New England Sun-Times

BOSTON (CBS) – The state of Massachusetts has approved a liquor license for a toy store in Danvers. But don’t expect to pick up a six-pack there with some Legos. Last week, the governor signed a bill that granted a beer and wine license to the business at 13 Elm Street. The business there is Green Elephant Toys. “The situation was there was an Italian restaurant that was trying to lease the building we’re in now, well over a year ago,” store co-owner Andrew Schylling told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Thursday. “We’ve been here for about 6 or 7 months and, apparently, the governor signed off on a liquor license for this address. Come to find out, liquor licenses, they go with a specific address. They don’t go with the actual business or the business owner and they’re non-transferrable. So we’re in a pretty unique situation right now.” That means the restaurant has to re-start the process for getting a liquor license for its new location.

The students and staff at New Jersey’ Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, paid tribute to the late singer today, reciting poems on the lawn, flying the flag at half mast and walking down the street to the house she lived in as a youth. Houston died Saturday in Beverly Hills, Ca., of as yet undetermined causes. The school in East Orange was named Franklin Elementary when Houston attended decades ago, but one thing remains the same: the principal, Henry W. Hamilton, who is in his 41st year there.   Hamilton said in an interview this morning that he remembers Whitney Houston well, and, while he knew she was talented, he was surprised at how far she went in the music industry. “I remember her when she was 15 years old. She was a fine young lady,” he said. “She had the potential to be great and she became great. She had a good family that supported her well.... But I didn’t think she’d become the greatest singer in the world, to be honest with yo...

METCO held a rally for increased funding at the Lila Frederick Middle School in Dorchester on February 15th to prep parents for Lobby Day at the State House. In attendance were METCO's Executive Director Jean McGuire, State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Representative Gloria Fox, Representative Liz Malia, and Representative Carlos Henriquez. At stake is $19 million in funding needed for METCO to operate smoothly, and parents were there to have their voices heard about why the funding was important and necessary for their children. Unfortunately, the audience consisted of about 12 mothers, 16 children, one white father, and NO BLACK MEN. This turnout was disappointing to say the least, and come Lobby Day, we are hoping the parents who want or have children in METCO show a little more enthusiasm and interest. Call your local representative and tell them "GIVE METCO THE $19 MILLION" State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz speaks at the METCO rally

It costs 2.4 cents to make a penny, making the face value of a penny less than its actual value. The cost to make a penny first exceeded the face value of pennies in 2006, briefly rising to almost 2¢ in 2007 before falling again. The rising cost of making a penny has led to some serious reconsideration of the composition of the penny at the United States Mint, the government agency responsible for printing money and striking new coinage. The cost of a penny is largely dictated by the materials used to make it. Pennies contain 97.5% zinc, with 2.5% copper to give them their distinctive coppery color. Prices of these metals have risen dramatically in the early 21st century, in response to market demands and increasing regulation of mining, which has made the cost of metals extraction much higher. The obvious solution to make a penny less expensive is to change the composition of the coin, integrating cheaper metals or perhaps even plastics, as is done with some Europea...

(CBS News) On Wednesday, China Vice President Xi Jinping will do something that every serious presidential candidate does in this country -- he'll visit Iowa. CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews in Muscatine tells us Xi just wants to catch up with some old friends. It was 27 years ago when Xi Jinping -- the man who might lead China -- led a six-man agriculture delegation to Muscatine, Iowa. Sitting on a bend of the Mississippi, Muscatine has huge grain-processing plant, but small town values. So Sarah Lande, who organized the visit, booked Mr Xi in the spare room of a friend. "He was treated just like one of us," she remembered. "He stayed in a room with Star Wars wallpaper?" Andrews asked. Obama: Strong relationship with China is "vital" China's likely next leader in U.S. at testy time "Yes that's right," said Lande,"just in the kid's room!" For three days Lande took him on tour...

(real Avastin on top/Fake Avastin on bottom) The maker of the widely used Avastin cancer drug said Tuesday that it is warning doctors, hospitals and patient groups that a counterfeit version of the medicine has been found in the U.S. Tests of counterfeit vials of Avastin showed that they didn't contain the active ingredient in Roche Holding AG's intravenous drug, according to the Swiss company's Genentech unit. It isn't clear how much of the counterfeit product was distributed in the U.S. or whether it has caused any harm. A Genentech spokeswoman said the company doesn't know if any patients were given the fake drug. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating, and has sent letters to 19 medical practices in the U.S. that the agency says buy unapproved cancer medicines and might have bought the counterfeit Avastin. An FDA spokeswoman said it hasn't received any reports of patient side effects that appear to be linked to the counterfeit product. ...

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has issued subpoenas for medical and pharmacy records from Whitney Houston’s doctors and medical providers, which is standard procedure in such investigations, an official said. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said the request is made in virtually all death investigations because it can shed additional light on how people died and whether they had any serious medical conditions. “We’ve already contacted a number of doctors with requests for records,” he said. Winter said that at this point, there is nothing unusual about how his office is proceeding with the Houston death investigation and that requests for medical records are requested through subpoenas. “If somebody even dies in a crash, a blunt force trauma, we will still take medical issues into account,” he said. “Anything helps.” Investigators in the Houston case found several bottles of prescription medication in the Beverly Hills, ...

Whitney Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, has received some disappointing news: He is not welcome to Whitney’s funeral. According to reports, Brown learned that several members of Whitney’s family have do not want him attending the the singer’s private funeral in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday. Although Bobby – who left his band’s ongoing tour after hearing of Houston’s death – has yet to hear an official word from the family, sources claim that Whitney’s family has made it clear that they do not want him there. Bobby, on the other hand, wants to be there to support their daughter Bobbi Kristina. Bobbi Kristina Brown, Brown and Houston’s only child together, was twice hospitalized for stress and anxiety after her mother was found dead in a bathtub Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Bobbi Kristina had been in L.A. with her mother to attend pre-Grammy festivities. Her father flew to California to be with his daughter Sunday. As for the detail...

Newark — The funeral for Whitney Houston will be held Saturday at the Newark church she attended as a child. The pop icon will be mourned Saturday at noon at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston honed her musical skills singing in the choir, according to Carolyn Whigham, the owner of the Whigham Funeral Home. Outside the funeral home this morning, nine satellite trucks and more than a dozen reporters and photographers from as far away as Brazil staked out positions hoping to spot Houston's famous family and friends. Earlier, a woman yelled "I love you Whitney" out of her passenger-side window as she drove past. Houston's body was brought to Whigham late Monday night as fans crowded Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to catch a glimpse. The crowd of around 40 sang songs and applauded. Preparations were complete and no family would be returning to the funeral home, Whigham said today. The funeral home also handled Houston's fat...

(NewsCore) - The Catholic League on Monday slammed the organizers of the Grammy Awards for allowing Nicki Minaj's act, in which she portrayed an exorcism laden with religious iconography and sexual imagery. The R&B singer failed to take home any awards at Sunday's show but sparked plenty of controversy with her antics -- starting with her appearance on the red carpet in a red hooded robe, on the arm of an elderly man dressed as the pope. During the ceremony, with a stained-glass background resembling a cathedral, the 29-year-old took to the stage to belt out her single "Roman Holiday," featuring a cast of back-up dancers dressed as altar boys and Catholic monks. The over-the-top performance, reminiscent of previous stunts by Madonna and Lady Gaga, ended with a rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful," while Minaj -- in character as her raging alter ego, Roman Zolanski -- was lifted upwards and flames burned beneath her. "None of...

Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Freddie Solomon, one of the franchise’s most beloved players during the team’s run of championship excellence in the 1980s, died Monday afternoon after a nine-month battle with colon and liver cancer. He was 59. Solomon, who played 11 NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins and the 49ers from 1975-85, had been hospitalized since Feb. 4. He won two Super Bowls while with the 49ers and is best remembered for being the targeted player for quarterback Joe Montana during the famous “Montana-to-Clark” catch in the 1982 playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Solomon slipped on the wet turf on his route, leaving Clark open for the iconic touchdown grab. Over the last two decades, Solomon devoted his life to helping youth in Hillsborough County, Fla., working with the County Sheriff’s office on programs that combined football fundamentals with life lessons. His close friend, former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was with Solomon ...

At a press conference earlier today, the Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed the conclusion of the death investigation of Queen of Pop, Whitney Houston. Police say there are a team of investigators assigned to case, but as of this date, it is a Coroner's case. Police said they would not comment further on the condition of Whitney's body, the condition of her body, or the condition of her room. Police re-stated that this is now a Coroner's case, and that there will not be any more information coming from the Beverly Hills Police Department until the Coroner has completed their investigation and the toxicology results have been completed. Police say at this time, they will not speculate as to the cause of Whitney's death or what may have contributed to her untimely passing. Police also did not confirm any information about prescription drugs in Houston's hotel, but did say that information did not come from any official source within the police Department. ...

Many are displeased with the way the Grammys 2012 handled the death of iconic singer Whitney Houston. Though it was promised there would be a tribute to honor Whitney, the Grammys came up short, so we decided to pay homage to the late, great Whitney Houston. Th undisputed QUEEN OF POP. Rest in peace and thank you for your contribution to music and the lives you have touched with your voice. God used you for His purpose and your work is done. WELL done, faithful servant. We Will Always Love You Check out the video:

Whitney Houston ‘s family just released a statement on Sunday afternoon (February 12). “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney . This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends. — The Houston Family.” Yesterday, Whitney ‘s ex-husband Bobby Brown also released a statement of his own: “I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston . At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina . I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time.” Last night, Bobby also performed a show at the Landers Center in Southaven as part of the New Edition reunion tour. “First and foremost, I want to tell you that I love you all for being here,” Bobby told to the crowd. “Second, I would like to say, ‘I love you, Whitney .’ ”

Whitney Houston 's 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown , was just rushed to Cedears-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. According to sources ... Bobbi was taken out of the Beverly Hilton, where Whitney died yesterday, on a stretcher. Law enforcement sources tell police and fire responded to a call for a medical emergency, but would not confirm who was transported. As first reported,  Bobbi Kristina  got into an angry shouting match last night with police officers outside the hotel room where her mother was found dead Bobbi Christina is Whitney's only child from husband Bobby Brown . Houston and Brown were married in 1992 and divorced in 2007. Story developing ...

Whitney Houston was found in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills hotel yesterday ... with her face underwater. According to our sources, her stylist, hairdresser and two bodyguards were among the people in the room at the time. We're told they became worried about Whitney because she had been in the bathroom for over an hour and it was time to start getting ready for the Clive Davis party. Our sources say they began to knock on the door and there was no answer. We're told the hairdresser, who is female, went in to check on Whitney. She immediately screamed and, according to our sources, one of the bodyguards came running in and pulled her out of the tub. It was told that Whitney's face was below the water and her legs were up ... like she had slid down the back of the tub. According to our sources, her body was very cold and the bodyguard attempted CPR. That's when hotel security was called. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, but Whitney was pronounced dead ...

Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will pay tribute to tragic singer Whitney Houston tonight. The American Idol star and I'm Every Woman legend will take to the stage at the Grammy Awards, just over 24 hours after Whitney passed away in her Beverly Hills Hilton hotel - aged just 48. Chaka tweeted: 'I’m speechless…I’m in shock right now. Just pray for her and the family,' while Jennifer - who sang at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala last night - has so far remained silent.   Tribute: Jennifer Hudson will have spent today rehearsing as she is believed to be  performing a Whitney Houston song at the Grammy's tonight   Treasured memory: Jennifer and Whitney shared the stage at the 51st annual Grammys  

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48. The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated.  Houston's bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva. According to her official website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos. But she also struggled with addiction problems over the years. Houston, whose hits included "The Greatest Love of All," died on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. She had performed as...