Daily Archives: April 1, 2011

American Student Released From Syrian Custody

Published April 1, 2011

Tik Root, a 21-year-old Middlebury College junior, was released today after being held by authorities in Syria for two weeks. While studying there, Root was apparently arrested by the Syrian regime as he watched a large anti-government protest.

Tik Root (Facebook)

Tik Root (Facebook)

For over a week, Root’s friends and family were left without word from him and without knowledge of his condition. On Saturday, to their relief, Root’s family was notified that he was in the custody of Syrian officials. Today, he was released.

For two weeks, Syria has been gripped by “an extraordinary wave” of anti-government dissent.

Today on WBUR we also heard similar stories. Two of the New York Times journalists kidnapped by Gadhafi’s forces in Libya were interviewed on Morning Edition and on Here & Now, respectively.

$115M Dorchester Community Center Set For Opening

Published April 1, 2011

It took nearly three years of fund-raising, but it’s finally here. Tomorrow, a new $115 million community center will officially open its doors to the Dorchester and Roxbury communities.

The aquatic center, shown here under construction, uses heated water and boasts a waterslide that leaves the building and returns inside to the pool. (Courtesy of The Salvation Army)

The aquatic center, shown here under construction, uses heated water and boasts a waterslide that leaves the building and returns inside to the pool. (Courtesy of The Salvation Army)

The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, which the Dorchester Reporter calls “the largest social service facility in New England history,” boasts: a performing arts center; a rock climbing wall and gym; an aquatic center complete with lap lanes and a water slide that is so big part of it extends out of the building; and a chapel with a digital memorial for homicide victims.

The center will provide after-school care and career development, and a new sports field across the street will offer additional green space for local sports events.

Supporters say the Uphams Corner facility has the potential to have a big impact on what some call an often-forgotten urban neighborhood.

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Nicky Egan Got Her Groove (Back)

Published April 1, 2011

Smooth-singing soulstress Nicky Egan originally hails from Philadelphia, but graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Now she’s making it big.

Egan and her band will be featured on Radio Boston on Monday. Here’s a little preview of what to expect:

[youtube url=”f5bRVTcGzfU”]

Make sure you check out all of the great videos WBUR’s Jesse Costa produces on our YouTube channel.

Friday Morning: Ugh, Another Snowstorm

Published April 1, 2011

You can stow away the fake mustaches and re-box the snake-in-a-can toy, Mother Nature has beaten you all to the punch. Yes, it’s April 1. Yes, there’s snow on the ground. Turn April Fools’ Day into Thanksgiving and be thankful you don’t live in central Mass.

It also happens to be my favorite holiday of the year, Opening Day. The Red Sox finally open their (admittedly interminable) season this afternoon in Texas. At the start of the season, the Sox are on the short-list of World Series favorites. The first pitch against the Rangers is scheduled for 4:05 pm.

Presenting a complex picture of a loner medical student who celebrated Passover with his grandparents mere hours after robbing a woman at gunpoint, the Suffolk County district attorney’s office released files compiled for the investigation of Philip Markoff. Markoff, dubbed the “Craigslist Killer” after he was arrested in connection with a spate of murders in Boston, committed suicide in August while being held in jail.

The brother of the man who allegedly shot and killed a Woburn police officer during a robbery was indicted yesterday on charges related to the December 26 shootout. Dominic Cinelli also died in the shootout; his brother Arthur allegedly provided support for the robbery-gone-wrong.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on the snow/rain storm tormenting the psyches of Bostonians, a wind energy project in Dartmouth and the new dean of Boston College Law School. Radio Boston will dive behind the headlines and review the week in the news.