The sale features perennials and flowering bushes from members' own gardens.

WILBRAHAM _ The Wilbraham Garden Club will hold its annual plant and bake sale May 10 at 8 a.m. at Gazebo Park on Main Street.

The event is free and open to the public. The sale features perennials and flowering bushes from members’ own gardens. Annuals, herbs and colorful hanging baskets also will be available. In addition, there will be gently used garden accents for sale.

Members wearing their flowered straw hats will answer questions concerning growing requirements, placement and conditions necessary to promote healthy plants.

A bake sale also will be offering homemade treats. Cookie platters, breads, cakes and pies are available just in time for Mother’s Day and First Communions and other special events. Garden Club President Ginny McGovern reminds shoppers to arrive early as gardeners snap up plants and goodies early – rain or shine.

This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Wilbraham Garden Club. The sale provides monetary support to civic organizations and civic activities in town.

The alleged victim testified that Wang kissed and touched her sexually against her will on Feb. 19 of last year in his dormitory room.

NORTHAMPTON - After deliberating for half a day, a Hampshire Superior Court jury found Weiland Wang innocent Wednesday of raping a fellow University of Massachusetts student and Chinese national.

Wang, 19, hugged his mother and aunt, both of whom had come from China for the trial, after Judge John Agostini dismissed the jury. He did not speak to the media, but his lawyer, John Patrick Connor, said his client was "elated and relieved."

The woman testified that Wang kissed and touched her sexually against her will on Feb. 19 of last year in his dormitory room. The woman had gone there to student and fallen asleep in Wang's bed. Mandarin translators were provided for both Wang and the alleged victim, although both speak some English.

Taking the stand in his own defense Monday, Wang told a much different story. According to him, the two had been kissing and petting for days prior to the incident. He testified that they went shopping together and that he bought condoms for himself and sleep medicine for her. Although the woman did not claim they had sexual intercourse on Feb. 19, Wang said she willing engaged in it with him between calls from her boyfriend in China.

Later, Wang told police he had tried to rape the woman. On the stand he characterized this as an attempt to save her honor, saying woman are ostracized in China for having relationships with more than one man at a time.

Connor said Wednesday that his client's testimony turned the case around.

"He had no chance for prevailing unless he told his story," he said.

The woman was not in court for the verdict.

Wang was trespassed from the UMass campus pending resolution of the charges against him. Connor said he does not know if his client will return to school there or how UMass will respond to the verdict.

In addition to rape, Wang was charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. The jury, which began deliberating Monday morning and arrived at a verdict before 2 p.m., acquitted him of those counts as well.

Amherst League of Women Voters member Eva Cashdan thinks the sale might offer even more books than ever this year. More than 12,000 books have been collected.

AMHERST – Members of the League of Women Voters were pricing and boxing the last of the thousands of donated books Wednesday afternoon that Thursday will be transported to the Town Common for the 66th annual used book sale this weekend.

League member Eva Cashdan said the book sale might offer even more books than ever this year. More than 12,000 books have been collected.

For the first time, the league has been sorting the titles at the East Street School and have needed a stable of volunteers to cart them up and down the stairs. The dumbwaiter in the school was not working.

The book sale is one of the oldest and largest in New England and is the major fund-raiser for the league and helps finance voter service programs and publications such as the Amherst Voter Guide and “They Represent You,” and programs like the annual Candidates’ Forum.

Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 pm on Sunday.

Books are priced in the $2-$4 range - some are as little as 50 cents,

The Charlton manufacturer Endovision, Inc. will have to pay $27,464 in fines and compliance fees after failing to comply with environmental regulations after an expansion of the facility, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

"MassDEP observed several hazardous waste and air quality violations during an inspection of the Charlton facility on January 28, 2013 and during record reviews," said MassDEP in a release. "The company has now taken corrective action on all violations and has applied for an air quality plan approval, as required by state regulation."

The violations included failing to obtain an air quality permit to emit volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants and improper hazardous waste container-labeling, management and storage practices, according to MassDEP.

“As the business grew, so did its air emissions and hazardous waste generation, but the company did not take care to address corresponding regulatory requirements,” said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Materials tracking and record keeping systems now in place will help the company comply with environmental regulations and result in significant savings.”

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

Tickets are available online.

 

LUDLOW – It has been over 30 years since the musical, “9 to 5” debuted.

The Exit 7 Players of Ludlow will perform “9 to 5: The Musical” beginning Friday at Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street.

The drama unfolds amidst a musical score of signature songs with an unmistakable Dolly Parton touch.

Show dates are May 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 413-583-4301 or at www.exit7players.org. Ticket are $19 for preferred, $17 for adult and $15 for children 12 and under and seniors age 62 and over.

Anyone with questions about the show should call 413-583-4301 or email at exit7players@gmail.com.

The evidentiary hearing could feature testimony from all six board members; members of the City Council and Mayor Alex Morse.

The Republican [file] 

SPRINGFIELD — A federal bankruptcy judge on Wednesday scheduled a two-day evidentiary hearing to determine what, if any, control the city of Holyoke has over the floundering Holyoke Geriatric Authority.

Judge Henry J. Boroff scheduled the hearing for May 22 and 23 in the midst of arguments over whether the authority may seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a privately run entity. The authority financial troubles peaked last year when the state released the results of an audit citing mismanagement and unrecoverable financial woes.

Steven Weiss, a lawyer for the city, argued the authority falls under public control since the agency was established by the state legislature in 1971, and all of its employees are eligible for municipal health benefits and pensions. In addition, six of its seven board members are appointed by the mayor and City Council. Under the state legislation, the authority also is prohibited from selling the property on Lower Holyoke Road without city approval and has the power of eminent domain.

Louis Robin, arguing on behalf of the authority, countered that the agency is an independent organization.

"We are not part of the city or a government organization," Robin argued, later adding that the authority serves elderly from across the Pioneer Valley and the state, not just Holyoke.

The geriatric authority was established as a residential nursing home and later added an adult day care service. Robin said there are approximately 30-35 participants still being served through the day care program, but all of its residents were moved to other facilities as of April 25.

The city has moved to foreclose on the property and contends the authority owes Holyoke more than $5 million dollars. The authority asserts the figure is closer to $1.5 million. Robin also said the authority owes the state and trade creditors around $1 million each, in addition to a $500,000 to Holyoke Gas and Electric for utilities.

"We're more than happy to discuss a resolution with the city," Robin said after the hearing.

The evidentiary hearing could feature testimony from all six board members; members of the City Council and Mayor Alex Morse.

Boroff also granted motions for the authority to use "collateral cash" sources, such as Medicaid and other public health payors, to make its payroll a day before it is due on Thursday. Boroff also ruled the authority could free up funds to pay wages incurred before the bankruptcy petition was filed.

The question of whether the city controls the authority is central to the bankruptcy petition, as most government entities are not entitled to protection under U.S. Bankruptcy code.

This is a developing story; updates will be posted as our reporting continues.

1 day after Governor’s Councilor and former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano announced he would ask Gov. Deval Patrick to file legislation to name the Hampden County jail after Michael Ashe, the longest-running Hampden County sheriff, Ashe issued a statement that in as much said no thank you.

Updates a story posted April 29 at 2:55 p.m.

LUDLOW — Apparently hoping to nip things in the bud, retiring Sheriff Michael Ashe is moving to put the kibosh on one local politician’s drive name the Hampden County Jail in his honor.

One day after Governor’s Councilor and former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano announced he would ask Governor Deval Patrick to file legislation to name the Hampden County jail after the longest-running Hampden County sheriff, Ashe, issued a statement that in as much said no thank you.

In a statement issued Wednesday to the local media, Ashe said he would contact Patrick to “politely and respectfully insist that he not file any such legislation to name the facility after me.”

Ashe said part of his reason is his belief that the county jail should not be named after a single person.

Albano in his letter to Patrick lauded Ashe, saying:

"Sheriff Ashe, who began service in 1975 and plans retirement in 2017, is well deserving of this honor given his record of achievement in this important position in state government.

Honored for his progressive correctional philosophy, Sheriff Ashe is a national model and his work would be appropriately recognized through this special designation."

But Ashe, in his response to Patrick said his role as head of the county jail was assisted greatly by the hundreds men and women who work there, as well as by the thousands of inmates who serve their time and then emerge as rehabilitated members of society.

As he wrote:

“The real heroes of what transpires at the Hampden County Correctional Center are those who labor out of the limelight and glory, and, perhaps at 3 o’clock in the morning, when the rest of the world is asleep, extend compassion to a mentally-ill inmate or respond valiantly to a “code blue” to assure the safety of a brother or sister officer. The real heroes are also the literally thousands upon thousands upon thousands of offenders who have gone through our facility during my tenure in office and gone out to become productive, law-abiding, contributing citizens.”

Instead of naming the jail after him, Ashe suggested that Patrick observe National Correctional Officers and Correctional Employees Week next week by honoring and rewarding “those who labor anonymously and genuinely to enhance the safety of their fellow citizens.”

ludlow, 7/24/97, SHERIFF MICHAEL J. ASHE JR. WITH A WORK CREW FROM THE PRE-RELEASE CENTER CLEANING A STRETCH OF WEST ST. IN LUDLOW. PRE-RELEASE CENTER HAMPDEN COUNTY JAIL MICHAEL J. ASHE JR. 

Worcester police are seeking three people after they allegedly forced their way into an apartment on Wednesday and robbed the residents at gun-point.

MassLive.com photo [file] 

"According to the (residents), they went to answer the door after hearing a knock. When they opened the door a female suspect forced her way inside the apartment," said the Worcester Police Department in a press release. "Once inside, a male suspect entered the apartment holding a gun and another female suspect stood outside the doorway."

The home invasion happened on Wednesday morning. The residents of the home include two women - ages 21 and 29 - and two children. Once inside, the robbers allegedly threatened the women with the gun and stole items from the apartment.

The first woman who entered the apartment is described at as a 5'8" tall, heavy-set, white woman with blonde hair, green eyes and wearing a black hoodie and jeans. The man who allegedly held the gun is described as a 6-foot-tall black man with a thin build who was wearing jeans and a coat, according to police. There is limited information on the third woman who stood outside the apartment, said police.

There were no injuries from the incident which continue to be investigated by police.

If anyone has information about these incidents they can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or send an anonymous message on the Police Department Website. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the school administration building on 180 Broadway.

CHICOPEE – The budget and finance subcommittee of the School Committee will discuss funding for next school year in a meeting tonight.

Chairman Donald J. Lamothe said funding for the upcoming budget is expected to be tight, and the group will have to make drastic cuts for the first time in a number of years.

Medical insurance premiums for all staff are increasing, and the annual state Chapter 70 grant money, which funds nearly three-quarters of the budget, is expected to increase by less than 1 percent. The School Committee has a reserve account of about $2.5 million but that is not expected to be enough to prevent cuts, Lamothe said.

The finance and budget subcommittee meets at 7 p.m. at the Helen O’Connell Administration Building, 180 Broadway.

The medical records will be transferred from one entity approved to handle them to another, in this case Berkshire Medical Center.

This story contines: North Adams Regional Hospital: Berkshire Medical Center preparing now for pre-opening inspections

NORTH ADAMS - Now and for the time being medical records for patients treated at the former North Adams Regional Hospital are available there at the now-shuttered facility.

But Berkshire Medical Center, which plans to buy and reopen at least some of the old North Adams hospital, and a court appointed bankruptcy trustee representing Northern Berkshire Healthcare, the former parent of North Adams Regional Hospital, plan to file a more long-term solution tot he medical records issue in the next week to ten days.

Lawyers for both sides told federal bankruptcy judge Henry J. Boroff during a hearing Wednesday that the new arrangements will be well advertised in the community. Boroff, at the request of court-appointed trustee Harold B. Murphy, decided not to appoint a patient confidentiality ombudsman to the case which could have happened under bankruptcy law.

Murphy and other attorneys in the case argued before Boroff Wednesday that the medical records will pass from one entity controlled by federal patient confidentiality laws, North Adams Regional Hospital, to another in Berkshire Medical Center.

But the medical records could have become a quiet health care crisis for northern Berkshire County, said Robert Ross, an attorney representing the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in the case. North Adams Hospital only gave three-days notice before shutting down March 28.

North Adams Regional Hospital's parent then field for bankruptcy protection, landing the case in federal court here in Springfield.

"We would have ad people unable to access care because they couldn't get their own records," Ross said.

Murphy explained that federal law allows patients to call for their own records and have them transferred to a new health-care provider. But the fear in this case was that, with North Adams Regional Hospital shutting down so quickly, these computer files and paper documents would have been inaccessible or lost.

Berkshire Medical Center has an offer on the table to buy the real estate and equipment of North Adams Regional Hospital for $4 million. But federal bankruptcy rules allow other potential buyers to submit bids.

Boroff asked what happens to the records if another buyer does come forward and outbids Berkshire Medical Center?

Lawyers representing Berkshire Medical Center assured him that the Medical Center will continue to do business in North Adams regardless. If a new entity emerges, Berkshire Medical Center would pass on the records.

Medical records staff at North Adams Regional Hospital can be reached at (413) 664-5200.

Police Chief James Neiswanger is scheduled to meet with city councilors in executive session to discuss incidents related to Sgt. John Hart.

HOLYOKE -- If they had the chance, Holyoke readers said they would ask Police Chief James M. Neiswanger why Sgt. John P. Hart wasn't fired or criminally charged for misplacing two guns in two years.

Those were among responses of readers to a MassLive.com request for questions that should be posed to Neiswanger -- who is set to meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. with the City Council Public Safety Committee at City Hall on the Hart incidents.

Mayor Alex B. Morse also is scheduled to participate in the meeting.

Much of the meeting will be in executive session because officials said the issues related to Hart constitute personnel matters that legally must be confidential.

And at a March 31 Public Safety Committee meeting, Neiswanger refused to answer most questions from councilors about the Hart cases, citing the need for confidentiality.

So MassLive.com posted a story Monday morning asking readers to list questions they would ask the chief about what Hart did and how the chief handled that.

Hart was suspended 10 days without pay for leaving his gun, which was recovered, in a restroom at J.C.Penny at the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside Nov. 24, Neiswanger said in February.

That came after Hart was suspended five days without pay in 2011 for misplacing a department sniper rifle, also later recovered.

The reader whose commenting name is tritonrider said: "Have discussed this with several friends who are fairly senior or retired PD and they admit these were violations of the law, not just procedure. Questions are "Why don't you take firearms crimes seriously?" and "Why wasn't he criminally charged for failing either to have the firearm under his direct control or properly stored as the law requires form EVERYONE?"

Ipaytax asked about the precedent set with a punishment for misplacing a gun lasting only several days without pay.

"He should be fired! Losing 1 gun makes you irresponsible,BUT 2 GUNS LOST! " wrote Ipaytax. "What a precedent this will set for future Police officers who work hard and SECURE THEIR GUNS! Lose a gun and get 5 days off,which you can make up with unlimited Overtime."

Nana asked a list of questions two days ago and answers to some of them were contained in 80 pages of documents related to the Hart incidents obtained by The Republican and MassLive.com Tuesday. Other answers were previously reported.

Nana asked in what public place the sniper rifle was found? Hart told superior officers he was driving his pickup truck at South and Northampton streets on Sept. 28, 2011 at about 11 p.m. when a driver beeped to alert Hart that the pickup truck's tailgate was down, according to an Oct. 24 memo to Neiswanger from Lt. David D. Fournier.

The sniper rifle was found unloladed Feb. 3, 2012 in an alley between Appleton and Essex streets after police received an anonymous tip.

Among other Nana questions and subsequent answers found in the documents: Who found Hart's gun in J.C.Penny rest room? A store staff member; did Hart report that the weapons he'd misplaced were missing? He reported to superior officders that the sniper rifle was missing but the gun was discovered in the rest room and reported to police before Hart realized it was missing, the documents said; was the gun found in the rest room loaded? Since it was a service gun and Hart was on duty, it was believed to be loaded.

Nana's question about why the investigation took so long into case of Hart misplacing the gun at J.C. Penny is unclear. That was among questions from City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain, as well. Neiswanger didn't answer that at the March 31 meeting.

Reader zebra19 asked: "If he is terminated will he still be eligible for a taxpayer funded pension? Fully or partially?"

Cheryl Dugre, Retirement Board executive director, was unavailable for comment. Jourdain, a lawyer, said his understanding was that a police officer still would be able to collect a partial or full pension if fired but that the reason for termination -- such as commission of a felony -- could affect that.

The reader with the screen name needsajob asked what the consequences would be for a civilian with a license to carry a firearm who leaves the gun in a public place. That also was among the questions Jourdain asked that Neiswanger didn't answer.

In it's counter-suit which became public on Tuesday, Mohegan Sun makes a series of claims against the company's manager Leon Dragone, claiming that the Longmeadow resident not only violated the terms of contracts but took actions which helped anti-casino proponents derail the project entirely.

With a lawsuit pending against Mohegan Sun by Northeast Realty, a one-time partner in the failed Palmer casino project, the Connecticut-based gaming company has fired back with a lawsuit of its own.

Leon Dragone

In its counter-suit which became public this week, Mohegan Sun makes a series of claims against the company's manager Leon Dragone, claiming that the Longmeadow resident not only violated the terms of contracts but took actions which ultimately helped anti-casino proponents derail the project entirely.

Within the pages of the counter-lawsuit filed in Hampden Superior Court, Mohegan asserts that Dragone's alleged failures included not working to secure support from Springfield officials well before city government began eying the promised investment of MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming; organizing his own pro-Palmer casino movement that confused the message of Mohegan's official get-out-the-vote drive and actively used ownership of a New Bedford property as a bargaining chip to court other casino companies in violation of the exclusivity agreement signed between Northeast Realty and the Connecticut casino company.

Northeast Realty dismissed the countersuit as a personal attack against Dragone, but the lawsuit claims Dragone didn't leverage his Springfield contacts to boost support for the Palmer casino project.

This artist rendering shows Mohegan Sun's proposed Palmer casino, which the voters in that town rejected by a margin of 94 votes in November 2013.

"As the closest city to Palmer, Springfield was the most important regional economy, and it was expected to provide crucial early support for the Palmer Project and ultimately, serve as a key source of labor for a gaming facility in Palmer," page 14 of the lawsuit reads. "Ignoring Mohegan’s instructions, however, Dragone neglected his acquaintances in Springfield and failed to engage Springfield in the Palmer Project. As a result, some early supporters from Springfield withdrew from the Palmer Project, and in fact entered into other gaming agreements, some in Springfield."

While negotiations over the host community agreement with the town of Palmer were ongoing, Mohegan hired Michael Vito & Associates of Northampton to direct its field operations in preparation for the vote on the ballot question. Shortly afterwards, Dragone was said to have started working against Vito's efforts, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit claims that as Vito was set to launch the "Yes for Palmer" campaign committee, Dragone caught wind and launched the "Vote Yes for Palmer" group.

"In addition to being a breach of his obligations under the GMR Agreement, Dragone's competing campaign group also defied common sense: Palmer had approximately 7600 registered voters, about 6000 of whom were considered active voters," the lawsuit claims. "A town of Palmer's size did not require and could not support two campaign committees in favor of approving gaming in Palmer, especially two whose names were so confusingly similar."

In regards to the Northeast Realty-owned property in New Bedford, Mohegan alleges that as part of the exclusivity agreement the two sides signed, Dragone was to divest all ownership interests. The lawsuit contends that instead of doing so, he continues to court a potential casino client for the location just in case licensure for a casino moves forward in the Southeastern part of the state.

In its lawsuit filed against Mohegan Sun back in February, Northeast Realty alleges that it was the casino company that violated the terms of the exclusivity agreement by engaging in talks with Suffolk Downs before the Palmer voters turned down the proposal there. In response to the countersuit, Northeast Realty contends that Mohegan Sun is trying to smear Dragone's reputation and that as its own lawsuit moves forward, the truth will come out.

"Blaming Northeast for Mohegan's failure in Palmer further erodes their credibility in Massachusetts. Blaming others for their failures is a typical Mohegan Sun response," Northeast Realty said in a statement. "They blamed the two-year delay in sharing details of the Palmer project with the public on their debt restructuring and then blamed the host community process in stalling the Palmer agreement for more than 12 months, negotiations that took Mohegan only about 12 days to complete in Revere for their Suffolk Downs partnership."

Northeast Realty lawsuit against Mohegan Sun

Mohegan sun lawsuit against Northeast Realty

The threat was called in to state police shortly after 1 p.m., emergency personnel said.

The Republican | Mark M. Murray 

Superintendent of Schools Daniel J. Warwick said the district is cooperating with investigators as they investigate the source of the prank call.

SPRINGFIELD – A bomb threat, apparently made to state police via a 911 call, prompted the evacuation of Kennedy Middle School early Thursday afternoon.

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the threat to the school, located at 1385 Berkshire Ave., was received shortly after 1 p.m.

The Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad is on scene and investigating, Leger said.

During a day where Gov. Deval Patrick announced a $5 million state grant to complete the UMass Amherst satellite campus in Springfield and $1.3 million in grants to revamp Springfield's North Riverfront Park, he discussed a myriad of economic development issues in an editorial board meeting with The Republican/MassLive.com.

SPRINGFIELD — During a day in which Gov. Deval Patrick announced a $5 million state grant to complete the UMass Amherst satellite campus in Springfield and $1.3 million in grants to revamp Springfield's North Riverfront Park, he discussed a myriad of economic development issues in an editorial board meeting with The Republican / MassLive.com.

Kicking off his presentation, Patrick, who was accompanied by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki, touted the state's success in making strides forward relating to investments in education and infrastructure. He said although those factors helped Massachusetts push out of the recession faster than other places, "The recovery isn't felt evenly across the commonwealth."

Bialecki said the plan is to make investments in the programs the state knows works while making modifications to others.

He said the Massachusetts Brownfields Program is an example of a successful venture, and that is why the state allocated more money to it earlier this year.

Bialecki said making transformative investments in Gateway Cities is important and has to be done correctly.

View full sizeMassachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki speaks during editorial board meeting at The Republican in Springfield Massachusetts May 1, 2014. (Michael S. Gordon/The Republican)Michael S. Gordon 

"If the project is going to be the kind of catalyst we want them to, they have to involve some risk. If we're going to make really game-changing investments in the state, we have to take some chances," Bialecki said. "Changing that first building on the corner which could change the rest of the block is risky, but has to be done to encourage change."

In regards to the state's investments in affordable housing, Bialecki said the state has learned that it must have programs that go beyond the typical thinking on the topic.

"We put a lot of money into affordable housing in our state, but wouldn't it be better to have a mix of incomes in our downtowns?" Bialecki said. "This is something we've heard and we've been paying attention to ways to fund market rate housing as an example."

Bialecki said success isn't just defined by tangible means, but rather the goal is to create a buzz that boosts the commonwealth's reputation as a place of excellence in regards to education and its economy.

When asked about the CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles company's interest in developing a manufacturing site for the $1.5 billion MBTA transit car contract in Springfield, Patrick said he's been hands off in regards to pushing for a certain city to land the boost. But he did say that it is a priority of his to have it happen in Western Massachusetts, regardless of whether it is the site in Springfield or the one in Pittsfield.

"They and the other developer really get our interest in having the facility in Western Massachusetts. Out here I've been agnostic in choosing which city. We want to get the decision made before I leave because the influence I have expires," Patrick said. "All of the bidders do understand our commitment to having the construction done here. There is no coach manufacturer in America any more."

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during editorial board meeting at The Republican in Springfield Massachusetts May 1, 2014. Michael S. Gordon 

Patrick said another benefit to Western Massachusetts landing this type of opportunity is higher than the other places hoping to land a manufacturer for the MBTA contract because of other transportation developments.

"The Northeast corridor high-speed rail vision is the other thing we're focused on. The idea of being here, the preferred route comes through Springfield, and that's something they also get. They think long-term, which is a marvelous thing to encounter," he said.

When asked about how the state can be a good partner to municipalities trying to draw high-tech manufacturing companies, Bialecki said the focus has to be on preparing a workforce that can fill the jobs.

"We really have to think differently about how to scale up. Last year the governor asked STCC what it would take to double the capacity of the manufacturing program, and made the investment," Bialecki said.

Patrick said that although most modern manufacturing jobs average $70,000 a year in salary, the perception is still one that is unattractive to many young people. He said the AMP It Up advanced manufacturing program is part of working to change perceptions, but more can still be done.

When asked what the future holds for Patrick since his term is over in approximately seven months, the governor said he doesn't know what he will do, although it will "probably be in the private sector. Everybody thinks I'm lying when I say I don't know. A lot of people have urged me to think again, but I'm still the kid from the south side of Chicago."

Patrick and Bialecki also discussed casino gaming as part of the state's economic development strategy, what the future may hold for the debt-burdened and closed North Adams Regional Hospital and the problems with the Department of Children and Families.

A Georgia man will be in court in Worcester Friday to face a murder charge in the 1974 death of a Shrewsbury woman.

A Georgia man will be in court in Worcester Friday to face a murder charge in the 1974 death of a Shrewsbury woman.

Lonzo Guthrie, 69, of Austell, Georgia, is accused in the death of Eileen Ferro, who was 21 when she was found stabbed to death in her Shrewsbury home.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early has said DNA evidence led authorities to Guthrie 40 years after the murder.

Guthrie was a 29-year-old mover at the time of the murder. Early said Guthrie delivered furniture to Ferro's home the day before her body was found. He was questioned during the initial investigation, but there was no evidence linking him to the crime.

A conviction for rape in California led to Guthrie's arrest for the murder. After he served time and was paroled, Guthrie was arrested again in Georgia for driving without a license. He was sent back to California, where he was forced to submit his DNA into a national database, where a match was found linking him to the Ferro case, Early said in Feburary, when Guthrie was arrested.

Guthrie initially fought extradition to Massachusetts, until a governor's warrant was approved by a judge in Georgia.

Lawyers for bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say federal prosecutors shouldn't be allowed to use his status as a new American citizen to argue that his alleged "betrayal" of the United States is one reason he should be put to death.

BOSTON (AP) -- Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say federal prosecutors shouldn't be allowed to use his status as a new American citizen to argue that his alleged "betrayal" of the United States is one reason he should be put to death.

A defense filing Thursday says prosecutors are trying to use Tsarnaev's foreign birth and immigration history against him. They say citing his status as a newly naturalized U.S. citizen implies he is "more deserving of the death penalty" than a native-born person who commits the same crime.

Tsarnaev is awaiting trial in the 2013 marathon bombing that killed three people and injured more than 260.

He lived in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan and later in Russia before moving to the U.S. at age 8.

Amherst Town Meeting to consider school budgets May 7.

AMHERST – Town meeting unanimously approved the water, sewer and $2 million public works department budgets during the second night of the annual Town Meeting.
Both the water and sewer budgets of $3.8 million each are enterprise funds, funded through water and sewer receipts.

Voters unanimously approved the $716,717 transportation fund from transportation revenues and the $491,133 solid waste fund budget from the solid waste fund surplus.

Town Meeting approved the $9.5 Public Safety budget. Of that $7.2 million will be paid with taxes and $2.3 million from the Ambulance Receipts account.

Votes also approved the $1.1 million Conservation and Development, the amount requested despite a request by Town Meeting member Vincent O’Connor that the budget be reduced by $100,000, the same amount the meeting added to the community services budget Monday night.

Voters also agreed to the $6.3 million general government budget and the Jones Library budget of $2.3 million with 369,592, and that town appropriating $1.7 million.

Town Meeting will consider the elementary and regional school budgets May 7.
Town Meeting resumes Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School. The meeting will consider whether to appropriate $700,000 to repair the East Street School and to bond for those repairs.

The town is hoping that the school could become the offices for Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education. That department is currently located in the Bangs Community Center but the town would like to lease that space to the Hilltown Community Health Centers for a health clinic there.

Town Manager John P. Musante said they are still working on that collaboration and there are no developments there. The town would like to sign a lease and have the center open a satellite there next year.

Vineyards around the country would be allowed to ship wine to Massachusetts residences, under an amendment that passed as part of the House budget on Wednesday.

Vineyards around the country would be allowed to ship wine to Massachusetts residences, under an amendment that passed as part of the House budget on Wednesday.

Currently, it is illegal to ship wine to someone in Massachusetts who does not have a liquor license.

The amendment, introduced by House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, a North Reading Republican, would allow anyone with a license to manufacture wine to apply for a license to ship wine to Massachusetts.

“It’s about consumer choice. It’s about consumer accessibility and, quite frankly, it comes back to why not?” Jones said.

Jones said he has received calls from constituents who visit vineyards and want to ship wine home or who want to purchase wine online.

The issue gained attention last year when former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who now owns a winery in Washington, lobbied on Beacon Hill to allow wine shipments to Massachusetts from out of state.

Jones’ bill addresses concerns about minors buying wine by establishing a penalty of a $1,000 fine and a 180-day license suspension for anyone who ships wine to someone under age 21. The fine and suspension increase for subsequent offenses.

The budget bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Police stopped the suspect for motor vehicle violations on Route 20.

LEE – State police arrested a 52-year-old motorcyclist from Connecticut Saturday night after he was stopped on Route 20 for vehicle violations and found to be in possession of two dangerous weapons – a leather wristband and leather belt, both bristling with metallic spikes.

Sgt. Adam Hakkarainen stopped the motorcyclist shortly after 5 p.m. He seized those two items, which are illegal in Massachusetts, as well as two canisters of pepper spray, for which Godfrey did not have an FID card, and pharmaceuticals, for which Godfrey had no prescription, state police said.

The suspect, Curtis Godfrey of Winstead, Conn. was in legal possession of four knives which were not seized, state police said.

He was charged with two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of ammunition without an FID card (pepper spray) and possession of a Class E drug.

Considering DCF's budget has been slashed $131 million over the past seven years, Patrick said he is hopeful this year's budget will boost funding for the agency to increase its capacity to execute its mission. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD — Acknowledging the resignation of Department of Children and Families Chief Olga Roche was not the solution to the problems at the embattled agency, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday that to better take care of the people in the system, there needs to be more caseworkers with access to better technology.

"The two things everyone agrees DCF needs is more people and better technology. They need access to real time information and they don't have that right now," Patrick said when asked about the issue during an editorial board meeting with staff of The Republican/MassLive.com.

Patrick said that access to tablet computers such as the iPads currently in testing with some caseworkers allows them to be connected to the internal flow of information at DCF. He said that while caseworkers spend much of their days on the road or in court, they should have real-time access to information which will help them act in the best interests of the people they serve.

In regards to adding employees to lighten the load of the caseworkers at DCF, Patrick said the process is ongoing.

"Sometimes it takes a crisis, but the legislature has been great. We've added 150 caseworkers in the past several weeks and that is tough at a time when the agency is being slammed," Patrick said, adding that he is optimistic that the legislature will allocate more money to the agency which he said deals with more than 40,000 children at any given time.

Considering DCF's budget has been slashed $131 million over the past seven years, Patrick said he is hopeful this year's budget will boost funding for the agency to increase its capacity to execute its mission.

DCF first came under fire in December after 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver went missing and was later found dead, even though DCF was monitoring his case. Three DCF employees were fired while another was disciplined in the wake of that situation. And in April, a fax from the Grafton Police Department to DCF concerning possible harm to 4-week-old Aliana Lavigne, who was under the agency's care, was misplaced and found after the child's untimely death.

After the Grafton incident, Roche, who Patrick had been defending, stepped down as the governor said she had lost the trust of her employees and the public.

Patrick said that although adding more caseworkers with access to better technology helps, "The real solution for fixing DCF is curing poverty."