Suspect arrested in $110,000 ring theft

A man suspected of stealing a $110,000 diamond ring from a store in Newton over the weekend has been arrested, police said. Barry Bartel, 36, of Quincy is being charged with larceny over $250, Newton police said. Bartel was arrested without incident yesterday at about 9:30 a.m. by Quincy detectives. He was to be arraigned in Newton District Court. Lieutenant Bruce Apotheker, police spokesman, said he did not know whether the ring had been recovered.

The attorney general's office has obtained an injunction against the owner of two Taunton dams accused of not complying with various safety orders. Under the court order, Jefferson Development agreed yesterday to immediately hire an engineer to help remove a rotting section of Morey's Bridge Dam. Attorney General Martha Coakley had sought an injunction against Jefferson Development requiring the owner of Morey's Bridge Dam and a temporary dam to fix various problems and to pay civil penalties. The court order does not mention the second dam, but the two sides are negotiating a settlement. The adjacent dams hold back the waters of Lake Sabbatia. (AP)

State Police say that a Rhode Island driver will face charges because his car struck a tractor-trailer carrying aviation fuel, causing it to overturn on Interstate 95 in Attleboro last week. The accident forced the closing of the southbound side of the highway for nearly 11 hours. State Police said Andrew Tavares, 21, of East Providence was driving too fast and lost control of his car. Tavares faces charges of negligent operation, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia, State Police said.

Massachusetts Republicans will see a changing of the guard at state party headquarters. Peter Torkildsen, party chairman, said yesterday that he will not seek reelection. Torkildsen, a former state representative and US congressman, said one reason for his departure is a desire to spend more time with his family. He said he would give himself a "mixed grade" as party chairman, pointing out that, while all Republican incumbents held their seats in last week's elections, three open House seats switched to Democratic.

A woman died after her car struck a tree on Route 1 south in Peabody yesterday, State Police said. The victim, who had not been identified last night, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the accident at 8:30 p.m., State Police Lieutenant Eric Anderson said. She was alone in the car. Authorities shut down the southbound lanes near the accident for about two hours, Anderson said. Peabody police and fire officials, Danvers police, Mass. Highway officials, and State Police were at the scene. The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section is investigating, Anderson said.

A Massachusetts boater accused of causing a violent boat collision that claimed two lives on a western Maine lake is going to prison for 3 1/2 years. Robert LaPointe of Medway was convicted in September of two counts of aggravated operating under the influence in the crash Aug. 11, 2007, on Long Lake in Harrison. A jury deadlocked on the more serious charges of manslaughter.(AP)

The restoration of a 130-year-old church organ was dealt a setback when a homeless man took a nap on four pipes. Officials at First Churches of Northampton said the man's weight severely damaged the 18-foot pipes, among about 50 stored in the basement during a $2 million restoration of the historic sanctuary. The Rev. Peter Ives estimated the damage at nearly $15,000. (AP)