1873 – Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a U.S. patent for blue jeans with copper rivets.  More anniversaries.

Parents hope for clues in college student’s slaying
By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff – May 20, 2010

On the second anniversary of the death of Rebecca Payne, her parents plan to visit the Mission Hill apartment where she was killed today in hopes of raising awareness of her unsolved slaying and convincing anyone with information to contact police.

“Maybe that one person with information can help with the case,” Nicholas Payne, of Connecticut, said this morning.

Payne said police have told him that they are close to solving the case, that they have a person of interest, “but they still need some more information to close the case.”

Rebecca Payne was a 22-year-old Northeastern University student when she was found by the building manager of her Parker Hill Avenue apartment the morning of May 20, 2008, with gunshot wounds to her chest and legs.

Witnesses told police after the body was discovered that they had heard several shots earlier in the morning but never thought to call 911. Police also searched for a black van that may have fled the area around the time the gunshots were heard.

Slain student’s dad: Suspects in cops’ sights
By O’Ryan Johnson/Boston Herald – May 20, 2010

Rebecca Payne was shot several times and left to die in her Mission Hill apartment two years ago today and finally, family members say, police have made progress in tracking down her killer.

“They say they are close,” said Nicholas Payne, the father of the slain woman. “They have some persons of interest. They’re clear she was not the intended target of the murderer.”

Payne and his wife, Virginia, will return to their daughter’s apartment building today – as they did last year – to pay respects to her memory and will leaflet the neighborhood where she lived, hoping that two years after her slaying, someone may now be willing to step forward.

City Council head condemns Fire Dept. deal – Threatens to vote no if concessions are not made
By Andrew Ryan – Globe Staff / May 20, 2010

Opposition began mounting on the City Council yesterday against an arbitration award for Boston firefighters, with Council President Michael P. Ross threatening to vote against the contract unless the union makes “meaningful concessions.’’

“If they don’t, I believe we have no choice — on behalf of the residents of this city — but to reject the award,’’ Ross said in a heated speech at City Hall, describing what he called palpable “public outrage’’ over the settlement. “Seventy-four million dollars. A 19 percent increase. Paying fire-fighters to come to work sober.’’

Ross’s threat to vote to kill the deal — which the council has the power to do if a majority of its 13 members oppose it — is the most significant hint of opposition yet to the controversial award, which was granted by a labor arbitrator earlier this month.

The award would give firefighters an additional raise on the last day of the contract, June 30, in exchange for undergoing random drug and alcohol testing, a bump the city says will cost $4.3 million next year alone.

Three other councilors spoke yesterday after Ross and gave the impression that they may also vote against the award, indicating there may be enough “no’’ votes on the council to reject the deal and send the city and firefighters back to the bargaining table.

Beth Israel, Anna Jaques in deal
By Robert Weisman – Globe Staff / May 20, 2010

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has negotiated a clinical affiliation with Anna Jaques Hospital of Newburyport, a 123-bed community hospital serving 17 cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley, the Boston health care provider said yesterday.

Under the agreement, Beth Israel Deaconess, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, will provide medical services currently unavailable to Anna Jaques patients, such as specialty cardiovascular and high-risk pregnancy care.

Anna Jaques will remain an independent nonprofit hospital under the alliance, which is part of a larger trend of community hospitals in eastern Massachusetts striking partnerships with Boston’s academic medical centers.

Suicidal man puts bite on his rescuer
By Laurel J. Sweet/Boston Herald – May 20, 2010

A car salesman bent on suicide and resisting efforts to save him on the roof of a Northeastern University art gallery took his pound of flesh from a hero campus cop, chomping down hard on the officer’s left arm, police said.

“A large human bite” was imprinted on the long arm of the lawman Tuesday by the 25-year-old man, according to a Boston police report.

The would-be jumper, whose name investigators declined to release because he threatened to kill himself, will be summoned to court, likely on a charge of assault and battery on an officer, police said.

Red Sox pitcher Manny Delcarmen signs deal with New Balance
By Thomas Grillo/Boston Herald – May 20, 2010

Hyde Park native and Boston Red Sox [team stats] pitcher Manny Delcarmen has signed a multi-year endorsement contract with a Boston-based sneaker giant.

Under the deal, New Balance will be Delcarmen’s official footwear and off-field apparel provider. The company will also partner with him as sponsor of his Annual Bowlin’ Strikes for Schools event benefiting Boston Public Schools next month.

“I am really excited that New Balance is joining me in support of my charity, which is very important to me,” Delcarmen said in a statement. “The New Balance cleats are light and comfortable; hopefully they will help me strike guys out all season.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Delcarmen wears the New Balance 1101 baseball spike. Dubbed a “running shoe on spikes.” The shoe features high performance running technology to eliminate spike pressure and give an athlete unparalleled comfort and fit on the diamond, New Balance said.

Bowlin’ Strikes for Schools will be held on June 28 at 6 p.m at Jillian’s Boston at 145 Ipswich St. The event will feature guest appearances by local athletes, appetizers, entertainment, bowling, auctions and raffle prizes, with proceeds going to Boston Public Schools.