Expelled Chinese activist returns to US

The Harvard scholar and human rights activist who once served five years in a Chinese prison returned to American soil yesterday after he was again expelled from the Asian country, foiled in his bid to use the Olympic Games in Beijing to spotlight human rights abuses in his home country. Yang Jianli, who was first expelled from the country after the deadly prodemocracy demonstrations in Beijing in 1989, was stopped by government officials trying to crack down on dissidents as the Olympic Games arrive. Jianli was detained in Hong Kong and forced on a plane to Japan. He arrived in New York last night, relieved to be back in the United States but still determined to raise awareness of abuses in China. He is expected to drive home this morning.

Police are warning residents in Hyde Park of a recent crime trend involving the overnight theft of tires from cars parked on city streets. The types of cars that seem to be targeted are newer model Hondas and Accuras. Police sent out a community notice yesterday urging residents to report to police anyone changing a tire during the nighttime, and police will respond to see if there is any wrongdoing. Police also advised residents not to leave valuables in their cars. Many of the incidents occurred in the area of Clare Avenue, Ernest Avenue, Oak Street, Sierra Road, and Braeburn Road.

A 35-year-old man was injured after falling onto the train tracks at the Stony Brook station on the Orange Line last night, officials said. The man, who was not identified, was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital with minor chest injuries, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said. He fell onto the southbound tracks about 6:45 p.m. before MBTA personnel removed him. There was no word on his condition last night.

Attorney General Martha Coakley says her goal is to keep the beach at the center of an ongoing dispute in Marshfield open to the public. Protesters who want to keep Rexhame Beach open say they fear Coakley has reached a deal with local abutters who claim ownership of the beach. Coakley issued a statement yesterday saying there has been a lot of misinformation circulated. She said the goal of her office is to ensure public access to Rexhame Beach to the greatest extent possible. Coakley described the dispute as a complex case that has evolved over the course of the last decade, particularly during the last 18 months. She also said there are no past court rulings or existing law that explain who owns the section of the beach. (AP)

An employee of the commuter rail system was suspended this week while authorities investigate whether he stole scrap metal from the company, said Rich Davey, deputy general manager of Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co., which runs commuter rail under contract with the MBTA. If proven, the employee, or any others involved, face discipline, including termination, Davey said. He would not name the suspended employee. The matter has been referred to MBTA police. Davey said the company and MBTA police are also investigating copper theft at two of its rail yards.

A Middleborough man died after his car crashed into a tree yesterday, a police spokesman said. About 5:15 p.m., Carmelo Cacciatore, 20, hit a tree near 136 Spruce St. and was dead when police arrived on the scene, Officer Terry Meleski of the Middleborough police said.

A highly aggressive form of milfoil has been discovered in a central Maine lake. Biologists discovered the invasive plant last Friday in Salmon Lake, part of a chain of lakes in the Belgrade area, including Great Pond. Biologists and lake association members were planning to meet last night to discuss the best way to eradicate the Eurasian milfoil. (AP)