House OK's tax breaks for filmmakers

House lawmakers yesterday approved a bill designed to entice filmmakers to Massachusetts with a series of tax breaks and incentives. The bill would exempt from state sales tax all purchases related to filming or production of a movie as long as the production company intended to spend at least $250,000 in the state during a 12-month period. The tax break also would apply to film students for the purchases of materials for school-related projects. A company that applies for the tax break but fails to meet the $250,000 threshold would be held liable for back sales taxes plus interest. The bill also includes income tax and corporate excise tax credits and would cap how much the state could charge for use of state-owned property for a movie. The bill now goes to the Senate. (AP)

Councilor urges incentive for hybrid cars

Councilor Paul J. Scapicchio is expected to propose today that the city offer incentives to encourage Boston drivers to buy hybrid vehicles. Scapicchio of East Boston, said the incentives could include free parking at meters and city parking lots. The policy would remain in effect until the number of hybrids increases dramatically, said Scapicchio, who estimated the number of such vehicles in Boston at about 50. He said the plan would not significantly reduce city parking revenue.

Police probe multiple shootings at house

Police are investigating back-to-back shootings at a Harvard Street house in Dorchester, said Michael McCarthy, a department spokesman. A male victim was shot last night at the triple-decker, one evening after a woman was wounded at the same location. Police said they are looking into whether the two shootings are related. The victims were not identified last night. McCarthy said the male victim was involved in a shooting about a year ago at the same address. Both victims were being treated at Boston Medical Center.

Man is accused of sharing child porn

A Brighton man was arrested and arraigned yesterday on child pornography charges, after he allegedly offered to share computer images of children on the Internet through a network that allows direct file sharing, according to Attorney General Tom Reilly's office. Victor Bialski, 59, of Brighton, was arrested at his Brighton apartment after a two-month investigation by state police officers assigned to Reilly's office. Bialski was arraigned at Brighton District Court and is to appear Dec. 14.

Seven are arrested, some on gun charges

Seven people were arrested in the city Monday and yesterday, some on gun-related charges, police said. Police pulled over a car in Roslindale and, after spotting a gun in the vehicle, arrested Carl Romain, 17, of Roslindale, Addison Ross, 17, of Mattapan, Kelvin Ervin, 20, of Mattapan, and a 13-year-old. In the second incident, officers from the Youth Violence Strike Force responded to a report of shots fired on Ballou Avenue. A 15-year-old Dorchester juvenile was seen discarding a weapon and was arrested. Then, early yesterday, in Roxbury, Jose Martins, 23, of Dorchester was arrested after he allegedly did not stop at a stop sign. His passenger, David Martins, 25, of Dorchester, was arrested on gun charges. The suspects were arraigned yesterday.

BILLERICA

Teen accused of chasing trick-or-treaters

Police arrested a local teen Monday and may arrest another after the youths allegedly chased trick-or-treaters with chainsaws through a neighborhood. Police received several calls about teenagers jumping out of bushes and scaring young Halloween revelers with the saws, which did not have chains attached. Witnesses told police one of the attackers was wearing a hockey mask similar to ''Friday the 13th" villain Jason Voorhees. Shane Surplus, 17, was arraigned yesterday in Lowell District Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon.

WORCESTER

Priest in Vegas sex scandal loses his post

A Roman Catholic priest arrested in Las Vegas last year on charges of performing a lewd act on another man inside an adult bookstore was removed as pastor of a Worcester parish. Bishop Robert McManus told parishioners Sunday that the Rev. James Aquino was being removed from Our Lady of Loreto parish, where he had been pastor since 1986. Last week, Aquino, 66, took to the pulpit to publicly deny the charges, but his arrest report and court records were recently posted on the website of a lay advocacy group, Worcester Voice of the Faithful, The Telegram & Gazette reported. Aquino pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in the case in March. (AP)