Anchor Axed For Role In Adam Sandler's Salem Movie | PM Patch

SALEM, MA — Today is Friday, Oct. 16. Here's what Patch has been covering on the North Shore and Across Massachusetts today.

A small role in a Salem-based Adam Sandler movie has cost a Boston news anchor her job.

Alaina Pinto, a morning anchor on WHDH-TV, said the station fired her because her appearance in Sandler's "Hubie Halloween" violated her contract. She announced her own firing on social media this week.

Pinto appeared dressed as Harley Quinn — a Batman nemesis who appears in DC Comics films.

Read the full story here.

Also on the North Shore today

Conductor's Surprise Toy Train Gift Delights Beverly 3-Year-Old

Noontime has long been a special time for Tan Tran and his son, Aidan, at the North Beverly commuter station.

On Wednesday, it was the commuter rail crew's turn to make Aidan's day as they got out of the train at the stop and handed Aidan a toy train set.

"He didn't fully express his excitement until he got home and brought it in the house. He immediately wanted to play with it," Tan Tran said.

Salem To Restrict Pedestrian Mall Amid 'Super Frustrating' Crowds

Despite repeated requests for potential visitors to stay away from the city amid the coronavirus pandemic this year, the crowds keep coming to Salem in hopes of getting a little taste of Halloween in the city's unofficial hometown.

Mayor Kim Driscoll once again urged those considering a trip to Salem in October to wait until next year — or, at least, next month — as she announced restricted access to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall starting this weekend.

Inmate Coronavirus Cases Plummet At Essex Jail: Sheriff

Two weeks after ordering tests for all inmates, staff and vendors of the Essex County jail system due to an outbreak at the Middleton prison, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said active cases have dropped significantly.

The Essex County Sheriff's office said the active case count at the Essex County Jail in Middleton stood at 15 on Thursday compared to a recent high of 137.

Across Massachusetts

Needham Shop Owner Faces Uncertainty As Eviction Ban Expires

Maria Mavrogiannis, a 76-year-old Needham tailor, hadn't missed a rent payment in 30 years before the coronavirus crisis hit earlier this year. Now, with a state ban on evictions set to expire, she may lose her business.

"No one needs tailoring, no one is buying dresses. I don't know what to do," Mavrogiannis said.

Massachusetts' moratorium on evictions, which prevents landlords from evicting most small business tenants during the pandemic, is set to expire on Saturday.

At Least One More Patriots Coronavirus Case As Game 3 Days Away

The Patriots canceled practice Friday after at least one more coronavirus case on the team. ESPN is reporting the team has another positive test and awaiting confirmation on what looks to be a second.

The news once again throws the Patriots game against the Broncos — already twice rescheduled — into flux. The game is currently set for Sunday afternoon; It had been originally scheduled for last Sunday and was moved to Monday, but positive tests in New England bumped it to this
week.

WATCH: Great White Shark Chows Down On Seal Off Cape Cod

Beach season may be over on Cape Cod, but great white sharks are still swimming and hunting for blubbery snacks in the region's waters.

Woman Crashes On Pike In Framingham During Police Pursuit

The 20-year-old Dorchester woman was taken by helicopter to UMass Medical Center in Worcester.