American Scene

Fire chief chided for allowing ride

REVERE, Mass. — The mayor of Revere verbally reprimanded the fire chief for allowing a firefighter to ride a department ladder truck nine miles to his wedding.

The Oct. 17 ride didn’t cost the city money. The truck was out of service because of budget cuts and was driven by two off-duty firefighters who volunteered their time. The groom paid $20 to cover fuel costs.

But Mayor Thomas Ambrosino told the Daily Item of Lynn that Chief Eugene Doherty “showed very poor judgment” in allowing firefighter Kevin O'Hara to ride the truck from Revere to his nuptials at the Nahant Country Club.

Chief Doherty says department vehicles are often used for parades and other events and he allowed the ride because Mr. O'Hara is a good firefighter. But he acknowledges the nine-mile ride might have been a “stretch.”

Suspected drunk driver drags man 200 feet

FARMINGTON, N.M. — New Mexico officials say a suspected drunk driver hit and dragged a 72-year-old man 200 feet under his pickup truck.

Police said Paul Hardy was taken Wednesday to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

Aztec policeSgt. Joseph Gonzales said the driver, 46-year-old Fannie Etcitty, had been drinking before the accident but he wouldn’t release her blood-alcohol level. Police said witnesses had to yell to get Ms. Etcitty’s attention before she stopped.

Mr. Gonzales said a man brought a forklift from nearby and lifted the front of the truck off Mr. Hardy before firefighters arrived. He said Mr. Hardy was conscious and speaking before paramedics took him away.

FBI: Ex-doctor admitted making pipe bombs

CLEVELAND — A former anesthesiologist has admitted to making pipe bombs that were part of an arsenal seized at his apartment, federal agents say.

An affidavit filed in federal court in Akron said Mark Campano told an FBI agent that he “did indeed” build the pipe bombs found this week at his Cuyahoga Falls apartment.

Neither Mr. Campano nor the FBI agent who talked to him described a motive or possible target in the affidavit, which was filed late Wednesday.

His defense attorney, Donald Hicks, said Friday he had no comment.

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