Over the last few days, people protesting Israeli actions have been flooding 311 - normally a conduit for reporting potholes and missed trash pickups - demanding somebody do something. 311 workers are now deleting the "reports" as soon as they come in.
After Michelle Wu was elected mayor in 2021, anti-vaxxers tried a similar approach, with no effect, except that 311 didn't remove those from the public database.
View of the Great Chelsea Fire of 1973 from Burlington's Civil Defense HQ in Overlook Park on Winnmere Hill. Photo by Steve Duke
Burlington Retro's Robert Fahey recounts the reaction and response in Greater Boston (or more specifically, Burlington) to the Great Chelsea Fire of 1973, which happened fifty years ago today.
The city today announced a program under which Bostonians who have not gotten a Bluebikes pass for the last three years can get one for $60 a year, compared to the normal $129 annual rate.
Bostonians who get MassHealth or SNAP or who meet income requirements can get a year pass now for $5 instead of the previous $50 annual fee.
Mayor Wu and Sen. Ed Markey announced today that Boston has won an $11-million grant from the US Forestry Service to find ways to extend the life of the city's street trees and to help fund educational programs for young people looking to get into careers caring for those trees and other urban flora. Read more.
Animated Michael Flaherty moves for grants.
The Boston City Council today approved acceptance of a total of $3.4 million in federal grants for the Boston Regional Intelligence Center, (BRIC) a BPD unit that collects data and video used to fight crime and terrorism - and which maintains a database of Boston residents accused of being members of local gangs. Read more.
The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger.
Ann E. Riordan asks:
Where can I get Chinese moon pies in/around Boston? Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese versions also work.
J.L. Bell recounts the story of Polly Summer, a doll which, as the saying goes, has seen some things - it arrived in Boston just before the Revolution and survives to this day, although not in the best of shape.
The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this photo. See it larger.
The Dorchester Reporter reports Mayor Wu has named Mary Skelton Roberts, an Orange Line rider from Jamaica Plain who works in the clean energy sector, as the city's new representative on the MBTA board of directors.
Although Boston is by far the largest community in the T district, the city had no direct representation on its board in recent years, although Quincy did. Earlier this year, the state budget signed by Gov. Healey gave Boston a seat.
The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger. A wider view.
City officials say they're read for Lee, with sandbags and temporary flood barriers at the ready to fend off any minor surges and first responders braced for any emergencies caused by flooding, falling trees and downed wires. Read more.
Now might be a good time to take in all the deck furniture and stuff, if only it weren't for the thunderstorms going on right now. Read more.
Erin Murphy calls for immediate emergency declaration.
Councilor Erin Murphy (at large) today urged her colleagues to tell the Boston Public Health Commission it should declare a formal state of emergency exists at Mass and Cass. Read more.
Flaherty calls for acceptance of grant.
Article corrected. The council did not actually reject the grant, but instead rejected voting on it immediately.
By a 7-5 vote, the Boston City Council rejected an attempt by Councilor Michael Flaherty (at large) to immediately approve $2.55 million in federal grants to bolster the Boston Regional Intelligence Center, overseen by BPD - the same grant the council voted to reject in 2021 after police refused to reconsider its gang database and how it shares data with outside law-enforcement agencies. Read more.
The National Hurricane Center says we could know by tonight whether a formal hurricane or tropical-storm "watch" is needed for the Boston area and other parts of New England in advance of Hurricane Lee. Read more.
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