MA Town Brings Back Masks After Coronavirus Spike: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Monday, July 19. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• A bill to protect victims of violent crime and human trafficking from deportation was signed into law Friday
• Framingham City Council may repeal a two-week-old law that allows stores to charge customers for single-use paper bags.
• Jeanica Julce, 27, of Somerville, was pulled from the water by dive teams after more than nine hours after a Boston Harboat boat crash.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

Provincetown officials issued new mask rules for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people after more than 130 residents and tourists tested positive for the coronavirus.

The majority of those who tested positive were part of an outbreak of "breakthrough cases," which hit Provincetown during the 4th of July weekend. Breakthrough cases happen when people who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 contract the virus anyway.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, town officials during an emergency meeting Monday voted to advise people to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. Town officials also voted to advise clubs and music venues where social distancing isn't achievable to enforce vaccine verification prior to admittance.

Read the full story.

Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and get it delivered every weekday. It's free!

Monday's Other Top Stories

Rethinking paper bag fees at grocery stores: The Framingham City Council may soon prove that the customer is always right. A new city law went into effect July 5 that allows businesses to charge 10 cents per single-use paper bag. Just two weeks later, a City Councilor wants to repeal the fee after backlash from unhappy shoppers. The law allows businesses to charge 10 cents per paper bag and keep the money.

Worcester won't remove as many trees: Worcester was planning to remove or trim up to 90 trees, included more than 40 along a single street, during upcoming street and sidewalk projects. But that plan has largely been set aside after pushback from residents.

Boston Harbor boat crash victim ID'd: Jeanica Julce, 27, of Somerville, was pulled from the water by dive teams after more than nine hours of searching Saturday morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The U.S. Coast Guard said a small boat with eight aboard hit the day marker about 3 a.m. Saturday, throwing everyone on board into the water.

New MA law prevents deportation of victims of violence: A bill to protect victims of violent crime and human trafficking from deportation filed by state Rep. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, was signed into law Friday, Nguyen's office said.

Eat fresh: Patch's 2021 Massachusetts Farmers Market Guide

Picture This

For the first time, a state commission is gathering together to be tasked with reviewing and making potential changes to the state's seal, flag, and motto. The current emblem for the Commonwealth depicts a Native American man, with a colonist's arm above him brandishing a sword, and a Latin phrase that reads, in part, "By the sword we seek peace." (Shutterstock photo)

They Said It

"Our hope is that the owners are able to quickly return to full operations."

• Framingham firefighters following a weekend fire inside a longtime downtown Brazilian bakery.