Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Ending Boston Service: Patch PM

ANDOVER, MA — It's Tuesday, August 3. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• The Green Line train that crashed into another train on Friday evening was going three times the speed limit, said the National Transportation Safety Board.
• Stalking coyote causes a scary encounter for a New York visitor on the Cape.
• A Peabody family is happy to have back 5-year-old Gabriel's customized wheelchair after it was taken from the driveway Monday morning.
• A Providence man is accused of scamming a Bristol County nonprofit out of nearly $24,000.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority is ending its weekday Boston commuter bus route, the authority said Monday.

The Boston Commuter Service travels on weekdays from Methuen, Lawrence and Andover.

The change is due to low ridership, the authority said.

The line will be canceled effective Monday.

Read the full story.

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Tuesday's Other Top Stories

High-speed Green Line trolly crash investigation: The Green Line train that crashed into another train on Friday evening was going three times the speed limit, said the National Transportation Safety Board. Federal investigators say one train was going 30 miles per hour and crashed into another going the speed limit of 10 miles per hour.

Alarming coyote encounter at Race Point beach: Marcy Sterlis, of New York, was enjoying her Cape Cod vacation and wanted to spend her Thursday morning taking a leisurely stroll on Race Point beach. But her stroll was anything but relaxing, after a coyote stalked her on the Provincetown beach. And if it weren't for some nearby boaters, the encounter may have ended with the coyote attacking her. "The coyote seemed content that he had cornered me," she said.

Peabody 5-year-old has swiped wheelchair back: A Peabody family was thankful to have their son's customized wheelchair back Monday after a harrowing morning search when it was taken from the driveway. Stephanie DeGennaro took to social media Monday morning asking for help after her 5-year-old son Gabriel's chair went missing from the driveway. "It is recycle/trash day so unsure if someone came by and thought it was recycling," she posted.

Bristol County non-profit scammed out of nearly $24,000: A Providence man is facing federal charges after prosecutors said he defrauded Rhode Island businesses and a Massachusetts nonprofit out of tens of thousands of dollars. According to court documents, Rachon Waite targeted a Bristol-based engineering company and stole $23,754 with his fraudulent check scheme.

Eat fresh: Patch's 2021 Massachusetts Farmers Market Guide

They Said It

"Clearly the actions of these two individuals made a difference today. Had it not been for their quick actions, this incident could have had a tragic outcome."

• Harwich Fire Chief David LeBlanc, referring to the two vacationers credited with rescuing a drowning boater in Seymour Pond.

In Case You Missed It

Planned Obama birthday bash on Martha's Vineyard raises virus concerns: Despite a drastically increasing number of COVID-19 cases, former President Barack Obama is still planning a 60th birthday party for himself and 700 others on Martha's Vineyard. Even as health officials warn of the dangers of large gatherings during the ongoing pandemic, Obama invited 500 guests to join him and 200 staff members at his $12 million mansion on the island.

By The Numbers

117: The minutes played in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final before Arlington High alum Miles Robinson scored the game-winning goal. The golden tally brought the U.S. its seventh Gold Cup championship. The 24-year-old plays for Major League Soccer's Atlanta United.