The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County hopes to enroll 1,000 in its program for underprivileged young people from Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and Westfield.

CHICOPEE — Calling for a summer of work and of learning, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County wants to get 1,000 underprivileged young people from Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and Westfield into summer employment.

It could be the largest number of young people to ever participate in the Regional Employment Boards' summer employment program. It's also the first time the Board, an organization of government and private industry dedicated to preparing people to enter the workforce, would include a more robust educational component.

"We are looking to bring education into the work sites. There would be a focus on math and science," said David M.Cruise, president and CEO of the Regional Employment Board. "It's a new direction for the REB."

The Regional Employment Board hosted its annual kickoff news conference Friday at the Chicopee Public Library asking for public and business support for the program. Businesses are asked to either hire a youth, donate money to help pay to hire a youth or to provide a work site for the program.

Through state and federal funding, the Regional Employment Board has $2 million coming. After administrative costs, that's enough to hire 875 young people ages 14 to 21 for six weeks beginning just after July 4. The remainder of the money, enough to hire another 125 young people, would come from donations and industry support, Cruises said.

The Franklin-Hampshire Regional Employment Board runs a similar program in Northampton. The Northampton YouthWorks Program will put 29 Northampton youth age 14-21 to work in private or public sector employment.

At the Chicopee event Friday, Yashira Diaz-Roperto,19 of Chicopee, described how much she learned in summer jobs as a camp counselor and as a helper in a day care. She's now a student at Holyoke Community College.

"Social skills, working with people," she said. "As my skills grew I became a substitute teacher in the day care."

Another speaker, 20-year-old Evariste Hatungimana of Springfield, came to this country from a refuge camp in Tanzania at 14. So far, he's gotten jobs through the Regional Employment Board at Caring Health Center, The Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination and at the Farm Workers Council.

Fewer young people are getting the experince of these first jobs, though.

The unemployment rate for teens aged 16 to 19 was 191 percent in April, according to According to statistics released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overal average unemployment rate is 6.3 percent.

According to the Regional Employment Board, just 27 percent of all Massachusetts teens had jobs in the summer of 2012 compared with 45 percent in 1999.

And summer jobs are where teens learn valuable skills like completing tasks and customer services and what a profit and loss sheet means, said Spiros Hatiras, president of Holyoke Medical Center. He started working in the family bakery at 15.

"It is where I learned every business skill I use," he said.

Slots will go fast. Last year, 4,000 applications were distributed for just 600 jobs.

Prospective young employees can get applications at several locations:

Bureau of Labor Statistics April Jobs Report

A spokesman with the state Department of Highways reports the ramp at Exit 14 on Interstate 91 North has reopened after workers removed a tree that had fallen across the roadway.

This is an update of a story that was originally posted at 4:09 p.m.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - A spokesman with the state Department of Highways reports the ramp at Exit 14 on Interstate 91 North has reopened after workers removed a tree that had fallen across the roadway.

Michael Verseckes said traffic is flowing again. There is somewhat of a backlog but it should return to normal soon, he said.

The tree was reported as falling at 3:53 p.m. The ramp connects I-91 north to the Massachusetts Turnpike entrance and to Route 5 in West Springfield. The ramp was closed for about 30 minutes.

Verseckes said it is not clear how the tree fell.

#MAtraffic Update: West Springfield- I-91N at Exit 14/I-90, tree blocking ramp clear. All lanes open.

— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) May 2, 2014

#MAtraffic update: #WestSpringfield , I-91 Northbound at Exit (14) I-90/ Mass Turnpike: Tree down blocking ramp: Ramp is now open.

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) May 2, 2014

The project includes a new pool, bathhouse, amphitheater, and trail, all designed with features that aid youth with disabilities.

SPRINGFIELD – After years of planning and anticipation, the city launched a $1.8 million project on Friday to renovate Camp STAR Angelina at Forest Park, serving youth with and without disabilities.

State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan joined local and state officials, staff and families in praising the project during a groundbreaking ceremony at the camp. He and Mayor Domenic Sarno said the camp, when renovated, will be the first universally designed camp in the region to serve youth with disabilities.

The project will include a new, sloped entry pool and bathhouse, universal amphitheater, and accessible trail to Porter Lake.

The project includes local, state and private funding including a $1.2 million state grant announced in December.

Megan Pelletier, 20, who was a camper last year, and hopes to work at the camp this year, said she is excited to see the project proceed and “wants to thank everyone who made it possible.”

“I’m excited to see everything new (coming) like the pool,” Pelletier said. “I want to see how the little children, how their faces are going to react to everything new here.”

The story will be updated as reporting continues.

The Fix Burger Bar has opened on Shrewsbury Street with a hugely customizable selection of burgers.

WORCESTER — The Fix Burger Bar has opened on Shrewsbury Street, with a hugely customizable selection of burgers.

“The burger is the main focus. It’s really all about the blend and the quality of the beef,” said Mike Covino, president of Niche Hospitality said in March about the restaurant. “We felt if we were going to replace (Mezcal) we needed to have a similar vibe of fun, casual and a seven day a week friendly restaurant."

Mezcal Cantina, another Niche Hospitality eatery, moved from 166 Shrewsbury Street to Major Taylor Boulevard downtown in February, leaving the open restaurant space for a new Niche concept. Niche also owns the Citizen, Bocado and the Still and Stir in the city.

The Fix features "adult" takes on classic burger restaurant beverages such as this spiked milkshake.  

The slew of topping choices include smoked bacon, fried prosciutto, short rib, pork belly and eight different cheeses. There is a full selection of salads, entrees and burger alternatives such as veggie and ahi tuna burgers.

"We want people to be able to get a great steak and fries or great fish and chips," said Covino. "Burgers are the highlight, but like any restaurant you have more than just your highlight."

Syrups made in-house form the basis for soda flavors such as root beer and sarsaparilla from a special fountain system. Shakes and floats are featured on the menu. All of these can be combined with rum and bourbon to create adult drinks, said Covino.

Updates on the restaurant can be found at The Fix's Facebook page.

The Fix will be open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and from noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Information: (774) 823-3327.

The Offbeat Drummers, Dykes on Bikes, church groups, civic organizations, politicians and marching bands will be among the participants in Saturday's 33rd Annual LGBT Parade and Pride Rally in Northampton.

NORTHAMPTON — The Offbeat Drummers, Dykes on Bikes, church groups, civic organizations, politicians and marching bands will be among the participants in Saturday's 33rd Annual LGBT Parade March and Pride Rally in Northampton.

The parade steps off at noon from the Hampton Ave. parking lot behind Thornes Marketplace, turns right onto Old South Street, and heads along Main Street to the rally and event site at the Three County Fairgrounds.

The rally will be emceed by comedian Cindy Foster and feature the Kristen Ford Band, the Pioneer Valley Gay Men's Chorus, Justice of the Peace J.M. Sorrell, and trans slam poet Kit Yan. International human rights activist William Urich will be the keynote speaker.

This year's theme is "Unity in Diversity."

The pride event is free of charge with plenty of parking at the fairgrounds. Major sponsors include Baystate Health, Mass Mutual, Health New England, the Greenfield Savings Bank and TD Bank.

For the past three decades, the event has been organized by Noho Pride, a volunteer-run non-profit organization. The group's stated mission is to "foster events that honor the integrity, history and diversity of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community and to focus on education, awareness, and unity among LGBT/allied communities."

Motorists are advised that thousands are expected in downtown Northampton Saturday, and some downtown streets will be temporarily blocked for the parade.

Mourners are filing into Rollstone Congregational Church to say a tearful goodbye to a Fitchburg boy whose disappearance shook this community.

FITCHBURG — Mourners are filing into Rollstone Congregational Church to say a tearful goodbye to a Fitchburg boy whose disappearance shook this community.

Before the service began, family and friends filed past a posterboard of photos of Jeremiah Oliver and stopped at the casket to say goodbye. Jeremiah’s father, Jose Oliver, in a white suit and vest with a backwards Yankees baseball hat, reached out, hand trembling, toward the white coffin holding his son’s body.

“I’m sorry.” he cried into the otherwise silent church sanctuary. “I’m so sorry.”

Calling hours began at 9 a.m. The service starts at 11 a.m., to be followed by the burial at Hope Cemetery in Worcester.

Jeremiah Oliver’s body was found in a suitcase on the side of I-190 two weeks ago, months after he disappeared. Family members last saw the five year old in September 2013.

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, center, greets mourners outside Jeremiah Oliver's funeralJohn F. Hill, MassLive.com 

Members of Jeremiah’s family wore royal blue hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts with “#TEAMJEREMIAH” in white lettering on their backs.

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong was one of the first mourners to arrive.

Come back to MassLive.com later today for more coverage of this story.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Juanita Jessup 

Juanita (Harrison) Jessup, 83, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she was a longtime resident of Springfield who educated special needs children in the Springfield Public Schools for more than 25 years. She was a member of Revival Time Evangelistic Center. Among her survivors are four children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

If Massachusetts lawmakers fail to approve any of the questions by Wednesday, backers of the initiatives will have to start collecting another batch of signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot.

BOSTON (AP) — Supporters of a slew of proposed ballot questions in Massachusetts are facing another key deadline.

If Massachusetts lawmakers fail to approve any of the questions by Wednesday, backers of the initiatives will have to start collecting another batch of signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot.

They'll have until June 18 to submit the more than 11,000 needed signatures to local city and town clerks.

Among the proposed initiatives are questions that would raise the minimum wage from $8 to $10.50 per hour over two years and create a statewide earned sick time policy.

Other questions would expand the bottle deposit law, limit the number of patients assigned to a nurse at one time, and repeal a new law linking future hikes in the gas tax to the rate of inflation.

Condoleezza Rice has pulled out of delivering the commencement address at Rutgers following protests by some faculty and students over her role in the Iraq War.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has backed out of delivering the commencement address at Rutgers University following protests by some faculty and students over her role in the Iraq War.

Rice said in a statement Saturday that she informed Rutgers President Robert Barchi that she was declining the invitation.

"Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families," Rice said. "Rutgers' invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time."

The school's board of governors had voted to pay the former secretary of state under President George W. Bush and national security adviser $35,000 for her appearance at the May 18 ceremony.

But some students and faculty had protested, staging sit-ins and saying Rice bore some responsibility for the Iraq War as a member of the Bush administration. Barchi and other school leaders had resisted the calls to disinvite Rice, saying the university welcomes open discourse on controversial topics.

In her statement, Rice defended her record, saying that she was honored to serve her country and that she had "defended America's belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas." But she said she didn't want to detract from the spirit of the commencement ceremony.

The virus is not highly contagious and this case "represents a very low risk to the broader, general public," Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters during a CDC briefing.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Health officials confirmed the first case of an American infected with a mysterious virus that has sickened hundreds in the Middle East.

The man fell ill after flying to the U.S. late last week from Saudi Arabia where he was a health care worker.

He is hospitalized in good condition in northwest Indiana with Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Indiana health officials said Friday.

The virus is not highly contagious and this case "represents a very low risk to the broader, general public," Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters during a CDC briefing.

The federal agency plans to track down passengers he may have been in close contact with during his travels; it was not clear how many may have been exposed to the virus.

So far, it is not known how he was infected, Schuchat said.

Saudi Arabia has been at the center of a Middle East outbreak of MERS that began two years ago. The virus has spread among health care workers, most notably at four facilities in that country last spring.

Officials didn't provide details about the American's job in Saudi Arabia or whether he treated MERS patients.

Overall, at least 400 people have had the respiratory illness, and more than 100 people have died. All had ties to the Middle East region or to people who traveled there.

Experts said it was just a matter of time before MERS showed up in the U.S., as it has in Europe and Asia.

"Given the interconnectedness of our world, there's no such thing as 'it stays over there and it can't come here,'" said Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, a Columbia University MERS expert.

MERS belongs to the coronavirus family that includes the common cold and SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, which caused some 800 deaths globally in 2003.

The MERS virus has been found in camels, but officials don't know how it is spreading to humans. It can spread from person to person, but officials believe that happens only after close contact. Not all those exposed to the virus become ill.

But it appears to be unusually lethal -- by some estimates, it has killed nearly a third of the people it sickened. That's a far higher percentage than seasonal flu or other routine infections. But it is not as contagious as flu, measles or other diseases. There is no vaccine or cure and there's specific treatment except to relieve symptoms.

Federal and state health officials on Friday released only limited information about the U.S. case: On April 24, the man flew from Riyadh -- Saudi Arabia's capital and largest city -- to the United States, with a stop in London. He landed in Chicago and took a bus to nearby Indiana. He didn't become sick until Sunday, the CDC said.

He went to the emergency room at Community Hospital in Munster the next day with a fever, cough and shortness of breath. He was admitted and tested for the MERS virus because he had traveled from the Middle East. The hospital said he was in good condition.

As a precaution, the hospital said it would monitor the man's family and health care workers who treated him for any signs of infection.

There's been a recent surge in MERS illnesses in Saudi Arabia; cases have tended to increase in the spring. Experts think the uptick may partly be due to more and better surveillance. Columbia's Lipkin has an additional theory -- there may be more virus circulating in the spring, when camels are born.

The CDC has issued no warnings about travel to countries involved in the outbreak. However, anyone who develops fever, cough or shortness of breath within two weeks of traveling in or near the Arabian Peninsula should see their doctor and mention their travel history.

More than 100 volunteers worked with city BID workers to apply a little spit and polish to the downtown in anticipation of upcoming events like the Pancake Breakfast.

BiD employee Carlos Santiago and Jackie Farrow, Skills Training Coordinator for the Stavros Center for Independent Living, tidy up Falcon Way near the Mass Mutual Center Saturday morning.Dave Canton-Republican 

SPRINGFIELD— Springfield's downtown got a little more attention than usual Saturday morning as more than 100 volunteers joined Business Improvement District workers to apply a little extra spit and polish as the neighborhood plays host to a variety of upcoming events drawing large crowds.

"We have some great events coming up," BID Executive Director Christopher Russell said. "We have the Falcons series against the Providence Bruins. It's Game 5, do or die. The Star Power International regional cheering competition is now going on in the Mass Mutual Center, the Stearns Square concerts are about to start up and of course the Pancake Breakfast next week."

Russell said the Saturday cleanup is a cooperative effort between the BID and the Spirit of Springfield, sponsors of the Pancake Breakfast.

Nine-year-old Frank Russell, from the John L. Sullivan Baseball League scrubs the marble fountain at Court Square Saturday morning. Dave Canton,Republican 

Crews of volunteers spread across the neighborhood, sweeping, scrubbing and picking up litter. Groups of BID workers and volunteers from a variety of city organizations staged at Mattoon Street, Sterns Square, Pynchon Park and the Municipal Complex in Court Square.

Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt had her fingers crossed for good weather next week. That, she said, would guarantee attendance.

"If we have this kind of weather we will have a huge turnout," she laughed.

And that's a good thing, she said. This year, the breakfast will be presided over by retiring Police Commissioner William Fitchet.

"This will be one of his last official duties," Matt said.

A feature of the breakfast this year will be a Radio City Rockettes-styled kick line, made up of dancers from schools across the city. The line will stretch from the intersection of Main and State street north to Boland Way.

The group of volunteers and BID workers take a moment from their work to pose for a photograph. The group is part of more than 100 volunteers who spent Saturday morning cleaning the downtown during the run up to spring events. Dave Canton,Republican 

Tours of the station were given until 3 p.m.

PALMER - A crowd gathered on Saturday for the official ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Palmer Police Department, a $7.4 million project that has been more than a decade in the making.

Speakers, including state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, Rep. Todd M. Smola, Town Council President Philip J. Hebert and Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk, all noted the longtime effort to construct a new facility. The first attempt to get the project to pass was on Sept. 11, 2001, the second came a year later, and the third finally proved to be the charm. Voters endorsed the proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion in 2012.

"This has been a long time coming," Hebert told the crowd of several hundred in attendance. "Each and every one of you taxpayers out there, give yourselves a big hand and thank you . . . you gave these fine police officers such a morale boost."

Hebert referenced the current police station, a 2,300-square-foot space in the back of the Town Building made larger by the presence of what was supposed to be a temporary trailer. He referred to the trailer as a "shack" and said the police had been working in deplorable conditions. He thanked the voters for "doing what was right."

The new station is 10 times the size of its predecessor at 23,000-square-feet. It is wood construction with brick veneer and came in under budget and early, according to officials. The new building is on four acres directly behind the Town Building on Main Street, and Frydryk said he expects his department to move into the new facility in two to four weeks.

Palmer Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk speaks at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Palmer police station on Saturday. Photo by Lori Stabile 

Brewer congratulated the community, and said, "This building was built by the people of Palmer." Brewer praised the officers who will work in the building, calling them a community's "first line of defense in our society." He said they "see things that we are better off perhaps many times not seeing" and said the citizens are "ennobled by their service."

"This is a great day for the town of Palmer. Put your hands together," Brewer said.

Amid the applause came a bark from the department's new police dog, Buddy.

"Even the dog agrees with me," Brewer quipped.

Smola acknowledged Frydryk's efforts to see a police station built, and credited Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard.

As the new town manager, getting the police station was one of the first projects Blanchard tackled. Both Brewer and Smola delivered citations, and Brewer brought an American Flag, Smola, a Massachusetts flag, to hang at the station. The flags were raised by Detective Sgt. Christopher P. Burns and Officer Richard Wahlers.

Smola said the station is something the community can be proud of for "many years to come."

Officials cut the ribbon for the new Palmer police station at Saturday's dedication ceremony. Palmer Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk (in uniform) is in the middle. From left to right, front row, Town Councilor Jason Polonsky, Town Councilor Barbara Barry, Town Council President Philip J. Hebert, Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard, Frydryk, State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, State Rep. Todd M. Smola, Executive Assistant Andrew M. Golas, Town Councilor Mary Salzmann, Town Councilor Paul E. Burns and Building Committee member Roger Duguay Jr.Photo by Lori Stabile 

Frydryk said he had given up hope of ever seeing a new station during his tenure, until Blanchard revived the project with a new plan on how to get community support.

Blanchard noted that using the state's bond rating, the town was able to save $118,700 over the initial estimate for the first year's debt service ($703,000 versus $584,300 actual). Over the course of the 20 year bond, approximately $1 million in interest will be saved, Blanchard said.

The station was built by Marois Construction of South Hadley; Reinhardt Associates of Agawam was the architect.

The invocation was delivered by Father Stefan J. Niemczyk, and the benediction by Rev. Bruce T. Prestwood-Taylor.

After the speeches concluded, it was time for the public to get a chance to see the facility.

Said resident Iris L. Cardin, "It looks fabulous. There is no comparison" to the old station. Cardin toured the old station previously, and said she was shocked to see the conditions the police department employees were working in - conditions she described as "deplorable" and "inhumane." Leaks and mold plagued the 1964 station.

Cardin said besides seeing the old, cramped quarters the officers were working in on a daily basis, her opinion on the need for a new station also was swayed when she visited the police station in neighboring Belchertown and saw firsthand what a modern facility looked like.

District 4 Town Councilor Donald Blais Jr., also a member of the station building committee, said he was pleased by the turnout, and said the station was "long overdue."

"It's a sign we're moving into the 21st century. I'm very proud," Blais said.

Robert J. and Jane F. Boyle drove three hours and 200 miles from Poland Springs, Maine to be at the ceremony. They chaired the original committee back in 2001, and said they wouldn't miss the event. Jane Boyle said she was teary-eyed, and so happy to see the project finally come to fruition.

Frydryk said words cannot describe how happy he, or his staff is, about having a state-of-the-art Police Department. Tours of the station were to be given until 3 p.m. on Saturday. There are 21 full-time officers including the chief, and five part-time officers. There also are six full-time dispatchers and two part-timers.

Visitors glimpsed the spacious meeting and training room, evidence and conference rooms, the armory, administrative wing, expansive dispatch area and various offices for sergeants, detectives, patrol officers, lieutenant, court officer, and emergency management director. They even could see the cells, break area, exercise room and view the garage.

Resident Sherry L. Pascale listened to Officer Christopher Welsh discuss the new squad room during the open house held after the ceremony.

"It's very nice and very high-tech. I know it's something really needed. The other one was so outdated," Pascale said.

Said At-large Town Councilor Paul E. Burns, "This is a beautiful example of a community coming together . . . and this will truly serve this community for close to 100 years."

475 athletes competed in various track and field and swimming events as the 2014 May Games took over Chicopee Comprehensive High School.

475 athletes competed in various track and field and swimming events as the 2014 May Games took over Chicopee Comprehensive High School. With teammates, family and friends cheering them on, athletes from the Berkshires to Framingham swam fast, ran quickly, and proudly received medals.

Organized by the western section of the Massachusetts Special Olympics, athletes have been training 8 weeks for this event. Top finishers will qualify for the summer games in June held at Harvard University.

The western section covers the Berkshires to Framingham.

Volunteers, many from area high school sports teams, kept track of the swim times, shot put distances and other measurements, while others awarded medals and handed out hugs.

A State trooper was relieved of duty early Saturday morning after the car he was driving crashed in North Andover, seriously injuring a passenger in his car.

NORTH ANDOVER— A State Trooper was arrested early Saturday morning after the car he was driving crashed on Route 114 in North Andover, seriously injuring a passenger in his car.

A spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police said Trooper Dale Jenkins was arrested by North Andover Police following an investigation after the 1:00 a.m. crash. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

The passenger in the car, identified only as an adult male, was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment of what the State Police termed "severe injuries." Jenkins was treated for injuries at Lowell General Hospital and released to the custody of the North Andover Police Department. He will be arraigned Monday.

Jenkins joined the State Police in 2000, and he was currently assigned to the Gang Unit.

The press release from the State Police headquarters said Jenkins was operating his personal car at the time of the crash and was carrying his personally-owned handgun.

Jenkins was immediately relieved of duty, the release said, and his license to carry a firearm has been suspended. He will face a State Police administrative hearing next week.

Colonel Timothy P. Alben, superintendent of the State Poice offered his cooperation to the North Andover Police and the Essex County District Attorney, and expressed his thoughts and concern for the injured passenger.

When Melvin Edwards and Keep Springfield Beautiful engage in their annual clean-up around the city, they measure the trash they collect by the ton.

SPRINGFIELD— When Melvin Edwards and Keep Springfield Beautiful engage in their annual clean-up around the city, they measure the trash they collect by the ton.

And on Saturday, some 300 volunteers took part in the efforts for more than five hours, clearing all kinds of refuse from various pieces of property across Springfield.

A City Councilor, Edwards also serves as the president of Keep Springfield Beautiful, and he said the group has organized the city-wide cleanup for the past eight years. On Saturday, Edwards said the crews, which included middle school students, inmates from the Hampden County Jail and ordinary citizens, filled more than five trucks with trash.

The effort is necessary because of the fact that each year, tons of trash are left on city-owned properties, including parks, bike paths and homes seized for back taxes. The cleanup effort requires at least one heavy-duty truck with a grappling hook to pick up large items, such as furniture and logs that are too heavy for the volunteers to move by hand.

This year, Edwards said crews cleaned up a variety of properties including houses at Melrose and Marshal streets, a park at the intersection of Liberty and Genovese streets, properties on Wilbraham Road as well as various parcels along the Connecticut River bike path.

A heavy-duty truck with a grappling hook lifts a tree trunk from a blighted property Saturday as keep Springfield Beautiful organized its eighth annual city-wide cleanup of illegal dumping on city-owned parks and properties. Submitted 

Students from the Rebecca Johnson Middle School, the Forest Park Middle School as well as three crews of inmates from the Hampden County Jail joined citizen volunteers in the clean up effort.

Piles of trash left behind a blighted Springfield house await pickup by crews of volunteers from Keep Springfield Beautiful and its annual city-wide clean up.Submitted 

According to Edwards' running tally, over the course of eight years the group has enlisted more than 8,000 volunteers, hauled away more than 1 million pounds of trash and debris, and recycled 200,000 pounds of old tires, electronics and metal. Keep Springfield Beautiful is associated with the national group, Keep America Beautiful, and works to engage citizens of Springfield to improve their city and fight urban blight.

Edwards said blighted properties reduce neighboring property values by as much as 20 percent, and send a message that no one cares. Keep Springfield Beautiful works to rehabilitate blighted parks and properties by removing illegally dumped trash, plant trees and improve the quality of life in Springfield's neighborhoods.

For more information about Keep Springfield Beautiful, visit the group's website here.

A new report from the Office of the Child Advocate says the infant and his twin were sent home from the hospital despite risks of maltreatment from inexperienced parents with a history of drug abuse and mental health problems.

BOSTON (AP) — A state review says workers in the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families failed to properly assess risks for 3-month-old boy who was addicted to drugs at birth and was allegedly fatally beaten by his mother's boyfriend in Lynn.

An Essex County grand jury has indicted 32-year-old Anthony Gideika (guh-DYE'-kuh) on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Chase Gideika's death last July. The child's mother has been indicted on various charges.

A new report from the Office of the Child Advocate says the infant and his twin were sent home from the hospital despite risks of maltreatment from inexperienced parents with a history of drug abuse and mental health problems.

The report notes that DCF workers were wrong in their judgment to send these infants home, but their decision was affected by changes in agency focus statewide.

A federal judge has dismissed latest efforts by opponents to derail a proposed offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed latest efforts by opponents to derail a proposed offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, the town of Barnstable and several Cape Cod businesses had argued in a lawsuit filed in January that the state oversteppcape
ed its authority when it brokered an agreement for NStar to buy power from the project.

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns on Friday dismissed the lawsuit, saying the federal court has no jurisdiction over claims in the case and because opponents of the wind farm failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted

Cape Wind President Jim Gordon said on Saturday that the court decision provides further momentum for the project to secure financing to launch a domestic offshore wind farm.

Opponents of the project did not immediately comment.

Noho Pride's 33rd annual LGBT Parade March kicked off Saturday under sunny skies, featuring than 100 groups and upwards of 2,000 marchers.

NORTHAMPTON -- Noho Pride's 33rd annual LGBT Parade March kicked off Saturday under sunny skies, featuring than 100 groups and upwards of 2,000 marchers.

"Look at this crowd, and look at this weather," said Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz. "You've got people here who are gay, straight; you've got local institutions — everyone coming out to support this idea of inclusion and diversity."

Church and school groups, marching bands, civic organizations, politicians, candidates for statewide office, a roller derby club and more joined gay, straight, bisexual and transgender marchers, twirlers, dancers and hula-hoopers in Saturday's festive parade.

"This day means everything to me, because everyone's allowed to be themselves, whether they're LGBTQ or straight," said Dita Davelpa of Springfield.

Gay-straight alliances from nearly a dozen schools around the region made an enthusiastic showing.

"We brought kids from all five Springfield High Schools today," said Camilo Oliveras, GSA advisor for Putnam High School in Springfield. "Together we're here to represent Springfield's diversity."

Many area church groups marched, including a crowd from the Haydenville Congregational Church, where the Rev. Andrea Ayvayzian is minister.

"We we are saying that God loves everyone and that we are all children of a divine spirit," said Ayvazian. "We were born in diversity and beauty, and we are celebrating community."

Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan was among the crowd. "I've been marching for a number of years," he said. "I'll just be really proud going across the rainbow crosswalk."

Last week Northampton's Department of Public Works painted a prominent downtown crosswalk in the colors of the rainbow, just in time for this year's march. The project was funded by $1,600 in private donations, and was the brainchild of Melinda Shaw, former executive director of Noho Pride.

Thousands of cheering spectators lined the streets as the parade made its way down Main Street to the Three County Fairgrounds, where speakers and performers entertained the crowd, even as the skies turned cloudy by mid-afternoon.

"I think this is great for the community," said Northampton City Councilor Marianne LaBarge. "We all come together, we work together, and this is what it's all about."

At 5:05 p.m., police closed St. James Avenue between Corona Street and Cuff Avenue to clear the scene and allow WMECO workers time to respond and replace the damaged utility pole.

SPRINGFIELD — Police closed a section of St. James Avenue in the city Saturday afternoon after what seemed like a serious car accident left a utility pole snapped and hanging by the wires it was designed to support.

Around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, first responders were called to the 800 block of St. James Avenue near Melville Street to investigate. At least one person was injured in the crash, although the details of the incident weren't immediately available.

At 5:05 p.m., police closed St. James Avenue between Corona Street and Cuff Avenue to clear the scene and allow WMECO workers time to respond and replace the damaged utility pole.

It is unclear just how long the road will be closed, as police are on the scene detouring traffic down adjacent side streets.

Roughly 300 mourners said goodbye during a tearful funeral service at Rollingstone Congergational Church on Main Street

FITCHBURG -- The disappearance of five-year-old Jeremiah Oliver brought Fitchburg together over the past four months, in the form of search parties, fundraisers and prayer vigils. On Saturday, the community gathered to mark his death.

Roughly 300 mourners said goodbye during a tearful funeral service at Rollingstone Congergational Church on Main Street.

Jeremiah's body was found two weeks ago, just off I-190 in Sterling. He had been missing since September, and the community had been searching for him since December.

Jeremiah’s mother, Elsa Oliver, and her boyfriend, Alberto Sierra, are in prison, having been charged in connection with his disappearance. No one has yet been charged in Jeremiah’s death.

Jeremiah's father, Jose Oliver, gave an emotional speech, asking his son for forgiveness and praising Jeremiah's brother and sister, Juliana and Romeo.

Authorities say Jeremiah's disappearance wasn't discovered until Juliana reported abuse in the home to school officials.

“You will always be Fitchburg's hero, Jeremiah’s hero,” Jose Oliver said about Juliana.

Before the service began, family and friends filed past a posterboard of photos of Jeremiah Oliver and stopped at the casket to say goodbye. Jeremiah’s father, Jose Oliver, in a white suit and vest with a backwards Yankees baseball hat, reached out, hand trembling, toward the white coffin holding his son’s body.

“I’m sorry.” he cried into the otherwise silent church sanctuary. “I’m so sorry.”

Jose Oliver said that for two years, he hadn't seen his son. He said he worried his son wouldn't have known who his father was.

Then, he said, Jeremiah came to him in a dream the night before the service. In the dream, Jeremiah reassured his father, saying "The day that I died was the best day in my life, because now I’m safe and Romeo and Juliana are safe," Jose Oliver said.

Jose Oliver thanked the community for its support. By the middle of this week, more than $4,000 had been donated to the family to pay for funeral expenses. Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong was one of the first mourners to arrive.

Members of Jeremiah’s family wore royal blue hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts with “#TEAMJEREMIAH” in white lettering on their backs.

"I ask myself why did it have to take the death of a child for us to come together as we are right now?” Jose Oliver said. “There's so much hatred in this world, but I hope that from this experience that we do stay united and look out for one another because this is beautiful."

The bilingual service featured a children's choir from New Life Spanish Christian Church singing "No Me Digas Adios, Si No Hasta Luego," which in English means "Don't say goodbye, but see you later."

A Fitchburg fourth-grader, Mariah O'Neill, supported by her family, read the words to a song the girl wrote in Jeremiah's honor. Mariah and her cousin recorded the song, and sold copies to help raise money for the funeral costs. The song has raised more than $1,000, Rev. Thomas C. Hughes said.

Hughes, pastor at New Creation Community Church in Fitchburg, urged the audience to take more interest in the children in their community. He referenced the famous African proverb, that it takes a village to raise a child.

“(Jeremiah) has left us with some responsibility," Hughes said, "and we must not fail him now.”

Jeremiah was a fun-loving young boy, Hughes said, who loved nothing better than to dig in the park for worms, bugs and spiders. He wanted to be a police officer, the pastor said.

"Jeremiah was a beautiful little boy born into an imperfect world,” Hughes said.

Hughes said he couldn't explain why Jeremiah had been taken, but he was proud of the way Fitchburg had helped the boy's family.

"So many people have asked me why, what good could come out of this?" Hughes said. "I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do know this: this little boy, who lived only 1,800 days, has managed to bring this community together."