Fire damages church and thrift shop

December 26, 2008

A Lawrence church and its thrift shop were damaged in a fire yesterday, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jack Bergeron. The fire at 191/193 Newbury St., which began around 3:30 a.m., caused an estimated $185,000 in damage. Firefighters had to cut through security doors to get into the one-story building, which is home to a church and an affiliated charitable store that distributes clothes. One firefighter suffered a minor elbow injury, but there were no further injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A 30-year-old man who was stabbed in the neck Wednesday was in critical condition yesterday at Boston Medical Center, said Elaine Driscoll, Boston police spokeswoman. The man, whose name was not released, is probably homeless, as was his male assailant, said police. The attack occurred near Harrison Avenue and East Berkeley Street.

A bill to make it illegal for drivers to send text messages on cellphones or type on laptop computers or other electronic devices is coming back before the New Hampshire Legislature. David Campbell's bill passed in the House this year but died in the Senate. The Nashua Democrat said he is reintroducing the bill because he thinks people are more aware of the issue now. The bill would ban text messaging while driving and two-handed operation of electronic devices. It would exempt anyone driving an emergency vehicle, reporting a crime, or summoning medical or emergency help. Hired drivers also could communicate with dispatchers, and drivers could use global positioning systems. State law already allows police to ticket distracted drivers, so critics say the bill is unecessary. (AP)

A 14-year-old Quincy girl was in critical condition yesterday after she was hit by a minivan as she crossed a street in Quincy on Wednesday night, said State Police. The girl was crossing Quincy Shore Drive with a 13-year-old male when she was struck by a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Peter J. Newman 44, of Weymouth. The girl suffered serious injuries and was brought to Boston Medical Center. Police did not disclose the girl's name.

A 4-year-old girl has been seriously hurt after sticking her hand inside a grinding machine at a Fall River bakery. The child, who was injured Wednesday, was being treated at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. The girl's family owns the business, Lieutenant Joseph Donnelly Jr. told The Herald News. (AP)

A 431-acre reservation near Pine Mountain has been sold to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. The land features woodlands with marketable timber and fertile soil marked by blueberry barrens. The property, which was owned by Mary Jane Morse Greenwood, had been in her family for 135 years. (AP)

A 6-month-old boy last seen near his home in Miami on Tuesday may be traveling in a car with Massachusetts license plates, Miami Police Lieutenant Ron Laberdesque said last night. The boy, Riley Buchness, was last seen at his home, police said. He is white, weighs 11 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes, police said. The boy's mother, Meagan McCormic, told police the baby was last seen with his baby sitter, identified only as Camille, Laberdesque said. The baby sitter is white, about 30 years old, 5-feet-6inches tall, weighs 135 pounds, and has dark brown hair and eyes, police said. She may be driving a newer model red Acura. Miami police are asking anyone with information to call 305-579-6111.