The properties to be divested are in Chester, Leicester and Richmond.

HOLYOKE - The Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts has adopted a five-year property plan to ensure a network of well-maintained outdoor program facilities well into the future.

"Understanding the dedication of adequate resources to maintain seven camps in good condition would not be sustainable in the long term, the plan provided for the divestment of three outdoor properties," Suzanne Smiley, chief operating officer of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, said.

The three properties to be divested are Camp Kinnebrook in Chester, Camp Neyati in Leicester and Camp Marion White in Richmond.

The remaining four are distributed throughout the council's jurisdiction and have the capacity for increased use and physical expansion to meet future needs.

The four properties which will be retained are Camp Bonnie Brae in East Otis, Camp Lewis Perkins in South Hadley, Camp Laurel Wood in Spencer and Camp Green Eyrie in Harvard.

The plan which includes the divestiture of the three properties was the result of four years of data collection and analysis on the physical condition, ability to accommodate users at peak demand times, revenue and expense and the feasibility of increased use at each site.

Smalley said that of the three properties to be divested, Camp Neyati has been closed for nine years, Camp Kinnebrook served fewer than 20 girls in the last five years and Camp Marion White averaged about 125 girls a year.

"Camping and other outdoor experiences have always been and will always be an integral part of Girl Scouting," Smalley said. She said the Board of Directors is taking action to ensure the long-term viability of a network of safe and well-maintained properties that support a high-quality outdoor program activities for girls."

The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts was formed in January, 2008, through the merger of three councils.

Since 2012, the 9,400-foot Holyoke Service Center was built and staff members from the East Longmeadow and Leeds Service Centers moved to Holyoke.

The East Longmeadow Service Center was sold in 2013.

The Leeds Service Center building on two acres as sold in 2014.

Also, 40 acres behind the Leeds Service Center was sold to the city of Northampton in 2011 and 2012. The land will remain undeveloped and be part of a wildlife corridor.

Property in Leicester, East Longmeadow and Spencer has been sold or approved for sale.

A property committee also voted to recommend maintaining Camp Bonnie Brae, Camp Green Eyrie, Camp Laurel Wood and Camp Lewis Perkins in good condition.

As a result of a perfect storm of drivers trying to beat out the Wednesday snow and multiple major accidents, the Massachusetts Turnpike has produced one of the biggest holiday backups in recent memory.

As a result of a perfect storm of drivers trying to beat out the Wednesday snow and a truck rollover in Charlton, the Massachusetts Turnpike has produced one of the biggest holiday backups in recent memory.

According to multiple traffic reports, the backup heading westbound out of Boston has now reached over 50 miles. Thursday evening, the Mass. State Police reported that the backup had gotten as long as 60 miles, stretching from Logan Airport to the I-84 exit in Sturbridge.

Here's a roundup of all the traffic jam reports coming out of Boston, and the nightmare that is trying to get out of the city for Thanksgiving:

JUST IN: @MassStatePolice say there's about a 60 mile back up on the Mass Pike westbound. Traffic map here: http://t.co/grI1IgDdWu

— NECN (@NECN) November 25, 2014

Tonight's commute features lots of traffic, including a 60-mile backup on the Mass. Pike. http://t.co/CUQTxiHfg7 pic.twitter.com/ib43jd29rY

— 7News Boston (@7News) November 25, 2014

Yep it happened, 59 MILE BACKUP ON THE MASS PIKE! From Logan to Sturbridge Westbound. We're setting records here. #MATraffic

— John Saucier (@realSAUCEman) November 25, 2014

Mass Pike Westbound is currently the worst backup on the East Coast. Do you #Massachusetts, do you.

— John Saucier (@realSAUCEman) November 25, 2014

BREAKING: 59 mile back up mass pike WEST BOUND *and could grow*

— Tiarra Norcross (@TiarraNorcross) November 25, 2014

Heading West on the Mass Pike tonight? Please be patient MSP say there's a 60 mile backup.

— Tim Rzewuski (@Assigndesk_Tim) November 25, 2014

Reports of a crash on the #Masspike West by exit 10 in #Auburn blocking at least 1 travel lane. @MassStatePolice en route #MAtraffic

— Mike (@NEFirebuff) November 25, 2014

The creation of the zone in the 2015-16 school year is dependent on School Committee approval of the teachers contract.

SPRINGFIELD — A majority of teachers in the city's eight failing middle schools – all slated for inclusion in a proposed Empowerment Zone to oversee their turnaround – has agreed to a new contract that includes more pay, more time for classroom planning, student instruction and professional development, Superintendent Daniel J. Warwick said on Tuesday.

Warwick said the School Department and the Springfield Education Association reached the agreement on the new contract late Monday following a 30-day negotiation period with the union.

The creation of the zone in the 2015-16 school year is dependent on School Committee approval of the teachers contract. The committee will vote on the pact at its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 4.

Warwick said 92 percent of members of the SEA, who teach in the eight middle schools that will be included in the zone voted in favor of the contract, adding that he was "ecstatic" that the two parties have successfully collaborated to negotiate a contract that, "most importantly, puts students first but is fair and beneficial for both labor and management."

SEA President Timothy Collins said he had two major goals in mind during the contract negotiations: to keep the Level 4 middle schools out of the Level 5 category and to gives teachers in the zone a boost in pay.

"We accomplished those goals," Collins said, adding that individual salary increases will depend on a variety of factors including teachers length of service.

"The fact of the matter is that the state commissioner of education put us under the gun," Collins said, noting that the city had no choice but to agree to implement the zone. Otherwise the schools forced the prospect of state takeover, he said.

Collins said the state's accountability system for student performance in low-income minority schools is unfairly judged by performance on the MCAS test, which he called "a crooked yardstick."

The MCAS test is not a true measure of the ability of students who live in urban schools across the state, or the talented teachers who work in them, he said, noting that city schools perform in the top 10 in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. That test, Collins said, is more indicative of the progress made by inner-city students.

The zone would be created through a partnership of the school district with the state Department of Education, the SEA and Empower Schools, Inc., a Boston-based organization formed by education reform entrepreneur Chris Gabrieli, who served as the chairman of the Springfield Finance Control Board in 2009.

Chestnut South, Chestnut North, Chestnut Talented and Gifted, Kiley, Kennedy, Forest Park, Duggan and Van Sickle middle schools would comprise the Springfield Empowerment Zone.

Warwick underscored the fact that the contract gives teams of teachers and administrators more flexibility to make decisions that are best for their population of students.

"The Empowerment Zone was created to empower schools to make decisions at the school level in return for accountability for results and now we have a solid foundation upon which to build that important work," said Warwick.

Under the arrangement, Empower Schools, which has had success in turnaround efforts at schools in Lawrence and Salem, would act as an independent adviser to launch the Springfield Empowerment Zone and manage the initial implementation.

Contacted late Tuesday, Gabrieli praised Warwick and Collins for their work negotiating the contract, adding that Empower Schools Inc. is honored to be a partner with the city.

"The Empowerment Zone is premised on empowering front-line educators to make decisions, have the time to collaborate, and have a strong voice in the kind of work they are involved in, Gabrieli said.

"This historic ratification shows that teachers want to have those responsibilities and take very seriously the profession they have chosen," he said.

In addition, the contract gives those schools authority to create leadership teams that will write the individual operational plans for the school.

For example, Springfield Empowerment Zone schools would have authority over hiring and recruiting; school schedule and school budget, he said.

Slated for the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, the Springfield Empowerment Zone represents a new and unique partnership between SPS, Empower Schools, the SEA, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Under the arrangement, the district would work with Empower Schools, an independent advisor, to launch and manage the initial implementation. The organization has previously had success catalyzing turnaround efforts at schools in Lawrence and Salem.

Chestnut South, Chestnut North, Chestnut Talented and Gifted, Kiley, Kennedy, Forest Park, Duggan and Van Sickle middle schools would comprise The Springfield Empowerment Zone.

Warwick underscored the fact that the contract gives teams of teachers and administrators more flexibility to make decisions that are best for their population of students.

"The Empowerment Zone was created to empower schools to make decisions at the school level in return for accountability for results and now we have a solid foundation upon which to build that important work," said Warwick.

The School Committee is expected to vote on acceptance of the contract during a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

"Obviously, there's a smell of marijuana in the air, as well," Lemon said.

A CNN anchor's comment about the obvious smell of marijuana during the riots last night in Ferguson, Missouri, have landed him in hot water.

While describing a scene across the street from the Ferguson Police Department, Lemon was asked by another anchor, Anderson Cooper, to share some of the sights and sounds of the escalating protest, according to USA Today.

"Just a couple seconds ago, we heard a gunshot," the newspaper quoted Lemon as saying. "People started running this way and there are a couple police officers in the crowd."

"Obviously, there's a smell of marijuana in the air, as well," he added.

He was describing rioting that took place after a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown, the unarmed, black 18-year-old whose fatal shooting sparked weeks of protests and exposed deep racial tension between many black Americans and police.

The reaction on social media was swift, with one person, Carl L. Miller, tweeting, "With everything burning all around him Don Lemon picks out the marijuana and makes it an issue."

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch announced the jury's decision Monday evening. A grand jury of nine whites and three blacks had been meeting weekly since Aug. 20 to consider evidence. The panel met for 70 hours and heard from 60 witnesses.

McCulloch stressed that the grand jurors were "the only people who heard every witness ... and every piece of evidence." He said many witnesses presented conflicting statements that ultimately were inconsistent with the physical evidence.

As McCulloch was reading his statement, a crowd gathered around a car from which it was being broadcast on a stereo. When the decision was announced, Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, who was sitting atop the car, burst into tears and began screaming before being whisked away by supporters.

The crowd erupted in anger, converging on the barricade where police in riot gear were standing. They pushed down the barricade and began pelting police with items, including a bullhorn.

Lemon's comment caused Huffington Post blogger Catherine Tiabi to opine that he need to think before he speaks on live TV.

To viewers at home, the obvious smell "that wasn't obvious at all," she said.

Many other people tweeted that the smell wasn't obvious to them.

"I'm smelling marijuana. I mean tear gas," Jeremy Scahill, tweeted. Wolf, are you in a Hamas tunnel? Is George Zimmerman's attorney available to help?

Other bloggers took shots at Lemon.

The New York Daily News, for example, had this to say.

On Tuesday, everyone is talking about racism, violence, justice - and what a ding-a-ling CNN's Don Lemon is, the newspaper wrote.

As Ferguson erupted into anger, bullets and flames Monday night, Lemon ham-handedly drew tear gas into his own gas mask, whined for water and a device to contact his producers, and then made a culturally insensitive comment about protesters smoking pot.

Tuesday Lemon was further blasted by critics online for imitating the "St. Louis accent" and for retreating to a "safe room" while other CNN reporters stayed out on the scene.

The website TMZ.com called Lermon's comment another "open mouth, insert foot" moment.

And the British newspaper, The Independent commend that Lemon "has had quite the week reporting for CNN."

Days after he attracted criticism for insinuating one woman, who had accused Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting her, should have "bitten him", he sparked mild media outrage when he came live from unfolding events in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson.

More than 100 people attended the vigil, which was only for MassMutual employees.

Melissa Millan 

Millan, a longtime employee and senior vice president at the insurance giant, worked at the Enfield facility just south of the Longmeadow line. Her colleagues gathered there at 4:30 p.m. for a private vigil for MassMutual employees, according to David Potter, the company's assistant vice president of strategic marketing.

Potter provided a printed statement from the MassMutual Financial Group on Millan's tragic death. The statement read:

MassMutual is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Melissa Millan, senior vice president. Our thoughts and prayers are with Melissa's family during this extremely difficult time.

Melissa's tremendous leadership qualities, business acumen and deeply caring nature will be missed by those who had the opportunity to work with her.

Our employees are holding this candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Melissa.

People have placed flowers along an exercise trail on Iron Horse Boulevard in Simsbury, Connecticut, where MassMutual executive Melissa Millan, a town resident, was stabbed to death on Thursday, Nov. 20. The homicide remains under investigation. DAVE MOLNAR / REPUBLICAN 

Authorities continue to hunt down leads in the homicide, which shocked people on both sides of the Connecticut River in this community Connecticut and Massachusetts, where MassMutual is headquartered. Police have chased down various leads in the case, but no arrests had been made as of Tuesday evening.

Millan, a divorced mother of two and an avid runner and triathlete, was out for a jog last Thursday evening when she apparently was attacked and stabbed to death by an unknown assailant. Her body was found about 8 p.m. on a popular bike, running and walking path bordering Iron Horse Boulevard.

"We are looking at all aspects of this, including whether it was a random act," Simsbury Police Capt. Nick Boulter told the Hartford Courant. Police believe the crime happened where Millan's body was found, and anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 860-658-3145.

In addition to Tuesday's vigil in Enfield, the Simsbury native was remembered on Sunday at a multifaith service at Simsbury United Methodist Church and on Monday at a vigil at Winding Trails, a popular Farmington recreation site.

Wilson made his first public statements Tuesday during an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.

FERGUSON, Mo. -- Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson says he couldn't have done anything differently in his confrontation with Michael Brown to have prevented the 18-year-old's shooting death.

Wilson made his first public statements Tuesday during an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.

He told Stephanopoulos he has a clean conscience because "I know I did my job right."

Wilson was placed on leave Aug. 9, the day the white officer fatally shot Brown, who was unarmed and black.

Wilson had been with the Ferguson police force for less than three years before the shooting. He told Stephanopoulos that Brown's shooting marked the first time he had used his gun.

Raymond Boissonault pleads guilty, then withdraws his plea, in three Westfield cases.

The Hampden County Hall of Justice.THE REPUBLICAN FILE 

SPRINGFIELD - It took quite a long time Tuesday for Hampden Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough to hear and accept the guilty pleas and declare his sentences for Raymond Boissonault.

After all, Boissonault pleaded guilty to 18 different crimes in three different Westfield cases. In one, he shot an acquaintance in the leg during a dispute and the victim first falsely reported the shooting was part of a random robbery by an unknown "Hispanic man."

The victim later admitted that was false and identified Boissonault, who is white, as the person who had shot him.

McDonough sentenced the 24-year-old West Springfield resident to six to eight years in state prison plus a year probation.

Assistant District Attorney Karen Southerland had asked for seven to nine years in state prison plus the year probation.

Defense lawyer Thomas E. Robinson asked for five years in prison plus a year probation.

Normally, in Superior Court a defendant can't withdraw a guilty plea unless it exceeds the prosecution's recommendation.

But in this case McDonough, in a lobby conference at an earlier date, had told prosecution and defense if his sentence decision exceeded the defense recommendation Boissonault could withdraw his pleas and go to trial. Actually, it will be three different trials.

After hearing all the details and facts of the three cases Tuesday, McDonough decided on the six to eight year sentence. He then honored his word: he went over the defense's five year recommendation so Boissonault could withdraw his plea.

After talking with his lawyer, Boissonault withdrew all his guilty pleas.

Now one case is set for trial Jan. 7, one for Jan. 8 and one for Feb. 2.

Southerland said on March 29, 2013, there was a frantic 911 call from a woman saying "he's been shot."

She was referring to her husband, and they reported the supposed robbery by the "Hispanic male wearing all black" who fired three or four shots.

The victims later confessed to police that was a lie and the shooting by Boissonault was over money owed for narcotics.

In that case Boissonault is charge with armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one each of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and illegal possession of a firearm.

In a separate case from Feb. 22, 2013, Boissonault is charged with three counts of armed home invasion, three counts of armed kidnapping, three counts of armed and masked robbery and one count of conspiracy.

Southerland said the victims in that case knew Boissonault, and Boissonault and another man were looking for drugs and money.

One of the victims, a woman, said she recognized Boissonault's "white boy, ghetto accent," Southerland said.

In the other case Boissonault is charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony and larceny from a building.

That was from an Aug. 26, 2010, robbery at B G Sporting Goods in Westfield in which a number of weapons were stolen.

Southerland said Boissonault was charged and convicted of illegal possession of a firearm after a traffic stop on Oct. 11, 2010, where he has one of the stolen guns.

But he was not charged with the larceny itself until he was ultimately recognized from a video from the store, she said.

Robinson, in arguing for the lesser sentence, said typically victims would either come to court to give victim impact statements or at least submit them in writing.

He said the fact none of the victims did either, and that some reported they were in agreement with the lower sentence, "speaks volumes."

Boissonault told McDonough he had been diagnosed and is being treated for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Robinson said Boissonault's father had been in prison and Boissonault and his mother were homeless at times.

"We are not satisfied with the verdict passed yesterday and nobody should be. I stand with Ferguson," said Shae Nunez

SPRINGFIELD — Protesters held signs and stopped traffic on State Street in solidarity with those dissatisfied with the grand jury verdict in Ferguson, Mo..

Members of Out Now and Arise for Social Justice marched down State Street and over to the Pearl Street police station holding signs reading things like 'Stop Police Brutality." The dozen or so protesters stopped traffic on State Street as they formed a line holding the signs and chanting "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"

"We are not satisfied with the verdict that was passed yesterday and nobody should be. I stand with Ferguson, my thoughts are with Ferguson," said Shae Nunez, a young protester who also participated in protests in Holyoke and Westfield last night. "Honestly, the system was not made for people of color. It was made to protect white people and white people's property and it needs to be torn down and be rebuilt because we obviously don't fit inside it."

Protesters across the country are upset with the decision made by a grand jury not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown during an August confrontation, setting off weeks of protests and unrest in the predominantly black suburb of St. Louis.

The unrest reignited Monday night shortly after the the grand jury's decision was announced. Protesters overturned cars, blocked traffic and started fires as law enforcement officials attempted to contain crowds in Ferguson and elsewhere across the nation. This is the second time in as many days that a crowd gathers to protest in Springfield.

The group had a moment of silence at the police station followed by more chanting. Stickii Quest, a representative of Out Now, said the group stands with Ferguson.

"We need to stand in solidarity...because not only are cops in our cities corrupt and brutal and take our lives, but systematically the police are set up against us," he said.

Quest said the turn out for the protests has not been as large as they would like because people are scared.

"I think a lot of people are afraid of the violence that's been going on and nobody wants to be targeted as a violent person," he said. "We are non-violently protesting, but I think some people are afraid they will be confused with the looters and arsonists and they don't want to get caught up in that."

The group hopes bringing awareness to the issue will help bring to change across the nation.

"The system needs to be changed. We are no longer standing for the fact that black people die every day at the hands of the police and people of color in general are marginalized and sent into institutions. Our rights are being taken away, and nobody seems to care or notice," he said.

Holyoke is one of 14 communities considered traffic "hotspots" that merited funding for extra enforcement.

HOLYOKE -- Armed with a $150,000 state grant, police said Tuesday (Nov. 25) they will be increasing traffic enforcement on streets and intersections with a history of problems.

"Holyoke citizens should be aware that there will be more officers out and that they are working hard to make roads and traffic intersections safer," Police Chief James M. Neiswanger said in a press release.

The extra presence will focus on speeding, drunk driving, crosswalk and stopping violations, texting and seat belt use, said the press release from Lt. James Albert.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security awarded $3.2 million in grants to 14 police departments through the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program. A city or town's eligibility for a grant was based on population and crash data from 2009 to 2011 compiled by the the Massachusetts Traffic Records Analysis Center, which is a part of state government.

The 14 eligible communities were considered traffic "hotspots" and, combined, had 61 percent of the state's fatalities, the state said.

Besides Holyoke, the list consists of Springfield, Chicopee, Worcester, Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River, Framingham, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Quincy and Taunton.

The goal is to combine a year-long, high-visibility traffic enforcement in targeted areas with a media effort to reduce crashes, injuries and other problems, the state said.

The maker of the order said an investigation was needed to see if anything illegal or unethical had occurred.

HOLYOKE -- The City Council Public Service Committee Monday (Nov. 24) was forced to table discussion about whether to seek an investigation about a decision the mayor made, after the councilor who filed the order left the meeting.

Ward 2 Councilor Anthony Soto filed the order in mid-August. He asked that the Hampden County district attorney investigate the $45,000 separation agreement that Mayor Alex B. Morse gave to former city solicitor Heather G. Egan when she resigned April 29.

Soto had said he filed the order to learn whether anything illegal or unethical occurred with the separation agreement.

Soto was at City Hall in City Council Chambers for a committee meeting that preceded the Public Service Committee session, but left before the second meeting began.

"Councilor Soto did grace us with his presence," committee Chairman Daniel B. Bresnahan said, but has since left.

The committee then voted to table the order. It was unclear when it would be considered again.

The chairmen and chairwomen of council committees express frustration at having to table orders when councilors who file them fail to attend meetings.

The separation agreement included a confidentiality clause that prohibits Morse and Egan from discussing why she was paid $45,000. That lack of explanation of why taxpayer money was spent has angered councilors and others in the community.

Morse said Egan, who had been head of the Law Department for just over a year, resigned for personal reasons.

Now Maurice Chin, who has no criminal record, has filed a civil lawsuit against Garda CL New England, the company for which Chin worked as a driver for its armored truck monetary shuttle services.

The Hampden County Hall of Justice.THE REPUBLICAN FILE 

SPRINGFIELD - A city man once the subject of a "wanted" alert by police as a suspect in the theft of $76,000 from an armored truck he was driving, had the charges against him dismissed in late October in Hampden Superior Court.

Now Maurice Chin, who has no criminal record, has filed a Hampden Superior Court civil lawsuit against Garda CL New England, the company for which Chin worked as a driver for its armored truck monetary shuttle services.

The suit, asking for $93,000, including $65,000 for lost wages, said due to Garda's "negligence and malicious prosecution, plaintiff was falsely accused and charged of stealing $76,000+ in deposits from defendant (Garda)."

It says Garda "falsely reported same to media outlets." Chin was portrayed as the man who took a large amount of money from his employer and had to undergo terror while held in New York City prisons when he was arrested coming back from a relative's funeral in Jamaica, according to the suit.

Chin was imprisoned, lost his employment while forced to borrow monies and sell all he owned to survive, said the suit filed this week by lawyers Jeanne A. Liddy and Tracy E. Duncan.

Duncan represented Chin in the criminal case against him until the charges of larceny over $250 and possession of a firearm in a felony were dismissed by the prosecution.

The suit said Chin "suffered greatly in body and mind."

It goes on to say Garda never produced discovery - or information - to corroborate its claims so the criminal matter was dismissed.

Attempts to reach someone at the Garda corporate headquarters were unsuccessful Wednesday.

According to the suit:

Police said speed was a "huge factor" in the single-car crash. There were no passengers.

Updates a story posted at 8:52 a.m.

WESTFIELD — Police have identified the driver killed in a one-car crash on Root Road Wednesday morning as 23-year-old Coolidge Avenue resident Alexander E. Schultz.

Lt. Lawrence Valliere said speed was a "huge factor" in the crash, which remains under investigation. Schultz did not have any passengers.

Valliere said Schultz, driving northbound on Root Road, lost control of his Volkswagen sedan at the intersection of North Road. The car "flipped and rolled a number of times" before coming to a rest on its roof in a field about 400 feet away from the intersection, Valliere said.

Investigators have yet to determine the exact time of the crash. Valliere said the crash occurred some time between shortly before 2 a.m., when Schultz had contact with another person, and shortly before 7:10 a.m., when the property owner spotted the car in his field and called police.

The address where the crash occurred is 354 Root Rd.

Valliere said the car was heavily damaged as it flipped and tumbled across the field. Schultz was found dead at the scene and still inside the car. It appears he was not wearing a seat belt, Valliere said.

Investigators believe the accident did not make a lot of noise because the ground was relatively soft and the car hit no solid objects like a tree or pole.

Valliere said there is no indication that alcohol was a factor in the crash. "I don't see this going in any direction other than speed at this point," he said.

Valliere did not have an official estimate of the car's speed at the time of the crash, but said it was likely in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Schultz grew up in Westfield and was familiar with the area where the crash occurred, Valliere said. The intersection is a four-way stop.

A Harvard Extension School economics major who police said fell naked out of a bathroom ceiling at Logan Airport and bit off part of an elderly man's ear Saturday doesn't want the traveling public to be fearful, his lawyer said.

A digest of news stories from around New England and beyond.

Do you have news or a news tip to submit to MassLive.com for consideration? Send an email to online@repub.com.

Presidents as far back as Abraham Lincoln spared turkeys but it was President George H.W. Bush who granted the first turkey pardon in 1989.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has issued an executive action that some of his Republican opponents may be hard-pressed to disagree with -- sparing Thanksgiving turkeys from the dinner table.

In the spirit of the holiday, Obama on Wednesday took "action fully within my legal authority, the same kind of action taken by Democrats and Republican presidents before me," to pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey, a 49-pound bird named Cheese. He also spared an alternate turkey, a 47-pounder named Mac. Both came from Cooper Farms in Oakwood, Ohio.

"If you're a turkey, and you're named after a side dish, your chances of escaping Thanksgiving dinner are pretty low," Obama said at the annual event, which drew international media coverage. He was accompanied by his daughters, Malia and Sasha, who declined his invitation to pet the birds. "No," Malia said.

President Barack Obama, in the background, carries on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a "presidential pardon" of 'Cheese' the turkey, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)Pablo Martinez Monsivais 

The ceremony was moved indoors because of cold, wet weather that blanketed Washington.

"So these guys are well ahead of the curve. They really beat the odds," he said of Mac and Cheese.

Obama last week announced a series of highly anticipated executive actions immigration that have left Republicans crying "fowl."

Joking about his poultry action, Obama said: "I know some will call this amnesty. But don't worry. There's plenty of turkey to go around." Later Wednesday, Obama was taking the family to a neighborhood food pantry to donate a pair of turkeys "that didn't make the cut."
At the ceremony, Obama referenced news reports that questioned the wisdom of the turkey pardon tradition and said "it is a little puzzling that I do this every year." But Obama said he enjoys the tradition because "with all the tough stuff that swirls around in this office, it's nice once in a while just to say 'Happy Thanksgiving,' and this is a great excuse to do it.'

The pair of barrel-chested birds that Obama said he was sparing from a "terrible and delicious fate" will live the rest of their feathered days at Morven Park's Turkey Hill, a turkey farm in Leesburg, Virginia.

___

Some Walmart workers will be protesting outside stores in Chicopee and elsewhere in Western Massachusetts on Black Friday, one of the biggest retail shopping days of the year, to draw attention to what they claim is the company's poor compensation and mistreatment of employees.

SPRINGFIELD — Walmart workers in Chicopee, Hadley and Westfield will join fellow company employees from across the country on Black Friday to protest the retail giant's labor practices and alleged mistreatment of workers.

Strike organizers, who are billing the action as the largest Black Friday mobilization ever, are demanding the world's largest retailer to commit to providing more full-time opportunities and to raise the company's minimum hourly pay rate to $15 an hour. They chose Nov. 28, Black Friday – traditionally one of the biggest retail shopping days of the year – to draw attention to their cause.

Western Mass Jobs with Justice helped organize the demonstrations in this region. Protesters intend to highlight the company's "efforts to silence workers who are standing up for better jobs," organizers said in a news release.

Expected to take part in the demonstrations are Phil Bekech and Kerry Brown, employees of the Westfield and Hadley Walmarts, respectively, and Aubretia "Windy" Edick, who recently was fired from her job at the Chicopee Walmart. All three belong to OUR Walmart – a union-backed group that presses Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for better pay, benefits and respect for employees – and are expected to attend rallies in Chicopee, Hadley, Springfield and Westfield.

Edick recently was terminated from her Walmart job after company officials blamed her for an accident she had nothing to do with, she said. Police corroborated her version of events, but company officials apparently were unmoved and fired her anyway, according to Edick, who claims her termination was retaliatory in nature.

Protesters at the Chicopee store will be demanding her reinstatement.

More specific parking ban information can be found on municipality websites.

Most cities and towns will have parking bans in effect for the next few hours. While some use an even or odd side of the street format, some towns including Agawam, have a complete on-street parking ban in effect until tomorrow. Residents are encouraged to use their driveways or designated parking areas whenever possible. Here's a look at a few communities:

Springfield
>No parking on the even side of the street from 7 p.m. tonight until 7 a.m. tomorrow.

> No parking on odd side of the street tomorrow between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

>Parking is permitted where allowed by red and white "Severe Weather" signs. Streets posted with "No Parking Anytime" and "Severe Weather Emergency Parking" allows the parking to follow the parking ban. This means that during the time period that the parking ban does not allow parking on the normal side; vehicles may park on the posted "No Parking Anytime" side of the street.

Holyoke
> Parking ban in effect now until noon tomorrow on the even number side of any city street and no parking on cul-de-sacs.

West Springfield
> No on-street parking on any street in town from noon today until further notice.

Agawam
>There will be no on-road parking permitted between now and 6 a.m. Thursday.

>According to town code, the Agawam DPW can remove any vehicle parked in violation of a winter parking ban. Any person whose vehicle is removed will be fined $25.

South Hadley
> A parking ban is in effect from 6 p.m. tonight until noon tomorrow.

>Park on the even numbered side of streets on even days; park on the odd numbered side of streets on odd days. The South Hadley Police Dept. will enforce this ban.

>No on-street parking allowed on: Bridge Street; Lamb St.; Bardwell St.; Main St.; Rt. 116; Lower North Main St.

Easthampton
>Parking ban in effect from now until noon tomorrow. No on-street parking allowed.

Granby
>Parking ban in effect from now until noon tomorrow. No on-street parking allowed.

Westfield
>Parking ban in effect from now until 5 p.m. tomorrow. No on-street parking allowed.

For more detailed information on your particular town visit the municipality website.

Ward 1 City Councilor Zaida Luna delivered turkeys to three families in the North End Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD — Ward 1 City Councilor Zaida Luna delivered turkeys to three families in the North End Wednesday.

Luna said she has been donating turkeys to needy families in Springfield the past three years. She said she does it to help families who might find it hard to afford a large turkey. She said likes to help families get together on a special holiday.

Many families in Springfield are in need, Luna said.

Nearly 12,000 power outages have been reported in Massachusetts, the bulk of them in the western part of the state.

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz issued a "situational awareness" update on the state's first major snowstorm of the season.

The report, partly tailored for Western Massachusetts and issued by MEMA late Wednesday afternoon, runs the gamut from snow totals for select towns to weather-related power outages (nearly 12,000 as of 2:30 p.m., the bulk of which were in
Western Mass) to the current situation on Bay State roads.

As the fictitious Sgt. Phil Esterhaus from "Hill Street Blues" liked to say, "Let's be careful out there."

Here's a glimpse of the MEMA report:

SITUATION

Updated observations and trends since the last Situation Report at 10 am today:

The rain/snow line has moved into the Rt. 128 belt. Areas north and west of the line are seeing all snow. Southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands continue to see mostly heavy rain with little to no snow accumulation.

Snowfall totals from SKYWARN observers:

• Peru: 7.2 inches
• Southampton: 4 inches
• Plainfield: 2.5 inches
• Holyoke: 1.5 inches
• Oakham: 1.5 inches
• Leicester: 0.8 inches

Power outages:

Utilities report a total of 11,897 outages as of 2:30 pm, mostly in Western Massachusetts:

• National Grid: 8,658
• NSTAR: 280
• WMECO: 2835
• Unitil: 124

On the roads:

• Travel conditions across Massachusetts are deteriorating due to accumulating snow and poor visibility. The Wednesday evening rush-hour is expected to be significantly impacted by the storm.
• MassDOT currently has a total of 688 pieces of equipment deployed.
• MassDOT Highway Division District 1 (Lenox) is reporting moderate to heavy snow and snow-covered pavement.
• Districts 2 (Northampton) and 3 (Worcester) report light to moderate snow and wet, slush-covered pavement.
• Districts 1, 2, and 3 are plowing and chemically treating roads.
• District 4 (Arlington) reports a mix of rain and freezing rain and wet roads. They are chemically treating roads.
• District 5 (Taunton) reports mixed rain, sleet and freezing rain. Roadways are wet.
• District 6 (Boston) reports rain mixed with light snow.

Other travel information:

• A tandem/propane ban has been implemented and the speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph in both directions on the MassPike between the New York border and Exit 11A (Westborough / I-495).
• Logan Airport reports no delays, but travelers should check with their airlines on flight status before heading to the airport.
• DCR has closed one lane on the southbound side of Morrissey Boulevard from Freeport to UMass in anticipation of any roadway flooding for the afternoon high tide. DCR crews remain on standby for sanding/plowing operations.
• DCR Central and West regions are clearing state parks of snow.
• MSP reports no significant issues other than minor storm-related traffic spinouts throughout the state. Traffic volume is moderate, with periods of heavy vehicle traffic at Logan related to scheduled arrivals and related to scheduled arrivals and departures.

The Berklee College of Music in Boston has removed Cosby's name from an online scholarship it awards.

The University of Massachusetts should sever its business ties with comedian Bill Cosby, unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley says.

In a letter she wrote to the university, the attorney general said having the UMass alumnus to continue representing the university sends the wrong message, according to the Boston Globe.

"At a time when the state is focused on prevention and response to sexual assaults on campus, allowing Mr. Cosby to continue to represent our state university sends the exact wrong message," Coakley wrote in her letter.

The Globe pointed out that Cosby, who received a master's and a doctorate in education from UMass Amherst, remains an honorary co-chairman of the school's ongoing $300 million fund-raising campaign.

"I believe the volume and disturbing nature of these allegations has reached a point where Mr. Cosby should no longer have a formal role at UMass, nor be involved in its fund-raising efforts, unless or until Mr. Cosby is able to satisfactorily respond to these allegations," her letter continues.

While Cokley cannot force the university to cut ties with Cosby, she is using her high-profile public position as a bully pulpit, the Globe points out.

The Berklee College of Music in Boston, however, has distanced itself from from the entertainer.

According to Boston University radio station, WBUR-FM, Berklee has removed his name from an online scholarship it awards.

"In 2004, Berklee presented Cosby with an honorary doctor of music degree 'for his commitment to advancing higher education and for his longtime love and promotion of jazz,' the radio station reported. "He was a commencement speaker for the school that year."

Many Massachusetts colleges and university have given Cosby degrees, awards or distributed scholarships in his name, the Boston Herald points out. Cosby earned a Ph.D. in education from UMass in the 1970s.

"Boston University handed Cosby an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the school's graduation ceremonies last May," the Herald says. "And in 2013, he was the commencement speaker at BU's School of Education graduation."

When the Herald asked Berklee for comment, its spokeswoman Liz Lupton said, "Berklee no longer awards an online scholarship in Mr. Cosby's name. The college has no further comment at this time."

Last year, UMass Amherst named Cosby an honorary co-chair as it announced the launch of its biggest campaign ever called "UMass Rising."

High Point University in North Caroline, removed Cosby from its National Board of Advisors, a panel that includes retired Gen. Colin Powell, the Associated Press reports. The university referred to Cosby as "one of the most influential performers of our time" when it announced his appointment last July.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Cosby and his wife Camille, have given UMass between $250,000 and $499,999, according to a recent report on donations.

In recent weeks, at least seven women have publicly accused the 77-year-old Cosby of sexual assault years ago. Cosby has not been charged in connection with any of the allegations. Only one woman has filed suit - Andrea Constand, who sued in 2005 and settled for an undisclosed amount before the case went to trial.

Abiding by the parking ban will clear spaces on roads and help plowers do their jobs.

HOLYOKE -- City streets passable much of the day Wednesday (Nov. 26) were getting perilous.

The storm of heavy wet snow continued to make surfaces seem like they were clogged with soggy cement with late afternoon turning to night on Thanksiving Eve.

"Slippery, a lot of accidents, but nothing major, fender-benders: The road conditions have gone down hill but nothing serious," police Lt. David D. Fournier said.

Vehicles sliding into minor accidents amid the snow that was heavy with wetness tied up police but resulted in no major injuries on Southampton Road, on Route 5 north near the Dinosaur Footprints exhibit and on Route 5 south near the Kmart plaza, among other spots, he said.

Plows were chugging along to clear streets of snow and apply sand, and Mayor Alex B. Morse urged residents to help out by following the city parking ban:

The parking ban is in effect from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday (Nov. 27). That means there will be no parking on the even-number side of any city street and no parking on cul-de-sacs. Those with a driveway were asked to use it.

Abiding by the parking ban will clear spaces on roads and help plowers do their jobs, Morse said.

"Roads are very slippery with the early wet snow. (The city is) maintaining main roads for now, side streets later. All is going per plan," he said.

"I encourage folks to comply with the parking ban and drive carefully if they need to go out. I also wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving," he said.