Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Wednesday, June 17.
[00:00:22] Former Quincy Elder Services Director Tom Clasby is scheduled to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to stealing over $130,000 from the city. Classby faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines when he sentenced in federal court in Boston. Classby was fired in April of 2024 after it was discovered that he embezzled funds for five years to pay for personal items including a self portrait, bourbon, steak tips, a studio recording session and a car. Prosecutors will recommend a 13 month prison sentence under a plea agreement that was reached earlier this year. The 61 year old ClassBee from Fitchburg was Elder services director for 25 years. The city Council has issued a resolution calling for an investigation into how the embezzlement was able to go undetected since 2019.
[00:01:22] The administration says safeguards have been put in place to prevent future thefts.
[00:01:29] Quincy Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol can stay open until 2am through July 31st if they choose.
[00:01:39] Board of Licensed Commissioners yesterday voted unanimously to opt in to the new state law that allows alcohol establishments to stay open an extra hour to capitalize on the increased business generated by the World cup in Quincy. Liquor establishments are normally required to close at 1am Governor Healey signed a law that allows the extra hour if cities and towns opt into that law. The Quincy Licensing Board voted yesterday to allow the extra hour, so alcohol establishments will be receiving an email from the city informing them about the extra hour. The new law is effective immediately and expires on July 31st.
[00:02:24] The Quincy City Council has a flurry of meetings scheduled this week and next week. Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 7:25 for budget reviews and appropriations. Then the Finance Committee will meet tonight at 7:30 to continue budget reviews, including the budgets for the mayor and City Council.
[00:02:45] The Oversight Committee will meet Monday at 6 to review an order reviewing the process for appointing Housing Authority Board members. The Rules Committee will meet Monday at 6:45 to discuss access to public information and then the full Council will meet Monday at 7 to discuss repealing the pay raises for the mayor and City councilors. All the meetings will be live on QATV channels 9 and 1072 and on qatv.org well it took more than a year for a defense attorney to obtain a series of text messages from disgraced State Police Trooper Michael Proctor. Now she says what they reveal could impact not just one case, but potentially many. Attorney Rosemary Scapiccio described what she says are racist and sexually violent texts allegedly found on Proctor's phone. The messages came from a group chat that surfaced as part of a motion to dismiss the case of Miles King, in which Proctor was the lead investigator. Scapiccio argues that the texts call into question the integrity of that case and possibly others. King is accused of a deadly shooting in Milton five years ago. His attorney claims the state delayed court proceedings, and legal experts suggest those delays and may have been intentional. Now, law enforcement experts are raising concerns about how Proctor was hired and whether warning signs may have been missed. As more details emerge, calls are growing louder for a broader review of Proctor's past work. The Norfolk district attorney has not responded to questions about reviewing Proctor's former cases.
[00:04:38] Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital voting yesterday to authorize a one day strike the Massachusetts nurses association said 2,798 voted in favor of the strike authorization, while 12 voted against it. The union said in a press release that the vote does not mean a strike will occur, but allows negotiators to schedule a one day strike if necessary to secure a fair contract.
[00:05:06] The next bargaining session will be held tomorrow, adding that the nurses will, as legally required, give 10 days notice if a strike is scheduled. The union said members are fighting for a contract that supports recruitment and retention of nurses to protect patient care.
[00:05:26] Gas prices are on the way down, just in time for the summer driving season. The average cost of a gallon of regular in Massachusetts dropped 12 cents in the past week. It remains over a dollar more expensive than last year, according to AAA. A gallon of regular is now 416. Last week it was 428. A month ago was 449, but a year ago was 299. Prices have been coming down slowly in recent weeks, but with framework in place for a deal to end the war between the United States and Iran, the pace is picking up. It is welcome news for a lot of different reasons. Gas prices may drop quickly, but it will take longer for lower fuel costs to be reflected in other parts of the economy. And even when the Strait of Hormuz opens, experts say it'll be a while for things to get back to normal.
[00:06:23] Manett Community Health center of Quincy is extending its sincere thanks to the more than 200 people who attended their recent annual June Bloom fundraiser at Leo's Events and Restaurant in Braintree. The evening featured raffles, a wine poll at a silent auction, stories and videos of Manit patients was a highlight of the evening. Manit's CEO Cynthia Sierra and Board President Anita Christie talked about the importance of manit's mission to provide accessible community based care. Manit was founded in 1977 and opened its first center in Quincy in 1979. It has since expanded to other locations in Quincy, Hall, Taunton and Attleboro.
[00:07:11] The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will host an open house in honor of America 250 today from 4 to 6pm at their headquarters in Dedham. Attendees will receive a free booklet, explore historic registry displays and learn about Norfolk County's role in the American Revolution.
[00:07:34] A check of business news this morning and stocks are mixed. The dow was up 328 points, the Nasdaq dropped 307 and the S&P fell 42. Asian stocks mostly higher.
[00:07:48] The dollar fell, the euro was down and oil at $78 a barrel.
[00:07:54] In sports, Blue Jays beat the Red Sox at Fenway last night six to one. The series will continue tonight at six six forty five.
[00:08:03] The National Weather Service forecast for today, a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 81. Cloudy tonight, low of 57.
[00:08:12] Tomorrow cloudy with some showers, rather windy and a high tomorrow of 79. Friday, partly sunny, high of 82 and sunny with a high of 80 on Saturday.
[00:08:24] The marine forecast calls for 1 to 2 foot waves. Winds south at 5 knots, become southeasterly 10 to 15 with gusts to 20. There is a small craft advisory in effect. High tide 1:58pm Sunrise 5:06 sets at 8:22.
[00:08:43] On traffic note, the Four River Bridge is scheduled to open at 8am I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Wednesday, June 17th.
[00:08:54] Wednesday.
