National Roundup

Alaska
72 rescued when sightseeing ship takes on water
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Coast Guard says responders have rescued 72 people on a sightseeing vessel that began taking on water in Alaska’s Glacier Bay after reportedly striking a rock.

Coast Guard spokesman David Mosley says there were reports of minor injuries in the incident Sunday involving the 79-foot Baranof Wind.
The Coast Guard says the flooding was contained and there are no immediate reports of pollution.

According to the Coast Guard, 70 people were transferred to the Holland America cruise ship Volendam, which was expected to transport the sightseeing passengers to Bartlett Cove. From there, another vessel will take them to Juneau.

Two others were taken aboard a National Park Service boat, and four crew members remained on board the Baranof Wind.

The Coast Guard is investigating.


Missouri
Rep. apologizes for nude Sea of Galilee swim
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A conservative congressman representing Kansas has apologized for any offense caused by his naked swim in the Sea of Galilee last summer.

Politico reported Sunday that freshman U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder was among 20 lawmakers and staff who swam at the holy site during a fact-finding trip to Israel last August. Yoder was the only one not wearing clothes.

Yoder told The Kansas City Star he is “incredibly remorseful” and apologized for any embarrassment he has caused. He said it was dark and that he was only in the water for about 10 seconds.

Politico says the FBI is investigating but does not say why. It is not clear if Yoder broke any laws or if his actions generated complaints.

Yoder is unopposed for re-election in Kansas’ 3rd District.


Massachusetts
USS Constitution sets sail again in Boston Harbor
BOSTON (AP) — At 215 years old, the USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned warship afloat. But it's not too old to take a quick sail.
For 17 minutes on Sunday, the ship cruised west across Boston Harbor, reaching a maximum speed of 3.1 knots. It was its first sail under its own power since turning 200 in 1997.

The short trip — a distance of 1,100 yards — was to commemorate the Constitution's victory over a British warship of a similar size in a fierce battle during the War of 1812. The victory earned the ship its nickname, "Old Ironsides."

The trip marked the day two centuries ago when the Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812.

Following the sail, tugs took the vessel to Fort Independence on nearby Castle Island where a huge crowd had gathered, and the Constitution fired a 21-gun salute, Neely said.


New Jersey
Teen accused of torching family’s home is held
WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey teenager charged with attempted murder and arson for allegedly setting a fire at her family’s house remains held pending another court hearing.

The 15-year-old was due in family court in Gloucester County on Monday. However, that’s been postponed after her detention hearing took place over the weekend. Her name is being withheld because she is a juvenile.

Authorities say the Saturday morning fire was set with gasoline. Most of the damage was contained to the second floor of the single-family house.

The teen and six other family members were injured, including two who were taken to a burn center in Pennsylvania with internal burns.


Texas
United flight to Boston returns safely to Houston
HOUSTON (AP) — A United Airlines jet bound for Boston had engine trouble and safely returned to Houston.

A United spokesman says Flight 1124 carried 146 passengers and a crew of six when it took off Sunday from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Boeing 737 had mechanical problem with an engine and returned to Houston.

Spokesman Joe Micucci  said Monday that United is conducting a thorough review to determine what caused the engine issue.
Passengers were put on another plane Sunday afternoon and continued on to Boston.


Massachusetts
Haverhill music store chain is closing its doors
HAVERHILL, Mass. (AP) — A music store that’s been doing business in downtown Haverhill for nearly 60 years is closing its doors.

The owner of the Haverhill Music Centre blames the store’s demise on the internet and cuts to music lessons in the city’s public schools.

Owner Brian Ross says the sale of sheet music and music books has been an important part of his business, but people are increasingly buying those items on online.

He tells The Eagle-Tribune he’s also noticed a drop in business since city schools cut back on music lessons. Fewer public school students learning to play band instruments meant fewer instrument rentals.

The store also offered lessons and instrument repairs.


Colorado
Organizers: Ailing Willie Nelson has canceled concert
DENVER (AP) — Organizers of a Colorado fundraiser say country music legend Willie Nelson cancelled a weekend appearance.

The 79-year-old Nelson was scheduled to perform Saturday at a private home in Castle Pines Village, Colo. The benefit was for an organization that provides animal care and shelter in the Denver area.

The host of the fundraiser, Fred Bartlit, tells The Denver Post that he was informed that Nelson was taken to the hospital after having trouble breathing.
Representatives for Nelson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Sunday night.


New York
NTSB probing fatal plane crash on Long Island
SHIRLEY, N.Y. (AP) — An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board is at the scene of a fatal plane crash on Long Island.

Two people were killed and a third was injured in the crash in Shirley on Sunday afternoon. The single-engine, propeller plane crashed on a residential street. No one on the ground was injured.

NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway says an investigator began surveying the damage on Monday morning. It could take some time to determine a cause.