Explosions, fires rock Merrimack Valley

Public safety officials are taking stock of the damage Friday after thousands were forced from their homes in a series of gas explosions that left a teenager dead.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A bicyclist rode past a damaged house on Springfield Street Lawrence.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A blown out windows at a home on Brookfield in Lawrence.

The father of Leonel Rondon is embraced outside of the family's home in Lawrence. Rondon was killed yesterday when a chimney from a house explosion landed on his car.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Leonel Rondon?s father was embraced outside his home.

Debris remain from a house that exploded on Chickering Road in Lawrence.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Debris from a home that exploded on Chickering Road in Lawrence.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A disconnected gas main is shut down on Kingston Street in Lawrence.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff

Miguel Williams?s family returned to their home to retrieve essential items.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

John Farrington, owner of Carleen's coffee shop, gave out free coffee.

Family and friends mourn loss of Lawrence teen

Leonel Rondon, 18, was inside a car when a house exploded, sending the chimney crashing down onto the vehicle.

What to do if you live in the affected area

Shelters are open, schools are closed, and utility crews are going door-to-door to check homes where gas had to be shut off Thursday night.

Officials warn of slow return to normalcy

? One person is dead, and nearly two dozen others injured in the 60-80 Merrimack Valley fires.
? No one is allowed back into residences until it can be inspected and gas should not be turned back on without contacting the gas company.
? Shelters remain open in Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence.

Columbia Gas faulted by investigators for major rupture in 2012

One of the company?s pipelines ruptured causing major damage six years ago in West Virginia.

Want to help Merrimack Valley residents displaced by fires? Here?s how

The Red Cross is accepting donations and volunteers, plus MSPCA-Angell is treating animals injured by the fires and explosions.

Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina

Rain begins to fall as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence make landfall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Thursday.

The powerful storm already has inundated coastal streets with ocean water and left tens of thousands without power.

The Big Picture

Photos from Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence brought a life-threatening storm surge and hurricane strength winds to the Carolinas Friday.

Here?s the story behind that incredible Hurricane Florence webcam

Richard Neal?s YouTube video was drawing tens of thousands of viewers Thursday morning. But it didn?t feature any big stars, splashy visuals, or infectious tunes.

Mass. credit union will serve recreational marijuana companies

The decision by GFA Federal Credit Union means consumers should be able to pay for pot with plastic.

RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 3

Xander Bogaerts made a game-changing play, then scored on an error for the win

Bogaerts scored on a dropped popup in the eighth inning.

MATT PORTER

Here?s a look at where the Bruins and Flames are playing in China

The teams face off at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre on Saturday.

Springfield?s new MGM casino shows a veteran card counter the door

In the 400-year history of Massachusetts, Tommy Hyland can claim a rare distinction: He?s among the very first to be thrown out of a state-licensed business for doing math in his head.

You don?t have to carry a smartphone: Here?s how to switch back to a dumb one

It?s possible to return to the flip-phone era without leaving society. Really.

Paul Manafort agrees to plead guilty to avoid new trial

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort signaled he intends to plead guilty ahead of a second trial, though it?s unclear if he?ll cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller?s inquiry.

Hawaiian Airlines to offer nonstop flights from Logan Airport to Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines is about to make the difficult slog to Honolulu ? often lasting 15 hours or more ? much easier for New Englanders with new nonstop flights.

?Our company is in great shape,? says Harold Brown, who is retiring from Hamilton Co. ?We have great people in place. And I?m always around to help out.? — David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/File

At 93, apartment mogul Harold Brown decides to retire

After more than six decades spent amassing an apartment empire in Boston, one of the city?s biggest and most storied landlords is stepping down.

Cuomo defeats Cynthia Nixon in NY gubernatorial primary

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has defeated Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon to win his party?s nomination for a third term.

More Than Words opens its newly expanded bookstore in the South End

?It?s really cool because every single aspect of the business we had a hand in it,? employee Mehki Jordan said. ?So all of this stuff you see, it?s literally, it?s ours you know??

Miss Conduct

How do I tell wedding guests my daughter isn?t taking her husband?s name?

I don?t want any awkwardness around guests addressing packages to Mrs. So-and-so.

Opinion & Ideas

Editorial

The long-term merits of Rachael Rollins?s plan for petty crimes

Democratic nominee for Suffolk County district attorney Rachael Rollins has a plan to reform prosecution of petty crimes.

Special reports

The life and rise of Ayanna Pressley

Long before her shocking win, Pressley?s was an against-the-odds story. Time and again, she has toppled expectations.

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Globe must-reads

On the farm, cultivating for the next generation

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone (right) and a statue of Christopher Columbus.

Somerville will observe Indigenous Peoples? Day on Oct. 8

Department of Homeland Security personnel delivered supplies to Santa Ana community residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Trump disputes death toll in Puerto Rico in tweet

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 11, 2002, Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick prays during a prayer for deceased bishops at the start of the morning session of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops being held in Washington, DC.

Opinion | Jason Berry

Church reform advisers in crosshairs of history

Five days, 37 cities and towns, and 89,000 ballots: The recount begins in Third District

The items allegedly found in the possession of Anna Mackenzie, Graham Jacob, and Christopher Magoon.

3 Vt. residents arrested after gun, 148 bags of heroin found in car

Actor Mark Wahlberg is man on a schedule.

NESTOR RAMOS

Mark Wahlberg?s daily schedule is just like mine ? with a couple of small fixes

A turkey-themed poster by Caroline Barnes.

This Brookline resident turned the town?s abrasive turkeys into art

Safiya Wazir, a 27-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, reacted Tuesday in Concord, N.H., after learning she defeated four-term incumbent State Representative Dick Patten in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's District 17 state representative seat.

In N.H. election stunner, a onetime refugee knocks off entrenched incumbent

Boston MA 8/5/18 Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price against the New York Yankees during first inning action at Fenway Park. (photo by Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) topic: reporter:

ALEX SPEIER

?He?s been unbelievable?: Inside David Price?s second half numbers

Boston, MA: 9-12-18: A fan seated on the thirdbase line was hit in the head by a bat that slipped out of the hands of the Blue Jays Devon Travis in the top of the eighth inning. His hat was knockd off and he went ddown, but a few he was up and giving the thumbs up sign to cheering fans around him. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Toronto Blue Jays in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Fenway fan hit in head after bat slips out of Devon Travis? hands

Sand bags surrounded homes on North Topsail Beach, N.C.

David Epstein

Slower, weaker Florence will still be a force

Sports

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San juan- Jan. 30, 2018- Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff- Red Sox manager Alex Cora unloads some of the 10 tons of relief supplies to his native Puerto Rico

NICK CAFARDO | ON BASEBALL

President?s words stoke the heartache that remains with Alex Cora

Cora knows the devastation in his homeland only too well, and it hurts him to see it become a political issue.

Metro

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Francis ?Cadillac Frank? Salemme was brought into Boston police headquarters in 1972.

Former Mafia don Frank Salemme sentenced to life in prison for 1993 slaying

Salemme and an associate were sentenced to life in prison for killing South Boston nightclub owner Steven DiSarro in 1993.

Politics

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Geoff Diehl (left) campaigned with Governor Charlie Baker in 2015.

Geoff Diehl would ?welcome? President Trump. Charlie Baker? Not so much

Welcome to the conflicted top of the state?s 2018 Republican ticket.

Nation & World

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Feinstein says she referred letter concerning Kavanaugh to federal investigators

The California Democrat said in a statement that she ??received information from an individual concerning the nomination.?

Columnists

Adrian Walker

The color of justice in Suffolk County may soon be black

SCOT LEHIGH

Give Trump economic credit he deserves

September 9, 2018 - L Street Tavern Governor Charlie Baker tends bar and talks with Brian McCourt (R) (R) and patron Paul McCourt of Newton, MA (L) Governor Charlie Baker campaigns at the L Street Tavern in South Boston Photo by Katherine Taylor for The Boston Globe

JOAN VENNOCHI

Why did Baker back Trump-loving Geoff Diehl?

Renée Graham

Serena Williams and the Angry Black Woman

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

Bill O?Brien is latest coach to do Foxborough fold

Serena Williams called umpire Carlos Ramos a ?thief? for stealing a game from her in Saturday?s US Open final.

Tara Sullivan

Celebrate Serena?s greatness, even in defeat

Foxborough, MA- 9/9/18 - Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) greets running back James White (left) after they connected on a second quarter 12 yard touchdown pass. Gillette Stadium - Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots. during the 2nd quarter of the home opener at Gillette Stadium. (Jim Davis/Globe staff)