Freezer Mishap Spoils 1,900 COVID-19 VA Vaccines: Top 5 Stories

Today is Friday, Jan. 22. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

1,900 Coronavirus Vaccines Spoiled In Boston VA Freezer Mishap

Nearly 2,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had to be tossed after someone accidentally loosened the plug of the freezer they were stored in at the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain.

A contractor caused the mishap Tuesday, according to a VA Boston Healthcare System spokesperson. An investigation has been launched into why the freezer's alarm system never went off.

The VA said it doesn't expect any significant delay in vaccinating residents and health care personnel.

The 1,900 spoiled doses were from Moderna. Those vaccines arrive between negative-13 and 5 degrees and vials can be stored between 36 and 46 degrees for up to 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Barbara Erickson, Groundbreaking Leader Of The Trustees, Dies

Barbara Erickson, President and CEO of The Trustees of Reservation, died after a years-long battle with a rare form of cancer, the Boston-based nonprofit said Thursday. She was 42.

"Ambition, tenacity, and audacious thinking defined Barbara's presidency," Peter Coffin, chairman of the Trustees' board of directors, said in an internal email. "She will be remembered for her strong vision and aspirations for the organization."

Executive Vice President Jocelyn Forbush will continue as acting president and CEO while the board determines what's next.

MA Loses Progress As Unemployment Rate Back Above U.S. Average

The state's unemployment numbers spent months clawing their way back to the national average. In one month's time, they fell behind again.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate in December increased to 7.4 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday, almost 5 percentage points higher than it was in December 2019.

The national average remains at 6.7 percent, which is where Massachusetts was in November.

Somerville Moves To Decriminalize Psychedelics

Somerville this month became the first Massachusetts community to move toward decriminalizing entheogenic plants, more commonly known as psychedelics. At its Jan. 14 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution placing a low priority on the enforcement of such substances.

The resolution says that city employees, including the Somerville Police Department, should not use city funds or resources to assist in enforcing laws surrounding the adult use of entheogenic plants.

It does not allow driving under the influence of such substances, selling them commercially or distributing them near schools.

Salem Defense Lawyer Held Without Bail On Rape Charge

A criminal defense attorney and former state prosecutor was ordered held without bail on a rape charge following a dangerousness hearing Thursday.

Gary Zerola, 49, of Salem, was arraigned last week in Boston Municipal Court on charges of rape and breaking and entering with felony intent.

"The court agreed with our position that Mr. Zerola is a danger to the community," Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement.

Zerola was an assistant district attorney in Essex and Suffolk Counties in 2000, according to Rollins' office. In 2001, he was named one of America's most eligible bachelors by People magazine.