Hey, there! Log in / Register

MBTA plans 23% fare hike, far fewer service cuts

The MBTA said today savings in everything from group insurance to electricity purchases mean fares will go up an average of 23% come July 1, rather than the far higher increases originally forecast.

However, the T is also counting on $51 million in savings that would require legislative approval, including $4 million in tort reform.

Although most riders will be spared the deep cuts initially proposed, the T said it will eliminate weekend service on the E line past Brigham Circle and on the Needham, Kingston/Plymouth and Greenbush commuter-rail lines. Eliminated entirely: The 48 Jamaica Plain Loop bus.

More details.


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Allston just wasn't ready for craft beer

The owner of the soon-to-be-reborn Joshua Tree today said its brief foray into a purveyor of craft beers just wasn't working out.

Julian Bolger appeared before the Boston Licensing Board to seek permission to change Barley Hall back into Joshua Tree.

"We wanted to try a slightly different concept, and unfortunately we got it wrong," he told the board, which votes tomorrow on the name-change request. Bolger said he wasn't sure if the problem was marketing - people may not have made the direct connection between "Barley" and craft beer - but the end result was an expensive mistake because people just weren't hopping to the place.

Bolger said the change back to Joshua Tree will involve no major changes in the establishment's interior.


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

The Running of the Brides brand running of the brides

Who knew? Turns out Filene's Basement had trademarked "Running of the Brides" and now what's left of it is going to sell off the name as part of its bankruptcy, Channel 4 reports.

Anne Hjortshoj suggests canny shoppers will wait to see if the price gets marked down (of course, the really sneaky buyers will try to hide the trademark behind another trademark and then wait it out).


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

BPS, teachers declare contract impasse

City and BTU negotiators last night threw up their hands and decided there's nothing more they can say to each other, so they'll be seeking state help to mediate a contract.

The declaration comes 21 months of negotiations; firefighters still hold the modern Boston record for going without a contract, at four years.

Meanwhile, BPS has decided to fight back against BTU airplanes with updates, which they declare are "not intended" for the eyes of union members (also see the BTU's contract Web page).

The Dig considers the impact of Menino's apparent attempt to WiFi John Connolly over the issue of school assignment.


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Police: Alleged Red Line junk waver photographed by alert passenger

Alleged pervMBTA Transit Police report they're looking for a guy in a rugby shirt who decided a woman on a Red Line train would be really fascinated by his physiognomy.

Police report what happened around 6:30 p.m. on an inbound train between Braintree and Broadway:

On two separate occasions during the trip, the subject stood in front of the victim while continuing to inappropriately touch himself. The victim’s friend was able to take a photo of the suspect with her cell phone. An unidentified male passenger, who observed the actions of the suspect, intervened and assisted in notifying police.

He's described as between 20 and 30, with short brown hair and a goatee. In addition to his orange-and-green shirt, he was wearing khaki shorts and dark Nike sneakers and carried a large suitcase.

If he looks familiar, contact Officer James Kerns at 617-222-1015 or the Transit Police Intelligence Unit at 617-222-1170.


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

South End roof catches fire

South End fire.

South End fire, from 101 Huntington Ave. Photo by Dan Gross.

Firefighters responded to 33 Union Park around 4 p.m. for a roof fire, which they quickly knocked down, but not before it poured thick black smoke into the air. Fire investigators are now trying to determine the cause; the Boston Fire Department estimated damage at $200,000, said there were no injuries.

Union Park, of course, quickly filled with firetrucks. Photo by Marija Strazdas.Union Park, of course, quickly filled with firetrucks. Photo by Marija Strazdas.

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 16:00


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Supreme Judicial Court rules a chair is more than just a chair when it involves the Governor's Council

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled today that the lieutenant governor cannot vote to break Governor's Council ties on judicial nominations unless the governor is also in the room.

Deval Patrick had asked the court to figure out what the framers of the state constitution meant when they said the lieutenant governor, who presides over council meetings, would have no vote "except when the chair of the governor shall be vacant."

Patrick argued this meant Tim Murray could break ties when Patrick had more pressing business elsewhere and that it referred to the physical chair the governor would sit in while observing council meetings; the council retorted, no, the founders meant Murray could only vote to break a tie when Patrick was physically present in the council chambers because it was referring to situations in which the lieutenant governor has assumed the role of acting governor, either because the governor has permanently left office before the end of his term or the governor has traveled outside the borders of the commonwealth.

Unlike the last time the court considered judicial nominations, this time, the council won. In a ruling that relates the history of the council dating back to 1629, the state's highest court said "the chair of the governor" refers to the office, not an actual chair.

The question has practical ramifications because the eight-member council, unlike the state Legislature, is fairly evenly split between people who generally support the governor and people who think he is a socialist menace. In 2011, the council tied seven times on judicial nominations. Patrick was out of town for the last vote and was forced to withdraw the nomination, although he later resubmitted it and made a point of being present for the vote on Jan. 4 so that Murray could break the tie.

The court made a point of deciding not to decide the implications of post-19th century technology, such as the telephone - for example, whether the governor could be "present" through a videoconferencing system.

No one has proposed such an arrangement or described in detail how it would work, and without a specific proposal we are unable to opine whether, in those circumstances, the Governor would be considered absent from the chamber within the meaning of [the constitution].


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Don't you hate it when you're giving some guy a beatdown and his friend drives up and runs you over?

Boston Police say an attempt to avenge a grabbed woman in a Roslindale restaurant ended when the alleged grabber's friend ran over one of his attackers - three times. At a Boston Licensing Board hearing this morning, police detectives described the incident at Bel Lounge on Washington Street shortly after 2 a.m. on Dec. 18:

Sun, 12/18/2011 - 02:30
Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

It was St. Patrick's Day, you were dressed in green and I was with my girlfriends

Vaguest Missed Connection ever?

You: green shirt and jeans, brown kinda spiky/messy hair, nice body. Me: green dress, blonde, with a bunch of my girlfriends. I saw you checking me out, and we made eye contact once or twice, but you never came over and talked. Would love to connect! Tell me about you and tell me the name of the bar we were at.

Put the name of your favorite brand of beer in the subject line so I know you're real.

H/t Brian Smith.


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Pages