Police confirm that two people were shot in an Allston apartment on the third floor of  15 Chester Street, according to Universal Hub.

The shooting happened around 10 p.m. on Friday night and both victims have been taken to Boston area hospitals, reports Fox 25. There are no reports on their statuses.

Police have found at least  6 bullet casings in the apartment, according to the Universal Hub.

More to come as the case develops.

Boston Police acquired more evidence against an alleged drug dealer after his mother inadvertently gave it to them.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement that after police arrested Travis Curry, 25, in his Tremont Street apartment building on Feb. 9 for a narcotics transaction with an undercover officer, officers asked Curry’s mother if she’d like to get some warmer clothes for Curry to wear. He was wearing shorts. Curry’s mother agreed and retrieved a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans from inside the apartment, where she handed the clothes to an officer. The officer felt a “hard object” inside the jeans, and upon inspection found a large folding knife, nine bags of crack cocaine and 15 bags of heroin.

Curry was arraigned yesterday in Suffolk Superior Court following his April 20 indictment on charges of distribution of a Class A substance, possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B substances and violating the state’s drug laws within 1,000 feet of a school. Curry faces enhanced sentences as a second or subsequent drug offender.

Curry is being held on $2,000 cash bail and is ordered to stay away from Madison Park High School property, where Curry allegedly met the undercover officer prior to their encounter at the Tremont Street apartment building. He will return to court on June 20.

A narrow street is causing complaints and commotion in Roslindale.

When cars are parked on both sides of Seymour Street, the street becomes too narrow for cars coming from opposite directions to drive through at the same time. Some residents are requesting that the street be changed to one-way.

Rocco Corigliano, a resident of Seymour Street and a mayoral staff assistant, feels that the street is just too narrow to have cars parked on each side. “Police had to even be called once because no one wanted to move,” said Corigliano. The incident, he explained, first involved two cars facing head-to-head, but after a while there were five cars waiting to get through.

Rebecca Frank, a two-year resident of Seymour Street, said of the street, “It is really hard to pass through, and many times when you notice there is another car coming from the opposite direction, it is too late.” Frank added that especially with snow, it is difficult to find parking, not to mention a place to pull over in order to allow another car to drive through.

Jesse Bigham, a five-year resident of Seymour Street, shares Frank’s concern. “Seymour Street is simply too narrow to be a two-way street. When you have two cars coming from both directions at the same time, it can indeed be a severe annoyance, not to mention the potential for an accident,” said Binhgam.

George Vento, who has known a resident of Seymour Street for 12 years, explained how it becomes difficult for him when coming to visit.

“There is not enough space for Seymour Street to be a two-way street,” said Vento. He also added how it is impossible to find parking, saying that “Only if you get lucky can you find a parking spot.”

He believes that a one-way street should be enforced to end the yelling, screaming and beeping of horns. “No one wants to pull to one side, but is it truly that hard to move,” said Vento.

While Seymour Street has caused its share of complaints, residents must first start and sign a petition if they want the street to become one-way. Bigham said that if a petition were given regarding making Seymour Street into a one-way street, he would not hesitate to sign it.

“Once we get the petition and enough signatures we will get the transportation department involved and see if we will be able to make it a one-way street,” said Corigliano.

The improper use and disposal of smoking materials has been named the cause of Friday morning’s fatal fire in Ipswich, officials said. The Central Street fire took the life of one woman whose name has not yet been released.

“Even though fire deaths are generally decreasing, this has been a difficult winter,” State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said in a statement. “Smoking remains the leading cause of fire deaths in the state.”

Ipswich Fire Chief Arthur Howe III said in a statement, “This fire is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends. The fact that the fire sprinkler system was able to control the fire until firefighters arrived prevented anyone else from being hurt and kept property damage to an absolute minimum.”

Fire officials recommend taking the following precautions in order to prevent a smoking-related fire:

• Smoke outside of the home.
• Use a sturdy ashtray or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
• Ashtrays should be set on a sturdy surface that is hard to ignite, such as a table.
• Make sure cigarettes are completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away.
• Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
• Do not put ashtrays on chairs or sofas, which can quickly catch on fire.

Police don't want this happening at a sex offender's home. (Media credit/Belinda Hankins Miller via Flickr)

When the doorbell rang at sex offenders’ doors last night, it wasn’t trick-or-treaters — it was the police.

Probation officers and local police across the state made unannounced visits to sex offenders on Halloween to remind them not to offer candy to children. This effort was in addition to numerous other precautions made in preparation for the holiday, including warning sex offenders by mail, phone, and in person over the past two weeks to not answer their doors, turn on outside lights or decorate their properties for Halloween. One county even monitored the activity of sex offenders who wear electronic bracelets.

Michael L. Koperniak, an assistant chief probation officer for the Berkshire County Superior Court, said, “We encourage probationers to be very mindful. If they are home on Halloween night, we caution them against going out for a walk in the community.”

Martin Wallace, Essex County Superior Court’s chief probation officer, said that it’s routine for probation officers to remind sex offenders of the “no contact” order, and that this is especially important during Halloween, when children might be knocking on their doors.

“It’s common sense,” he said. “It’s Halloween. Don’t be around children and don’t be passing out candy.”

Photo courtesy of Belinda Hankins Miller via Flickr

A Sears surveillance video image of the woman who allegedly met the victims at the Plaza

The Braintree Police Department is investigating a report from two Rhode Island residents who claim that they were scammed out of $3,600 outside of the Sears at the South Shore Plaza on Monday.

One of the men claimed that he was approached by a male customer on Monday morning at his place of business, a coffee shop, who said that he “knew a guy” who could sell him TVs for a good price. The customer gave the man a phone number, and when he called, he spoke to an unidentified individual who offered to sell him two 55-inch Samsung TVs, two 46-inch Samsung TVs, and four Samsung Blu-Ray 3d Kits for $3,600.

When the two men arrived at the Sears to pick up the merchandise, they were greeted by a woman wearing a Sears name tag. The woman gave the men an authentic-looking Sears receipt for the electronics, took the $3,600, and put the men on the phone with the unidentified individual who had been contacted earlier. The woman then told the men to wait while she had the merchandise brought out to them.

The men then waited an hour for the woman to return with the electronics before realizing that they had been scammed. Sears loss prevention has confirmed that the authentic-looking Sears receipt the woman had provided was a fake. Sears loss prevention was also able to pull up an image of the woman from their surveillance video.

When State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson’s arrest hit the news, everyone knew that there would be a messy fallout. Other Boston-based power brokers, in the state and city levels, would likely be implicated, leaving the leadership stuck with a major public relations hit and ongoing anxiety. The public, of course, would become increasingly skeptical of their leaders. This fallout was rearing its head today.

Chuck Turner, a charismatic Boston City Councilor,‚  who was arrested last week for allegedly taking a bribe, was all over the news again this week. Not only did Turner hold a press conference to claim innocence and plead for public support, but Maureen Feeney, city council president, preempted that 2:30 p.m. press conference with one of her own.

At 1 p.m., at City Hall’s Curley Room, Feeney said that while she respected Turner’s rights to claim innocence, thought the investigation would render him ineffective as a councilor. Feeney had already, and unilaterally, stripped Turner of his committee assignments.

But Turner, a Roxbury member of the Green-Rainbow Party, said he was being abused by city officials and members of the media.

“Obviously, the press is working to publicly destroy my reputation before I even have an opportunity to have a day in court,” he said. “Since I am being tried by the media and my fellow councilors, I have made the decision to publicly defend myself. That is, I will act as my own lawyer in this media trial in which I find myself. Some argue that I should keep quiet for fear that I may make some statement that can be used against me. So be it! I will not sit back silently and allow my reputation to be ripped to shreds.”

He added, “They are criminals.”

Chris Faraone, writing for The Phoenix, observed the situation.

Turner stepped to his crowd as planned. Even before a working microphone arrived, he launched into a condemnation of his colleagues and the pad-and-camera-wielding culprits who he deems responsible for his predicament.

The crowd was energized. Everyone expected fireworks, as the councilor’s operatives circulated an announcement declaring war against the media. “My main concern is that I am not being tried by a jury of my peers, I am being tried by the Globe, the Herald, Fox News, Channel 7, Channel 5, etc…,” Turner wrote and went on to say

Vocal support rang loudly. Some folks belted pro-Chuck chants, while others were noticeably angrier. When it became obvious that the sound system was busted, one participant suggested that evildoers “Stop controlling the truth and let him be heard.” “Get him a mic,” another person yelled.

Welcome to the surreal state of Massachusetts politics in 2009. It is sure to be a constant stream of drama, accusations, arrests and subpoenas.

The public is left to watch, and wonder who to trust.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has issued a challenge to businesses: reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent over the next three years.‚  And a prominent group of Massachusetts businesses said they will accept his challenge.

The Governor’s Clean Energy Challenge, developed by the New England Clean Energy Council and the Massachusetts High Technology Council in cooperation with the state’s electric and natural gas utilities, will offer recognition to participants who meet or exceed the 10 percent target.

“I offer the Challenge to everyone to do their part to dramatically reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency measures, innovative energy technology products, and the use of renewable sources,” said Governor Patrick, who announced the Challenge at the New England Clean Energy Council 1st Annual Green Tie Gala in Boston this week. “As in any competition, there will be recognition for extraordinary accomplishment and leadership.‚  But this is a contest in which everyone who participates will be a winner.”

Millipore and Pfizer accepted aims to inspire action by businesses, municipalities, and residents to reduce their energy consumption in an effort to combat climate change.

“Millipore is pleased to take the Governor up on his challenge of reducing greenhouse emissions because it is important to our company and the environment,” said Millipore President & CEO Martin Madaus. “We appreciate the Governor’s leadership in positioning Massachusetts and its employers ahead of the curve when it comes to the adoption of clean energy technologies and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a critical program for the Commonwealth’s environmental and economic health, but also for the quality of life of its 6 million residents.”

Other companies that are considering participating in the Challenge and serving as mentors to other companies are members of Massachusetts High Tech Council’s Sustainable Energy Program, a component of the technology trade group’s 10-year-old energy aggregation program, which includes forward-thinking energy consumers like Boston Scientific and Varian Semiconductor. Participants will work with utilities NSTAR, National Grid, and Western Massachusetts Electric.

Clean energy advocates praised the program. ‚ 

“Massachusetts is in position to lead the way toward a clean energy future for the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world, and to capitalize on it in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, and jobs,” said Nick d’Arbeloff, executive director of the New England Clean Energy Council. “The Governor’s Clean Energy Challenge is a way to focus attention and effort on both the environmental imperative and the economic opportunity.”

In my college days I used to walk from my North End apartment to the Emerson College campus, which, for the most part stretches around the corner of Boylston and Tremont, just south of Boston Common.

Each time I made that walk, I was startled by a wondrous juxtaposition. From the century-old colonial architecture scattered throughout the city, to the tiny cobbled stone roadways that take one from Quincy Market to Little Italy, a stroll through Boston can truly seem like a trip to our simpler, storied past.

That is with one notable and unfortunate exception: Boston City Hall.

This monstrosity in architecture is in the heart of Boston proper at the Government Center Plaza, just a stones throw away from Fanuel Hall. The building is nine-level, horizontally-oriented brutalist design ( by Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles). It is a rectangle, I guess, but is an inverted pyramid in elevation.

It is doubtful a tourist would last 10 minutes in the Hub, without coming face-to-face with this albatross that was planted in some of city’s most treasured real estate more than 40 years ago. One cannot help but wonder: How is it possible that city officials allowed this to happen? Exactly how potent was the LSD that was evidently handed out at planning meetings in the early-1960s when this attempt to merge “Old and New Boston” first started.

Ugliness can be interpreted in countless different ways, but according to a recent report by VirtualTourist.com, the planet is starting to reach a consensus on at least one thing: no building on Earth is less attractive than Boston City Hall.

Virtual Tourist observed that the building gets routinely criticized for “its dreary faƒ§ade” and “incongruity with the rest of the city’s more genteel architecture.” They listed City Hall as one, in their top ten list of the “Worlds Ugliest Building.”

This is not the first such dishonor for the building. In 2004 the Project for Public Spaces identified it as the worst single public plaza worldwide, out of hundreds of contenders.

Here is the rest of Virtual Tourists list of the World’s Ugliest Buildings.

2. Montparnasse Tower; Paris, France
3. LuckyShoe Monument; Tuuri, Finland
4. Metropolitan Cathedral; Liverpool, England
5. Port Authority Bus Terminal; New York City, New York
6. Torres de Colon; Madrid, Spain
7. Liechtenstein Museum of Fine Arts; Vaduz, Liechtenstein
8. Scottish Parliament Building; Edinburgh, Scotland
9. Birmingham Central Library; Birmingham, England
10. Peter the Great Statue; Moscow, Russia

(Photo Credit: Kjetil Ree (Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike 3.0)

Retired FBI agent John J. Connolly Jr. was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder for leaking information to informants that caused them to kill a potential witness more than two decades ago.

The jury ruled that Connolly leaked information to James “Whitey” Bulger and Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, which led to the murder of John B. Callahan, who was killed in Florida 26 years ago, at the age of 45.

Connolly, 68, faces the possibility of serving the rest of his life in prison. The verdict followed seven weeks of testimony in a South Florida Courtroom. Flemmi, 74, who is currently in prison for several murders, was a key witness for the prosecution, according to reports.

Fred Wyshak, a federal prosecutor from Boston who was involved in the prosecution, told The Boston Globe that, barring an arrest of long-time fugitive Whitey Bulger, “this ends what is really a sad chapter in the history of law enforcement in Boston.”