GateHouse News Service New England Budget • January 3, 2008
Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly. Questions?
Contact: Chris Biondi, (508) 626-4343, cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com
News
STANDALONE: SEA SMOKE - Sea smoke rises off the ocean around the North Light at Thacher Island in Rockport, Mass., around 7:45 a.m. Thursday morning. According to Wikipedia, "sea smoke is a cloud over the sea, which could otherwise be called fog, and is usually formed when very cold air moves over warmer water." Temperatures hovered in the single digits in Massachusetts Thursday morning.
Kirk R. Williamson/CNC North, on wire now
MAN WHO RETURNED $185,000 CHECK GETS ROYAL TREATMENT - Until a few days ago, Reggie Damone walked to the bus and rode to his job at McDonald's without anyone noticing him. Now people pull over and ask if he wants a ride. Customers reach across the restaurant counter and shake his hand. TV news crews call him asking for interviews. Newspapers in Poland, Australia and elsewhere are publishing his story.
Norwich Bulletin, Straszheim, 25 inches, on wire now
With photo
WINTER HILL GANG HITMAN TO APPEAR ON '60 MINUTES' - Former hit man John Martorano details his dirty work for the Winter Hill Gang in an upcoming ''60 Minutes'' show.
Patriot Ledger, Kelly, 8 inches, on wire now
DAM REMOVAL EYED TO MAKE WAY FOR HERRING IN NEPONSET - The state has been studying the feasibility of removing two dams and chemical contamination from the Neponset River in an effort to restore shad and herring runs, along with unimpeded boating and other recreational opportunities to a 17-mile section of the river from Walpole to the ocean.
Canton Journal, Mucciarone, 20 inches, on wire now
'EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT CHICKEN' - Henny Penny is a regular at the landmark Milk Bottle restaurant in Raynham, but she is careful to avoid eating from the menu, preferring cracked corn, oyster crackers, and smashed-up muffins.
Taunton Gazette, Faulkner, 18 inches, on wire now
With photo
SPACE HEATER DANGER - Officials warn about using space heaters during cold snap.
MetroWest, Kelly, 15 inches, 6 p.m.
With photos
NEW WATER STANDARDS - The EPA is now requiring towns monitor water for cryptosporidium and disinfectant by-product formed by treatment chemicals like chlorine interacting with organic materials.
MetroWest, Kelly, 15 inches, 6 p.m.
Business
MASSACHUSETTS AUTOMOBILE DEALERS PAY THOUSANDS IN PENALTIES - Eight Massachusetts auto dealerships are collectively paying $290,000 to resolve accusations that they used misleading techniques in newspaper ads to attract car buyers.
Ledger, Chesto, 12 inches, on wire now
CONSOLIDATED ELECTRIC PARENT SUED BY EX-EMPLOYEES SEEKING COMPENSATION AFTER LAYOFFS - Former employees of Consolidated Electric, the Norwood-based electrical contractor that abruptly closed last October, are suing two affiliated firms for allegedly violating a federal labor law.
Ledger, Bauer, 15 inches, on wire now
Opinions
EDITORIAL: '60 MINUTES' AND THE HIT MAN - It's unclear why we glorify violent mobsters in this country, people who use lethal force to get their way and sometimes just for the fun of it, but there's no denying we are fascinated by them. Former Milton High football star turned hitman John Martorano's interview on "60 Minutes" is guaranteed to be a ratings winner.
Ledger, 6 p.m.
GUEST COLUMN: FINANCIALLY ILLITERATE YOUTH - We cannot afford to continue to graduate financially illiterate high school and college students. So what are we in the commonwealth doing to prepare our students to obtain and retain economic well-being? Not much.
Dr. Arnaa Alcon of Bridgewater State College.
Ledger, 6 p.m.
EDITORIAL: BIG DIG AND TOLLS - Construction is over, but dig on your wallet continues.
MetroWest, 6 p.m.
ALICE COYLE: CONNECTION WITH YOUR CHILDREN - It's a different world our kids are growing up in, and it all seems to fit in a portable hand-held electronic device that comes with a rechargeable battery.
CNC, on wire now
Sports
A PRO SPORTS BUDGET will be e-mailed this afternoon
Lifestyles
DIRECTING FILM KEEPS TEEN SANE AS HE WAITS FOR A NEW HEART - Charlie McDonough, 19, was born with a congenital heart defect, meaning his weak heart isn't able to pump as much oxygen through his body as it should. With less oxygen flowing through his veins, he gets tired easily and often sounds slightly out of breath, as if he'd just sprinted up a staircase.
CNC, Simpson, 30 inches, on wire now
With photos
COMPOSER'S MUSIC IS ALL RELATIVE - When Peter Melnick says, "I grew up around his music," the operative word is "his." That would be legendary musical theater composer Richard Rodgers, Melnick's grandfather.
MetroWest, Megliola, 25 inches, on wire now
With photo
CHEF COOKS UP A CREATIVE STORM - The owner and chef celebre of 51 Lincoln, Newton, the eatery he opened last January, Jeffrey Fournier seasons his dishes and art with a signature mix of passion, innovation and subtle flourishes that dazzle the senses.
MetroWest, Bergeron, 25 inches, on wire now
With photos
PANORAMIC WALTHAM PARK PERFECT FOR WALKING YOUR DOG - (Monthly Trail Tails column) - With thrilling views and a nice vertical climb, Waltham's Prospect Hill Park has something extra to add to you and your dog's walking routine.
MetroWest, Jung, 12 inches, on wire now
With lots of photos
A Q&A WITH POLITICAL COMMENTATOR/AUTHOR JON KELLER - A Q&A with WBZ-TV and radio political reporter and now, author, Jon Keller about "The Bluest State: How Democrats Created the Massachusetts Blueprint for American Political Disaster."
Belmont Citizen-Herald, Schinella, 25 inches, on wire now