Legislative leaders say pot legalization won't be delayed

House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg on Monday ruled out pushing a last-minute delay in the legalization of marijuana set to take effect on Thursday, but did not take other procedural delays off the table as the state moves toward setting up a new industry.

"The voters spoke in favor of legalized recreational marijuana on Nov. 8th and we fully intend to respect the will of the voters. While we analyze the provisions of the new law and its implementation, we will not be passing legislation that changes the Dec. 15th effective date for possession, use, and home growing," the two Democratic leaders said in a joint statement Monday afternoon.

The Governor's Council is poised on Wednesday to certify election results that show more than 1.7 million voters, or about 54 percent, approved the legalization of the adult use of marijuana that will eventually lead to the licensing of marijuana retail stores around the state. The certification will clear the way for the possession of marijuana and the growing of plants in someone's home to become legal on Thursday.

Both DeLeo and Rosenberg previously said they were considering delaying parts of the new law before the the end of the month. "If it's going to be a delay, it's going to be a very time-limited delay," Rosenberg said last Monday after meeting with DeLeo and Gov. Charlie Baker.

DeLeo said pushing back the Dec. 15 legalization date could be "a little more difficult," but the leaders are still looking at legislation to refine the ballot law that could lead to a higher tax rate on marijuana and delays in other key deadlines, including the March establishment of a Cannabis Control Commission or the fall 2017 timetable to begin accepting applications for marijuana retail shops. –Matt Murphy/State House News Service

Hingham resident falls victim to sweepstakes scam

A 75-year-old Hingham resident fell victim last week to a familiar sweepstakes scam by phone. Although he did not send any money, he did provide sensitive personal information that will likely be used for identity theft.

Hingham Police posted an alert on their website and asked area media and indiduals to spread the word:

The resident told Hingham police that on Dec. 6 he received a phone call from an man who claimed to be from Publishers Clearing House, who told the resident he had won a top prize. In order to process his prize, the caller said, they would need some personal information. The resident was asked for, and provided, his Social Security number, his date of birth, his driver's license number, etc. The resident then asked for a call-back number and the caller gave him an area code 305 number, which is Maryland. 

The resident will now contact the Social Security office, his bank, credit bureaus, and the registry of motor vehicles to report that he is at risk for identity theft.

The Hingham Police Department warns that individuals should never provide personal information, either by phone or email, unless you specifically contacted that agency and have verified with whom you are sharing information. ∞

Pedestrian fatally injured on George Washington Boulevard

The Hingham Police Department has confirmed that a pedestrian hit by a car late this morning near the courthouse on George Washington Boulevard has died.

The boulevard was closed for about three hours while a State Police accident reconstruction team worked at the scene. The roadway has reopened.

Further details are pending.

DA identifies victim found at Pemberton

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office has identified the body found yesterday morning on the rocks off Channel Street as Douglas King, 51, of Weymouth.

Investigators do not suspect foul play as an overturned kayak was  found in nearby waters.

Hull Police investigating after body found at Pemberton

HULL – Acting Chief Robert C. Sawtelle reports that the Hull Police Department is investigating, after a body was found on the beach this morning.

Around 9:25 a.m., police received a report that a person was lying on the rocks, near the shore along Channel Street, in the Pemberton Point area.

Police and fire responded to the scene and located a deceased man, along with an overturned kayak. The person’s name is not being released pending identification and notification of next of kin.

The incident remains under investigation by the Hull Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.

MBTA Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Schedule

The MBTA has released its subway, commuter rail, bus, and boat service schedules for the Thanksgiving holiday.

To accommodate customers traveling to and from Logan International Airport, additional Silver Line 1 service will be offered between tomorrow, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. each day.

Additional service will also be provided from Saturday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Nov. 28.

The Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line, and Green Line will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

On Thanksgiving Day–Thursday, Nov. 24–the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will operate on a Sunday schedule.

On Friday, Nov. 25, the Red, Orange, and Blue lines will operate on a regular Friday schedule, while the Mattapan Trolley and Green Line branches will operate on a Saturday schedule.

Commuter rail lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

On Thanksgiving, commuter rail lines will operate on a Sunday schedule.

On Friday, Nov. 25, commuter rail will operate on a regular weekday schedule. 

Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day only.

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Hull and Hingham ferry services will operate on a modified weekday schedule, and Charlestown service will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

On Thanksgiving Day, there will be no ferry service on any service route.

On Thursday, Nov. 24, The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Please contact your local RIDE contractor for details:

For full MBTA schedule details, visit www.mbta.com/events/. ∞

Tell us what you're thankful for...

We're putting together The Hull Times' Thanksgiving edition this weekend. So we got to wondering, what about Hull makes you grateful? If you comment here–and we'd be thankful if you did!–please know we may use your quote (and your name) in our story.

Library closed for renovations this weekend, and for the holiday next weekend

The Hull Public Library will be closed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19, so that workers may take advantage of the weather to finish up the exterior renovations.
The library will also be closed Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving.
Please note that when the library is closed, patrons can access www.ocln.org to place holds, renew reading materials, or check individual library records. All you need is your barcode number that’s found on your library card and your pin number. 
Staff at the library wish all a happy Thanksgiving.