PEABODY, Mass.

Hundreds turn out to mourn firefighter killed on the job

Hundreds of firefighters from across the nation paid a solemn tribute as well-wishers looked on and a bagpipe band played a mournful tune during the funeral of a Peabody firefighter who died battling a blaze just before Christmas.

Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray were among those who paid tribute as the flag-draped casket containing the remains of 42-year-old James Rice rode on top of a fire engine for the last time Friday.

The 11-year veteran was killed while fighting an accidental three-alarm blaze Dec. 23 at a multi-unit home.

The funeral service was originally scheduled to be held in the Greek Orthodox tradition but was held in the larger Catholic church to accommodate all the mourners.

Rice leaves a wife and three children.

He was buried at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

LOWELL, Mass.

Child suffers broken leg after gravestone topples

Authorities say a 7-year-old girl was flown to a Boston hospital after a gravestone toppled on her as she and her mother visited a relative’s burial site at a Lowell cemetery.

Fire officials said the girl from Dracut suffered a broken leg and a shoulder injury when the roughly 3-foot-by-4-foot headstone fell on her around 4 p.m. on Thursday in Edson Cemetery.

The injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Her name was not made public.

Police said the girl was trapped by the headstone for less than 15 minutes before several police officers could lift it and pull her out.

CONCORD, N.H.

State police ramp up efforts to detect impaired drivers

New Hampshire state police are ramping up patrols and asking the public’s help in taking impaired drivers off the road this holiday weekend.

State police Col. Robert Quinn said troopers specially trained in detecting drug- and alcohol-impaired drivers will be out in force statewide.

Police are urging New Year’s revelers to choose a designated driver before the drinking begins or plan to stay the night wherever the partying takes them.

Police are also asking the public to dial 911 and report anyone they spot driving erratically.

State agency confirms first cases of flu this season

New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services is reporting three flu cases, the first of the season.

The cases were confirmed Friday in one adult and two children. The department said it expects to see many more cases through the spring.

The department’s immunization program has distributed 147,020 doses of flu vaccine to medical providers statewide for children 18 and younger. There is also a nasal version of the vaccine for most people ages 2 through 49 who prefer not to receive the shot.

LANCASTER, N.H.

Mount Washington hiker needed no help, officials say

An Ohio man was found unhurt on a hiking trail on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington after his family had not heard from him for more than two days.

David Deubner, 67, of Montpelier, Ohio, last spoke to family and friends Tuesday morning, before starting a solo, multi-day hike. But he usually checks in, and when he didn’t, a friend made a call for help Thursday.

That, plus harsh weather conditions on Mount Washington –more than an inch of rain, low temperatures and 100-mph winds — influenced Fish and Game Department officers to look for him.

They found Deubner, unaware that he was the subject of a search. He had turned off his cellphone, preserving power in case of an emergency. He had crawled for a while to withstand the wind.

BELLOWS FALLS, Vt.

Sighting of bug that can harm crops worries farmers

A stink bug sighting is causing some concern among farmers and entomologists in a Vermont town.

The brown marmorated stink bug was spotted Dec. 19 in a Bellows Falls apartment.

This species of stink bug has been prolific in at least 33 states, but not in Vermont. The bug can harm crops during the growing season.

The Brattleboro Reformer reported that entomologists hope it’s an isolated case and they’re trying to find out if the tenant of the apartment recently traveled out of state.

Vermont is home to several other species of stink bugs. The brown marmorated stink bug has a geometric pattern on its lower abdomen and two white bands on its antennae.

– From news service reports