In announcing resignation, Davis says ‘it is time to go’

"Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis today thanked Mayor Thomas M. Menino for the opportunity to lead the department, declaring that as he leaves, the department is better than when he arrived from Lowell nearly seven years ago.

“It is time to go,” Davis said today, his voice trembling slightly, during a news conference at police headquarters.

“I feel very positive about leaving on my timeline,’’ he said. “I leave the department on my own accord. I wanted to clear the deck for the new administration.’’

Davis also defended his record on diversity in the department, which has come under criticism from some within the department and in the community. Some mayoral candidates have faulted Davis for what they see as an insufficient effort to diversify the police department."

Most marijuana dispensary applicants pass 1st review

he vast majority of the 181 applications competing to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts were approved Monday to continue on to the second and final round, when the number will be whittled to just 35 licenses.

The state public health department announced that 158 applications were eligible to continue in the competitive process. The initial round of applicants were reviewed for non-profit status, financial viability and compliance with other application requirements.

“This is a very competitive process and we required applicants to meet high standards to advance,” state public health commissioner, Cheryl Bartlett, said in a statement.

“We are fortunate that Massachusetts has a large field of serious applicants, who are capable of making a significant investment to benefit qualified patients and safeguard communities,” Bartlett said. “While no decision to deny an applicant was taken lightly, we wanted to ensure that those who advance could demonstrate the ability to operate a successful non-profit Registered Marijuana Dispensary.”

Twenty-two applicants did not meet the criteria to proceed in the process and one applicant withdrew, the state said.

Applications were denied for a wide variety of reasons, state officials said, including failing to incorporate as a non-profit or a lack of demonstrated financial viability."

Pregnant Harvard grad among those killed in Kenya attack

"A pregnant Harvard University graduate and her partner were among the dozens killed during the terrorist attack at an upscale shopping mall in the capital city of Kenya.

Elif Yavuz, who recently graduated from Harvard’s School of Public Health, died during the attacks, a university spokeswoman said Monday.

Yavuz, a Netherlands native, was with her partner and Australia native Ross Langdon, who was also killed during the attack, according to numerous media reports and online tributes from friends and colleagues.

The couple traveled the globe together to work on humanitarian causes"

Work to resume on Filene’s project

The long-stalled Filene’s redevelopment in downtown Boston will resume within days, as the project’s developer has signed the advertising firm Arnold Worldwide to occupy a large chunk of a $630 million complex of new offices, stores, and luxury homes.

Clayton: Steelers split on matching

With roughly 48 hours left to make a decision, the Pittsburgh Steelers are "50-50" on whether or not to match the one year, $2.5 million offer sheet the Patriots extended to restricted free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton reports. 

Clayton notes that the organization is torn between the appeal of keeping the player and acquiring the third-round pick from the Patriots, No. 91 overall. 

If the Steelers decline to match the offer, the Patriots will be left with just four selections leading into the upcoming draft. 

Sanders, 26, is the only restricted free agent to sign an offer sheet thus far this offseason. He finished 2012 with a career best 44 catches.

Red Sox-Rays game postponed

Friday night’s Red Sox-Rays game at Fenway Park has been postponed due to heavy rain predicted throughout the night. 

No makeup date has been announced. Tickets for Friday’s game will be good for admission to the rescheduled contest. 

Vasquez a MIP candidate

New Orleans Hornets starting point guard Greivis Vasquez is having a solid season and Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal believes he should be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award.