Congratulations Ms. Ortiz! new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

Milton resident Carmin Ortiz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate today as the next U.S. Attorney for the state of Massachusetts. She is expected to be sworn in shortly. Following is local coverage of the development. Ms. Ortiz is both the first woman and first Hispanic to be confirmed as the area’s top prosecutor.

from Wicked Local Milton

Milton woman confirmed as new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

Carmen M. Ortiz of Milton is the new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts.

Ortiz is the first woman and the first Hispanic to be the region’s top prosecutor. She takes over for Michael Sullivan of Abington who held the job for more than seven years. (Read the full story here.)

from The Boston Globe

Carmen Ortiz confirmed as US attorney for Massachusetts

Carmen M. Ortiz, who grew up in a humble background in New York City’s tough Spanish Harlem neighborhood, has been confirmed as the new US attorney for Massachusetts, the first woman and Hispanic to hold the job of the state’s top federal prosecutor. (Read the full story here.)

The Boston Globe interviewed Ms. Ortiz last May when her name was put into nomination by Senators Kennedy and Kerry. You can find it here: Globe interview

Milton native and Jesuit scholar Thomas O’Malley dies at 79

from the Los Angeles Times

Thomas P. O’Malley dies at 79; former president of Loyola Marymount University

Thomas P. O’Malley, an engaging and scholarly priest who headed Loyola Marymount University during a period of significant expansion in the 1990s, died in Boston on Wednesday, apparently of a heart attack. He was 79.

His death was announced by Boston College, where he was a professor and former dean. (Read the full story here.)

Brian Kelley interview with Dropkick Murphy band member Ken Casey and Denise Queally of the MFE

Local cable tv host Brian Kelley interviews Denise Queally Co-Chair of the MFE Celebration for Education’s Nov 21st event Up Up and Away, beyond the basics fund-raising gala. Ken Casey bass guitar and lead vocalist of The Dropkick Murphys, steps up to the plate to help his childhood town’s public schools raise much needed funds for enriching students education. Watch the show to learn how you could get your hands on an extremely limited piece of music memorabilia for your collection. You will also hear from Ken how the Dropkicks got their humble start in a barber shop in Quincy MA. To view the video, please click on the “Continue reading . . . ” link

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Boston Globe reviews Milton restaurants

Yesterday the Boston Globe ran restaurant reviews of Milton’s two new eating establishments; 88 Wharf and Abby Park. Each garnered a star and a half.

Frankly, we felt the reviews were a little harsh and the reviewer a bit of a smug thing more concerned with sounding clever rather than right. We have eaten at both and enjoyed both places. The food is good, priced appropriately for places of similar caliber and service at both was good. Our only complaint was that both tended to be loud.

Our recommendation: go find out for yourself. In the meantime, here is what the Globe said.

from The Boston Globe

Adding flavor to life in Milton

Meeting Notes: School Committee 11.03.09

Following are some highlights from the School Committee meeting of 11.03.09:

Parents voice concern over loss of reading specialist: During Citizens Speak several parent rose to voice concern over the cuts made to the reading specialist. Many cited the need to build a firm foundation in early grades for success later as primary need to resinstate the position. Ms. Bagley Jones addressed the concern later in the meeting, acknowledging the issue. She identified lasck of cunds as the cause and that the school committee was forced to make the cuts. However, she wanted to assure parents that their concerns were heard.

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Slower average wind speeds on Milton’s Blue Hill a threat to windmills

from Wicked Local Milton

As wind energy projects are picking up, the wind is dying down. That’s the case in the Blue Hills, at least, where the average annual wind speed – the strength of a day’s top wind, averaged out over 365 days – has gotten 10 percent weaker over the past three decades.

Other parts of the United States – particularly on the East Coast and in the Midwest – have also recorded diminished wind speeds in recent years. (Read the full story here.)

Truck overturns on 93

from Wicked Local Milton

A tractor trailer truck has overturned on the northbound side of Interstate 93, State Police said. (Read full story here.)

Hingham and Milton must pay for special-needs students to attend private schools

from Wicked Local Hingham

The state board that decides on special education disputes has ruled in favor of the parents in two South Shore cases where the school district resisted an out-of-district placement for the student.

As a result, Hingham and Milton, the towns where the special education students live, will have to pay to send them to private schools – a cost that can range from $30,000 to more than $100,000 annually. (Read the full story here.)

Milton commuter alert for 11/02

Today is a big day in Massachusetts transportation. The newly formed department is taking over.  One of the consequences of this is newly designed and organized web site.  We had previously reported road closures from the south shore, principally I-93 as posted on the state web site. We can no longer locate road closure information.

However, here is a link to current traffic conditions. Traffic congestion is color coded. It is self-explanatory and very helpful if you are about to hop in your car. Note the map also has links to web cams that monitor live traffic conditions from various roadways in Boston metropolitan area. It is a good tool. You can find it here.

RELATED NEWS

New transit merger faces a few snarls – The Boston Globe – 11.02.09

MBTA stepping up efforts to curb sexual harassment – Channel 7 News – 11.01.09

School rallies behind late parent’s cause

from Wicked Local Milton

Jennifer Kelly lived her life with passion.

As a member of the Collicot Elementary School PTO, she was excited about the school, and – in particular – one program to give the entire student body the same book to read. (Read the full story here.)

Dogs available from Milton Animal Shelter – 11/09

Every month the Milton Animal League posts a video update of the dogs presently available for adoption at the Milton Animal League in Milton, MA. If you know of anyone looking for a dog, please tell them to consider one of our dogs – they are all deserving of loving, permanent homes.

Note: The Animal League also has cats. You can learn more about the Milton Animal League and the animals there from there web site. Visit their web site here.

You can view a video of dogs currently available at the shelter on their Facebook page here. Note: You need a Facebook account to access the video. You can find Octobers video on Youtube here. Many of these dogs are still present at the shelter.