AG files objection to LNG unloading plan

Attorney General Martha Coakley is objecting to a plan to build an offshore berth to receive tanker deliveries of liquefied natural gas. The proposal by Weaver's Cove Energy would let tankers unload in Mount Hope Bay. The gas would then flow through a pipeline to Fall River. Coakley filed a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, saying the company has failed to address the fact that the proposed facility would be on an inland seabed the state owns. (AP)

A Virginia man made a big mistake when he allegedly pointed a laser pointer at some police officers. They decided to charge him and, during the process, realized that he was wanted in Boston on drug charges dating back 21 years, law enforcement officials said yesterday. Elias Efremidis, 52, was arrested in the small town of Front Royal, Va., after police learned his true identity, said Front Royal police Sergeant Jason Ryman. Efremidis was arrested Feb. 26, 1988, after 2 kilograms of cocaine, cash, and drug paraphernalia were found in his room at the Susse Chalet in Dorchester , Suffolk prosecutors said. At his arraignment later that day, bail was set at $25,000. Efremidis posted that amount and did not appear at a March 25 hearing. Ryman said he did not know why Efremidis allegedly pointed the laser at the officers. Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said detectives from his office will bring Efremidis back to Boston.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino yesterday launched a website to allow the public to track how the city spends federal stimulus funds. The site, www.cityofboston.gov/recovery, will lay out how the city plans to allocate about $89.4 million it expects to receive from the federal government for housing projects, road repairs, and homelessness prevention. Also yesterday, City Council President Michael P. Ross established a special Council committee to oversee spending of the stimulus cash. Councilor Stephen J. Murphy will chair the panel.

Authorities are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with three cases of arson in Jamaica Plain. Boston police, in conjunction with the Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are seeking the public's assistance to identify anyone connected to the fires, the first of which occurred on Sigourney Street on Feb. 7, 2008. The second fire struck on Jan. 6 this year at Maria's Hair Salon and Spa on South Street. The third blaze occurred on Jan. 28 in a detached house on School Street. No one was hurt in any of the blazes. Anyone with information may call the Arson Hotline at 617-343-3324. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 1-800-494-TIPS.

The house explosion that killed 62-year-old Rose Marie Rebello in Somerset on Feb. 19 may have been caused by damage to the gas main by a third-party contractor, according to a letter sent by New England Gas Co. to the town of Somerset. The official cause of the blast is under investigation, but, according to the utility, the gas main included a short section in front of the house that was breached. Before the explosion, firefighters and gas company crews were in the area investigating several reports of a strong gas odor.

A 22-year-old man is facing attempted murder and other charges after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend's baby daughter in a Mansfield hotel room. Matthew Werner allegedly hit and choked the teething 11-month-old, stopping only after his girlfriend, Amber Roberts, 21, of Laconia, N.H., struggled with him and screamed, Mansfield police said in a statement. When he dropped the baby, Destiny, the mother picked her up and ran to the hotel manager for help, police said. In addition to a charge of attempted murder for the alleged attack on Destiny, Werner faces a domestic assault and battery charge on Roberts. He was arraigned yesterday in Attleboro District Court. He was ordered held without bail, the Associated Press reported. The baby is in state custody, police said.