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Massachusetts news

RI city vs. Brown in latest town-gown money clash

Mayor Angel Taveras (tuh-VEHR'-us) says Providence could be pushed to the brink of bankruptcy in part because one of its most prestigious institutions, Brown University, hasn't agreed to sacrifice enough. (Associated Press, 1:40 p.m.)

Mass. panel's findings on turbines to be discussed

Massachusetts residents who live near existing or proposed wind energy projects have a chance to respond to a recent report that found no major health risks from wind turbines. (AP, 1:18 p.m.)

Springfield detectives on hunt for sex offenders

There are about 11,100 sex offenders statewide and 600 in Springfield alone. Detectives Tracy Duda and John Aberdale are the city's investigators who track them. They often hit the streets for surprise visits at sex offenders' homes. Those checks are part of their mission to keep tabs on the nearly 200 offenders in Springfield thought to pose the most serious ... (Associated Press, 12:58 p.m.)

Statistics for sex offenders in Massachusetts

There are more than 11,000 sex offenders in Massachusetts who aren't incarcerated, according to the state's Sex Offender Registry Board. (AP, 12:58 p.m.)

West Springfield bus accident heads to trial

A judge has ruled that a Hatfield hay ride operator's lawsuit will go forward against the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority over injuries the man says he suffered after a bus frightened his horses. (AP, 11:38 a.m.)

Feds up New England catch limit on winter flounder

Federal fishing regulators are more than doubling the catch limit of winter flounder in the Gulf of Maine after new information shows it's not being overfished anymore. (AP, 11:18 a.m.)

UNH 1, Merrimack 1, OT

New Hampshire and Merrimack skated away with a tie after both teams failed to score in the third period and overtime to break a 1-1 stalemate. (AP, 8:58 a.m.)

Maine 2, UMass-Lowell 1

The University of Maine protected a one-goal lead through the third period and defeated the University of Massachusetts at Lowell 2-1 on the River Hawks' home ice. (AP, 8:48 a.m.)

SPIN METER: Romney backed earmarks as governor

Mitt Romney takes a hard line against congressional earmarks, but the GOP presidential front-runner had a more favorable view of federal pork-barrel spending when he was governor of Massachusetts. (Associated Press, 11:18 a.m.)

From the go, roller-coaster GOP White House race

From the start, it's been a roller-coaster race for the Republican presidential nomination. GOP primary voters can catch their collective breath for the next two weeks after spending the past six lurching toward one candidate and then another in an exercise of political soul-searching that appears far from settled. (Associated Press, 11:58 a.m.)

Analysis: Obama pitches middle while GOP eyes base

The dustup over contraception underscored President Barack Obama's political edge in working to attract independent voters without alienating his Democratic base. His Republican rivals are forced to keep emphasizing their conservative credentials to attract the right-leaning activists who dominate the nominating contests. (Associated Press, 10:28 a.m.)

Santorum plans aggressive strategy against Romney

A day after Mitt Romney regained some momentum in the Republican presidential contest, his rival Rick Santorum went on the attack, calling the front-runner "desperate" while promising to compete aggressively to win the state where Romney grew up. (Associated Press, 1:40 p.m.)

Quincy woman's pretzels reach across region

For 17 years, Linda DeMarco has baked her pretzels in an unassuming Jamaica Plain warehouse, just around the corner from the Boston Beer Co.'s Sam Adams brewery. (The Patriot Ledger, 12:09 a.m.)

Mass. man sheds lots of weight to play with kids

Two years ago, Brian Meifert would have laughed in the face of anyone who told him he would run five miles during his lunch break at work. (Sentinel And Enterprise, 12:09 a.m.)

City officials shut down restaurant

A 29-year-old Massachusetts man died after hitting a tree while snowboarding at a ski resort, Vermont State Police said. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Couple to be arraigned in subsidy fraud

A Lowell restaurant and bar was shut down by the Board of Health on Friday, the same day a fight there resulted in 14 arrests, officials said. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Youth center moving forward

The contract with the Andover Youth Foundation to build a new youth center in town was unanimously accepted and signed Monday by the Board of Selectmen. Voters at a Special Town Meeting in December approved spending $2 million from the town’s operating budget to help build a proposed $4.2 million, 20,000-square-foot center behind Doherty Middle School. After the contract was signed, the foundation presented the town with a $400,000 payment that will go toward architects’ fees, said Diane Costagliola, foundation chairwoman. Town manager Reginald S. Stapczynski is forming a seven-member building committee for the project, Costagliola said, adding that she expects he’ll present his final list for selectmen approval later this month. Including the $2 million from the town, the foundation has $3.8 million in the bank for the center and is continuing its fund-raising efforts, she said. - Katheleen Conti (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Static in the Big Tunnel? No, you’re not hearing things. There’s something wrong with the antennae

Recent roadway-resurfacing work has damaged some sections of the AM antennas that run the length of the Thomas P. “Tip’’ O’Neill Jr. Tunnel, diminishing the quality of radio reception. The imbalance that created in the AM signal has also affected the FM. At peak travel hours, when traffic slows to a crawl, that can make for unpleasant commuting. Good news: The Department of Transportation intends to fix the problem in the spring. (Globe Staff, 12 a.m.)

Quincy’s QCAP expands free tax preparation to all of Norfolk County

Quincy Community Action Programs this year has expanded its free tax-preparation service to low-income residents throughout Norfolk County. And unlike for-fee tax preparation services, QCAP also gives taxpayers advice on how to use their refunds. (Globe Correspondent, 12 a.m.)

Town to adopt BYOB policy

Maynard will implement a “Bring Your Own Beverage’’ policy for restaurants and businesses that do not have a liquor license, by March. The town is permitted to issue 27 liquor licenses. Town Administrator Michael Sullivan said at least four establishments have expressed interest in allowing customers to bring in beer and wine, including El Huipil at 51R Main St., Willy’s ... (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Town Meeting on Wednesday

There are three articles on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting on Wednesday. One would authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the state for a pouring license for the Wenham Tea House, which is being sought by the Wenham Village Historical Society. The others seek money to replace a Water Department generator and a police car that was damaged last fall. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Perkins Auditorium of the Buker School, School Street. - David Rattigan (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Globe West Best Bets

EVENTS Waltham: The 16th annual New England Model Engineering Show will showcase a wide variety of working creations fashioned on a smaller scale, including steam, gasoline, aircraft, and Stirling cycle engines, clocks, and model boats, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, 154 Moody St. Admission $7; $5 children, students, and seniors; under 6, military, and CRMI members free. 781-893-5410, www.crmi.org. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Romney, an earmark critic, once was the target of a personal one

Mitt Romney has attacked Rick Santorum over his support for earmarks, but the former Massachusetts governor stood to benefit from one in 2004 when drainage problems plagued his Belmont home. Meanwhile, a top House official denies speculation that his chamber might rely on proceeds from the state’s new casino gambling law to balance its 2013 budget. And Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray seems to be rebuilding his personal brand after a couple months of bad publicity. (Globe Staff, 12 a.m.)

Dog safety class offered

The public library’s “Tail Waggin’ tutor,” Dundee, and his handler will hold a dog safety class from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the library. The presentation will focus on how to approach a strange dog, what to do about neighborhood dogs, and other dog-related questions. The session is geared for children, kindergarten age and older, who are afraid of dogs, or those too quick to approach a dog assuming it will be friendly. Registration is requested. Call 508-378-1616. - Christine Legere (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Vacation week at the museum

The Hull Lifesaving Museum is holding special school vacation week activities from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 to 23. The sessions will start with reading a classic children’s sea story, followed by a related crafts project. All materials and a morning snack are included. Children may attend a single day or all three, and sessions are limited to eight children. The cost is $12 a day for museum members and $15 a day for nonmembers. For more information and registration, contact the museum at 781-925-5433. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Book events and news from New England

Fans of the late English novelist Barbara Pym will gather to discuss the subtleties of her wit and prose and the rather proper world her characters inhabit. Pym’s 1953 novel “Jane and Prudence’’ is the focus of this year’s Barbara Pym Society conference March 16-18 in Cambridge, Mass. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Raffle for anniversary quilt

Residents have a chance to win one of the two quilts that have been created for the town’s 300th anniversary celebrations this year. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each at the library, with proceeds going to support anniversary activities. The colorful quilts, which are virtually identical, were created by a group of volunteers led by Deborah Wall, Pembroke’s library director, and depict Pembroke landmarks. The one that is not raffled will be displayed in the library. For more information on the quilts and the celebrations, visit www.Pembroke300.com. - John Laidler (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Backing the schools

The Rockland Education Foundation has awarded $23,501 in grants to teachers and administrators in the public schools. Successful proposals include continuing the high school Shakespeare Festival, held every four years and set for March 29-30; providing iPads for high school math classes; continuing the Esten School “Poet in Residence” and the “Destination Imagination” problem-solving challenge at Memorial Park School; field trips; and purchasing books and computer programs. An additional $8,500 was awarded to Superintendent John Retchless to be spent on new programs throughout the school year. The foundation has provided money for instructional materials and other start-up expenses for a full-day kindergarten that begins next fall. The foundation’s primary fund-raiser is a golf tournament held in June, and money also was raised through a dining event at the 99 Restaurant last fall. - Steve Hatch (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Conway School of Landscape Design students assess Concord’s food resilience

Concord is at the center of a study by a group of graduate students from the Conway School of Landscape Design to assess the town’s readiness to provide its own food. Given the town’s deep agricultural heritage, said Brooke Redmond of the Concord Community Food Report Project, Concord is well suited to developing its arable land to reduce its dependence on food from far-flung places such as Asia and Australia. (Globe Correspondent, 12 a.m.)

Ideas for calmer traffic

The town has begun accepting “traffic calming’’ requests from residents, town boards, and department heads, to identify problem areas that could be fixed by placing features to induce drivers to pay attention to their surroundings. Examples of traffic calming include placement of signs along a road or such things as benches, bike racks, or shelters - not stop signs or speed limits. Requests will go through a review process that includes a public hearing, an evaluation from the town’s engineering department, and a final review by the Dedham Transportation Advisory Committee before heading to Town Meeting for funding approval. - Natalie Feulner (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Night sky learning

Scituate Town Library will host “Using the Sky to Know Where You Are - A History of Celestial Navigation,’’ Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. Presented by Bill Luzader of the South Shore Astronomical Society, the event will teach participants how to use the sky to determine your location on Earth, and will cover the history behind the practice, from the 1600s to today. Telescopic observation of the evening sky, weather permitting, will be available after sundown. This event is free and open to the public. - Jessica Bartlett (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Food for library fines

From Feb. 21 to 25, residents can make their library fines disappear if they bring in donations of canned or non-perishable food. The Plymouth Public Library launched its “Food For Fines” program a year and a half ago and “it’s been pretty darn successful,” said library director Dinah O’Brien, who also serves as Plymouth’s director of community resources. The program takes place on the third week of every month. The library collects food in lieu of fines and gives the donations to the South Shore Community Action Council, which helps supply the local food pantry. (One non-perishable item pays the fine for one overdue item.) For more information on the program, and other library initiatives, visit www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org. - Emily Sweeney (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Business loans available

Small businesses in Brockton that need capital to develop can obtain loans from the South Eastern Economic Development Corp., which obtained extra funding last year and now has $5 million available to lend. Loans of up to $200,000 can be used for inventory, purchase of equipment, refinancing, and working capital. SEED also can help provide so-called micro-loans of up to $50,000 through the federal Small Business Administration. For more information on programs of SEED, call 508-822-1020 or visit www.seedcorp.com. - Steve Hatch (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Committees need volunteers

Volunteers are being sought for a charter-required Citizens Advisory Panel to assist the town manager with recruitment, evaluation, and appointments to the town’s various boards and committees. Members will help publicize vacancies, review candidates’ applications, interview candidates, and provide recommendations to the town manager. Volunteers are also needed for the Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessors, Energy/Master Plan Committee, Historical Commission and Water and Sewer Commission. Applications for volunteer positions are available on the town website at www.bridgewaterma.org. Applications can be sent to the town manager at 66 Central Square, Bridgewater, MA 02324 or e-mailed to lsullivan@bridgewaterma.org. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Live from Town Hall

Easton will soon have a new live reality show - the Board of Selectmen. According to Jason Daniels, executive director of Easton Community Access Television, live telecasts should begin by April. The equipment needed for the telecasts has been obtained, and the selectmen have given their OK. Once the selectmen’s meeting room is wired, other meetings held there also could be televised live. ECAT currently shows tapes of meetings of five boards, which also can be viewed online by visiting www.eastoncat.org. - Steve Hatch (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

London award nominations

Do you know a special citizen or organization that deserves to be nominated for the 3rd annual Roy London Humanitarian Award? London was a Westwood citizen who helped others in the community, and the award is presented annually to a person or organization that embodies his spirit. Nominations should be submitted to Christine McCarthy at Westwood Town Hall, 580 High St., by Feb. 24. The award(s) will be presented at a Board of Selectmen meeting in March. Contact McCarthy at cemccarthy@townhall.westwood.ma.us or 781-320-1016 . More information is also available at www.townhall.westwood.ma.us. - Michele Morgan Bolton (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Sysco hiring at new center

Construction of the major new distribution center for Sysco is progressing on schedule, and the company has begun adding employees, according to Selectmen Chairman John Henry. “They’re booming right along,” said Henry, who said he stopped by a week ago and watched part of the installation of about 15 acres of roofing on the roughly 650,000-square-foot building. He said the company expects to meet its target opening date of early June. “It’s gone very, very fast,” Henry said, adding that the company announced its plans for construction at the Plympton Industrial Park a little over a year ago. The plant will employ about 800 people, most of whom will be transferred from Sysco’s current facility in Norton. More information about the company is available at syscobostonllc.com. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Caring for conservation lands

The Norton Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission will introduce a stewardship program, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 15, at the Norton Public Library. Under the program, residents can help local committees monitor and maintain the town’s conservation properties. For more information, call the conservation office at 508-285-0275. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Let the quiz-kid battle begin

The new season of WGBH television’s “High School Quiz Show” premieres tonight, and a team of four Sharon High School students is scheduled to appear next Sunday. The team of junior Hari Anbarasu and sophomores Clara Mao, Peter Riley, and Siddarth Singh will face Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, the same school that knocked Sharon out of the competition last year. Juniors Pitt Phonboon and Frank Zhou serve as alternates. The show is taped in advance. If Sharon wins, the students will face Brookline or Seekonk, whichever school wins tonight. The show airs on WGBH 2 at 6:30 p.m. Other schools south of Boston competing include Hingham and Milton, which face one another March 11. The state final airs May 20. - Jennette Barnes (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Newton alderman decries bus cut proposals

Alderman Brian Yates thinks the MBTA bus cut proposals will have far reaching effects in Newton. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Finance director post

Town officials are discussing creating an appointed finance director position to provide selectmen and others with strategic financial planning advice. Currently, the town elects a tax collector and a town treasurer to guide town finances, but neither position requires what Town Administrator Jim Thomas termed “the litmus test” of professional education or credentials. “For a community of our size, we need a certain education and certain competencies,’’ Thomas said. “To me, it’s time for Kingston to join the rest of the communities in acquiring somebody’’ with the needed skills. Selectmen will be discussing the idea in the next few weeks. Creating a position and abolishing a currently elected position such as tax collector would require approval by Town Meeting. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

February vacation camp

The Recreation Commission will hold a vacation camp for Grades 1 to 5 during the school holiday week, Feb. 21 to 24, at the elementary school. The cost is $45 per day or $160 for the full Tuesday-through-Friday session. Field trips will include bowling, movies, museums, and a mystery location, all included in the above charge, along with transportation, lunch, and additional snacks. The camp is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Travel times will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit halifaxyouthandrec.org for additional information and camp applications. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Federal judges straying from sentencing guidelines for child porn convictions

The widening departure from sentencing guidelines in such a politically sensitive arena as the exploitation of children has caused such a stir that the US Sentencing Commission has agreed to examine the guidelines again, listing the endeavor as a priority. And a battle between policymakers, judges, prosecutors and public defenders over the guidelines is bound to play out as judges defend their sentences, and policymakers call for tougher punishments for a crime that has been called a national epidemic. (Globe Staff, 12 a.m.)

Town manager search begins

The Board of Selectmen is completing an initial phase in the search for a new town manager. Selectmen held the second of two public meetings Feb. 4 to seek input from residents on the qualities they would like to see in a future manager. They have also been gathering input from department heads, according to Scott Crabtree, the board chairman. The position is vacant due to the recent retirement of Andrew Bisignani, who is now town manager in Nahant. Town counsel John Vasapolli is serving as temporary town manager. - John Laidler (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Yarnbombing project kickoff

ArcWorks Community Art Center is starting a “yarnbombing’’ project. A growing practice in the arts, yarnbombing refers to displaying knitting or crocheting on public locations such as parking meters, poles, street lamps, bike racks, telephone booths, trees, sculpture, and even potholes and overpasses. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to a kickoff meeting from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the ArcWorks Community Art Center, 22 Foster St. For more information on the project, contact the center’s director, Merritt Kirkpatrick, at 978-531-7146 or mkirkpatrick@ne-arc.org. - John Laidler (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

28 flavors, one talk

Historian Anthony Sammarco will present a program on Howard Johnson’s restaurants Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Deacon Willard Lewis House. Howard Johnson opened his first restaurant in Quincy in the 1920s and turned it into a national chain with iconic orange roofs and 28 flavors of ice cream. There were two HoJo’s in Walpole, according to the Walpole Historical Society, sponsor of the talk. The Deacon Willard Lewis House is at 33 West St. - Johanna Seltz (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

New police chief introduced

Norwood will have a new police chief come May 1, the day after the retirement of current chief Bartley King. William Brooks, a former Norwood officer and current deputy police chief in Wellesley, has been chosen and was introduced to the public at a Board of Selectmen meeting Feb. 7. Brooks previously served in the Norwood Police Department for 18 years, and General Manager John Carroll said he was the strongest of four candidates. “I wanted to appoint somebody I knew,’’ Carroll said. “We’ve known Bill for a long time, and he has a great deal of experience.’’ (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Democrat caucus Feb. 25

Hanson Democrats will be holding a caucus on Feb. 25 to choose delegates and alternates to this year’s Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. The caucus, organized by the Hanson Democratic Town Committee, will be held at 2 p.m. in the lower level of Town Hall, 542 Liberty St. Anyone 18 and over from Hanson who was registered as a Democrat as of Dec. 31 can vote or run in the caucus. Four delegates and three alternates will be elected. The main business of the convention, set for June 2 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, will be to endorse a candidate in this year’s race for US Senate. For more information, call Kathy DiPasqua Egan at 781-308-3241. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Finance committee openings

The town is seeking to fill two openings on the Finance Committee. The vacancies resulted from the recent resignations of George Donovan last summer and Christian McMillan last month. One of the openings will expire this June 30 and the other on June 30, 2014. The slots will be filled through appointments made jointly by the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, the chairman of the Finance Committee, and the town moderator. Anyone interested in being considered for the seats is asked to submit an application to the selectmen’s office by Feb. 29. (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Lend-a-Hand Auction Feb. 25

Opportunity Works, a local nonprofit that provides employment, community, and recreational services to individuals with developmental delays, is sponsoring its annual Lend-a-Hand Auction. The event is scheduled for noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 25. Bidders can watch the broadcast live on Comcast and streamed on portmedia.org. The auction features sports tickets and memorabilia, a stay at the Hyatt Regency Boston, and an African safari. To check out a complete list of items, visit www.opportunityworks.org. Items may be previewed from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Feb.23 at the Nock Middle School, 70 Low St. Winning bidders should pick up and pay for their items between noon and 3 p.m. Feb. 26. For more information, contact Deborah Andrews, director of development for Opportunity Works, at 978-462-6144 or e-mail deborah.andrews@opportunityworks.org. - Brenda J. Buote (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)