New England in brief
BOSTON
A 21-year-old woman who hosted a party on Halloween was shot yesterday in Dorchester, police said. Authorities took the woman, who was not identified, to Boston Medical Center, where she was in critical condition, police said. The woman was shot about 1:20 a.m. as partygoers were leaving her apartment on Glenway Street, a Boston police spokesman said. Neighbors said they heard several gunshots and saw a crowd of young adults and teenagers, some in costumes, on the street in front of the apartment. Police said they found ballistic evidence nearby. There have been no arrests.Organs found near Hyde Park parking lot
Police found a heart, lungs, and an esophagus by a parking lot in Hyde Park on Friday night. Officers responded to a call about the organs after 10 near Meadow Road, police said. A doctor from the medical examiner’s office said the remains do not appear to be human, but the office has taken the organs for more testing. There have been no arrests.Lawmakers set to release drug findings
A special legislative commission studying a surge in OxyContin and heroin use in Massachusetts could release its findings as early as this week. The 13-member Massachusetts OxyContin and Heroin Commission has been looking at ways to deal with the increased use of the drugs, from jail diversion programs to increased law enforcement. The commission held a series of public hearings earlier in the year. The state has struggled in recent years to get a handle on the problem as the number of overdoses crept steadily upward. One bill would require doctors treating someone for an overdose to report to the Department of Public Health the type of drug used and the patient’s age, race, gender, and hometown, while keeping identities private. The goal is to help spot trends. (AP)CONCORD, N.H.
Restaurant sets Guinness meatball record
A New Hampshire restaurant has set the record for the world’s largest meatball. Matthew Mitnitsky, owner of Nonni’s Italian Eatery in Concord, said yesterday that a 222.5-pound meatball was authenticated as the world’s largest after being weighed by state officials. A Guinness Book of World Records official confirmed the big meatball as a record breaker and presented Mitnitsky with a plaque. The old record stood at 198.6 pounds. Mitnitsky said “the idea was to bring the meatball back to the East Coast because that’s where it originated.’’ (AP)STOUGHTON
Animal control officer fired over lost dog
The town of Stoughton has fired its animal control officer, Kristin Bousquet, after a Rochester woman filed a complaint saying Bousquet lied to her regarding her missing dog. Bousquet had been on paid leaving pending the results of the hearing, the findings of which were announced Friday. Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz, who ran the hearing, confirmed she is no longer a town employee. He said he could not elaborate because of the personal nature of the case. Janet Torren’s Yorkshire terrier, Shia, went missing Sept. 18. The distributor of the microchip in its ear said the chip had been scanned that day at the Stoughton pound. Bousquet told Torren in a recorded message that she had no knowledge of the dog. Three days later Shia was given to a police officer as a gift to his girlfriend. Torren has since been reunited with her dog. Bousquet could not be reached for comment.PORTLAND, Maine
Churches take measures against H1N1
Maine’s Catholic churches took steps over the weekend to prevent the spread of swine flu. The Portland Diocese says it reinstituted precautions during Masses after consulting with state health officials. Bishop Richard Malone is asking parishioners who have cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home. Individuals who are ill are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. Distribution of the shared wine is suspended, and parishioners are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. Parishioners should not shake hands during the Sign of Peace or hold hands as they recite the Lord’s Prayer. (AP)
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