Dan Atkinson
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Reporter, formerly at Boston Herald and Gatehouse Media, currently working for you? Investigations, reportage and opinion. danatkins1 at gmail.com
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Articles by Dan Atkinson
DA: Body of missing Medford mother found in recycling bin underneath her porch
MEDFORD, MASS. (WHDH) - An investigation is underway after the body of a Medford mother was found in a recycling bin underneath her back porch, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan. Investigators set up a tent in the backyard of an Emery Street home Monday afternoon, hours after 61-year-old Barbara Novaes’ son called police around 6:40 a.m. to tell them the front door of his home was left ajar and his mother was nowhere to be found.
NH governor blasts Mass. court over missing 7-year-old
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu blasted a Massachusetts court in a letter Tuesday, saying its actions prevented New Hampshire officials from monitoring the father of 7-year-old Harmony Montgomery, who has not been seen since 2019. Montgomery’s mother reported her missing at the end of 2021 and has criticized state and local response to her reports. But in a letter to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Sununu said Massachusetts officials played a role.
Officials: 2 shot and killed after box truck crash into building in Winthrop, suspect is shot and killed by police
WINTHROP, MASS. (WHDH) - Police say a man shot and killed two people following a box truck crash in Winthrop Saturday afternoon before officers shot and killed him as well.. Officers responded to reports of shots fired and a large truck crashing into a building at the intersection of Shirley and Cross streets at 2:40 p.m., according to Police Chief Terence Delehanty.
BPD on alert for attacks on officers
Breaking News Charlie Baker increases capacity limits at Massachusetts restaurants, businesses February 4, 2021 at 12:58 pm Boston police are warning department members of threats by gang members to target cops, doubling up on patrols and urging officers to use caution when reporting for duty and heading home.
Mayor Walsh: ‘No need for long guns’ for Boston patrol officers
Breaking News Charlie Baker increases capacity limits at Massachusetts restaurants, businesses February 4, 2021 at 12:58 pm Mayor Martin J. Walsh today said he will not support routine use of long guns for patrol officers in Boston’s neighborhoods — contrary to demands by the city’s police unions for heavier armor and weapons — contending such weaponry should be kept in reserve for crisis situations.
State senator’s bill paves way for expanded Mass. tolls
Every major highway around Boston would have electronic tolls under a Lynn Democrat’s plan to fill the state’s coffers by dunning drivers. State Sen. Thomas McGee’s plan — which cites fairness for those North Shore and Metrowest drivers who already are hit with daily tolls — would direct state officials to “implement a comprehensive system of tolling and travel on and within the metropolitan highway system” by the end of next year.
NAACP prez: Report of racial allegations at BLS ”truth catching up to reality”
Breaking News Coronavirus data trends positively in Massachusetts while other states’ ICUs are at capacity July 7, 2020 at 5:41 pm A new Boston Public Schools report has found allegations of 115 racial incidents at Boston Latin School over the past two years in what the head of the Boston NAACP called "truth catching up to reality." "What they did find is that there's a problem, there's been a problem and is a problem at that school," said the NAACP's Michael Curry, who was given a copy of...
Haverhill police investigating student allegedly bringing gun to school
July 29, 2019 July 29, 2019 HAVERHILL, MASS. (WHDH) - A 16-year-old was arrested after allegedly bringing a weapon to Haverhill High School Monday, police said. Officers responded to the school at 10:40 a.m. for reports of a student who had fled the school when approached by school security regarding a report he may have had a firearm, police said. Officers arrested the student in the 200 block area of Broadway and he will be arraigned in juvenile court.
Sail festival to impact land lovers this weekend
Many roads will be closed or see reduced parking this weekend as public safety officials look to secure areas around the harbor for the Sail Boston festival, with at least 2 million people expected in the area. Here are some of the notable closures: Saturday, June 17, from midnight to 4 p.m. • Charleston — 1st and 3rd Avenue will be closed.
Boston aides in extortion case return to work
After earning more than $400,000 while on leave and facing federal extortion charges, two top aides to Mayor Martin J. Walsh are back at City Hall. City officials confirmed entertainment czar Kenneth Brissette and intergovernmental relations director Timothy Sullivan had returned to work this week following the dismissal of a federal case against the two for allegedly pressuring Boston Calling organizers to hire unnecessary union workers in 2014.
Update on Mayor’s campaign contributions in election year
Dan Atkinson Somerville Journal Thursday Mar 21, 2019 at 10:00 AM Mar 21, 2019 at 10:00 AM After years of maintaining five- and six-figure campaign war chests, Mayor Joe Curtatone's cash on hand has dipped to below $7,000 in this election year -- despite raking in nearly $160,000 in donations last year. According to state campaign finance records, Curtatone currently has $6,939 in the bank as of the beginning of March.
The ‘use it or lose it’ pension opportunity for high earners
Written by: Dan Atkinson 01/03/2019 As we approach the end of the tax year, there are a few ‘use it or lose it’ opportunities. EQ Investors’ head of technical Dan Atkinson outlines one for higher earners to consider. We are about to enter the forth tax year of having the Tapered Annual Allowance for pensions. It’s not quite a use it or lose it allowance, as you can carry forward unused allowances from the three previous tax years – provided you have been a member of any pension scheme that year.
Oil rally powers on as December slump is forgotten
Oil’s 2019 rally shows little sign of losing momentum, with crude prices higher on both sides of the Atlantic. The big slump seen in December last year is fast becoming a distant memory, as oil is within a few dollars of its level a year ago.
Swedish krona defies attempts to kill it off
For a currency supposedly living on borrowed time, Sweden’s krona is looking remarkably chipper. It has held rock steady against both the dollar and the euro during the past 12 months, and mild volatility against sterling reflects the Brexit-related influences on the pound rather than any weakness in the krona. It currently trades at $0.11 against the US currency and €0.094 against the euro. One month ago, on 26 January, it stood at $0.11 and €0.097.
Markets mixed as Brexit outcome mired in uncertainty
Major Brexit uncertainties have yet seriously to destabilise London markets, it would seem. Sterling and share prices are proving resilient and have actually made some gains during the past month. The difficulties of predicting the outcome of looming Parliamentary votes on Brexit has been deepened by the resignation of seven MPs from the opposition Labour Party, in large part because of their opposition to Britain leaving the European Union.
Bosch purchases 5% stake in Here
Bosch has acquired a 5% stake in Here, the digital maps services owned by German car manufacturers BMW, Audi and Daimler. The German-based engineering and electronics firm said the move would help it to develop its capabilities in real-time location services for the Internet of Things, boosting its service business both in and outside the automotive sector.
Shares higher, pound down as Theresa May talks up Brexit hopes
London share prices strengthened this morning as the government sought agreement on the way forward in the Brexit talks. Sterling weakened, but in both the stock and currency markets factors other than Brexit were at work. Prime Minister Theresa May is due to use a speech in Northern Ireland today to assert that she can get a Parliamentary majority for a Brexit deal that will also find support in the province.
Modest bounce for under-pressure oil prices
Oil prices enjoyed a modest bounce this morning, but bearish sentiment continued to stalk the market. Brent crude, a benchmark used in many international contracts, was 0.59% higher at $56.59 a barrel, while America’s West Texas Intermediate(WTI) was stable at $46.79. Fears of over-supply have joined with worries about a global economic slowdown to persuade traders to cut oil prices, ending what had been a positive run during the middle of the year.
Sterling gold price reflects UK political woes
Britain’s Brexit problems are vividly reflected in a soaring sterling price for gold. In what amounts to a near 5% devaluation of the pound against the yellow metal during the past month, the cost of an ounce of gold has soared since 12 November from just over £939 to more than £983 this morning. Gold is priced in dollars on world markets, which means its value is affected by the strength, or otherwise, of the US currency. Knife-edge victory This morning, it was 0.28% lower at $1,248.25.
FOR DEVELOPERS IN BOSTON, IT MAY PAY OFF TO BLOW OFF INCLUSIONARY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
It was another condo building rising in Southie. The development at 135 Athens Street/160 West Broadway was approved by city officials in 2014, with the promise that two of its 15 units would be affordable. The building was finished in 2017. But when the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) reviewed the completed project, it discovered the developer had sold the units that had been designated for affordable housing at market rates. Something had to be done.
The future is platforms
An unstoppable combination of technological change and rapidly developing consumer demands and expectations are transforming the world economy. Boundaries separating traditional business and industry sectors are being washed away, and technology lets customers join forces with pioneering new types of firms to disrupt existing business models – from Uber to peer-to-peer lending.
WELCOME BACK! LATE BUSES, FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL WOES AS BPS REOPENS
As students and teachers return to the classroom this week, Boston Public Schools faces the fallout from an audit showing financial mismanagement at nearly every school, as well as a lawsuit for gender discrimination against former high-ranking administrators. Oh, and buses have already failed to pick up and drop off students on time. Welcome back, kids.
Cambridge will no longer charge fees for protests, thanks to push from activists
Free speech activists, who filed a lawsuit against Cambridge for charging public safety costs during a rally on public space, got the outcome they were hoping for as the city of Cambridge announced July 19 it will not longer impose fees for demonstrations in city parks.
National Grid strips locked-out union workers of health benefits
Locked-out union members are blasting National Grid for stopping payment to their health care plans, but the company says it won’t give out benefits while the workers refuse to give up the ability to strike. National Grid locked out more than 1,000 members of United Steelworkers Locals 12003 and 12012 on June 25 after contract negotiations broke down, and is using managers and outside contractors to oversee complaints during the stoppage.
Marty Walsh bucks Starbucks proposal for North End
North End residents are “ecstatic” over Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s jolt of support for urging Starbucks to withdraw its proposal for a location on Hanover Street in the historic North End. The neighborhood that warned of British attackers will be standing guard to make sure the new invaders don’t return, as they have in other parts of the city, and are confident the java giant will back off from its plans to douse the historic neighborhood in corporate coffee.
Logan reunion makes mom ‘happiest’ in world
A mother tearfully reunited with her 8-year-old daughter yesterday after the two were separated at the border almost two months ago said she was “the happiest woman in the world.” Their emotional embrace took place at Logan International Airport’s Terminal C yesterday afternoon as the Trump administration in Washington announced it will return all separated children to their parents by court-ordered deadlines — starting on July 10.
Guatemalan woman gets back daughter after border separation
A mother tearfully reunited with her 8-year-old daughter yesterday after the two were separated at the border almost two months ago said she was “the happiest woman in the world.” Their emotional embrace took place at Logan International Airport’s Terminal C yesterday afternoon as the Trump administration in Washington announced it will return all separated children to their parents by court-ordered deadlines — starting on July 10.
Elizabeth Warren’s foreign Fourth of July trip seen as bid to bolster 2020 presidential bona fides
Bay State U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren spent another Fourth of July visiting troops overseas as she bolsters her foreign policy credentials — a crucial step if she plans on running for president in 2020. Warren left Iraq and Kuwait yesterday after visiting with military personnel, foreign service officers and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In a series of tweets, Warren described her trip, praising U.S. troops, but also called for more global effort to help maintain Iraq’s security.
BPD probing 3rd killing in deadly holiday period
Boston police are still trying to identify a man who was gunned down Tuesday evening in Roxbury, the third homicide in the past week. Police responded to reports of a person shot on Crawford Street about 11:39 p.m. Tuesday, according to police reports, and found a man in his thirties suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. Police said the man has not yet been identified.
Boston police investigating 3rd killing in deadly holiday period
Boston police are still trying to identify a man who was gunned down Tuesday evening in Roxbury, the third homicide in the past week. Police responded to reports of a person shot on Crawford Street about 11:39 p.m. Tuesday, according to police reports, and found a man in his thirties suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. Police said the man has not yet been identified.
Ex-trooper cuts plea deal, admits to stealing OT money
A retired state trooper has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars through phony overtime slips, with prosecutors recommending a light sentence that could indicate his cooperation in cases against other troopers. Former trooper Gregory Raftery, who retired earlier this year, pleaded guilty to embezzling from the state police in a filing in U.S. District Court yesterday. Raftery’s plea comes less than a week after three other troopers — former lieutenant David W.
Capuano denies push to abolish ICE
U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano says reports that indicated he wants to dismantle the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were false — the Somerville Democrat said he is not joining the push by other members of his party, including his primary opponent. Capuano was cited as one of the pols looking to abolish ICE in a report in The Hill, a Washington, D.C., political news publication, and in a Herald column.
Michael Capuano denies push to abolish ICE
U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano says reports that indicated he wants to dismantle the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were false — the Somerville Democrat said he is not joining the push by other members of his party, including his primary opponent. Capuano was cited as one of the pols looking to abolish ICE in a report in The Hill, a Washington, D.C., political news publication, and in a Herald column.
Retired trooper pleads guilty in Troop E overtime scheme
A retired state trooper has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars through phony overtime slips, with the plea coming less than a week after three other troopers were arrested on embezzlement charges. Trooper Gregory Raftery, who retired earlier this year, pleaded guilty to embezzling from the state police in a filing in U.S. District Court today.
Floating body found on Charles River by duck boat staffer
A duck boat full of sightseers made a grisly discovery yesterday when a staffer saw a body floating in the Charles River during a tour, but officials who recovered the body say it does not seem to be the result of foul play. State police responded to the river under the Longfellow Bridge at about 10:50 a.m. after a Boston Duck Tours operator reported a body floating in the water.
Bill Evans, Marty Walsh deny BPD commissioner set to resign
An exasperated police Commissioner William B. Evans denied that he’s leaving his post as rumors about him departing to Boston College dogged the city’s top cop on the eve of one of the most violent times of the year. Community leaders said the confusion about Boston Police Department leadership doesn’t help as neighborhoods gear up for a weekend before Fourth of July likely to see shootings in the city’s neighborhoods. WBZ reported Thursday that Evans, who Mayor Martin J.
Community mourns loss in Capital Gazette rampage
Family, friends and co-workers are grappling with the murder of five people at a Maryland newspaper and the killer’s longstanding harassment of the paper — which led to an investigation by police with a detective concluding he was no threat and the paper not wanting to press charges for fear of “putting a stick in a beehive.” The investigation of 38-year-old Jarrod W.
Snoozing statie still on the job
A state trooper who was reportedly sleeping on the clock and failed to help a woman trapped in her car after a rollover accident down the road is still on the job despite having a history of snoozing in his cruiser, according to reports. Trooper Casille Fonseca was suspended for 270 days last year after the incident, which took place in 2015.
Kennedy signals exit, scotus to turn right
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement announcement yesterday set the stage for a heated, highly divisive confirmation battle this fall — with Democrats pushing for hearings after the midterm elections and Republicans insisting they’ll take place before.
Supreme Court to turn right with Justice Kennedy retirement
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement announcement yesterday set the stage for a heated, highly divisive confirmation battle this fall — with Democrats pushing for hearings after the midterm elections and Republicans insisting they’ll take place before.
MBTA shells out $2.5G for break room pool table refurbish
The MBTA spent more than $2,500 in taxpayer dollars to refurbish a billiards table so employees could play pool while on break, but doesn’t plan to use more tax funds to repair its other employee pool tables, officials said. Manager of Customer Experience Projects Lisa Radosta ordered the repairs from Boston Billiards last year, according to emails obtained by the Herald.
Lack of transparency adding to Charlie Baker's woes
Gov. Charlie Baker insisted it was “not my call” to withhold a trooper’s report that details his son’s alleged groping of a woman on a Boston-bound JetBlue flight last week, in what some are calling a disturbing lack of transparency amid ongoing state police scandals. State police denied Friday they were investigating the June 20 incident, saying only “this matter is not in the department’s jurisdiction” and referring comment to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
MBTA shells out $2,500 for break room pool table refurbish
The MBTA spent more than $2,500 in taxpayer dollars to refurbish a billiards table so employees could play pool while on break, but doesn’t plan to use more tax funds to repair its other employee pool tables, officials said. Manager of Customer Experience Projects Lisa Radosta ordered the repairs from Boston Billiards last year, according to emails obtained by the Herald.
Boston lawyers help Brazilian migrant reunite with 9-year-old son in Chicago
A Brazilian woman separated from her 9-year-old son is flying to Chicago to find the boy and sue the government for his return with the help of Boston attorneys — who are predicting a flood of similar lawsuits from parents fighting separations. Lidia Karin Souza, now living in Massachusetts, was arrested at the U.S. border in New Mexico in May with her son, Diogo, and has since applied for asylum.
National Grid locks out more than 1,000 union workers in contract stalemate
National Grid customers can expect delays for nonemergency calls after the company locked out more than 1,000 union workers yesterday, but officials said management and contractors will handle crucial complaints during the stoppage. The lockout began after National Grid officials and union leaders of United Steelworkers Locals 12003 and 12012 failed to reach a new contract Sunday, according to National Grid.
'Troopergate' suit seeks money, apology from DA Early
A new lawsuit is seeking a public apology and compensation from Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. for leading the "immoral scheme" to force a state trooper to rewrite his arrest report of a judge's daughter, which ultimately led to the "Troopergate" scandal and retirements of several top state cops.
Jury: Mafia boss, helper guilty in slaying of music club owner
Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme, the 84-year-old gangster who steered the New England Mafia with an iron fist, was convicted of murdering real estate developer Steven DiSarro before driving his corpse to Providence 25 years ago. Codefendant and mob associate Paul Weadick, 63, a Burlington plumber, was convicted of the same charge: murder of a federal witness. A federal jury comprised of eight women and four men returned the verdicts yesterday.
Trooper sues early
A new lawsuit is seeking a public apology from Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. for leading the “immoral scheme” to force a state trooper to rewrite his arrest report of a judge’s daughter, which ultimately led to the Troopergate scandal and retirements of several top state cops.
Department head alleges unfair treatment, retaliation
The head of the city’s sex trafficking unit says her own police department created a hostile working environment, discriminated against her and retaliated when she complained, according to a scathing lawsuit filed in federal court. Lt. Detective Donna Gavin, the widely recognized leader of the Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children units, filed a civil suit against commanding officer Capt.
Boston Police Dept unit head alleges unfair treatment, retaliation
The head of the city’s sex trafficking unit says her own police department created a hostile working environment, discriminated against her and retaliated when she complained, according to a scathing lawsuit filed in federal court. Lt. Detective Donna Gavin, the widely recognized leader of the Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children units, filed a civil suit against commanding officer Capt.
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