Manhole cover explodes, hurting motorist

A 20-year-old man suffered severe injuries last night when an explosion caused a manhole cover to shoot into the air and strike him through the windshield of the vehicle he was riding in, Natick Police said. The unidentified victim was riding westbound on Route 135 with his father around 7:20 p.m. when an electrical malfunction caused an explosion under the manhole. Witnesses told police that flames from the explosion shot 25 feet in the air. The manhole cover inflicted serious injuries to the victim's face and arms. He was taken to Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham and officials said he was expected to be transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Natick Police said the accident caused a temporary road closure and disruption to power in the area.

Somerville
Man arraigned on assault charges
A Somerville man charged with a series of break-ins and assaults in the Inman Square neighborhood pleaded not guilty yesterday in Somerville District Court to two counts of breaking and entering during the night to commit a felony, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. After his arraignment yesterday, Scott L. Barrett, 26, was released on $10,000 cash bail. Barrett had been picked out of a photo array by victims in two of the incidents -- one June 26 where he allegedly threatened a man with a weapon and got into a fight; and one July 1 when he allegedly broke into a house on Dimick Street and hurled a trash barrel at a resident.

BOSTON
Man, 21, stable after Roxbury shooting
A 21-year-old man was reported in stable condition last night at Boston Medical Center after he was shot once in the arm and a second time in the abdomen at Humboldt Avenue and Ruthven Street in Roxbury. Police did not identify the victim or give any information as to why the 10:15 p.m. shooting took place. The incident is under investigation, police said.

Sentencing delayed for Bulger associate
The sentencing of a longtime associate of fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger was postponed yesterday because of a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court that raised questions about federal sentencing guidelines. US District Judge Richard G. Stearns said Kevin P. O'Neil, 55, of Quincy, may "benefit" from the ruling by qualifying for a much lower sentencing guideline range than the five years to 6 years calculated by court officials. The judge postponed O'Neil's sentence on racketeering, money laundering, and extortion charges until Sept. 30.

Statehouse access limited next week
The State House will be closed to the general public during the Democratic National Convention due to public safety concerns, legislative leaders announced yesterday. Access to the building between July 26 and July 29 will be limited to credentialed State House employees and members of the State House press corps. Limited access also will be afforded to credentialed convention delegates, according to House Speaker Thomas Finneran and Senate President Robert Travaglini. The legislative leaders made their decision based on the recommendations of State Police, the Executive Office of Public Safety, and the Bureau of State Office Buildings. The State House will reopen to the general public on July 30.

Immigration agent alleges marriage fraud
An Egyptian national and his wife were charged yesterday in federal court with conspiring to commit marriage fraud. Samy G. Mohamed, 41, of Revere, allegedly paid Lorraine J. Mott, 64, of Lynn, $1,500 to marry him in 1996 so he could become a permanent US resident, according to an affidavit filed in court by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Mohamed, a taxi driver, allegedly offered $5,000 to two other women in 1998 to marry his brother and cousin, who lived in Egypt, but the scheme fell apart when he failed to pay them, the affidavit states.

Week celebrates Boston's innovations
About 100 people gathered yesterday at the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the start of Creativity and Innovation Week. The event, organized by Celebrate Boston 2004 and Boston History Collaborative, featured speakers from nonprofit organizations and Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Speakers discussed Boston's role in American society including the Abolitionist movement and non-profit organizations that have built houses and provided health care to people in the city's poor areas.