Halloween Still On, But Some Things Spooking Officials: Patch PM

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 6. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

Halloween is still on in Massachusetts, but to what extent is anyone's guess.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday afternoon local communities will have final say over Halloween celebrations and trick-or-treating, but he did advise caution as the coronavirus numbers continue to tick upward across the state.

There are no rules or mandates beyond established COVID-19 ones, Baker said. Instead he offered tips and guidance, saying indoor parties "are a really bad idea" and encouraged trick-or-treaters to go out only in small groups.

"Wear a mask," Baker said. "Not just a mask of Superman or Wonder Woman. Wear a real mask."

Read the full story here

Other top stories

First His Head, Now His Home: Columbus Statue Loses North End Spot

The statue of Christopher Columbus that was beheaded earlier this year in the North End will not be returned to its original location. It will now be housed in a new development being built by the Knights of Columbus.

The statue was taken down to be fixed after it was vandalized in June.

In a virtual meeting with the North End/Waterfront Council Monday, Mayor Marty Walsh said it would not be "structurally" safe to return it to Columbus Park.

10,000 Wanted For At-Home Coronavirus Testing Study In Boston Area

Researchers have launched a large, at-home coronavirus testing study in the Boston area that they hope will give them an early warning if there's another surge.

The TestBoston study from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Broad Institute is looking for 10,000 people to take part in the six-month project.

They're trying to find active coronavirus cases and evidence of previous infection within a 45-mile radius of Boston.

Could Be Last Stop For Many MBTA Lines, Routes

MBTA officials proposed deep service cuts that would stretch across the transit agency's entire system, impacting all modes of public transportation amid dwindling ridership and a widening budget gap.

The proposed cuts ranged from $65 million to $255 million. It's been known the beleaguered transit agency would have to take drastic measures, but the breadth of impact was only made known during Monday's Fiscal and Management Control Board meeting.

Significant service cuts, line eliminations and station closures were proposed for some low-ridership bus routes and commuter rail lines, as well as the Hingham/Hull ferry, according to a presentation made at the meeting. No cuts are final and officials are still working to identify exactly which lines would be impacted. A vote is expected in December and changes would take place in mid-2021.

Someone Who Went By The 'Shell Boss' Sentenced For Turtle Smuggling

A man accused of illegally importing and exporting exotic Asian reptiles was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to charges of illegally importing and exporting endangered species.

Nathan Boss, 27, who sometimes went by the alias "Shelton Boss," was sentenced to time served, plus two years of supervised release. The first five months of the supervised release will be served at home, according to prosecutors.

The case dates back to December 2017, when customs officers at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City intercepted a package bound for Massachusetts containing 24 newts inside — 22 of them were dead.

Also

168 Essex Inmates, Staff Test Positive For Coronavirus: Sheriff

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said the positive tests came out of 1,400 tests conducted this weekend amid a prison outbreak.

Kowloon Restaurant Searching For 'Kidnapped' Tiki Chair

The restaurant says it has the culprit on video and wants him to return it by Friday, "no questions asked."

Train Delay: Orange And Red Line Fleets Pushed Back Year-Plus

The new trains are now scheduled to be in service in 2023 and 2024.

Framingham Denies BJ's Liquor License Transfer

BJ's wanted to bring its "no frills" alcohol sales approach to Framingham, just a few feet from a mom-and-pop liquor store.

Wellesley PD Free Raccoon After 'Tense Negotiations'

The animal was stuck inside the window bench of a neighbor's home.

Man Accused Of Driving Through Crowd Of BLM Protesters In Court

Witnesses said the Needham man shouted at them then drove his car through a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters outside Newton City Hall.