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North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts • 16

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North Adams, Massachusetts
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16
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State r' Transcript November 29, 1993 Storm buffets Massachusetts In Brief' we went through," Scholz said. In Foxboro, New England Patriots fans suffered through driving rain and winds gusting to 68 mph only to see their team drop a muddy 6-0 decision to the New York Jets. "I've seen wind that wu definitely as bad this, but never accompanied by the kind of torrential rain we were having," uid Patriots coach Bill Parcells. "The elements were a tremendous factor." Earlier in the day, amateur and professional astronomers feared storm clouds might linger to block their view of the total lunar eclipse overnight. "What can you do? We just don't have control over the weather," sighed Frank Masciulli of Whitman, a member of the South Shore Astronomical Society.

But the clouds cleared, and Masciulli watched the eclipse from his back yard, armed with a telescope and a camera. "It's crystal clear," he said early today. "It's a pretty picture." By Th Associated Press The timing couldn't have been much worse for a storm with heavy rain and winds of up to 72 mph. ft drenched football fans, threatened to obscure a lunar eclipse, and fouled up both air and ground traffic on one of the busiest travel days of the year. The storm also toppled a billboard in Boston, severely damaged a radio transmitter in Milton and forced Marlboro Hospital to use to a backup generator.

But the lunar eclipse was visible. "It wu just a genuinely nasty afternoon," said National Weather Service meteorologist Walter Drag. Nearly an inch of rain fell in Boston, with up to 212 inches reported in central Massachusetts. Though wet, the weather stayed warm, with temperatures in the low 60s reported across the state. Stato Police reported many fender-benders, but no major traffic accidents and no storm-related deaths.

There were scattered reports of Is Boston Tear City USA BOSTON (AP) Amid criticism from the mayor and police commissioner, the police union is defending it producuon of a pamphlet that warns about high street crime and dubs Boston "Fear City USA" "I'm shocked that they, especially the mayor, would be appalled by a union telling people to be careful. These people don't deal with the victims of street crime," said Richard Bradley, president of the Boston Po lice Patrolman Association. Mayor Thomu Menino and police Commissioner William Bratlon denounced the pamphlet a stunt aimed at pressuring the city during contract negotiations. It pictures the Grim Reaper on the cover and tells readers that 337 rapes First store BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) Eat your heart out, Macy's.

Long before the Miracle on 34th Street, what may have been the nation's first department store Santa Claus bounced children on his lap here at Edgar's Department Store. James Edgar, who donned a costume in 1888, has a valid historical claim to being the first department store Santa, according to John Meri-an, chairman of the Downtown Brockton Association. The department store he owned wu sold to a chain in the 1960s and lata closed, victim of downtown's economic deterioration and competition from outlying shopping malls. But the city celebrated its moment in Christmu history with a parade down Main Street on Saturday." The parade also tapped into other tidbits of Brockton One marcher wu dressed inventor spokeswoman Cindy Angus. In Duxbury, the police station briefly switched to an emergency generator following a widespread power failure, tn Bourne, about homes lost power.

At Logan International Airport in Boston, heavy rains, strong winds and poor visibility delayed flights by up to five hours, said spokesman Phil Orlandella. One airport restaurant wu offering free chowder to anyone who had to wait for outgoing flights on the lut day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year. The weather forced Quincy to postpone its annual Christmas Festival parade for a week, disappointing grand marshal Chuck Scholz, mayor of Quincy, 111. The sister cities made headlines last summer when Quincy, sent truckloads of relief supplies to flood-ravaged Quincy, 111. "We, of all people, understand the frustration of the weather, after what bush-league attempt to inject that element (fear) of crime into their contract negotiations." Menino said the pamphlet's claims were exaggerated.

"I'm really angry at the way they've done it. They're out of touch with reality This isn't a city where you can't walk the streets. This is not like New York," Menino said. Frank? cGce, who formerly served 'eneral counsel for the union, also i ticized the pamphlet He said was an updated version of a doci nt he composed in 1976. But he sait issuing it now was a big mistake." Brockton? the ground.

"The kids haven't changed much even though downtown has," Santa said. "They still ask for the traditional Brockton's reputation now is more for crime than prosperity, a rap Meri-ari and other members of the Downtown Brockton Association said they hope tochange. "We're trying very hard to overcome the very, very bad and undeserved reputation Brockton has at this time," said Chuck Strilcr, one of the parade organizers. Merian himself owns a tuxedo shop in downtown that wu founded by his family in 1951. The shop has an updated front and is a model of what he would like to see return to the downtown.

"I live here, I own jpropcrty here and I love it," he said. of infants: inmates eries. Peace of mind isn't cheap: The systems cost between $12,000 and $30,000. Typically, they consist of an electronic 'loop' around doors and windows that emit a radio signal of 132 megahertz. When the baby's monitor comes within range, an alarm is triggered, alerting nurses or hospital officials.

DA Technology a Needham-based security manufacturer hu installed about two dozen infant monitors over the put five years. The froduct is called "Baby Guard: The eace of Mind Solutioa "I have seven kids and I have lived all my life with the fear of one of them being stolen," said Joel Zavaldo, vice president of sales for DA Technology. "This is a complex society and sometimes you need to know who is going where and with whom." increasing competition from newer shopping centers, including Independence Mall in Kingston, Emerald Squsrs in North Atllebcro snd South Bay in Boston. "Our tenants do well, but the look is not the look we'd like to show," James Selonick, spokesman for South Shore Plaza owner Corporate Property Investors, told The Patriot Ledger of Quincy. "The design of the plaza tends to be dark, with dark flooring, little natural light, landscaping missing, and no skylighting.

People notice the difference." Corporate Property added 127,000 square feet to its successful Burlington Mall five years ago and now is proposing 60,000 more square feet there. South Shore Plaza wis an open-air shopping center when it opened in 1961. Today, it draws 5 million shoppers a year and $3754 million in annual sales. flooded roads throughout the region. Route 2 in Acton was shut down for much of the day.

Winds of 35 to 60 mph were common from Providence, R.I., to Boston, the weather service Mid. The strongest gust, 72 mph, wu reported at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton. A billboard blew off a five-story building near Boston University, damaging several parked cars. Winds also caused an estimated $30,000 in damages to WGBH radio's transmitter in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, near the observatory. Downed lines and power failures were reported throughout the region.

Marlboro Hospital switched to a backup generator during an hour-long outage, but patient care was unaffected, officials said. More than 4,000 homes and businesses in New Bedford, Bourne, Plymouth and nearby areas lost electricity when tree limbs fell onto power lines, said Commonwealth Electric or attempted rapes were reported last year in the city. It says police staffing levels are at their lowest in the city history and describes Faneuil Hall and other upscale shopping areu "known trouble spots." About 20,000 copies will be distributed at Logan Airport and in several downtown locations, union officials said. Officers have worked without a "contract since 1990. Negotiations are to resume Thursday.

The union's last contract included pay raises totaling 27 percent over three years. "The union is going to shoot itself in the foot with that They're not going to make any friends in Boston that way," Bratton uid. "It's a Santa in Thomas Edison, who visited the city in the late 19th Century to inspect its electrified fire station. Another marcher wore the uniform of a Union soldier from the Civil War and thanked Brockton for making the shoes that helped the Northern forces achieve victory in the War Between The States. The parade was held against a backdrop of vacant and dilapidated buildings in this once-prosperous city whose downturn started when the shoe industry began its move to other states and other nations.

George Brindley, the parade's Santa, now holds court in the West-gate Mall on the city's outskirts during the holiday season. But Brindley said he hopes that someday there will be a downtown department store to welcome him, a dream that could become a reality if plans for a downtown mall gel off National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last year, almost 10 percent of the nation's 3400 hospitals and birthing centers have installed such systems, Rabun uid, Baby snatching isn't common. In the lut 10 years, 126 infants were abducted, two-thirds of them from maternity wards, according to the center. Goddard Memorial-Cardinal Cushing Medical Center in Stoughton hu had a system for more than a year.

"This is very critical area and the system provides real peace of mind for parents and people who work there. I wouldn't mind having it in other areas of the hospital," said security chief Jim Roberts. Some New England hospitals, refuse to acknowledge they use electronic monitoring to safeguard nurs cal planning board on Wednesday. Customers think the improvements are long overdue. f--- can eat in here, like there are at the Galleria in Cambridge," uid James 21, a college student from Randolph.

"They should expand here. There's not a lot of clothing places I can go into. More stores would be good." But some neighbors are incensed. If the expansion is approved, "You're acknowledging in a significant way that the residents of Brain-tree are second-class citizens," said Bryan Stevens, former planning board member and mall neighbor. "As far what will happen to the neighborhoods, I think it going to be extremely detrimental," said Janice Pinola, president of the North Braintree Civic Association.

"It's going to have an impact on the quality of life." The South Shore Plaza is facing Shoplifting ring uncovered BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) Police say a tip from motel employees led them to recover nearly $73,000 worth of clothing, linens, jewelry and other items stolen from area stores. Investigators said a shoplifting ring used a specially lined bag to baffle store security while stealing merchandise, primarily from two suburban Filene's department stores. Days Inn employees reported seeing large piles of clothing with price tags and security devices still attached. The employees also found dozens of Filene's hangers in a trash barrel.

Officials obtained a search warrant and raided a room at the motel Saturday, arresting four women and a man. Another man escaped and remained at large Sunday night, officials said The five were scheduled for arraignment today in Woburn District Court, each charged with two counts of receiving stolen property worth more than $230, said Officer Jim Tigges. The five had not been identified by Sunday night. They had no valid identification and police believe the suspects gave false names when they were arrested, Tigges said. The suspects had cars registered in the New York City area, he said.

Tigges said they used a bag lined with a material that prevented the stores electronic security systems from detecting the security tags, he said. He did not identify the material. "We believe this is their job, so to speak," Tigges said. "They're professionals." Almost all of the stolen merchandise came from the Filene's stores at South Shore Plaza in Braintree and the North Shore Shopping Plaza in Peabody. About $22 worth of men's underwear was stolen from a specialty shop.

Scltuatc nursing homo cited SCITUATE, Mass. (AP) The state health department has ordered a local nursing home to submit a plan for correcting what it called serious health violations including one involving a resident who later died. Inspectors said the Ocean Manor Nursing Home had failed to notify doctors that a resident was suffering from nausea and cold symptoms. A doctor finally was called when the patient's temperature reached nearly 102 degrees, investigators said. The patient later died.

"There are some serious violations in terms of residents' rights and Duality of care," said Kate McCormack, spokeswoman for the health epartment. "We're taking this matter pretty seriously." Officials said medication was injected into a patient who refused to take an anti-psychotic drug, despite a rule giving patients the right to refuse drugs. They said residents also suffered a lack of privacy; that one was left in bed surrounded by food crumbs; and that six patients who needed help eating breakfast were left waiting while three nurses' aides were chatting. Health officials found that the food was cold. Inspectors said there wu an odor of urine in the hallways.

The home could lose its Medicare and Medicaid certifications. "We are working with the department to understand where the deficiencies came from," said Ocean Manor administrator James Morris. "We're not saying we did not have deficiencies. We have questions as to the scope and severity the department is alleging. Morris told The Patriot Ledger of Quincy that the nursing home was planning to appeal the findings.

Opened in 1976 by Scituate Medical Investors, Ocean Manor has 1 14 residents, ages 40 to 1 10. Semi-private rooms cost 143 a day, private rooms $170. 1976 Jail escapee caught BOSTON (AP) A Massachusetts fugitive who spent 17 years on the lam has been captured in Commerce City, authorities said. "This just shows there's no such thing as a cold case," said Capt. Kurt Wood of the slate Department of Corrections.

Valerie Osborne, 43, also known as Lena Regina Smith, was sentenced to 8- to 13-years for manslaughter in a 1970 subbing. She had served five years when she escaped in 1976. Osborne and another prisoner at Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Framingham swung a blanket over fence and scaled a wall to escape in August 1976. She remained underground, living under aliases. Then she caught the eye of authorities in Commerce City, investigating the sale of stolen vacuum cleaners, said Officer Mark Meiklejohn.

Using a national police computer, Meiklejohn learned of Osborne's escape and record of prostitution arrests and obtained information about her from Massachusetts investigators. She wu arrested at her home Wednesday by police, who had photographs of her. "We confronted her at the door and showed her the photographs. She said, 'No, no, that's not She even told me the wu going to sue me if I placed her under arrest," said Meiklejohn. Woman charged In fatal crash BROCKTON, Mus.

(AP) A Brockton woman faces a charge of vehicular homicide following a two-car accident that left two young passengers dead and a third seriously injured. Kimberly Brous, 22, told investigators she ran the stop sign because she wu distracted by the three children, police Mid Sunday. Denise Brooks, 4, of East Bridgewater, wu flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she wu pronounced dead shortly after the accident Saturday afternoon. Amy Brooks, 14, and Michael Brooks, 12, both of Brockton, were unconscious in the back seat when police arrived. They were flown to Children's Hospital in Boston.

A hospital spokesman said Amy died Sunday morning. Michael remained in serious condition Sunday evening. Police said they do not know how the victims in the Brooks car were related and declined to say whether they were wearing seat belts. i Kimberly Brooks and the other driver, Loma Padon, 24, of Brockton, were not seriously injured, police said. The cart collided at Richmond and Cherry Streets, which neighbors described a dangerous intersection.

Finns depart Assumption School CHICOPEE, Mass. (AP) With a standing ovation from parishioners the last three nuns left the Assumption School which they had operated since the tum-of-ccntury. "My memories of the good sisters from the Daughters of the Holy Cross are just tremendous," the Rev. Ronald Lussier, a graduate of the parish school, said during a special Mus for the sisters Sunday. "In thinking of all these things we can't be completely sad," Lussier said.

"The convent will be closed, but our memories will always be there." The last of the teaching sisters, who opened the school in 1903, retired last year and the three remaining nuns are leaving for new assignments Tuesday. The school is now staffed by lay teachers. Hunting season profitable SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) The chink of cash registers accom- Eanied the opening blasts of deer season in the western Massachusetts ills. Tourism officials say motel rooms in the Berkshires were packed, I and many restaurants, which opened before dawn today, reported a brisk business.

The shotgun season, expanded three days this year, runs through Dec. 11 in all areu of the state, except Cape Cod and the Islands. State wildlife officials say another bumper crop of acorns has boosted the number of deer this year. For the lut two years hunters have killed more than 10,000 deer in Massachusetts. found In burning cpartnnt WINTHROP, Mass.

(AP) A man wu found dead inside a burning apartment at 600 Oovcrrror's Park early today, fire officials said. The man's identity wu not released, but firefighters Hid they believe he lived in the apartment. The cause of his death and the cause of the fire were not determined Immediately. The one-alarm fire broke out at about 2:30 am lire officials said the state fire marhaal'i office and the district attor-, ney's office were investigating. Electronic monitoring Technology meant for Senate's rules make Sftafeiiouse confusing BOSTON (AP) Two weeks ago, senators met on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but logged four legislative days for the week.

One of those days featured an exercise in secret government when senators from both parties met behind closed doors to discuss a bill. When Republicans wanted to block a bill opposed by Gov. William F. Weld, Democrats limited debate to one hour. After senators cast their ballots, the GOP moved reconsideration, forcing another vote on the same measure.

Confused? You're not alone. Welcome to the Massachusetts Senate. "You can't help but be cynical about what goes on anymore they are just not in touch with reality," said Dorothea Vitrac, head o( an organization seeking to put term limits on elected offices. The Senate votes on its set of rules each year. The rules often are carried over from the previous session; some date back far 1817.

Senate Rule 47 allows debate to be capped at one hour to eliminate lengthy filibusters. Critics charge it silences discussion. Senate GOP Leader Brian Lees, R-E. Longmeadow, frequently condemns Senate President William Bulger's management style. But Republicans, too, know how to play by the rules.

Democrats invoked Rule 47 during debate on a bill to limit the governor's ability to contract state services out to private firms. Lees wu threatening to read the entire bill aloud, a delay that would have postponed the vote. Republicans sought lengthy discussion and roll call votes on every technical aspect of the debate on privatization, a highly partisan Usue. Lees managed to table the re- to limit debate, putting it off or a day. But the rules allow the Senate to adjourn and immediately reconvene in a "second legislative day," so today became tomorrow.

Democrats voted to go to the second day, which Lees called "a fantasy day," and proceed with the bill. The Senate's closed-door, joint caucus wu on a bill changing the state's automobile emissions standards. Democratic and Republican senators often hold partisan caucuses to discuss legislation and get head counts on voles, but a caucus with senators from both sides is extremely rare. Sen. Thomu Birmingham, D-Chelsea, wu late to the caucus, "and when I walked in, I wondered what wu going on because there were six Republicans in there." After the 112-hour meeting, the Senate quickly approved four amendments to the emissions bill and passed it on a voice vote with no debate.

"We're still trying to figure this thing out," uid John Brickley, executive director of the stale's chapter of the American Lung Association, who served on the commission that spent 18 months crafting the emissions legislation. Sen. William Keating, D-Sharon, made rules reform a cornerstone of his campaign to unseat Bulger, D-Boston. Keating and his supporters back a series of rule changes that would include an eight-year limit on serving as Senate president, give senators the right to hire arid fire their own staff, and establish bipartisan scheduling of debate. Shortly after Keating's challenge, Bulger appointed I panel to review the rules and offer changes.

BOSTON AP) The same technology that keeps track of retail merchandise and convicts is being used to keep tabs on newborn infants. Plastic wrist bracelets that emit low-level radio signals to a central alarm system are giving peace of mind to parents and hospital administrators. "This is just something that hospitals are doing because it makes everybody feel better," said Aid Stevens, director of maternity at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, where a monitoring system wu installed last summer. The devices are similar to tags used to prevent shoplifting. "These things have worked pretty well at Macy's and Casual Corner for 25 years, so there's no reason to think they won't be just effective protecting babies in a hospital," said John Rabun, vice president of the Aging S.

Shore mail to expand Some of its neighbors aren't happy about it BRAINTREE, Man. (AP) One of New England's oldest shopping plazas is planning $50 million aren't overjoyed. They are concerned that the proposed expansion of the 32-year-old South Shore Plaza could draw more traffic to an area that is largely residential. "I do like to shop there," said Tom Norris, a planning consultant who lives near the mall. "I welcome the improvements, so long I don't pay for it with increased traffic in my i neighborhood." Plans call for adding second level with 100 stores for a total of 204.

A parking arize also would be built, along with $2.7 million worth of road improvements. Owners say the project would create 400 construction jobs and 500 permanent retail positions. The proposal will go before the lo.

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