Massachusetts
Why does Massachusetts still have blue laws?
BOSTON – “Blue laws” are alive and well in Massachusetts and have been on the books since John Winthrop was governor in 1630. Peter Drummey at the Massachusetts Historical Society says the laws were established to make sure people went to church and observed the Sabbath.
The original “Blue Laws of New Haven Colony” contains at least 35 blue laws, a color associated with high morality, that include no food or lodging be afforded a Quaker, and no one “shall travel, make beds, sweep house, cut hair or shave on the Sabbath.”
These days blue laws basically refer to which businesses can legally open on Sundays and holidays but have their roots in the colonial era. “Somewhere, someone is having fun and we’re going to stop it,” said Drummey.
There are three categories of blue laws still on the books in Massachusetts.
Businesses don’t need a permit to operate on Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Patriots Day and Bunker Hill Day. There’s no permit necessary but employers can’t require their employees to work on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Fourth of July.
And though largely unenforced, a police permit is required to open on Columbus Day before noon and Veterans Day before 1:00 p.m.
As for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Massachusetts is one of only three states prohibiting stores from opening on those days.
“Sometimes it’s easier for politicians to take a walk and not act rather than update laws, particularly if not a whole lot of pressure to do that,” said Jon Hurst of the Massachusetts Retailers Association. He says the pressure has recently been off, for example, to get stores open on Thanksgiving night to get a head start on Black Friday shopping because anyone can jump on their computer or cellphone and shop 24/7.
Liquor sales were prohibited on Sundays in Massachusetts for two centuries, and then allowed in 2014 to open as early as 10:00 a.m. because tailgating Patriots fans pressured Beacon Hill.
There are also still what seem like archaic blue laws that go beyond Sundays and holidays such as making it illegal to frighten pigeons and prohibiting the making or selling of candy that contains more than one percent alcohol. “A lot of these laws are still on the books because no one wants to promote something that even a small part of the population might hold dear or think is important,” said Drummey.
Jocelyn Mitchell of Dion’s Fine Wines says she supports the blue laws that have her closed on Thanksgiving for one simple reason. “We’re talking two days a year. We care about our employees and their social and emotional wellbeing,” said Mitchell.
It may seem inconsistent or archaic, but people preparing to travel this week should make sure they don’t need more than a fill-up on Thanksgiving. “It’s not great public policy, but it’s public policy that went back decades, hundreds of years and it’s very hard to change that,” said Hurst.
If you have a question you’d like us to look into, please email questioneverything@cbsboston.com.
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Massachusetts
Naughty list: Massachusetts ‘idiot’ gets stuck in chimney while trying to evade police
Ho-ho-no!
A Massachusetts man got himself stuck inside a chimney while trying to evade cops Tuesday night in a failed attempt to channel Ol’ Saint Nick.
Officers with the Fall River Police Department attempted to conduct a raid of the man’s Canal Street home in the small New England town — only to be led on a Christmas goose chase.
As the cops knocked on the front door, they saw two men fleeing the home via the roof, according to 10WJAR.
One lept off the roof while the other, Robert Langlias, hopped down the chimney in a maneuver seemingly inspired by Father Christmas.
“[One man] invoked the essence of the seasonal icon and attempted to hide inside of a chimney,” police said in a statement. “[He] quickly became stuck in the chimney and required the assistance of the very detectives he was previously fleeing.”
Bodycam footage shared by the police department shows the moment the responding police officers scaled the roof and confronted Langlias who was deep in the flue.
“You’re an idiot,” said an officer wielding a flashlight as the camera panned down to Langlias, 33, wedged inside the base of the chimney.
The officers confirmed that the suspect was in fact stuck, but able to breathe while they called for the fire department to come and rescue the wannabe Santa Claus.
“Get me out of here, bro!” Langlias pleaded with the same cops he had tried to hide from, according to the footage.
Firefighters can be seen in the video taking apart the chimney brick-by-brick from inside the home as Langlias helplessly waited to be taken into custody.
“Due to his Santa-antics, Langlias was transported to a local hospital out of precaution and was medically cleared,” police said.
The other wanted party jumped off the roof, onto a car, and lammed it before cops could make an arrest and remains at large.
Langlias has been charged with possession of Class A drugs, possession of Class B drugs and a bevy of charges stemming from outstanding warrants.
Tanisha Ibay, 32, is also facing Class A and Class B drug possession charges stemming from the incident after being arrested at the property with little fanfare.
Matt Breen, Shawsheen — After averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game last year, the 6-foot-9-inch senior forward is primed for another big season. He’s a mobile big man who excels as a rim protector.
Will Carty, Watertown — A dominant force in the paint, the 6-10 center averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game last season. His presence makes the Raiders a threat in Division 3.
James Dingman, Arlington — The senior is positioned for another stellar season after averaging 20 points per game last season. At 6-3, he’s a versatile wing who can slash to the rim and shoot over the top.
Mike Dankert and Nate Reynolds, Bourne — The two 1,000-point scorers return for their senior seasons after powering the Canalmen to the Division 4 final. Reynolds is the reigning South Coast Conference MVP after averaging 20.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game last year. A versatile wing, Dankert put up 18 points per game.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Matt Gaffney, Malden Catholic — The Naval Academy-bound senior point guard paced the Golden Tornadoes to their third consecutive Division 2 title last year. He has Malden Catholic poised to make a run at a historic fourth.
Javi Lopez, Central Catholic — After averaging 19 points and six rebounds for the Raiders, the 6-1 junior enters the season as one of the state’s premier guards.
JJ Martinez, St. Mary’s — A returning Globe All-Scholastic, Martinez averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Now a junior, he has started for the Spartans since eighth grade.
Caden Sullivan, Franklin — The Panthers are a Division 1 favorite once again, and Sullivan is a major reason why. The 6-1 senior guard averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.7 steals last season, and is committed to play at Endicott.
Teagan Swint, Newton North — The reigning Bay State Carey MVP, Swint is one of the state’s most dynamic scorers. A 6-4 senior guard, he averaged 24 points and seven rebounds per game.
Other names to know: G Isaiah Andino (Methuen), F Niko Catalano (North Andover), G Jack Charchaflian (Winchester), F Sam Concemi (Andover), G Aaron Cote (Wareham), G Jaydaan Correia (Cambridge), F Carson Gretz (Newburyport), G Justin Marino (Medford), Jack Millward (Wakefield), G Sam Myerberg (Lexington), G Brandon Nicastro (King Philip)
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