Despite Raymond Rivera repeatedly claiming he was not aware of the existence of the two severely neglected children found in the Blackstone home where the remains of three dead babies were also found, prosecutors on Tuesday said they have evidence he slept in a bedroom just 8 feet away. Watch video

WORCESTER — Despite Raymond Rivera repeatedly claiming he was not aware of the existence of the two severely neglected children found in the Blackstone home where the remains of three dead babies were also found, prosecutors on Tuesday said they have evidence he slept in a bedroom just eight feet away.

Rivera, 38, was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon in Worcester Superior Court on seven charges, including two counts of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury, two counts of reckless endangerment of a child, two counts of cruelty to animals and one count of cultivating marijuana.

He had initially been facing only marijuana charges even after investigators pulled the remains of three dead babies from the home in September. His girlfriend, Erika Murray, is now facing murder charges.

The investigators searched the home after the Department of Children and Families removed four children from the home, including a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old who were both found severely malnourished and covered in their own feces.

In interviews with the press, Rivera had said his time at the Blackstone home was largely confined to the basement and that he had only known about the 3-year-old child, whom Murray told him she was babysitting. ‘

“There’s simply no way he could have lived in this house and slept seven to eight feet away without knowing about the existence of these two children," said Assistant District Attorney John Bradley as he argued for bail.

He described how the older children told investigators that the cries of the 5-month-old were “blistering” and that the 3-year-old would repeatedly bang on the wall.

A pediatrician who examined the two young children told prosecutors they were the worst cases she’d seen in her years as a doctor.

“She compared the state of the two young children to video footage of Romanian orphanages from the 1990s,” Bradley said.

Bradley said there is evidence that Rivera shared a bedroom with Murray that was just down the hallway from the rooms of the two children.

Rivera’s attorney, Nicole Colby Longton, said after the arraignment that her client continues to deny these claims.

“It is troubling to stand next to this man. He is truly despondent at this point,” said Longton of Rivera’s state of mind. He was shaking and crying throughout the arraignment.

Rivera is being held on $100,000 cash bail, an amount Longton said it seems unlikely he will post.

He is due back in court on Jan. 14 for a pre-trial conference.

Police said Lindsey Blansett killed her son because she thought he'd be better off in heaven.

A 33-year-old Kansas mother was charged with first degree murder yesterday after allegedly killing her 10-year-old son Sunday.

According to the New York Daily News, police in Wellington, Kansas, said Lindsey N. Blansett stabbed and beat her son to death because she thought he'd be better off in heaven.

Blansett "decided his life would be full of suffering and pain, and that it would be better for him to go to heaven" than to "face the world's problems." according to a court complaint filed by Sumner County Attorney Kerwin Spencer.

Caleb Blansett's 9-year-old sister was at home while he was attacked, police said.

The complaint says that Blansett took a rock and a knife into the bedroom where the boy was sleeping, hit him with the rock, and stabbed him with the knife, according to the Wellington Daily News.

The newspaper said police responded to a 911 call at the family home just before midnight Sunday, where they found the boy and took his mother into custody.

Spencer said that charges against Blansett are that she "did unlawfully, intentionally and with premeditation kill a human being - that being her son."

Blanssett was being held on $500,000 bail, Spencer said.

According to the Wichita Eagle, Caleb was a student at the Lincoln Elementary School where a crisis team has been set up.

The school posted the following notice on its website:

"We are very saddened to announce the passing of a Lincoln student over the weekend. As this week progresses, students may come home with questions or concerns. The crisis team has been activated and counseling services are available to help with student concerns. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. If you are concerned about your student, please contact your student's school principal or counselor."

The CBS affiliated television station in Wichita, KWCH, Channel 12, quoted neighbors as saying they never saw any signs of abuse in the home.

"Me and her talked, she was a nice lady. She didn't seem like she was capable of killing her own son," neighbor Shae Hutton, was quoted by the station as saying.

A family friend said her son played with Caleb regularly.

"He is only 10 years old, he was just a kid," the station quoted Kaylie Black as sayiing. "As parents we are suppose to be their protectors."

KAKE-TV, Channel 10, an ABC affiliated television station in Witchita, said it was not clear if the state Department of Children and Families had a history with the family, but DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore issued the following statement Tuesday:

"As with any child death, we are deeply saddened by this news. We are carefully reviewing this incident and our history with this family. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by this unthinkable tragedy."

Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath told the Wellington News that as far as he knew, there were no drugs involved in the incident, and no other illegal activity. He also said there were no other suspects.

Blansett is due back in court on Thursday.

"The money is there, and the will is there," to rebuild the school, Sarno said.

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and Mayor Domenic Sarno told a crowd of 300 Cathedral High School supporters, who gathered for a rally on Tuesday on the steps of City Hall, they will remain unyielding in their efforts to persuade the diocese to rebuild the tornado-damaged school on Surrey Road.

Neal, who with Sarno was headed to a 4 p.m. meeting with Bishop Mitchell Rozanski following the appearance at the rally, termed as "unthinkable" the notion that Cathedral might not be rebuilt in the East Forest Park neighborhood where it stood until the building was hit by the June 1, 2011, tornado.

Sarno praised members of the Committee for Cathedral Action for their grassroots efforts to urge the diocese to stand up to its commitment to rebuild the high school – a commitment many believe was made by retired Bishop Timothy McDonnell in March after FEMA awarded millions in disaster aid to rebuild the school.

"The money is there, and the will is there," to rebuild the school, Sarno said. The school has been operating at the former Memorial School in Wilbraham since the tornado.

After Bishop Rozanski, who was installed in August, indicated in a letter that
the rebuilding on Surrey Road is not a certainty, the committee launched a campaign to save the school.

Buoyed by the Cathedral fight song played by members of the band from Springfield High School of Science and Technology, and prayers from Sister Joyce Wise, members of the crowd – including elected officials, school faculty, students, parents, alumni and city residents – answered "Yes we can" to the question can we rebuild Cathedral High School.

Speakers included Committee for Cathedral Action Chairman Al DiLascia, group organizers City Councilor Timothy Allen, City Council President Michael Fenton and Timothy Rooke and a student and faculty member.

Cathedral teacher Jeremiah Begley told the crowd that Cathedral is an important part of the fabric of the city of Springfield.

Begley, who expressed confidence in the push to save Cathedral, opened his remarks with a prayer for the students killed in Pakistan raid by the Taliban. "We pray for the repose of their souls," he said. "Any challenges we face here are small in comparison."

Begley said that while church and state remain indendent of one another, it is important for church and state to work together as they carry out their separate missions.

Cathedral student Emma Devillier said "we need a school like Cathedral today more than ever."

East Forest Park resident Elizabeth Samay, who lives on Wendover Road, just up the hill from Cathedral, said the school has been an anchor in the neighborhood since it was built. "We can't afford to lose it," Samay said, adding that rebuilding the school on Surrey Road is a moral issue. "It's the right thing to do" she said.

Among others in attendance at the rally, were: Sheriff Michael Ashe, School Superintendent Daniel Warwick, Cathedral High School President Ann Southworth and City Councilor Kateri Walsh.

In the meantime, the diocese issued the following statement about the rally:

"Today's rally showed tremendous support for Cathedral High School, something to be commended.

The diocese shares that admiration for this school and what it continues to achieve in the academic and faith formation of our young people.

And because of the important role this school has played in the life of our faith community, the diocese has undertaken a process to honestly address the challenges of sustainability which confront it.

The process outlined and implemented by Bishop Mitchell Rozanski in early November is now nearing the completion of its first phase.

There will be a review of the findings from both the on-line surveys and facilitated groups before the problem-solving sessions begin in January.

While we had hoped to complete both phases by December, there was understandably reluctance from those selected for the second process to give up two days during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Ultimately the goal is to arrive at the best decision not the fastest. Bishop asks for the continued prayers of the entire community."

Neiman was particularly displeased at the slow pace of discovery between the parties, noting that only 42 documents have been exchanged since the lawsuit was filed in October, 2013.

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth P. Neiman reluctantly gave both sides more time to prepare for trial in former Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle's lawsuit against state education officials.

During a hearing in U.S. District Court Tuesday, Neiman expressed frustration at lack of progress in the civil lawsuit pitting Dobelle against state Commissioner of Higher Education Richard M. Freeland and three Westfield State trustees.

Neiman was particularly displeased at the slow pace of discovery between the parties, noting that only 42 documents have been exchanged since the lawsuit was filed in October 2013.

"So what you're telling me is that, in essence, nobody has given anything to anybody yet," the judge said.

The lawsuit accuses Freeland and the Westfield State trustees of conspiring to oust him from his $242,000-a-year post.

The suit – filed two weeks before Dobelle's resignation – followed a public clash between Dobelle and Freeland, who temporarily recommended the withholding of more than $2 million in campus funding after showing his displeasure over Dobelle's leadership and spending on travel, hotels, restaurants, limousines and other items.

The state attorney general's office is representing Freeland; current Westfield State trustees Elizabeth Scheibel and Kevin Queenin; and former trustee John F. Flynn.

Two other lawsuits involving Dobelle are pending in state court – one filed by Dobelle against Westfield State claiming breach of contract, the other filed by state Attorney General Martha Coakley to recover nearly $100,000 allegedly misspent by Dobelle during his six-year tenure.

During Tuesday's hearing, Dobelle's lawyer, Ross H. Garber, and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey T. Collins said they needed more time to prepare for trial.

Both lawyers said the extensive amount of material involved in the federal lawsuit, combined with two cases pending in state court, have complicated and delayed the exchange of information.

Collins said the state must produce paper and electronic records from 34 sources at Westfield State to meet demands in the two lawsuits filed by Dobelle. To reduce expenses and avoid unnecessary travel from Boston to Western Massachusetts, the state is trying to conduct discovery in both lawsuits at the same time, Collins said.

But Neiman said pre-trial scheduling in the state lawsuit should not dictate, much less delay, progress in the federal lawsuit.

He set a Feb. 2 deadline for both sides to exchange documents, and May 3 for completing depositions of potential trial witnesses. The original discovery deadline was Dec. 12.

The judge also set an April 9 date for the next pre-trial hearing.

"Everything came up clean," Heather Copelas, public relations and marketing communications manager for Jordan's Furniture, said, referring to 22-year-old Patrick Lynch, who was hired to work for a tenant of the Taunton-based furniture company.

Updates story published at 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.

"There was a full background check done through IntelliCorp for this employee," Heather Copelas, Jordan's public relations and marketing communications manager, said Tuesday.

Copelas was referring to Patrick Lynch, the 22-year-old Peabody man charged Monday in U.S. District Court in Boston with receiving and possessing child porn. Lynch, a former Boy Scout leader and YMCA employee, had just begun working at the Beanstalk Adventure Ropes Course, a featured attraction at the Jordan's Furniture store in Reading, when he was arrested Friday, Dec. 12, on the charges.

"Beanstalk is a tenant of ours. He was never directly hired by Jordan's," Copelas said, noting that Lynch had only worked for the tenant company for three days, two of which were training days, prior to his arrest.

Copelas said Lynch was "never unsupervised" and was promptly terminated. "He clearly obviously no longer works there," she said.

The background check included a full government search, a national criminal search, a search of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, and a search of "his local county on the North Shore," Copelas said.

"Everything came up clean, so he did not have a record, according to IntelliCorp, and through all of these searches – the government, the national and the sex registry," she said.

Federal prosecutors described Lynch as a leader at the Philmont Training Center for the Boy Scouts of America in New Mexico and as an employee of the Greater Beverly YMCA, where he taught a rock climbing course. A spokeswoman for the facility said Lynch passed all criminal background checks, the Associated Press reports.

Lynch was being held without bail pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18.

Lynch, a 2010 graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, was incriminated after an investigation by Homeland Security agents determined he began receiving emails containing child pornography in May 2013, according to federal prosecutors.

The charges of possession and receipt of child pornography each come with possible 20-year prison sentences, $250,000 fines and potential lifetime probation sentences, although actual federal sentences are typically less than the maximum penalties.

Lynch graduated from Salem State University earlier this year with a bachelor's degree in Sport and Movement Science and a concentration in Recreation Management, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He lists his "ultimate professional goal" as working for the Boy Scouts of America, an organization with which he's had a longtime affiliation, or in the outdoor education and recreation management field.

In the profile section titled "causes Patrick cares about," Lynch lists children, education and the environment.

The Eagle Scout's experiences with the Boy Scouts include being a sales associate for the organization, an outdoor program facilitator, an assistant cubmaster, a troop committee member, and an assistant scoutmaster.

Lynch could not immediately be reached for comment. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.

Cheshire Police Chief Neil Dryfe said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

WFSB-TV, CBS3, Hartford

Two people were killed Tuesday afternoon in a home shooting in Cheshire, Conn.

According to the Hartford Courant, police responded to the scene in the 700 block of Cornwall Ave.

The Meriden Record Journal reported that police responded about 3:45 this afternoon after receiving a call from a local resident.

Cheshire police chief Neil Dryfe told the Record Journal that the "untimely deaths" of the victims were a "horrible tragedy especially so closed to the holidays."

While he did not release more details, he said that there is no ongoing danger to the public, and that the situation has been contained.

"We're being cautious now about what we're releasing," Dryfe told WVIT-TV, NBC30 in New Britain.

Dryfe told the station that the victims immediate family member were at the scene, and that the state police major crimes division was investigating.

Television station WFSB-TV, CBS3 in Hartford reported that the area near Doolittle Elementary School was blocked off Tuesday evening.

EASTHAMPTON - In keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Easthampton fire house is decked out in red-and-white holiday lights. And in keeping with the new world of social media, the department is competing on Facebook to win the Fireground 360 4th Annual Fire + Lights Decoration Contest. Fireground 360 is an online community of first responders with headquarters in Hatfield. Fans...

EASTHAMPTON - In keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Easthampton fire house is decked out in red-and-white holiday lights. And in keeping with the new world of social media, the department is competing on Facebook to win the Fireground 360 4th Annual Fire + Lights Decoration Contest.

Fireground 360 is an online community of first responders with headquarters in Hatfield.

Fans of Easthampton have until Dec. 19 to navigate to the Fireground 360 Facebook page and "like" the photograph of the city's festively-decorated fire headquarters. At 6 p.m. on that day, the "likes" will be tallied and the winner of the 2014 Fire + Lights contest will be announced.

According to the rules, the photo must be "liked" on the Fireground 360 gallery page in order for votes to qualify.

Orange, Southwick, Warren, Peru, New Salem, Holyoke, Hadley, Chesterfield, and Athol are all in contention.  As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, Orange was in the lead with 177 "likes," Athol was second with 134, Hadley third with 79, and Easthampton was in fourth place with 66.

Easthampton firefighter Patrick Eline said the holiday light tradition started back when the department was headquartered at 38 Union St., the former firehouse built in 1886 with a 1930 addition. The department, now housed in a 1999 modern public safety complex at 32 Payson Ave., uses red-and-white old-fashioned big bulbs to decorate its garage bays instead of the modern, mini-LED lights.

The nine 25-foot strings were paid for with money from "the fire station's upstairs soda machine," said Eline.  The lights were installed on a sunny day in November and turned on the day after Thanksgiving.

Easthampton Fire Chief David Mottor, found working in his office Tuesday afternoon, said he was pleased with the way the fire station looked.

"We may not be the most decorated, but we're the most original," he said.

Prizes include $100 donated in the department's name to a weather disaster-related charity, a firehouse dinner for the crew working Christmas Eve, a professional group photo, helmet flashlights, survival key fobs, wall calendars, a copy of the hardcover book "Drawn by Fire," and bragging rights until 2014.

Beyond the future of Catholic education, Sarno said the rebuilding of Cathedral is of paramount importance to the East Forest Park neighborhood, which also took a huge hit from the tornado.

SPRINGFIELD — In a meeting both men called cordial and positive, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and Mayor Domenic Sarno on Tuesday said they urged Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to rebuild Cathedral High School on Surrey Road while citing parochial school models that are thriving in other cities.

Neal and Sarno met privately with the bishop and adviser Msgr. John Bonzagni for more than an hour following their appearance at a City Hall rally where they rallied a crowd of 300 to keep up the fight to rebuild the East Forest school that was severely damaged by the June 1, 2011, tornado.

Neal said they were told that no decision has yet been made about the future of school and that they were assured that process will remain transparent as the diocese continues its "due diligence" – including meetings with Cathedral stakeholders – as it considers options.

A statement issued by the diocese after the rally said,

"The diocese has undertaken a process to honestly address the challenges of sustainability which confront it. The process outlined and implemented by Bishop Mitchell Rozanski in early November is now nearing the completion of its first phase. There will be a review of the findings from both the on-line surveys and facilitated groups before the problem-solving sessions begin in January."

Beyond the future of Catholic education, Sarno said the rebuilding of Cathedral is of paramount importance to the East Forest Park neighborhood, which also took a huge hit from the tornado.

"Every nook and cranny of East Forest Park has been rebuilt – with the exception of Cathedral," Sarno said.

"I believe there is a way to get this done right and rebuild Cathedral on Surrey Road," he said.

A decision about the fate of the school is not expected until after the New Year, they said.

Sarno, who called the meeting "positive," said he and Neal were forceful, but respectful has they shared their viewpoints that "Cathedral needs to be rebuilt on Surrey Road," adding that they will support the project in "any and all ways."

Neal said he believes that rebuilding the school must go forward, adding that it is during time of adversity that bold steps need to be taken.

The city of Springfield has been providing bus transportation for Cathedral students since the school was relocated to the former Memorial School in Wilbraham. Cathedral students also utilize Springfield schools athletic fields for games, Sarno said.

Neal, Sarno and other Cathedral supporters believe a school of between 500 and 600 students is a sustainable model, based on successes of parochial high schools in the Boston area. The school was built for 3,000 students in 1959. Current enrollment is 217.

Neal said a high school, modeled after Minnechaug Regional High School is one that should be considered.

Al DiLascia, chairman of the Committee to Save Cathedral, which sponsored Tuesday's rally, said Cathedral could draw students from Greater Springfield and Northern Connecticut – with a metropolitan population of 500,000 people.

While the Dow Jones industrial average was up 246 points in the morning, it ended the day down nearly 112.

By MATTHEW CRAFT

NEW YORK — Sudden twists in the price of oil and currency trading turned the stock market into a roller-coaster ride on Tuesday.

Major indexes opened lower as falling oil prices and a plunge in the Russian ruble weighed on markets. Less than an hour later, crude oil recovered and oil and gas producers surged, driving the Dow Jones industrial average up as much as 246 points in the morning.

By the end of the day, however, all of the gains were wiped out.

"Today was definitely an interesting day," said Jonathan Lewis, Chief Investment Officer of Samson Capital Advisors.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index ended with a loss of 16.89 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,972.74.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 111.97 points, or 0.7 percent, to 17,068.87, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 57.32 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,547.83.

The turbulence drove traders into the safety of U.S. government bonds, driving prices up and yields down. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note sank to 2.06 percent from 2.12 percent late Monday, a big move in the normally placid market.

The volatility in financial markets is likely to last until oil prices find a stable floor, said Marc Zabicki, senior market strategist at Ameriprise Financial.

"Lower oil prices certainly are a net positive for U.S. consumer spending," he said. "But there's a contagion risk out there that investors have an eye on. Namely, what does it do to shale gas players, and what does it mean to the banks that lend to them?"

Since reaching a record high of 2,075.37 on Dec. 5, the S&P 500 has fallen into a slump, losing ground on six of the past seven trading days. Energy companies have been hit hard, a result of the ongoing slump in crude. The S&P 500 has lost 4.6 percent so far this month. December, usually one of the market's best months, hasn't lived up to its reputation.

Russia's currency, under pressure from lower oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow's conflict with Ukraine, dropped 20 percent before recovering slightly. That followed a move by Russia's central bank to hike its benchmark interest rate to support the ruble.

The price of U.S. oil settled higher on Tuesday for the first time in a week, rising 2 cents to close at $55.93 a barrel in New York. Oil has fallen by nearly half since June as demand wanes and supply surges.

Major markets in Europe surged. France's CAC 40 gained 2.2 percent, while Germany's DAX picked up 2.5 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 climbed 2.4 percent.

John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Fund Management, said that the trouble in developing countries highlighted the stability of the U.S. economy and its stock market.

"Yes, I do worry about Russia, yes I do worry about Venezuela, and you can't really have oil come down more than 45 percent without somebody having a problem, somewhere," Manley said. "But there's an old saying on Wall Street, 'In a dog-eat-dog market, get yourself a big dog,' and the U.S. is the ultimate big dog when it comes to this sort of thing."

Falling oil prices have also hammered markets in the Persian Gulf. Dubai's main market and Abu Dhabi's closed at their lowest points of the year on Tuesday with losses of 7 percent. Saudi Arabia's stock market fell 7.3 percent. Many are concerned that the drop in the price of oil will lead to less government spending and political unrest.

Back in the U.S., oil's slump has battered the market for the riskiest corporate debt. Oil and gas companies make up roughly 13 percent of the junk-bond market, which is on course for its worst monthly loss in three years.

In other trading on Tuesday, Talisman Energy soared 48 percent following news that Repsol, a Spanish oil and gas producer, plans to buy the Canadian company for $8.3 billion. The merger would create one of the world's largest privately owned oil and gas companies, Repsol said. Canadian courts and shareholders still have to sign off on the deal. Talisman's stock gained $2.46 to $7.58.

Apple fell $1.48, or 1.4 percent, to $106.75. The company said it has halted online sales of its iPhones, iPads and other products in Russia, citing the financial turmoil triggered by the steep decline in the country's currency.

Precious and industrial metals futures fell. Gold declined $13.40 to $1,194.30 an ounce, and silver fell 81 cents to $15.75 an ounce. Copper slipped two cents to $2.86 a pound.

Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, fell $1.20 to close at $59.86 in London.

In other trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange:

1. Wholesale gasoline dropped 3.5 cents to close at $1.541 a gallon.
2. Heating oil lost 4.2 cents to $1.960 a gallon.
3. Natural gas dropped 10 cents to $3.619 per 1,000 cubic feet.

AP writer Steve Rothwell contributed to this report.

The suspects acknowledged being at the lot, but said they were only picking up a television set, Mattina wrote.

SPRINGFIELD -The Dodge pickup was carrying two men and seven cubic feet of trash.

On June 20, the truck pulled up to an open lot in West Springfield; eight minutes later, it pulled away, leaving the trash behind, according to West Springfield police.

The incident - captured by surveillance cameras installed by Valet Park of America, the lot's owner - was described in a police complaint issued against Richard Forestier, 50, and Tomas Martinez, 70, both of Springfield.

Forestier, of 55 Winthrop St., pleaded innocent Friday in Springfield District Court to one count of dumping trash from a motor vehicle and was released on personal recognizance.

He is due back in court Jan. 23 for a pre-trial hearing.

Details of Martinez's case were not available Monday.

Under state law, anyone convicted of dumping trash from a motor vehicle faces fines up to $5,500, a 30-day license suspension and must pay for any clean up costs.

Timothy Graney, regional manager for Valet Park of America, told police illegal dumpers had forced the company to install cameras at its 35 Circuit Avenue lot, located behind the Price Rite shopping plaza on Memorial Avenue.

During an interview Monday, Graney said a television, lawn mower and debris-filled trash barrel were among the items dumped on June 20. The company purchased the lot several years ago and uses it for parking during the Big E among other purposes, Graney said.

Because the truck's license plates were visible in the surveillance footage, West Springfield Detective Matthew J. Mattina and Sgt. Thomas Svec tracked the vehicle to a Belmont Avenue home in Springfield.

On July 16, the officers visited the home and spotted the two men and Dodge pickup from the surveillance video, Mattina wrote in a report.

The men were loading scrap metal onto the truck parked on the front lawn when the officers approached; after introducing themselves, the officers showed the men photos of them dumping trash at the Circuit Avenue lot, the report states.

The suspects acknowledged being at the lot, but said they were only picking up a television set, Mattina wrote.

"I explained I had evidence they were clearly dumping trash and they would be summoned to court," Mattina wrote.

The letter of intent shows Nikolay Dipon of Agawam and Homer J. Foucher of Westfield have offered to purchase the 1 Canal Street property for $17,000 and build an apartment complex with up to 12 units

SOUTH HADLEY — Even though several solicitations from the town resulted in only one bid – to build up to a dozen apartments for $1 million – at the municipally owned property across the street from the new library, selectman Frank DeToma is questioning whether that is a desirable use where the now-demolished Fibermark building once stood.

DeToma, who also sits on the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority, voiced his concerns at Tuesday's Selectboard meeting.

The prospective developers planned to discuss the proposal during the Dec. 16 meeting but were unable to attend. The board said the matter would be on the Jan. 6 agenda.

The letter of intent shows Nikolay Dipon, of Agawam, and Homer J. Foucher, of Westfield, have offered to purchase the 1 Canal St. property for $17,000.

"We would be constructing a ten to twelve unit colonial-style apartment complex," the men wrote in the letter, saying they would prefer to begin construction "this year or early 2015."

They said each apartment would contain 900 to 950 square feet with two bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths, to rent for "approximately $900 to $950 per month."

"We will lose that very special spot across from the library – granted they were the only" entity to submit a bid, DeToma said.

"There is no need to move really quickly on this," he said. "I would not like to see us rush into something and regret it later."

Selectboard member Sarah Etelman said the Dipon and Foucher response was the only one the town got after sending out three requests for proposals, adding: "I don't think we are rushing into anything; we need to look at this proposal."

Selectboard Chairman John Hine said, "in the end, it is the market that dictates. Somebody has to lay down money . . . and that may not correspond to what people might want there."

Town meeting authorized purchase of the property from Northeast Utilities for $723,000 in 2010. Nearly 2 acres of the former utility company land was used to construct the town's new library across the street, abutting the Connecticut River.

The board is also expected to review a $40,000 proposal they received from Dipon to convert the former library on Bardwell Street to three or four apartments, at next month's meeting.

The Dipon letter of intent said he would need to spend between $300,000 and $600,000 to do that. He said the four or five room units would rent for between $800 and $1,000 per month.

Should the Selectboard recommend either or both ideas, the planning board would then begin their review.

Theresa Sutherland submitted false documents in order to claim reimbursements for children she did not have.

HARTFORD - A former MassMutual Financial Group employee was sentenced to 51 months in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to scamming the insurance company out of $75,000 by claiming adoption and college tuition reimbursements for children she did not have.

Theresa Sutherland, 34, of East Windsor was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello to prison on Wednesday. She was also ordered to serve three years probation after her release and to pay restitution, according to the office of Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Sutherland pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

MassMutual has a benefit program for full-time employees that reimburses employees up to $8,500 annually for college tuition and up to $5,000 toward expenses for adopting a child.

Sutherland, who worked as a claims adjuster with the company's Enfield office admitted to submitting false claims for reimbursement. Sutherland and four other employees submitted birth certificates and Social Security card information for children that were not theirs in order to claim the reimbursement. The others have also been charged.

The false claims totaled $240,000, of which $75,000 was paid to Sutherland.

An investigation also determined Sutherland also defrauded three other employers, officials said.

This investigation is being conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, including the Connecticut State Police.

Toy for Joy is in its 92nd year.

SPRINGFIELD — When children in need across Western Massachusetts open their presents Christmas Day they will receive some of the coolest, most popular toys on the market, thanks to donations from Hasbro and a giving community.

"We are so thankful to anyone who gives, whether it's a reader donating money or a volunteer helping out for the day, to Hasbro donating so many wonderful gifts," said Danielle LaTille, social services director for the Salvation Army, which sponsors Toy for Joy along with The Republican.

In Springfield alone more than 31,000 families have registered for toys. The program serves children in families across Western Massachusetts. Distribution sites include Holyoke, Grenfield and Westfield. Most families have multiple children and all of them are struggling financially.

"This year in particular I have seen a lot of new families coming in who have just lost their jobs and are and trying to pay their bills," LaTille said. "Buying toys may not be a top priority over bills and food, but toys are always at the top of the list for kids."

Hasbro general manager Shawn Jones has been on-site all week with dozens of volunteers from the company who have been helping to unload donation trucks and hand out toys.

"Not everyone can afford to purchase our toys, but we want as many children as possible to enjoy them this holiday season," he said. The company donates thousands of toys for children ages 0-16 years -old. Toys include plush dolls to trucks and trains and many board games. This year children will see toys from Hasbro's newest line of Disney's Frozen collection.

LaTille said each family is given a board game in an an effort to promote family game nights.

"We hope this will encourage families to spend time together doing something fun," she said.

The program is funded by donations from individuals, families and businesses. Besides the toys donated by Hasbro, toys are purchased from New England Doll.

Here are today's donors:

>In loving memory of Ann Marie Martin 12/17/66 - 8/22/79, all our love Mom, Dad, Terry, Eileen and John Jr--$25
>In memory of Mike and Gerry--$20
>In memory of our parents, Barbara and Paul--$25
>In memory of Dorothy Ehrgond, Pat Shaub and Charles Kozak--$10
>In memory of Robert Short--$60
>Love and miss you Dude from Dad--$50
>In loving memory of our parents from Carl and Patty--$50
>In memory of Duke Duchesneau, love Rita, Mitzi, Carole and David--$10
>Merry Christmas from the MacArthur family--$100
>In loving memory of Malcomb, Missy and Mindy--$200
>Merry Christmas Ashley, Kyle, Emily and Alyssa, love Gramy and Grampy--$20
>In loving memory of my husband Michael J Lewison from Lillian--$25
>In memory of my father Richard who loved Christmas--$100
>In loving memory of James Borgo --$10
>In loving memory of Mom, Dad, John, Chipper, Molly, Grettyl, Apache and Baci--$100
>Loving memory of Jill Stefanik from Aunt June and Uncle Eddie--$25
>In honor of our grandchildren, Merry Christmas from the Ladies Book Club--$70
>Merry Christmas to all from Don and Margie--$250
>In memory of my husband Victor--$10
>In loving memory of my dear husband George--$100
>In memory of Lavelle, Sieron and Skorka families, Merry Christmas--$25
>From Gianna, Elisa, Mia, Tresa, Lorenzo, Joseph, Sefania and Jude--$150
>Merry Christmas from Sipitkowski grandkids, Mya, Riley, Gavin, Kayla and Alexa--$100
>In loving memory of Cheryl Ann Levy--$25
>Merry Christmas from Ray and Sue--$50
>Merry Christmas to all, love Paul and Debbie--$30
>Merry Christmas from Nancy--$25
>In memory of Phil, Anne and Tom from Sandy--$25
>To spread a little joy from Diane and Frank--$50
>For our children--$50
>In loving memory of Georgianna Marshall from Carol, Molly and Lacy--$25
>In memory of Arthur, Michael and Kathy--$25
>In memory of Maud and Mike Gordon--$200
>In memory of Grandma Jo--$25
>Peace on earth, good will towards man--$50
>Monet--$30
>In memory of my husband John--$25
>In memory of Ed Dunn--$25
>In memory of Grammie Adam and Uncle Brien--$50
>Peace in the world--$25
>Remembering Carol--$35
>Erwin and Rita--$30
>Anonymous--$25
>Anonymous--$50
>Anonymous--$50
>In memory of my father Jim Newton, Merry Christmas from Cindy and Gus Neumann--$100
>In memory of my father who always gave, Herman R Schulze--$50
>In memory of Norman Beaulieu Sr from his wife and children--$10
>In memory of Frank and Mildred Beaulieu from their daughter-in-law--$10
>In memory of Jack and Ethel Saunders from their daughter--$10
>In memory of John Saunders Jr from his sister--$10
>In thanksgiving of Harry and Penny from Mary and Don--$50
>In memory of Blakesley and McDonough family members from Mary and Don--$25
>In memory of Dory McKenna, love Mare--$25
>In memory of Catherine, Patrick, Thomas, June, Harry Helen and Rita--$100
>In loving memory of Joseph Wostena Jr from wife Blanche--$25
>Remembering dogs Ollie, Ricky, Bebe, Lucy and Sasha from Maryann Wostena--$25
>In memory of Helen and Joseph Wostena Sr and Sophie and Michael Pisarczyk from grandson Michael--$30
>In memory of Alan Vadnais from Jim's Auto Trim--$50
>In memory of his wife Wanda Powers from William--$50
>Anonymous--$15
>In memory of Lucien and Anna Houle--$25
>In lieu of sending Christmas cards from Robert and Cynthia--$25
>Happy Holidays from the attorneys and staff at Alekman Ditusa, LLC--$500
>In memory of Ruth H LaBelle who always made others feel special from Direct Results--$500

RECEIVED: $4,095
TOTAL TO DATE: $36,699
STILL NEEDED: $113,301

The program, which will provide toys and gifts to families in need in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, has a fund-raising goal of $150,000 by Christmas Eve.

Hasbro's association with Toy for Joy began three years ago when it united its Giving Tree effort with the campaign. Its employees are among the volunteers who help the Salvation Army register families and distribute the toys; the international toymaker is also a major donor of the gifts which are distributed.

For more information, call the Springfield citadel of the Salvation Army, (413) 733-7581.

The Springfield citadel will accept new, unopened toys as donations; they can be brought to 170 Pearl St. on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Dec. 23.

To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102.

Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until Dec. 24.

Massachusetts officials on Wednesday commuted the prison sentence of a woman serving time for drug convictions, and agreed to pardons for two men.

This follows an earlier story about the pardons.

By COLLEEN QUINN

BOSTON — Massachusetts officials on Wednesday commuted the prison sentence of a woman serving time for drug convictions, and agreed to pardons for two men.

Deanne Hamilton, 49, is immediately eligible for parole in the wake of the Governor's Council vote Wednesday to approve her commutation, which was recommended by Gov. Deval Patrick.

Hamilton was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute in a school zone after Brockton police found her with 3 grams of cocaine in her apartment. The apartment was near a school. She was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison.

Hamilton was brought to the State House last week to plead for clemency, and told councilors she is done with drugs and looking forward to living with her sister.

This is the first time since Patrick took office nearly eight years ago that someone was granted a commutation or pardon. The last gubernatorial pardons were in 2002, when acting Gov. Jane Swift granted seven.

During her hearing, Hamilton told councilors she has turned her life around, is drug-free and committed to sobriety. Hamilton said she became addicted to drugs to cope with years of sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather.

The council - an eight-member elected panel that votes on all commutations and pardons recommended by the governor - voted 6-2 in favor. Councilors Marilyn Devaney and Jennie Cassie voted against commuting Hamilton's sentence.

"I want to see Deanne Hamilton return to society successfully, for a happy productive life. Miss Hamilton did not demonstrate at the Governor's Council hearing that she was ready for release," Devaney said before the vote.

Caissie cited Hamilton's lengthy criminal record as the reason she voted no. She has a six-page criminal record that spans 20 years, including charges of assault and battery, prostitution and armed robbery, council members said.

"As a human being, everyone in this room appreciates her plight. But this petition for clemency is about public safety first off," Caissie said. "It is not about mandatory sentences and whether or not we all philosophically agree with them."

"This is about a career criminal who has made some bad choices again, and again," Caissie added.

Other council members argued Hamilton received a harsh mandatory minimum prison sentence that she did not deserve.

"The bigger issue here is the mandatory sentences," Councilor Michael Albano said. "It is the mandatory sentences that put Ms. Hamilton in the position she is in now."

Councilor Terrence Kennedy said society is not served by keeping a small-time drug dealer like Hamilton in prison any longer.

"This case cries out for what is wrong with mandatory sentences," he said. "This is a situation, whether it is a judge, whether it is the parole board, that someone should have an opportunity to look at this case and see what this woman has done to turn her life around."

The council also voted unanimously in favor of pardoning two men for past crimes.

Guy James Coraccio was 20 years old in 1971 when he was charged with felony larceny over $250. He was riding in the back seat of a car when friends jumped out of the car and stole a door off a parked vehicle, without his prior knowledge.

Coraccio, of Westford, sought a pardon so he could apply for gun permit again. A competitive target shooter, Coraccio held a gun permit for 36 years before he was denied a renewal in 2008 when police realized he was convicted of a felony.

Coraccio said during his hearing he never realized his crime was considered a felony. Both the Middlesex district attorney's office and the Westford police chief told the council they did not oppose Coraccio's attempt to renew his gun permit.

"I have no fear that he will use a gun for any other purpose than shooting at some range for some competition," Councilor Robert Jubinville said.

Jeffrey Snyder, a 43-year-old Sheffield resident, was also granted a pardon for a drug-related crime he committed in 1989 while in high school. As an 18-year-old senior at Monument Mountain Region High School, Snyder was found guilty of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana within a school zone.

One of the first defendants convicted of a school zone violation, he served a mandatory two-year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

Snyder, who is currently unemployed but "eager" to get back to work, said he hoped to work in public schools if he received the pardon.

Hundreds of grand jury indictments released against Nathaniel Kibby detail allegations of a brutal pattern of sexual assault against a Conway teen he is charged with kidnapping.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

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

Undersecretary for Energy Mark Sylvia will become a managing director at BlueWave Capital in January.

A top Massachusetts energy official will join a solar energy company after leaving office.

Undersecretary for Energy Mark Sylvia will become a managing director at BlueWave Capital, a company that does solar energy development and financing. The company has projects in the U.S., Caribbean and South Africa.

John DeVillars, BlueWave's managing principal, said in a statement that Sylvia "has played a critical role in making Massachusetts a national leader in solar energy policy." He said Sylvia will help the firm expand into new markets and develop within Massachusetts. BlueWave has already worked with several cities and towns in Massachusetts on solar projects.

Sylvia, of Fairhaven, has worked in the Patrick administration since 2009 as green communities division director and Department of Energy Resources commissioner. As one of his priorities, Patrick set goals to increase the amount of renewable energy, including solar energy, used in Massachusetts. Patrick will leave office in January.

According to a state spending database, the last state money BlueWave received was a series of planning grants in 2010 worth a total of $173,000.

The company canceling release of the movie 'in light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film."

NEW YORK - Sony Pictures today canceled its planned Christmas Day release of "The Interview" after hackers threatened terrorists attacks and the largest multiplex chains in North America pulled the film.

In a statement, Sony said it was cancelling "The Interview" ''in light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film." The studio said it respected and shared in the exhibitors' concerns.

"We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome," read the statement.

Earlier today, Regal Entertainment Group announced it would not show the Seth Rogen comedy about an assassination plot against the dictator of North Korea.

The fallout from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack that began four weeks ago exploded Tuesday after the shadowy group calling themselves Guardians of Peace escalated their attack beyond corporate espionage and threatened moviegoers with violence reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The Department of Homeland Security said there was "no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters," but noted it was still analyzing messages from the group. The warning did prompt law enforcement in New York and Los Angeles to address measures to ramp up security.

Those security fears spurred Sony to allow theater chains to cancel showings of the move, that has been a focus of the hackers' mission to bring down Sony.

A spokesperson for Landmark Sunshine cinemas said the New York premiere of "The Interview," scheduled for Thursday night, has been canceled. Carmike Cinemas, which operates 247 theaters across the country, was the first to cancel its planned showings of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

B. Riley analyst Eric Wold estimates that if box office and attendance revenue is completely lost for Carmike for "The Interview," that could cost the chain 1.5 percent to 1.9 percent of fourth quarter revenue -- not a major loss -- but if there is an event that happens in a theater, that would swell dramatically.

"Unfortunately, there is a lot of uncertainty that this brings into play for all exhibitors this holiday season," he said. "The question is whether or not moviegoers are willing to see another movie in its place ... or if this box office and associated attendance is just a loss."

Benchmark Co. analyst Mike Hickey said other chains are likely to follow suit and pull the movie.

"We have a hard time believing any theater exhibitor would choose to show the movie on Christmas day, and risk the overhang of potential ramifications from a successful implemented terrorist attack from the hacker group or a random extremist that may have ancillary motivation," he said.

The hackers also released a trove of data files including 32,000 emails to and from Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton in what it called the beginning of a "Christmas gift."

And two former Sony film production workers filed lawsuits alleging the Culver City, California company waited too long to notify nearly 50,000 employees that data such as Social Security numbers, salaries and medical records had been stolen.

The filing follows another lawsuit this week from two other former Sony employees accusing the studio of being negligent by not bolstering its defenses against hackers before the attack. It claims emails and other leaked information show that Sony's information-technology department and its top lawyer believed its security system was vulnerable to attack, but that company did not act on those warnings. Sony potentially faces tens of millions of dollars in damages from a class-action lawsuit, said Jonathan Handel, an entertainment law professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

In "The Interview," Rogen and Franco star as television journalists involved in a CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Speculation about a North Korean link to the Sony hacking has centered on that country's angry denunciation of the film. Over the summer, North Korea warned that the film's release would be an "act of war that we will never tolerate." It said the U.S. will face "merciless" retaliation.

The film was slated to hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day. It premiered in Los Angeles last week.

But on Tuesday, Rogen and Franco pulled out of all media appearances, canceling a Buzzfeed Q&A and Rogen's planned guest spot Thursday on "Late Night With Seth Meyers." A representative for Rogen said he had no comment. A spokeswoman for Franco didn't respond to queries Tuesday.

The FBI said it is aware of the hackers' threats and "continues to work collaboratively with our partners to investigate this matter." FBI director James Comey last week said that investigators are still trying to determine who is responsible for the hack.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said his department takes the hackers' threats "very seriously" and will be taking extra precautions during the holidays at theaters. The National Association of Theatre Owners had no comment on the developing situation. Neither Sony nor representatives from individual theater chains, including Carmike, responded to requests for comment.

Since the hack surfaced late last month, everything from financial figures to salacious emails between top Sony executives has been dumped online.

The nearly 32,000 emails to and from Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Lynton leaked Tuesday include information about casting decisions and total costs for upcoming films, release schedules for Sony films through 2018 and corporate financial records, such as royalties from iTunes, Spotify and Pandora music services. They include information about new electronics devices such as DVD players and cellphones. They also include budget figures for the Motion Picture Association of America, of which Sony is a member, and at least one email about a senior Sony executive who left the company. The emails also include banal messages about public appearances, tennis matches, home repairs, dinner invitations and business introductions.

In their warning Tuesday, the hackers suggested Sony employees make contact via several disposable email addresses ending in yopmail.com. Frenchman Frederic Leroy, who started up the yopmail site in 2004, was surprised to learn the Sony hackers were using yopmail addresses. He said there was no way he could identify the users.

AP writers Eric Tucker in Washington, D.C., Lindsey Bahr in Los Angeles, Jake Coyle and Tom Hays in New York, Mae Anderson in Atlanta and Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.

The city secured the surplus by keeping on lid on some expenses and getting revenues beyond projections, according to Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Timothy Plante.

{This story updates an article on Tuesday in which Springfield city officials announced a $14.6 million free cash surplus from fiscal year 2014.)

Domenic J. SarnoFile photo / The Republican 

SPRINGFIELD - City officials said there were many factors that contributed to a $14.6 million surplus at the end of fiscal year 2014, including keeping a lid on many expenses and under-estimating some city revenues.

The so-called "free cash" surplus for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, was certified by the state Department of Revenue, and can be saved, partially saved or spent, subject to approvals from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council.

Sarno said Tuesday that he will ask the council to transfer $11 million to the stabilization reserve "rainy day" account that would lift that reserve to approximately $40 million.

The balance of the funds will be kept in free cash, to be used if needs arise, such as an expected increase in the city's electric expenses, possible increases in transportation costs, and potential snow removal costs beyond the budget, said Timothy J. Plante, the city's chief administrative and financial officer. Any use, if proposed by the mayor, requires council approval.

The $14.6 million surplus compares to a $3.9 million surplus in fiscal 2013, and a $7.5 million surplus in fiscal 2012.

Below is an estimated general breakdown of how the new $14.6 million surplus occurred, according to information provided by Plante.

Paul Gayle, 20, of 145 White St. in the city's Forest Park section, was charged with various firearm offenses, including discharging a gun without a permit.

Updates story published at 2:51 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Paul Gayle 

Police said a 2:05 p.m. ShotSpotter activation triggered a heavy police response to the Sherman Street area and forced Rebecca Johnson Elementary School on neighboring Catharine Street into lockdown mode, meaning no one could enter or leave the building.

No one was hurt and police quickly hunted down Gayle at 75 Bowles St., a residence next to the school. Police surrounded the home as a Massachusetts State Police helicopter hovered overhead. The homeowner allowed officers to enter and look for the shooter, who was caught trying to escape through a back door, Springfield police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney said.

A 38-caliber revolver was found in a trash bin wrapped in the camouflage jacket Gayle was seen wearing at the time of the shooting, Delaney said.

Police said Gayle fired about five shots into the air, though it remains unclear why. The White Street resident was expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on charges of shooting a gun without a permit, carrying a gun without a license, and possessing ammo without a Firearms Identification card.

Authorities praised members of the public for providing information that helped police quickly locate and capture Gayle.

Shor, the current Secretary of Administration and Finance, is set to start in January at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as its next vice president for finance.

By GINTAUTAS DUMCIUS

Gov. Deval Patrick's budget chief is set to start in January at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as its next vice president for finance.

Glen Shor 

Glen Shor, who has served as Patrick's administration and finance secretary since 2013, has also worked as executive director of the Health Connector, the state's public health insurance exchange, assistant secretary for health care policy and deputy general counsel, and as Executive Office of Administration and Finance policy director.

Shor, a Needham resident, was also a former aide to ex-Rep. Martin Meehan and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. Shor also had job talks with New Hampshire Healthy Families, which manages health coverage for Medicaid recipients in the Granite State, according to a recent ethics disclosure.

Governor-elect Charlie Baker, who takes office on Jan. 8, has tapped Kristen Lepore, Associated Industries of Massachusetts vice president of government affairs, as his budget chief.

Baker's team is sizing up immediate budget state problems that could approach $1 billion and which Lieutenant governor-elect Karyn Polito says are related to spending at the Connector Authority and at MassHealth, the massive health insurance program.

Patrick could potentially join Shor at MIT. The research university has reached out to Patrick about a visiting scholar position.