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A freshman state lawmaker defended this week statements he made earlier in the week that suggested that illegal immigrants who are raped should be afraid to contact police, saying that his remarks were “misportrayed” in a newspaper article. Asked if he felt rape victims living in Massachusetts illegally would be afraid to report the crime […]

A Brockton man held in a county jail since a traffic stop Sunday was found to have 10 active arrest warrants, including one in a rape in 2001 in Saugus. Lorenzo Echevacia, 39, was arrested by a state trooper on Interstate 95 Sunday in Wakefield on charges of driving without a license and providing false […]

A doctor from Barrington, Rhode Island, is facing the suspension of his medical license after an incident involving a collision with a Massachusetts liquor store. According to local law enforcement, Joseph F. Grillo, 52 years old, allegedly drove his SUV into a liquor store in Seekonk, Massachusetts, during the early hours of February 16, seemingly […]

The Boston Globe reports that the YMCA of Greater Boston has begun screening all current and prospective members and guests against the state’s registered sex offender list, banning access to those classified as Level 2 or Level 3 offenders — those at moderate or high risk of reoffending. The measure follows the recommendation of a […]

Interesting story in the Globe about retail sales of wine in the $20-plus category, which have increased 18 percent from October 2009 to 2010, nationally and in Massachusetts. Perhaps a sign that the economy is improving.

Weeks after state liquor regulators banned the sale of caffeine-packed alcoholic drinks, two other liquor concoctions are making their way onto store shelves. “Cream” is an alcohol-infused whipped cream that comes in a five flavors including chocolate, caramel, raspberry, vanilla and cherry. The product contains 15 percent alcohol by volume, three times the amount found […]

A new Massachusetts law has dropped the age for getting a state-issued identification card from 16 to 14, allowing everyone old enough to get a worker’s permit to also get an ID establishing their name, address and date of birth. It also provides official information to police enforcing curfew laws. The law change was pushed […]

Jae’s Spice Restaurant is asking the state ABCC to overturn its three-day liquor license suspension from the city of Piitsfield, according to the Berkshire Eagle. The Pittsfield Licensing Board handed down the punishment last month, claiming the downtown establishment used “bad judgment” in hosting a birthday party that allegedly involved underage drinking. North Street Market […]

The Boston Globe reported this week that a convicted rapist has been arrested after allegedly attacking a woman in a Wareham parking lot. Wareham police received several 911 calls around 10:15 p.m., with reports of a woman screaming for help in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Cranberry Highway. Police said they found the 36-year-old victim […]

The Weymouth News reports that the town of Braintree is planning to ask its mayor to seek special legislation creating at least one more liquor license for the town, but limiting any new licenses to business districts that the town is seeking to revitalize, including Braintree Square, South Braintree Square, and the Braintree portion of […]

TJX has agreed to remove drinking board games from TJ Maxx stores after Globe columnist Beverly Beckham reported her concerns to TJX that these games were marketed toward underage drinkers and were irresponsible, especially during prom and graduation season. Beckham’s recent column highlights her quest to get TJX to stop selling these games. Click here […]

This article, which ran on a recent Sunday Boston Globe front page, nicely describes the current frustrations felt by many restaurant and bar owners whose business are outside of Boston or Cambridge. Beacon Hill regulates the number of licenses that cities and towns may issue, based upon the population of that municipality. For example, all-alcohol […]