Massachusetts

Hundreds of animal shelters across the country are hoping to clear the shelter.

It’s part of a nationwide campaign to help animals in need find their forever home. This year is the 10-year anniversary of helping over a million pets get adopted.

As part of the month-long “Clear the Shelters” initiative, the MSPCA-Angell in Boston is having an “adopt-a-thon” this weekend, where adoption fees are waived for all small animals, such as bunnies, guinea pigs and birds.

That runs from Friday through Sunday.

This weekend is really a big push to wrap up this 10th annual Clear the Shelters event that ends Tuesday. Over the past decade, NBC Universal stations have helped over one million pets find their “fur-ever” home.

There’s also a donation initiative, which started on Aug. 1 that has an extended run until Sept. 30.

So, if you don’t have the space or aren’t able to take an animal in yourself but still want to help the shelters, you can donate during this event.

Across the MSPCA adoption center network, they’re hoping to adopt out at least 100 animals this weekend.

So visit your local shelter and bring home a new pet for your family to love.

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MBTA Red Line riders will have to expect some disruption over the next few weeks as crews are starting a new project to eliminate slow zones.

Its 24-day closure starts Friday, allowing crews to replace nearly 20 miles of track.

While the end goal is something Red Line riders are looking forward to, those who use the T stop at North Quincy Station will have to find alternatives, such as shuttle buses.

Those buses will be available at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston and Ashmont.

Riders using these shuttle buses should budget extra travelling time. For example, anyone who travels to Park Street from Braintree should anticipate an extra 40 minutes in addition to the regular commute, which is a bit lengthy and it’s why riders are also being encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail.

Middleborough, Kingston and Greenbush (Old Colony) lines will offer fare-free service between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass and South Station except for this weekend and next weekend.

The closure is expected to last until Sept. 29.

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Community members in Lawrence, Massachusetts, gathered Thursday to remember a woman who was found dead after being reported missing.

Hundreds of people came together at a vigil to remember 37-year-old Carol Flaz-Burgos, who disappeared from her Lawrence apartment building Saturday. Her body was found Tuesday in a conservation area in Haverhill.

Police have arrested her neighbor, Cristian Montero.

So far, he’s charged with witness intimidation after allegedly misleading investigators. But prosecutors say the charges could be upgraded.

“She was a person who took care of her family,” said Flaz-Burgos’ boss, Denise Vasquez.

She loved her job as a home health aide, Vasquez said, and her patients are devastated.

“All of her clients remember her as a lovely person,” said Vasquez. “And she built a good relationship with all of them.”

Investigators are still piecing together exactly what happened.

The Essex County District Attorney says Flaz-Burgos was last seen on surveillance video making the sign of a cross as she entered Montero’s apartment, but was never seen coming out.

Investigators are waiting on the autopsy to determine how she died.

Based on what they learn, prosecutors said Montero will likely face a murder charge.

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