Legislature OK's defibrillator measure

BOSTON

The Legislature passed Kayla's Bill Thursday, requiring all health clubs in the state to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator, or AED. The bill was named after Kayla Richards , a 22-year-old woman who died in March after collapsing at a gym in Plymouth. Her death, according to Senator Robert O'Leary, a Barnstable Democrat, might have been prevented if an AED had been on scene. More than 600 people in the United States die every day from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association, and defibrillation is the only known therapy.

The state Department of Public Health said yesterday it has received most of its flu vaccine supply from the manufacturer. A total of 639,750 doses of the vaccine, or 94 percent of the state's total order, has been received, and the remainder will be delivered by Nov. 24, the department said. Privately purchased influenza vaccine will continue to be shipped into the state, bringing the total number of doses to more than 1.7 million. More than 115 million doses will be made available nationwide this flu season, more than in any previous year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State officials say vaccinations are particularly important for infants, pregnant women, elderly people, and patients with chronic medical conditions. To find a flu clinic, log on to flu.masspro.org or call 866-627-7968.

EASTON

An Easton fire captain wanted on child rape charges surrendered to police yesterday, authorities said. John R. Howard , 52, of South Easton turned himself in at 2:15 p.m., after a joint investigation by Easton police and the Bristol district attorney's office. He is facing charges of statutory rape of a child and assault and battery on a child under 14. Howard, who has been a member of the Fire Department since 1975, was placed on administrative leave.

REVERE

A 5-year-old boy was found yesterday wandering in the parking lot of a Target store on Furlong Road. Police Lieutenant Michael McLaughlin said the boy was picked up by police at 2 p.m. and taken to the Department of Social Services The boy, who says his name is Joseph, has brown hair, brown eyes, and was wearing a bright yellow T-shirt. Denise Monteiro, spokeswoman for DSS, said the agency was trying to find the child's mother. Police made contact with the mother, who lives in East Boston, in the evening. It was unclear last night if she had made previous attempts to report her son missing. Social workers were interviewing the mother last night.

TAUNTON

A Taunton man was arraigned yesterday on charges of larceny and resisting arrest after a foot chase and a struggle Thursday that left one officer with minor injuries and a police cruiser without a rear passenger window, police said. Officers arrested Jason Fleck, 31, after chasing him for five blocks and spraying him twice with pepper spray, said Sergeant Paul Roderick. One officer pulled his gun because Fleck was acting erraticly, Roderick said, and the suspect kicked out the rear left window of a police cruiser when he was placed under arrest. The incident began about 8 p.m. when police received a call about a man who had broken into a car and stolen CDs and a tool bag. The suspect, who police identified as Fleck, tried to flee the scene in a car driven by David Stotherz, 59, of East Wareham, Roderick said. As the pair was trying to drive away, the car hit two people, Roderick said. They were not seriously injured. The suspect fled on foot and was apprehended five blocks later on Court Street after a struggle. Police are still looking for Stotherz, who faces two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and receiving stolen property.

MANCHESTER, N.H.

The Goffstown teenager who prompted a nationwide search when she ran away last spring to avoid a shoplifting charge has pleaded guilty, apologized, and agreed to repay authorities for bringing her home. Laura MacKenzie, 18, pleaded guilty Thursday to shoplifting and agreed to pay $2,751 for the cost of bringing her home after she was tracked down in Florida five months later. She also agreed to pay a fine of $1,500 and was given a one-year suspended sentence. MacKenzie said she took off because she was embarrassed about the shoplifting arrest. (AP)