SJC backs order to return owner's cats
A state Supreme Judicial Court justice has upheld a Boston Municipal Court judge's order to return four cats to a woman found guilty last month of six counts of animal cruelty, the Suffolk district attorney's office said yesterday. Justice Roderick L. Ireland turned down an appeal by Suffolk prosecutors when he ruled to return the cats to Heidi Erickson, 44. However, Ireland also wrote in a two-page ruling that Erickson must not violate any court order, including a May 2003 order from the Boston Housing Court that prohibits her from owning animals if she lives in a residential rental unit within Boston. Since the court order still holds, Erickson would not be able to live in a Boston apartment if she has the cats, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the district attorney's office.
Police say marijuana, firearm found in car
Three men were arrested early yesterday morning after a police officer noticed a man with an open container of alcohol sitting on the roof of his car at 10 Park Plaza, authorities said. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana and a loaded .38-caliber firearm hidden under a car seat. The men, Ismael Colon, 24, of Jamaica Plain; Antonio Rosa, 26, of Quincy; and Angel Carrlon, 26, of Watertown were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, police said. Rosa was charged with possession of a Class D substance. Rosa and Colon were also both charged with drinking an alcoholic beverage in public. The men are scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court tomorrow.
ARLINGTON
Voters OK Prop 2 1/2 override to raise taxes
In a special election in Arlington, voters yesterday approved a tax increase that will add $6 million to the town's annual tax revenue. The Proposition 2 1/2 override was approved 7,123 to 6,560. Town Clerk Corinne Rainville said that 48 percent of the town's registered voters voted in the election. The tax increase is part of the town's comprehensive fiscal plan to balance its budget at a time when state aid is dwindling and health insurance costs for employees are soaring. The town plans to limit town and school budgets to 4 percent increases each year for the four years beginning with fiscal year 2007; limit town and school health benefit costs to 7 percent increases each year; maintain at least 5 percent of the town's revenues in its reserve fund; and allow tax exemptions for senior citizens who are living on fixed incomes.
PEABODY
Boy, 11, seriously hurt in hit-and-run
An 11-year-old boy was seriously hurt in a hit-and-run accident on Elm Street Friday night and police are searching for the driver of a black Cadillac who left the scene, according to Lieutenant Edward Bettencourt, of the Peabody Police Department. Police said the boy, whom they did not identify, had picked up a pizza and was crossing Elm Street with his mother at about 10:20 p.m., when he was hit by the Cadillac. The boy was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was being treated yesterday for serious leg injuries, according to Bettencourt.
WALTHAM
Police say man tried to run down officer
Waltham police are searching for a man who authorities say tried to run down a police officer with a car on Thursday night. According to a release issued by the Police Department, authorities are looking for Joseph Elwell, 37, of Campton, N.H., after he allegedly accelerated his vehicle toward a Waltham police detective who was investigating suspicious activity on Crescent Street. The detective jumped out of the vehicle's path, and was unhurt. Elwell is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon.
LYNN
Speed cited in rollover injuring 2 teens
Two teenagers were seriously injured in a rollover accident on the Lynnway early yesterday morning, State Police said. A 17-year-old male driver, whom authorities did not identify, was hurt after his vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and rolled over, according to State Police spokeswoman Veronica Dalton. ''Speed is a factor in this crash," said Dalton. The driver was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was in serious condition yesterday. His 15-year-old female passenger was transported to Salem Hospital, where she was in serious condition yesterday, authorities said.
LANCASTER
Truck strikes motorcyclist on Route 2
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident yesterday morning on Route 2, according to State Police spokeswoman Veronica Dalton. The motorcyclist, whose identity was not released, was driving east on Route 2 near Exit 35 at about 10:10 a.m. when he was struck by a pickup driven by James Beaudin, 44, of Bennington, Vt., Dalton said. The motorcyclist was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and treated yesterday for injuries. No charges have been filed in connection with the accident, which is under investigation by State Police.
