Severe Thunderstorms Heading To Massachusetts: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Wednesday, June 30. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Gordon Ramsay, the celebrity chef known as much for his temper as for his cuisine, is opening a new restaurant in Back Bay.
• A former candidate for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional House District was arrested Tuesday and indicted on multiple election-related federal charges.
• Prosecutors have dropped the charges against a man who was accused of assaulting an 18-year-old woman while on board a Steamship Authority ferry from Martha's Vineyard earlier this month.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

Unsettled weather is on the way in Massachusetts. Following another morning of sweltering, humid weather, severe thunderstorms are possible across much of the state throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service put a large swath of the state under an orange, or "enhanced" risk outlook for the afternoon, meaning widespread, persistent storms are possible. The highest area of concern are inland areas and Western Massachusetts. The southeastern part of the state is expected to see more isolated storms, while Cape Cod is only under mild risk of severe weather.

Read the full story.

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Wednesday's Other Top Stories

Politician indicted: A former candidate for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional House District was arrested Tuesday and indicted on multiple election-related federal charges, prosecutors said. According to federal prosecutors, Abhijit "Beej" Das, 47 of North Andover, solicited illegal campaign donations, used the money for non-campaign uses and then attempted to cover it up.

Ferry rape charges dropped: Prosecutors have dropped the charges against a man who was accused of assaulting an 18-year-old woman while on board a Steamship Authority ferry from Martha's Vineyard earlier this month. According to the Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office Public Records Access Officer, the court decided to dismiss the case and drop the charges after speaking with the victim and her family.

I-93's star turn: One of metro Boston's busiest highways got the Hollywood treatment Wednesday. A production company is shooting a movie on I-93 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., MassDOT said. Filming will take place in Boston, Charlestown and Somerville. A spokesperson for MassDOT said the agency does not have any information on the movie being filmed.

Private school sues public school district: The Andover School Committee and multiple current and former officials are being sued by Fusion Academy over the district's rejection of the company's requests to open a private school in town. The company applied in 2018 and 2020 to open a school; it was rejected both times. The company filed the lawsuit Monday in federal court, asking for damages and for its application to be approved.

Eat fresh: Patch's 2021 Massachusetts Farmers Market Guide

Picture This

Gordon Ramsay coming to Boston: Gordon Ramsay, the celebrity chef known as much for his temper as for his cuisine, is opening a new restaurant in Back Bay. Ramsay's Kitchen, which will take over the 7,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental hotel, is scheduled to open by the end of the year. The 180-seat restaurant is the first to open under Ramsay's newest dining concept and will employ 160 people. "I absolutely love the energy of Boston and consider it a premier dining destination in the country," Ramsay said.

In Case You Missed It

4th of July Weekend Travel Guide: Heading out of town this 4th of July? Expect company on Massachusetts roads — nearly 48 million people are expected to travel over the coming holiday weekend, according to a new travel forecast by AAA. Boston-area travel times could more than triple Friday and Monday, with delays peaking Friday afternoon as holiday travelers mix with commuters leaving early and midday Monday as travelers return home.

No bail for MA teen accused of killing father: Jack Callahan, 19, was arraigned in Plymouth District Court Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father, and is now being held without bail, says District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz. Callahan was placed under arrest Monday morning for the murder of his father after police say Scott Callahan, 57 was pulled from Island Creek pond the night before.