Officer's Widow Says Reform Bills Are 'Personal Attack': Patch PM

Today is Monday, July 27. Here are some of the top stories we are covering today.

The widow of Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna is not happy with the proposals for police reform in Massachusetts.

Cindy Chesna weighed in on that and a controversial decision to remove the "Thin Blue Line" flag from fire department trucks in neighboring Hingham over the weekend.

Sgt. Chesna was attacked with a rock and killed with his own gun after responding to a call for an erratic driver in Weymouth on July 15, 2018. An elderly woman who lived nearby was also killed during the incident.

One town over, the president of the union representing Hingham firefighters said the "Thin Blue Line" flags meant as a tribute to local police after the anniversary of Chesna's death will remain flying until town officials provide a copy of the policy they said the flags violate.

Read that full story here

Other top stories

State Expands Free Coronavirus Testing To 8 More Communities

Massachusetts is expanding a free coronavirus testing initiative to eight more communities. This comes as positive tests in the state have "ticked up," according to the governor.

So far, 19,000 people have taken advantage of free testing in Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlboro and New Bedford. Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday that the "Stop The Spread" program is expanding to include Agawam, Brockton, Methuen, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester.

The new communities have a higher positive test rate than the rest of the state and are also reporting a decrease in testing volume.

Is Red Sox Season In Jeopardy After Marlins COVID Outbreak?

Questions surround the future of what was an already shaky Major League Baseball effort to play a season following an outbreak of coronavirus cases on the Miami Marlins.

It was reported Monday morning the Marlins have had at least 14 positive test results in recent days, including nearly half the players on their active roster. The team played a weekend series in Philadelphia and was scheduled to open its home schedule Monday night against Baltimore, a game that has been postponed.

Assuming the season makes it to early August, the Red Sox will have to decide if they will travel to play games in Florida, which has become the American epicenter of the pandemic. Boston is scheduled to play the Rays in Tampa Bay Aug. 4 and 5.

Also

Arlington High School 'Black Lives Matter' Banner Vandalized: PD

A custodian told police a banner reading "We Believe Black Lives Matter," hung on a construction fence this summer, had been spray painted.

Police Investigating Pro-Trump Graffiti In Stoneham

Police said "Vote Trump 2020!" and "Police Lives Matter!" was spray painted on fences on Oak Street.

20-Year-Old Dies In Shooting Outside Revere Beach Ice Cream Shop

Police said the victim was shot late Sunday night in front of Twist and Shake.

Man Dies After Crashing Jet-Ski Into Sailboat In Boston Harbor

Curtis Raper, 43, of Dorchester, was taking turns riding a pair of jet-skis with some friends when he crashed off Malibu Beach.

Brookline Nursing Assistant Pleads Not Guilty To Larceny, Fraud

Boutin is charged with one count of larceny, three counts of receiving stolen credit cards, and 24 counts of credit card fraud.

Beverly Police Pull Despondent Woman From Bridge

The 53-year-old Beverly woman was taken to Beverly Hospital for evaluation after the incident.

Brockton Man Charged In Route 3 Crash That Killed Quincy Woman

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said Randy Campbell is charged with manslaughter, OUI in crash that killed the 87-year-old.