Around New England

Parishioners Hold Christmas Eve Service Outside Demolished Polish Church

Matthew McDonald

As they have since their church closed in 2011, parishioners of Mater Dolorosa in Holyoke gathered outside the church for a Christmas Eve service on Monday.

Only this time, they were standing beside the rubble of its demolished ruins.

Around New England

City Official Has Solution for Strip Club Prostitution: Make Prostitution Legal

Matthew McDonald

A city councilor-elect in Providence, Rhode Island concerned about the closing of a strip club because police say three dancers offered undercover officers sex acts for money wants the state legislature to make prostitution legal.

Katherine Kerwin, who goes by Kat, whose ward-to-be includes the recently closed Foxy Lady, said the club's owners had to face consequences for the prostitution charges. But long term, she said, the state ought to change the way it views sex-for-money.

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