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MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON PARKING BAN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, URGES RESIDENTS TO STAY OFF THE ROAD AS STORM CONTINUES

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Tuesday afternoon that the parking ban in the City of Boston will remain in effect until further notice and stressed continued precaution as Boston continues to bear the brunt of the severe winter storm. 

“Boston is still in the middle of a winter storm of historic proportions,” said Mayor Walsh. “People should only be driving under emergency circumstances. We are doing everything we can to dig out and stay on top of every safety concern, but we need everyone’s co-operation. It is not time for anyone to relax or get complacent." 

City of Boston Updates

The City has every available resource at work. The Emergency Operations Center remains open and will continue to be through the end of the storm and recovery.

The Department of Public Works has over 700 plows out, actively clearing major arteries and secondary roads and is using snow farms in the Seaport,  Dorchester, and Hyde Park.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Mayor's hotline (617-635-4500) had received 1,328 calls. 100 percent of the calls have been answered in under 30 seconds, at an average of 4 seconds – half the typical wait time.

The Boston Public Health Commission reports that shelter facilities were able to maintain adequate capacity for the demand, and outreach teams continue to identify individuals in need of shelter.  

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

Schools

Boston Public Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, January 28 and a decision has not yet been made on school for Thursday. 

Safety Tips

• Do not walk in the street unless for emergency reasons. Plow drivers have reported close calls with people wearing hats and headphones.
• Do not shovel snow into the street. Shoveling snow in the street creates a safety hazard for emergency vehicles and it undermines the hard work of the City’s Public Works Department.
• Carbon Monoxide poisoning remains a top concern. Remember to keep exhaust pipes and vents clear of snow. Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling.  Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer. Call 911 immediately if you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
• Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear.  
• If you see a person in need of shelter, of it there is an emergency, please call 911.
• Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
• For those with questions or concerns, help is available through several channels. The Mayor’s Hotline (617-635-4500) will be running with extra staff around the clock for the next two days and the City’s social media and mobile technology strategy will be in full effect throughout the storm, including the Citizens Connect app.

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.

Governor Baker Lifts Travel Ban for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties

Governor Baker Lifts Travel Ban for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties

Travel ban lifted for I-91; remains in effect for MassPike

FRAMINGHAM – Governor Charlie Baker has announced that the statewide travel ban has been lifted for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties for local and I-91 traffic only, effective immediately. The travel ban remains in effect for the entire length of the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate 90, and for Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties with only essential workers, healthcare and human service professionals and others specifically exempted, permitted to travel. The travel ban will be lifted based on road conditions and the advice of emergency response officials.

Since the statewide travel ban took effect last night at midnight, snowfall was less than anticipated in western counties, thus allowing the partial lifting of the travel ban. The storm continues to hit Central and Eastern Massachusetts, with power out in all of Nantucket.

Individuals are still urged to use their best judgment and be cautious on roadways and avoid unnecessary travel to allow for emergency response and road clearing efforts to continue.

Exceptions to the statewide travel ban have been made for the following:

·         Essential emergency response professionals

·         Medical, healthcare and human service workers, including shelter personnel 

·         Essential public transit and support workers

·         Public and private personnel supporting public works and utility operations

·         Essential state employees

·         Those traveling for essential medical procedures

·         Vehicles and personnel delivering essential supplies to healthcare facilities.

Individuals, families and businesses are encouraged to check www.mass.gov/mema for critical updates and direct general questions to the 24-hour citizen information telephone line by dialing 2-1-1.

MA, Quincy Blizzard Update, January 27

Blizzard Update, January 27

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Storm update
Afternoon, January 27
Here is the latest information on the ongoing blizzard. 

• Quincy Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 28.
• There will be no curbside trash collection on Wednesday, January 28. The schedule for the remainder of the week is to be determined.
• Over a foot of snow has fallen so far, and there is potential for at least another foot through the remainder of the day Tuesday.
• The overnight high tide caused substantial flooding in coastal areas, leading to closures of Sea Street, Quincy Shore Drive, and Soutern Artery, among others.  Neighborhood flooding was also serious, but there have been no reports at this time of any severe structural damage and there were no evacuations overnight.  Damage is being assessed.
• Additional flooding is anticipated during the Tuesday afternoon high tide scheduled to peak at 5 p.m., and the Quincy Fire Department and the Quincy Police Department are staged to respond to flooding emergencies.
• A State of Emergency remains in place, as does Governor Baker’s travel ban.
• The snow-removal operation is anticipated to continue through Wednesday and into Thursday, so residents are encouraged to be patient with snow removal operations. 
• If possible, residents should wait as long as possible to clear their driveway aprons, as plows will be operating continuously.
• If there are widespread power failures and serious flooding, the City of Quincy will open an emergency shelter at Quincy High School.
• For snow-related assistance, please call 617-376-1927.  For flood-related assistance,  please call 617-376-1910.  In an emergency, ALWAYS call 911.
• Mayor Koch is asking all residents to please check in on elderly neighbors or anyone who may need assistance.
• For further updates, stay tuned to Quincy Access Televsion, please visit www.quincyma.gov or the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages. 

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