SPRINGFIELD — Gamblers at MGM Springfield will be able to drink alcohol until 4 a.m.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday approved extending alcohol service to those actively gambling on the casino’s gaming floor. All other bars and restaurants on the 14-acre complex would still have to stop serving liquor by the traditional 2 a.m. cutoff.
The Springfield City Council approved the plan earlier this month, but many area residents voiced opposition in written comments to gambling regulators, saying it would lead to more drunken driving and crime.
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association said the plan would also put local bars and restaurants at a disadvantage. MGM officials argue that late night drinking is an expected part of the casino experience.
MGM Springfield is slated to open August 24 as the state’s first resort casino.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A bill to help pay for a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox in Rhode Island has been scheduled for a vote.
The House Finance Committee plans to consider revised legislation Thursday.
Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello wants to finance the state’s contribution with so-called “special revenue bonds.” Only tax revenue generated directly by the stadium and its surrounding area would go toward paying off the bonds.
If revenues fall short, the state wouldn’t need to settle the debt. It’s less risky, but more expensive to finance bonds when they aren’t guaranteed by the state.
A Senate-approved plan would have guaranteed $23 million in state money for the $83-million stadium in Pawtucket for the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Worcester has also been wooing the team.
WRENTHAM — One of three men charged in connection with a robbery at the home of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski while he was away at the Super Bowl has been held on $100,000 bail.
The Sun Chronicle reports that 26-year-old Shane Denn, wearing a Patriots T-shirt, pleaded not guilty Wednesday. If he makes bail, he must stay away from Gronkowski and wear a GPS monitoring device.
Authorities say the Tewksbury man broke into Gronkowski’s Foxborough home on Feb. 4 and stole several items, including three guns belonging to Gronkowski’s roommate. Police say some items, including high-end watches and rare coins, have been recovered.
RUSSELL — Authorities say the body of a 6-year-old boy reported missing has been recovered in a Massachusetts river.
A spokesman for the Hampden district attorney says the body of Jace Paduano was found by a state trooper in the Westfield River in Russell at about 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The child had been reported missing from a home in town hours earlier.
Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene but were unable to revive the child, who was then taken to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities say the boy apparently drowned.
WORCESTER — A couple wants to know who’s shooting hunting arrows at their house.
Accurzio and Loretta Schlafani, both in their 70s, say three arrows with razor tips have struck on or near their Worcester home since Friday.
The first arrow remains stuck in their garage roof because they are physically unable to climb up and pull it out.
They found a second arrow on their rear deck on Saturday. A third arrow struck in their backyard on Sunday.
Loretta Schlafani says she’s concerned because young relatives often visit their home.
The couple reported the mysterious arrows to police, who took one away as evidence. Lt. Sean Murtha called the situation “odd” and says police have not received any other reports of stray arrows.
WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield’s mayor has proposed fines of up to $300 for people who feed wildlife as part of an effort to keep bears, coyotes and other animals from the area.
West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt introduced the ordinance last week, saying there has been a “sharp increase” in calls involving human-wildlife encounters.
First-time offenders will receive a warning. Those who continue to violate the policy will see fines from $25 the second time to $300 for repeat offenses.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island State Police say they have arrested a fugitive from Massachusetts in a Providence apartment where they also found nearly two pounds of pure fentanyl with a street value of more than $30,000.
Police say 52-year-old Jesus Ramos was arrested Wednesday on drug trafficking and fugitive charges after authorities learned he was staying at the apartment.
Rhode Island authorities say Ramos is wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly skipping bail while awaiting trial on drug and gun charges. He is due in court in Providence on Thursday.
In addition to the powerful opioid fentanyl, investigators say they found 10 grams of heroin, two presses used for packing fentanyl, heroin and other narcotics.
From Associated Press