Massachusetts
Gov. Healey’s southern border trip cost taxpayers $6,800, according to new data
![Gov. Healey’s southern border trip cost taxpayers $6,800, according to new data](https://www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BHR-Z-BARNES-01.jpg?w=1024&h=683)
The Healey administration shelled out more than $6,800 to send a five-person team to the southern border in Texas to “educate” people of a shelter shortage here, according to her office.
The trip was pitched as another attempt to curtail the number of migrants arriving in Massachusetts and make connections with federal immigration officials who were dealing with a surge in border crossings down south.
A spokesperson for the governor said Friday the group spent a total of $6,804 on the four-day trip this week, including $2,028 on hotels, $3,903 on flights, and $872 on ground transportation.
Scott Rice, a retired National Guard general who oversees the state-run shelter system, said the trip was an “important opportunity to meet with families arriving in the U.S. and the organizations that work with them at the border to make sure they have accurate information about the lack of shelter space in Massachusetts.”
“It is essential that we get the word out that our shelters are full so that families can plan accordingly to make sure they have a safe place to go,” he said in a statement earlier this week.
The group visited locations in San Antonio, McAllen, Hidalgo, and Brownsville, the most common points of entry for migrant families that later arrive in Massachusetts, according to the Healey administration.
Healey said earlier this week that the trip was “successful” even as conservatives criticized the move as a “publicity stunt.”
“We don’t have housing available right now, and we wanted to be really clear. It’s something I’ve been saying for a long time, but I think it was important that we be able to communicate directly with folks on the ground,” she said. “I think it’s successful. I think it’s important that we be out there with that message.”
Details on how much the trip cost were released only hours after Gov. Maura Healey banned migrants from sleeping at Logan Airport, where large groups have gathered for months to stay overnight.
The directive takes effect July 9 and the state plans to offer people at the airport transportation to overflow shelter sites, including one that opened this week at a former prison in Norfolk.
Healey did not say if police would arrest those that violate the order.
“We’re going to take it as it comes. My hope is through the work that we’re doing and the extensive communication that we’re doing right now with folks, not just at the border, but folks who are in our service provider community, that we’re going to get people relocated,” she said Friday, “and also be clear to people who might think about coming here that this really is an option.”
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Massachusetts
With Joey Chestnut out, Massachusetts resident Geoffrey Esper has ‘chance’ to win Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
![With Joey Chestnut out, Massachusetts resident Geoffrey Esper has ‘chance’ to win Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest](https://www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/AP19185625600046.jpg?w=1024&h=706)
Could a Bay Stater take the championship belt at the iconic Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
With world record holder Joey Chestnut out this year, the door has been opened for a new champ — which could be Massachusetts resident Geoffrey Esper.
The 49-year-old Oxford man, who finished in second place at last year’s contest, is one of the favorites for the legendary competition on the Fourth of July.
“I got a chance at the belt now,” Esper told the Herald ahead of Thursday’s contest.
“It’s still not going to be easy,” he added. “There are three other guys who are all pretty close, so it should be very close.”
The annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship, an American holiday tradition, will be held at the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island.
Last year, Chestnut claimed his 16th victory with 62 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. Chestnut’s world record is 76 hot dogs and buns.
But Chestnut won’t be competing this year after he signed a deal with a rival brand. That means Esper, whose personal record is 51 hot dogs and buns, could get the top prize.
“It just depends on who has a really good day, and we’ll see what happens,” said Esper, who teaches electronics at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton.
“I’m just going to go out there and try to do my best,” he added.
The women’s competition begins at 11 a.m. on Thursday, and the men’s competition will start at 12:30 p.m. Nathan’s Famous will also make its annual donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City prior to the event.
“Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is the ultimate American holiday tradition,” said Phil McCann, VP of Marketing at Nathan’s Famous. “Each year thousands of fans join us at Nathan’s Flagship on the corner of Surf and Stillwell to witness history in the making.”
Thousands make the trip to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island each year to watch the event in person. According to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4 in Coney Island since 1916.
“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest has transformed America’s Independence Day into an international affair,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “The greatest eaters from around the globe will once again convene in Coney Island to fight for the honor of their respective nations.”
Massachusetts
Massachusetts man sentenced for bribing examiner to pass failed road tests
![Massachusetts man sentenced for bribing examiner to pass failed road tests](https://www.wwlp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/09/rmv.jpg?w=1280)
BOSTON (WWLP) – A former driving instructor was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to bribing a road test examiner to pass people who failed their road test, including some people who didn’t even show up.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 48-year-old Ngan Dinh of Boston was sentenced to two years in prison with the first six months to be served as home confinement with a GPS monitor. He must also pay a fine of $4,000 and a $5,450 forfeiture. Dinh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud in March.
Dinh is a naturalized U.S. citizen who speaks Vietnamese and some English. Vietnamese immigrants who didn’t speak English would work with Dinh to help them understand RMV rules and requirements for a license. Instead, Dinh would bribe a road test examiner at the Brockton RMV to pass his customers on the road test after they failed the test. Some customers never showed up to their tests as well.
Customers would pay Dinh up to $1,200 in cash only. Dinh would also persuade the customers to pay him larger amounts by lying to them. In some cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, he would lie to his customers, saying the RMV wasn’t offering road tests due to the virus, but that was false. He claimed he could get them licenses during this time because he was a “certified rep” for the RMV. Dinh paid the employee $100 cash for each customer and kept the rest of the money for himself.
Local News
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Massachusetts
Two from Massachusetts allegedly break into a dispensary, then a restaurant
![Two from Massachusetts allegedly break into a dispensary, then a restaurant](https://fallriverreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/blackstone-6-30-24.jpg)
They say marijuana can give you the munchies. That may explain the alleged break-in spree of two from Massachusetts.
According to police, on Saturday, at approximately 5:36 a.m., Blackstone Police received multiple reports of car break-ins on Michelle Lane and Ascension Street, and break-ins at multiple businesses including, First Choice Dispensary and Casa Burrito.
Officers responded to the area. Through a preliminary investigation, which included reviewing surveillance footage and through the cooperation of the public, officers were able to identify two juveniles, a 15-year-old male and 17-year-old male both from Blackstone.
Both juveniles are being charged with the following:
- Breaking and Entering into a Vehicle in the Nighttime
- Breaking and Entering into a Building in the Nighttime (Two Counts)
- Larceny from a Building
- Larceny under $1,200
- Larceny of a Credit Card
- Malicious Destruction Under $1,200
- Trespassing
- Larceny Under $1,200 by False Pretense
Both juveniles are expected to be charged in Milford District Court next week.
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