The submerged car drew rescuers from Holyoke, four other communities and the state police Sunday night.

HOLYOKE -- A 60-year-old man who drove a Jeep Wrangler into the Connecticut River Sunday (Oct. 5) has died, according to the media partner of The Republican and MassLive.com, CBS 3 Springfield.

After speaking with witnesses, investigators said they believe the death was a suicide, according to a story on the station's website.

The driver was described as a 60-year-old Hispanic male from Holyoke, the station's story said.

The man, who had been in the water since about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, was rescued at about 8:45 p.m., officials told The Republican and MassLive.com.

The incident started when the driver of the car was talking with a female friend at the Jones Ferry boat ramp off Route 5. He hit the gas and drove off the launch and into the water. The woman jumped from the vehicle when it hit the water. Before police arrived, the car was completely submerged, Holyoke Fire Department Capt. Anthony Cerruti said.

Rescue boats and personnel from Springfield, Chicopee, South Hadley and West Springfield spent more than two hours searching the shores of the river. A Massachusetts State Police helicopter beamed down a spotlight onto the dark river and banks.

Once finished, the Springfield facility will act as a training center for firefighters from all over Western Massachusetts.

Both sites are on Boston Road.

WILBRAHAM – The Police Station Building Feasibility Committee Monday toured two sites under consideration for a new police station and directed Assistant Town Administrator Thomas Sullivan to get appraisals of the properties.

One of the sites is 10 Post Office Park across from Houligan’s on Boston Road. The site is owned by Glen Garvey.

A second site which the committee visited is at 2780 Boston Road, adjacent to the fire station.

Architect Jeff McElravy said there are disadvantages to both sites. The site adjacent to the fire station would require fill and the addition of a retention pond.

The site in Post Office Park would require screening so nearby businesses could not see into the rear of the property.

Fire Chief Francis Nothe said the location of the 2780 Boston Road site near the railroad sites could be disadvantageous because a railroad accident would have the potential to disable the town’s emergency services.

The committee directed Sullivan to get appraisals of the two properties and then advertise for sites for a police station, as required by law.

The committee will seek sites, stipulating that funding to purchase the sites would have to be approved at a future town meeting.

The committee’s goal is to have schematic design plans prepared in time for the May annual town meeting.

The project will need approval by the voters at the May town meeting and then by the voters of a debt exclusion override question at the ballot box.

A Senior Center Building Committee also is preparing to hire an architect to prepare plans for a new 15,000-square-foot senior center.

Bundy will host special events in the former Apollo Grill space.

EASTHAMPTON — The city's three-member Licensing Board unanimously approved the transfer of a full-pour liquor license from one local businessman to another at a public hearing Monday evening.

The license was that sold by John Casey Douglass, chef and former owner of the Apollo Grill, to Will Bundy, owner and developer of the Eastworks building at 116 Pleasant St. The transfer will need approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Douglass sold the restaurant's fixtures and liquor license to Bundy on Sept. 14 for $30,000, with conveyance to take place on Jan. 2, 2015, according to Licensing Board documents. Douglas' lease expired Sept. 30, but he retains an arrangement to operate Apollo on a month-to-month basis until the end of the year.

The Apollo Grill was an early Eastworks tenant, and anchored the east end of the sprawling mixed use building for 12 years. The restaurant is closing Dec. 31 because Douglass and Bundy were not able to agree on the terms of a lease, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported last month.

Bundy said his plans are to hold special events at the 3,500 square-foot space, such as wedding parties and fundraisers. He said he'd like to introduce "niche music" such as jazz performances. Bundy said he hasn't yet figured out the food service piece — whether to partner with a kitchen manager or hire caterers.

Bundy already holds a beer and wine license for a smaller community room at the west end of the building. That space hosts medium-sized gatherings such as Nerd Night. Bundy said people who attend events in the community room often pick up food at Riff's Joint, a casual restaurant right across the hall.

"Having the wine and malt license there supports existing businesses," he said.

The Apollo space would be a different type of room hosting a different type of gathering, said Bundy.

Licensing Board members Kelly Richey and Jason Duda wanted assurances that people would not be "wandering around the hallway in Eastworks with drinks in their hands." Bundy said he would make sure that doesn't happen, noting that he lives at the building.

Douglass, a well-known chef, is now putting his energy into Galaxy, the bar and restaurant he opened in January at 60 Main St.

Bundy said Douglass "had a good run" at Eastworks, which "gave him context" to open Galaxy, where he's owner of the property.

"That was his dream from day one," he said.

The girl's mother is 30-year-old Ashley Tull of Selbyville. She faces charges of maintaining a drug property and endangering the welfare of a child.

SELBYVILLE, Del. -- A 4-year-old girl in Delaware passed out packets of heroin she found in her mother's backpack to her day care mates, thinking they contained candy, authorities said.

The Delaware State Police said in a news release that the girl found the bags Monday in a backpack her mom gave her to use after hers was ruined by a family pet. The pack contained 249 bags of heroin weighing 3.7 grams.

View full sizeThe Delaware State Police said in a news release that the girl found these bags Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, in a backpack her mom gave her to use after hers was ruined by a family pet. The pack contained 249 bags of heroin weighing 3.7 grams.Delaware State Police 

Day care providers at the Hickory Tree Child Care Center in Selbyville called police when they noticed some children with the bags. "The white powdery substance, which was still enclosed in the bags, was removed by the teachers and immediately taken to the Selbyville Police Department where it was determined to be heroin," the police statement said. 

The girl's mother, Ashley Tull, 30, of Selbyville faces charges of maintaining a drug property and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released after posting bail $6,000 secured bond. A woman who answered a telephone number listed to Tull said she wasn't in and hung up.

Several children who came in contact with the unopened bags were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure and were released after being examined, police said.

In North Willimansett there will be limited access on a number of streets this week.

CHICOPEE - City officials are announcing delays and road closures due to sewer separation projects for the first two weeks of October.

In the North Aldenville and Sheridan Street area, there will be limited access on Sheridan Street Oct. 17 to 23; Walsh Street Oct. 7; Dewey Street Oct. 8 to 14 and Patrick Street Oct. 15 to 16.

There will also be limited access and intermittent closures on Kendall, Plymouth, Porter, Stebbins and Paradise streets and Summit and Rolf Avenue on Oct. 18 through 24.

In Chicopee Falls there will be limited access until Oct. 8 on Dalton, Palmer, Cornell, and Academy and Armory streets and Fairview Avenue. There will be limited access from Oct. 9 to 17 on Marlborough, Woodlawn, William, Edmund, Smith and Theodore streets and Phillipa Ave.

In north Willimansett there will be limited access on Skeele Street Oct. 6 to 17; Ferry Street on Oct. 7; Nash Street Oct. 8; Bemis and Walter streets Oct. 9 and Forest and John streets Oct. 14.

Troy Fortes, 27, of 11 Newcomb St., Providence, was charged with unlawful possession of a shotgun and using a motor vehicle without authority, police said.

Leeanne Griffin | lgriffin@masslive.com  

Troy Fortes, 27, of 11 Newcomb St., Providence, was cited for a defective tail light and charged with unlawful possession of a shotgun and using a motor vehicle without authority, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Trooper Michael Best, of the Foxboro barracks, stopped a New Hampshire-registered Cadillac Deville in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 in Dedham after spotting an alleged traffic violation.

The driver, later identified as Fortes, "was extremely nervous and sweating profusely," police said. Fortes could not find a registration for the Cadillac and told Best he did not know the name of the car's owner.

The trooper then spotted an apparent gun case with the words "Gun Guard" in the back seat of the Cadillac. The case contained a Browning Arms 12 gauge semiautomatic shotgun, police said.

Fortes, who is not licensed to carry in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, "disavowed any knowledge of the shotgun and stated that the vehicle belonged to his uncle," police said.

Law enforcement officials in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, confirmed that the Cadillac had been reported missing by its owner.

Fortes was taken to the Foxboro barracks for booking and was expected to be arraigned in Wrentham District Court. It wasn't immediately known if he had a lawyer.

Former figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and Michael Eruzione, the captain of the 1980 U.S. men's national ice hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union were among those attending.

By PHILIP MARCELO

BOSTON -- A group working bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Boston honored dozens of other current and former Massachusetts Olympians and Paralympians at an event Monday night at a sports bar near Fenway Park.

Former figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, who won a bronze medal in 1992 and a silver medal in 1994, and Michael Eruzione, the captain of the 1980 U.S. men's national ice hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union in the so-called "Miracle on Ice" game en route to capturing a gold medal, were among those attending.

Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh had been expected make their first joint appearance in support of the effort, but Patrick was unable to attend. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In statements issued in advance of the event, both politicians expressed optimism, but stopped short of a tacit endorsement of the Boston proposal, which is being developed by the Boston 2024 Partnership, a privately funded organization.

"I think there's a great opportunity to develop a successful plan," Patrick said. "The fact that the proponents of this adventure are thinking big about the Commonwealth is something I think is good for Massachusetts."

If anything, Walsh said, the Olympics effort will help promote a better relationship with the state's homegrown Olympians. "Boston is known across the world for its sports prowess, and this impressive group of Massachusetts-bred Olympians is a testament to our sporting spirit," he said.

A group opposed to the Olympics bid criticized Monday's event organizers for "throwing parties" rather than engaging in "real discussion" about the costs of hosting the games.

A Boston Olympics will cost taxpayers $10 billion to 20 billion -- "equivalent to another Big Dig," said Chris Dempsey, co-chair of "No Boston Olympics," referring to the costly re-routing of Interstate 93 through downtown Boston. "Let's return our civic conversation back to more important priorities, like closing the achievement gap in education, bringing down the costs of health care, building workforce housing and investing in core transportation infrastructure."

Boston's Olympics application is due sometime in November. But there's no guarantee the U.S. Olympic Committee will pick the city -- or any, for that matter -- as it weighs whether it wants to compete with other countries for the games. Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco are the other American cities under consideration.

Among the other Massachusetts Olympians in attendance Monday were A.J. Mleczko Griswold, a Harvard University standout who won a gold medal in 1998 and a silver in 2002 as a member of the women's hockey team; Jimmy Pedro, a judo fighter who won the bronze in 1996 and 2004; and Joseph LeMar, a Paralympian who won the gold in track in Barcelona in 1992.

In February, a state-appointed committee issued a 57-page feasibility report concluding that being an Olympics host city could help cement Massachusetts' economic future by accelerating long-term infrastructure investments.

It took officials from the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center three days to get all the cats out of the Woodmont Street apartment.

One of the last questions of the night from the audience, which was not asked on any particular candidate -- whether the candidates favored Question 1 on the Nov. 9 state ballot that would allow an increase in the gas tax to pay for infrastructure repairs and construction -- got a divided reaction, but not necessarily along party lines

SPRINGFIELD - Candidates running for state representative, state Senate and Hampden County Register of Probate fielded questions on the workforce skills gap, education funding and a proposal to raise the gas tax during a two-hour public forum on Monday night at the Springfield Central Library.

The forum, sponsored jointly by the Springfield Public Library and the Springfield Election Commission, was moderated by WWLP-TV, 22News reporter Yoojin Cho, who asked questions submitted by the event's sponsors and later invited questions from the audience of about 50 people. Candidates had a chance to rebut their opponents.

One of the last questions of the night from the audience, which was not asked of any particular candidate - whether the candidates favored Question 1 on the Nov. 4 state ballot that would allow an increase in the gas tax to pay for infrastructure repairs and construction - got a divided reaction, but not necessarily along party lines

Candidates for the the 1st Hampden and Hampshire District Senate seat - Independent Mike Franco, Republican Debra Boronski and Democrat Eric Lesser all said they opposed the question as did Republican Nathan Beck, who is challenging incumbent Michael J. Finn for the 6th Hampden District seat.

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr, D-Wilbraham, and his Republican Bob Russell, who is challenging the incumbent to represent the 6th Hampden District, disagreed.

Russell said the state must find other ways to spend taxpayer money other than raising taxes to pay for $100 million in road and bridge repairs.

Puppolo said he favors the gas tax, but would honor the will of the voters on the referendum. The bottom line, however, Puppolo said is that "we have $12 billion in urgent repairs," adding that the state must find a way to fund the work.

Lesser said he was opposed to the "indexing of the gas tax because "it's an unfair tax" that will disproportionately affect residents of Western Massachusetts. "We drive more than folks in the eastern part of the state -- and we have fewer public transportation options," he said.

While Lesser said the region faces some very important infrastructure needs, "middle-class families here are getting squeezed enough" without being saddled with a tax that is not fair.

Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, who is giving up her Senate seat to run for Register of Probate, likened the gas tax to a mortgage.

"When families need a mortgage they need to prove they have a revenue stream. That's what the state has to do when its bonding for repairs," she said.

Candaras said, if elected, she would push to build a new courthouse, saying the Hall of Justice is "an ailing building," while opponent Suzanne Sequin said it is possible to renovated the courthouse. Candaras said she would be a strong voice to reform the office of Register of Probate and advocate for more funding for the Hampden County courthouse, which she said has been neglected by Boston for years.

Questions asked of candidates for each office differed.

Here are some of the questions and responses from the candidates:

State Senate 1st Hampden Hampshire District

What can be done done to bridge the skills gap in Western Massachusetts?

Franco: "I'm a limited-government guy," he said, adding that years of "complicated government programs" aren't working. "It's a question of government biting off more than it can chew," he said, adding that communities should work with the local school districts to make sure children graduate from school with the skills to join the workforce.

Boronski: "I've been blessed to work for 10 years with the organizations that put together The Regional Employment Board's" Build a Better Workforce" initiative." Bronski said she supports the plan, which calls for expanded pre-kindergarten funding, giving students instruction on career awareness and skills training programs that match employees with manufacturing jobs that need to be filled."

Lesser: "Education is the secret sauce" to strengthening the local economy, saying he supports efforts to train a skilled workforce that will stay here. "I've been told by some employers that if they can't find skilled workers, they'll be forced to move elsewhere. Lesser said the state needs resources to pay for that effort and used the time allotted to him to criticize Bronski for signing the so-called Grover-Norquist pledge calling for no new taxes.

Franco: "I can't resist saying to Mr. Lesser, "there you go again attacking Debra or myself along partisan lines," he said in Lesser's remark about the Norquist pledge.

Boronski: Firing back at Lesser's criticism, Boronski accused him of accepting "special interest" money from Washington, Boston and Chicago to finance his campaign. "When (Lesser) says resources, he's talking about your money."

12th District Hampden District

How would they would work to promote reading skills by Grade 3?:

Puppolo: The state Legislature has "bumped up" funding for early education outreach, he said, adding that he is 100 percent behind the Davis Foundation's mission to make sure that children can read by the 3rd Grade. The initiative is based on sound research, he said, noting that there is much more to be done. "In 2014, 63 percent of the kids in the city are reading below grade level."

Russell: The Legislature has underfunded education in the state budget, he said. Russell criticized unfunded mandates by the state. "We need to be fighting for more state aid," he said.

Hampden Register of Probate

How can the court, which deals with people in crisis -- divorce, child support, for example -- help it make the process easier for people?

Sequin: The office staff tries to help people in need of court services by walking them through the process and providing sample forms that are easy to follow.

Candaras: "I would expand two pilot programs - one in Greenfield and one in Suffolk County - that aim to help court clients," she said. Services to help people who speak Spanish and other languages are needed, she said, adding that the court can reach out to the community as an educator on how to avoid probate.

6th Hampden District:

What can government do to expand after-school programs to shield students from the sometimes dangerous neighborhoods they live in?

Bech: Top-down approaches that flow from Boston aren't working, he said. "We need to work with local police and local educators, who know what's best for the local community," he said.

Finn: Government needs to do more to promote initiatives like YMCA after-school programs and others, he said. A program that boosted State Police presence in Greater Springfield was another initiative that educated kids about how the police can help and protect them from violence.

The PVPC deputy director James Mazik said that Granby last received $200,000 in federal community development block grants in fiscal 2012

GRANBY – The Select Board unanimously voted on Monday to pursue government grants for housing rehabilitation and social services in partnership with neighboring South Hadley.

The decision was made following a presentation from Pioneer Valley Planning Commission officials, who suggested the idea. The application is due in February and the PVPC would apply for it on behalf of the towns, following public hearings.

The agency’s deputy director James Mazik said that Granby last received $200,000 in federal community development housing block grants in fiscal 2012.

He said $80,000 of that total was allocated for income eligible homeowners for repairs. Because there are still eleven on the waiting list for the private home repairs from the 2012 cycle, Mazik said that would likely increase the town’s chances to obtain the highly competitive grants.

PVPC Planner Erica Moody also attended the meeting.

In other business, the board appointed Joseph Shepshinski as an auxiliary policeman.

Virginia SnopekJIM RUSSELL PHOTO 

Sgt. Steve Marion introduced the new officer, saying "he would be a good asset to the police department."

Selectmen also appointed Virginia Snopek as library trustee to fill a vacancy. The appointment is in effect until next spring’s annual town election.

The Select Board also took under advisement a policy recommendation by the police chief involving guidelines for the town to process temporary residency applications, according to Immigration and Naturalization Service rules, for undocumented aliens who are crime victims.

Anthony Fitzgerald, 23, escaped from the Windsor County Correctional Facility on Monday morning, according to Vermont State Police.

Anthony Fitzgerald (Vermont State Police)Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

Anthony Fitzgerald, 23, bolted from the Windsor, Vermont, jail at about 9 a.m., according to police, who are asking anyone with information to call 911 or (802) 875-2112. He was serving a jail sentence for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, police said.

Fitzgerald was reportedly working outdoors in the farm portion of the correctional facility when he cut through a wire fence and escaped, according to Stephanie Brackin, public information officer for the Vermont State Police.

Fitzgerald is about 5-foot-9 and weighs about 275 pounds. He has brown eyes, brown hair and a Mohawk haircut, and he was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and possibly a hat.

Detectives from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation are working with State Police K-9 teams, U.S. Marshals and the Windsor Police Department to locate the inmate, who has ties to the Rutland area.

Fitzgerald was arrested in December 2010 for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child in Leicester, Vermont, and he pleaded guilty to the charges the following year.

He's believed to be unarmed and "does not pose a threat to public safety," police said.

Anonymous online tips may be sent to www.vtips.info.

A 55-year-old Agawam man faced his fourth charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol in Westfield District Court.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. The most viewed item overall, however, was Vol. 1 of MassLive and The Republican's fall photo contest gallery, above.

1) Divers confirm driver in Holyoke car submerged in Connecticut River [Jeanette DeForge]

2) 'Dallas' fans petition TNT after TV series canceled [Ray Kelly]

3) Agawam man faces fourth OUI charge [Dave Canton]

4) Man pays $5,600 to buy 'leftover' 65-inch TVs in Holyoke Mall parking lot, tells police was scammed [Michelle Williams]

5) Liberty Heights deaths now called murder-suicide: Springfield police [Patrick Johnson]

The victim initially claimed he was injured after falling on glass but later said he was stabbed on Carew Street, according to police reports.

Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

The victim initially claimed he was cut after falling on glass, but then said he was stabbed on Carew Street in East Springfield, according to city police.

Officers searched a section of Carew Street near Putnam Circle and Faragut Street, the area where the victim claimed he was stabbed, but could not immediately find evidence of a crime scene.

The victim was expected to be transferred to Baystate Medical Center for treatment.

Additional information was unavailable.

Councilor Jesse Adams said he hadn't heard back from Stop & Shop and Big Y.

Jesse Adams

NORTHAMPTON — A proposal to ban single-use plastic bags and styrofoam takeout containers in Northampton got its first public airing Tuesday night.

The city's Economic and Community Development, Land Use and Housing committee heard from City Council Vice President Jesse Adams, the measure's co-sponsor.

Adams said the ban would apply to retail stores and food establishments over 2,000 square feet. It would prohibit "thin-film single-use plastic bags" with a thickness of 3.0 mils or less used for "single use transport" of purchased products. It would also ban disposable food service containers made of expanded polystyrene.

The measure contains a number of exemptions. Thin-film bags without handles — those typically used to contain "dry cleaning, newspapers, produce, meat, bulk foods, (and) wet items" — would be allowed. Food packaging used "during direct patient care at hospitals or nursing homes" would also be exempt.

Plastic lids, where no other option is available, would be OK. Bags purchased by retail establishments prior to the passage of the ordinance would also be allowed.

The measure also allows "hardship" exemptions. If a retailer can show there's no biodegradable substitute for their packaging, the ban would not apply during a period of hardship deferment.

Hardship deferment applications would be referred to the Board of Health. Hardship would be found when compliance would cause "significant economic difficulty" and there is no readily-available substitute.

The deferment could be extended another two years if the Board of Health sees fit.

The ban would be enforced by the city's Health Department, which would at first issue a warning, then hit scofflaws with fines of $50 for the first offense and $100 for subsequent infractions.

Committee member Kevin Lake, the representative from the Conservation Commission, said he spends a fair amount of time "on boats in salt water," and sees a lot of plastic trash out on the ocean.

Nonetheless, he told Adams he'd like to see more hard data on the proposal, including its potential impact upon the business community and its effectiveness in reducing the waste stream.

Ward 4 councilor Gina-Louise Sciarra voiced concern that supermarkets would put an end to their plastic bag recycling programs if forced to get rid of the ubiquitous plastic grocery bags.

Adams said the language he crafted was "more lenient" than ordinances in communities such as Brookline and Amherst. He said he did not want to unduly burden the business community, but felt it was important to reduce the amount of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable material in the city's waste stream.

Adams said he reached out to large grocery stores, including Stop & Shop and Big Y, but has not heard back. He said he hasn't heard much feedback from the business community, but hopes those with concerns will step forward.

The proposal will be vetted by seven city committees before it makes its way back to the full City Council for discussion. Adams said he also hopes to schedule a public hearing.

"It will lead to a dramatic reduction in plastic bags in the waste stream, and a dramatic reduction in styrofoam," said Adams. "And if more communities follow our lead, then eventually it will have a tremendous effect."

The committee took no action on the measure and will continue its discussion in November.

Melissa Robitille and Walter Richter III were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Isaac Robitille.

HARDWICK, Vt. -- A woman and her boyfriend who police said put alcohol in her disabled 13-year-old son's IV tube, killing him, were charged on Tuesday with murder.

Melissa Robitille and Walter Richter III were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Isaac Robitille. Melissa Robitille called police on Aug. 22 to report he was dead.

Isaac was born with significant medical conditions and multiple disabilities that required the assistance of caretakers, feeding tubes and intravenous tubes, police said.

Robitille and Richter, both 38 years old, were charged with using the IV tube to administer alcohol to the boy, leading to his death. An autopsy by the state medical examiner's office found his blood alcohol content was 0.146 percent, about twice the legal limit for driving.

Isaac's health conditions included a brain abnormality that was listed as the cause of death with the alcohol listed as a contributing factor.

It could not immediately be learned if Robitille and Richter had lawyers. A phone message left at a listing for Robitille was not immediately returned, and there was no listing for Richter in the small town of Hardwick.

Vermont State Police said Robitille and Richter were in custody but had not been processed in the court system as of Tuesday evening.

Watch live NASA coverage of the October 2014 Blood Moon total lunar eclipse.

"Blood Moon" No. 2 of 2014 – aka a total lunar eclipse – will take place early Wednesday morning, Oct. 8, and will make this year's pre-Halloween October full moon especially spooky, and super interesting.

View full size09.26.1996 | The total phase of a total lunar eclipse.RICHARD SANDERSON PHOTO 

Problem is, ya gotta have a reasonably clear sky to see it, and for those of us in Massachusetts, and much of the Northeast, that is extremely unlikely with the current forecast (CBS 3 Springfield meteorologist Nick Morganelli has the gloomy forecast here »).

But if your skies are cloudy, or if you just want to cozy up with your favorite fellow Blood Moon watcher in the comfort of your device-watching locale, NASA will provide live stream coverage of the second 2014 lunar eclipse. It's embedded at the top of this article.

When is the October 2014 lunar eclipse?

According to timeanddate.com, The penumbral eclipse begins Wednesday at 8:17 a.m. Universal Time Coordinated (Greenwich Mean Time), or UTC. That's 4:17 in the Eastern Time Zone, 1:17 Pacific. Partial eclipse begins 61 minutes later, and the full eclipse begins at 10:27 UTC (6:27 Eastern, 3:27 Pacific). Maximum eclipse occurs at 10:55 UTC, or 6:55 Eastern, 3:55 Pacific.

If somehow Massachusetts scores clear skies, all of the above will be visible, but the moon sets shortly after maximum eclipse, at 6:59 a.m. in Springfield (earlier the further east you are).

What's on that NASA Ustream up there?

The stream is showing pre-recorded video about lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena. NASA wasn't specific about when live coverage would begin, but it did say "A live Ustream feed of the eclipse will be offered ..." Fingers crossed the live stream actually shows the eclipse once it gets going.

Alternate live coverage

The Slooh Community Observatory also has live stream coverage beginning at 5 a.m. EDT. You can check it out here »

For the record, what's a "Blood Moon"?

So, the October 8 total lunar eclipse is the second in the 2014-2015 lunar tetrad, a series of four straight total lunar eclipses. According to timeanddate.com:

The term Blood Moon, has recently become popular when referring to the total lunar eclipses in the 2014 – 2015 lunar tetrad. This term has no technical or astronomical basis and it is unclear where the description originated.

Here are some good articles on Blood Moons:

EarthSky.org gives a comprehensive overview of blood moons and their background here »

Karl Tate, SPACE.com Infographics Artist, has an excellent "Blood Moons Explained" multimedia presentation here »

And timeanddate.com has this overview of Blood Moons »

Were the ancients right in fearing eclipses?

So that we're all on the same page, here's NASA's explanation of what's going on in the sky Wednesday morning, just so we don't all freak out:

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth casts a shadow that blocks sunlight that normally reflects off of the moon. A total lunar eclipse can only happen when the sun, Earth and moon are perfectly aligned. During the time of total eclipse, the moon will often look reddish due to red and orange light being scattered by the atmosphere. This eerie, harmless effect has earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname "blood moon."

If you're still worried, NASA is hosting a live web chat beginning Wednesday at 3 a.m. Eastern time. Details are on NASA's website here »

Follow NASA on Twitter »

There were no apparent victims in the shooting, which was reported shortly after 11 p.m. near the corner of Chestnut and Allendale streets.

Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

SPRINGFIELD — Police were investigating a shooting outside a corner store in the city's North End late Tuesday night.

Multiple shell casings were found near Chestnut Market, a store at the corner of Chestnut and Allendale streets, at about 11:15 p.m., according to Springfield police.

Officers secured the crime scene and waited for detectives, who were still investigating a Liberty Heights shooting that sent a man to Baystate Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

No victims were found at the scene of the Chestnut Street shooting.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

Church officials and preservationists are trying to figure out what happened to several 1.5-ton gargoyles from a Massachusetts church.

WORCESTER, Mass. — Church officials and preservationists are trying to figure out what happened to several 1.5-ton gargoyles from a Massachusetts church.

The former Chestnut Street Congregational Church in Worcester. Courtesy of John Phelan 

The crumbling building was slated for demolition a decade ago but was saved with the help of Preservation Worcester.

The group's director tells The Telegram & Gazette the 3,000-pound gargoyles were removed for safety reasons by a construction company that went out of business. The company's assets were sold at auction, and the fear is the gargoyles were sold.

7News Boston WHDH-TV

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane said their coalition so far also includes New Jersey and Massachusetts.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Four Northeastern states have agreed to collaborate in investigations of heroin trafficking that often cross state lines, authorities said Wednesday.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane said their coalition so far also includes New Jersey and Massachusetts. Other states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions are expected to join within the next few weeks.

"The drug dealers don't stop at the state border, and with this partnership, neither will law enforcement," Kane said.

Schneiderman said 98 percent of the large-scale heroin trafficking cases prosecuted by his office have involved drugs moving among the four states and traffickers have been able to "outmaneuver" authorities by crossing jurisdictions.

The New York Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force, with offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and White Plains, has arrested more than 400 people in dozens of trafficking investigations since 2007. Roundups often involved 20 to 40 defendants. While those investigators can reach across state lines to arrest people committing crimes in New York, their reach doesn't extend to criminal elements trafficking in other states.

The task force members have agreed to share information, which could include identification of traffickers, stash houses and phone numbers gathered from wiretaps, informants and cooperating witnesses. The task force is intended to create the formal framework for sharing information, which investigators may now do informally.

According to the attorneys general, skyrocketing demand for heroin and higher profit margins for traffickers are now driving the trade. They noted that the two largest cities on the East Coast with a combined population over 10 million people, New York City and Philadelphia, are the two primary points for heroin trafficking in the Northeast.

In New Jersey, the number of people seeking treatment for heroin abuse exceeded 25,000 in 2012, they said. Massachusetts declared a public health emergency in March from heroin overdoses and opioid addiction.

Also Wednesday, the nation's drug czar is going to Maine to lead a town hall discussion on opioid abuse.

Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, is traveling to Bangor for the evening event. He is expected to announce a grant aimed at targeting opioid abuse.