Update: Boston Biomedical Research Institute to dissolve

At an annual meeting Thursday evening, the members of the corporation of the Boston Biomedical Research Institute voted to dissolve the long-running nonprofit organization, due to financial troubles exacerbated by increased competition for scarce research funding. The members of the corporation voted overwhelmingly, 61 to 15, to close the institute -- a process that could take months as the building in Watertown is sold. (   11/16/2012 4:45 PM )

Talib uneven in debut, but promising

Aqib Talib, the new Patriots cornerback, gave up two touchdowns, but he produced one himself.(   11/18/2012 11:01 PM )

Brady outplays Luck, Patriots rout Colts 59-24

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Alfonzo Dennard watched himself on the video board as he raced 87 yards with an interception for a touchdown. He wanted to see if the star rookie who threw the pass might catch him. (   11/18/2012 11:58 PM )

Julian Edelman enjoys career day in Patriots' rout

Julian Edelman racked up a career-best 222 all-purpose yards in his finest day as a Patriot. He scored two touchdowns, becoming the first Patriot since Irving Fryar in 1985 to score on a reception and a punt return in the same game. (   11/18/2012 10:51 PM )

Report: Pats TE Gronkowski has 2 TDs, broken arm

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots lost tight end Rob Gronkowski with an arm injury late in Sunday's 59-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, a game in which he caught two touchdown passes. (   11/18/2012 10:46 PM )

Patriots send Colts home with 59-24 loss

New England got two touchdowns from the defense and another on special teams as it tied the franchise record for points scored in its win over the Colts Sunday at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots' seventh victory of the season. (   11/18/2012 11:47 PM )

Thomas and McDonald step up to fill void on Patriots offensive line

While far from signaling a changing of the guard, the Patriots were forced to start backup guards Donald Thomas and Nick McDonald, both of whom were tasked with providing quarterback Tom Brady with an impenetrable pocket in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mission accomplished. (   11/18/2012 10:06 PM )

Newton aldermen wrestling with tax increase question

Just over two weeks before they decide whether to ask voters for a tax increase, Newton aldermen still have plenty of questions about what should be on the ballot. The aldermen spent several hours last week wrestling with elements of Mayor Setti Warren's proposed override of Proposition 2½ and will meet again at the end of November to debate the package. The aldermen are scheduled to vote Dec. 3 on whether to ask voters for $11.4 million in tax increases in March. (   11/18/2012 12:11 AM )

Beverly's Jenna Miedzionoski a leader on and off soccer field at UMass-Darmouth

Beverly's Jenna Miedzionski started her college soccer career at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2007. After being sidelined for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, the Hamilton-Wenham graduate emerged as a rock-solid defender, and team leader, her final two seasons, this year in particular. The Corsairs registered nine shutouts in 2012, the eighth-highest total nationally in Division 3 and were unbeaten in the Little East Conference.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

North: Top 10 boys' and girls' soccer teams

Craig Forde's top 10 boys' and girls' soccer teams from high school programs north of Boston.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Tsongas honors local volunteer groups

After a welcome from Team Haverhill mascot Sammy Sturgeon, US Representative Niki Tsongas honored local volunteer groups at her sixth annual River Day event in October.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Residents invited to submit designs to Bag Design Contest

Artists who live or work in Lowell are being invited to submit their original design ideas for consideration in the Lowell's Bag Design Contest.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Green Salem Business Challenge offers event and workshop series

Salem is offering local businesses another opportunity to learn how to become more environmentally friendly. The Green Salem Business Challenge is holding a three-part event and workshop series to help businesses learn from one another, share ideas, and access resources.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Water treatment plant reopened after construction project

Danvers has reopened the Vernon C. Russell Water Treatment plant, which had been closed for five weeks due to an ongoing construction project.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

New committee will promote volunteerism

The Board of Selectmen, recognizing that the success of community involvement and participatory government relies heavily on residents who dedicate countless hours to volunteer service, is forming a new Community Involvement and Volunteerism in Chelmsford (CIVIC) Committee to recognize and acknowledge volunteers.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Rte. 128 widening project nears end

The opening of a fourth lane on Route 128 between Westwood and Randolph last week pleased drivers who have been caught in traffic and round-the-clock construction for four years. But the benefits aren't just for commuters; local and regional officials are hoping that an upgraded Route 128 will be a path toward economic development. (   11/18/2012 3:42 AM )

Lucas Rezende-Verge quickly emerged as a keeper for Weymouth High soccer

In August, Lucas Rezende-Verge had no expectations that he would be starting in goal for the Weymouth High boys' soccer team. But with reigning Bay State Conference co-MVP Scott Greenwood committed to the FC Greater Boston Bolts, Rezende-Verge backstopped the Wildcats to a magnificent 17-2-4 season. (   11/18/2012 12:04 AM )

American fare at 42 Degrees North in Plymouth

42 Degrees North, named for its geographic positioning on the Earth's surface, opened its doors in June, just in time for the arrival of south Plymouth's considerable influx of summertime residents.  Long after the summer crowd is gone, the restaurant remains a popular draw, serving up American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh fish, but with plenty of choices for those who prefer chicken or beef. (   11/18/2012 12:02 AM )

Mattapoisett teacher wins top honor

Mattapoisett elementary school art teacher Greta Anderson says her job offers little chance to look at the clock, and "before you know it, the day is over and you wish you had more time." Her passion was rewarded last weekend as she earned the 2013 Massachusetts Art Education Association's Elementary Art Educator of the Year award. (   11/18/2012 12:01 AM )

Home for Little Wanderers celebrates new space in Walpole, amid some local concern

The Home for Little Wanderers in Walpole will celebrate $18 million in new construction with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for a project that almost tripled the physical plant -- to 45,500 square feet -- and made room for 80 children, 40 more than before. Not everyone will be celebrating, however. Some neighbors and local officials are watching the expansion on rural Lincoln Road warily, concerned that an increase of numbers will mean more problems. (   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Holiday gift show

The Hanover Newcomers Club will hold its 16th Holiday Gift Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hanover High School - a new location - at 287 Cedar St.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Senior Center holds holiday craft fair

The Duxbury Senior Center at 10 Mayflower St. will hold the center's annual holiday craft fair and bake sale next Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Arrests in car break-ins

Police have charged two men with breaking into cars at the Avalon apartment complex earlier this month and stealing electronics, money, credit cards, prescription drugs, and other items.(   11/18/2012 12:00 AM )

Pietra Sweeney stepped forward as outside fullback at Acton-Boxborough

Pietra Sweeney is bringing back that old-time offensive feel to the term "outside fullback" for the Acton-Boxborough Regional girls' soccer team. Scoring on clinical volleys off set pieces and nailing 25-yard shots is just part of her repertoire, which also includes the defensive ability to limit the best strikers in the state. For a team that made headlines in handing defending state champion Peabody its only two losses of the season, that extra dazzle was more than welcome. (   11/18/2012 12:20 AM )

Brookline bans raise concerns and questions Brookline's plastic bans bring praise and objections

Brookline's move to ban plastic bags and polystyrene food and beverage containers this week continues to draw mixed reviews, but local businesses are already looking into what they need to do to adapt. Selectmen Chairwoman Betsy Dewitt said she expects more reaction when the bans kick in December of 2013 but she said one person already told her he'd never shop in Brookline again while another praised the town as a leader in its efforts to improve the environment. (   11/18/2012 12:19 AM )

Town vows to fight Milford Water Co. bid for 83 percent rate hike

The Milford Water Co. is seeking an 83 percent rate to pay for a new $20 million water treatment plant that the state ordered the private utility to build after a two-week drinking water ban three years ago. Town officials vow to fight the increase - the second in two years - and state Attorney General Martha Coakley's office says it will also be stepping into the fray. (   11/18/2012 12:18 AM )

Small stores fight Black Friday madness with gimmicks of their own Small retailers have holiday shopping gimmicks, too

Irked by Black Friday madness at local malls, downtown retailers across the suburbs west of Boston are kicking off the crucial holiday shopping season with a few gimmicks of their own. Many local retailers are skipping the early-morning hours and instead going with promotions ranging from next weekend's Small Business Saturday, a nationwide event started a few years ago by American Express, to holiday strolls, tree lightings, and creative discounts. (   11/18/2012 12:17 AM )

Globe West Best Bets

Things to do west of Boston (   11/18/2012 12:16 AM )

Hopkinton boy leads buzz-cut fund-raiser for cancer research

Ten-year-old Trey Brown of Hopkinton led a head-shaving fund-raiser that brought in more than $16,000 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; board member Amy Porter is calling for donations of winter coats as well as money and food this holiday season; Joyce Bohnen of Newton is being honored by MetroWest Jewish Day School; Lexington Community Education is hosting Harvard University library director Robert Darnton of Cambridge on Nov. 28; and Brandeis professor Anita Hill will discuss her new book at the National Archives and Records Administration in Waltham. (   11/18/2012 12:16 AM )

Upton rejects land purchase for playing fields

A nearly 70-acre playing fields complex won't be coming to South Street in Upton, after Town Meeting voters on Nov. 14 turned down a proposal to buy the land, 265 to 138. (   11/18/2012 12:15 AM )

Mall at Chestnut Hill seeks to add three more restaurants to its mix

The owner of the Mall at Chestnut Hill on Route 9 has applied for approval from the city of Newton to add three more restaurants in the next three years. Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, wants to add nearly 800 additional restaurant seats and outdoor dining areas for seasonal use, according to city planning documents. (   11/18/2012 12:15 AM )