Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, December 2nd.
[00:00:22] A 79 year old woman was being treated for very serious injuries after being struck by a car in Quincy on Sunday morning. Police say the unidentified victim was hit at Fort Square at School in Stevens Streets next to the Fort Square Presbyterian Church in Quincy center just before 10am Sunday morning. Officers applied a tourniquet to a serious leg injury. The victim also suffered several broken bones and a lung puncture. She was rushed to Boston Medical Center. Her condition is not yet known. The 94 year old Randolph woman driving the car remained at the scene and was not injured and the incident remains under investigation.
[00:01:07] The Quincy City Council will hold a public hearing on next year's property tax rates next Monday. The hearing, which will be held to determine the percentages of the local tax levy borne by each class of real property, is set for 7pm Monday night in the Great hall at Quincy City Hall. Councilors are expected to set the new tax rates later on that evening following the public hearing. Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch has said there will be a modest increase in property taxes as this is the peak year of paying debt on the $475 million pension bond obligation that was approved by the city council in 2021. This past year, the owner of a median single family home in Quincy with assessed value of $630,000 saw their property tax bill increase by $320 to just over $7,200, a 4.6% change.
[00:02:12] Quincy College has appointed Karen Manning as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Manning joined the college in 2022 as its dean of Natural Health and Sciences and was named Dean of Nursing earlier this year. She has extensive higher education experience, including serving as Dean of the Nursing Division at Laboure College, chair of the Department of Nursing at Westfield State and Undergraduate Coordinator and Clinical Placement Coordinator and in the Department of Nursing at Salem State College. Her lengthy clinical experience includes two decades working as a staff nurse, nurse manager and nurse educator, specializing in home health, hospice and inpatient rehab. In 2020, during the pandemic, she was among the volunteers who provided care to patients admitted to Mass. General Manning received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Boston University and her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from UMASS Lowell. She's currently pursuing doctoral degrees in both educational leadership and higher education leadership.
[00:03:25] A Plymouth man sentenced last month for using his swimming pool business to scam homeowners 59 year old Stephen Dacchio pleading guilty to four counts of larceny over $1,200.
[00:03:39] On November 18th, he was sentenced to two and a half years in state prison with nine months to be served and the balance suspended for a total of 10 years probation. Dacchio was also ordered to pay his victims restitution and is prohibited from any construction or landscaping work while on probation. During the pandemic, Dacchio gave homeowners unrealistic timelines for swimming pool installations and falsely claim he had special access to building departments and material vendors. Dacchio ultimately collected more than $500,000 from homeowners for home improvement projects that he never completed.
[00:04:21] Jurors heard opening statements and testimony from a lead investigator yesterday in the trial of Brian Walsh, the Cohasset man accused of killing and dismembering his wife.
[00:04:33] Walsh is accused of killing and dismembering 39 year old Anna Walsh around New Year's Day 2023. Prosecutors allege he disposed of his wife's remains and dumpsters in the area. The jury of nine women and seven men will hear two very different theories about what happened to Anna Walsh. Assistant DA Gregory Connor said in his opening statement that Brian Walsh is responsible for the grisly murder of and laid out the circumstantial evidence compiled in the case, which includes bleach, hydrogen peroxide, a hatchet and a hacksaw that Walsh allegedly purchased after January 1, 2023, the last time Anna was seen alive. Defense attorney Larry Tipton said Walsh discovered his wife was dead when he climbed into bed with her after celebrating on New Year's Eve. The first testimony in the trial came from sergeant Harrison Schmidt of the Cohasset Police. He answered questions about a series of interviews and conversations with Walsh. Jurors heard audio recordings from three of those encounters during the second day of testimony today. Jurors are expected to hear more from Schmidt and then testimony from a state trooper who will testify about evidence recovered from digital devices.
[00:05:53] High school students in Massachusetts would take end of course tests designed, administered and scored by the state under new graduation requirements, recommended by a state council and cheered by governor Maraheali as consistent with the state's high expectations for all students.
[00:06:13] Passing the tests would not be a condition of receiving a diploma as it was under the former high stakes MCAS exam. But a major teachers union said the proposal still defies the will of the voters in 2024.
[00:06:28] Initial recommendation documents released by the council yesterday include a demonstration of mastery that has two components exams administered by the state taken at the end of courses and capstones or portfolios that are designed, administered and scored locally.
[00:06:46] In addition to proving mastery, other recommendations include requiring that students complete a rigorous program of study that aligns with the admissions requirements for higher education, developing and maintaining an individual career and academic plan, completing federal or state financial aid forms, developing financial literacy skills and having the option to earn state designed seals of distinction.
[00:07:13] The state is searching for new standards after voters detached the MCAS exam from diploma eligibility.
[00:07:20] Critics say the high stakes exam caused teachers to teach to the test. Supporters said tests are the best way to ensure educational consistency and equity across the state. The end of course assessments would be administered at the end of specific high school courses such as Algebra 1, English Language Arts, science and social studies. The recommendation for end of course assessments functions alongside the recommended program of study, according to the latest documents.
[00:07:54] In anticipation of giving Tuesday, today and the upcoming holiday season, Attorney General Andrea Campbell is advising residents to make well researched and informed decisions when donating to charities. Consumers of are encouraged to review the Attorney General's Giving Wisely Advisory and the Donating Do's and Don'ts A Guide to Charitable Giving for information including tips on what to consider before donating to a charity. Before you donate, verify the charity's name, address, number, email address and website if available.
[00:08:32] Ask how much of the money goes to charity and beware of statements such as all proceeds go to charity because terms like proceeds are not well defined and could refer to net amounts after the fundraiser's fee is deducted.
[00:08:48] Keep any at all receipts and canceled checks, along with emails and texts in case you have a complaint later. They also come in handy when you're filing your annual income tax returns. If you're eligible to deduct charitable contributions from your gross income, take time to decide if you want to donate. A legitimate charity will tell you how it's using your money to make a difference and pay by credit card or check, especially if donating online.
[00:09:16] A record of the transaction will be created. If you pay by credit card, you may be able to stop payment if you later change your mind. Credit cards also provide more security for your donation rather than a debit card.
[00:09:31] The Bar association of Norfolk county is offering a free legal help clinic at the Quincy District Courthouse this evening.
[00:09:40] Walk in appointments will be available from 6 to 8pm at the Quincy District Courthouse. Attorneys experienced in all areas of the law will be available for private one on one consultations.
[00:09:55] Check of business news this morning and stocks retreated. The dow was down 427 points, the Nasdaq lost 89 and the S&P fell 36. Asian stocks were mixed. The dollar rose. The Euro slipped oil at $59 a barrel.
[00:10:14] In sports, Patriots beating the Giants at Gillette stadium last night, 33 to 15.
[00:10:23] The Celtics take on the Knicks at the garden tonight at 8:00'. Clock. And the Bruins are in Detroit tonight at 7.
[00:10:31] Today's forecast from the National Weather Service calling for rain throughout the day today with a high of 37 degrees. They change over to a little wet snow tonight. A slushy inch of accumulation is possible. Lows tonight drop to the lower 20s. Sunshine returns tomorrow with a high of 38 degrees. Thursday, cloudy, maybe a snow shower and a high of 39. And sunny and cold on Friday with a high only 27 for the boater. Waves 1 to 2ft. Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots become easterly 10 to 15. A high tide at 8:16am Sunrise 6:54, sets at 4:12.
[00:11:11] I'm Joe Catalano with an AEM Quincy news update for Tuesday, December 2nd.
