A Gloucester resident was one of five environmental activists arrested after they chained themselves to a coal barge in protest of mountaintop removal mining operations in West Virginia.
Catherine-Ann MacDougal of Gloucester, Rebecca Loeb of Maynard, and Nathan Walker Joseph of New Orleans were charged with trespassing and obstructing an officer. Ricki Draper of Greensboro, N.C., and Jacob Mack-Boll of Lancaster, Pa., were charged with trespassing.
According to an Associated Press report, West Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous said the incident happened May 24 on the Kanawha River near Chelyan. The five were arraigned before a Kanawha County magistrate.
Draper, Joseph and Mack-Boll posted bond, while MacDougal and Loeb were taken to Southcentral Regional Jail on $10,000 bond.
Last summer, MacDougal was arrested after she spent a month in a tree at an Alpha Natural Resources mine near Marfork, W. Va., to protest strip mining. She pleaded no contest to trespassing.
Fireworks fundraising
The Gloucester Fireworks Committee has begun efforts to raise the money needed to celebrate the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends with the annual fireworks displays.
"In this still tough economy, we know that many groups reach out to the same businesses and individuals for all of their fundraising needs," Suzanne Silveira of the Fireworks Committee said in a prepared statement. "The committee realizes this and appreciates how hard it must be to decide what causes to support.
"We feel that the fireworks displays reach so many thousands of people and bring a sense of joy and awe to viewers no matter what their ages are," Silveira's statement added. "What is more beautiful than fireworks over Gloucester Harbor?"
All donations received go to these fireworks displays with no administrative costs deducted.
There are four levels of support: Bronze — $25 to $99; Silver — $100 to $499; Gold — $500 to $999; and Platinum - $1,000 and up.
Donations are tax deductible and may be sent to: The Gloucester Fund, Inc./Fireworks Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
Strike up the bands
Longtime local band director David Benjamin will be recognized for 30 years of service to the Gloucester elementary and middle school bands at a reception Tuesday, June 12.
The reception will be at 7 p.m. in the Gloucester High School cafeteria. Music will be provided by the Cape Ann Big Band and refreshments will be served.
"Mr. B." is encouraging folks to come and enjoy a visit while enjoying some music.
For information on the evening, please call the Gloucester Education Foundation at 978-282-5550.
Gloucester's garment industry
A group of residents — Irma Cohen, Lila Olson, Willa Brosnihan, Bo Abrams, Rebecca Dowd and Hermine Bogin — will present workshop storyboards revealing a piece of Gloucester's history concerning America's Jewish immigrants and the birth of the garment industry.
The community workshop presentation, titled "A Gloucester Industry 1880-1970: Fiber, Fabric, Cut and Sew,"will be next Friday, June 8, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Cape Ann Museum.
The workshop will be facilitated by Courtney Richardson, education director at the museum, and Jacqueline Cooper, the artistic director of "Follow the Thread," a multimedia exhibit tying together related events.
The exhibit centers on America's Jewish immigrants and the birth of the garment industry. The exhibit is on display at Sawyer Free Library now through June 30.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and funded in part by Massachusetts Humanities and local cultural councils. For more information, call Cooper at 413-628-0262.
Honored Veteran
The flag at the Veterans Center will fly this week in honor of World War II veteran Stephen Joseph Biondo.
Born Nov. 24, 1926, he entered the U.S. Navy on Feb. 6, 1945, and served as a Fireman First Class, on the Destroyer Escort USS Edgar G. Chase (DE-16), and the 10,000 ton light cruiser USS Cleveland (CL55).
He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the American Area Medal, and was discharged on July 19, 1946. He died on Nov. 14, 1997, and the flag was requested to fly in his honor by his wife, Frances, and the Biondo family.
Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans Services at 978-281-9740.
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
