Small fire extinguished at nuclear plant

October 31, 2008

Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at Pilgrim Nuclear Station that apparently started in a cabinet where safety equipment is calibrated. There were no injuries, and no radioactivity was released in the fire Wednesday, said a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Neil Sheehan said the fire was detected just after 8 p.m. on the second floor of a maintenance building. The Plymouth Fire Department and on-site firefighters responded. Because it took more than 10 minutes to extinguish and off-site response was needed, the fire was classified as an unusual event. It is under investigation. (AP)

Nearly 17,500 high school seniors in Massachusetts will get four years of free tuition at state colleges and universities because of their high test scores. The students, nearly 500 more than last year, have been awarded the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship from the state. To qualify, they must score advanced on either the math or English portions of the MCAS exams and at least proficient on the other. They also must score in the top 25 percent of their district. In Massachusetts, tuition ranges from about $750 for community colleges to more than $1,600 at the University of Massachusetts. Students must pay for fees, books, and other expenses, which can cost up to $8,000 a year. (AP)

A special education teacher's aide in Winchester was indicted yesterday on charges he used the Internet to lure girls into pornography and sex, raping one of them. Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone said Christopher French, 28, groomed girls through online chats. He allegedly sent and received naked photographs and tried to entice the girls to meet him in his hot tub. In one case, Leone said French raped a 14-year-old girl at her house. French was an aide at McCall Middle School. He was suspended without pay in June, after his arrest on one count of child enticement. He was indicted yesterday on 18 counts of child rape, enticement, and pornography. His lawyer, Phillip A. Tracy Jr., said he could not comment on the specific charges but said he intended to present a vigorous defense. (AP)

A pedestrian was killed yesterday evening when she was hit by a shuttle bus in the area of 73 Seaport Boulevard in South Boston, police said. The woman, 45, was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Police did not release the woman's name yesterday and also had conflicting reports that said she was 35 years old.

A man was struck by a sport utility vehicle and killed yesterday outside his home in Lynn, police said. William Laurino, 60, was struck by the SUV near his home on Lynnfield Street at about 3:50 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The driver, Shawn Newhall, 41, of Lynn and his 5-year-old son were injured and taken to North Shore Medical Center Salem Hospital, police and hospital officials said. The boy had severe injuries and was later flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was listed in fair condition, a spokeswoman said. Newhall was also listed in fair condition at Salem Hospital, spokesman Kevin Ronningen said. It was not known whether charges will be filed.

A woman accused with her husband of giving their 4-year-old daughter a fatal overdose of prescription drugs will be released from jail as she awaits trial, a judge ruled yesterday. Judge Charles Hely said Carolyn Riley could be released on personal recognizance once she proves she has a place to live. Riley has been held without bail since February 2007, when she and her husband, Michael, were charged in the death of their daughter, Rebecca. The little girl was found dead on the floor of her parents' bedroom in Hull on Dec. 13, 2006. The Rileys have said they were only following the orders of their daughter's psychiatrist, who prescribed the drugs. (AP)