Jaywalkers Face Fines Up To $200 Under Proposed MA Law: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Thursday, Oct. 14. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• The owner of a Beverly Auto Repair shop was charged with indecent assault and battery, and Beverly police are asking other potential victims to come forward after a female customer accused him of touching her without her permission and not relenting when she asked him to stop.
• A Brockton woman is suing the owner and two employees of a Dunkin' franchise for $100,000 in damages after she says she suffered severe burns in a drive-thru.
• The Red Sox are four wins away from a return to the World Series. The team opens its best-of-seven series with the Houston Astros on Friday, and we have a rundown of everything you need to know (evening if you haven't watched an inning all season).

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

Today's Top Story

Warning against a punitive approach, transportation advocates on Thursday urged lawmakers not to advance legislation imposing stricter punishments on pedestrians who do not use crosswalks.

A bill before the Transportation Committee (H 3470) would increase fines for jaywalking and scale them up in situations where cellphones or headphones are involved. And in the opinion of WalkBoston Deputy Director Brendan Kearney, the legislation "does not increase safety" and is "just not realistic."

The jaywalking legislation, filed by Dracut Rep. Colleen Garry, would impose fines of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $100 for a third or subsequent offense in a year, and those penalties would be doubled if the violation happens while the individual is using a mobile device or wearing headphones.

Under existing state law, jaywalking fines are only $1 for first, second and third offenses and $2 for fourth and subsequent offenses.

Read the full story.

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Thursday's Other Top Stories

Beverly police looking for other indecent assault victims: The owner of a Beverly Auto Repair shop was charged with indecent assault and battery, and Beverly police are asking any other potential victims to come forward after a female customer accused him of touching her without her permission and not relenting when she asked him to stop. Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said it's the third time a similar incident has been reported against Hysenj "Zeni" Baliqi, 61, who owns Zeni's Auto Repair. In July Baliqi was accused of groping and kissing a woman on the mouth while she was restrained with a seat belt.

"Paranormal couple" in Sudbury: If you've ever gotten a weird vibe from a doll or an old photo you found in your attic, there's an event coming up in Sudbury you might want to attend. The "paranormal couple" Cody Ray DesBiens and Satori Hawes, who appear on the Travel Channel show "Ghost Nation," will give a presentation at the Goodnow Library on Oct. 19 about haunted objects. Hawes and DesBiens have built up their own collection of oddities and haunted objects, which they will show off and discuss during the event.

Student recovering after being hit by town's truck: A Barnstable student was hit by a town-owned truck Thursday morning, according to police. The child is a student at the Barnstable Intermediate School. Police said she was struck on West Main Street at the intersection of Lincoln Road around 8:10 a.m. Emergency officials brought the girl to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. Police said her injuries weren't life-threatening. Also on Patch: Dog Killed In Hit And Run, Tewksbury Police Ask For Public's Help

Picture This: Medford's Rat Problem

To fight the surge of rats across the city, Medford health officials embarked on an education campaign last fall to encourage homeowners and businesses to eliminate food, shelter and water sources. In August, the city updated its rodent control ordinance, placing new requirements on construction or demolition projects, dumpster permit holders, restaurants, residential properties and street openings. But some residents say they've seen little change, despite the city taking action.

They Said It

"The employees were pointing, laughing and mocking the Plaintiff. Thus, not only was she burned and in pain as a result of the employee's negligence, she suffered the indignity and extreme embarrassment of being laughed and mocked while in a very vulnerable and exposed condition."

• Attorney Charles Kazarian in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Angela Barbosa. Barbosa is suing the owner and two employees of a Dunkin' franchise for $100,000 in damages after she says she suffered severe burns in a drive-thru.

In Case You Missed It

Cambridge bakery makes 'Best of' list: Based on flavor, vibrance, and a ranking to reflect the rich mosaic of American dining, the New York Times has named one Cambridge restaurant in the top 50 places to eat across the country. Sofra Bakery and Cafe in Cambridge is defined as a classic middle-eastern eatery with a refined twist. "Come early and order everything. That's the appropriate way to experience Sofra, whose menu tours Turkey, Lebanon and Greece, and whose flavor combinations are singular," the article reads.

By The Numbers

4: The number of wins separating the Red Sox from a return to the World Series. The team opens its best-of-seven series with the Houston Astros on Friday. Here's what you need to know.