Now pitching for the Y: Okajima

The $28.1 billion fiscal 2009 state budget, signed by Gov. Deval Patrick earlier this week, originally included good news for residents who are serviced by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority. The Legislature’s version of the budget, passed on July 3, included $20 million to help curb increasing water rates caused by debt from MWRA projects.

Contrary to what some media reports say, Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser said he never ordered the Board of Inquiry to reconvene and further its investigation of what caused two West Roxbury firefighters to die.

Summer is in full swing, and along with school vacation and the hot weather comes the need for kids to get good, nutritious meals. But for students who are used to getting their breakfast and lunch at school, the lack of structured classes makes filling their stomachs a problem.

Crates of plump red tomatoes sit behind a hand-written sign “Award Winning Caruso Tomatoes $3.99/lb. — very tasty!” Farmer Peter MacArthur stands toward the back of his produce tent, watching the morning’s customers survey the goods.