Maverick Central Neighborhood Association to hold March Zoom meeting on liquor license applications for two local establishments.
The civic group has scheduled a March 18 Zoom meeting to discuss two applications for full liquor licenses. The two establishments are Bohemios Restaurant & Bar, and Billares Colombia. MCNA will post a link soon. For information ranging from community meetings to local events check out the calendar at EastBoston.com.
East Boston High School dedicates basketball court to longtime coach and current MIAA assistant director Mike Rubin
On February 3, East Boston High School recognized a local legend, Coach Mike Rubin.
East Boston officially dedicated the Michael Rubin Court in the school gymnasium to the longtime Jets coach, who won more than 300 games and four state championships during his tenure. Mr. Rubin spent 34 years, his entire career, at East Boston High, and always referred to this school as the “Castle on the Hill.” He also served as the school’s principal.
Salvadoran National, an associates of the 18th Street Gang, is sentenced for dealing fentanyl
Tony Cartagena-Chacon, 47, was sentenced by United States District Judge Angel Kelley to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of the imposed sentence. In October 2025, Cartagena-Chacon pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
During an investigation of the transnational criminal organization 18th Street Gang, Cartagena-Chacon met with a cooperating witness on Feb. 15, 2024 to sell approximately 50 grams of fentanyl powder. During the deal, Cartagena-Chacon emphasized how “pure” his product was, suggesting that the cooperating witness could re-sell the substance for significant profit.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement earlier this month
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.
Madaro supports bill that seeks to increase the trades’ workforce with mandatory apprenticeships for public construction projects.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed legislation that seeks to increase the state’s trades’ workforce by requiring the hiring of apprentices for all contracts awarded for public works projects over $10 million. Effective a year after signed into law, this bill would require projects to hire apprentices to work 5 percent of the total amount of hours worked, which would scale up to 10 percent in three years and 15 percent in four years.
“Trades jobs are good jobs,” said Representative Adrian Madaro. By ensuring the creation of more apprenticeships across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts will benefit from the growing trades workforce to meet the demand for new housing development, infrastructure projects, renovations and more. At the same time, our communities will benefit from the creation of new, well-paying, union jobs”.
Public agencies must require, as a condition of awarding a construction contract over $10 million for any public works, that all construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors maintain or participate in an apprentice program, approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), for each “apprenticeable” occupation represented in their workforce. Construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors must register all apprentices with DAS and comply with applicable apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios established by a trades licensing board or the Division.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 154-1 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The Boston Police Department remembers the service and sacrifice of Officer Charles E. Deininger who was killed in the line of duty 107 years ago in East Boston
BPD Remembers: 107 years ago today, on February 13, 1919, Officer Charles E. Deininger was shot and killed by two suspects during an auto theft stakeout in the area of Meridian and Nay Streets in East Boston. Five suspects were later apprehended and two were charged with his murder. Prior to joining the police department in 1908, Officer Deininger also worked a few years as a Boston Firefighter while assigned to Engine 37. Reports at the time of his death professed that Deininger was one of the best liked police officers on the force.
Officer Deininger was an 13-year veteran of the department and was 38-years-old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Officer Deininger was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan. His name is located on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. on Panel 48, West Line 7. His name is also forever engraved on the Hero Wall at Boston Police Headquarters and the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial at the State House in Boston.
In Boston, a Hero Sign has been placed in his honor in the area of Meridian and Nay Streets in East Boston. The sign is to forever honor the memory of a man who gave his life in service to his city. If you ever find yourself in the area and you happen to see his Hero Sign, kindly take a moment to honor and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of a brave man who died protecting and serving his city.
Boston Municipal Research Bureau report calls attention to challenges facing Boston Public Schools.
This week Boston Municipal Research Bureau released a report analyzing key issues for the Boston School Committee as they review Superintendent Mary Skipper’s proposed FY27 budget of $1.71 billion, a 4.5% increase from FY26. The report focused on enrollment and per-pupil costs, school closures, labor costs and federal funding uncertainty among other issues.
Boston Public Schools enrollment declined 3.4% in the current school year to 46,514 students. Despite enrollment dropping 4.4% since SY21-22, general fund spending increased 26.4%, pushing per-pupil costs up 32.3% to $35,192 per student.
The report emphasizes that accurate enrollment forecasting is critical for budget planning, noting that actual enrollment fell faster than the “steady scenario” projections used in January 2025’s Long-Term Facilities Plan.
BPS has closed or merged 2-5 schools annually for three consecutive years due to underutilization and poor facility conditions. The FY27 budget includes closures of Dever Elementary, Excel High, Mary Lyon Pilot High, and Community Academy, plus a merger creating Lilla G. Frederick Elementary, expected to save $23 million.
With 63% of schools over 80 years old, additional closures of 4-8 schools are planned by SY29-30, though the report recommends reevaluating this schedule based on enrollment changes.
BPS is implementing a new “Reimagined School Funding” formula to replace the pandemic-era “hold harmless” policy that provided funding regardless of enrollment changes. Meanwhile, the Boston Teachers Union contract approved in May 2025 will add $86.3 million to FY27 costs, primarily through salary increases that will offset savings from reduced staffing. Health insurance costs exceeded the FY26 budget and contributed to cost overruns that triggered a hiring freeze, with the report urging the School Committee to engage in Public Employee Committee contract renegotiations.
Transportation spending will reach $197.6 million in FY27 (5.2% increase), representing over 10% of the total budget despite most students in grades 7-12 using the MBTA instead of BPS buses. Controlled choice transportation accounts for 78.5% of bus costs and is increasing 12.3% ($13 million) from the previous year. Mayor Wu’s inaugural address addressed the school choice system, and the report recommends the School Committee actively participate in any reforms to control these escalating costs.
External funding of $130 million will decline 2.6% from FY26, with federal programs facing uncertainty. Major federal education grants include $58.9 million in Title I funds, $30.9 million from the National School Lunch Program, and $17.9 million from IDEA. The report advises BPS to prepare contingency plans for potential federal funding cuts and urges the School Committee to seek clarity on which programs are at risk and whether any declines are reflected in the FY27 budget.
The School Committee has three scheduled hearings before their expected vote on March 25.
Editor Frank Conte compiled and edited this news roundup. (February 15, 2026)
