Somebody's in trouble. The trucker who took a turn too fast in Everett and caused the tanker explosion and fire that left 60 people homeless at last count had a lead foot. Casey Ross at the Herald writes: Chad LaFrance, 30, of Dover, N.H., has three speeding violations between 2000 and 2002 in New Hampshire, with one citation for going 83 mph in a 55-mph zone in 2001, according to a spokeswoman for N.H.......

Early this morning, a gas-tank truck driver took a turn too fast in Everett, and his truck tipped over at the Route 16/Route 99 rotary, prompting an explosion and fire. 200 people were evacuated, 40 cars were destroyed, and at least 3 homes caught fire. No one has been reported hurt so far. That's the key phrase--"so far." The latest TV news reports indicate it is still a mess. WBZ has raw footage of......

This post has been reprinted courtesy ofBrock Keeling at SFist. Yes, this is Bostonist, but, if you want to send help to Southern California, this is a place to start. As of now, six people have died and more than 500,000 people are in "mass migration" over the mind-numbingly destructive wildfires happening all throughout Southern California. It is, for lack of a better word, heartbreaking. All of it. (Map of San Diego fires) But......

Anytime we hear about diplomats we always think about those episodes of Law & Order where they get away with crimes or that extra special perk they've got that allows them to park illegally outside of the UN without getting parking tickets or towed. Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross are often issued diplomatic visas and passports from their home countries. Boston City Councilors are not. Councilor Michael Ross has been banking......

On December 1, 1981 the first AIDS (SIDA in several languages) diagnosis was made. Today, in rememberance of that date of diagnosis, is World AIDS Day 2005. Before that science had provided no explanation for a rapidly increasing death. By 1986 donated blood has been routinely screened for HIV. In a practice of questionable morals and rationale, the Red Cross would not accept blood donations from persons who had engaged in homosexual acts (some chapters......

Donating doesn't have to be a drag! Why not get a good feeling in your heart and stomach as you donate in style? The victims of Hurricane Katrina get a part of your check, and in return for your donation, you won't feel bad for paying a little extra for a night out. A number of different donation dinners have been springing up all over New England. Tonight there will be an entire Cape Cod......

Hey Bostonist: last week you told us where we could get rid of some "September 1" leftovers and help the needy. I wanted to give my extra clothes to the Katrina victims but I heard on Morning Edition that physical goods aren’t the best donations. Are Goodwill, Boomerangs, and the Salvation Army my only options for clothing donations? Relief efforts are gearing up to full swing in the Gulf Coast. Monetary gifts are the best......

While the Red Sox's long homestand has been a welcome sight for fans of the team, it's proven to be a timely stretch that will ultimately help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Soon after Katrina bulldozed over our Gulf Coast, the Red Sox placed tables around Fenway Park to accept donations that would be sent off to help those affected by the devastation. That raised a healthy chunk of change from the patrons visiting the Fens......

When Bostonist heard about the three area drownings this weekend we got a bit worried. Bostonist was on a "booze cruise" on Friday night and we certainly didn’t know where the life jackets were. Competing only twice in a backstroke competition at the 7-11 year old level, Bostonist can not claim expertise on water safety, but we do know a couple places you can find out more information: Find information here about swimming and get......

Bostonist watched the rerun of Total Recall on the Movie Loft (which has just named new hosts) a couple of weeks ago and gawked at the little TVs that were in those trams on Mars. They were full blown tube TVs, envisioned by movie makers in an era before the LCD TV had been invented and plasma was only something they really wanted at the Red Cross. This morning we learned that it’s coming. The......