New England in brief
PLYMOUTH
Three people survived when a small plane crashed in Plymouth yesterday afternoon, according to the town’s Fire Department. The aircraft, a dual-engine Cessna 401 propeller plane, was on its way to Plymouth Airport when it went down at about 5 p.m. near Billington Sea Road, said Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot and two passengers were taken to hospitals, but the extent of their injuries was not known last night, fire officials said. The aircraft is registered to Christopher Cox from Hampton, Ga., according to FAA documents. Reached by phone yesterday afternoon, Cox said that he had sold the aircraft to a company called Oasis Flight Services last month. Cox said the aircraft was equipped with cameras and used for aerial surveying and mapping. According to the FAA records, the Cessna was built in 1968.LOWELL
Police investigate fatal shooting of man
State and Lowell police are investigating the fatal shooting of a Lawrence man early yesterday morning. About 2:34 a.m., police responded to 28 Chapel St. in Lowell after reports of shots being fired, a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said. Juan Ferrer, 19, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and taken to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The shooting does not appear to be random, the district attorney said. No one had been charged in the shooting as of yesterday afternoon. Anyone with information can contact State Police at 781-897-6600 or Lowell police at 978-937-3200.WORCESTER
Man drowns in restricted area of lake
A 30-year-old Worcester man drowned in a lake yesterday afternoon, police said. At approximately 4 p.m., witnesses at Lake Quinsigamond at Regatta Point noticed the swimmer in distress and called police, a police official said. The drowning victim, who was not been identified, was swimming in an off-limits part of the lake, according to the official. Rescue teams arrived about 15 minutes later and recovered the drowned man’s body. While the circumstances remain under investigation, police say it appears to have been an accidental drowning.HAVERHILL
Pastor resigns amid finance investigation
The Archdiocese of Boston yesterday said the Rev. Keith P. Leblanc resigned as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Haverhill amid an investigation “of a financial nature.’’ The archdiocese said it has notified law enforcement officials. “Because this remains an active investigation, the archdiocese will decline further comment at this time,’’ it said in a statement. Haverhill Police Lieutenant Joseph Florent said yesterday he did not know of any investigation involving the church or its finances. Steve O’Connell, a spokesman for Essex District Attorney Jonathon Blodgett, said the office was made aware of the allegations on Friday, but is not yet conducting an investigation. Members of the parish finance council could not be reached yesterday. St. John the Baptist Church is the smallest of four Catholic parishes in Haverhill. A temporary administrator or pastor for the parish will be announced shortly, the archdiocese said.BOSTON
Scientists studying Mass. ocean floor
State scientists have started a weeklong trip to study the Massachusetts sea floor as part of the state’s landmark ocean management plan. The trip on the 224-foot federal research vessel, the Bold, began Friday. The scientists will take video and collect samples of organisms and sediment to verify that state sea floor maps accurately portray the types of habitat in different areas. That information is crucial as the state tries to protect various resources, such as cobble areas related to commercially important fish species. (AP)All subway operators must have license
The MBTA is addressing an omission in its policies that has allowed Orange, Red, and Blue line operators to run subway trains without a driver’s license. Richard Davey, general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, declared this month that any new subway driver hired by the agency must have a valid license. Licenses are already required for bus and Green Line drivers, since their equipment operates at least part of the time on public byways. (AP) 
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