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Boston, MA

Golden retrievers take over Boston Common before marathon to honor Spencer the dog

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Golden retrievers take over Boston Common before marathon to honor Spencer the dog


Spencer the Boston Marathon dog honored with statue on marathon route in Massachusetts

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Spencer the Boston Marathon dog honored with statue on marathon route in Massachusetts

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BOSTON – A fluffy pile of golden retrievers took over the Boston Common in memory of a special dog that inspired marathon runners and those fighting cancer. The “Golden Strong” meetup on Sunday paid tribute to Spencer the dog as well as his niece Penny; both died within weeks of each other from cancer in 2023.

Organizers said hundreds of golden retrievers and their owners turned out for the event, which raised money for canine cancer research. 

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Marathon runner Robin Gialanella (R) of New Jersey pets a golden retriever during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images


Remembering Spencer the Boston Marathon dog

Spencer was one of the biggest cheerleaders for marathon runners every year, holding a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth along the course route in Ashland. Spectators would line up to take pictures with him. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was named the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon by race organizers. 

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“Spencer totally understood what he was doing and he knew he made a difference and he enjoyed doing it,” his owner Rich Powers said.

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Spencer at the unveiling of his portrait in Boston

Spencer was a therapy dog who visited schools and hospitals, and became a symbol of hope for others battling cancer. A statue of Spencer was just unveiled in Ashland last month. 

Photos of golden retrievers on Boston Common

The dogs participating in Sunday’s event wore “Golden Strong” bandanas sold by MA Golden Meetups, with 20% of their sales going to research on cancer in golden retrievers. 

US-LIFESTYLE-DOGS-BOSTON-MARATHON
Golden retrievers and their owners gather together during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images

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The goldens and their owners took advantage of the nice day with a walk around the Common.

US-LIFESTYLE-DOGS-BOSTON-MARATHON
Golden retrievers are walked by their owners during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images


There was plenty of petting and treats for the “good boys.” 

US-LIFESTYLE-DOGS-BOSTON-MARATHON
Jeff Harrison offers treats to golden retrievers during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup.”

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JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images


The walk went right by the Massachusetts State House.

US-LIFESTYLE-DOGS-BOSTON-MARATHON
Golden retrievers are walked by their owners during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images


The happy pups and their humans all posed for a group photo on the Common.

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US-LIFESTYLE-DOGS-BOSTON-MARATHON
Golden retrievers and their owners gather for a group photo during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup.”

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images




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Boston, MA

What we know about wrong-way driver killed in head-on collision with state trooper in Lynnfield – The Boston Globe

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What we know about wrong-way driver killed in head-on collision with state trooper in Lynnfield – The Boston Globe


Court records show that Marrero was the father of three children, the oldest of whom is 17. The youngest two children, twins, are 13 years old; Marrero’s death came days before their 14th birthday.

Records in Middlesex Probate and Family Court also suggest that Marrero faced financial difficulties and personal troubles, stemming in part from a work injury that family members said caused a bout of depression and deteriorating behavior in his personal life.

For nearly a decade, Marrero worked at Dewberry, a Boston engineering consulting firm, court records show, obtaining a job as an architectural design apprentice in 2005. He left the company in 2014, according to a company spokesperson.

Hernan Marrero.Facebook

Throughout that time, he doubled as a bartender on the side, working at Mexican restaurants in Boston and Waltham, court records show.

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A knee injury ended Marrero’s career at Dewberry, court records show, and he left the company shortly thereafter.

That injury, according to court documents, was the catalyst for what his wife described as a “major depressive episode,” which she said contributed to the strain in their marriage. The couple, who had been married for more than 20 years, separated in 2022.

Records also show that Marrero struggled with debts to family members and credit card companies. During his divorce proceedings, it was unclear how much money he was taking home in income.

Marrero briefly owned and operated a contracting business, 109 Construction, but the corporation was administratively dissolved in 2024, according to state filings.

Marrero had lived in US since at least 2001, holding legal status. He became a naturalized citizen in March 2021, court records show.

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Social media posts suggest he was active in the tight-knit Venezuelan community in Massachusetts. Photos show him cheering on Venezuela at a World Baseball Classic watch party in Brighton earlier this year.

Court records appear to show Marrero’s interest in art and music, owning a Venezuelan guitar, conga drums, and several Venezuelan paintings, as well as homemade winemaking setup.

Marrero’s family could not be reached for comment. A close friend reached by the Globe declined to comment.

Trainor had just completed his shift at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday and was driving home when he responded to a report for a Jeep traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 1, near the Lynnfield overpass.

Raised in Salem, Trainor began his public safety career as an Essex County correction officer before graduating from the State Police academy in 2023, State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said.

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Trainor’s fiancée, Jessica D. Ostrowski, of Georgetown, posted an emotional message to social media Thursday, describing the late trooper as “my absolute best friend.”

“I am beyond proud for the amount of love you have been given by those who loved and cared about you,” she wrote.

Travis Andersen and Jeremiah Manion of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Material from previous Globe coverage was used.


Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.





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Boston, MA

Funding scandal-hit Croft schools in Boston to close this summer after all

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Funding scandal-hit Croft schools in Boston to close this summer after all


Administrators at the Croft School, struggling after allegations of financial fraud, haven’t been able to find a buyer for its Boston locations, which will now close at the end of the school year, parents were told Friday.

Millions of dollars were raised by families and community members to keep the private school open for a few more months while Croft School administrators scrambled to find a buyer. But in Friday’s email, the chief restructuring officer and independent sale advisor said that two parties expressed interest but they ultimately had to pivot toward winding operations down.

“To be clear, the 2025-2026 school year will be completed based on the availability of parent funding. However, without a viable timetable for a transaction, we are faced with this difficult decision,” the email said.

About 350 students had attended the Croft School’s three campuses, two in Boston and one in Providence. Regular tuition starts at $31,000, according to the website.

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Millions were raised to keep the private school open for a few more months but the Croft School is looking for a buyer as a long-term fix to its financial problems.

More than 60 families unenrolled from the South End campus over the weekend, the email said.

News of the debt crisis surprised parents in March, when the school’s board revealed in a letter that founding Executive Director Scott Given admitted to fabricating a letter of credit regarding a possible expansion and keeping two sets of books, overstating the school’s revenue while understating its expenses.

The discovery that the school was more than $13 million in debt came after police were alerted to possible fraud. The school has said it’s cooperating with multiple investigations involving Given, who has been suspended.

The private school, with two locations in Boston and one in Providence, requires $5 million to stay open for the rest of the schoolyear.

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Given has been sued by at least one Boston parent, accusing him of running a Ponzi scheme. His legal team has said he has no comment.

Parents rallied to save the school, raising enough funds to keep classes going.

The officials in charge of the sale noted “how hard many of you worked to maintain The Croft School as you know it,” but added that the “difficult circumstances, uncertain financials and condensed timeframe made this a trying environment for purchasers to timely make a binding offer for the schools.”



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Where to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 8

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Where to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 8


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Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Friday as the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox.

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See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox?

First pitch between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Friday, May 8.

How to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox on Friday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.

  • Matchup: TB at BOS
  • Date: Friday, May 8
  • Time: 7:10 p.m. (ET)
  • Venue: Fenway Park
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • TV: NESN, Rays.TV and WMOR
  • Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for May 8 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

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See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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