At Mass. And Cass, 'Even The Rodents Are Getting Sick': The HUB

The HUB is a daily newsletter designed for what you want — to be caught up on the most interesting, important news in 5 minutes or less. It's a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but if there's something you want more or less of, email me at alex.newman@patch.com.

Today is Friday, October 15. Let's get started.

Three Boston city workers ended up in the hospital with a stomach bug, which the local union pinned on deteriorating sanitary conditions on Methadone Mile, the Boston Herald reported.

The workers were stationed at the Boston Public Health Commission's engagement center, a tent behind a homeless shelter that serves as a sanctuary from the violence and drug use at Mass. and Cass.

One worker reported rats "big as dogs" and told the Herald he saw a diseased rat walking over people on the ground.

"The place is so unhealthy that even the rodents are getting sick," Neal O’Brien of SEIU 888, the union representing the workers, said.

The BPHC said it takes the "health and safety of our staff seriously" but declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.

Read more from the Boston Herald.

Top stories

A wreck found about 260 miles off of Boston has been identified as a storied military ship, the Coast Guard said Thursday. The U.S. Revenue Cutter Bear patrolled the Arctic, was used in two World Wars and was captained by the first man of African American descent to command a government vessel. The ship sank in 1963 as it was being towed to Philadelphia. (WHDH)

With polls showing Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu 32 points ahead of her fellow Councilor Annissa Essaibi George weeks before the mayoral election, a "scrappier" side of Essaibi George has emerged. Taking a page out of her friend Marty Walsh's playbook, Essaibi George is hammering Wu on her Boston bona fides and what she considers to be an unrealistic vision for the city. (Boston Globe)

The union representing about 4,000 Massachusetts corrections officers filed a complaint in federal court against an upcoming vaccine deadline. The union is calling on the court to block the Oct. 17 deadline, after which officers could face punishment or termination from their jobs if they are not vaccinated. (GBH)

Local voices

"A place for temporary stabilization allows people to escape their fear, and to sleep, wash, think about engaging with treatment, and prepare to transition to permanent supportive housing." - Miriam Komaromy, Brendan Concannon and Sarah Porter, Boston Globe

"As we remember and celebrate this dynamic, powerful record of service and caring for those most in need, perhaps we should lean more heavily upon the legacy left by Cass to help guide us through the mortal struggle unfolding on and around the boulevard bearing her name." - Steven Tompkins, Boston Herald

"Investing in 'nature-based' solutions — such as restoring wetlands and removing inactive dams to reduce the risk of flooding — would deliver among the best returns. These infrastructure investments mitigate the consequences of climate change." - Deb Markowitz, Boston Herald

"But no matter how repugnant the actor, the strength of the Eighth Amendment’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment shouldn’t be compromised. This case shows there aren’t enough guardrails to protect it." - Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Boston Globe

In case you missed it

Several fights have broken out at Lawrence High School in the past week, including one that resulted in the arrests of three students. Administrators worry that teens are struggling to adjust to the disruptions brought about by the pandemic.

"We did not anticipate the intensity of the level of the emotional responses our students are experiencing. Children left middle schools and showed up in high school with very different demands and expectations, and very little preparation for that," Superintendent Cynthia Paris said during a school board meeting on Wednesday.

Parents and teachers say they are worried about students' safety, and, fearing for their own, many teachers walked out after classes Wednesday. (Boston.com)

A lighter touch

Meet Benjamin. He was one of 24 dogs seized during an animal cruelty case in Randolph over the summer. And he's the only one left still looking for his forever home. Click here for more information about how to adopt Benjamin.

Sports

The Red Sox head to Houston for Game 1 of the ALCS Friday night. Chris Sale will take the mound for the Sox, coming off a pair of dismal starts, while Framber Valdez will start for the Astros. Here's when and how to watch the game.

Weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 6 mph.

– Alex Newman

About me: Alex is a Jersey transplant covering Arlington, Malden, Medford, Reading and Somerville for Patch. A graduate of Northeastern University, Alex has lived in the Boston area since college (though he still hasn't been able to bring himself to root for the Sox). He is an avid football and baseball fan, amateur woodworker and film geek. Alex lives in Chelsea with his fiancée, their dog and a revolving door of foster puppies.