BEST OF 2913: USS Constitution In The Snow.

USS Constitution in the snow.

USS Constitution in the snow.

BREAKING NEWS: HARVARD EVACUATED Updated 2:44pm EST

2:44pm EST

Science Center cleared. Students, faculty, and staff should enter through Science Plaza doors. All four sites now open.

1:48pm EST

Harvard Alert-Sever Hall and Harvard Yard are cleared and students may return. Science Center still closed. Updates to be posted here.

HARVARD UPDATE 1:16pm EST
Thayer and Emerson Hall are cleared and students may return. Sever and Science Center are still closed.

HARVARD UPDATE 11:48am EST
Report of bombs on campus remains unconfirmed.

UPDATED:From Harvard University
10:40am EST

As you learned from the MessageMe alerts this morning, the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) received an unconfirmed report that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus: the Science Center, and Thayer, Sever and Emerson halls. Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated by the HUPD and the Cambridge Police Department.

Access to Harvard Yard has been restricted to residents of the Yard with Harvard ID. As of the writing of this message the report remains unconfirmed and the HUPD has no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus.

Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to update the community via MessageME and through messages posted here and on the University's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

9:33am EST

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) this morning received an unconfirmed report that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus:  the Science Center, Thayer, Sever and Emerson Halls. HUPD and Cambridge Police are on the scene. Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated.  Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff.  We will update the media when we have more information.

9:13am EST

Harvard Alert-HUPD and CPD are on the scene and investigating. Please stand by for more info.

9:02am EST

Unconfirmed reports of explosives at four sites on campus: Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson. Please evacuate those buildings now.
 http://www.harvard.edu

We are following breaking news happening at the Harvard Campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts involving a bomb with possible explosive at 4 buildings.

Police and Fire are on scene.

People have evacuated from Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson.

We are following breaking news happening at the Harvard Campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts involving a bomb threat with possible explosive at 4 buildings.

Police and Fire are on scene.

People have evacuated from Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson.

We will bring you the latest as it becomes available....

BREAKING NEWS: UMass Boston McCormack Building Reopened

UMass Boston Alert: The earlier report of a gunman on campus has been cleared. The McCormack building has been reopened for business.

BREAKING NEWS - UMass Boston is currently evacuating McCormack Building. Possible person with a firearm. Avoid area. Officials are on scene.

We will bring you the latest on this breaking news out of the Boston area.

VIDEO: Coast Guard Rescue Crews Medevac Man 200 Miles East of Cape Cod

The Coast Guard medically evacuated a man approximately 200 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass., Monday. Watch-standers at the Coast Guard First District received a report at approximately 5:30 a.m. Monday from the seismic research vessel WG Cook of a 58-year-old male suffering from chest pains. A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HU-25 Guardian aircraft crew were immediately launched. The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene and safely hoisted the man from the WG Cook. He was taken to awaiting EMS at Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis, Mass., and transferred to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. As America's maritime first responder, the Coast Guard frequently conducts maritime medical evacuations. In an average year, the Coast Guard conducts more than 20 medical evacuations in the Northeast. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Cape Cod, Petty Officer 3rd Class MyeongHi Clegg.

Assistance for Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

During an informal ceremony, the FBI’s Evidence Response Team handed the crime scene area on Boylston Street back over to the city of Boston. Above, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers thanks personnel from several federal, state, and local agencies for their tireless work in the case.

Assistance for Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

The FBI is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Crimes can have a devastating effect on victims and their families who may need assistance coping with the impact. Providing information and assistance to victims of the bombings is an important part of our work.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates and provide these victims with information, assistance services, and resources. The FBI’s Office for Victim Assistance (OVA) is uniquely suited to provide emergency assistance to victims of domestic and international terrorism and mass violence crimes due to its national and international scope and extensive experience in responding to more than 13,000 victims of these crimes. 

If you were injured or witnessed the Boston Marathon bombings, you may be eligible for certain services and rights, including special funding to provide emergency assistance, crime victim compensation, and counseling. Additional information about these resources can be found at website links listed below. If you have not spoken to an FBI victim specialist, please contact the FBI Office for Victim Assistance atbostonmarathon.victimassistance@ic.fbi.gov or call the FBI Victim Assistance Call Center at 1-800-331-0075. 

Electronic Versions of Key Resources:

• Coping After Terrorism for Injured Survivors | (pdf)
  
• Practical Ideas for Coping with Trauma
• Help for Victims of Crime Brochure | (pdf)
• Description of the Federal Criminal Justice Process

For Children:

• Children and Youth-SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series Installment
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschool-Age Children After Disasters (pdf)
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children After Disasters (pdf)
• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (pdf)
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (pdf)
• Talking to Children About the Bombings (pdf)
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Bombings (pdf)

Additional Resources: 

• Massachusetts Crimes Compensation
• Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance

BREAKING NEWS: SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

BREAKING NEWS: Boston, Massachusetts - The Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in CUSTODY. He is injured, in custody by Police.

Coast Guard searching for missing 49-year-old man in Lynn

BOSTON - The Coast Guard is searching for a missing 49-year-old welder in Lynn Harbor, Mass., after he was last seen working on a barge at the Seaport Landing Marina in Lynn, Mass., Thursday.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston were notified by Lynn Fire Dispatch reporting that a welder working on the barge had not been seen for approximately 45 minutes.

He is described as a 49-year-old white male, five-foot-six inches and 200 pounds. He was reportedly wearing dungaree jeans and a blue hooded sweatshirt.

Currently searching are crews from:

Coast Guard Station Point Allerton, Mass.
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
Lynn Police Department
Lynn Fire Department
Massachusetts State Police divers
Lynn Harbormaster

BREAKING NEWS: The FBI releases new photos of the Marathon Bombing suspects.

Suspect 2

The FBI releases new photos of the Marathon Bombing suspects.

Suspects Together

To Provide Tips in the Investigation

If you have visual images, video, and/or details regarding the explosions along the Boston Marathon route and elsewhere, submit them on https://bostonmarathontips.fbi.gov. No piece of information or detail is too small. 

Red Cross Response to the Boston Marathon Explosions

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 — Our hearts go out to everyone in Boston dealing with this tragedy and our thoughts are with all of those injured.

We understand that people around the country want to help and we appreciate that nationwide show of support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support this event both financially and with an adequate local blood supply.

In response to the marathon bombings, the Red Cross has provided about 450 additional blood products to several area hospitals to help meet the needs of those injured. At the request of Boston area authorities, the Red Cross is also providing mental health and spiritual care support to the people injured and their families. We will be working in close coordination with officials to determine how else we can best help the community and support emergency workers.

People who may want to provide other support to the Red Cross can consider taking one of these actions:

This tragedy shows that emergencies can happen in any community at any time. While the Red Cross has all it needs to respond to this event, we do need the public’s support to respond to the nearly 70,000 other disasters we handle every year around the country and Boston. If you want to support our work responding to and preparing for future emergencies please make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org.
The need for blood is constant. Eligible blood and platelet donors across the country are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
Type O negative blood is often used during emergencies, when there is no time to determine the patient’s blood type. It’s especially important that people with type O blood donate as frequently as they can.
Many people in Boston yesterday jumped in to provide immediate help for the victims. Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies.
Download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone and tablet users. The app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
For those in Boston or have loved ones there, knowing people are safe is the best way to bring peace of mind. It is important for people to connect with one another. People who have access to a computer should go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list themselves as safe. Those in Boston without computer access can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register the person on the site.

Watching the events in Boston unfold both on television and social media can be stressful for people and bring up memories of other tragedies.

Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows for sure what will happen next. It’s important to remember that it's okay to feel nervous. People should take care of themselves and their families, and for example, can reach out to others to offer and receive support. Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety. It’s also important for people not to overexpose themselves to media reports about the tragedy.

Boston Update

Boston Update
Doug Mills
World and National News Editor
RCN America Network

BOSTON UPDATE: It is confirmed the there are 3 dead, over 176 injured with 17 of those still in critical condition.  The FBI has taken charge of the investigation and states that there were only the 2 bombs.  There are also reports of a search of an apartment in Revere overnight. Evidence was removed from the residence.

Richard DesLauriers, special agent in charge of the Boston Field Office, addresses the media. 

Remarks given by Special Agent in Charged Richard DesLauriers at press conference.

I would like to start this morning by thanking the first responders from Boston EMS and Boston Fire Department and the volunteer physicians, nurses, and medical staff from the community who volunteered at the marathon. Their services and heroic actions saved lives yesterday afternoon.

We continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our JTTF [Joint Terrorism Task Force] partners and the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police, as well as all of the other JTTF agencies.

Our mission is clear—to bring to justice those responsible for the marathon bombing.

The American public wants answers. The citizens of the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts want and deserve answers. This group of dedicated men and women standing before you today pledge to do everything possible to get those answers.

This remains a very active investigation. Our ongoing investigation in various locations throughout the area goes on. However, there are no known additional threats. We continue to interview various witnesses and process the crime scene, which could take some time. The citizens of Massachusetts and the city of Boston should expect to see the FBI and its JTTF partners conducting investigative activity in the greater Eastern Massachusetts and Boston areas.

Assistance from the public remains critical in establishing a timeline of events, which leads to swift conclusion through due diligence and strong investigative activity.

We commend the public. We commend the citizens of Boston and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the information that has been provided to law enforcement so far. And we strongly encourage that assistance to continue.

It is paramount to explain the FBI and our JTTF role to a greater extent—the volume of tips we have received and reiterating the resources we provide. We have received voluminous tips over the last 18 hours since the incidents.

We have staffed our 1-800-CALL-FBI tip line and we continue to encourage individuals to contact that line with any additional tips.

We are bringing additional victim assistance and Evidence Response Team resources from our Headquarters components and the field offices to Boston. And they are on site working as we speak, processing evidence at the crime scene.

To the extent the crime scene still plays in Copley perimeter—it continues to be a crime scene and may be that for days.

The FBI JTTF is logically following up on a variety of leads. You will see us and our law enforcement partners interviewing, maybe, your neighbor or co-worker or even yourself in coming days. We encourage you to please cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

The resources of the FBI and the JTTF allow for swift action, which we hope will yield quick results. But that does not diminish our diligence and persistence in combing through the high volume of evidence and leads that we are processing right now. We are just beginning upon that path.

Thank you very much.

BREAKING NEWS: Two explosions at Boston marathon finish line

**BREAKING NEWS**

Boston, Massachusetts - Authorities are investigating a report of two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

There were two booms heard from near the finish line inside the Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel.
Race officials locked down the hotel because of the report.

The sound of two booms, which sounded like thunder, had come a short time earlier.

UPDATE 9:55pm
Officials found 5 more suspect devices, but late Monday said they now doubt the devices were bombs. Wall Street Journal Says

UPDATE 9:26pm
According FOX25 Three people, including an 8-year-old boy, are among the dead following a bombing at the Boston Marathon finish line.


More than 100 people suffered broken or amputated limbs, shrapnel wounds and various other injuries ranging from minor to critical.

The Boston Globe reported that one of the victims was an 8-year-old boy. The boy was not identified.

Officials said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had taken the lead on an investigation into the attack.The special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office said investigators were treating the investigation as criminal and potentially terrorist.

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said officers were painstakingly searching through bags and debris that had been left behind by fleeing marathon watchers to determine if there were any more explosive devices.


UPDATE 6:34pm
Law enforcement sources tell ABC and CNN that the FBI considers the twin explosions to be the work of terrorists. No arrests have been made. Officials have not given any indication of what triggered the powerful explosions.


Nuclear power plants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have increased security after two bombs exploded in Boston on Monday, killing at least two people and injuring dozens. The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass., and the Seabrook Station in Seabrook, N.H., heightened checks of vehicles, materials and individuals entering the plants.

Pilgrim, about 45 miles south of Boston, was already shut down for refueling when the explosions occurred. Seabrook is about 45 miles north of Boston in Seabrook, N.H.

Eliot Brenner, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said federal officials have not ordered changes in security at other U.S. nuclear reactors in the wake of the Boston explosions.

More than 100 reportedly injured.

UPDATE: 6:10pm
57 are currently confirmed injured and the JFK library explosion appears not to be related. President Obama currently doing a  press conference.

UPDATE: : 5:47
President Obama will hold a press conference at 6:10pm.

UPDATE: 5:20pm
Cell phone service in Boston has been shut down.

UPDATE: 4:55pm
Officials say that there has been an explosion at JFK library.

UPDATE: 4:33pm
According to report that there has been two more bombs discovered and are being dismantled.

UPDATED: 4:23pm
NBC News is reporting that a small homemade bomb is the preliminary cause of the explosion -- law enforcement officials tell NBC News.

23 injured and 2 killed at this point in time.

A woman is comforted by a man near a triage tent set up for the Boston Marathon after explosions went off at the 117th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 15, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

Earlier UPDATES:
UPDATE 3:25pm
BOSTON - Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have resulted in injuries.
Bloody spectators were being carried Monday to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. Police wove through competitors as they ran back toward the course.

"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina.

He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.

About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line.
Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

UPDATE 3:33pm

Multiple casualties are reported after at least two explosions were heard near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, according to the Boston Herald.

Witnesses reportedly heard two booms that sounded like two claps of thunder near the finish line inside the Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel. 

The explosions occurred just before 3 p.m. Video of the scene showed a number of emergency crews in the area tending to victims and blood on the ground near the finish line.

"I saw two explosions. The first one was beyond the finish line. I heard a loud bang and I saw smoke rising," Boston Herald reporter Chris Cassidy, who was running in the marathon, told the newspaper. "I kept running and I heard behind me a loud bang. It looked like it was in a trash can or something...There are people who have been hit with debris, people with bloody foreheads.”

A photographer with Fox affiliate WFXT reported seeing a number of victims with lost limbs.

UPDATE 3:46pm
Competitors and race organizers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.

"There are a lot of people down," said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.

About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another thunderous explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Runner Laura McLean of Toronto said she heard two explosions outside the medical tent.

"There are people who are really, really bloody," McLean said. "They were pulling them into the medical tent."

Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.  "I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."

UPDATE 4:11pm
Atleast two killed and 22 injured after explosions at the Boston marathon finish line. 

This story will be updated as information comes available...

Photos Courtesy of Yahoo.com

The President On The Boston Bombings

Megan Slack
The White House

This evening, President Obama made a statement about today’s explosions at the Boston Marathon.

The President explained that he had been briefed by his Homeland Security team, who are continuing to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and had "directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary, and investigate what happened."

“The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight,” he said. “And Michelle and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims in the wake of this senseless loss.”

We still do not know who did this or why.  And people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts.  But make no mistake -- we will get to the bottom of this.  And we will find out who did this; we'll find out why they did this.  Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.
Today is a holiday in Massachusetts -- Patriots’ Day. It’s a day that celebrates the free and fiercely independent spirit that this great American city of Boston has reflected from the  earliest days of our nation. And it’s a day that draws the world to Boston’s streets in a spirit of friendly competition.  Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are its people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city. And as they do, the American people will be with them every single step of the way.
You should anticipate that as we get more information, our teams will provide you briefings. We're still in the investigation stage at this point.  But I just want to reiterate we will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable.

Clean Up Continues After Tug Grounds In Buzzards

BOSTON-The Justice, a 93-foot tug boat, moored at the Mass. Maritime Academy, in Buzzards Bay, Mass. after running aground near the Stony Point Dyke, March 21, 2013. The sheen is reported to be gear oil from the tugs propulsion drive, which was damaged in the grounding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Simpson.

BOSTON — Federal, state and local agencies continue to monitor clean up and recovery efforts today after a tugboat grounded at the southern end of Cape Cod Canal early March 21, closing the canal for several hours.

An incident command post was established at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to assess pollution, coordinate clean up efforts and the removal of debris left from the tug Justice that ran aground, damaging its propulsion system and discharging approximately 330 gallons of gear oil into the waters of Buzzards Bay.

BOSTON-The Coast Guard and partnership agencies work together and stage off absorbent boom to contain a spill in Buzzards Bay, Mass., March 21, 2013. The unified team worked together to contain gear oil that spilled after a 93-foot tugboat, Justice, grounded near the Stony Point Dyke, in Wareham, Mass., at Midnight. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Simpson.

BOSTON-A unified team of federal, state and port partners respond to an oil sheen in Buzzards Bay after the tugboat Justice grounded near the Stony Point Dyke, in Wareham, Mass., March 21, 2013. Agencies worked together to contain the spill by booming off areas and using absorbent pads. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ross Ruddell.

The incident remains under investigation.

Keeping Up With Ice Conditions In Northeast

BOSTON - Coast Guard Tackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.

Maine - The 2013 icebreaking continues for Coast Guard units throughout the Northeast.

Coast Guard units from New Jersey to Maine have been busy breaking ice during the winter months and have been monitoring special aids to navigation in areas known to be impacted by ice. Additionally, Coast Guard-designated ice officers have met with and provided ice training to industry partners.

During the season, Coast Guard Auxiliary members conduct flyovers of areas prone to icing. The information they collect is then relayed to leadership throughout the 1st Coast Guard District.

Some of the most heavily impacted areas with ice this year have been the Hudson River in New York and the Penobscot River in Maine.

The 65-foot Coast Guard Cutters Hawser, Shackle, Tackle, Line and Wire, which are celebrating 50 years in service, have continued to operate in areas impacted with ice.

The Coast Guard breaks ice to:

Ensure fuel and energy products are delivered in time when communities need them.

Continue performing our port security operations, despite weather conditions.

Ensure we are able to respond to maritime emergencies.

Prevent or alleviate flooding.

Support delivery of household goods, food and medical supplies.

Conduct and support scientific research and development.

Protect and facilitate passenger and cargo ferry services.

Here are some things for mariners to be aware of this icebreaking season:

Icebreaking season is from December 17 through March 31.

Aids to navigation may be unreliable in areas impacted by ice due to current conditions. Report any discrepancies to the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Ch 16.

Always check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

Wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia.

Have all of the proper equipment such as a marine band radio and life jackets.

Restrictions may be imposed in local waterways during heavy ice conditions.

Ferry operation may be restricted at passenger terminals susceptible to ice.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Patrol units conduct daily overflights of areas impacted by ice.

Ice is driven by wind and current. It is important for prudent mariners to constantly evaluate ice conditions and make recommendations based on actual observed conditions.

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required if a facility needs to be cleared for mooring or unmooring with type and quantity of cargo.

BOSTON - Coast Guard Shackle's crew breaks ice along the Penobscott River in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 21, 2013. The crew regularly break ice along Maine's rivers to keep the waterway open for commercial traffic and to prevent flooding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Simpson.

McMurtry wins Nastia Liukin Cup in third attempt

Worcester, Massachusetts - Alex McMurtry of Midlothian, Va./Richmond Olympiad Gymnastics, won the all-around title at the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup Friday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. McMurtry, competing in her third-straight Nastia Liukin Cup, proved the third time is the charm and posted a 38.450 to capture the overall crown. Aja-Monet Sims of Clermont, Fla./Brandy Johnson's, 38.175, and Samantha Partyka of Katy, Texas/Champions Gymnastics Academy, 38.075, finished second and third respectively.

Proceeds from the event go to the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.

"I'm really excited. I knew I had a good chance since this is my third year back," McMurtry said, "I was second last year at the Nastia Liukin Cup, so moving up one spot feels really good."

McMurtry came from behind in dramatic fashion to take the all-around title. After starting with an 8.925 on the uneven bars, she performed nearly flawlessly on the last three events. On the balance beam, where she dismounted with a nearly stuck two-and-a-half twist, McMurtry earned a 9.750. Earning a 9.800 on floor exercise, McMurtry received one of the loudest ovations of the night from the crowd of more than 1,300. Her tumbling was sky-high, performing a tuck full-twisting double back and triple full. In the final rotation, McMurtry was almost perfect, scoring 9.975 for her double twisting Yurchenko.

McMurtry had the highest scores of the competition on vault, beam and floor.

Sims earned her highest score of the night, 9.675, on the balance beam, where she executed a front aerial, a back handspring to layout stepout series and double back dismount. Sims also scored 9.600, vault; 9.350, bars; and 9.550, floor.

Posting scores of 9.825, vault; 9.325, bars; 9.300, balance beam; and 9.625, floor exercise, Partyka earned the bronze medal in the all-around.

Ashton Locklear of Huntersville, N.C./Everest Gymnastics, earned the highest score of the night on the uneven bars, a 9.475.

Each of the 34 gymnasts in the field qualified through one of the designated invitationals that comprised the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. A selected number of gymnasts from each invitational advanced to the Nastia Liukin Cup.

The Nastia Liukin Cup participants received a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the AT&T American Cup; and both met and had their photo taken with Liukin. For more information, go to www.nastialiukincup.com.

About Nastia Liukin
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin's total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin's Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin was the third of four U.S. women to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including "Gossip Girl," "Make It or Break it," and the feature film, "Stick It." She was also chosen as one of 2009's most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin is now attending college in New York City. Last fall, she was a member of the creative team and a cast member for the Kellogg's Tour of Olympic Champions, a national, 40-city tour that followed the 2012 Olympic Games. Liukin was coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold.

Coast Guard Crews Save 5 Fishermen 100 Miles Off Nantucket

BOSTON — Coast Guard rescue crews assisted five people aboard a sinking fishing vessel approximately 100 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass., at approximately 3:45 a.m., Thursday.

Watchstanders from the Sector Southeastern New England Command Center received a distress call from the 80-foot fishing vessel Megan-Marie at approximately 6:40 p.m., Wednesday. The vessel reported they were taking on water with five people on board.

The fishing vessel Megan-Marie had all the required safety gear as well as dewatering pumps, but the pumps were not keeping up with the flooding.

A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew, a Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 Hercules crew, the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca and the Coast Guard Cutter Flying Fish were launched to assist.

Additionally, a NAVTEX message was broadcasted requesting vessels in the area to assist if possible.

The air station's newest aircraft, the HC-144 Ocean Sentry, was the first to arrive on scene with the vessel. They established communications and delivered two dewatering pumps. Weather conditions were reportedly 10 to 14-foot seas and 25-knot winds.

The C-130 Hercules crew dropped an additional pump which allowed the Megan-Marie crew to control the flooding and identify the source.

The source of the flooding is a hole located under the engine block, making it impossible to patch or secure underway.

The Seneca and the Flying Fish are escorting the Megan-Marie and her crew safely to their homeport of New Bedford, Mass. They will remain with the vessel to ensure issues like fuel or flooding create more safety risks.

“The new HC-144 Ocean Sentry out of Air Station Cape Cod has only been standing the watch a few weeks and this was a major search and rescue response," said Lt. Joe Klinker, 1st Coast Guard District public affairs officer. "To get supplies to that crew, in those conditions... once these fishermen get back into port and see their families, it will be a true testament to how important that search and rescue mission is."

The HC-144A also has operational flexibility, with a rear ramp that allows crews to quickly reconfigure the aircraft for varied missions such as command and control, medical evacuation or passenger transport. With an endurance of more than 10 hours, this fixed-wing, turbo-prop aircraft has an extensive sensor capability that helps the Coast Guard fulfill its maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue missions more effectively.