Northeast
Blue state governor vows ‘zero tolerance’ approach to street takeovers after violent attack on law enforcement
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said more than 232 civil citations were issued, and seven arrests were made after she ordered a crackdown on illegal street takeovers, vowing a “zero-tolerance” approach to the issue.
The Boston Police Department said more than 100 people were involved in an Oct. 5 street takeover that happened just after 2 a.m. Officers found people trying to attack police cruisers with fireworks, cones, poles and other items.
Officials said one police cruiser was torched and destroyed by flames, adding that it needed to be towed away.
Following the incident, Healey ordered the Massachusetts State Police to work with local law enforcement agencies to crack down on street takeovers and illegal car meetups.
PRO-PALESTINIAN AGITATORS ATTACK POLICE AS RIOT ERUPTS IN DEM-RUN CITY, OFFICIALS SAY
Police in Boston said a group of over 100 people participated in a street takeover on Oct. 5. (Charlotte Aunger via Storyful)
Healey announced on Thursday that, as a result of the increased enforcement surrounding street takeovers, 232 civil citations, 20 criminal summonses and 74 warnings were issued. Seven arrests were also made, she said, adding that 15 vehicles were also towed.
“These illegal street takeovers cause public disorder, damage property and pose a significant threat to the safety of both area residents and police officers. That’s why I declared a zero-tolerance policy and directed State Police to dedicate any necessary resources to support local police with deterring and responding to them,” Healey said.
“Most importantly, we saw none of the disruptions in our communities like we’ve seen in the past few weeks. And it’s thanks to the great police work across the state.”
She also issued a warning to people thinking about going to a street takeover.
‘NOBODY’S IN CONTROL’ AS CHAOTIC STREET TAKEOVERS TERRORIZE CITIES ACROSS US: CRIME EXPERT
Police in Boston say the street takeover resulted in a cruiser being torched. (WFXT)
“I’m also going to continue to make my message clear to people whether they’re coming from Massachusetts or coming from outside of Massachusetts. We’ve got zero tolerance for this stuff. Zero tolerance. And as shown by this past weekend’s efforts, we’ll find you, we’ll hold you accountable,” Healey said.
During the news conference, Healey also announced $14 million in safety grants to cities and towns throughout the state that will go toward supporting traffic enforcement and stopping illegal activities such as street takeovers.
Two people were arrested during the street takeover — Julian Bowers, 18, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and William Cantwell, 19, from Warwick, Rhode Island. They were charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and malicious destruction of property over $1,200.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Julian Bowers, 18, and William Cantwell, 19, of Rhode Island were arrested in the street takeover, according to officials. (WFXT)
Cantwell allegedly used a pole to smash a police cruiser, and Bowers is accused of throwing objects at police.
The two men pleaded not guilty, and a judge set bail at $500 for Bowers and $1,000 for Cantwell. Both were seen fist-bumping after learning the bail amount, CBS News reported. Prosecutors had asked for $15,000 cash bail for Bowers and $20,000 for Cantwell.
Read the full article from Here
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Concord on Friday to discuss a new health initiative to prevent and combat Lyme disease.
The visit was part of the “Take Back Your Health” campaign tour, a multimillion dollar initiative to promote dietary changes and exercise as preventative measures for chronic illness. Kennedy has been traveling the country to outline projects, including changing federal dietary guidelines, gut microbiome research, and addiction recovery.
Kennedy said his goal was to reduce Lyme disease by 25% by 2035.
Kennedy announced that over $2 million of federal funding will be up for grabs for projects focused on the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease. The grants, through a program called LymeX, will be available to businesses, scientists, and the public.
At the press conference Friday, Kennedy said the grants will go to projects including education tools and public awareness campaigns, front-line solutions like medication, and AI technology.
“This initiative will harness artificial intelligence and open data to help patients with Lyme disease and other invisible illnesses. Get answers faster and connect to care sooner,” he said.
Lyme in NH
New Hampshire has long been one of the epicenters for Lyme disease. The state has the seventh highest rate of Lyme disease in the country, according to the most recent data from 2023.
Read more: It’s tick season in New England. Here’s how to stay safe.
Tick season is a well-established time of year in New England, with an increase in cases and hospital visits in April and May. Research from Dartmouth shows half of adult blacklegged ticks in the Northeast carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
In a health advisory issued on Wednesday, State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan pointed out that Lyme disease is one of the most common infections spread through tick bites. Other tick-borne infections include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus.
Lyme is also the most common tick-borne illness in America, with an estimated 476,000 people getting the disease each year nationwide, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Service.
Kennedy’s record on Lyme disease
In the past, Kennedy has promoted a conspiracy theory that Lyme disease was bioengineered by the U.S. military. Late last year, he advocated for an investigation into a possible link between the military and the disease as part of a provision in a new defense bill, Scientific American and Politico reported.
Around that time, Kennedy said many patients’ claims were ignored, and he announced that “the gaslighting of Lyme patients is over.”
As an anti-vaccine activist, Kennedy launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for president in 2024. He then ran briefly as an independent before quitting and endorsing Donald Trump.
Trump later nominated him for health secretary, and he was confirmed by the Senate in early 2025 on a party-line vote.
Kennedy is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and a son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was slain during his campaign for president in 1968. In his own bid for the White House, RFK Jr.’s name was never on the ballot in New Hampshire. In mid-2024, a UNH Survey Center poll found he mustered only 3% support among likely voters.
More resources
What to do if you’ve been bitten by a tick: Step one, don’t panic.
Tick season: How not to get bit
From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.
In New Jersey, Mercer County officials have enacted new policies limiting the ability of federal immigration agents to access and use county property to conduct immigration enforcement operations.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson issued an executive order and the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution Friday that bans U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol from using any nonpublic area on county property to enforce immigration law, unless they have obtained a judicial warrant or judicial order.
“From Minneapolis to Delaney Hall, ICE has repeatedly shown a total disregard for the law and for the constitutional rights of citizens and non-citizens alike,” Benson said in a statement. “We respect the Federal Government’s authority to enforce immigration law, but we will not allow them to use County properties to harass our families.”
“With this resolution, we’re sending a clear message that everyone in our community can safely interact with County government, and access County services, without fear,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Terrance Stokes in a statement. “ICE’s actions threaten the fabric of our community, and we will take whatever steps we can, within the bounds of the law, to protect our residents.”
-
Missouri52 seconds agoBarry County man breaks Missouri state record with yellow bass catch
-
Montana8 minutes agoCounties accept enough signatures to put Bodnar, Eisenhauer on ballot; counts unofficial
-
Nebraska11 minutes agoNebraska Man Fractures Spine After Falling Off Big Boy Locomotive At Whistle-Stop
-
Nevada16 minutes agoNevada SPCA brings adoptable pet to spotlight on Furever Home Friday
-
New Hampshire23 minutes ago
RFK Jr. visits NH to unveil new federal actions to fight Lyme disease
-
New Jersey26 minutes agoMercer County, N.J. enacts new policies to limit ICE arrest activity
-
New Mexico33 minutes agoVirgin Galactic partners with nonprofit for menstruation research in space
-
North Carolina41 minutes agoFamilies in Durham say they’re barely getting by; New report says Americans are saving less
