Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Monday, June 15th. The Quincy City Council will continue discussing the city's proposal to purchase the former Eastern Nazarene College to Tonight, the Finance Committee will meet at 6pm at City hall to continue reviewing the proposal from Mayor Thomas Koch to borrow $22.5 million to purchase the 27 acre parcel and begin planning its future. Eastern Nazarene College had set today as the deadline for the city to decide if it will move forward with that purchase. The Mayor says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in the city's future by using the former school for 55 and older house and to utilize the school's library, performing arts center, gym and playing fields and its natural setting. Some counselors say they are concerned about adding to the city's debt burden and have suggested selling off some city owned property to offset the cost of the purchase. The Mayor introduced a plan to sell 12 houses and four parcels of land that the college had owned to help lower the purchase price of $21 million.
[00:01:33] Tonight's meeting will be live on QATV channels 9 and 1072 and on qatv.org a man was arrested for alleged drunk driving after crashing his SUV into a home in Abington on Saturday night. Abington police say they were called to a High street residence just after 9pm and found a vehicle had left the roadway and struck the house, damaging its structure. The driver, identified as 54 year old Derek Walsh of Abington, was hurt in the crash and taken to South Shore Hospital with injuries that were non life threatening. The residents were home at the time of the crash but were not hurt. Police didn't initially say what caused the crash but announced later yesterday that Walsh was taken into custody and will be charged with drunk driving, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a mark lanes violation, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.
[00:02:34] A child is in critical condition after being hit by an SUV in Braintree while he was riding a bicycle on Friday afternoon. Boy was rushed to a local hospital from the intersection of Arthur street and Gordon Road where the crash was reported at about 4:45 Friday afternoon. Boy was traveling on Arthur street when he and the SUV collided at the intersection. First responders found him unconscious in the road with significant injuries to his head and upper body. Several bystanders helped officers give the child aid until more medical resources came to the scene. The intersection is just steps from Watson park, which is packed with kids during the summer, where witnesses called the incident tragic. Police were investigating what happened, but offered the incident as a reminder that everyone be alert while on the road, as well as the importance for bicyclists wearing helmets. They credited the community who jumped in to help, writing at a statement. Their compassion and willingness to help during such a frightening moment reflect the strength and caring spirit the Braintree community Cape Verde plays its first ever World cup match today against Spain in Atlanta, Georgia. The Blue Sharks qualified for the tournament in the fall of 2025. After the match ended, the players and coaches celebrated on the pitch. They were wearing celebratory shirts that were designed by a Quincy man.
[00:04:13] Alex Figueiredo is the CEO of the clothing brand Islands, which designs apparel for the Cape Verde national team. The crest includes a blue shark representing the team's nickname. The Islands team is in Atlanta and will attend the game today. It'll be the first time the country has worn his crest on soccer's biggest stage. The brand is a family owned business that started as a passion project, they say. So far, many people have complimented the design. Now soccer fans from around the world have the chance to see it.
[00:04:50] Governor Healey on Friday signed a $1.56 billion transportation and education spending bill and legislation updating disability related language in state law. The supplemental budget directs surplus revenue generated by the surtax on wealthier households toward major investments in the mbta, special education reimbursements, child care and relief from the costs of clearing municipal roads. This winter, Healy also approved a separate bill replacing hundreds of outdated references to people with disabilities in Massachusetts statutes, culminating a legislative effort that supporters said stretched more than two decades. The spending package marks another major deployment of revenue generated by the voter approved constitutional amendment imposing an additional 4% tax on annual income above a million dollars. The new tax continues to spin off large amounts of revenue for education and transportation, while other areas of state spending are dependent on slower growing tax revenue sources. The law appropriates roughly $1.35 billion answer tax revenue, including about 780 million for transportation and 574 million for education.
[00:06:12] The compromise emerged from weeks of negotiations between House and Senate leaders who had differed on how heavily the money should be concentrated on MBTA investments versus broader regional transportation and education priorities. The largest single investment is $595 million for the T. The funding is intended to rebuild operating reserves, support and infrastructure improvements, expand low income fare discounts and bolster workforce and safety initiatives. Package also provides $35 million for regional transit authorities and 5 million for grants supporting micro transit and last mile transportation services.
[00:06:58] The initiative petition that would undo the 2016 legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts can continue moving toward November's ballot, according to the state's highest court. In a ruling on Friday that also deemed the attorney general's summary of the question to be fair, a handful of participants in the state program that provides funding to boost opportunities for entrepreneurs disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement filed a suit seeking to remove the question from this year's ballot. The plaintiffs argued that the attorney general's office required summary of the initiative, left out key details and that the AG should not have certified the measure because it contains unrelated policy sections, but the Supreme Court disagreed. Massachusetts voters legalized recreational Cannabis through a 2016 ballot measure. The Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts is advancing this year's ballot question, which would repeal legalization of non medical marijuana. The Cannabis Control Commission would remain, but only to regulate the medical sector. The Legislature Special Committee on Initiative Petitions recommended that lawmakers take no action on the idea this spring. Most members of the committee signed onto a report that details tax revenue, public health and public safety concerns with the idea of legal cannabis. Sales grossed more than $1.65 billion last year and generated 289 million in state tax revenue.
[00:08:41] The surgical suite at the new Quincy Animal Care center on Quarry street has been dedicated to a late, longtime volunteer at the center. Janet Parisi volunteered for 18 years helping stray cats receive veterinary care and spay and neuter services.
[00:09:01] The Janet F. Parisi Surgical Suite will honor her memory and further her mission to provide more cats with critical services. Parisi began volunteering as a dog walker at the Quincy animal shelter in 2000, then joined the board of directors, took on many important roles at the shelter. Parisi helped capture feral cats and find them forever homes, including adopting some in her own home. Local veterinarians use the new surgical suite to provide both routine and emergency care for animals. The shelter is hoping to raise additional funds to expand the surgical suite services.
[00:09:41] A check on business news this morning and stocks are higher. The Dow is up 353, the Nasdaq rose 79.
[00:09:49] The S&P added 37. Share prices soared in Asia today after a tentative deal was announced on ending the Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The dollar rose, the euro was up and oil is down to $83 a barrel.
[00:10:07] And sports Rangers beat the Red Sox six to four.
[00:10:12] The Blue Jays come to Fenway tomorrow night at 6:45.
[00:10:17] The national weather Service forecast for today turning partly sunny with a high of 82 for tonight. Few clouds around lows will drop into the mid 50s tomorrow. Sunny Pleasant high of 78, partly sunny 81 on Wednesday and some showers on Thursday high of 83.
[00:10:37] The boater waves about a foot. A Southwesterly wind at 5 to 10 knots becomes northeast later today at a high tide. 12:11pm Sunrise 5:06 sets at 8:22.
[00:10:50] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Monday, June 15th.
