Coronavirus Concerns In Greater Boston Mounts: Patch PM
WALTHAM, MA — It's Oct. 23. we made it to Friday! Here's what Patch has been covering in greater Boston and across Massachusetts.
The latest release of town-by-town coronavirus data from the state Department of Public Health shows the number of communities with concerning levels of coronavirus is starting to head in the wrong direction around greater Boston. It's prompted municipal officials to crack down.
For the two weeks ended Oct 21, Waltham had positive coronavirus test rates of 13. 9, above the state threshold marking it a high-risk community, prompting a public health department to threaten fines for not wearing masks. Advocates are also worried about the continued impact on the city's unhoused population.
In Boston, where 12 people tested positive per 100,000, despite pushback, Mayor Marty Walsh announced he was suspending all in-person learning.
Towns were marked high-risk, or red, if they reported more than eight average daily confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks.
Communities dubbed high-risk cannot move on to the next phase of reopening. In Newton, which has a rate of 5.7 bumping it back into in a moderate risk category, officials just outlined how the pandemic has impacted city's finances.
Elsewhere in Greater Boston
Rabies Vaccine Crackdown In Arlington After Massive Raccoon Attack
Animal Control said owners of unvaccinated pets will be cited after a child was bitten by "one of the largest raccoons we've ever seen."
Man Who Says He Was Wrongfully Convicted Of Murder Freed
Attorneys at the Boston College New England Innocence Program said Thomas Rosa Jr. who was convicted in 1993, after three trials, for the murder of an 18-year-old nurse's aide was released. He's maintained he was wrongly convicted.
Newton School Enrollment Down More Than 5 percent Amid Pandemic
Declining enrollment down the road could have an impact on funding, said district officials Monday during a school committee meeting.
Brookline Schools Need Substitute Teachers
Districts across the state are looking for a few good substitute teachers. But amid pandemic, they're difficult to find, and the job looks a bit different this year.
Brookline Can Use Money To Appeal Civil Service Findings: Judge
If you've been following the case of a firefighter in Brookline who claimed racism, and was eventually fired, you likely know this has been a hot topic for years. The town was set to appeal a civil service decision reinstating back pay to him, but the town's legislative body tried to stop it.
Across Massachusetts
State Declares 'Critical Drought' In Charles River Watershed
Did you know there's been a drought for months across Massachusetts? The state is asking residents in communities like Cambridge, Newton and Waltham to conserve water. In Brookline, where the water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir via the MWRA, and they have no current restriction. However, it is having an impact on our trees and other natural resources.
And finally today:
Saturday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Thousands of voters have already returned their ballots. In Newton and Brookline town officials are already predicting a record turnout. Have you voted already?
Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.
This article originally appeared on the Waltham Patch
