Most of Western Massachusetts remained under a severe-thunderstorm watch, meaning conditions were right to make such storms possible.

Thunderstorms that swept across Western Massachusetts Monday afternoon have left more than 6,000 electric customers without power, primarily in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampden counties, according to area utilities.

The National Grid is reporting 3,133 customers without power in eastern Hampden County, and another 2,350 in Berkshire County.

Both areas were hit had by separate thunderstorms Monday afternoon.

Hardest hit were the town of Brimfield with 1,564 customers without power, followed by Holland with 1,466, Wales with 880 and the town of Hampden with 42.

The four towns were in the section of Hampden County that was briefly under a tornado warning Monday afternoon, after a sever thunder storm with strong winds rolled through toward Worcester.

In Berkshire County, the majority of customers without power are in the town of Lenox which is reporting 2,271 customers affected. Stockbridge had another 71 customers with no power.

The National Grid was also reporting 103 customers without power in Erving, and another 69 in Wendell in Franklin County.

The utility was projecting that most would see power restored by around 6:30 p.m.

Western Massachusetts Electric Co. also reported scattered outages throughout Western Massachusetts. The highest concentrations were 63 in Pittsfield and 67 in Greenfield.

Most of Western Massachusetts remained under a severe-thunderstorm watch, meaning conditions were right to make such storms possible. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m.
Much of Franklin County was also under a flood advisory through 6:15 p.m. The high amount of rain in the last two days has increased likelihood that streams and some streets could be flooded.

Sterling has vowed to fight the NBA until his death and is expected to continue to wage court battles to stop the sale.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ruled against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and cleared the way for the $2 billion sale of the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Judge Michael Levanas sided Monday with Sterling's estranged wife in the case that arose after the 80-year-old billionaire was banned by the NBA for making offensive remarks about blacks.

Shelly Sterling sought the court's approval for the deal she negotiated after taking control of a family trust and removing her husband as a trustee after two doctors found he had Alzheimer's disease and couldn't manage his affairs.

Donald Sterling claimed his wife deceived him about the medical exams.

Sterling has vowed to fight the NBA until his death and is expected to continue to wage court battles to stop the sale.

The event takes place Aug. 2. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the former Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on High St. in Ware, and work until 3 p.m.

WARE – Concerns about streets littered with trash has prompted a group of women to organize a clean up day – called Clean-up Ware.

The event takes place on Saturday. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the former Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on High St. in Ware, and work until 3 p.m.

The litter patrol plans to pick up debris in the neighborhood surrounding the defunct church, East St., Anderson Rd., and a section of Walker Rd.

Country Bank for Savings and BayState Mary Lane Hospital are providing instruments to do the job, including a dumpster, trash collection bags, rubber gloves and bottled water, although volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves they feel comfortable wearing.

Wendy Piche, the principal organizer, set up a Facebook page, and has been encouraged by the number of volunteers that have already responded.

She said more than two dozen have already committed to help and that people should feel free to show up on Saturday to donate an hour or more of their time.

JIM RUSSELL PHOTO 

“When I saw it on Facebook, I asked Wendy: what can we do” to help, said Shelley Regan. She is a the marketing director at Country Bank.

“We found this on Facebook. We are all Facebook friends,” said Deb Gagnon, a corporate relations officer at Country Bank.

“It is not necessary to commit to the entire day, any amount of time you can contribute would be greatly appreciated,” said Piche. “I hope this will inspire others to tidy up their own yards, even if they do not own the property. Many landlords do not reside in town.”

Mary Lane will provide Sharps containers to dispose of needles and syringes and the proper tools to collect any hazardous waste material.

Volunteers can contact Piche via email at wspiche@aol.com, or at 967-3282, or, via text at 413-575-6785.

Lawyers for Doe requested an order barring the school from conducting the hearing, claiming it amounted to a double punishment for an alleged assault that Doe repeatedly denied committing.

SPRINGFIELD — A federal judge has refused to grant a temporary restraining order blocking Amherst College from convening a hearing into a former student's claim that his roommate raped him in 2009.

The roommate, a senior identified in court papers as John Doe, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court last month after the college refused to award his diploma and rescinded a job with the college.

The college’s decision was based on a request – made just weeks before Doe’s scheduled graduation – to revisit his allegation and conduct a full investigation.

Lawyers for Doe requested an order barring the school from conducting the hearing, claiming it amounted to a double punishment for an alleged assault that Doe repeatedly denied committing.

In rejecting the request, Judge Mark G. Mastroianni said plaintiff lawyers David P. Hoose and Luke Ryan had failed to prove their client would suffer irreparable harm if the hearing is held.

Any lost wages and emotional distress caused by Doe’s participation in the hearing could result in monetary compensation if the plaintiff wins the lawsuit, according to Mastroianni, who said he expects the hearing will be conducted soon.

If Doe is cleared of the sexual assault allegation, he will receive his degree, the judge added.

In opposing the preliminary injunction, the college argued that it has a legal responsibility to determine the truth of the rape allegation. The alleged victim dropped out of school after the incident, and requested a formal investigation after learning that Doe had been granted a job with the college after graduation.

Amherst College is one of 55 colleges and universities nationwide under scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Education for its handling of reported sex crimes on campus.

Five other Massachusetts schools – the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Boston University, Emerson College, Harvard College and Harvard University Law School – are also being investigated by federal education officials.

Amherst College revamped its policies after two students publicly criticized the school’s response to sexual assault – one in the school newspaper, the other in a suicide note before leaping to his death off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Fla.

In November 2013, a third student filed a complaint against Amherst with the U.S. Department of Education, triggering an ongoing federal investigation.

Baker called the conviction of former top officials at the Massachusetts Probation Department a symptom of a "broken culture" on Beacon Hill.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker called the conviction of former probation commissioner John O'Brien and his deputies "just one symptom of a much larger broken culture that exists on Beacon Hill," as Baker laid out proposals to reform state government hiring.

"It's just endemic of one-party government and the insider game that people have been playing," Baker said in an interview with The Republican / MassLive.

O'Brien and deputy probation commissioners Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke were convicted of running a rigged hiring scheme in which they hired people based on political connections, not merit, then lied on forms certifying the hires were done correctly, in order to get benefits from the state Legislature.

The state Legislature in 2011 already put into place major reforms of the hiring process at the Probation Department. They included the introduction of a written test for job applicants, the hiring of a civilian court administrator, a new interview process and a requirement that letters of recommendation for successful job candidates become public records.

Baker proposed additional changes. If elected, Baker said, he would request that the inspector general conduct annual audits of hiring practices, rotating among state agencies. He would have the state ethics committee conduct annual in-person training days for public officials and rate agencies based on their compliance with ethics rules. He would "integrate" the probation and parole departments with a memo laying out the responsibilities and goals of each one. He would also require that online job postings remain online after a job is filled with information about the person hired, their experience and whether they were recommended by a state official.

Baker declined to weigh in on whether the 2011 reforms were effective, but said if they were, "The stuff I'm talking about here – transparency about who gets jobs after they're posted, what their qualifications are, having independent, periodic audits of hiring practices – should be things that would be welcome." 

Baker is facing Mark Fisher in the Republican primary for governor.

Tickets are available at the Senior Center and City Hall.

HOLYOKE -- Get your tickets: The annual Senior Fest picnic is set for Aug. 19 and the popular event is limited to the first 400.

The 16th annual Senior Fest is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pope John Paul II Social Center, 67 St. Kolbe Drive.

"This annual event is one of the region’s finest and largest tributes to the senior residents of the city of Holyoke," said Teresa M. Shepard, Parks and Recreation Department director.

The event also is a magnet for politicians running for office in the fall elections because senior citizens here are reliable voters.

So office-seekers court seniors with raffle prizes and deliver trays of food to seniors' tables while also filling their place settings with piles of campaign literature and buttons.

Last year's Senior Fest drew more than 550 people.

Mayor Alex B. Morse will be master of ceremonies. Entertainment will come from the Senior Concert Band of Western Mass, the Pioneer Valley Chordsmen and the Barbershop Harmony Society, Shepard said.

As in previous years, the event also is a health fair with tables around the room to be staffed by company and government agency representatives to provide information.

Tickets are $5 and available at the Council on Aging, which is in the Senior Center at 291 Pine St., or the Parks and Recreation office at City Hall and High and Dwight streets.

For information call (413) 322-5620.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond is the second federal appellate court to overturn gay marriage bans, and the first to affect the South.

By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia's same-sex marriage ban was ruled unconstitutional on Monday in the first such decision by a federal appellate court in the South.

"We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws," Judge Henry F. Floyd wrote.

The 2-1 ruling applies throughout the circuit that also includes West Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas, where the attorneys general split Monday on what they'll do next. North Carolina's top lawman, Roy Cooper, quickly announced that he'll stop defending his state's ban, saying it is "time to stop making arguments we will lose." But a spokesman for South Carolina's attorney general, Alan Wilson, said he sees no need to change course.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond is the second federal appellate court to overturn gay marriage bans, and the first to affect the South, a region where the rising tide of rulings favoring marriage equality is testing concepts of states' rights that have long held sway.

Virginians voted 57 percent to 43 percent in 2006 to amend their constitution to ban gay marriage. Virginia laws prohibit recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. Floyd wrote that Virginia's measures "impermissibly infringe on its citizens' fundamental right to marry."

Defenders of marriage bans are likely to ask for a stay pending their next appeal; otherwise, marriage licenses to Virginia's same-sex couples could begin to be issued in 21 days.

Gay marriage proponents have won more than 20 legal decisions around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year. Most are still under appeal. More than 70 cases have been filed in all 31 states that prohibit same-sex marriage. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow such marriages.

The U.S. Supreme Court could have at least five appellate decisions to consider if it takes up gay marriage again in its next term, beginning in October.

The 6th Circuit in Cincinnati will hear arguments on Aug. 6 for Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. The 7th Circuit in Chicago is set for arguments on Aug. 26 and the 9th Circuit in San Francisco for Sept. 8. The 10th Circuit in Denver overturned Utah's ban in June.

"Marriage is one of the most fundamental rights — if not the most fundamental right — of all Americans," said plaintiffs' attorney David Boies. "This court has affirmed that our plaintiffs — and all gay and lesbian Virginians — no longer have to live as second-class citizens who are harmed and demeaned every day."

The 4th Circuit decision will apply to the entire circuit when it becomes final, American Civil Liberties Union lawyer James Esseks said.

Maryland already allows same-sex marriages. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, for his part, said he's reviewing the decision and won't comment until it's final.

The ruling came as Colorado's attorney general, John Suthers, asked his state Supreme Court Monday to stop county clerks from issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples. But North Carolina's Cooper said his fellow attorneys general should give up the fight.

"In all these cases challenging state marriage laws, our office along with other attorneys general and state attorneys across the country have made about every legal argument imaginable," Cooper said in a statement. "All the federal courts have rejected these arguments each and every time. So it's time for the State of North Carolina to stop making them."

U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen ruled in February that Virginia's same-sex marriage ban violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection and due process guarantees. Lawyers for two circuit court clerks whose duties include issuing marriage licenses appealed with the help of the right-wing legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It said in a statement that it may ask for a full circuit rehearing, or appeal directly to the Supreme Court.

"Every child deserves a mom and a dad, and the people of Virginia confirmed that at the ballot box when they approved a constitutional amendment that affirmed marriage as a man-woman union," ADF Senior Counsel Byron Babione said.

Carl Tobias, a law professor who watches the 4th Circuit closely, said he expects a direct appeal to the Supreme Court, since there is little reason to think the full circuit will rule any differently, given its current makeup.

The 4th Circuit long had a reputation as one of the nation's most conservative courts, but that has changed in the last five years.

Most of the 14 active judges are Democratic appointees, including five named by President Barack Obama. Floyd was initially appointed as a federal judge in South Carolina by George W. Bush, and then nominated for the appellate court by Obama. Roger Gregory, who joined Floyd in the majority, was a recess appointment of Bill Clinton, re-nominated by Bush in 2001. Paul V. Niemayer, who wrote the dissent, was appointed by George H. W. Bush.

The Virginia lawsuit was filed by Timothy Bostic and Tony London of Norfolk, who were denied a marriage license, and Carol Schall and Mary Townley of Chesterfield County. The women were married in California and wanted their marriage recognized the state where they are raising a 16-year-old daughter.

Two other same-sex couples, Joanne Harris and Jessica Duff of Staunton and Christy Berghoff and Victoria Kidd of Winchester, filed a similar lawsuit were allowed to join the federal case.

"I am proud that the Commonwealth of Virginia is leading on one of the most important civil rights issues of our day," Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said. "We are fighting for the right of loving, committed couples to enter the bonds of marriage."

Associated Press writers Brock Vergakis in Norfolk, Matt Barakat in McLean, Larry O'Dell in Richmond; Allen Breed in Raleigh, North Carolina; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; and Amanda Myers in Cincinnati contributed to this report.

Mark Oldenburg comes to the Longmeadow schools from the Office of Program Quality Assurance in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

 

LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow School Committee on Monday appointed Mark Oldenburg, currently with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Program Quality Assurance, as the town school district's Director of Pupil Services.

Oldenburg previously served as the Director of Pupil Services in Granby. He was vetted and recommended by the Interview Subcommittee, and is expected to begin working for the district on Aug. 18.

In other business, the school committee ratified the hiring of Susan Bertrand as assistant superintendent for learning.

Two policies related to future field trips held by the district were also approved unanimously. The policies require a 10-to-1 or better student-to-adult ratio to be maintained during trips, require chaperons to comply with the district's background check policy, and codify who is allowed to go.

Also unanimously approved were several revisions to the student handbook for Longmeadow High School – including a ban on electronic or vapor cigarettes.

The next school committee meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room A15 of the satellite building on the campus of Longmeadow High School.

Problems at the Double Six bar have police and other officials concerned about the establishment's future.

HOLYOKE -- An emergency meeting of the License Commission is set for Tuesday (July 29) at 1 p.m. at City Hall Annex regarding problems at the Double Six bar at 352 High St., an official said Monday.

"We revoked their license because they weren't cooperating with police," License Commission Chairman Timothy Grader said.

The revocation came in June after three melees occurred at the club recently, he said. One in April yielded a wild gunshot from the crowd that injured a man around 2 a.m. April 26 and what witnesses said were several other gunshots.

In March of 2013 Double Six owner Yasser "Sunny" Hussain of Easthampton said the bar would hire an extra police officer for security for college nights held each Wednesday after five people were arrested in a fight near the bar. Despite his willingness to take the extra security precautions, Hussain said at the time that the fight had no connection to the bar.

The License Commission meeting is in the fourth-floor conference room at City Hall Annex, which is adjacent to City Hall at High and Dwight streets. The meeting is to discuss the license revocation and the bar management's proposal for an improved security plan, officials said.

Double Six owner Yasser "Sunny" Hussain(FILE PHOTO) 

Hussain couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday night. Police Chief James M. Neiswanger also couldn't be reached for comment Monday night.

Mayor Alex B. Morse said Double Six management met with Neiswanger last week and has submitted a detailed security plan to police based on standards the chief has set for the bar to keep operating.

The Double Six opened in October 2012 in the building formerly occupied by Lorraine's Fashion Showcase.

The License Commission consists of Andrea Brunault-McGuinness, Jose Correa and Grader.

Deval Patrick told reporters Monday local officials have nothing to worry about because the children will be housed at secure facilities run and paid for by the federal government.

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick says comments to his office are running as high as three-to-one in favor of his offer to shelter unaccompanied children crossing the nation's southern border.

Patrick told reporters Monday local officials have nothing to worry about because the children will be housed at secure facilities run and paid for by the federal government.

Patrick said some of those who gathered in front of the Statehouse on Saturday to protest his plan seemed more concerned about federal immigration policy rather than the issue of where to temporarily house unaccompanied minors.

Patrick said he's received no new information from the federal government about whether they will seek to house any children in Massachusetts.

Patrick has offered Camp Edwards military base in Bourne on Cape Cod and Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee as possible locations.

A Chicopee man was arrested Sunday after police said he tried to steal a woman's purse.

Courtesy Chicopee Police 

Chicopee Police said they received a 911 call shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday, saying two bystanders were struggling with a man who tried to take a woman's purse in the parking lot of the pharmacy. Police identify the suspect as Dylan Z. Zych, and said he escaped after pulling a knife and threatening the men with it.

Det.Michael Dion, who was off-duty at the time, and Officers Fopp and O'Grady were able to track Zych down to Memorial Drive and take him into custody.

Zych was booked on charges of armed robbery, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest. He is also the subject of an active arrest warrant for charges of assault and battery on a person 65 or older and domestic assault and battery. He is being held pending arraignment in Chicopee District Court Monday morning.

The female owner of the pocketbook in question was treated for minor injuries at the scene by Chicopee Fire Department personnel.

The gift includes an additional external endowment.

AMHERST – An anonymous donor has given the University of Massachusetts at Amherst a $10.3 million grant, one of the largest gifts the college has ever received.

The gift, which also includes an external endowment, is specifically to granted to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said Ed Blaguszewski, spokesman for the college.

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy announced the gift late Tuesday after months of discussions with the donor, Blaguszewski said.

“This transformative gift is among the largest in UMass history, particularly one dedicated to the support of the social and behavioral sciences. The growth in research that will result from this gift will benefit society not only through enhanced educational opportunities, but also through its impact on social policy,” Subbaswamy said in writing.

There are thousands of students who study within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which is designed to bridge the sciences and liberal arts and educate students in the areas of culture, society, and individual behavior, according to the college website.

The college offers a dozen undergraduate degrees and seven graduate programs in subjects such as anthropology, communications, political science, economics, labor studies, resource economics, sociology and landscape architecture and regional planning.

“UMass social scientists already have had a significant impact on our understanding of fundamental social and economic issues ranging from social mobility to environmental impact; this unprecedented gift will ensure the continuation of this legacy,” said Deputy Chancellor Robert S. Feldman, former dean of the college, who was involved in securing the donation.

There are few limits on how the college can use the gift, as long as it benefits students and the College, Blaguszewski said.

Circus Smirkus, a Vermont based youth circus, performed under the big top at the Three County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Performances continue on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

NORTHAMPTON - Circus Smirkus, a Vermont based youth circus, performed under the big top at the Three County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Performances continue on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

One of the performers in the show "Anchors Away for Atlantis" has local ties. He is Cameron Zweir, 15, of Holyoke. In a recent Masslive story Zweir said he heard about Circus Smirkus last year when his family attended a show based on “The Wizard of Oz,” which also happened to be a production the Holyoke Catholic Performing Arts Club was preparing to stage.

Zweir put a video package together, auditioned and was accepted into the troupe. He completed a three-week training program during the month of June and will perform in nearly 70 Circus Smirkus shows.

Police said Kibby, 34, confined Abigail, then 14, on Oct. 9, sometime after she left Kennett High School to walk to her North Conway home.

CONWAY, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man charged with kidnapping a teenage girl nine months ago was ordered held on $1 million bail Tuesday as the girl watched from the front row of the courtroom.

Abigail Hernandez disappeared after leaving her high school in October and returned home last week.

Nathaniel Kibby was arrested Monday without incident at his Gorham home, about 30 miles north of where Hernandez lives. He's charged with felony kidnapping, a charge that carries up to seven years in jail if convicted.

Police said Kibby, 34, confined Abigail, then 14, on Oct. 9, sometime after she left Kennett High School to walk to her North Conway home. Abigail, who turned 15 a week after she disappeared, returned home the night of July 20, but authorities have not explained the circumstances of her disappearance or return.

Kibby was arraigned Tuesday and ordered held on $1 million cash bail. The only time he spoke was to answer, "Yes I am, your honor" when the judge asked if he would seek a public defender.

The judge denied public defender Jesse Friedman's request to unseal affidavits, search warrants and other investigative material before the hearing. Friedman argued it was impossible for him to begin to defend Kibby without knowing the facts that led to his arrest.

Law enforcement officials said there were no other suspects and that searches of Kibby's home were continuing.

Attorney General Joseph Foster said Monday that Abigail provided the police with details of her kidnapping that led to Kibby's arrest.

Kieran Ramsey, an FBI assistant special agent in charge, said the investigation hinged on three factors: The community outreach, the team of investigators who followed up on every tip and, mostly, Abigail.

"Abby herself helped her safe return through her courage and resolve to come home," Ramsey said.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young, who heads the criminal bureau, would not comment on what Kibby does for a living or supply other details about his background. He has a criminal history dating back to 1998, including convictions on simple assault, criminal trespass and breach of bail conditions, according to court records. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 12.

Abigail, who sat with her mother in court, earlier issued a statement, which was posted on Facebook, thanking people who searched for her and saying she believes their hopes and prayers "played a major role in my release."

Young said that when the girl disappeared, she apparently had no way to get about or secure food, shelter or other necessities on her own. She said that the teen "went dark" and could not be traced through social media for the duration of her absence.

However, police revealed several months ago that the girl had written to her mother. When the letter surfaced, Ramsey said it was possible the girl had run away but that someone could be coercing her into staying away. Police have not revealed the contents of the letter.

"Abby continues to work on restoring her strength," said Paul Kirsch, a family friend. "I have never been so blown away by a child's strength. This kid had found a way to survive for nine months."

When the pole was damaged three years ago, Marcia Lieber repeatedly called WMECO to say it was going to fall over but her calls were unanswered.

Republican file photo 

LONGMEADOW - Marcia Lieber spent nearly three years waiting for the other shoe to drop when it finally did on Monday night during a thunderstorm.

Only the "other shoe" wasn’t a shoe at all; it was a utility pole that landed right in the yard of Lieber’s home on Edwards Circle.

The phone pole was originally damaged in 2011 during the surprise October blizzard but never replaced. Until now.

Lieber said on Tuesday that since the pole was originally damaged, she made repeated calls to Western Massachusetts Electric Co. to report it. Her calls had been for all intents unanswered.

“I called and kept calling then finally I gave up,” she said.

The pole toppled over at about 6:30 p.m. as a storm was sweeping through the area. It missed her house but caused some damage to her lawn.

She said by not addressing it promptly, it ended up costing WMECO more money. She said there were several workers on her lawn until 3:30 a.m. dealing with the electrical issues and then again during the day to deal with cleanup.

“It should have been done three years ago. It didn't have to happen. It wouldn't have happened if they had done their job.”

Priscilla Ress, spokeswoman for WMECO confirmed that the pole was originally damaged in the October, 2011 storm.

At that time the pole, which WMECO shares with Verizon, was shored up with a second pole, but all of the equipment remained on the old pole. It was the old pole that fell over.

“We knew about this work, and it was scheduled to be done. Unfortunately the work was not completed before this most recent storm,” she said. “We apologize to our customers.”

The full replacement was scheduled to be done sometime next month, she said.

Ress said she did not know what happened to cause the delay. “It's quite possible it was pushed back due to a higher priority job and then perhaps fell off our radar for a period of time,” she said.

Ress said this type of slip-up is not common for the utility, and it does not reflect WMECO’s goal of providing quality customer service.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh made his first appointment to one of the most important entities in the city on Tuesday when he selected Boston Architectural College President Ted Landsmark to sit on the board of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

BOSTON — Mayor Martin J. Walsh made his first appointment to one of the most important entities in the city on Tuesday when he selected the former president of Boston Architectural College,Ted Landsmark, to sit on the board of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Landsmark, a well known figure in the Boston architectural community, has worked on a variety of city run projects, most notably in the area of youth employment during the 1980s and 1990s. Landsmark most recently served on former Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Climate Action Leadership Committee and the city's Green Ribbon Commission.

Landsmark currently sits on a number of other boards, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the American Architectural Foundation.

Landsmark was recently let go as president of Boston Architectural College for financial reasons, according to a posting on the school's website. Attempts to reach officials at the school for comment, including Landsmark, were unsuccessful. As of Tuesday, Landsmark was still listed on the college's website as its president.

"Ted has proven to be an insightful leader who possesses a great sense for what goes into building successful cities," said Walsh in a statement.

The appointment of Landsmark is the latest in a series of major first-year appointments for Walsh that have included new fire and police commissioners. Walsh is expect to appoint a school superintendent later this year.

"I share Mayor Walsh's priorities for making the BRA more open and accountable, and I am honored by the opportunity to help guide the agency into a new era. I look forward to applying my knowledge of architecture, design and sound fiscal management in shaping the future of development in our city," said Landsmark in a statement.

The BRA oversees all development projects in the city and has the final word on building permits, rezoning and planning.

Landsmark joins Chairman Timothy Burke, Vice Chairman Paul Foster, Treasurer Consuelo Gonzales-Thornell and Michael Monahan on the board of the BRA.

The next step for Landsmark is an up or down vote on his appointment by the Boston City Council.

Landsmark's appointment to the BRA comes at a time when the agency is facing more scrutiny than ever before. An audit of the BRA found that it regularly fails to collect millions of dollars in fees for an affordable housing fund, routinely fails to keep track of payments and still keeps its records on paper.

Walsh said his administration is looking at ways to reform the Boston Redevelopment Authority and recover money that it failed to collect during his monthly appearance on WGBH's Boston Public Radio on Tuesday.

"It's one deal at a time. Having people go back and look at these deals to see what was left on the table, we're going to fix that problem but it's a concern, and, for I don't know how many years now, there's been agreements with developers and the BRA to pay a portion of money to the city so it can do things with that money and we haven't collected on it," said Walsh.

Walsh declined to place blame for the behavior of the BRA at the feet of Menino when pressed on it by the show's hosts, though he did note the technological changes between his administration and his predecessor.

"At the end of my first term we will have the greatest IT department in the United States of America of any major city," said Walsh.

The mall is marking its 35th anniversary having opened July 5, 1979.

HOLYOKE -- Plans are for the down escalator near JC Penny at the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside to be fixed and operating again in August, an official said Tuesday (July 29).

Mall Marketing Director Lisa Wray declined to say what was wrong with the escalator or how long it has been out of service.

The escalator that brings people up from the lower level, near the FYE For Your Entertainment store, is working. The adjacent one to bring shoppers who want to go down has been unavailable for weeks if not longer. Shoppers at that location have to go into JC Penny and use the escalator in there to reach the lower level.

The mall is celebrating its 35th anniversary, having opened July 5, 1979, with officials saying fixing the escalator is among improvements that include installing new tile flooring and renovations to bathrooms to be completed through early 2015.

The 1.6-million-square-foot mall is owned by Syracuse-based Pyramid Companies.

"We look forward to the numerous enhancements that are being made at Holyoke Mall over the next couple of months," Wray said in an email.

"We're confident that the escalator that's being serviced in JC Penney Court will only add to an overall more enjoyable shopping experience. While the majority of the shopping center enhancements are being done overnight and will not impact the customer's shopping experience, the escalator in JC Penney Court is being serviced
during business hours," she said.

"This escalator is scheduled for completion in August and we thank customers for their patience during this time. There is also a sign at this escalator directing customers just a few steps away into JC Penney where they will have access to their escalators to
get up or down," she said.

Those that wish to vote in the election and are not yet registered must fill out and submit the necessary paperwork by Wednesday, August 20th.

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow Town Clerk Thomas P. Florence has issued a reminder to town residents about the upcoming deadline to register to vote in the state primary election scheduled to take place on Sept. 9.

Those that wish to vote in the election and are not yet registered must fill out and submit the necessary paperwork by Aug. 20.

"East Longmeadow residents may register at the Town Clerk's office in the Town Hall any time during normal working hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday and also until 8:00 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 20," said Florence, via a release on the town website. "Voter registration laws also allow residents to register by mail. Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the town clerk's office or the Council on Aging Center. Online voter registration forms are also available on the Town's website @ www.eastlongmeadowma.gov."

Selectmen also approved Police Chief Francis Fox' request to hire five auxiliary police officers.

BELCHERTOWN – Meeting jointly, the Selectmen and Planning Board named Rob Wojtczak to the Planning Board on a 7-2 vote at Monday’s meeting. Mike Hofler also applied for the job.

The action was taken due to a vacancy, and the appointment extends until May’s annual town election, when voters will decide who should hold the seat.

“I want my kids and everybody’s kids to have an enjoyable town,” Wojtczak said when asked by the boards why he wanted the position.

He said one improvement he would make is for more information to be available on the town’s website.

“Maybe our website can be a little better,” Wojtczak said.

He has served the past two years as an alternate member specifically for when action would be needed on special permit applications, which is an appointment by selectmen.

The board unanimously selected Hofler to fill that vacancy.

In other business, Selectman approved Police Chief Francis R. Fox’ recommendation to hire five auxiliary police officers, effective July 31.

They are: Vincent Daponte, of East Longmeadow; Runuel “Ron” Bibby, of Springfield; Brittney Vallee, of Southwick; and Stephanie Cusson and Jeffrey Beleski, both of Wilbraham.

During a public hearing with Community Development Planner Erica Johnson, of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Johnson told the board the town, in conjunction with Hadley and Granby, had received block grants totaling $889,889.

She said $343,095 of it would go to housing rehabilitation for income eligible private homeowners, including a dozen in Belchertown.

The planner said $300,000 is earmarked for repairs to housing authority property in the three towns.

Selectman Chairman Brenda Aldrich, who is the board’s liaison with the school committee, announced that finalists for the permanent superintendent of schools position are expected to be announced on Aug. 14.

The bridge is likely to be closed for a few hours, police said.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - The Memorial Bridge is closed down to traffic due to a serious motorcycle accident Tuesday evening in the rotary in West Springfield, police said.

Capt. Thomas Wilkinson said the bridge is likely to be closed for at least a few hours while police and emergency medical personnel are on the scene.

An accident reconstruction team has also been called in, he said.

Police were giving little information about the accident itself or the condition of any injured.

The accident scene is at the very end of the bridge were all lanes of traffic entering and exiting the bridge converge.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it is known.