If and when lawmakers call the MBTA to talk about new funding options, officials at the agency, which has faced service and financial troubles, will have some ideas already in hand.
A top T official said Thursday that the agency asked a regional pl…
Massachusetts
Woman arrested in Reading for OUI with children in car, police say
A 49-year-old woman was arrested in Reading, Massachusetts, for operating under the influence while her children were in the car, police said.
Officers spotted a white Honda Odyssey traveling westbound on Salem Street just before 9 p.m. Thursday at…
Rise of the Moors members convicted on gun charges in 2021 Wakefield standoff
Two men who claim to be part of a group called the Rise of the Moors were found guilty in connection with a long armed standoff off Interstate 95 in Wakefield, Massachusetts, in 2021, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said Friday.
Jamhal Latimer was convicted on multiple gun charges, including unlawful possession of a large capacity weapon, unlawful possession of a shotgun or rifle and improper storage of a rifle or shotgun near a minor, according to the district attorney’s office.
Steven Anthony Perez was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and use or wearing body armor during a felony, authorities said in a release Friday.
“The defendants in this case disrupted multiple communities and jeopardized the safety of many residents who were traveling or intending to travel on a busy Fourth of July weekend,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan. “Both Jamhal Tavon Sanders Latimer and Steven Anthony Perez demonstrated a disregard for our laws and failed to comply with the directives of multiple police agencies on scene.”
Both men are expected to be sentenced next month.
On July 3, 2021, authorities say Latimer and Perez and two of their cars were found by state police in the breakdown lane of I-95 in Wakefield wearing military style camouflage clothes and body armor.
Latimer was armed with an AR-style large capacity rifle and falsely claimed he was the leader of an armed militia from Rhode Island, the district attorney’s office said, and that they were on their way to Maine to “train.”
Latimer and Perez were with nine other people, according to police, who Latimer referred to as “his men.”
Two of the people were also carrying loaded, large-capacity AR-style riles with large capacity magazines, authorities said.
The trooper then asked the men for their driver’s and firearms licenses, and they said they didn’t have them, according to police.
When trooper asked Latimer and Perez to put their guns down, they refused, authorities said.
At some point, police say several of the men took off into the woods with their firearms, prompting the standoff. All 11 suspects, including a 17-year-old, were eventually arrested.
Eight guns, including three AR-15s, were seized, according to police, who said none of the suspects had licenses to carry guns.
The group’s website describes them as “Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders.”
Bicyclist hit by truck in Cambridge, police say
A bicyclist was hit by a truck in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Friday morning, according to authorities.
The crash happened on Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge police said.
The bicyclist, whose name wasn’t released, was taken to the hospital. Their condition wasn’t immediately known.
No further information was released.
First Alert: Cooler air sets up weekend thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail
The dangerous heat is gone as temperatures drop Friday, but it remains really humid.
High temperatures will sink back to reality today as onshore breezes and a cooler airmass settle in. This keeps away any storm development until later. We’ll peak near 80 around parade time, then fall to the mid-70s late day.
The Celtics’ parade looks fine and dry. In fact, temperatures will be almost perfect to celebrate Banner 18!
As the cooler air moves back to western Massachusetts this afternoon, it may trigger thunderstorms. These then turn on us in eastern Massachusetts as they come out of the Worcester Hills and southern New Hampshire.
Keep an eye to the sky any time after 2 p.m. The storms across western Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island that develop, could become severe due to damaging wind and hail.
Heavy rain and lightning are also threats from any storm that pops. These storms fizzle around sunset.
Saturday could play out the same, with thunder erupting in the afternoon as the aforementioned front stalls overhead. Ditto for Sunday, but the storms may wait until late afternoon or evening to form.
Each batch will have the potential for gusty winds and heavy rain. Heat will also return on Sunday, but not to the degree that we just saw. Mid and upper 80s will fit the bill.
We’re holding out hope for some more refreshing air to arrive late next week.
On wealthy Martha’s Vineyard, costly housing is forcing workers out and threatening public safety
Sheryl Taylor works as an administrator for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Each summer, she has to leave the island or stay with friends because she can’t afford the high seasonal rents.
How high? The average vacation home rent…
