The Huntington News reports a homeless, part-time Northeastern student who was arrested on charges of stealing another student's iPod on Jan. 24 - behind the Boston Police Department headquarters - is now suspected by State Police for involvement in "a string of robberies along the Southwest walkway." The News reports Omar El-Jahmi, 24, was charged with armed robbery by State Police and will be reported to a Northeastern student disciplinary board.
Innocent, etc.
The Huntington News reports two students and a guest were robbed near Tremont Street and Douglas Park while on a liquor run around 7 p.m. on Jan. 23. The three were robbed by two guys who'd followed them into Hollywood Liquors and then followed them down the street before flashing a knife and taking their liquor, cell phones and cash.
School Superintendent Carol Johnson last night proposed opening three city-run charter schools as part of the answer to dealing with 14 failing schools across Boston - including English High, which is one of those schools and which is where the School Committee met.
Johnson, however, provided no details on the proposed new schools, such as where they would be. In addition, employees at six unnamed schools will all essentially lose their jobs and then have to reapply for them, she wants to merge two underperforming elementary schools with two better performing schools to create two new K-8 schools - and she wants to start working with existing, non-BPS charter schools on training and other ways to improve education in the city.
The Worcester Line is toast this morning. And Tom Bruno reports the smell of "epic MBTA fail" on the Newbury/Rockport Line.
The BU professor, author of the A People's History of the United States, early critic of the Vietnam War and a strong supporter of civil rights, died today at 87.
Jim Sullivan remembers his friend:
... I will say Howard inspired many, myself included, as a historian, activist, an avid participant in the world, someone who never let his optimism fail, despite the shitstorms that kept on coming down around us. Howard and I occasionally went to Red Sox games, the last time in September against the Blue Jays. He was having trouble walking, pain in his legs and back and had to stop several times walking to the cab stand. But did I think something like this was imminent? No. Inevitable? Of course. Eventually. Not today. ...
Joy of Sox: A great American died today.
Charles Laquidara: The bane of B.U. President John Silbur's existence, Professor Howard Zinn dead at 87.
Garrett Quinn says farewell: Read more
YorkRegion.com interviews former MBTA COO Richard Leary on his new job as manager of York Region Transit, in the exurbs of Toronto:
... He was recently driven around Stouffville and told it was not so long ago that Markham similarly consisted of vast tracts of open farmland. ...
A federal appeals court today gave artist Christoph Buchel a partial victory over the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, ruling the museum violated his rights by continuing to work on a massive installation even after he told it to stop because he could no longer tolerate the changes it was making.
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, however, also found holes in the Swiss artist's overall case, rejecting arguments the museum ruined his reputation by displaying the unfinished, giant-sized project under a yellow tarp that visitors could easily peer under. Read more
Ferrari falls off truck at Boch's new Ferrari/Maserati dealership, but at least the wipers still worked. With exclusive video from Channel 25, which sent its news copter out to cover this shocking story.
Via Phillip McCarthy.
Does Boston Metro know about Boston MetroGuide, which is seeking to hire writers who will get paid only if they also sell ads to go with their "articles"?
... This is your chance to be the official blogger/commentator/voice of Boston on a new Metro Guide Website that is quickly growing in popularity. ...
Channel 4 reports a man suffered head injuries when he fell into the subway "pit" at the Broadway stop on the Red Line last night. Like that lady on the Orange Line, authorities believe the guy was under the influence.
Just a ruse?: The giant trailer outside just for show, too?
The Boston Licensing Board meets tomorrow to consider a request by the owner of a popular Dorchester bar to open a new restaurant on Mass. Ave. in the Back Bay. Read more
Wicked Local West Roxbury breaks the news on the Suffolk and Norfolk State Senator. What this means for voters so far is a choice between a Republican and a Democrat who should be a Republican.
Chris Lovett reviews 2009 housing sales and prices from Boston neighborhoods.
Channel 4 reports the region's critical donut supply dipped by 0.0001% this morning when somebody in an SUV drove through the front of a Dunkin' Donuts on Chestnut Street in Needham
The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow whether to approve a beer and wine license for the city's first Scottish pub, which would move into the old Zon's space at 2 Perkins St. in Hyde Square.
Owner Jason Waddleton said that among Wee Angel's offerings would be both meat and vegetarian versions of the traditional Scottish dish haggis. Haggis traditionally consists of a variety of an animal's innards, cooked in its stomach or a lining for three hours with oatmeal and spices. He said he's also trying to convince his chef to try haggis burgers. Read more
The Boston Licensing Board will decide tomorrow whether to approve a liquor license for a proposed bar at 184 High Street that would feature an ivory-tickling pianist for patrons supping premium comfort food, such as gourmet meatloaf and handcut French fries rather than reheated frozen fries.
Although the bar would be open at night, representatives of the High Street Restaurant Group, LLC told the board they would focus on the Financial District lunch crowd.
The Boston Licensing Board said today it will likely approve a food permit for Blue Marble Chocolate Cafe, 258 W. Broadway in South Boston, where owner Jennifer Turner plans to serve coffee, tea and "chocolate dessert-type products."
However, board Chairman Daniel Pokaski said he would likely vote at a meeting tomorrow to defer any action until after Turner meets with neighbors. Board member Michael Connolly said he didn't even think that was necessary. Representatives from the mayor's office and city councilors Bill Linehan and Steve Murphy gave conditional approval, pending a neighborhood meeting.
Meanwhile, the board looked similarly in favor on a proposal by Barryson, Inc. to open Lilly's Gourmet Express Pasta at 1526-1528 Tremont St. on Mission Hill.
"I don't know who opposes gourmet pasta, but certainly not the mayor's office," a representative from the mayor's office told the board. Read more
Say hello to Brad Williams, an investment adviser from West Roxbury. He joins Democrat Mike Rush in the race; Walsh has yet to declare her intentions.
Via ParkwayBoston.com.
The Outraged Liberal notes a Washington Bureau preview of Obama's state-of-the-union address buys into the national-press mantra that the recent Senate election was all about health care when the Globe's homies in Boston are busy writing there were other issues involved:
... Maybe they should get out of Washington and come home a little more often. Or at least read their own paper. ...
But maybe that's still better than the Herald's obsession with Brown's treasure trail.
Wicked Local Roslindale reports Kelly Tynan, formerly director of West Roxbury Main Streets and now a teacher at the Conley School, is running for the state representative's seat that Rush is vacating to run for Marian Walsh's state Senate seat. Walsh has yet to say if she's seeking re-election.
Also running, Wicked Local reports: Matt Benedetti. Benedetti tried to run in 2008 against Rush but the Secretary of State ruled too many of the signatures on his petitions were invalid.
The list follows. Anybody notice anything interesting, besides the fact that indicted (but still innocent) Chuck Turner doesn't chair anything? Also, note the new Committee on Women and Healthy Communities, which is described as focusing on improving the lives of "girls, women, and others" (hmm, does that leave anybody out?). Read more
Boston Police charge that David McKenny, 44, of Winthrop, forced a man at gunpoint into his car at Stuart and Tremont streets on Jan. 9, then used his gun to force the man to hand over his money.
Police say the man was then dumped out of the car near Washington and East Springfield streets.
McKenny is 5'7", weighs about 215 lbs. and has black hair and brown eyes.
If you know where he is, contact detectives at 617-343-5619 or drop an anonymous tip by calling 800-494-TIPS or texting TIP to CRIME.
I believe the word they use in New York is chutzpah.
Via Carly Carioli, who doesn't believe it for a second.
French Toast Alert Level: High. Explanation.
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