New England in brief
BOSTON
Governor Deval Patrick should rescind the judicial nomination of David Aptaker because the nominee failed to disclose campaign contributions to former senator James Marzilli and former Middlesex County Register of Probate John Buonomo on his judicial questionnaire, state Senate Republicans said in a letter to Patrick yesterday. “The Governor’s Council should not be asked to compromise the integrity of the judicial system by rubber-stamping a candidate who has so blatantly obfuscated and misrepresented his position,’’ state Senators Richard Tisei, Bruce Tarr, Michael Knapik, Robert Hedlund, and Richard Ross wrote in their letter. The council on Wednesday agreed to delay a vote on Aptaker after two councilors alleged he had omitted the donations to Marzilli, who is facing sexual assault charges, and Buonomo, who has been convicted of theft. (State House News Service)Pike toll collector pleads guilty to larceny
A Massachusetts Turnpike toll collector, accused of stealing more than $600 worth of collections over a 10-month period, pleaded guilty yesterday in Suffolk Superior Court. Justin Ruggiero, 28, of Haverhill, pleaded guilty to one count of larceny over $250 and 10 counts of false entry on corporate books, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said. A judge ordered Ruggiero to serve two years of probation and pay $650 in restitution to the Turnpike Authority. “When a part-time toll taker can earn more in a year than a full-time prosecutor, this was obviously not a crime of financial necessity,’’ Conley said in a statement. Ruggiero became the seventh of 10 turnpike toll collectors, all arrested in June 2008 and accused of pocketing motorists’ cash, to be convicted.License required under new alcohol law
Local licensing boards will have to authorize restaurants before they can begin serving alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays, according to a recently passed change in the state’s alcohol laws. It is unlikely that restaurants will be able to take advantage of the change this weekend. “It doesn’t make any change immediately or give any immediate permission to restaurants this Sunday,’’ said William Kelley Jr., general consul for the state’s Alcohol Beverages Control Commission. Restaurants must apply for a license to being serving alcohol at 10 a.m.; without one, they cannot serve alcohol until noon.West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has found mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Plymouth County. Health officials confirmed yesterday that the mosquito sample was collected June 30 in Halifax. This is the first time this season that the virus has been detected in Massachusetts. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that often pick up the virus from birds. Symptoms include neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis. (AP)SAUGUS
YouTube clip threat lands student in court
A Saugus student could face charges after he created an animated movie that depicted violence against a teacher, police said. A Belmonte Middle School official notified police Wednesday that the pupil had posted the animated short on YouTube, Lieutenant Leonard Campanello of the Saugus police said. Police informed YouTube, and the video was taken down, he said. “Any allegation or threat against a school official is something we have to take very seriously, whether or not the intention is real,’’ Campanello said. The student is being summonsed to court for a hearing to determine whether a formal charge of threatening to commit a crime is warranted, he said.PROVINCETOWN
Sewer company, town reach settlement
Provincetown has reached a more than $100,000 settlement with the company responsible for its sewer system over a problem that sent wastewater into streets and homes a year ago. Town officials said the $114,733 settlement with AECOM USA Inc. covers expenses to investigate and repair the sewer system and damage claims made by about 25 property owners. A low-vacuum-pressure alarm alerted town workers there was a problem on July 4, 2009. Repair work delayed amid the influx of visitors for the holiday weekend led to a vacuum collection system becoming waterlogged. (AP)
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