while shooting 44 percent (12 for 27) from 3-point range.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Candidates line up to run for departing legislator's Everett seat

Even as his home city reacts to state Representative Stephen "Stat" Smith's sudden departure from office amid voter fraud charges, a free-for-all is emerging among aspirants to replace the Everett Democrat. The seven contenders who said they will run for the seat are former mayor John Hanlon; Joseph F. Hickey, the city's veterans' service officer; Aldermen Michael Mangan and Michael K. Marchese; Common Council members Sergio Cornelio and Wayne A. Matewsky; and School Committee member Joseph A. Lamonica. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Military news from Globe North

News about members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard in our communities. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

A student Shakespeare competition in Salem

Students from the Salem Academy Charter School perform monologues from a few of William Shakespeare's plays at the Salem Theatre Company on Tuesday (Jan. 8 for the preliminary round of the English Speaking Union's National Shakespeare Competition. Pianist Wendy Chen performs Jan. 13 at the Shalin Liu Performance Center as part of the Rockport Music concert series. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Photo workshop downtown

Photographer Kate Hannon will host a workshop for photographers of all skill levels at Scituate's Front Street Gallery this Sunday.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Going green

The town's energy-saving efforts have resulted in its being named a Green Community by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Donation for public bulletin board

Quincy will erect a new sign at the intersection of Furnace Brook Parkway and Adams Street with the help of funding from TD Bank.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

New building for Jordan Hospital

Jordan Hospital announced that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held Monday for a 30,000-square-foot medical office building on its campus.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Tech-savvy teens to teach new technology

Adults can get some help from young people in making use of newer technologies, with the Teen Tech Squad at the Pembroke Public Library on Thursday evenings in January.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Additional sports facilities needed

Although Norwell has 21 sports fields, additional facilities are needed to avoid overuse of athletic fields, according to a study commissioned by the town.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Town leads winter hikes

The Kingston Conservation Commission will lead a series of six guided winter hikes on various trails through town conservation land.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Youth rowing registration

The Hull Lifesaving Museum's winter youth rowing season starts Jan. 14, with registration open until Friday.(   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Benoît Rolland, winner of MacArthur genius grant, crafts bows for the world's musicians

This past fall, bowmaker Benoît Rolland, who lives in Watertown with his wife, was rewarded for his innovation and artistry over a career that has included making about 1,800 bows for stringed instruments. He was named one of 23 MacArthur Foundation fellows, and given an unrestricted, $500,000 grant. For his entire professional life, Rolland has been making bows with one goal: making music easier to play. (   01/06/2013 10:12 AM )

Arlington Catholic: conditioned to win

Arlington Catholic coach Joel Burke has a relatively inexperienced group without much size, but demanding practices ensure that his team's conditioning will not be among their its inherent disadvantages. Their The players' team members' ability to play efficiently late in games , as they did last weekend, has fueled a 4-1 start to the season. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Concord residents seek investigation of school chief's effectiveness Petition takes aim at school chief

About 100 Concord residents have signed a petition urging the town's two school committees to investigate Superintendent Diana Rigby for alleged poor planning, fiscal mismanagement and a failure to communicate. School officials say they are working hard to develop consensus in the community and deal with complex issues in the school system. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Macy's pending departure leaves a hole in Belmont's retail heart Belmont Macy's exit will leave void Belmont Macy's exit will leave void

Macy's is indeed a sight rarely seen in the days of online retail and shopping malls: a department store right in the center of town. The 75,000 square foot Leonard Street store employs 101 people, and is one of five across the country that Macy's Inc. is shuttering. The building's owner is already looking for a new tenant to fill the big hole the store's departure will leave, but that was little comfort to the Macy's faithful last week. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Dover Squash & Fitness club welcomes top Pakistani players to train

Mahmud Jafri, owner of the new Dover Squash & Fitness in Natick, has invited a number of the best squash players from his native Pakistan to use the club as a temporary home base. Working with the Pakistan Squash Federation and through his own fund-raisers, Jafri is giving the players and team coaches the opportunity to train and tour through this March. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

In Uniform column

News about members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard in our communities. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Selectmen to review budgets Monday

Hudson's selectmen will review budgets proposed by town boards and committees for the 2014 fiscal year during their 7 p.m. meeting Jan. 7. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )

Town lists updated property values

Residential property values dipped by 1 to 2 percent on average in this fiscal year's revaluation, reflecting a still troubled national housing market, writes Assessor Dorothy Wilbur announced recently. in a recent write-up on the town's assessments. (   01/06/2013 12:00 AM )