The opening of a long-planned expansion of Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre is being delayed because of an unexpected snag obtaining a certificate of occupancy.
The theater scheduled a ribbon-cutting but has since put it on hold, as required Br…
Massachusetts
Pop-up street taco business to open brick-and-mortar shop in Boston’s North End
[This story first appeared on Boston Restaurant Talk.]
A pop-up business that features street tacos appears to be opening a brick-and-mortar spot in the North End of Boston, replacing a Cambodian eatery that had a connection to the group that’…
Rob Gronkowski named grand marshal for 2024 Boston Marathon
New England Patriots great Rob Gronkowski has been named grand marshal for the 2024 Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association announced Tuesday.
Gronkowski will also receive the 2024 Patriots’ Award, presented to a person or organization who is “patriotic, philanthropic, and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sponsorship.” In addition to his athletic achievements, Gronkowski founded the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, which donated the funds to build Gronk Playground on the Charles River Esplanade.
“Giving back has always been a priority in my life,” Gronkowski said in a statement. “When I first got to New England, Mr. Kraft and the Patriots Foundation ingrained in the team the importance of giving back to the community that gives back to us. And this community has supported me throughout my entire career. Now it’s time for me to give back to help set others up for their own journey, especially the youth. This is why the Gronk Playground project is close to my heart. My family and I are honored to be able to give kids an awesome new space to play in the city.”
“We are honored to have Rob Gronkowski as part of our Boston Athletic Association’s long-standing traditions and celebrations this year. The work that he has done and continues to do for the Boston Community exemplifies what we look to recognize with our Patriots’ Award,” B.A.A. Director of Development Nicole Juri said in a statement. “Having him also serve as Grand Marshal on race day will bring a lot of added joy and excitement for the thousands of spectators who will be lining the streets from Hopkinton to Boston.”
Gronkowski will be honored at the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration on April 13. In his role as grand marshal, he will be driven along the marathon course from Hopkinton to Boston, delivering the tropy to the finish line ahead of the athletes on race day on April 15.
Past recipients of the Patriots’ Award include Robert and Myra Kraft and the New England Patriots, Red Auerbach and hte Red Auerbach Youth Foundation, the Boston Red Sox Foundation, Rick and Dick Hoyt, Joan Benoit Samuelson, David Ortiz, Tim Wakefield, Tedi Bruschi, Adrianne Haslet, Marty Walsh.
3 arrested in Stoughton shooting that seriously injured teen
Multiple arrests have been made in connection with a shooting that seriously injured a teenager last month in Stoughton, Massachusetts.
Stoughton police announced they arrested three people early Tuesday morning in connection to the Feb. 23 shootin…
Healey administration appeals major disaster declaration after historic September rainfall
The Healey administration has formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of the governor’s request for a major disaster declaration to support recovery efforts from storms that ripped through Massachusetts in September, leaving several communities scrambling to rebuild roads, buildings, homes and other infrastructure devastated by flash flooding.
The storms from Sept. 11 through 13 dropped historic amounts of rain in parts of the state, including Worcester, Hampden and Bristol counties, prompting a state of emergency. Severe flash flooding trapped people in their cars, left behind buckled roads and even washed away MBTA commuter rail tracks.
In her appeal letter to President Joe Biden and FEMA Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich, Gov. Maura Healey said in part, “These storms were devastating for our communities. I saw the impacts firsthand – homes and businesses were destroyed, roadways and bridges were inaccessible, and some residents had to be evacuated. Six months later, they are still rebuilding. The state has done all that we can to support their recovery, but the needs far outpace our available resources.”
Healey said they have been appreciative of FEMA’s partnership throughout the process but are concerned that the agency’s assessment of the state’s request failed to include certain identified costs.
”Our communities must know that both their state and federal governments understand the severe challenges and stress they are facing, and that we are here to help. Their recovery is particularly daunting given the knowledge that the next severe storm could be around the corner, as we continue to see the escalating impacts of climate change,” Healey wrote. “I urge you to please reconsider our request and help us deliver the relief that Massachusetts cities and towns desperately need.”
Healey declared a state of emergency on Sept. 12, 2023. In her request for federal assistance, Healey said the extraordinarily heavy rainfall flooded thousands of homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure, and required a significant public safety response.
Leominster was one of the hardest-hit areas, in which two dams had to be shored up after about the city saw around 7 inches of rainfall from one storm. At least 1,400 residents who had filed for FEMA assistance online said in February they were shocked to learn the agency had denied the state’s request for help.
Congressman Jame P. McGovern fired back at the federal agency’s decision at the time, saying, “FEMA’s recommendation to deny disaster relief for the City of Leominster is unacceptable and unconscionable. ”
The state response to the disaster has been ongoing.
A major disaster declaration provides federal funding for both individuals and public infrastructure through FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs.
Mass. cannabis commission chair due for suspension hearing in April
The long-awaited and often-debated meeting between Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and suspended Cannabis Control Commission Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien, a meeting that could lead to O’Brien’s firing, is being penciled …
