Curt Schilling's Studio 38 failure could reduce Rhode Island's state bonds to "junk" status a reports says.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Defaulting on the debt related to 38 Studios' bankruptcy would sink Rhode Island's bond rating to junk status and could harm the state's overall business climate, an independent analyst predicted in a report released Friday.

The report from Minnesota-based SJ Advisors said default would bring increased borrowing costs and harm to the state's reputation, and could lead to a "contagion effect impacting other Rhode Island issuers and even taint the business environment."

The firm believes the most likely scenario with a default would have the state paying nearly $126 million more than the cost of honoring the debt. Even under the best-case scenario, the state would pay $36 million more.

The General Assembly called for the outside analysis last year as it reluctantly approved the first payment, from state funds, to bondholders who financed the 38 Studios deal. The $2.4 million payment was due May 1.

But some lawmakers say taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for what was a colossally bad transaction. They have been pushing default on the remaining $87 million that Rhode Island owes under the deal that gave 38 Studios a $75 million state-backed loan. The loan was financed by so-called moral obligation bonds, for which there is no legal repayment requirement.

Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, said Friday the state should honor the debt.

"The responsible course of action is to repay the state's obligation while pursuing litigation and every means to recoup costs on behalf of the taxpayers," she said in a statement.

The state's economic development agency is suing 38 Studios founder and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and others over the collapse of his video game company. It says the board was misled into approving the deal that helped lure the company from Massachusetts to Providence.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, hasn't yet taken a position on repaying.

"This report provides House members with some good information that will help us to formulate a fact-based decision on the bond repayment," he said in a statement. "The report will be considered, along with the examination of various aspects of this issue by the House Finance and Oversight committees."

John Simmons, executive director of the business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, testified before House Oversight on Thursday that a default would cost the state more than the 38 Studios debt.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee's administration conducted an analysis last year that similarly concluded a default would harm the state's financial reputation and lead to significantly higher borrowing costs. He insists the state must make good on the debt, no matter how distasteful it is.

The state is paying up to $75,000 for the SJ Advisors report.

An emergency restraining order has been served on a man police believe tried to damage his estranged girlfriend's car with fire crackers

 

A resident on Allen Park Road called police to report seeing a man use a lighter to light two fuses and throw the fused objects under a car shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday morning. The witness said he heard "explosions." Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said the "explosives" in question were M-80 fire crackers.

A security camera had previously been set up to monitor the cars in the neighborhood after some had been broken into. Video from that camera showed a man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and jeans, walk up to the car in question light the fuses and toss the fire crackers under the car. Kastrinakis said the video may not show the identity of the suspect but the car he was driving matched that of the woman's former boyfriend.

Witnesses said the fire crackers exploded and smoke rose from under the car. Firefighters were called to the scene, but the fireworks did not set the vehicle ablaze. However, the owner was advised to have the vehicle checked for damage.

Meanwhile, police served an emergency restraining order on the suspect ordering him to stay away from the woman in question.

An Arkansas clerk has issued the state's first gay marriage license, breaking a barrier that voters put in place with a constitutional amendment 10 years ago.

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas clerk issued the state's first gay marriage license on Saturday, breaking a barrier that voters put in place with a constitutional amendment 10 years ago.

Carroll County Deputy Clerk Jane Osborn issued a license Saturday morning to Kristin Seaton, 27, and Jennifer Rambo, 26, of Fort Smith. They had slept in a Ford Focus after arriving in Eureka Springs at 2 a.m. Saturday and were the first of about 10 couples to line up outside of the courthouse before it opened.

When the license was issued, Rambo said, "Thank God." Seaton and Rambo, who have been together four years, then held a marriage ceremony on the courthouse steps. A woman in a rainbow dress officiated.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza ruled Friday that Arkansas' 2004 voter-approved amendment to the state constitution violates the rights of gay couples. He didn't put his ruling on hold as some judges in other states have done. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said he would appeal the ruling and asked it be suspended during that process. No appeal had been filed as of Saturday morning when the license was issued.

Arkansas' amendment was passed in 2004 with the overwhelming support of Arkansas voters. Piazza's ruling also overturned a 1997 state law banning gay marriage. In striking down the ban, Piazza wrote that it is "an unconstitutional attempt to narrow the definition of equality."

"The exclusion of a minority for no rational reason is a dangerous precedent," he said in his ruling.

The U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled that a law forbidding the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages was unconstitutional. Since then, lower-court judges have repeatedly cited the decision when striking down some of the same-sex marriage bans that were enacted after Massachusetts started recognizing gay marriages in 2004.

Federal judges have ruled against marriage bans in Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Texas, and ordered Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

In all, according to gay-rights groups, more than 70 lawsuits seeking marriage equality are pending in about 30 states. Democratic attorneys general in several states — including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oregon and Kentucky — have declined to defend same-sex marriage bans.

Arkansas' ruling came a week after McDaniel became the first statewide elected official to announce he personally supports gay marriage rights. But he said he would continue to defend the constitutional ban in court.

Aaron Sadler, McDaniel's spokesman, said Friday the attorney general sought the stay because "we know that questions about validity of certain actions will arise absent a stay."

A steady rain earlier in the morning slowed the early-morning masses who usually arrive at the event, which also marked the city's 378th birthday. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Thousands of people evidently were not put off from the prospect of soggy pancakes, as the annual "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast" still drew thousands to the downtown on Saturday morning.

A steady rain earlier in the morning slowed the early-morning masses who usually arrive at the event, which also marked the city's 378th birthday.

 

"We usually have an earlier crowd, but the sun's out and they're coming now," said Judith A. Matt, executive director of Spirit of Springfield, the city's premier civic booster which organizes the event.

The breakfast not only serves as a showcase for local youth talent, such as the Boland Choir, city dance troupes and regional beauty queens, but offers a low-cost retail politicking opportunity. Candidates for statewide and county offices trolled for votes, including opponents for Hampden District Attorney and other seats.

"It's rare that you get this many people in one place, and not have to spend much money to reach them," said Carlos Gonzalez, Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce president and a contender for the 10th Hampden District state representative seat.

The event traditionally has an honorary chair who is a newsmaker and has some significance in the city's past or future. This year, outgoing Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet took the spot.

"I'm proud of the officers I work with. I'm ready to go. I've had a great career and I'm leaving with a warm feeling. It's gratifying going out on a high note like this," said Fitchet, gesturing to the swelling crowd as the weather cleared up.

Fitchet is set to retire May 31; he will be succeeded by Deputy Chief John Barbieri.

In 1976, Springfield celebrated the country’s bicentennial with the first breakfast breakfast on Main Street. Ten years later, when the city was celebrating its 350th anniversary, it hosted another and the event has continued since. It began the friendly competition with Battle Creek, Michigan, the self-proclaimed “Cereal Capital.”

Last year's honorary chairman was MGM Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, before voters approved the project. The license has yet to be awarded by the State Gaming Commission. While MGM's presence was not as strongly felt this year, the company was nonetheless the primary sponsor of the breakfast and MGM Springfield project manager Chuck Irving was in attendance.

"There's nothing else like this. It's so New England ... and it's made possible by a small city where everyone knows each other," Irving said.

The meal is served thanks to the generosity of several organizations, including those who donate the food. Friendly's restaurants contributes 70 gallons of syrup; Carando Classic Italian Foods offers up nearly 1,000 pounds of bacon; McDonald's donates 40 pounds of coffee; Cabot Creamery brings 200 pounds of butter and H.P. Hood delivers hundreds of gallons of milk, juice and cream.

The event brings families who have made the breakfast a tradition as well as newcomers, such as Judi Crowell, of Springfield, and her 12-year-old son, Michael.

"We were driving by, looking for something else and saw the crowds. I said what is this? So we stopped. This is great," Judi Crowell said.

Speaking Friday evening to a packed house at the First Churches, the senator from Vermont discussed economic inequality, money in politics, military spending, party politics, universal health care, and the power of community organizing in a back-and-forth with Nichols. Sanders then fielded questions from the audience well into the night.

NORTHAMPTON -- The Progressive Democrats of America have kicked off their tenth anniversary celebration with a public dialog featuring U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation magazine.

Speaking Friday evening to a packed house at the First Churches, the senator from Vermont discussed economic inequality, money in politics, military spending, party politics, universal health care, and the power of community organizing in a back-and-forth with Nichols. Sanders then fielded questions from the audience well into the night.

Sanders encouraged progressives to ally themselves with the American majority, rather than viewing themselves as an outside group:

"There are progressives out there who say, 'well, we're fighting for social justice; we're this, we're that; it's too bad we're in a minority, but someday the majority will catch up with us,' " said Sanders. "I've never believed that for a minute. Everything I'm going to talk about tonight ... I believe is what the vast majority of Americans believe."

In response to an audience question, Sanders said the most powerful grassroots movements in America today aim to overturn Citizens United and raise the minimum wage.

The weekend of events has been dedicated to the memory of PDA founder Tim Carpenter. The nationally-known progressive activist and Northampton resident died days ago at the age of 55 after a battle with melanoma.

"We are going to mourn, and we are going to organize, because Tim wouldn't want it any other way," said Michael Lighty of National Nurses United.

Sanders was the socialist mayor of Burlington, Vt. from 1981-89 and has served as an independent in Washington for the past 16 years, where he founded the Progressive Caucus.

Nichols was introduced as the "intellectual guiding star of our movement" and the "foremost analyst of American politics on the American left."

The event entitled “A Conversation with Senator Bernie Sanders" was sponsored by The Nation magazine, Progressive Democrats of America, and Northampton radio station WHMP.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Benjamin Beckett 

Benjamin T. Beckett, 36, of Springfield, died on Monday. Born and educated in Springfield, he was employed by the U.S. Post Office at the Deerfield facility and previously at the Springfield facility. Among his survivors are his fiancée and two children.

Virginia State Police said the body was found Saturday as more than 100 searchers continued to hunt for a third victim.

DOSWELL, Va. (AP) -- A second body has been recovered in the fiery crash of a hot air balloon in Virginia.

Virginia State Police said the body was found Saturday as more than 100 searchers continued to hunt for a third victim. None of the victims has been identified.

The balloon drifted into a power line Friday night, burst into flames and crashed. The balloon and the basket holding the pilot also have yet to be located.

The crash occurred ahead of a weekend balloon fest in Doswell, about 25 miles north of Richmond.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

The body of one occupant of a hot air balloon that caught fire and crashed has been recovered and police searched Saturday for two others feared dead, Virginia State Police said.

The three were in a balloon Friday night that witnesses said crashed amid screams for help from the balloon.

The body was found in a heavily wooded area shortly before midnight, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Saturday. The balloon and gondola carrying the pilot and two passengers have not been found, she said.

Because of the time elapsed since the crash about 8 p.m. Friday, the search for two other occupants has shifted from a rescue operation to a mission to recover the remains, Geller said. More searchers were called in Saturday.

Police received eyewitness reports that two occupants either fell or jumped from the burning balloon after it struck the power line.

Carrie Hager-Bradley said she saw the balloon in flames on her way home from the grocery store and heard people yelling, according to WWBT TV.

"They were just screaming for anybody to help them," she said. "'Help me, help me, sweet Jesus, help. I'm going to die. Oh my God, I'm going to die,'" Hager-Bradley said she heard one person screaming.

The crash occurred near the Meadow Event Park in rural Caroline County, where the Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival was being held. The area is about 25 miles north of Richmond.

Another eyewitness, Nancy Johnson, said the crash occurred in an instant.

"One minute the balloons were hovering in field behind Event Park, the next everyone is pointing at sky," she wrote in an email to The Associated Press. "The crowd went silent in shock. Very sad night."

Donnell Ferguson said he was cutting grass when he saw a couple balloons passing by. One was low, barely at tree-top level.

"At first I saw a cloud of black smoke and then I noticed the basket on fire," he said Saturday. "Then it just took off real fast and disappeared."

The festival was scheduled to begin officially on Saturday, but was holding a special kickoff event Friday for about 740 people. Organizers canceled the rest of the festival.

Twenty balloonists from the Mid-Atlantic region were to participate in the weekend festival, said Greg Hicks, a spokesman for the venue, which also is the site of the State Fair of Virginia.

"It's just a shocking situation for everyone," Hicks said.

Some hot air balloons landed safely in Debra Ferguson's yard, The Free Lance-Star of Fredericksburg reported.

She said one of the men in the balloons pointed up at another still in the air and said he thought it might be in trouble.

"As soon as we looked up, the thing blew up right there," Ferguson told the newspaper. "All I heard was, 'Oh my God, Oh my God,' and all you saw was the top of the balloon still flying, but all of the basket was gone. All of the flames just disappeared. ... It was like a match -- poof -- and then it was gone."

Caroline County resident Paula Dustin said she and her family and a friend were watching the balloons inflate and take off when they saw one in the distance that appeared to be in distress.

"We saw a glow, and you could tell the bottom of the balloon was in flames," Dustin was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston didn't find any obvious signs of trauma, but a toxicological test is pending.

WEYMOUTH — A Weymouth infant who was under the watch of the embattled Massachusetts Department of Children and Families died this week, and an investigation is underway to determine what caused her untimely demise.

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston didn't find any obvious signs of trauma, but a toxicological test is pending. DCF had recently opened a case on the 2-month-old child, who the Boston Herald reports lived in a Super 8 Motel in Weymouth with her parents and a teen-aged brother. The news organization reports that the family lived there under a program managed by the Department of Transitional Assistance to keep homeless families off the streets.

Early Thursday morning the girl's father called 911 to report his daughter had stopped breathing. She was taken to a local hospital but pronounced dead after efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

DCF spokesperson Cayenne Isaksen issued a statement saying the agency is saddened by the news of the young girl's death and conducting its own investigation.

"The Department is deeply saddened by this news. DCF had recently opened a case with this family when this tragic incident occurred," Isaksen said in a statement. "We received a report and the investigation is ongoing in coordination with law enforcement."

The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office is also conducting its own investigation in cooperation with Weymouth police.

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, DCF Chief Olga Roche, who Gov. Deval Patrick had been defending, stepped down as the governor said she had lost the trust of her employees and the public. Patrick has assigned an interim replacement for the agency and ordered it to hire additional caseworkers.

Despite an increase in caseload for DCF social workers over the past several years, the agency has had its budget slashed to the tune of $131 million. As the state legislature makes final revisions to the next fiscal year budget, Patrick has said he is hopeful funding will be increased.

State budget deliberations are set to resume on Beacon Hill as lawmakers wrestle over details of a proposed $36.2 billion spending plan for the July 1 fiscal year.

BOSTON (AP) — State budget deliberations are set to resume on Beacon Hill as lawmakers wrestle over details of a proposed $36.2 billion spending plan for the July 1 fiscal year.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee is scheduled on Wednesday to release its version of the budget, which will then go to the full Senate for a vote later in the month.

The budget calls for an overall spending increase of about 5 percent, but with no new taxes. The House targeted increases for several programs and agencies including the embattled Department of Children and Families.

The House budget also offers a two-month tax amnesty program.

After the Senate acts on its version of the spending plan, negotiators for the two chambers will work on a final version to present to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature.

Firefighters were called to 812 Page Blvd. in the city around 5:45 p.m. Saturday to extinguish a structure fire.

SPRINGFIELD — Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze at an East Springfield home Saturday afternoon and rescued two pets in the process.

Just before 5:45 p.m., a 911 call reported a fire in the upper unit at 812 Page Blvd., which sits on the northwest corner of the intersection with Roosevelt Avenue. Three minutes later, firefighters were on the scene, making their way to the second floor of the building. Shortly after than, water could be seen pouring out of a rear window onto two cars parked in the driveway.

According to Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger, the family living on the second floor had just returned home from grocery shopping when they placed their groceries on top of the stove. The burners were inadvertently left on, however, and ignited the packaging on the food they had just bought.

No one was injured in the fire, according to Ledger, but the department did rescue two cats.

Four residents living upstairs and three living downstairs were displaced by the fire, which caused an estimated $25,000-$30,000 in damages. The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross was called to assist them.

Since the closest fire hydrant was located directly across Page Boulevard from the home, the busy intersection, not far from the I-291 on ramp, was partially closed for approximately an hour.

According to the City of Springfield's online assessment database, the home was built in 1924 and most recently purchased in 2006 by Carmen Guzman, of Roslindale, Mass. for nearly $200,000. But a sign posted on the front of the home said the house had been placed in receivership by the Hampden County Housing Court, and was being overseen by the Longmeadow-based JJ's Capital Investment Company.

The city has assessed the property's value at $138,700.

Bay Path College commemorated the success of their largest-ever graduating class Saturday afternoon with a worthy celebration, featuring the pomp, circumstance and finery to leave a lasting, joyful memory with the triumphant students and their loved ones.

SPRINGFIELD - Bay Path College commemorated the success of their largest-ever graduating class Saturday afternoon with a worthy celebration, featuring the pomp, circumstance and finery to leave a lasting, joyful memory with the triumphant students and their loved ones.

The commencement ceremony - the 117th in Bay Path’s history - was held in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, in the main arena. During the opening procession, the band played, flashbulbs popped, cheers rained down, and individual graduates looked up to smile and beam and wave.

A series of speakers made up the first half of the event, offering up their experience and wisdom in the hope that it might strike a chord with the departing graduates.

Melina Andrea Isdith, Ariel Mary Lim, and Thomas J. Kwapien began the program on behalf of their fellow students, making clear their pleasure on the event and their thankfulness towards the faculty that helped them reach it.

Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, who was working as a first-grade teacher on the fateful day that brought Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut to the hearts and minds of the American people, received an honorary degree, then shared her thoughts on healing from that horrific, tragic event, and overcoming adversity to create a brighter future.

“That was the day that changed everything, everything but my focus, my perception, and my choice to choose hope. I had to focus on the abundant good that is all around... Hope is what gets us out of the bed in the morning, it’s the reason we’re all sitting here today... hope is truly the driving force,” said Roig-DeBellis. “I could never have prepared for the events of 12/14/2012, and in the weeks following, I found myself on a very new path, with no plan... You too will meet times that weren’t in your plan, times where your path takes an unexpected turn... I would encourage you to always choose hope, and to always persevere, for you will always end up farther than where you started.”

Joshua Kraft, the President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, also received an honorary degree, then fulfilled his duty as the commencement speaker. Kraft chose to share what he learned from anthropologist Margaret Mead.

“In the days of the survival of the fittest, when we truly lived by the law of the jungle, if someone’s leg bone had the time to heal, it means that people in that society fed him or her, protected him or her, and helped him or her heal... compassion is the first sign of civilization,” said Kraft. “There’s one thing we can all take away. We all know that violence and brutality are, unfortunately, as old as mankind, but so is something else, something more powerful. And that is the power of compassion, of communities of compassion, to instill in all of us, hope and opportunity, not just for today, but on into the future.”

Following the remarks, two students earned plaudits for their achievements. Stephanie Belsen was presented with the Eagle Award, while Lorena Elizabeth Cisneros was recognized with the Pathfinder Award.

The graduates were then called to the stage, announced by name, and handed their diplomas. They stepped on stage with the cheers of family and friends ringing in their ears.

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a car crash on I-290 in Worcester that led to a man being shot early Saturday morning.

WORCESTER — Massachusetts State Police are investigating a car crash on I-290 in Worcester that led to a man being shot early Saturday morning.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.'s office reported that a city resident drove himself to the hospital with gunshot wounds around 3 a.m. Saturday just as troopers were arriving at the scene of an apparent crash near the intersection of I-290 and I-190.

Early's office said a trooper on patrol saw a vehicle facing the wrong way o the road but by the time he turned around, it was gone. At the scene, however, was evidence of a crash and a shooting.

The 26-year-old man with gunshot wounds is expected to live, according to the district attorney's office, and anyone who may have seen the incident or with knowledge of what exactly transpired is asked to call state police detectives assigned to the DA's office at 508-832-9124.

A University of Richmond women's basketball assistant coach and team staff member were the passengers aboard a hot air balloon that drifted into a power line, burst into flames and crashed in Virginia.

DOSWELL, Va. — A University of Richmond women's basketball assistant coach and team staff member were the passengers aboard a hot air balloon that drifted into a power line, burst into flames and crashed in Virginia.

University administrators said in a news release Saturday that associate head coach Ginny Doyle and director of basketball operations Natalie Lewis were two of the three people aboard the balloon that crashed the day before. Investigators say the remains of two people were found about a mile apart in dense woods, and the search continued for the third body.

"Words cannot begin to express our sorrow," Keith Gill, the school's athletic director, said in a news release. "We are all stunned by the tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones."

More than 100 searchers spent the day scouring the woods and fields around the crash site for the third victim and any remnants of the balloon. The search was being scaled back as darkness approached but was set to resume Sunday. Investigators declined to say whose remains had already been found.

Lewis just completed her second year as director of basketball operations for the Richmond women's basketball program, according to a profile on the university's website. The Buffalo, New York, native was a four-year letter winner and two-time captain of the Spiders' swim team.

A spokeswoman for Lewis' family, Julie Snyder, called Lewis "an amazing person and a strong person, an athlete engaged to be married."

Doyle, who graduated from Richmond in 1992 after a standout basketball career, served on the team staff for 16 years after that -- including nine winning seasons. She earned all-conference honors twice as a player.

"As alumnae, classmates, and colleagues -- and as invaluable and devoted mentors for our student-athletes -- Ginny and Natalie have been beloved members of our community," university President Edward L. Ayers said in the news release.

The university canceled two weekend baseball games and held a moment of silence at its commencement Saturday.

Witnesses to the crash described a harrowing sight on the special preview night for the Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival, which was set to open Saturday. The festival was canceled. About 740 people attended the preview event.

On the ground, "It was complete silence," spectator Nancy Johnson said. "There were people praying. It was horrible."

The balloon was among 13 that lifted off Friday night from Meadow Event Park, home to the State Fair of Virginia, and was approaching a landing site nearby. Two of the balloons landed safely before the third hit the live power line, according to police.

The pilot attempted to retain control of the balloon and snuff the fire and two passengers either jumped or fell from the gondola, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said.

"Then witnesses recall hearing an explosion and the fire continued to spread," Geller said.

She said another pilot interviewed by investigators described how the pilot tried to open vents to release extra-hot air in an attempt to keep the balloon from rising faster.

"Based on witness accounts, he did everything he could to try to save the passengers' lives," Geller said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash.

Troy Bradley, past president of the Balloon Federation of America, said most serious accidents on balloons -- including fires, electrocution or baskets becoming severed -- happen after hitting power lines. Most of the time it's due to pilot error, he said.

Fatal accidents happen less often than with other types of aircraft, Bradley said.

"Hundreds of thousands of flights will go without any notice. That one that hits the news gets all the attention, but ballooning is a very, very safe form of aviation."

Twenty balloonists from the Mid-Atlantic region had been scheduled to participate in the weekend festival, said Greg Hicks, a spokesman for the venue.

Johnson, who went as a spectator to the festival with her husband, photographed the balloon after the accident. She said the crash near the park about 25 miles north of Richmond occurred in an instant.

"One minute the balloons were hovering in a field behind Event Park, the next everyone is pointing at sky," she said.

Carrie Hager-Bradley said she saw the balloon in flames on her way home from the grocery and heard people yelling.

"They were just screaming for anybody to help them," she told WWBT TV. "One person screamed, 'Help me, help me, sweet Jesus, help. I'm going to die. Oh my God, I'm going to die.'"

Donnell Ferguson said he was cutting grass when he saw a couple balloons passing by. One was low, barely at tree-top level.

"At first I saw a cloud of black smoke and then I noticed the basket on fire," he said. "Then it just took off real fast and disappeared."

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the Cessna 207 crashed 400 to 500 feet short of the tarmac.

PAGE, Ariz. -- A small plane carrying French tourists crashed while landing in windy conditions Saturday at an airport in northern Arizona, killing one person and leaving another hospitalized, authorities said.

"The plane hit the sand and flipped over upside down," Varner told The Associated Press.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the Cessna 207 crashed 400 to 500 feet short of the tarmac.

Varner said one passenger died after being rushed to a hospital, while another was hospitalized in apparent stable condition.

He said four others received hospital treatment for minor injuries and were released, while the seventh person was unhurt. The pilot was among the injured.

The aircraft was on a sightseeing tour when the accident occurred, Varner said.

Both the captain and the FAA website said the aircraft's registered owner is American Aviation Inc. of Salt Lake City.

A person answering the phone there late Saturday said they didn't have any information.

Varner said that the hometowns of the passengers was still being determined but at least one of them was from the French city of Le Havre.

Both Gregor and Varner said the cause of the crash was being investigated.

A man diving with a group of people died when he suffered a medical emergency while under water.

GLOUCESTER— An Everett man died Saturday afternoon as he SCUBA dived in the waters off Gloucester's Stage Fort Park, police said.

According to witnesses, the 38-year-old diver suffered some sort of health emergency at approximately 1:30 p.m. while under water, but was able to make to the surface and call for help.

Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello told the Gloucester Daily Times that bystanders were able to being the unidentified man to shore and administer CPR. Police and fire emergency medical personnel also attempted to save the man. He was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead.

Police withheld his name pending notification of the next of kin.

Campanello said the man was diving with a group of people at the time of the incident. The death remains under investigation.

Anna Camyre has no recollection of how she received the traumatic head injuries that left her on the brink of death in a Boston hospital in the summer of 2003. But she does remember that it was her mother, JoAnne Fotiathis, who willed her back to life.

AGAWAM — Anna Camyre has no recollection of how she received the traumatic head injuries that left her on the brink of death in a Boston hospital in the summer of 2003. But she does remember that it was her mother, JoAnne Fotiathis, who willed her back to life.

This Mother’s Day, Camyre, now 28 and the mother of two sons, said she is filled with love and gratitude and for her mother, who left her job as registered nurse to stay her only daughter’s side for 90 days when her survival was a touch-and-go proposition.

Now a nursing student herself at Springfield Technical Community College, Camrye said. “I would have been dead without my mother. She gave me my life back. No words can express how much she means to me.”

Fotiathis said she refused to give up on her daughter no matter how bleak the prospects seemed.

Anna Camyre, left, of Agawam, credits her mother Joann Fotiathis, also of Agawam, with saving her life after Camyre suffered traumatic brain injuries. Submitted photo 

How the then-17-year-old received her injuries remains a mystery, according to mother and daughter as they recalled the chain of events that led to her hospitalization and multiple surgeries.

Fotiathis said Camyre was missing for almost three weeks, leading police to believe she was a runaway. After days of agony, Fotiathis received a call that her daughter had crashed a car outside the family’s home.

When she got home to reunite with her daughter, it was if Camyre had amnesia, Fotiathis said. “I didn’t remember anything at all,” Camrye said.

Concerned her daughter’s memory loss was a signal of something live-threatening, Fotiathis took her to a hospital emergency room — only to be sent home. Fotiathis said she was not convinced and she took her to another local hospital “where the nurse saw the same thing I saw.”

An MRI confirmed bleeding on the brain — and the teenager was sent to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where she stayed for three months, seriously injured and hovering between life and death.

Fotiathis said the surgeon who took care of her daughter had no explanation for her ultimate recovery, calling it the work of God.

Camyre said here road to recovery was fraught with many ups and downs as she relearned how to do the simplest things.

The mystery of how Camyre was injured has never been solved. Fotiathis said police believe someone beat her about the head.

For Camyre, she said she is just grateful to be alive. And Fotiathis said she is grateful that her daughter has no memory of what happened to her in 2003.

Together the mother and daughter, who live around the corner from one another, will celebrate this Mother’s Day together with a joint family dinner. They both feel blessed and are looking forward to many more Mother's Days ahead — due to the grace of God and a mother-daughter bond that could not be broken.

A Springfield man allegedly tried to beat his ex-girlfriend and ends up facing major drug charges instead.

A Springfield police cruiser at night.(Republican file photo by Robert Rizzuto) 

Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said police were called to 65 East Bay Path Terr, shortly before 2:30 a.m. when the 31-year-old Mims allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's apartment, and assaulted her. According to statements she made to police, Mims threw the woman to the floor and kicked her. When she began screaming and calling for help, she told police Mims left the apartment and drove away in his green GMC Yukon.

Minutes later a description of that car was broadcast to city police and not far from the original scene, two patrolling officers stopped the suspect near the intersection of Bay Path Terr. and Peer Street. Mims ran from the car, leading officers Brendan Curran and Anthony Cicero on a brief foot chase but to no avail. He was run down and taken into custody. Police then inventoried the contents of his vehicle and found 27 grams of crack cocaine and $750 in cash.

Mims is being held on charges of trafficking in cocaine, breaking and entering into a dwelling in the night for a felony, burglary, domestic assault and battery and resisting arrest. He will be arraigned in Springfield District Court Monday.

A smart phone app got a Chicopee woman into major trouble when she allegedly used it to record her arrest.

 

Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said 24-year-old Karen Dziewit of Chicopee was drinking in front of 140 Chestnut Street shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday when police were called to assist a security officer at that address. Police said Dziewit was screaming and yelling and disturbing the tenants of the buildings, and she refused to stop her tirade when police asked her to.

She was arrested. But, before she was taken into custody, she apparently started the voice recorder in her smart phone and put it in her purse.

She was taken to police headquarters for booking and as officers inventoried the contents of her purse, they found the phone actively recording the entire process.

Dziewit was charged with unlawful wiretapping, disorderly conduct and an open container violation. She will be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Monday.

Arson Investigator Lt. Roland Sawyer is looking for the cause of the Church Street fire.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The fire which destroyed a three-family home at 30-32 Church St. remains under investigation, officials said.

Firefighters under the direction of Deputy Chief Daniel Borsari arrived on scene around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night for a structure fire.

Although the fire was put out within 30 minutes of arriving to the home, fire crews remained on scene for several hours and police blocked off Church Street between Union and Main streets, only allowing local traffic to proceed.

West Springfield Fire Department Arson Investigator Lt. Roland Sawyer is still looking for the cause of the fire, which displaced two families, officials said.

The 4th of July Parade in East Longmeadow is the largest in Western Massachusetts.

EAST LONGMEADOW — Preparations are well underway for this year's 4th of July Parade in East Longmeadow.

"The committee has received an influx of new people to help create this event. This new assistance is greatly appreciated and we have already made some changes as well as formulated new ideas," said Brian A. Falk, spokesman for the parade committee.

Parade Co-chairmen Carl Ohlin and Ryan Quimby said past participants should have received their invitations last month. If they have not or if someone new wants to participate, they can access the participation forms on line at www.eastlongmeadowma.gov. Look for 4th of July under the “Living In” section.

As in past years, be sure to provide the committee with information about the organization/group, so that they can receive proper recognition when they pass the reviewing stand.

The parade theme this year is “Stars & Stripes Forever”.

"Remember the theme when you prepare your parade entry when decorating. This theme should bring out the “red, white & blue” as we celebrate our nation’s independence," Falk said.

Parade organizers are seeking veterans of all wars and conflicts to participate in the parade.

"It is our way of recognizing you for your service to our nation. Men and women, veterans and active members from all branches of the military are encouraged to wear their uniforms, so as to provide notoriety of your service to our country," Balk said.

Though new people have come forward to serve on the committee, there is a continual need for people to provide assistance on the day of the parade. There is always a need for parade marshals as well as banner carriers, he said.

Parade marshals help the committee form up and run the parade on July 4th. Marshals are required to attend one meeting prior to the parade in order to receive their unit assignments and the list of participants.

Banner carriers can be children who are at least middle school age. Middle School students should sign up in the principal’s office.

High school students who wish to be either banner carriers or parade marshals can receive community service time toward graduation. See Mr. Maccarini in the Career Center.

Anyone interested in either being a banner carrier, parade marshal, committee member, or are a veteran and want to be part of the parade should contact Ryan Quimby at (413) 525-5400 extension 1901 or Carl Ohlin at (413) 525-2952.

You can also sign up to volunteer for the parade by clicking here.