New England in brief
BOSTON
The state’s two federally recognized Indian tribes have both set their sights on building a casino in Fall River. Last month the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe announced it had struck a deal with the city to develop a resort-style casino project, including hotels, a shopping mall, and convention facilities on approximately 300 acres of land along Route 24. Now the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe is planning a press conference today at the State House to announce its own plan to build a casino on a separate 240-acre parcel near Interstate 195. An Aquinnah spokesman said its proposal would allow Fall River to also build a planned biotechnology park on the land that the Mashpee tribe wants to use for a casino. A bill before the Senate would set aside one of three casino licenses for a Massachusetts tribe. (AP)US officials seek feedback on fishing rules
Federal fishery managers are holding regional meetings this week to hear from fishermen frustrated by complex new rules and to offer training on the new requirements. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has scheduled six meetings over the next few weeks; the first is Thursday in New Bedford. Fishermen switched May 1 to a system in which they form groups called sectors to manage an allotted catch among themselves. The change aims to set tough catch limits while giving fishermen more autonomy. But some fishermen describe the change as a bureaucratic nightmare. (AP)Patrick qualifies support for a tax holiday
Governor Deval Patrick says he would support a sales tax holiday this summer if the state can afford it. The Democrat made the statement yesterday, despite offering a budget with service cuts triggered by falling tax collections. The House and Senate have also passed budgets that would make 4 percent cuts in aid to cities and towns. All three budget proposals are balanced with $700 million in federal aid that remains in doubt. Patrick said he is “very interested in’’ a sales tax holiday but said he has no confidence yet that the state can afford to declare one. Under the plan, the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax would be waived on certain goods for a weekend in August. (AP)CAMBRIDGE
Head of Harvard expansion steps down
Drew Faust, Harvard University president, announced yesterday that Chris Gordon, who has helped to oversee the school’s expansion into the Allston neighborhood, will step down this summer. Gordon is resigning as chief operating officer of the Allston Development Group six months after Faust said Harvard would halt construction on its $1 billion science complex, the anchor of the university’s expansion across the Charles River, because of its financial troubles. “The work I came here to do will be happening at a slower pace and intensity . . . and that reality led to today’s announcement,’’ Gordon said in a statement. Gordon will remain at Harvard, teaching courses in real estate development at Harvard Business School.LYNN
Attacks prompt bid to muzzle pit bulls
The president of the Lynn City Council said it is time to require muzzles on pit bulls in public after two pit bulls were involved in two unprovoked attacks in the city over the Memorial Day weekend. Timothy Phelan has asked his fellow councilors to support scheduling a public hearing on the matter. In one attack, a 6-month-old girl in a baby carrier on her father’s chest was gashed on her left leg by a leashed pit bull being walked by its owner. In the other, an 11-year-old boy was bitten on the arms and chest by a pit bull that escaped its owner’s home. Both animals were euthanized. (AP)NEW BEDFORD
Murder trial set in New Year’s shooting
The trial of a New Bedford man charged with fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy at a New Year’s Eve party is expected to start this week. Pretrial motions in the trial of George Duarte, 22, were argued yesterday in New Bedford Superior Court. Duarte is charged with one count of murder in the death of Edwin Medina, who was shot at close range in the abdomen during the Jan. 1, 2008, house party. The Standard-Times reported that Duarte has been held without bail since pleading not guilty at his Superior Court arraignment in April 2008. (AP)
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