Latest news with #Quincy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Quincy residents sue mayor over controversial Catholic saint statues for new public safety building
Fifteen religious and non-religious Quincy residents are suing Mayor Thomas Koch over recently discovered plans to install controversial Catholic patron saint statues on the front of the city's new public safety building. The lawsuit, which was filed in Norfolk County Superior Court with the help of the ACLU of Massachusetts on May 27, claims that the statues violate a clause in Article 3 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights stating that 'all religious sects and denominations ... shall be equally under the protection of the law; and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law.' The lawsuit also alleges that Koch unilaterally decided to commission the statues, and that he and other city officials kept the plans out of the public eye for years. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars were allocated for the statues' creation without the approval of the City Council, the suit argues. Despite 'widespread' opposition to the statues from Quincy residents and local faith leaders of various religious affiliations and beliefs, plans for the statues' installation appear to be moving forward, according to the lawsuit. 'The City has abandoned its constitutional duty to remain neutral on matters of faith,' ACLU Senior Counsel Heather Weaver said in a Tuesday press release. 'The new public safety building will be home to many critical government services, but the moment they walk in the door, Quincy residents who do not share the City's favored religious beliefs will get the message that they are not welcome.' Koch's office did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Plans for the new public safety building date back to 2017 when the Quincy City Council first approved money to pay for its design, according to the lawsuit. Between 2019 and 2022, the city council approved over $280 million for the project. At some point during the development and planning of the building, it was decided that two 10-foot-tall bronze statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian — which are the Catholic patron saints of police and firefighters, respectively — should be commissioned with the intent of having them adorn the façade of the public safety building. 'Many aspects of the building were discussed at length during public meetings. However, at no point during any of the numerous City Council meetings during which funding for the public safety building was discussed or voted on was the public notified of the plan to install statues of Catholic saints on the front of the building,' the lawsuit reads. 'Nor was the potential for public art of any kind — patron saints or otherwise — contemplated by or included in public plans or drawings of the buildings from the time of the building's approval until February 2025." Instead, the public first learned about the statues through an article published in the local newspaper, The Patriot Ledger, on Feb. 8, according to the lawsuit. During a Feb. 24 City Council meeting, Chris Walker — Koch's chief of staff — stated that the decision to commission the statues 'was ultimately and only the mayor's decision.' When asked why the statues weren't shown to city councilors when they approved funding for the building during various meetings between 2017 and 2022, Koch said that large projects such as this sometimes 'evolve,' and that the idea 'wasn't on the table' when councilors cast their votes," according to the Feb. 8 Patriot Ledger article. Of Quincy City Council's nine members, two told The Patriot Ledger they had no knowledge of the statues before the newspaper contacted them about it, according to the Feb. 8 article. One councilor 'had heard something about it but didn't participate in the plans,' one said they were previously aware of the plans and five did not respond to requests for comment. During the Feb. 24 City Council meeting, Ward 1 Councilor Dave McCarthy — in whose district the new public safety building will be located — said he was told of the plan for the statues 'a long time ago.' Though over 200 residents attended the meeting to object to the statues, McCarthy also said he believed the statues would 'bless our first responders' and that he hoped they 'might say a little prayer before they go out on duty.' 'As the statues were neither discussed in public meetings nor subject to a public procurement process nor otherwise disclosed to the public prior to February 8, it is unclear how or by whom Councilor McCarthy and some other the members of the City Council were made aware of the plan in advance of the February 8 article,' the lawsuit reads. Ward 5 City Councilor Dan Minton — a 40-year veteran of the Quincy Police Department — wrote in a Feb. 9 Facebook post that he did not know about the statues before the Feb. 8 article and expressed concerns about the installation. 'Generally, people don't want to enter a police station — it is usually something bad that has happened, ranging from an act of violence to a simple parking ticket. The statue may not be a welcoming presence to someone already ill at ease," he wrote. As of April 2025, the city has made eight payments totalling over $760,000 in public funds to pay for the statues, according to the lawsuit. The total cost of the installation is expected to come to $850,000. While Catholics often call upon patron saints when praying on behalf of specific causes, other denominations and religions — including many protestant and nondenominational Christian faiths — reject the veneration of saints. Community members of many different faiths and beliefs oppose the statues, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs in the case include Quincy residents who identified themselves as Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, atheist and humanist, among other religious identities. Similarly, in an April 4 statement from Quincy Interfaith Network, 19 faith leaders of a range of religious affiliations said they had 'grave concerns' about the statues. 'No single religious tradition should be elevated in a publicly funded facility. Erecting these statues sends a message that there are insiders and outsiders in this community. We are confident this is not the message our City or our first responders want to send,' the statement reads. In addition to concerns about government entities showing religious preference, Councilor Minton, the 19 faith leaders and some of the lawsuit's plaintiffs took issue with the depiction of Saint Michael in the commissioned statue. As is commonplace with depictions of this saint, he is shown standing triumphantly over a demon. 'The violence portrayed on a heroic scale of St. Michael the Archangel is especially frightening and conjures images of police violence, which is contrary to Quincy Police Dept's mission of public safety,' the citizen petition against the statues reads. The lawsuit asks the court to find that the use of public funds to pay for the statues violates state law. It also requests that a judge issue injunctions barring Koch and the city from spending additional taxpayer dollars on them or displaying them on or near the new public safety building. The citizen petition was submitted to the mayor over 100 days ago, but he has yet to respond to it, according to The statues are expected to be available for installation around Labor Day, according to the lawsuit. The public safety building is set to open to the public in October 2025. District 7 candidates debate land use, White Stadium at Boston forum Springfield to remember June 1, 2011 tornado on anniversary Springfield opens new football field at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Central Mass. firefighter arrested on child sexual abuse material charges Mass. man and woman face kidnapping charge after teen reports being locked in closet Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Arlington's Bryn Ryan goes out in style during Day 1 of Division 2 track and field championship
Related : Ryan, who has only run two seasons of track, came in fifth at last year's D2 meet. But knowing it would be her final high-school race proved to be all the motivation she needed. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'You don't want to regret anything, and I think that was just in my mind,' said Ryan. 'I just went all out.' Advertisement Ryan's 10 points helped Arlington take early positioning after Day 1, the Spy Ponders finishing the day with 23 points to North Andover's 27. Peabody (20) is right behind in third. Arlington's Nico Peukert has the finish line in his sights as he wins the 800. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Minutes after Ryan won the hurdles, another Spy Ponder emerged victorious. Junior Nico Peukert smashed his personal best by four seconds in the 800, winning with a time of 1:53.03. 'I just felt like I had it in me today and I did,' Peukert said. 'The last few weeks have gone pretty well. I feel more present in the race.' Advertisement Arlington's Nico Peukert celebrates with a teammate after winning the 800. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Also on the boys' side, Quincy senior Jayden Francois chased down the leader on the final set in the 400 hurdles to win in 53.97 seconds, almost a three-second improvement from his previous best. 'I felt all my training kick in, all the extra days, all the extra workouts just all came together and I was able to finish that race strong,' said Francois, who is committed to UMass Dartmouth. 'Honestly super excited to get this win.' Quincy senior Jayden Francois hugs a teammate after winning the 400-meter hurdles. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Three-time defending champion North Andover (40 points) leads the boys' side as well after the first day of competition, with Peabody (37) and Algonquin (35) close behind. The host Scarlet Knights picked up 16 points in the boys' pole vault thanks to seniors Chris Ferris (second, 11-6), Patrick Nugent (third, 11-6), and Adam Bernat (seventh, 10-0). Catholic Memorial sophomore Amar Skeete broke a 1981 Division 2 record in the boys' triple jump previously held by Jon Belanger of Scituate with a leap of 47 feet, 5 ¼ inches. The Division 1 meet continues Saturday at Merrimack. Plymouth North's Willow Herndon came in second in the 200. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe King Philip's Alex D'Amadio (second from left) and Whittier's Tech's Mariely Cepeda race to the finish line in the 200 prelims. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe In the 200 final, King Philip's Alex D'Amadio won by a tenth of a second. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Marshfield senior Nathan Looney wins the boys' 200 final. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe The lead pack starts to form in the boys' 800. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Marshfield Freshman Olivia Ravelo hugs goodbye to sophomore Kaydence Boreland after they competed in the 400-meter hurdles. After this school year, Ravelo will be transferring schools. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Plymouth North senior Jacob Toledo competes in the 200 prelims. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Aiden Barker can be reached at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Surgeons Repair Newborn Foal's Broken Jaw At UC Davis
In late February, Amanda Johnson awoke to find a frightening scene in her barn. The jaw of her 5-day-old foal Quincy was bloody and hanging out of place, appearing broken on both sides. She immediately called her veterinarian.'She was out of town but took the time to discuss the situation with me,' said Johnson. 'She suggested I take Quincy to UC Davis. They would have the latest techniques to fix the jaw and give Quincy the best outlook for her future as a performance horse.'Johnson owns Johnson Livestock, a small American Quarter Horse breeding facility in Gilroy, California. She is a lifelong equestrian who started riding at age 4, began showing her Pony of the Americas at age 7, and moved up to reining as a teenager. As a young adult, Johnson gained an interest in Ranch Versatility Horses. 'We breed about 2-4 horses per year at Johnson Livestock,' said Johnson. 'As a boutique breeder, we concentrate more on quality than quantity. We are focused on cutting bred mares or cow horse mares crossed with reiners. We're trying to achieve an all-around Ranch Versatility Horse – a horse that can be shown in a reining competition and a roping futurity; a horse that's not pigeon-holed into one discipline but can compete in broader ways.'She started Johnson Livestock by buying mares from an American Quarter Horse Association Best Remuda Award-winning ranch in Wyoming after the owner passed away. The Best Remuda Award is the oldest and most prestigious ranching award, created to recognize ranches for their efforts in raising outstanding American Quarter Horses. Quincy is an example of the quality stock Johnson produces. Her dam is Buckin Bay Rose, a 12-year-old mare by Playboys Buck Fever. Quincy is her fourth foal with Johnson Livestock and sixth overall. The filly's sire is Call Me Mitch, the second highest earning horse in the history of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA). Mitch recently became a Million Dollar Sire and has won dozens of awards throughout his career including the 2023 NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman Quincy arrived at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, she was admitted to the Equine Internal Medicine Service by faculty member Dr. Rana Bozorgmanesh and resident Dr. Nicole Kreutzfeldt and later cared for by faculty member Dr. Fiona Wensley and resident Dr. Hillary Bunay. Apart from the obvious injury, the filly was alert, responsive, and in good health. X-rays showed complete displaced fractures of both of her mandibles. The injury left the foal unable to nurse, so a nasogastric tube was placed for feeding. Faculty surgeon Dr. Sandra Valdez manually reduced the fractures and bandaged the wound for short-term stabilization until Quincy was ready for surgery, the Diagnostic Imaging and Anesthesia Services prepared her for a CT scan to classify the fracture and help the surgeons plan their surgical approach. After discussion with Johnson, it was determined that the fractures would be stabilized with external fixators. Faculty surgeon Dr. Scott Katzman and surgery residents Drs. Bridget Ratliff and David Orozco-Lopez reduced the fractures and placed locking compression plates on the exterior of her face. Intra-operative radiographs (fluoroscopy) were used to confirm accurate reduction of the fracture and placement of the external implants. Quincy recovered well from anesthesia and was able to nurse just one day after surgery. She was hospitalized for the following week before being discharged to continue her recovery at home. X-rays at her two recheck appointments showed appropriate healing, and the fixators were removed five weeks after is happy to report that Quincy's recovery is complete, and she looks forward to her foal's bright future.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy's twin daughters graduate from high school amid RICO trial
NEW YORK — Sean 'Diddy' Combs' twin daughters graduated from high school Thursday in the midst of their father's federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering. Jessie and D'Lila, 18, posted about the milestone all over their Instagram story Friday on their joint account, The Combs Twins. The duo shared congratulatory snaps posted by their big brothers: Quincy, 33, Justin, 31, and Christian, 27. The teens also shared a celebratory clip from the account belonging to their toddler sister, Love. The Harlem-born Bad Boy founder, 55, shares the twins and Christian — also known as 'King' — with his late ex, Kim Porter, who died in 2018 from pneumonia at 47 years old. Combs also adopted Quincy, Porter's son from a previous relationship. The hip-hop mogul shares Justin with stylist Misa Hylton; daughter Chance, 18, with Sarah Chapman; and baby Love, born in 2022, with Dana Tran. The teen girls walked out of the courtroom during testimony last week when escort Daniel Phillip described an alleged sexual encounter with Combs. A November 2023 blockbuster lawsuit filed by Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura spearheaded a flood of legal action against the Bad Boy Records founder. Though they settled the civil case the following day, over 70 others have made similarly disturbing allegations in a multitude of lawsuits in addition to the federal RICO case for which he is currently standing trial. Ventura, 38, was the star witness when she gave four days' worth of explosive testimony last week, while eight-and-a-half months pregnant. The trial is expected to span a total of eight weeks. Should he be convicted, Combs faces potential life in prison.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy's twin daughters graduate from high school amid RICO trial
NEW YORK — Sean 'Diddy' Combs' twin daughters graduated from high school Thursday in the midst of their father's federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering. Jessie and D'Lila, 18, posted about the milestone all over their Instagram story Friday on their joint account, The Combs Twins. The duo shared congratulatory snaps posted by their big brothers: Quincy, 33, Justin, 31, and Christian, 27. The teens also shared a celebratory clip from the account belonging to their toddler sister, Love. The Harlem-born Bad Boy founder, 55, shares the twins and Christian — also known as 'King' — with his late ex, Kim Porter, who died in 2018 from pneumonia at 47 years old. Combs also adopted Quincy, Porter's son from a previous relationship. The hip-hop mogul shares Justin with stylist Misa Hylton; daughter Chance, 18, with Sarah Chapman; and baby Love, born in 2022, with Dana Tran. The teen girls walked out of the courtroom during testimony last week when escort Daniel Phillip described an alleged sexual encounter with Combs. A November 2023 blockbuster lawsuit filed by Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura spearheaded a flood of legal action against the Bad Boy Records founder. Though they settled the civil case the following day, over 70 others have made similarly disturbing allegations in a multitude of lawsuits in addition to the federal RICO case for which he is currently standing trial. Ventura, 38, was the star witness when she gave four days' worth of explosive testimony last week, while eight-and-a-half months pregnant. The trial is expected to span a total of eight weeks. Should he be convicted, Combs faces potential life in prison.
