Carolyn Gardner said she is speaking out against racism for all the children in the Amherst system.

AMHERST – More than 100 people from town and beyond rallied on the Town Common Tuesday evening for math teacher Carolyn Gardner and the greater community.

Gardner, the Amherst High School math teacher who was the target for racist graffiti four separate times, returned to school Tuesday after more than a two-week absence following the attacks. She was one of many to address the crowd at the vigil organized by Stand Against Institutional Racism.

She said her fight calling attention to the racism is for all the children in the system. “If we don’t talk about it, it will not be fixed,” she said. “I need you to be present,” she said, that means in the schools. “I need you to be vocal,” she said, pushing for change. Two weeks ago, speaking at the Amherst Regional School Committee meeting, she said the response to racism has been sluggish and anemic.

Kathleen Anderson, a former School Committee member and president of the town chapter of the NAACP, exhorted the crowd wearing orange in solidarity with Gardner said, “We need your presence, we need your voices, we need your privilege.” Much of the audience was white. “We need you to stand up.

Susan Theberge who helped organize the rally said what happened with Gardner “really pushed it (racism) into everybody’s consciousness.
“It can’t be swept under the rug,” she said.

People were so moved they are coming together to push for change. She said it has to happen community wide.

Sonji Johnson –Anderson, a friend of Gardner, said what happened has reenergized the community to address racism.

Trevor Baptiste, a member of the school committee, said that Garner was brave calling the response to what happened anemic. But he said, the committee had not yet discusses what happened. But he said what happened “cant’ be shrugged off.” The committee took myriad comments at the March 25 meeting. He said “getting rid of institutional racism is a requirement in the 21st century.”

The rally was held just before the start of the regional committee Tuesday night. Many who gathered were planning to attend that meeting at the high school.

A rally had been held for Gardner March 31.

The property has been considered unsafe and has been boarded up for at least a year.

SPRINGFIELD - The city on Wednesday is scheduled to begin demolition of a blighted multi-unit house at 122-124 Kensington Ave. in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood, the office of Mayor Domenic Sarno announced.

Demolition will be conducted by Associated Building Wreckers of Springfield. Cleanup is expected to last through the end of the week.

Sarno, in a prepared statement said “This is one more step in our efforts in neighborhood revitalization and a continuance of our fight against blight throughout the City of Springfield”.

The property has been considered unsafe and has been boarded up for at least a year.
Sarno called the building an eyesore for the neighborhood.

In February 2011, ten people in four apartments were displaced when a portion of the roof collapsed due to heavy snow.

According to city records, the property was most recently owned by Felipe and Benigno Rivera. They are listed as owing the city $1753 in property taxes and the city has moved to place a lien on the property.

The group is open to all grandparents, regardless of age or residency.

CHICOPEE – The Chicopee Council on Aging and Senior Center’s monthly Grandparents As Parents Support Group will feature guest speakers from the Hampden County Registry of Probate at 6 p.m., April 15 at the center, located at 7 Valley View Court.

Register of Probate Suzanne T. Seguin and her staff will talk about topics grandparents who are raising their grandchildren may be interested in, including guardianship, temporary agent status and restraining orders.

The Grandparents As Parents Support Group is for grandparents, regardless of age or residency, who are providing primary caregiving responsibilities to their grandchildren or relative kin. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Chicopee Senior Center. Childcare is available during the meeting.

Contact Holly Angelo at 534-3698 for more information.

AMHERST - Amherst Regional School Superintendent Maria Geryk said that lockdowns should be somewhat and shouldn’t be drawing the media. They are different than shelter in place. Geryk explained Tuesday at the School Committee meeting if it’s “a shelter in place that means it’s imminent risk. A lockdown is the locking of doors.” She said lockdowns are implemented when there...

AMHERST - Amherst Regional School Superintendent Maria Geryk said that lockdowns should be somewhat and shouldn’t be drawing the media.

They are different than shelter in place. Geryk explained Tuesday at the School Committee meeting if it’s “a shelter in place that means it’s imminent risk. A lockdown is the locking of doors.”

She said lockdowns are implemented when there might be a sick child in the hallways and they want to keep the hallways clear. “People tend to think it’s dire circumstances.” But she said they are routine. At the same time, the don't want to see as many that have occurred in recent weeks. There were three incidents within two weeks.

Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone said “I fell very comfortable where the schools are.”

“The communication and the amount of training that goes on annually, has never been better. I feel very comfortable where the schools are security wise. Unfortunately we’re learning form the tragedies (nationwide.)

“All of the lockdowns have been spot on,” he said. “They have become more routine that’s a good thing. It’s like a fire drill,” he said.

Lt. Robert O’Connor said he praised the school department for the lockdowns. “That is a difficult task to undertake.” He congratulated the schools for making that decision. “I’d much rather we can address the situation very quickly.”

School Committee member Richard Hood asked about addressing the issue of people entering the schools without following protocols of signing in.

Geryk there’s a challenge at the middle school, officials can’t see the front door when they buzz people in. The schools are considering cameras and the committee will be discussing that its next meeting April 29.

She said there are staffing needs to address the issue as well.

Committee member Kathleen Traphagen said she doesn’t see the lockdowns as routine and when she sees the messages it “freaks her out.”

And she said, “We need to take into account the affect on the children and
how parents understand what is actually happening at these events.”

Committee member Trevor Baptiste however feels all the issues surrounding racism has put the schools on hair-trigger lockdowns and he wants those issues addressed.

Teacher Carolyn Gardner was the subject of four racist attacks recently, which has focused aattention on the need for the community to address institutional racism. A rally was held to support her prior to Tuesday night's meeting.

Gorman received 70 percent of the 1,422 votes cast.

EAST LONGMEADOW - William Gorman scored a landslide victory over Peter Punderson Tuesday night to claim a seat on the Board of Selectmen.

The final vote was 1,005 for Gorman to 417 for Punderson.

Gorman received 70 percent of the 1,422 votes cast.

After the results came in, Gorman said he wished to thank his wife, Linda, for her support.

He said that while on the Board of Selectmen, he will work to increase transparency in town business, to reduce taxes and to change how the town hires new employees.

Town Clerk Thomas Florence said 14.5 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

Punderson had previously served briefly on the board for 5 months in 2012-13 after winning a special election following a vacancy, but he lost the regular election last April to Angela Thorpe.

His campaign this time around has been dogged by financial problems, most notably his filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy related to his former business, Scantic Oil.

Reporter Elizabeth Roman is in East Longmeadow and will be filing a more detailed report shortly.

Prosecutors say Galileo Mondol was one of 3 Somerville High soccer players charged with sexually assaulting teammates Aug. 25 at a preseason team-building camp in Otis.

PITTSFIELD — A judge has ruled that the case of a Somerville teenager charged with using a broomstick to rape another student at a Berkshire County sports camp should be heard in juvenile court.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that a Superior Court judge also dismissed seven adult charges against 17-year-old Galileo Mondol.

Mondol's attorneys had requested the move due to a change in state law that prohibits adult charges against those under age 18 in most cases. They asked the court to dismiss charges because the indictments were filed after the law took effect.

The district attorney's office has asked for a reconsideration.

Prosecutors say Mondol was one of three Somerville High soccer players charged with sexually assaulting teammates Aug. 25 at a preseason team-building camp in Otis. He pleaded not guilty.

Hoopla Digital works on most Apple and Android devices.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield City Library patrons have a new digital service at their disposal, giving them access to scores more audio books, movies and music. The library is now offering “Hoopla Digital,” a service that allows Springfield library card holders to enjoy on-demand content from their personal computers, smartphones, tablets and Apple TV without waiting to borrow the content.

The service is part of the Springfield Library’s mission to provide patrons with more requested services.

“There’s some community demand for streaming media,” said Ann Keefe, manager of Technical Services for the Springfield City Library. “If they’re using it on their personal computer, they can stream the music or movies or audio books, but they can also temporary download it onto smartphones and tablets.”

Hoopla Digital works on most Apple and Android devices, but does not work on some devices, such as the Kindle Fire.

Keefe said in addition to offering more types of materials to loan, there is one major difference that makes Hoopla Digital more user-friendly.

“With (other digital library lending services), the model is one copy, one loan,” she said. “So if 50 people are interested in the same thing at the same time, there’s a long waiting list. With this, there’s no waiting list. Everyone can access it at the same time.”

Movies and television shows are lent for three days. On a Mac or personal computer, the user can stream movies or TV shows as many times as they want in that time period. To use a tablet device, users must install a free application on their device in order to view the content.

Keefe said the movies and television shows currently offered aren’t the latest available.

“They tend to be older things – about two years old,” she said. “You aren’t going to see the latest ‘Game of Thrones.’ But people that are interested in niche things are finding some unique things that they can pick up.”

When it comes to music, Hoopla Digital does not offer anything from the Sony catalog, but other popular music is available, even on the day it comes out.

“(New music) usually comes out on Tuesdays,” Keefe said. “If 50 people are interested in it, they can all get it.”

Music is loaned for seven days. Audio books are available for 21 days. Hoopla Digital also offers an automatic return feature, which eliminates overdue fees.

And if a patron isn’t done with the item after the loan period is up?

“You can’t technically renew them at the end, but since there’s no waiting list, you can go in and check them out again,” Keefe said.

There are lending limits, however. Each patron is allowed to borrow up to eight items per month through Hoopla Digital.

Keefe said the service is simple to use.

“It’s a very easy-to-use browsing page,” she said. “It shows you the top titles, the newly added titles, or you can do specific searches.”

Keefe said the library staff is sure patrons will be happy with the new service.

“It’s to keep up with the digital shift,” she said. “At this point, we’re certainly not cutting back on our physical media – our books and CDs. This is just another service.”

In order for patrons to use Hoopla Digital, they must have a valid Springfield City Library card in good standing, as well as a valid email address.

For more information on Hoopla Digital, visit www.springfieldlibrary.org or stop by the library at 220 State Street, Springfield.

Voters will be asked to approve the budget at the May 12 annual town meeting.

Todd GazdaRepublican file 

LUDLOW – School Superintendent Todd Gazda Tuesday night presented a proposed fiscal 2015 school budget of $27,520,217, an increase of 4.5 percent over the fiscal 2014 school budget of $26,324,920.

Gazda said his proposed budget is $109,000 over the amount which selectmen said the town will be able to afford next year and stay within the Proposition 2 ½ tax cap..

“If I have to cut this budget again, I don’t know where I will make the cuts,” Gazda said.

He said the budget includes the elimination of one third grade teacher, since a retirement is anticipated.

Class size in third grade will remain at 21 or 22 students even with the reduction, the superintendent said.

The budget also includes an addition of a physical education teacher for Baird Middle School and a half-time Portuguese teacher for Baird Middle School.

There is strong interest in town in the Portuguese language program because there are many people of Portuguese descent in town.

Gazda said the school district offers four years of Portuguese which gives students a unique advantage when they graduate from Ludlow High School.

Gazda’s proposed budget also calls for the addition of a kindergarten and a first grade teacher at East Street School and a half time teacher’s aid at East Street School.

Gazda said enrollment is growing in kindergarten and first grade.

The School Committee still must vote to approve the proposed budget before it goes before the Finance Committee for a recommendation. Final approval will be by voters at the May 12 annual town meeting.

School Committee member Charles Mullin praised Gazda and the schools’ administrative team for looking at the needs of the school district as a whole.

Gazda thanked Selectman Manuel Silva for attending Tuesday’s public hearing on the fiscal 2015 proposed school budget.

For the Electric Light Department directors, Christine Archambault beat incumbent Rita Lawler by a vote of 693-363, Hamlin said.

SOUTH HADLEY — An incumbent lost her seat on the Electric Light Department board of directors during an election Tuesday that also saw eight people chosen to represent Precinct B on town meeting.

Town Clerk Charlene C. Hamlin said 1,098 or 10 percent of the voters cast ballots.

For the Electric Light Department directors, Christine Archambault beat incumbent Rita Lawler by a vote of 693-363 for the three-year seat, Hamlin said.

Those elected to represent Precinct B on town meeting are Evelyn Chesky, Francis DeToma, Eleanor Klepacki, Rudolph Ternbach, Thomas Terry, Ann Awad, Stefani Holmes and Gerald Judge.

Hamlin said the high volume of write-in votes for positions on the Planning Board and Council of Governments will require further tabulation.

Incumbents Francis DeToma and Sarah Etelman were unopposed for three-year terms on the selectboard.

Other incumbents unopposed for three-year terms included Barry Waite and Eric Sarrazin for School Committee; Michael Rosner for Board of Health; Mary Dufault for Housing Authority; Kevin Taugher for Board of Assessors; and Susan Obremski Crowther, David Morrell, and Gillian Woldorf as Free Public Library trustees.

Prosecutors said Ana Trujillo used her high heel shoe to kill 59-year-old Alf Stefan Andersson during an argument at his Houston condominium in June.

HOUSTON -- A Houston woman was convicted of murder Tuesday for fatally stabbing her boyfriend with the 5½-inch stiletto heel of her shoe, hitting him at least 25 times in the face.

Prosecutors said Ana Trujillo used her high heel shoe to kill 59-year-old Alf Stefan Andersson during an argument at his Houston condominium in June.

Trujillo's attorney had argued the 45-year-old woman was defending herself during an attack by Andersson, a University of Houston professor and researcher.

Trujillo, who faces up to life in prison, showed little emotional reaction when the jury verdict was read. She had been out of jail on bond but was taken into custody after the guilty verdict. The jury, which deliberated for about two hours before reaching its verdict, will begin hearing evidence in the trial's punishment phase Wednesday.

Before she was taken into custody, Trujillo could be overhead speaking in Spanish with some friends, telling them, "I loved him and he was crazy."

Jack Carroll, Trujillo's attorney, said he was disappointed with the verdict and Trujillo was "taking it a little hard but she's pretty tough."

"I'm hoping that they will be merciful in the punishment," Carroll said, adding he will be asking for a prison sentence of two years.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the case until after a sentence is announced.

Prosecutors told jurors that after a night of drinking, the couple began arguing and during the confrontation, Andersson was injured and fell on his back. Trujillo sat on Andersson, preventing him from getting up and repeatedly struck him in the face and head with her shoe, they said.

"This is not self-defense. This is a vicious murder," prosecutor John Jordan told jurors during closing arguments earlier Tuesday.

Jordan told jurors that Trujillo had a history of violence, reminding them of testimony by two witnesses who said Trujillo had attacked them two weeks before Andersson's death.

James Wells, who had been romantically involved with Trujillo, testified that in an unprovoked attack, Trujillo bit him on his head, pulled skin from his skull, and then told him, "You're a dead man." Chanda Ellison, who had also been romantically involved with Wells, testified she had to use a stick to fend off an attack from Trujillo in her home.

During witness testimony, prosecutors highlighted that Trujillo did not have any injuries from her confrontation with Andersson while the researcher had defensive wounds on his hands and wrists. Trujillo's attorneys argued she did have injuries.

Defense attorneys told jurors Trujillo did the only thing she could do while being attacked: defend herself.

"What would you do if there was the threat of serious bodily injury ... if the threat of death is there? You defend yourself," Carroll said in closing arguments.

Prosecution witnesses portrayed Andersson, a native of Sweden who became a U.S. citizen, as mild-mannered and quiet.

In a video of Trujillo's police interrogation that was played at trial, she told detectives Andersson had become enraged after thinking she was going to leave him, attacked her and that she used the only weapon she had at her disposal -- her shoe -- to defend herself.

Trujillo told detectives she hit Andersson with her shoe "a couple of times" and didn't realize she had hurt him until she saw blood on the floor. Trujillo told detectives she tried performing CPR on Andersson.

The blue suede stiletto heel -- a size 9 platform pump with a 5 1/2-inch heel -- was brought out during testimony about the bloody crime scene and also during closing arguments.

In video and photos taken by police at the crime scene, the stiletto heel can be seen lying on the carpeted floor of Andersson's condominium, above his head. A large pool of blood was also near his head, which was bloodied, purple and had several visible wounds.

The 2014 election had only one contested race.

EAST LONGMEADOW - After three previous attempts William "Billy" Gorman has earned a seat on the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen.

"It took five years, but we did it," he said at a small celebration at Spoleto Restaurant in the center of town Tuesday night.

Gorman,70, is a business owner and life-long resident of the town. He beat former Planning Board and Board of Selectmen member Peter Punderson for the seat with 1,005 votes to Punderson's 471.

Punderson served briefly on the board for five months in 2012-13 after winning a special election following a vacancy, but he lost the regular election in April 2013 to Angela Thorpe.

Gorman waited for the results outside Birchland Park Middle School. Punderson was not available for comment once the polls closed and did not wait to hear the results.

William Gorman stands with his wife of more than 45 years Linda Gorman. Gorman is the newest member of the Board of Selectmen in East Longmeadow.Elizabeth Roman/The Republican 

"I just want to say I feel sorry for the Punderson family, Mr. Punderson and his brothers. I think Pete should have gotten out of the race because of the situation he was in, but team corruption didn't seem to care about his family and kept pushing him to do it," Gorman said, referring to Punderson's financial troubles including his filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a lawsuit filed against him by his former business partner at Scantic Oil.

Gorman use of the term "team corruption" echoed statements he made two weeks ago in a debate with Punderson.

Gorman, who has never held public office, ran for the seat three times in the past few years. He said he is prepared to take on the challenge and work closely with the current members of the board and other department heads.

"I want to be transparent with the people," he said. " The first thing I want to do is look at the taxes because people are definitely upset about it."

Gorman also said he wants to look at the town's current hiring process.

"I want to see why the hiring process in this town is corrupted. There are people that should be hired that aren't and some that shouldn't be hired," he said. "I want to be able to tell the people that the corruption has ended in East Longmeadow."

Gorman also thanked his wife of 48 years, Linda, for all her support.

"She didn't want me to go through this again," he said.

Town Clerk Thomas Florence said the 14.5 percent voter turnout was to be expected with only one contested race.

"Last year we had an 18.2 percent turnout and there were several races," he said.

Gorman said he was thankful to the people who came out and voted and he extended his assistance to Punderson.

"If there is anything I can help him with I would," he said.

The City of Springfield Law Department issued a legal order Tuesday preventing Clemente’s Bar & Grille Inc., also known as the LUX Nightclub located at 90 Worthington St., from holding an event on April 26.

SPRINGFIELD — A downtown bar has been issued a cease and desist order by the city over a proposed ladies night in the wake of a shooting outside its walls early Sunday that left several people with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The City of Springfield Law Department issued a legal order Tuesday preventing Clemente’s Bar & Grille Inc., also known as the LUX Nightclub, located at 90 Worthington St., from holding an event on April 26 offering reduced cover charges for women along with drink specials to patrons. The city claims the advertised event was in violation of state laws preventing gender discrimination and offering drink specials to limited circumstances.

The city also claims the fliers were posted in violation of a city ordinance stating that "handbills must not be placed on trees, fences, unoccupied vehicles or buildings." The fine for the last alleged offense is listed as $50 on the city's website.

Police cars and yellow crime scene tape surround the area in front of the Lux Nightclub on Worthington Street, where several people were wounded in a shooting the morning of April 6, 2014.Dave Canton / The Republican

"We will continue to make sure pouring establishments are adhering to the law," Mayor Domenic Sarno said in a press release announcing the action. "We will not tolerate establishments that ignore state law and city ordinances."

Following the dispute outside the establishment over the weekend, Sarno said gang members and the businesses that attract them are to blame for such incidents of violence that contribute to a bad reputation for the city. In response, the owner of the nightclub, Bloomfield, Connecticut, resident Sherwood Jarrett, said that Sarno shouldn't blame business owners for the acts committed by their patrons.

Sarno said the city would exercise its oversight of granting late-night entertainment licenses in Springfield and "weed out the bad apples," as staff writer Conor Berry reported on Sunday. The cease and desist order seems to be the first salvo in the battle between the city and the nightclub.

Cease and Desist order to Lux Nightclub

The construction area is from Pasco Road to the Wilbraham line, and covers about 1.2 miles.

SPRINGFIELD – The city Department of Public Works announced Wednesday that work has resumed on a $7.4 million road reconstruction project along a stretch of Boston Road after work had been shut down for the winter months.

The contractor, Ludlow Construction Co., has returned its equipment to the scene and has begun installing sidewalks, curbs and traffic signals along the route.

Motorists could experience delays during construction periods, officials said.

The project began last fall and is expected to be done in early 2015.

The construction area is from Pasco Road to the Wilbraham line, and covers about 1.2 miles.

The construction project is being managed by the City’s Department of Public Works, with assistance from Tighe & Bond of Westfield, MA, with funding being provided by the City and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Of the $7.4 million cost, Springfield is paying $6 million and the state Department of Transportation providing $1.4 million.

Plans call for a better alignment of Boston Road as well as five key intersections: Pasco Road, Parker Street, the Eastfield Mall, Springdale Mall and Kent Road.

When completed, the Boston Road corridor, one of the busiest in the city, is expected to be better in terms of traffic flow and safety, and will aid merchants including the Eastfield Mall, officials have said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, in a prepared statement said, “This not only continues a roadway improvement project but also building upon and enhancing economic development of our Boston Road business corridor.”

Ware’s town-wide election is Monday, April 14. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting is at town hall, 126 Main St.

WARE – There is a race for School Committee and a referendum to alter the structure of a municipal department on the annual election ballot.

Ware’s town-wide election is Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting is at Town Hall, 126 Main St.

Kristin D. Bateman, Veronica Slattery and Marcia Vadnais are seeking election to the School Committee. The winner fills the seat vacated by Chris Desjardins, who resigned earlier this year. The opening is for two years.

A ballot question asks voters to amend the town charter.

The change would create a “Planning and Community Development Department” directed by the town manager. The new department would include the planning board, zoning board of appeals, community development authority, tax increment financing committee, and a planning and community development advisory committee.

The proposed amendment to the charter would also create a director of planning and community development position, while eliminating the town planner's role.

Language contained in the proposal says the planning and community development director would be appointed by the town manager and would report to that office. The change would take effect on July 1.

Incumbents John E. Carroll and John A. Desmond are unopposed for three terms on the Board of Selectmen.

Also running unopposed for three year terms are the following incumbents:

Moderator, Kathleen H. Coulombe; School Committee, Aaron R. Sawabi; Board of Assessors, Theodore Balicki; Board of Health, Joseph J. Ciejka; Cemetery Commissioner, Margaret D. Sorel; Park Commissioner, William R. Imbier.

There is an open seat for a five-year term on the planning board. No one took out nomination papers.

Ware has 6,216 registered voters.

Some parents who attended, including Richard Lynch, rejected the idea of hiring an interim Belchertown school chief, and said the committee should consider the other 2 finalists.

BELCHERTOWN — As the Belchertown School Committee began another search for a new superintendent Tuesday and said they hope to hire one by Jan. 1, some parents in attendance voiced criticism of the board.

The committee also plans to use an interim for the position beginning July 1, when departing Superintendent Judith Houle’s contract expires.

Following an eight-month search, the board had interviewed three finalists last week, but their unanimous selection, John Provost, has decided to accept Northampton’s offer instead.

At Tuesday's meeting, the school board was divided on whether the other two finalists should now receive consideration, but that idea was defeated on a 3-2 vote.

Some parents who attended, including Richard Lynch, rejected the idea of hiring an interim school chief, and said the committee should consider the other two finalists.

The board noted that neither of them had experience as a superintendent. They are Lenox public schools principal Timothy Lee, and Lynn Ann Clark, the principal at Gen. John J. Stefanik Memorial School in Chicopee.

Lynch told the board he has been a senior business executive in the private sector for years, and that in his line of work, it is routine to fill key jobs from a pool of qualified individuals.

“I would think you could get it right with three candidates,” he said.

In response, school board chairman Linda Tsoumas compared the situation in Belchertown to a person seeking another’s hand in marriage.

She said if a person’s request to marry another is rebuffed, it would be unseemly for that individual to then approach the most recent person he or she dated, and ask them.

Some other parents wished the committee well and urged them to take their time to find the best superintendent.

At the urging of town administrator Gary Brougham, a projected starting salary for the new superintendent posting was increased to $135,000 from $120,000.

And according to the organization contracted to oversee the search process, the Massachusetts Association of School Committee’s, neither Lee nor Clark would be selected as finalists in the new search.

The first part of the process involves MASC soliciting candidates. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. The school board said they expect to make a selection by the middle of October.

Berkshire Medical Center said in its release that the 143-employee number includes physicians and other clinical support staff who once worked for physicians practices once associated with North Adams Regional Hospital and its parent organization, Northern Berkshire Healthcare.

NORTH ADAMS - Berkshire Medical Center has hired 143 former North Adams Regional Hospital employees, according to an update supplied by the center Wednesday afternoon.

The news release references plans to create a satellite emergency department of Pittsfield's Berkshire Medical Center in North Adams. North Adams and the more than 30,000 area residents have been without an emergency room since North Adams Regional Hospital shut down abruptly two weeks ago.

North Adams Regional Hospital subsequently filed for bankruptcy.

But an emergency room only will not satisfy many in the community and it certainly won't satisfy the Massachusetts Nurses Association, a union representing 100 of the 500 North Adams employees who lost jobs, said union spokesman David Schildmeier.

"A satellite emergency room really doesn't address the needs. It doesn't provide the care the community had and it doesn't provide the care the community needs," he said.

Massachusetts Nurses Association members plan to travel next week to Boston to press their case for a full-service North Adams hospital to lawmakers in the Statehouse.

Berkshire Medical Center said in its release that the 143-employee number includes physicians and other clinical support staff who had worked for physicians practices once associated with North Adams Regional Hospital and its parent organization, Northern Berkshire Healthcare.

Of the 143 , 96 are permanent positions and 47 are temporary 90-day positions, the release said. Some of the temporary positions may become permanent or extended beyond 90 days depending on the needs in North Adams.

In addition to the 143, Berkshire Medical Center hired four former North Adams employees to work in Berkshire Medical Center's existing operations, not in the new North Adams operations.

In the last few weeks a number of employers, including Baystate Health and its Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Holyoke Medical Center have recruited former North Adams employees. Neither Baystate nor Holyoke could say if anyone had been hired yet.

Berkshire Medical Center also gave updates for health consumers:

Physician Practices

VNA visiting nurses & Hospice Care

Home care and Hospice services continue uninterrupted in Northern Berkshire. VNA & Hospice will be opening an office at 26 Union St., first floor, North Adams.

Ecu-Health Care

Ecu Healthcare will be relocating in the near future to 26 Union St., first floor, North Adams.

Care Line

Berkshire Medical Center continues to maintain a toll free Care Line for North Berkshire residents who have questions about accessing services, transportation or general healthcare questions. That number is (855) 262-5465.

Many prom gowns have been donated, and the school is getting the word out to students in need before the May 30 prom.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield High School is accepting donations of gently worn prom gowns for the Terrier Closet, a space within the school where students can anonymously obtain useful items such as backpacks, clothing, hygiene products, and also prom dresses, according to a release from the school.

Many prom gowns have been donated, and the school is getting the word out to students in need before the May 30 prom.

Students who are in need of a gown for the prom are encouraged to look over the Terrier Closet’s selection.

Terrier Closet was launched in as a senior internship/community service project by Sarah Mickel, Class of 2011, and the project continued to flourish with the help of the high school’s Reconnecting Youth students and teachers Kelli Quigley and Alan Gates.

Mikel's sister, Rachel, Class of 2014, is working with Quigley this year to sustain the project, and they want to have pre-owned prom gowns available at Terrier Closet. Email Quigley at quigley@wsps.org for more information or to donate a prom gown.

The commission is scheduled to resume considering a proposal for a Polish historic district, which could include removal of some properties from the proposal.

HOLYOKE -- More than 30 people are packed into a conference room at City Hall Annex Wednesday but the meeting drawing them on a proposed Polish historic district might not happen.

The seven-member Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District Commission has only three members present. The state Open Meeting Law requires that a public board have a quorum, or majority, of members in attendance for an official meeting to proceed.

Only three members had arrived by 6:40 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. meeting.

Cochairman Matthew Chenier said a fourth member is expected at 7 p.m.

Besides Chenier, board members Olivia Mausel and Beth Strycharz have shown up.

Absent are members Peter Papineau, Sandra Parent, James Sutter and Wendy Weiss, according to the commission member list on the city website.

The district would be on the southern part of Lyman Street encompassing 28 residential and commercial properties that supporters say comprise one of Holyoke's last remaining Polish neighborhoods.

The plan to include Mater Dolorosa Church in the proposed district has been a controversy.

The church at Lyman and Maple streets is 113-years-old. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield closed the church in June 2011, merging that parish with the former Holy Cross Church to form a new parish, Our Lady of the Cross. That parish has Masses and other services at the former Holy Cross Church at 23 Sycamore St.

The church at Lyman and Maple streets is 113-years-old. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield closed the church in June 2011, merging that parish with the former Holy Cross Church to form a new parish, Our Lady of the Cross. That parish has Masses and other services at the former Holy Cross Church at 23 Sycamore St.

The Diocese, which owns the church, opposes its inclusion in a historic district. Diocese officials have cited the loss of flexibility and the cost to make renovations as drawbacks to property being designated historic. The Historical Commission must approve renovations to exterior parts of such property such as roofs and windows and the materials used must reflect the building's heritage, and some people say such restrictions can be costly.

But many people said the church, which was built and paid for by Polish immigrants, was the neighborhood's centerpiece and thus must be protected from demolition with a historic district designation. People came here from Poland in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

The commission is supposed to consider whether to remove some properties from the proposed district. Those could include Mater Dolorosa School 25 Maple St. and the Pope John Paul II Social Center on St. Kolbe Drive, said Olivia Mausel, a member of the commission and also chairwoman of the Holyoke Historical Commission.

The commission also could vote to send its draft of the proposed historic district to the city Law Department, she said.

Ali said that her critics selectively pick quotes and that she doubts the university was not aware of them.

BOSTON — Brandeis University has transformed an accolade into "a moment of shaming" by withdrawing a plan to give an honorary degree to a Muslim women's advocate who has made comments critical of Islam, she said Wednesday.

The university decided late Tuesday not to honor Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali at the May 18 commencement after receiving complaints from some students, faculty members and others, including an online petition.

Ali, a member of the Dutch Parliament from 2003 to 2006, has been quoted as making comments critical of Islam. That includes a 2007 interview with Reason Magazine in which she said of the religion: "Once it's defeated, it can mutate into something peaceful. It's very difficult to even talk about peace now. They're not interested in peace. I think that we are at war with Islam. And there's no middle ground in wars."

Brandeis, outside Boston in Waltham, Mass., said it had not been aware of Ali's statements earlier.

"She is a compelling public figure and advocate for women's rights, and we respect and appreciate her work to protect and defend the rights of women and girls throughout the world," said the university's statement. "That said, we cannot overlook certain of her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis University's core values."

Ali said that her critics selectively pick quotes and that she doubts the university was not aware of them.

"What was initially intended as an honor has now devolved into a moment of shaming," she said in a statement Wednesday. "Yet the slur on my reputation is not the worst aspect of this episode. More deplorable is that an institution set up on the basis of religious freedom should today so deeply betray its own founding principles.

"The 'spirit of free expression' referred to in the Brandeis statement has been stifled here, as my critics have achieved their objective of preventing me from addressing the graduating Class of 2014."

Some alumni, students and faculty did voice support for honoring Ali, who was raised in a strict Muslim family but renounced the faith in her 30s after surviving a civil war, genital mutilation, beatings and an arranged marriage

The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of City Hall.

SPRINGFIELD - The management of Aquarius Nightclub on State Street have been called to meet with the city License Commission Thursday to discuss possible shortfalls in the club’s security arrangements that may have led to one of its bouncers being stabbed during a March 23 disturbance.

The city notified the owner and manager of the club at 1217 State St. that they are being asked to hearing before the commission to discuss the incident and allegations that the club may have violated state laws, city ordinances or the conditions of its license to operate. The notification letter was hand-delivered to the club’s manager, Esteban Venagas, by Springfield police officers.

The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of City Hall.

The hearing was scheduled by the commission to review security procedures, in particular allegations that the club had insufficient numbers of security on hand, that it failed to notify police of the disturbance, and that it failed to comply with the security plan on file with the commission.

All of this is result of a fight involving several patrons and security at the club at around 1:30 a.m. on March 23.

According to police, one of the club’s bouncers tried to control a large crowd, when patrons started fighting. The bouncer ended up being stabbed from behind by someone in the crowd.

The bouncer would be treated at Bay state Medical Center but was not seriously injured, police said.

Police would later arrest a 34-year-old city man and charge him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of oxycodone.