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Hotel manager from Greenfield and alleged pimp arrested after police report shutting down prostitution ring openly operating at Comfort Inn in Connecticut

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Several Connecticut residents and a hotel manager from Greenfield, Mass. are facing charges after police say they shut down a prostitution ring which was openly operating in a Comfort Inn in Wethersfield.

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — Several Connecticut residents and a hotel manager from Greenfield, Mass. are facing charges after police say they shut down a prostitution ring which was openly operating in a Comfort Inn in Wethersfield.

According to the Hartford Courant
, 29-year-old Jaimin "Jay" Malaviya of Greenfield was the hotel's general manager, but following a year-long investigation he is facing a slew of charges including promoting prostitution and embezzlement, for allegedly stealing more than $205,000 from the businesses accounts.

Police allege that Malaviya offered the alleged prostitutes and their pimp, 40-year-old Hartford resident Josue "Bear" Arroyo, discounted rooms and on occasion helped prostitutes set up their rooms for business. Police told the Courant that much of the intelligence in the lengthy investigation was developed after recording jailhouse conversations between former hotel manager Nathaniel Reeves of East Hartford and his girlfriend, who came to visit him while he was incarcerated.

They say Reeves, 40, talked openly of helping run the prostitution business and working with Malaviya. The newspaper reports that although Malaviya resides in Greenfield, he is an Indian citizen who is now facing deportation, although he is currently free on $100,000 bail.

The Comfort Inn in question is owned by Vidhyadhar Mitta, who denied any knowledge of the prostitution ring and said he fired Malaviya once he learned of the allegations against him. Mitta also runs several hotels and motels in the Commonwealth, including so-called homeless hotels in Western Massachusetts such as the Days Inn in Greenfield and the Quality Inn in Chicopee.



Christian Church Kids Parade held in Springfield

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Fifteen churches marched from Springfield City Hall to Waverly Street for a rally.

Area Pentecostal churches in Springfield gathered Saturday for a parade on Main Street in Springfield to spread the word of God and rally against drugs and violence in the city.

Fifteen churches marched from Springfield City Hall to Waverly Street for a rally.

Silver Alert issued for Kaytlyn Wasilewski, 17-year-old 'endangered runaway'

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Police say Kaytlyn Wasilewski, a 17-year-old from Coventry, left home on her own accord but due to increasing concern for her well being, is considered an endangered runaway.

Update: At 1:53 p.m. Saturday, the Connecticut State Police cancelled the Silver Alert for Kaytlyn Wasilewski.


COVENTRY, Conn. — The Coventry Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for a missing teen who hasn't been seen since she left home on Friday.

Kaytlyn WasilewskiView full sizeKaytlyn Wasilewski 

Police say Kaytlyn Wasilewski, a 17-year-old from Coventry, left home on her own accord but due to increasing concern for her well being, is considered an endangered runaway. A Silver Alert was issued for her Friday night.

Connecticut's silver alert system is commonly used to spread the word about runaways and endangered runaways, as well as missing persons with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Wasilewski is described as a white female standing 5-feet, 5-inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and khaki pants.

Anyone with information about Wasilewski's whereabouts is asked to call the Coventry Police Department at 860-742-7331.


Hartford police investigating fatal shooting on Auburn Street

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Police in Hartford say they are investigating the fatal shooting of a young man in the city.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Police in Hartford say they are investigating the fatal shooting of a young man in the city.

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Police Lt. Brian Foley says on Twitter that the victim was shot early Saturday on Auburn Street.

Foley did not immediately identify the victim, except to say that he is in his 20s.

He did not immediately say whether investigators have identified suspects or arrested anyone over the shooting.

Foley did not immediately return calls and an email for additional information.


Community support rallies fire-ravaged Hadley restaurant to reopen in Northampton

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As far as the food itself, Son said the menu will stay basically the same, with a few additions. He wants to maintain the fast service that the Hadley eatery was known for.

Some dreams may have perished in an October 2013 Hadley fire that destroyed 15 businesses, but at least one of them has gone to paradise–Paradise City, that is.

Banh Mi Saigon, a popular Vietnamese eatery that was lost in the fire, will reopen in Northampton sometime in August. The restaurant is taking over the space at 18 Main St., the former home of Pho Vietnam, which closed last month.

Banh Mi owner and chef Chuong Son admitted that his family's dreams were shattered by the blaze and they didn't think they'd be able to rebuild the business. The family had sunk its life savings to open the venue about two years ago and inexperience with the business side of being a restaurateur wound up hurting them after the fire, Son said.

"We thought we had more insurance coverage than we did," Son said. "So we didn't think we'd be able to reopen."

What changed the family's mind was the outpouring of support from the community. Along with donations to a GoFundMe campaign and proceeds from a benefit concert, everyone from local chambers of commerce to elected officials to the United away offered moral and business support. But the the biggest boost came from the restaurant's customers.

"When we saw the outpouring of love from our customers and how much they loved us and our food, it just encouraged us and motivated us to reopen and be bigger and better," Son said.

However, there was still was the logistical problem of finding enough money to reboot–and then finding a site for the restaurant. Son looked at several places in the area, but his business just didn't have enough of a track record for banks to sign off on a traditional business loan.

But Pho Vietnam closing its doors opened a door for Banh Mi Saigon. Son was familiar with the former restaurant's owners and they struck a deal to sell the business, using a combination of insurance money and other donations. The family is also working with Common Capital, a Holyoke-based nonprofit community development financial group, to secure funding for new equipment it needs.

As far as the food itself, Son said the menu will stay basically the same, with a few additions. He wants to maintain the fast service that the Hadley eatery was known for.

"We will add some new things, but we would rather do a few things really well than have a big menu," he said. "We will have triple the seating we had in Hadley, so that will be different. We just want everyone to feel welcome."

Son knows the Northampton restaurant market is extremely competitive and the fact that he is taking over a space where a Vietnamese restaurant just failed makes him a bit nervous.

"It's exciting to be in Northampton," he said. "But it's also nerve-wracking. We do a different thing than Pho Vietnam and we already have a great customer base. We are excited to be here and we want to be part of the community."

Southampton church plans pulled pork dinner

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SOUTHAMPTON — Those who enjoy fellowship and food with a southern flair should mark their calendars. The Southampton Congregational Church, continuing their newly-revived tradition of hosting community suppers, plans a pulled-pork dinner on Saturday, July 26 from 5-7 p.m. The menu includes pulled pork with coleslaw, cornbread, fruit cobbler, and more. "We're having these dinners as often as possible...

SOUTHAMPTON — Those who enjoy fellowship and food with a southern flair should mark their calendars.

The Southampton Congregational Church, continuing their newly-revived tradition of hosting community suppers, plans a pulled-pork dinner on Saturday, July 26 from 5-7 p.m.

The menu includes pulled pork with coleslaw, cornbread, fruit cobbler, and more.

"We're having these dinners as often as possible to bring people together, have some good food, and socialize," said church member Diana Federman. "Everyone is welcome."

Federman noted that many of the church's members are pitching in to help. "It's really a team effort," she said.

The church has about 150 members, and is served by interim pastor Nancy Sykes, said Federman.

Admission for the July 26 pulled-pork dinner is $8 for adults, and $6 for seniors and children. Children under the age of six are admitted for free.

The church is located at 212 College Highway.

United Nations Security Council calls for cease-fire in Israeli-Palestinian conflict over Gaza

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A council statement approved by all 15 members calls for de-escalation of the violence, restoration of calm and a resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution.

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council called Saturday for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict centered on the Gaza Strip.

A council statement approved by all 15 members calls for de-escalation of the violence, restoration of calm and a resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution.

The statement calls for "the reinstitution of the November 2012 cease-fire" brokered by Egypt, but gives no time frame for when it should take effect.

Palestinian U.N. envoy, Riyad Mansour, said the Palestinians' understanding is that the cease-fire should go into effect immediately.

He said the Palestinians will be watching closely to see if the Israelis respond to the council's call, stressing that if they don't "we have a lot of tools in our arsenal."

The press statement, which is not legally binding but reflects international opinion, is the first response by the U.N.'s most powerful body, which has been deeply divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United States, Israel's most important ally, has defended the Israeli attacks in response to the barrage of rockets fired into Israel from Gaza, which is controlled by the militant group Hamas. But other council members have decried the Israeli attacks which Mansour said have killed or injured more than 1,000 Palestinians. There have been no fatalities in Israel from the continued rocket fire.

The council statement does not directly mention either the Hamas rocketing or the Israeli response.

Instead, it expresses "serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides" and calls for "respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians."

Evan Falchuk, independent candidate for governor, to march in Western Mass. Puerto Rican Parade in Holyoke

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Falchuk, who speaks fluent Spanish, will march in the parade, which is part of the 28th anniversary of the Hispanic Family Festival in the Pioneer Valley.

HOLYOKE — At least one candidate running for governor will participate in the Western Mass. Puerto Rican Parade in Holyoke this Sunday as independent Evan Falchuk is slated to attend.

Falchuk, who speaks fluent Spanish, will march in the parade, which is part of the 28th anniversary of the Hispanic Family Festival in the Pioneer Valley. The parade starts at noon at the intersection of Pine Street and Resnic Boulevard.

"My father grew up in Venezuela, so my connection to Latin culture through my family and later through my work is always something that has been deeply important to me," Falchuk said. "It's not just because I speak Spanish; for me, it's been a point of great pride to have the opportunity to spend time in Latin communities across Massachusetts, and participate in events like these that celebrate the wonderful cultural heritage of Latin Americans here in Massachusetts."

Falchuk is running to not only become the next governor, but to have his United Independent Party be recognized as an official political party in Massachusetts. The Wilbraham-raised Angus Jennings is his lieutenant governor running mate.

His campaign has been among the most active in Western Massachusetts, and Falchuk will return to the area with a Chicopee stop on July 28 and a Springfield stop on Aug. 11.

Falchuk, a married father of three, has held various leadership positions with Best Doctors, Inc., a Boston-based global health company that offers a benefit through employers and health insurers in which members can get their medical diagnosis reviewed by top doctors. Previously, he was an attorney in Washington doing SEC enforcement work.



Mass. Senate passes bill authorizing $5 million to dredge Lake Wickaboag in West Brookfield

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A bill progressed through the Massachusetts Senate this week authorizing the spending of up to $5 million to dredge the north end of Lake Wickaboag in West Brookfield to increase its depth and the overall water quality.

BOSTON — A bill progressed through the Massachusetts Senate this week authorizing the spending of up to $5 million to dredge the north end of Lake Wickaboag in West Brookfield to increase its depth and the overall water quality.

State Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, announced Friday that the funding was included in a bill authorizing spending up to $1.9 billion over the next four years to provide for the preservation and improvement of land, parks and clean energy across the Commonwealth. Lake Wickaboag is said to be in need of dredging due to high phosphorus levels, algal blooms and weeds which deplete the lake of oxygen needed to maintain healthy animal life.

The dredging would remove sediment from the north end of the lake to increase the water depth to a minimum of four to eight feet and, according to Brewer, serve as a permanent solution to the ongoing sediment problem, rather than the current method of using chemical treatments to combat the infiltration.

"Lake Wickaboag is a popular destination in West Brookfield, and an important landmark in the town’s history," Brewer said in a statement. "Many people swim, fish and kayak on the lake. In addition, the lake boasts a diverse fish and wildlife population that must be protected. This funding will ensure that Lake Wickaboag is clean and safe for the Quaboag Hills community to enjoy."

Initial funding of $23,000 was raised by the Town of West Brookfield and the Lake Wickaboag Preservation Society which covered the costs of the sampling, survey and conceptual design phase of the project.

Brewer said the bill will now go to a conference committee, composed of members of both the House and Senate, to be reconciled with the previously-released House version of the bill. Once a bond bill is signed into law, the governor's administration has unilateral control over the spending of all borrowed funds.


Lucha Libre wrestling featured at Holyoke Hispanic Family Festival

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Richard Blake, owner and promoter of New Age Old Tyme Wrestling, said the performers put on a solid show with very little glitz.

The Holyoke Hispanic Family Festival in Springdale Park featued various "lucha libre" (wrestling matches) put on by New Age Old Tyme Wrestling, an entertainment company based in Hadley.

Richard Blake, owner and promoter of New Age Old Tyme Wrestling, said the performers put on a solid show with very little glitz.

"We are all about old school wrestling from the 1980s," he said.

Blake said there will be seven matches total including some female wrestlers.

Delta flight to NYC returns to Israel after mechanical problem

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An airline spokeswoman says Delta Flight 469, with 370 passengers and 17 crew members aboard a Boeing 747, returned safely to Ben Gurion Airport.

NEW YORK -- A New York-bound Delta Air Lines flight from Israel declared an emergency and returned to Tel Aviv early Sunday after flaps on the jumbo jet failed to retract properly on takeoff, the airline said.

Flight 469 -- a Boeing 747 with 370 passengers and 17 crew members aboard -- landed safely back at Ben Gurion Airport around 2:30 a.m. local time, about two hours after it left for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

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Delta spokeswoman Jennifer Martin said the crew made the emergency landing "out of an abundance of caution."

The emergency landing came amid heightened sensitivity in Israel, as the military continues to exchange rocket fire with Palestinian militants. Martin said there was no indication the plane's problem was related to the conflict or terrorism.

Warning sirens sounded Friday in Tel Aviv as militant rockets targeted the airport, but they were intercepted and there was no disturbance to Israel's air traffic.

Hamas has said it intends to fire rockets at the airport and warned foreign airlines to stop flying to Israel.

Delta issued a travel advisory earlier this week labeled "Israel Unrest" saying it would continue operating flights on the New York-Tel Aviv route but that it would allow passengers booked while the conflict continues to cancel or change their tickets without penalty.

Radar images showed Flight 469 was in a holding pattern above the Mediterranean Sea, off the Israeli coast, for more than an hour to dump fuel before returning to Tel Aviv.

Fire at 80 Massachusetts Ave. in Springfield reveals marijuana growing operation

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Firefighters also found six pit bull dogs that had to be removed from the home.

SPRINGFIELD - Firefighters extinguishing a fire at 80 Massachusetts Avenue in Springfield discovered what Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant described as a "large" marijuana growing operation on the third floor.

Firefighters also requested help removing six pit bull dogs removed from the first floor of the 2 1/2 floor two-family dwelling so firefighters could inspect.

Two residents were left homeless.

Leger said Springfield Police detectives were on the scene at Saturday night. Any further word on the drugs would come from the Police Department, he said.

Leger said the fire's cause is undetermined, but that the fire began on the third floor in a hallway. It was reported at 8 p.m.

Firefighters estimate $25,000 to $50,000 in damage to the building.

The dogs all appeared to be in good health an uninjured, Leger said.

The home is about a half block south of Wilbraham road.

Obituaries today: Russell Bartlett was 22-year veteran of Holyoke Fire Department

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Obituaries from The Republican.

 
Russell Bartlett 

Russell P. Bartlett, 52, died on Wednesday. He was born in Holyoke, and was raised and resided in South Hadley for most of his life before moving to Easthampton in 2006. He was a 22-year veteran of the Holyoke Fire Department. He enjoyed music, rides on his motorcycle and spending time on the beach and with his family.

To view all obituaries from The Republican:
» Click here

Hispanic Family Festival in Holyoke culminates with Puerto Rican Parade

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The Hispanic Family Festival in Holyoke is in its 28th year.


HOLYOKE — The Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade will kick off from the corner of Pine Street and Resnic Boulevard today at noon with hundreds of participants and spectators.

"This is the 28th year of the parade and we are ready to see the crowds and have a great time," said festival founder and organizer Diosdado Lopez.

The parade is the highlight of the Hispanic Family Festival and culminates four days of festivities at Springdale Park on Main Street.

The parade route begins behind Holyoke High School and makes its way through the city ending at City Hall on Dwight Street.

After the parade spectators can head over to Springdale Park where there will be entertainment until 8 p.m.

Sunday's schedule:

Noon-2 p.m.: Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade

2:15-3:15 p.m.: Carlos Juan "El Lunatico" y su Conjunto Tipico

3:30-3:50 p.m.: Ronald McDonald

4:00-4:45 p.m.: Jose Rubiero y sus Caballos de Paso Fino

5:00-5:50 p.m.: Raquel y su Orquesta Nuevo Impacto

6:15-7:30 p.m.:Tito Rojas y su Orquesta

Holyoke police, firefighters respond to report of person 'stabbed in throat' prior to Sunday's parade

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Preliminary information indicated a victim was stabbed in the throat near the corner of Appleton and Elm streets.

HOLYOKE — Police, firefighters and ambulance personnel were en route to a stabbing report near the intersection of Appleton and Elm streets around 11:15 a.m. Sunday.

A victim sustained apparent wounds to the throat, according to initial reports from the scene. Detectives were dispatched to the crime scene area and were actively searching for a suspect.

An update on the victim's condition was unavailable.

Ranking Holyoke police officials weren't immediately available for comment, a department spokeswoman said.

The incident was reported about 45 minutes before the start of today's Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade, which was slated to get underway at noon near the corner of Pine Street and Resnic Boulevard – several blocks southeast of the crime scene.

This developing story will be updated as more details become available.


MAP showing area of stabbing report:



Holyoke police investigating city's 1st homicide of 2014 after stab victim dies

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The male victim, who has yet to be publicly identified, succumbed to stab wounds to the throat, according to authorities.

HOLYOKE — A man has died from injuries from a Sunday morning stabbing near the intersection of Elm and Appleton streets.

The victim was stabbed in the throat, according to police, who continue to investigate.

Holyoke Police Chief James Neiswanger confirmed the fatality, the city's first homicide of the year, to CBS3 Springfield, media partner of MassLive / The Republican.

The incident was reported around 11:15 a.m., about 45 minutes before the start of today's Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade.

Authorities have yet to release the victim's name or a motive for the killing.

This developing story will be updated as details become available.


MAP showing area where man was stabbed:


Christopher Walken to play Captain Hook in NBC's 'Peter Pan'

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NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt told a TV critics' meeting Sunday that the Oscar-winning actor will bring his own spin to the role.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- NBC says Christopher Walken will play Captain Hook in the network's live version of "Peter Pan."

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt told a TV critics' meeting Sunday that the Oscar-winning actor will bring his own spin to the role.

Walken could create the first tap-dancing Captain Hook, Greenblatt said, noting the actor got his start in musical theater.

Walken is on the big screen now in Clint Eastwood's "Jersey Boys," playing a music-loving mob boss.

"Peter Pan Live!" is a follow-up to the success NBC found with a live version of "The Sound of Music" in 2013 with Carrie Underwood. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who produced "The Sound of Music," are also working on "Peter Pan Live!"

Other casting has yet to be announced for the Dec. 4 musical.

As immigration woes mount, Obama may hold fix to flood of children crossing border

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Obama "has tools in his toolbox" to solve quickly what most officials say has become a humanitarian crisis and to deter more children from coming to the U.S., U.S. Rep Mike Rogers says.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama can take action to relieve much of the crisis caused by tens of thousands of unaccompanied children crossing the southern U.S. border without waiting for what is likely to be a contentious and lengthy Congressional battle, say two key lawmakers, one Democrat and the other, Republican.

At issue is a provision in a 2008 human trafficking law that puts the fate of young immigrants from countries that don't border the United States in the hands of immigration judges. The Obama administration has expressed some interest in asking Congress to change the law to give the administration more leeway in dealing with the crisis. It can take years for cases to make their way through immigration courts.

But Rep. Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday that wholesale changes by Congress may not be necessary and that Obama has the authority to return the children to their native countries. Since October, more than 57,000 children, mostly from Honduras, El Salvador or Guatemala, have crossed the Mexican border without their parents.

Obama "has tools in his toolbox" to solve quickly what most officials say has become a humanitarian crisis and to deter more children from coming to the U.S., Rogers said.

"We can safely get them home," Rogers said on NBC's "Meet the Press." He said, "And that's where the president needs to start. So he needs to re-engage, get folks who are doing administrative work on the border. They need to make sure they send a very clear signal."

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the author of the provision in the human trafficking law, said a change in regulations, not the law, could speed the children's return.

The law already allows the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to write regulations to deal with "exceptional circumstances" that would allow officials to return the children more quickly to their home countries, Feinstein said.

"I would urge HHS and DHS to sit down and set the exceptional circumstances -- it may be the number of children coming through in a week or a month, however you see it -- and how the process might be modified to give you more time," she said Thursday during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on a $3.7 billion emergency budget request from the White House to deal with the growing crisis on the border.

Feinstein did not elaborate on what changes to the current system she believed the law already allows the president to make.

Under the current law, the Homeland Security Department hs 72 hours to transfer child immigrants traveling alone to the Health and Human Services Department's Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Amid the crush of children traveling alone, more than 39,000 other people traveling with their families, mostly mothers and young children, have also been caught in South Texas. An undisclosed number have been released into the community with notices to report back to immigration officials or in court at a later date.

Obama said the $3.7 billion in emergency spending would help the government deal with the flood of unaccompanied child immigrants crossing the border in South Texas. Some of the money would go to help fund about 40 additional immigration judge teams.

Federal immigration courts have a backlog of more than 375,000 cases. It can often take several years for an immigrant to receive a final ruling.

Republicans have balked at the size of Obama's spending request, arguing that he needs to do more to secure the border and do more to stop immigrant children from making the trip from Central America in the first place.

Springfield firefighters rescue 3 'extremely intoxicated' people after canoe capsizes in Loon Pond

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The three people were "extremely intoxicated and unable to make it to shore safely," Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger said.

SPRINGFIELD — Firefighters launched a Sunday morning water rescue after a capsized canoe dumped three drunken people into Loon Pond in the city's Boston Road neighborhood.

Firefighters arrived at the pond off Pasco Road at 8:57 a.m., according to Dennis E. Leger, executive aide to Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph A. Conant.

None of the victims sustained serious injuries.

"They were described as extremely intoxicated and unable to make it to shore safely," Leger said.

Swimming and drinking "just don't mix," Leger said.


MAP showing area of capsized canoe:



Holyoke police: Fatal stabbing a result of fight between 2 men; unrelated to Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade

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Police said described the suspect as a dark-haired Hispanic man with a medium build, who was wearing sunglasses, a black shirt and jean shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Holyoke Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at (413) 322-6940. Watch video

A story about the victim was posted at 7:01 p.m.

HOLYOKE — It was supposed to be a day of family fun in Holyoke, but instead police were investigating the Paper City's first homicide of the year.


As large crowds were gathering along Sunday's parade route for the Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade, the highlight of the Hispanic Family Festival, a man was stabbed in the neck several blocks away in the parking lot of Las Chicas Market – the scene of a 2011 homicide.

First responders were dispatched around 11:15 a.m. to the corner of Elm and Appleton streets, where they found a man with stab wounds to the throat. The victim, a city resident whom police have yet to publicly identify, was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where he was pronounced dead.

"We're now interviewing witnesses and taking statements and collecting evidence," Capt. Denise M. Duguay, head of the Holyoke Police Criminal Investigation Bureau, said Sunday afternoon.

Massachusetts State Police investigators assigned to the office of Hampden District Attorney James C. Orenstein and troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section were also called to the murder scene.

 Holyoke Police Chief Jim Neiswanger told CBS3 Springfield, media partner of MassLive / The Republican, that the stabbing stemmed from a fight between the victim and another man. Neiswanger said it was too early in the investigation to discuss a motive, but the incident wasn't random and had nothing to do with the nearby Hispanic Family Festival parade.

"It's an unfortunate event and we hate to see this sort of thing happen," he told the TV station.

The killing is Holyoke's first in ten months.

Meanwhile, authorities described the suspect as a dark-haired Hispanic man with a medium build. He was wearing sunglasses, a black shirt and jean shorts, and he fled the area in an unknown direction.

Holyoke police are asking anyone with information to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (413) 322-6940. The Police Department's general line is (413) 322-6900.

This is not the first homicide to happen in the vicinity of Las Chicas Market. In June 2011, Reynaldo Fuentes, 23, was fatally shot behind the market at 341 Appleton St., just a few feet from where today's victim was stabbed.

State Rep. Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, said he was disheartened to learn of the killing. "It's just sad that, on a day when we are celebrating Puerto Rican culture, we have to hear this news," he said.

Vega said he saw some commotion when he drove by Appleton Street on his way to the parade, but he didn't think much of it. "Unfortunately, the street is notorious for police activity, so we just continued on to the parade," he said.

Vega, who marched in Sunday's parade, didn't hear about the stabbing until after the march had ended.

"I went to Springdale Park to have some lunch with my family and enjoy the end of the festival, and we started hearing whispers about it," he said. "I just received confirmation from a city official a few minutes ago," he said late Sunday afternoon.

Vega said Holyoke, like any other city, is doing the best it can to combat street violence.

"The police work hard to establish relationships with residents in a particular neighborhood and do drug sweeps, but then it pops up in another neighborhood," he said.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said he was "saddened and angered" by the crime. "At a time when so many members of our community are joining in common purpose, it is regrettable that a small minority of our citizens persist in violent criminal behavior," he said.

Despite the tragedy, Morse said the homicide would only "strengthen our resolve in building a city in which everyone feels safe, and in which we all play an equal part in shaping the future."

The mayor said he plans to call a meeting of city officials to "address the rampant criminal activity at this particular corner," which he characterized as "a notorious hotspot."


Republican reporter Jeanette DeForge contributed to this report.


MAP showing approximate location of fatal stabbing:


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