West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes

For the second time in a week, mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been detected in Brookline, public health authorities said yesterday. The insects were collected Friday from the same site where West Nile virus had been discovered earlier. Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have also been found in Worcester. No human cases of the potentially lethal illness have been reported so far this year in Massachusetts. Last year, six people fell ill with the illness, which usually spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

A 26-year-old man was shot several times last night on the corner of Dubois and Adams streets in Roxbury, according to Boston police at the scene. A friend transported him to Boston Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries; he was listed in stable condition, police said. He was grazed in the head but was able to communicate last night, police said. After police received a call at 11:20 p.m., officers rushed to the scene and found evidence of a shooting but no victim. "We got here, found some ballistic evidence and we're canvassing the area," said Superintendent Rafael Ruiz.

Harvard University announced yesterday that it has named Christine Heenan, former director of community and government relations at Brown University, as its vice president for government, community, and public affairs. Heenan, founder and president of the Clarendon Group, a Providence communications and government-relations consulting firm, will oversee Harvard's relations with the media and all levels of government. She will begin Oct. 1. Heenan is also an adjunct assistant professor of public policy at Brown University.

Officials at Heywood Hospital in Gardner say they are reviewing policies and procedures after a surgeon operated on the wrong knee of a patient who needed arthroscopic surgery. Daniel Moen, hospital president, apologized and said the hospital is committed to making sure such a mistake does not happen again. Neither the name of the orthopedic surgeon nor the patient was released. The hospital acknowledged responsibility for the error and did not bill the patient, who is not expected to experience any long-term problems. (AP)

A city firefighter has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder. Angel Rosario turned himself in yesterday and was ordered held without bail at his arraignment, pending a dangerousness hearing tomorrow. Rosario, 43, pleaded not guilty. Police say that on Friday Rosario attacked Joseph Alvarado, 43, who suffered a wound to his throat, two stab wounds to the back, and slash wounds on his arms. Police say Rosario was apparently upset that Alvarado had started seeing his former girlfriend. Rosario's lawyer has said his client acted in self-defense. (AP)

A New York City man charged with fatally stabbing a 79-year-old Worcester woman 24 years ago has been ordered held on $1 million bail. Craig Minggia, 47, a former Clark University student, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday in Superior Court to charges of murder, assault with intent to rape, armed burglary, and armed assault in a dwelling. Prosecutors say Minggia stabbed Lillian Johnson in her apartment on July 16, 1984. Last year, Minggia was required to provide a DNA sample after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. Prosecutors said they linked him to Johnson's slaying by matching his DNA to blood found on her body. Minggia lived in a Worcester apartment upstairs from Johnson at the time of the killing. His lawyer said he left Worcester when his financial aid ran out. (AP)

Authorities are investigating the death of a Barnstead man who was pulled from a lake in the town. The Marine Patrol said Robert Desousa, 38, was boating with his wife and two children last Thursday on Upper Suncook Lake, when they stopped to swim. Desousa went into the water and immediately began calling for help. His wife and off-duty Manchester firefighters who were boating on the lake went to Desousa's aid and tried to revive him. The Marine Patrol said it is waiting for autopsy results. (AP)

A wayward horse backed up traffic on Interstate 93 in southern New Hampshire yesterday. Police tried to corral the horse, which showed up between Exits 4 and 5 in Londonderry at the height of the morning commute, but it would not let anyone get close enough. After about 90 minutes, police say, the horse ran into woods. A dispatcher said the owner had been notified. (AP)