More mosquitoes test positive for virus

More mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus, this time in Hyde Park, the Boston Public Health Commission says. So far this summer, insects or birds infected with the virus have been discovered seven times in Boston. No human cases have been reported this year. Infected mosquitoes were found in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, and the Boston Harbor Islands. Two weeks ago, a blue jay tested positive for the virus in Charlestown, and last month, a red-tailed hawk in Jamaica Plain.

Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis has invited two law enforcement officials from Belfast to Boston so they can observe how police control the crowds at today's annual Caribbean Festival, which draws tens of thousands of people every year. Duncan McCausland, an assistant chief constable, and Andrew Galbraith, a chief inspector, arrived on Thursday and will stay through Tuesday to learn from police here and provide tips to Boston officials, Davis said. The Irish officers, who work for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, already have suggested that officers monitoring large crowds should film them and any crimes they see committed. The tactic will allow an officer to continue monitoring the crowd and make the arrest at a later time. It will also help keep the crowd from growing angry, Davis said.

The state has set Sept. 15 for a public hearing on the governor's plan to trim police details at construction sites. The hearing will be held at 5 p.m. at the State Transportation Building in the city's theater district. Those attending will be able to offer comments on proposed regulations that would replace police officers with civilian flaggers on certain low-speed or less-busy roads. Governor Deval Patrick thinks the change could save the tax- and utility-payers money by using less expensive traffic supervisors. (AP)

Firefighter Anthony Gaston was fired yesterday, five months after police allegedly caught him smoking marijuana while in uniform and in a Fire Department vehicle, said department spokesman Steve MacDonald. At a disciplinary hearing, fire officials last week found Gaston guilty of conduct unbecoming a firefighter and operating a department vehicle while under the influence of an illicit substance, among other charges, according to two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Gaston's arrest March 7 added fuel to city official's calls for instituting random drug and alcohol testing of the city's firefighters, a sticking point in firefighter contract negotiations since last fall, when autopsy results showed one firefighter had cocaine in his system and another was too drunk to legally drive when they died Aug. 29 in a West Roxbury restaurant fire. Gaston, who is awaiting trial on marijuana possession charges in Dorchester District Court, could not be reached for comment.

A burglary suspect who was arrested after a three-day standoff with police at a motel in Maryland is wanted in Massachusetts for burglary. An arrest warrant was issued in May for James Prevatt, after his DNA was matched to DNA at a Gardner home that was burglarized in January, according to the Worcester County district attorney's office. Prevatt is charged with breaking and entering and larceny. In a separate case, Prevatt served a month at the Worcester County jail in March and was released after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of larceny under $250. Maryland police went to the motel Wednesday to arrest Prevatt, 26, who is wanted in four states. He allegedly threatened to kill the officers and his pregnant girlfriend. (AP)

A fire Thursday night at a multimillion-dollar Beverly mansion was caused by the spontaneous combustion of painting solvents on rags, said state Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Beverly Fire Chief Richard F. Pierce. The three-story, wood-frame home on Hale Street belonged to Darrell W. Crate, who had been named by Governor Mitt Romney to serve as Massachusetts Republican Party chairman. No one was injured at the home, which was undergoing renovations, according to officials.