How MA Spent $1.1 Billion On Coronavirus Response: Patch PM

Today is Thursday, Oct. 1. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

Massachusetts has spent $838 million of the $1.1 billion it set aside in a supplemental budget bill for fighting the coronavirus crisis, according to a report released Wednesday that also shows how that money has been spent.

The report shows the state spent $744 million of the $1 billion set aside for the fiscal year ended June 30 and $94 million of the $140 million set aside for the fiscal year that started July 1. The state could still spend the money remaining for Fiscal Year 2020, as it has not yet closed the books on the year ended June 30.

The report's biggest line item was $350 million for personal protective equipment, which was slightly below the $356 million state lawmakers projected when they passed the bill earlier this year.

Read the full story here

Other top stories

Brothers Charged With Stabbing Danvers Indoor Sports Worker

A 21-year-old Revere man and his 17-year-old brother are facing armed assault with intent to murder charges in the stabbing of a staff member at the Danvers Indoor Sports Facility on Andover Street Wednesday night.

Danvers police said Crismael Lithgow, 21, of Revere, and his 17-year-old brother are also charged with a knife and assault and battery with a shod foot following an altercation with the staff member about 11 p.m.

Police said the staff member suffered non-fatal injuries.

Attleboro Fire Department Experiences Coronavirus Outbreak

A week after a firefighter within the Attleboro Fire Department tested positive for the coronavirus, eight more firefighters and two dispatchers have also been diagnosed with confirmed cases, town officials have announced.

Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux and Fire Chief Scott Lachance confirmed the positive cases in a news release this week. The 11 confirmed cases were as of Tuesday, officials said, and were all tied to one shift of the department. Most of those who tested positive were asymptomatic or have mild symptoms but one firefighter became seriously ill and is currently hospitalized in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital, officials said.

Heroux told Patch on Thursday that there have been no further confirmed cases since Monday and that as of Thursday, 57 people within the department have tested negative, including nine negative tests on Thursday.

Also

Somerville Restaurant Target Of Anti-Armenian Attacks, Owners Say

The owners of Noor Mediterranean Grill say they have received "hundreds of hate messages, fake negative reviews and death threats."

Emergency Shutdown Triggered At Weymouth Natural Gas Plant

The shutdown brought new calls from U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch for Enbridge to close the facility.

Acton Financial Advisor Stole Millions From Clients: Officials

Gerald Eaton pleaded guilty to filtering $3.7 million from clients, many of whom were elderly, to pay credit card bills, family expenses.

Former Malden Man Pleads Guilty To Weapons Trafficking

A Brazilian national known as "Neneco" illegally sold guns and ammunition while living in Malden, federal authorities said.

Milford Man Arrested Again For Waving Axe, Making Threats

The 49-year-old was arrested almost one year ago for a bloody rampage in downtown Milford.