Hey, there! Log in / Register

Boston

By adamg - 7/31/23 - 2:21 pm

Mayor Wu signed an executive order that will ban the use of natural gas and heating oil for any new city buildings or existing facilities that undergo extensive repairs. Read more.

By adamg - 7/31/23 - 12:23 pm
Ad for the Comet, a streamlined, three-car train that ran between Boston and Providence

In 1935, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad introduced its Comet service between Boston and Providence: A streamlined, diesel-powered three-car train to shuttle between the two cities without any need to turn around because it had engines at either end. Read more.

By adamg - 7/27/23 - 9:03 am

Boston has declared a heat emergency for today and tomorrow, what with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s and the heat index (you know, it ain't the heat, it's the humidity) expected to get up near 100.

The city is opening cooling centers at 15 community centers between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day and notes all BPL branches have AC and that there are also 64 splash pads at Boston parks on which to stay cool.

By adamg - 7/21/23 - 11:58 am

The Dorchester Reporter reports that one of longtime local PR guy George Regan's people sent one of its reporters e-mail announcing a party in Mashpee to both honor Ray Flynn on his birthday and to announce a "Save Our City" campaign aimed at taking back Boston from the lefties he thinks are ruining it. Only problem: Regan hadn't asked any of the politicians he listed (including two who aren't even running for re-election) first. Regan blames his secretary, but insists the city still needs saving. Sounds like somebody needs some crisis PR help.

By adamg - 7/18/23 - 9:41 pm
bpdnews.com in 2006

Screen capture via Wayback Machine.

BPD News, up since at least 2006 with a URL that was splashed on every Boston police cruiser, is no more. The city today switched on police.boston.gov, which is all mobile-friendly and stuff and which de-emphasizes arrest reports, BOLOs and crime stats in favor of a more 21st-century feeling series of pages about the department itself. Don't worry, the old BPDnews news is still there, but you'll have to click to get to it.

By adamg - 7/18/23 - 11:40 am

The mayor's office is now accepting applications from people who want to fill the remainder of Lorena Lopera's term on the Boston School Committee, which runs through the end of the year.

Lopera recently resigned her seat on the committee, the only school committee in the state that is appointed, rather than elected.

By adamg - 7/17/23 - 2:05 pm
Haze over Boston as seen from the Middlesex Fells

View of downtown Boston today from Wright's Tower in the Middlesex Fells in Medford. Photo by Tastesred.

State air monitors in Roxbury, Dorchester, Chinatown and Chelsea are currently showing levels of pollutants in the area that are "unhealthy for sensitive groups:" carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and "fine particles" in Roxbury; carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine particles in Dorchester; fine particles in Chinatown and Chelsea.

If you're five to seven miles outside of downtown Boston, the city appears to be lost in haze.

By adamg - 7/17/23 - 12:30 pm
Bus going down the street in old Boston

The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this image. See it larger.

By adamg - 7/17/23 - 8:48 am

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission says it plans to start levying a new "stormwater charge" next year to expand and improve the city's current 600-mile, 30,000-catchbasin storm-runoff network, both to reduce the amount of contaminants that flow into our rivers and Boston Harbor and to handle greater surges from increasingly heavy rainfall spurred by climate change. Read more.

By adamg - 7/15/23 - 9:51 pm

Heavy rain and flooding, though, are more likely, the NWS says. There's a flood watch posted for 2 a.m. through late night Sunday.

By adamg - 7/13/23 - 12:16 pm

The city hasn't forgotten to pick up leaves and other yard waste of late, it's shifted collection from alternate trash days to every Saturday in July and August, due to traffic issues caused by the two-month shutdown of the Sumner Tunnel for repairs.

The city, which composts much of the yard waste at a city yard on American Legion Highway, says the regular schedule will return in September.

By adamg - 7/13/23 - 10:13 am

The Dorchester Reporter reports that, in addition to the former hizzona, City Councilor Frank Baker has endorsed John FitzGerald to replace him as District 3 (Dorchester) city councilor. Read more.

By adamg - 7/11/23 - 11:38 am

Scott wonders:

Are there still any travel agents left in Boston who plan and book vacation trips for individuals, tickets, hotels, itineraries, etc.?

By adamg - 7/8/23 - 9:14 am

The Boston Public Health Commission reports the number of fatal opioid overdoses in Boston increased 7% in 2022, and that the 352 deaths is a 36% increase over the number in 2019 - more than double the increase seen statewide. Read more.

By adamg - 7/6/23 - 8:51 pm

Milk Street Cafe, on its eponymous street downtown, next week starts a kosher-food delivery service. KoshBurger will serve up kosher burgers (both original meat and Impossible burgers), fries, various chickeny things and dairy-free shakes, 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, with delivery by your preferred delivery service to "the Boston area and surrounding towns."

Kippah tip Michael B.

By adamg - 7/6/23 - 3:06 pm

Boston today announced plans to expand its EV charge network beyond municipal parking lots to include streetside chargers that would let even apartment dwellers consider replacing their gas-powered cars with electric models - to meet an ultimate city goal of having chargers within a ten-minute walk of every Boston resident. Read more.

By adamg - 7/5/23 - 5:54 pm

At-large City Councilor Michael Flaherty of South Boston announced today this year will be his last on the council. Read more.

By adamg - 7/1/23 - 11:48 am
A map showing Boston and vicinity, i.e., the rest of the world

The Library of Congress has this map by Oliver Herford, possibly dating to 1919, in its collection.

Of course, it's not the only map showing the Hub of the Universe's proper position. Read more.

By adamg - 6/29/23 - 10:12 am
C.M. Pray in old Boston

The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger. Also note what appears to be a cop on a quadcycle: Read more.

Subscribe to Boston