Woman, 42, arraigned in highway chase

A 42-year-old Fall River woman was arraigned yesterday on charges that she held a passenger hostage while leading state and local police on a chase down Interstate 93 on Tuesday afternoon. Sandra Howes was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and a string of motor vehicle violations, officials said. She was ordered held without bail until a hearing on Monday. Howes was arrested after allegedly fleeing down I-93 with a passenger screaming and flailing her arms out the window of Howes's car. When police stopped Howes, she allegedly attempted to back up, striking a vehicle in front of her and a State Police cruiser behind her.

Boston police are investigating a homicide on Seaver Street in Roxbury yesterday. Police said an unidentified man was shot inside a home and then staggered outside, where he was found about 12:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Brigham and Woman's Hospital. A second unidentified gunshot victim in his late teens later sought treatment at Boston Medical Center. He was suffering from an injury to his hand. Police believe both men were shot inside the same apartment.

The state appeals court has denied an accidental disability retirement to a Brockton police dispatcher who injured her right wrist and elbow because of the horseplay of a fellow employee. Teresa Damiano had just stood up at her desk, intending to go to the bathroom and then to pick up some forms she needed, when a police officer placed her in a headlock and the two crashed to the floor. She injured her wrist and elbow so badly she never returned to work. The Massachusetts Appeals Court, affirming a decision by the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board, said Damiano may have been injured "as a result of" her job, but she was not injured while in the performance of her duties, which is a requirement for a public employee to receive a disability pension.

A bill that gives married same-sex couples the same access to Medicaid benefits as married heterosexual couples is one step closer to becoming law after gaining approval in the state Senate yesterday. MassEquality - a coalition that lobbies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights - called the action a "strong step forward." The House passed the legislation last week, and it now goes to Governor Deval Patrick. "It says that in Massachusetts, all married couples, gay or straight, are viewed equally under the law and deserve equal treatment in the Medicaid program," said Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality. The new law would give greater protection than current federal regulations.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts have sent the governor a bill to enhance protection against oil spills in Buzzards Bay. The bill requires the state to assign an escort tug and local pilot to every incoming barge. Last fall, the Coast Guard began requiring tug escorts and federally licensed pilots on all single-hulled barges. The state bill expands the requirement to double-hulled vessels. (AP)

The House has given initial approval to a bill that would require that all future legislation be written in language that is gender-neutral. The bill says legislation should contain phrases such as "he/she" and "his/her." A law professor said that is part of a trend in the business and legal professions. The law is being cosponsored by Representatives Cory Atkins, Christine Canavan, Kay Kahn, and John Rodgers. It was sent to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading yesterday, meaning it could come back for a vote before the full chamber at any time. (AP)

A former Maynard firefighter serving time for sexual assault has pleaded guilty to indecent assault and battery on another family friend. Prosecutors say Anthony Tyler, 46, was sentenced Tuesday to three years and one day in prison, to be served following the completion of a three-year term on a prior conviction that began in March. (AP)