BOSTON (AP) - A Massachusetts lawmaker charged with leaving the scene of a car crash that left one person slightly injured says he plans to focus on personal issues in his life.

State Sen. Anthony Galluccio spoke after a brief appearance on Friday in Medford District Court on charges connected to the Oct. 4 accident in Cambridge. A new court date has been set for Dec. 18.

Galluccio declined comment on the case, though he previously said he made a "serious error in judgment" when he drove away after his SUV rear-ended another vehicle.

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, Massachusetts, has a new mascot.

An owl has made the shopping and dining district its hooting grounds for the past month. The creature fits right in at the popular tourist destination - people-watching, sampling the local fare, and even recently checking out the mall's new 87-foot Christmas tree.

Click here to read more from the Globe.

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Lowell, Mass.) - Police have reportedly interviewed the driver suspected of hitting a 12-year-old boy and speeding off.

The Lowell Sun reported Friday morning that a 17-year-old Methuen girl will be charged in the hit-and-run. Police had yet to confirm that information to NECN at the time of this report.

(NECN) - NECN's Allison Sonfist is joined by Sarah Anderson of the MSPCA of Boston, who brings along with her "Romeo," the adorable and sweet chihuahua.

"Romeo" is just five-months-old and he needs a loving home.

If you are interested in adopting "Romeo" or any of his furry friends, please visit: www.mspca.org.

(NECN) - This week's Weather Word Winner Laura Cannon from Medfield, Mass. won the fantastic NECN Prize Pack! Be sure to watch Good Morning Live next Monday to see what the new Weekly Weather Word is.

(NECN: Ally Donnelly) - Boston's Kenneth B. Schwartz Center was founded almost 15 years ago to help teach doctors, nurses and other clinicians how to be compassionate and empathetic when working with often scared, stressed out patients.

Each year the center recognizes a caregiver who has shown an extraordinary commitment to compassionate care.

This year's winner knows love and loss; motherhood and medicine.

Amy Ship is disarmingly cheerful, shuffling through toys and books, trying to find just the thing to entice her son Jeremy.

(NECN: Foxborough, Mass.) - Final approval was given to Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to issue $9 million in federal stimulus funding toward a footbridge that will span Route 1 in Foxborough.

The planned pedestrian bridge will connect the Patriot Place mall with an office park being built by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

GROTON, Conn. (AP) - Police in Groton have charged an art teacher at Robert Fitch Senior High School with sexually assaulting a female student.

Police allege 29-year-old Timothy Riendeau engaged in inappropriate conduct with the girl. He was arrested Thursday at his home in Groton on two counts of second-degree sexual assault.

School officials notified police on Nov. 9 that they had suspicions that Riendeau was having an inappropriate relationship with the girl. He's on paid administrative leave.

Authorities did not release the girl's age or details of the

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - State police say a high-speed chase on the Maine Turnpike ended when the car they were chasing crashed and burst into flames, killing the driver.

The driver, who police say is believed to be from Maine, was taken to a nearby funeral home for identification.

According to police, a trooper began chasing a 2004 Acura with Massachusetts license plates at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday after getting reports of an erratic driver on the turnpike. They say the car was speeding over 100 mph, and crashed at a construction site

(NECN: John Moroney, Lowell, Mass.) - Police are searching for the drivers involved in a hit and run in Lowell, Massachusetts. A 12-year-old boy was in a crosswalk yesterday when he was hit by one of two cars believed to be drag racing.

A car with front end damage has been recovered.

Lowell police are saying very little about the investigation.

12-year-old Kelvin Savanhmixay recovering from his injuries in a Boston hospital.