Rounding up news stories from the Weekend of July 1-3, 2011.
07/04/11-Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-The fireworks explode over Springfield during the July 4th festivities. Local:
Springfield police identify city's 9th homicide victim as 38-year-old Raul Vera
Police were sent to the area of 66 Lincoln St. shortly before 7:15 p.m. for a reported shooting. Vera, shot once in the neck, was taken to Baystate Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly before 7:40 p.m. He lived at 75 King St. Read More »
Rev. Paul Archambault's death at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Rectory in Springfield was suicide, police say
Police said the Rev. Paul Archambault said the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hampden. He was scheduled to return Sunday morning to the Somers Road church, but did not show up, Mark E. Dupont, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, said. Dupont said Archambault was last publicly seen early Saturday night when, in his duties as chaplain at Baystate Medical Center, he ministered to a family in the emergency department. Read More »
National:
Herman Cain revs up mainstream conservatives
In his pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination, Cain's views on the economy and his fiery delivery have resonated with some in the GOP. Read More »
Maria Shriver files for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger after 25 years of marriage
The former television journalist and Kennedy family heiress cited irreconcilable differences but offered no additional details about the breakup. Read More »
Sports:
Red Sox sweep Houston Astros behind another Josh Beckett gem
Josh Beckett pitched a gem and the Boston Red Sox scored the go-ahead run on a walk in the ninth inning for a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros and the series sweep Sunday. Read More »
MLB investigating Alex Rodriguez for part in illegal poker games
Despite being warned to stay away from illegal poker games in 2005, Rodriguez is said have been part of an illegal high-stakes Hollywood poker ring that involved a number of stars including Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Tobey Maguire. Read More »
Fireworks:
Fire quickly doused on Boston fireworks barge
The fire was spotted at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday on the barge that fired off Boston’s July Fourth fireworks Monday night. Read More »
East Longmeadow, Springfield, others celebrate July 4th in style