State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Three's Company

Recap and analysis of the week in state government.

Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot.  Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …

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Drunk Driving Charge: Worcester Bishop Loses License

Worcester Roman Catholic Bishop Robert J. McManus has lost his license and will need to pay fines and volunteer following an arrest on charges of drunk driving.

Bishop Robert J. McManus will not serve any jail time on charges of drunk driving after he admitted in court on Tuesday that he refused to submit to a chemical test, according to the Telegram and Gazette. McManus will lose his license for six months, pay roughly $900 in court fines, complete 10 hours of community service and attend alcohol education programs, according to the Telegram. These punishments correspond with admitting to refusing to submit to the test. The Narragansett Police Department will be dropping the drunken driving charge, according to the article. McManus had been charged following a hit-and-run earlier this month in Naragansett, RI.

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Health Inspections: Shrewsbury Breakfast and Bakeries

The following health inspection reports were submitted by Board of Health inspectors.

Brody’s Diner, 308 Hartford Trnpk. Routine inspection date: April 16. Large build up in ice machine, needs to be wiped down. Spigot area of coffee machine looks good. Interior of milk cleaner needs to be wiped down. Hood vents need to be clean, build-up of dust and debris. Floors need to be swept and mopped under all equipment. All items need to be labeled in the small cooler. Vent needs to be cleaned on small fridge. The Bean Counter, 288 Boston Trnpk. Routine inspection date Nov. 23, 2012. Dining area is unremarkably clean. Customer service area is very clean and organized. Restrooms are OK. Reach-in coolers are all properly dated, labeled and at proper temperatures. Thermometer needed in one and another needs some cleaning. Good job on …

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Spring Yard Waste Pickup Scheduled

Here's when you can put out your leaves, twigs and other yard waste to be picked up.

Get raking, y'all. The spring 2013 Leaves, Grass and Yard Waste Pick-Up Program takes place in the spring, as the name would imply. It's also when you can have these materials picked up, as you probably surmised as well. Right along with your rubbish pick-up, leave out leaves, grass and other yard waste, too, during collection days within these dates: May 13 through May 14 Leaves and grass must be in the brown 30 gallon paper bags and lined up at the curb-side by 7 a.m. Smaller bundled branches will be picked up if they are:    

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Youth & Family Services Hires Executive Director

On behalf of the Board of Directors, David T. Long, chair, announces the hiring of Terry Cassidy as the new executive director for Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services.

Leave Food Out for the Mail Carrier; Stamp Out Hunger is Saturday

Don't forget to leave the food out.

Information courtesy of National Association of Letter Carriers The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) conducts its 21st annual food drive to combat hunger this Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers collect non-perishable food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes. It is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, and is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Last year, letter carriers collected 70.7 million pounds of food donations along their postal routes, bringing the total to 1.2 billion pounds for the NALC’s food drive, which began in 1992. “We’re honored to be able to help …

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State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Enter Gomez

Recap and analysis of the week in state government.

In case voters weren't paying attention, and turnout suggested many weren't, his name is Gabriel Gomez. And now only Ed Markey stands between him and the United States Senate. "My name is Gabriel Gomez, and I'm a proud Republican," Gomez said, reciting his full name for the second time during a five-minute chat with reporters outside the new go-to, post-election Broadway T stop in South Boston Wednesday morning. The reporters already knew who he was, but part of Gomez's strategy now is to make sure everybody else does too. The newly minted face of the Republican Party captured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday by defeating two better known names in Massachusetts Republican politics. Former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan …

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Kim

1:27 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013

Well I'm sold. Americus Bell says NOAA's science is a crock, therefore it must be. Talk about low info ranters.   more ›

Water Restrictions: It Depends on Your House Number

Water restrictions went into effect on May 1.

The Board of Selectmen, determining that there is a shortage of water and conservation efforts are necessary, adopted a resolution to restrict water usage as of May 1 until further notice. Your house number determines whether you can turn on the sprinklers on certain days. The rules are as follows: Even numbered houses may use water outdoors as they wish on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd numbered houses may use water outdoors as they wish on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Mondays is a no-go on the water flow for everyone.

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Gomez to Face Markey in Senate Election

The former Navy SEAL and the longtime Congressman will face off June 25 to fill John Kerry's former U.S. Senate seat.

A political newcomer will face a long-time Massachusetts politician in the race to be the Bay State's next U.S. senator. The Associated Press has declared Republican businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset and Democratic U.S. Congressman Edward Markey of Malden the winners of their U.S. Senate special primary elections, according to tweets from Fox 25. The call for Gomez came approximately one hour after the polls closed in the statewide primary while a call for Markey came moments later. Gomez defeats his more seasoned opponents, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan of Abington and state Rep. Dan Winslow of Norfolk. Markey beat fellow U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston. Brett Rhyne of Needham ran an …

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Stringer Bell

7:00 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey: Taxpayers Should Pay Bomber Remains Bill http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_co... "U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, told the Herald the feds should take the problem off Stefan’s hands, although he didn’t say whether he intends to take any action. He said in a statement:“The people of Massachusetts should have the right to say …   more ›