ABCC Kicks Off ‘Operation Safe Holidays’
To ensure safety for everyone in Massachusetts during the holidays, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) will be conducting alcohol enforcement at local bars in Massachusetts cities and towns through New Year’s Eve.
In doing so, the ABCC hopes to prevent accidents caused by impaired driving and other alcohol-related harm that often occurs at this time of year. The ABCC will work with municipal police departments and focus enforcement efforts at bars that have been identified as the last to sell alcohol to a convicted drunk driver and other high-risk locations.
“It is extremely important to deter bars from over-serving and prevent problems before they happen,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who oversees the ABCC. “We want to keep people safe and make sure everyone can enjoy the holidays with their family and friends, avoiding tragedies before they occur.”
The program is run in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Impaired Driving Crackdown, from Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve, and is funded through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security – Highway Safety Division.
According to the NHTSA, from 2017 to 2021, 137 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), also known as ‘Blackout Wednesday,’ were alcohol impaired. In 2021 alone, 36 drivers were in fatal crashes on that day. Also, from 2017 to 2021, young drivers ages 21-24 represented the largest percentage of drivers involved in deadly crashes. The message before Thanksgiving is simple – the NHTSA says to stop the blackout trend on Wednesday.
Public Invited to USS Constitution’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
The public is invited to attend USS Constitution’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, starting at 3 p.m.
This free event will feature a visit and photo opportunities with Santa Claus, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, holiday music, ship tours, and remarks from the ship’s commanding officer.
Boarding of USS Constitution will begin at 3:00 p.m., and the event will conclude at 6:00 p.m.
Guests can witness the ship’s gun firing during evening colors, a ceremony marking the lowering of the American flag at sunset, scheduled for 4:11 p.m.
The tree-lighting ceremony will commence at 4:30 p.m., photos with Santa Claus will be available immediately afterward.
USS Constitution is open for free public visitation Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
As the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and America’s Ship of State, USS Constitution played a vital role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, safeguarding American sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
Learn about the Launch of Phase 1 of Bus Network Redesign at local T Stations
The MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is a major initiative aimed at improving bus service reliability, frequency, and connectivity throughout the region. The initiative’s first phase will go live on December 15. Phase 1 will launch four new Frequent Bus Routes by increasing service on Route 86, Route 104, Route 109, Route 110, and Route 116/117 in Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and East Boston.
Through December 20, MBTA staff will be available at many bus stops along the routes that will be experiencing changes and at the following stations:
• Malden Center
• Wonderland
• Maverick
• Airport
• Sullivan Square
• Harvard
Staff will assist riders by answering questions and helping them navigate their routes, stops, and schedules as well as distributing materials available in 12 languages. MBTA teams will be at locations generally Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9:30 AM and 3:30 to 5:30 PM with additional timeslots to be determined. Interpreters will be available at many stations.
Many Phase 1 Materials Are Available
The MBTA’s December outreach builds on engagement in November to bring awareness and information to riders at key bus stops impacted by the improvements. More than 25 tabling and station events provided answers to thousands of rider questions and shared resources in multiple languages. Schedules for specific bus routes impacted by these changes are now available online as a PDF at mbta.com on the Phase 1 Service webpage.
In addition, the MBTA has developed a number of community and individual resources to assist riders in navigating these changes, including rider booklets and flyers.
The Phase 1 Rider Booklet is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Italian, Vietnamese, and Khmer. The graphic booklet describes why and how routes are changing and improving. It includes easy-to-read route maps and schedules.