Students stranded by off-campus housing
By Natalie Sherman/Boston Herald – August 30, 2010

For Boston, a city with a rental rate about twice the national average, the harried mess of the massive Sept. 1 college lease turnover is practically an annual tradition.

But students say the tight Sept. 1 deadline creates more problems than just overflowing Dumpsters and double-parked cars – it can also leave them stranded.

At Berklee College of Music, where more than three-quarters of students live off-campus, classes don’t begin until Sept. 7, but orientation and peer advising programs started yesterday.

“People that have to be back . . . don’t have any place to stay,” said Bryant Fuhrmann, 21, who is in his final semester there.

Students playing fall sports must also return to campus early, said Jennifer Charness, a Simmons College junior. Charness said the school provided athletes with housing only until Aug. 29, leaving one friend of hers with nowhere to go.

Base camp
By Ira Kantor/Boston Herald – August 30, 2010

One brave Dana-Farber patient got to chase his home run dreams yesterday by retracing the cleat-steps of his favorite Red Sox players at Fenway Park during Jimmy Fund Fantasy Day.

“Batting and running the bases, I felt like Kevin Youkilis,” said RJ Agostinelli of West Roxbury. “I’m the biggest fan in all of mankind.”

RJ, who turns 13 on Sept. 12, has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia since July 2008.

“He was smiling ear to ear, which was good to see him doing,” added RJ’s father Ron Agostinelli. “It was quite an event.”

DEATH INVESTIGATION IN THE AREA OF 270 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
Posted by BPD MediaRelations on August 29, 2010

At about 8:43pm, on Friday, August 27, 2010, officers from Area D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for an unconscious male inside 270 Huntington Ave. On arrival, officers observed and located a 51 year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a head injury. The victim was transported to the Brigham & Women’s Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wanting to assist the investigation anonymously can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800)494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is only interested in what you know, not who you are.
[hat tip to Universal Hub - ed]

Fire at BU blocks Commonwealth Avenue
New England in brief – August 30, 2010

Fire officials briefly closed down traffic on Commonwealth Avenue yesterday evening, as they responded to an electrical fire at the Boston University College of Arts and Sciences at approximately 6 p.m. Deputy Fire Chief John Hasson said a panel in the basement of the building ignited fire because of heat conditions. Students and faculty were evacuated from the building and the surrounding area, and the small fire was quickly contained, Hason said. There were no injuries.

From Universal Hub:  What you can do with a tiny plot of land

1967 – Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as the first African American Justice of the United States Supreme Court.  More anniversaries.