Billerica officer sues over military leave

A Billerica police officer has sued the department in federal court, contending that he was denied unpaid military leave when he was scheduled to report for duty with the US Army Reserve. Thomas J. Conners Jr. of Littleton alleges in his complaint filed last week in US District Court that he was "targeted and discriminated" against because he was told he would have to use personal time or sick leave to fulfill a few days of military service in 2005. Conners asserts in the suit that the department and Chief Daniel Rosa violated federal law. Rosa said he had not seen the suit and refused to comment. (AP)

State Police said they are investigating the possible abuse of gas cards by state troopers for personal use. An audit the State Police commissioned in July found gas-card usage exceeded expectations, and police are investigating deeper to determine whether any state troopers used the cards for purposes other than official business. State Police released a statement yesterday saying they will "take appropriate disciplinary action against any member found to have misused a fuel card."

A spokesman for Governor Deval Patrick said yesterday that the governor accepted the apology of a member of the Governor's Council whose reelection campaign falsely implied that Patrick had endorsed her in a mailing sent just before Tuesday's primary. But the governor's office still is not saying whether Patrick will pursue criminal charges. Kelly A. Timilty could face legal trouble over the blunder because a state law prohibits candidates from promoting themselves by using someone else's name without "the express consent" of that person. The penalty is imprisonment for not more than six months or a fine of not more than $1,000. "The governor and Kelly have spoken," Stephen Crawford, Patrick's campaign spokesman, said. "She offered her apology to the governor and he accepted it." Timilty easily won reelection.

Mosquitoes carrying Eastern equine encephalitis were found this week in New Bedford, public health authorities announced yesterday, the fifth find in Massachusetts this summer. Earlier this week, the state reported that mosquitoes with the virus, which kills up to 50 percent of people who fall ill with the infection, had been detected in Raynham, which, like New Bedford, is in the southeast section of the state. Previously, insects with the virus were discovered in Berkley, Carver, and Halifax. No human cases of Eastern equine encephalitis have been reported in Massachusetts since 2006.

A woman running for Vermont attorney general said she will prosecute President Bush for murder if she's elected. Charlotte Dennett, a 61-year-old attorney and investigative journalist from Cambridge, Mass., said Bush must be held accountable for the deaths of thousands of people in Iraq. In a news conference yesterday in Burlington, she was joined by former Los Angeles prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, who has written a book titled "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder." Dennett plans to name him special prosecutor if she is elected on Nov. 4. (AP)

Woodbury residents who want the Pledge of Allegiance restored to Woodbury Elementary School's daily routine have petitioned school officials. But members of the School Board want to talk with the superintendent and principal before following the wishes of the 168 people who signed the petition. It is not known when the pledge stopped being part of the daily routine. (AP)

The Museum of Russian Icons announced yesterday that the State Tretyakov Gallery of Moscow has agreed to send 16 of its most precious icons to the Clinton museum for display. It will be the first time some of the icons have left Moscow. The pieces will be on display at the Central Massachusetts museum from Oct. 16 to May 1. The icons will be specially crated and flown to the United States at a cost of $500,000. (AP)