Peabody's Budd Gets Historic Call To MA High Court: Patch PM

PEABODY, MA — Today is Wednesday, Oct. 28. These are the stories we've been covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts.

A former Peabody High student is poised to make history in the state as the first Black chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts after Gov. Charlie Baker nominated Kimberly Budd to the position on Wednesday.

Budd, a Peabody native, will replace the late Ralph Gants, who died of complications from a heart attack in September.

Budd was confirmed unanimously to the Supreme Judicial Court as an associate justice in 2016 and now must be confirmed by the Governor's Council to take on her new role.

Read full story here.

Also on the North Shore today

Hometown Diner In Danvers Will Not Reopen Due To Coronavirus

The Hometown Diner in Danvers appears to be the latest small business lost to the coronavirus health crisis after owner Joseph Bucchiere cited the pandemic in his decision not to reopen the breakfast and lunch spot.

Beverly Names New Human Rights Committee Chair

A Beverly resident and Endicott College graduate student has been named to chair the Beverly Human Rights Committee.

Caja Johnson, a seven-year resident of the city, will lead the committee whose aim is to "actively seek to enhance equal justice, inclusivity and human rights for all members of our community."

14 Kilograms Of Fentanyl Seized In North Shore Bust: State Police

Massachusetts State Police out of the Danvers Barracks reported a large seizure of the dangerous drug fentantyl during a traffic stop on Tuesday.

Across Massachusetts

Merrimack College Officials Grilled By Selectmen Over Outbreak

North Andover's selectmen grilled officials from Merrimack College over the impact the college's coronavirus outbreak has had on the town and its businesses. Two college officials appeared before the Board, Monday, to discuss the over 100 cases linked to the Monican Hall dormitory.

The outbreak, reported in September, put North Andover in the state's high-risk category and preventing further reopening, even though Monican is located in Andover.

Unlucky Charms: MA Man Accused Of Hiding Cocaine In Cereal Boxes

A Massachusetts man was arrested on Saturday in New York after 4.5 pounds of cocaine was found in his car, police said.

In a news release, New York State Police said 32-year-old Jahn Rentas, of Worcester, was pulled over on Interstate 90 in the town of Verona. During the traffic stop, officers found the cocaine hidden in cereal boxes in the man's car, authorities said.

Bank Robber Nabbed In Foxboro Police Chase Gets 7-Year Sentence

A Weymouth man was sentenced to seven years in prison after he admitted to robbing five banks and leading police on a high-speed chase from Foxborough to Attleboro.

Charles Wheeler, 50, of Weymouth, was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to five counts of bank robbery. Wheeler will also have to serve three years of probation following his prison sentence.