MAYOR WALSH GIVES UPDATE ON CITY OF BOSTON STORM OPERATIONS

MAYOR WALSH GIVES UPDATE ON CITY OF BOSTON STORM OPERATIONS

BOSTON - JANUARY 27, 2015 - As of 6 p.m. Monday, the Boston Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated to monitor the impact of the Blizzard on Boston and coordinate the City's response operations. A blizzard warning remains in effect until January 28 at 1:00 a.m., and officials continue to monitor for coastal flooding. Boston Public Schools remain closed today, Tuesday, January 27, and will be closed on Wednesday, January 28.

“We saw no major incidents overnight,” said Mayor Walsh. “Thank you to all the residents who are staying off the roads to keep them clear for snow equipment and emergency vehicles. Please continue to adhere to driving restrictions, and keep an eye on your neighbors.”

Public Works has 715 pieces of equipment dedicated for snow and ice removal deployed, and crews are focused on keeping major arterials and secondary roads passable. As the storm decreases in strength crews will focus on widening streets to the curb and plowing alleys and dead ends.

Information on the storm will continue to be updated on boston.gov/snow.

City of Boston Snow Operations, Overnight Update

• As of 4:30am, snow totals ranged from 8.5 inches in the Boston Common to 11 inches in West Roxbury.  Drifts averaged about 12 inches.

• As of 4:30am, NStar reported no outages in Boston.  The largest outage overnight was 155 customers in Jamaica Plain. Power was restored for 104 customers, with the rem remaining put on a generator.

• As of 3:30am, the City had issued 363 tags and towed 131 vehicles for non-compliance with the snow emergency parking ban

• Parks responded to one tree call and has 7 plows out salting and plowing.

• From midnight to 3:30am EMS responded to 35 calls. Staffing for Tuesday day shift is 29 Ambulances.

• As of 3:30am, Boston Fire responded to two building fires, one in the West End and one in Roxbury. Staffing levels increased to 4 additional engine companies and 2 ladder companies. In addition, 8 vehicles staffed with personnel for downed wire calls in order to free up engines.

• On Monday, January 26 the Mayor’s Hotline received 3,250 calls. As of 4:30am on Tuesday, January 27, the Mayor’s Hotline had received 47 calls.  A majority of the calls were regarding towing.  

• The boston.gov/snow website saw four times the normal web traffic on Monday, and twitter engagements were up 400%.

• The Boston Water and Sewer Commission reported a collapsed catch basin at 1405 Commonwealth Ave., a fire hydrant hit at 12 Marlin Rd in Roxbury, and a frozen hydrant at 136 Rosseter St in Dorchester.

• Morrissey Blvd was closed due to flooding until 6:30am.

The EOC includes representatives of the Boston Centers For Youth and Families, Boston Emergency Medical Services, the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Parks Department, the Boston Police Department, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Transportation Department, NSTAR, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Public Works Department.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS' GRADUATION RATE HITS ALL TIME HIGH, DROP OUT RATE AT ALL TIME LOW

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS' GRADUATION RATE HITS ALL TIME HIGH, DROP OUT RATE AT ALL TIME LOW

 
BOSTON – Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined Superintendent John McDonough in announcing that the Boston Public Schools (BPS) graduation rate has hit a historic milestone with newly released data showing the district’s graduation rate at the highest-level in recorded history. Data released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shows the 2014 four-year graduation rate for BPS stands at 66.7 percent up from 65.9 percent in 2013, continuing an upward trend since 2006 when that figure was just over 59 percent. The data also shows the district’s annual dropout rate has dipped to a record low at 3.8 percent.
 
“This good news is a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers, school and community leaders,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am proud of our accomplishments, but I know the work is far from done. We must continue to invest in and strengthen our schools so that every young person has the opportunity to succeed.” 
Mayor Walsh and BPS, working with the partnership of the School Committee and the Superintendent have invested in strategies aimed at improving outcomes for Black and Latino male students. Since 2006, the four-year graduation rate for black students increased more than 10 percentage points to 65.8 percent, while Latino students saw an increase of more than 9 percentage points to 59.8 percent.
 
The district also showed impressive gains for English Language Learners (ELLs). Since 2006, ELL students four-year graduation rates increased by 7.4 points to 61.4 percent, showing a 1.3 percent increase over 2013.  Along those same lines, Boston International High School, an educational setting designed to support students who have newly arrived in the United States, has increased graduation rates from 31 percent to 61.5 percent in eight years, with a 16 percent percentage point gain over 2013.
 
“Today we celebrate the hard work of many -- and acknowledge that the road ahead is long,” said Interim Superintendent John McDonough. “I want to thank our high school headmasters, teacher teams and guidance counselors who work tirelessly every day. What you are doing is working.”
 
Graduation rates rose or remained above 85 percent, the state’s four year cohort target, in eight high schools: Kennedy Health Careers Academy, Boston Latin School, O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, Fenway High School, Boston Latin Academy, Boston Arts Academy, New Mission High School and Lyon Upper School.  Making some of the districts largest gains however, were Boston International High School, Boston Adult Technical Academy, and Dorchester Academy.
 
Boston’s drop out rate dropped below 4 percent for the first time in history. At 3.8 percent the drop out rate for 2014 is the second consecutive year that the district has achieved its lowest dropout rate on record. This good news extends to all students across all demographic groups, including English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and low income students.  Ten schools have less than a 1 percent drop out rate, while another eight schools have fewer than 4 percent dropping out.
 
“As proud as we are of the increase in graduation rates, it is the decrease in drop-out rates that warrants special attention and celebration,” said Boston School Committee Chair Michael O’Neill. “We could not have achieved this record low without the exceptional efforts of many key partners, working alongside passionate school leaders and staff to re-engage those who have returned to BPS, or without providing additional supports for those at risk of dropping out.”
 

“It is worth noting that since focusing on this key population of both recent drop-outs and those most at-risk of dropping out, in a strategic and focused way 7 years ago, Boston has now collectively cuts its drop-out rate in more than half – and in doing so has created programs that have become national models of success.  Yet, we do not lose sight of the fact that even while leading the nation in best practices, this still means that approximately 700 youth per year are unable to continue their education and we will not rest till all of our students are able to move forward and succeed with post-secondary pathways.”
 
BPS has invested in “graduation for all” strategies that include more ninth grade transition supports; the Re-Engagement Center; the expansion of the BPS Credit Recovery program; the Success Boston initiative, which helps students determine whether they are on-track for graduation and college admission; and an expansion of BPS summer learning programming.  
                                                              
For more detailed and school-level information, visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/reports.

BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND CLIF® BAR AGREE TO LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP ACROSS ALL B.A.A. EVENTS

BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND CLIF® BAR AGREE TO LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP ACROSS ALL B.A.A. EVENTS

CLIF® Bar Becomes the Official Sports Nutrition Food of the B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) proudly announced today the beginning of a long-term sponsorship agreement with Emeryville, California-based CLIF® Bar to become the Official Sports Nutrition Food of all B.A.A. events, including the Boston Marathon.

Clif Bar & Company, a leading maker of nutritious and organic foods and drinks, will provide runners in April’s Boston Marathon with its CLIF Bar products before, during, and after the 119th running of the world’s most historic road race. With CLIF Bars served pre-race at the Athletes’ Village, CLIF SHOT BLOKS® Energy Chews sampled at the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo, CLIF SHOT® Energy Gel at Mile 17 to boost runners through the Newton Hills, and CLIF Builder’s® high-protein bars beyond the finish line on Boylston Street, CLIF Bar is committed to helping all Boston Marathoners run their best race. The brand will also provide nutrition to runners at the B.A.A.’s other major events, including the B.A.A. 5K in April, the B.A.A. 10K in June, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon in October.

“We could not be more excited to welcome CLIF Bar into our family of Official Sponsors,” said B.A.A. Executive Director, Tom Grilk. “When we look for new partnerships, we look for those which provide and enhance the experience for our runners, and share our mission for improving health. As we look towards the future, we have chosen a partner who will grow with us and our sport. CLIF Bar meets all of that criteria, and then some.”

In addition to its activation on Marathon Monday, CLIF Bar will be present along the course in the weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon to inspire, encourage, and provide energy for those training for the 119th edition of the Boston Marathon. CLIF Bar will also engage with runners at three pre-race Boston Marathon training clinics, and at the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo on Marathon Weekend. The brand has also committed to supply CLIF Bars to race-day volunteers who will be working in the finish area of the Boston Marathon.

“CLIF Bar is honored to partner with the B.A.A. and support the running community at one of the most respected and celebrated road races in the world,” said Kevin Cleary, chief executive officer at Clif Bar & Company. “Providing runners with sports nutrition for athletic performance during training and on race-day is a privilege for our brand. Many of us at Clif Bar have run the Boston Marathon and we hope our food will help race participants achieve their fitness and nutrition goals, while embracing and inspiring adventure along the way.”

Clif Bar will also engage with B.A.A. runners in digital and social media activations throughout the course of the year. Working with the B.A.A. and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon’s historic course, CLIF Bar will continue to increase its race presence in future years.

Governor Baker Extends Massachusetts Health Connector Payment Deadline Through January 30 Due to Winter Storm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2015 Governor Baker Extends Massachusetts Health Connector Payment Deadline Through January 30 Due to Winter Storm BOSTON - In light of the current state of emergency and statewide travel ban due to the incoming blizzard and severe winter weather, Governor Baker today announced a payment deadline extension for the Massachusetts Health Connector. The payment deadline for enrollees seeking coverage for February 1st is now extended until this Friday, January 30th. Due to the impending storm, Health Connector walk-in offices will be closed on Tuesday and the amount of staff available to answer at call centers will be substantially limited. Customers are still able to call 1-877-MA-ENROLL from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday to speak with the limited staff available.  The Health Connector currently plans to resume regularly scheduled walk-in business hours on Wednesday, January 28th from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM through Friday, January 30th, with call-in centers fully staffed. Massachusetts Health Connector Contact Information: Phone Number:  1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or TTY 1-877-623-7773  Walk-In Center:  133 Portland Street, 1st Floor Boston, MA 02114-1707 Website:  www.mahealthconnector.org

羅德島州克蘭斯頓市週二停課 今日中午起暴風雪停車禁令生效

Here is an update on activities for the City of Cranston:

1. No School Tuesday and all after school activities today are cancelled;

2. No trash or recycle pick up on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Please note that trash and recycles for Tuesday and Wednesday will be picked up the same day THE FOLLOWING WEEK. On the following Tuesday and Wednesday, Waste Management will pick everything even if it doesn't fit into your bins. While painful, this process will allow us to catch up for those missed on Friday and Saturday of last week and also keep us on schedule as best as possible;

3.City Council meeting tonight has been cancelled and moved to Thursday night at 7PM;

4. Libraries will be closed Tuesday;

5. Senior Center will be closed Tuesday;

6. Parking ban will be in effect starting this afternoon.

Please continue to monitor my Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates. Thank you.

Allan

費奇堡市暴風雪停車禁令今（26）晚七點起生效

Fitchburg Storm Updates: 
Parking ban starts at 7pm tonight (Monday) and ends 7pm Wednesday. Tuesday and Wednesday trash pickup will be delayed until Thursday-please have trash out on Wednesday evening. Municipal Offices, Library and Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday. Call 888-301-7700 to report power outages. Tuesday legislative affairs meeting postponed. School Committee will have abbreviated meeting tonight. Fitchburg Public Schools will send out a ConnectEd message and post any closings on their website.

Fitchburg Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday

放眼昆士 - 籲居民提防暴風雪

Storm Warning -- Potential Blizzard Forecasted.
Preparations underway. Parking rules in effect noon on Mon., Jan 26.
天文台已預測有一暴風雪將至﹐ Tom Koch市長籲請各界作好準備﹐
暴風雪危急警號泊車法規於明日1月26日正午生效﹐ 詳情請參照下列資料﹕
For ALL emergencies, always call 所有緊急情況﹐隨時撥打 911
For electricity issues, call National Grid 電力問題 at 1-800-465-1212
For natural gas issues, call National Grid 媒氣問題 at 1-800-233-5325
Cantonese Recorded Info Line 廣東話電話錄音資訊﹕ 617-984-8914

昆士市風雪停車禁令今（26）日中午起已生效

January 26 Blizzard Update

Monday, January 26, 2015

Storm update. 4 p.m., January 26 

• A Blizzard Warning is now in effect, and Governor Baker has declared a formal State of Emergency with a travel ban beginning at midnight.  Upward of 2 to 3 feet is possible, and travel will become impossible during the heaviest part of the storm, anticipated between late tonight and tomorrow afternoon. 
• Snow emergency parking rules are now in effect and a towing operation will continue throughout Monday evening. Parking is allowed on the EVEN side of neighborhood streets and prohibited on emergency arteries. A list of emergency arteries can be found here 
• Parking rules are a vital public safety issue, and cars in violation WILL BE TOWED. 
• All coastal flooding protocols are now in place, including tide gate closures. Coastal residents in the traditional trouble spots should monitor tides and relocate as early as possible. The Quincy Fire Department and Quincy Police Department are prepared to implement an evacuation plan if necessary.
• Quincy High School is ready to be opened as an emergency shelter if necessary. 
• For flood-related assistance, call the Department of Public Works flood hotline at 617-376-1910. 
• There will be about 160 pieces of snow-removal equipment operating throughout the duration of the storm.  
• For snow-related assistance, please call the DPW's snow operation hotline at 617-376-1927.
• The threat of Hurricane-force winds creates the likelihood of downed power line and power loss. Call National Grid 1-800-465-1212 to report a power loss.  For downed lines, call 911, but do not approach the wires under any circumstances. 
• Always call 911 in an emergency 
• For updates and emergency notices, please tune to Quincy Access Television; follow the City of Quincy’s Facebook page or via Twitter @CityofQuincy. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for e-mail and text alerts via CityLink on the City’s website, www.quincyma.gov. 

How you can help.

.         Assist your elderly or disabled neighbors
.         Shovel sidewalks in front of your house
.         Shovel out fire hydrants
.         Keep catch basins clear to help ease flooding

.         Move your car off the street if possible (regardless of allowed parking rules) 

Storm Warning -- Potential Blizzard Forecasted

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Preparations underway. Parking rules in effect noon on Monday

The National Weather Service is forecasting the potential for a historic storm beginning Monday evening on January 26 and lasting through Wednesday.

Snow emergency parking rules will be in place beginning at noon tomorrow, January 26, but residents should begin to obey neighborhood parking rules overnight on Sunday. With a storm of this potential magnitude, these parking rules are essential to maintaining road access for emergency vehicles.

Parking is prohibited on designated emergency arteries throughout the duration of the snow emergency. A list of emergency arteries can be found here

Residents may park on the EVEN numbered side of non-emergency neighborhood streets.  Residents on side-streets posted permanently as one-side parking should park on the side always allowed. Cars parked in violation of emergency rules WILL BE TOWED. For assistance, please call the DPW's snow operation hotline at 617-376-1927.

The threat of Hurricane-force winds creates the likelihood of downed power line and power loss. Call National Grid 1-800-465-1212 to report a power loss.  For downed lines, call 911, but do not approach the wires under any circumstances.

Coastal residents should be prepared for storm surge and moderate to severe flooding. Residents in these areas should take appropriate precautions, monitor the tide, and leave home if necessary prior to high tides. If you are experiencing a flooding issue please call 617-376-1910.  ALWAYS CALL 911 IN AN EMERGENCY.

For updates and emergency notices, please tune to Quincy Access Television; follow the City of Quincy’s Facebook page or via Twitter @CityofQuincy. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for e-mail and text alerts via CityLink on the City’s website, www.quincyma.gov.

More information will follow as the forecast becomes clearer.  

How you can help.

.         Assist your elderly or disabled neighbors
.         Shovel sidewalks in front of your house
.         Shovel out fire hydrants
.         Keep catch basins clear to help ease flooding
.         Move your car off the street if possible (regardless of allowed parking rules)