MERRY EXCHANGE If you’ve read Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” too many winters in a row and are looking for a new seasonal read, the Trident Booksellers & Cafe hosts their Holiday Book Swap, a grab-and-go-style exchange for anyone who wants to trade a well-loved book for a new read. The event takes place in the Stacks, Trident’s large event space, and readers are encouraged to stay and mingle over their new library additions. Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m. Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St. tridentbookscafe.com
FOLKLORIC FUN Krampus, the German folkloric character who acts as Santa’s evil counterpart, gets his own celebration from the Brighton Bazaar over the weekend at the Charles River Speedway. On Saturday, Medieval Merriment founder and costume and creature maker Elsa the Fool hosts a medieval costume contest. Then, on Sunday, Salem street performer Goat Girl brings some goat-headed crowd interaction. Throughout the Speedway, vendors will be selling vintage and handmade merchandise befitting a folklore-themed celebration. Dec. 6-7. Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. instagram.com/thebrightonbazaar
INDIE COMIC CON The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, or MICE, invites over 200 artists and writers for a rodent-themed indie comic convention. The expo’s headlining artists are Boston-born artist Scott McCloud, known for his comic about making comics, “Understanding Comics,” and ND Stevenson, whose graphic novel series “Nimona” was adapted into an animated Netflix film in 2023, though both panels are ticketed with a fee. However, for free, you can peruse the aisles to explore work from over 200 artists and illustrators. Dec. 6-7. RSVP required. Peter Fuller Building, 808 Commonwealth Ave. micexpo.org
Outside the Somerville Public Library which was built in 1914. Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
STORIES ON SALE If you love reading or scouring through bargain bins, the Somerville Library has just the opportunity for you: The annual Friends of the Somerville Library deal, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, offers a large selection of books for purchase, all priced at $1. The sale raises funds for the library’s programming throughout the year. Dec. 6-7. Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com
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This week, experience some early holiday spirit at one of the tree lighting ceremonies taking place around Boston. Many offer activities, snacks, and refreshments.
Monday
Copley Square, 560 Boylston St. 4-6 p.m. boston.gov
Wednesday
Boston Landing, 92 Guest St. 4-7 p.m. eventbrite.com
ALLSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Boston police are searching for a gunman who opened fire in Allston Thursday and left one person hurt.
Police responded to a radio call for a person shot in the area of Brighton Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found a male “juvenile” suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim’s age has not been released.
Boston police said the shooter fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police.
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This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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A State Police trooper who was allegedly found “slumped over” in his car at around 5 a.m. in the South End with an open container of High Noon vodka has been “relieved of duty.”
Mass State Police confirmed to the Herald Wednesday night that Trooper Donovan Preston, 31, arrested for alleged drunken driving in Boston this past weekend, “has been relieved of duty.” Preston’s base pay is listed as $80,213.
A Boston Police report states that police arrived at Herald Street on Saturday to see Preston “stopped in lane 2 of the road” with his brake lights on. The suspect was slumped over “with his eyes closed,” the report adds.
“The officer observed that the car was on and in drive. The officer observed an open container of alcohol (High Noon) in the cupholder,” according to the report. The BPD officer then knocked on the window “for approximately 10 seconds before the suspect lifted his head up.”
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Once he picked his head up, police said he appeared “confused and he looked around. The suspect’s vehicle began to roll to which the officer announced, ‘Boston Police. Open the Door.’ ”
Preston stopped on the three-lane, outbound road with his black BMW in the middle of two lanes.
A State Police spokesman said in an email: “Trooper Donovan Preston was relieved of duty and will be subject to a department discipline process.” All other comments were directed toward the police report.
That report, provided to the Herald Wednesday night, added that State Police were notified after Preston’s arrest.
The can of High Noon was logged into the evidence book.
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This latest OUI case comes as State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley is being investigated in an alleged drunken driving fatal crash in Woburn in 2023 that killed a disabled passenger in a van.
In the Quigley case, his blood alcohol level reportedly tested at a .114 at the hospital following the crash (the legal limit is .08). That detail came out in a wrongful death suit filed by the victim Angelo Schettino’s family.
‘Unless he’s s###-faced, I’m not worried’: Mass State Police dash cam catches aftermath of deadly cruiser crash [+video]
The smashed van at the Woburn crash scene. (MSP body camera video screengrab)
