BRISTOL, R.I.

Lawmaker backs formation of regional ocean policy plan

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is pushing for the formation of an ocean policy plan for the northern region, saying it will serve the needs of Rhode Island’s maritime community.

Reed is scheduled to promote the concept at remarks he is scheduled to deliver at Roger Williams University School of Law on Monday.

The regional ocean policy plan would be similar to Rhode Island’s Ocean Special Area Management Plan that experts say will help the state meet its renewable energy goals and preserve its coastal resources.

The special area includes nearly 1,500 square miles, including Block Island Sound, Rhode Island Sound and parts of the Atlantic Ocean.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Jane Lubchenco signed documents setting up the arrangement last July.

BOSTON

Police investigating death of infant girl in Dorchester

Authorities are investigating the death of a 6-month-old girl who was removed from a car parked at a fast-food restaurant in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood.

Police say officers responding at the KFC restaurant on Columbia Road found emergency medical technicians removing the infant from the vehicle early Saturday.

The baby was taken to Boston Medical Center, where physicians pronounced her dead.

There were no visible signs of trauma on the infant. Police say the baby’s mother was in the vehicle when emergency workers arrived.

MANCHESTER, N.H.

Trail of beer cans leads police to robbery suspect

Police in Manchester, N.H., say they caught up with a robbery suspect by following a trail of beer cans he dropped while fleeing the scene.

Officers say 24-year-old Peter Mackey of Pittsfield was charged after he allegedly robbed a convenience store at knifepoint shortly after midnight Saturday morning.

Police told WMUR-TV that when Mackey tried to buy a 30-pack of beer cans, a clerk told him beer couldn’t be sold after midnight. Rather than leave, Mackey is accused of taking out a knife, grabbing cash from the register and running off with the cash and beer.

When police arrived, they were led to Mackey by following cans that fell from the 30-pack as he ran away.

He’s charged with armed robbery and resisting arrest.

BENNINGTON, Vt.

Four towns pass resolutions in opposition to smart meters

Four southern Vermont towns have passed nonbinding resolutions opposing the use of so-called “smart meters,” but Central Vermont Public Service says it will continue installing the wireless digital electrical meters as scheduled.

Voters in Bennington, Dorset, Manchester and Sandgate approved resolutions last week. Smart-meter opponents say the devices pose health risks and raise privacy concerns.

Central Vermont Power spokesman Steve Costello told the Bennington Banner that the utility has already installed some of the new meters in Rutland County and that everything remains on track to connect about 160,000 of them in time.

— From news service reports