New England in brief
BOSTON
Despite strong opposition from residents, city officials, and lawmakers, a proposal for a fancy dog hotel in South Boston was approved yesterday by the Zoning Board of Appeal. The kennel plan had been pushed by a South Shore couple who billed it as an upscale boarding facility and weekend day-care stop for the discriminating pet. Called Fenway Bark, the East First Street kennel would offer massages, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy as well as one-stop shopping for grooming, supplies, and training for about 100 dogs. Residents complained that the proposed kennel would be too close to their backyards and could create noise, odor, and traffic. The Boston Redevelopment Authority recommended denial of the plan, saying its land use was “incompatible’’ with the neighborhoods. South Boston lawmakers also opposed the plan. One more vote is needed by the zoning board for the project to go ahead.DEA analyst sentenced for harassment
A former analyst with the US Drug Enforcement Administration was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to harassment of a former girlfriend, including falsely implicating her in a drug investigation, the US Department of Justice said. Earl S. Hoffman Jr., 41, formerly of Lowell, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to wire fraud, violating the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, making false statements, and creating false and altered records in a federal investigation, the Justice Department said. He used his DEA position to illegally access records belonging to the victim, who had a restraining order against him, the department said.SWANSEA
Teen cyclist hurt when struck by car, bus
A teenager riding his bike was seriously injured yesterday when he was struck by a car and a school bus in Swansea, authorities said. The 15-year-old boy, who was not identified, was riding at Hinsdale Avenue and Bark Street when he was struck, police said in a statement. A neighbor, Karl Silvia, said he saw the injured boy lying in the street, being attended to by two witnesses. “One of his legs was severely dismantled, and he had some head trauma,’’ Silvia said. Police said the boy was transported to WALTHAM
Muslim campus group protests vandalism
America’s largest Muslim advocacy organization wants Brandeis University to investigate vandalism at a Muslim Student Association office as a possible hate crime. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said yesterday that a Muslim leader at Brandeis suspects that the vandalism on March 5 was prompted by a sign put up after recent renovation of the Muslim Worship Center on campus. (AP)HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa.
Kidnap suspect fights extradition to Mass.
A central Pennsylvania woman is fighting extradition to Massachusetts, where police have charged her with abducting her 13-month-old niece last month. A lawyer for Alyssa Dawn Johnson, 38, of Altoona, Pa., filed the petition Monday denying she is the person wanted by police in Swansea, Mass. A Blair County judge must now schedule an extradition hearing for Johnson, who also uses the first name Kimberly, and she remains jailed on $1 million bond. Police believe Johnson drove away with her half-sister’s daughter in the car while the baby’s mother went into a gas station Feb. 18. The baby was found later, unharmed outside a business in Middletown, Conn. (AP)BRAINTREE
Man snatches 2 diamonds worth $40k
A man asked a clerk at a Braintree jewelry store for a closer look at two diamonds worth $20,000 apiece. Then he snatched them from her hand and sprinted to a waiting car, occupied by another male, police said. The thieves struck about 11:30 a.m. yesterday at the Zales at the South Shore Plaza, Braintree police said. A Braintree police officer saw the vehicle, described as a dark-colored 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass with Michigan plates, and attempted to stop it at Capens Bridge, but the suspects fled north on Interstate 93, according to police. The officer trailed the car to East Milton Square, where he lost sight of it.
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