More senior homeowners to get tax credit
More senior homeowners are eligible for tax credits under a bill Governor Mitt Romney signed yesterday at a Thanksgiving dinner for seniors. The legislation lowers the property tax burden for homeowners over 65, allowing more people to claim the credit. ''Seniors should be able to stay as long as they want in the homes where they've raised families and created a lifetime of memories," Romney said. Under existing law, certain eligible seniors can receive an annual state income tax credit of up to $840 if their house is valued at $400,000 or less. The new bill raises the property value threshold to $600,000, making more seniors eligible for tax relief, the governor said. The new law also allows cities and towns the option of charging seniors a lower interest rate on property tax bills they have deferred. (AP)
NEWTON
Safest US city ranking is bestowed again
Newton was the safest US city for the second year in a row, according to an annual ranking released today. The survey by Morgan Quinto Press, based on major crime statistics, also ranked Camden, N.J., as the country's most dangerous city. Newton has placed in the top five safest cities in six of the last seven years, also earning the top spot last year and 1999. In the latest survey, Newton bested Clarkstown, N.Y.; Amherst, N.Y.; Mission Viejo, Calif.; and Brick Township, N.J., which rounded out the top five. The rankings, released annually for the last 12 years, utilize FBI crime data on murder, rape, robbery and other major offenses to compare 354 cities with 75,000 or more people.
FITCHBURG
Trooper who fatally shot man returns
A state trooper removed from duty after he fatally shot a Fitchburg man earlier this month has returned to duty, a State Police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday. Donald C. Gray, an 11-year veteran of the force, based in the Leominster barracks, had been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 3, when he shot 30-year-old Preston D. Johnson during a traffic stop. Gray told investigators he believed Johnson intended to use his car to run down Gray and a Fitchburg police officer. Johnson, who spent four years in prison for a 1996 shooting at Fitchburg State College, died Nov. 4 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester after doctors took him off life support.
BOW, N.H.
Apparent murder-suicide victims ID'd
Authorities have identified the men who died in an apparent murder-suicide on Friday night. Joseph E. Grigas, 22, shot Elmer F. Rule Jr., 50, three times in the chest and head in Grigas's driveway, according to a statement released by Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte. Grigas then shot himself in the head. Authorities would not speculate on a motive for the slayings. Rule worked as a dispatch supervisor for the State Police and was returning home after his shift at State Police headquarters in Concord at the time of the shooting. Neighbors said Grigas, who lived with his family, was a graduate of Bow High School and had recently returned from serving in a Navy reserve unit. He faced drunken driving and drug possession charges after an arrest last month. (AP)
WEST BOYLSTON
Accident victim was Fitchburg resident
State Police have identified the 55-year-old woman who was killed Saturday when her Chrevrolet Suburban was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 190 in West Boylston. Ann M. Bresnahan, of Fitchburg, was stopped in the northbound left lane when the accident occurred at about 6 p.m. State Police said the tractor-trailer, driven by Dennis Bogoslofski, 53, of Somers, Conn., struck the Suburban and then spun and struck a Chevy Malibu driven by Lauren Sargent, 20, of Clinton. Bresnahan was not wearing a seat belt, State Police said. No one else was injured in the accident, which is under investigation.
BOSTON
Jury finds sheriff violated guards' rights
A federal jury has found that Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson violated the First Amendment Rights of five guards when he suspended them for union activities five years ago. The sheriff says he will appeal. US District Court Judge Morris Lasker ordered Hodgson on Friday to pay the guards lost wages and attorneys' fees. That could amount to more than $100,000. Three of the guards were suspended for discussing union activities while on duty; two were suspended for leaving their control area unattended, but say they were singled out for union activism. (AP) 