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AM News Links: Romney stands tall in GOP presidential debate; Nancy Pelosi back in limelight after calling for Weiner resignation, and more

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A convicted California cop is freed from jail early after killing an unarmed man, a body is found in shallow grave in Connecticut, and more of this morning's headlines.

darth.jpgA Darth Vader actor waits for tourists who want to be photographed with him in front of the Brandenburg Gate during a thunderstorm in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

NOTE: Users of modern browsers can open each link in a new tab by holding 'control' ('command' on a Mac) and clicking each link.


Belchertown Board of Selectmen approves $3.3 million in energy upgrades

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Belchertown officials have been guaranteed by Siemens Corp. that fuel and other energy cost savings will pay for the $3.3 million worth of efficiency upgrades that will be starting soon at town and school buildings.

BELCHERTOWN – The Board of Selectmen gave final approval Monday to an agreement in which Siemens Corp. will make efficiency upgrades to town buildings and guarantee that energy costs savings will at least equal the $3.3 million the town will pay for the work.

Just before the 4-0 vote for this contract, Town Administrator Gary L. Brougham informed the selectmen that the state has authorized the town to use Energy Conservation Bonds for the work with interest rates at 2 percent or lower, which will save Belchertown at least $700,000 in borrowing costs.

The work included under this energy saving program will include new boilers at Town Hall and Jabish Brook Middle School, a new roof and more insulation at the Senior Center, heating and air-conditioning upgrades at the Recreation Building and Freedom Center and more efficient heating control systems at several schools and other buildings.

Brougham and other town officials have been working With Siemens representatives on the proposed work for more than a year and at one point were considering a contract for $5 million worth of work.

But Brougham said the additional $2 million worth of work would have included installing some equipment that had life cycles of only three or four years, so the town representatives opted to leave those out of the package.

The town will be able to use two state grants, a $160,917 Green Communities grant and a $148,000 Thermal Efficiency grant, to pay toward project costs.

Brougham said that under the terms of the contract, Siemens is making a guarantee that the town will see at least $256,000 in energy costs savings annually for the next 17 years, based on last years fuel and electricity prices.

Borrowing the $3.1 million that will be needed to pay for this work was approved by a unanimous vote at the annual Town Meeting May 9.

Brougham said it would not be practical for the town to undertake this work by itself because it does not have the staff to oversee contractors working on specific phases.

Public Works Director Steven J. Williams and School Department Building Director Robert LaChance, and the town Energy Committee, worked on details of this project with Brougham and Siemens representatives for the past year.

Brougham said he expects the work will be completed in 16 months with a schedule that will have to take into account when the schools and other buildings are being used.




Sunrise report: Forecast, top headlines and more for Tuesday June 14

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We're looking at a wet Tuesday, with sun returning on Wednesday.

06.13.2011 | WESTFIELD - Macovich L. Letourneau of East Longmeadow, his brother Christopher J. Letourneau of Westfield, and their father William R. Letourneau paint the Pioneer Valley Medical Building at 75 Springfield Rd.

The Forecast

It's almost sweater weather out there.

ABC 40 / FOX 6 meteorologist Mike Masco writes:

Look for the rain to continue during the morning and early afternoon as an area of low pressure located over Northern Maine continues to spiral bands of rain across the area. We will continue to run 10 degrees below average with highs in the upper 50's to near 60.

Accordiing to Masco, some sun will return on Wednesday, sending temperatures back into the upper 70s.

Find the full forecast here.





Yesterday's poll results

On Monday we asked, "Have you read any of the Sarah Palin emails?" 4 people voted. All of them said, "No".




Monday's Top 5

The top 5 headlines on MassLive.com on June 13 were:

  1. Massachusetts tornadoes aerial photos: Path of the tornado, one week later (part 1) [photo essay]

  2. Massachusetts tornadoes aerial photos: Path of the tornado one week later (part 2: Monson, Brimfield, Sturbridge, Southbridge) [photo gallery]

  3. Aerials of tornado destruction [photo gallery]

  4. 1800 Boston Road Springfield TD Bank robbery surveillance, June 12, 2011

  5. Springfield police report that gawkers continue to hamper recovery efforts in tornado-devastated areas



Quote of the Day

“He was good to all of us.”
— Robert M. Prebor, on his former landlord Paul E. Abrahamson. Abrahamson's Meadow House apartment complex in Agawam was destroyed in a Nov. 21 fire. He has filed plans to rebuild. Read Sandra Constantine's story here.

East Longmeadow police charge 18-year-old David Condon, 15-year-old juvenile, with theft from health club locker

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The suspects allegedly stole a backpack from an unlocked locker at the Century Fitness club.

2004 east longmeadow police car

EAST LONGMEADOW – Surveillance video from the lobby of a North Main Street health club led to the arrest Sunday of an 18-year-old man and 15-year-old juvenile suspected of stealing a backpack from an unlocked locker.

Police Sgt. Patrick T. Manley said the incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. when the two suspects, one a member of the Century Fitness Club at 491 North Main St., allegedly took the backpack from the locker.

The owner of the backpack had stowed his clothes inside, along with car keys and an IPod belonging to a friend who was also working out at the club, Manley said.

The suspects took the backpack into the woods across the street, but not before the surveillance camera caught them leaving the club, backpack in hand, Manley said.

The suspects then dumped some of the items, including the clothes, in the woods, Manley said.

Police Officer Michael Ingalls by chance encountered the two suspects, shortly before the theft was reported, at the nearby Super Stop & Shop and briefly spoke with them, Manley said. They told him they had just been at the club, he said.

Ingalls, summoned to the club to take a report of the theft, viewed the video and recognized the two suspects that he had just spoken too, Manley said.

Police arrested the two suspects a short time later. The IPod, its headphones and the car keys have yet to be recovered, Manley said.

The juvenile and David Condon, 18, of 218 Maple St., were charged with larceny from a building, Manley said.

Registry of Motor Vehicles holding low-number license plate lottery

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The Registry says that 8,000 people applied for plates last year.

large_license.jpgLicense plate collector William J. Rokosz, of Chicopee, kneels beside the low number license plate he currently holds on his Lincoln Continental while holding some of the rare plates he has in his collection.

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts drivers who have always wanted the prestige of a low-number license plate are getting their chance.

The state Registry of Motor Vehicles is now accepting applications for 161 low-number plates available this year, including 67, T7, Y11 and Z44.

Registrar Rachel Kaprielian says more than 8,000 people applied for the sought-after plates last year.

Applications are available in all Registry branches and online. Postcard only entries must be mailed and postmarked by August 8. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.

The Registry started the lottery several years ago in response to criticism that low-number plates only went to the politically connected.

Springfield police investigating gunpoint robbery of State Street convenience store

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Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at State Street Gas & Ara Convenience Store, 560 State St., around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are investigating an armed robbery reported at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at State Street Gas & Ara Convenience Store, 560 State St.

A gun-toting assailant demanded proceeds from a store cash register, but it was not immediately known how much money -- if any -- was taken during the robbery.

The suspect was described in police reports as a black man with a pencil-line beard. He was last seen wearing dark-colored clothing as he fled east on State Street, police said.

Springfield Police Lt. Robert Moynihan said officers continued to search for the suspect as a detective interviewed witnesses. The State Street store is located at the corner of St. James Avenue and borders the Old Hill and McKnight neighborhoods.

"They're at the crime scene investigating right now," Moynihan said shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday.

More information will be posted on MassLive.com as it becomes available.

THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of a State Street convenience store that was robbed at gunpoint around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday:


View Larger Map

Tuesday tornado resource roundup: Cathedral students host supply drive, Holyoke collects donations and more

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Cathedral students will collect donations at St. Catherine of Siena Parish at 1023 Parker Street in Springfield Tuesday and Wednesday, June 14th and 15th, from 4 to7 p.m.

Below is a list of announcements regarding resources and tornado relief efforts we've received in the newsroom so far on Tuesday, June 14.

If you know of a resource that should be added to this list -- or to the map at the bottom of this post -- please post a comment or email online@repub.com.

The United Way is coordinating volunteer efforts. Call 2-1-1 for information.

Call ahead before heading out to a donation center, to make sure that location is still accepting donations. And, avoid scams: check the Better Business Bureau charity guide before donating.



EVENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 14

Cathedral students hold supply drive
From Mark Dupont, spokesman for the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese:

Cathedral High School students will be holding a supply drive in collaboration with the Diocese of Springfield’s Catholic Charities Agency to help in the tornado relief effort.

Donations will be collected at St. Catherine of Siena Parish at 1023 Parker Street in Springfield Tuesday and Wednesday, June 14th and 15th, from 4 to7 p.m. Donors are asked to drop off household items such as lamps, dishes, flatware, blankets and towels. Toiletries, spring and summer clothing, baby needs such as diapers and baby food are also needed.

Non-perishable food supplies, preferably microwavable, will also be helpful. Donors are asked to drop items off at the Social Center entrance.

Holyoke to hosts food / supply collection today
Holyoke will hold a city-wide collection of items for tornado victims in the City Hall parking lot on June 14, 2011, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Items collected will be donated to the Friends of the Homeless Resource Center located on Worthington Street in Springfield. Items requested include: Paper cups; Paper plates; Napkins; Paper towels; Tissues; Toilet paper; Copy paper; New socks; New T-shirts; New underwear; Flip Flops

Non-perishable food items will also be accepted and delivered to temporary shelters in Springfield. Suggested items are: Canned pasta with pull-tab tops; Bottled juices; Canned fruit with pull-tab tops; Gatorade/Sports Drinks; Powdered drink mixes; Granola Bars; Coffee; Sugar; Non-dairy creamer; Baby Formula

Monetary donations also be accepted. For more information, contact the Mayor’s office at 322-5510 or the City Solicitor’s office at 322-5580.

Rocky's Ace Hardware stores, Springfield Texas Roadhouse restaurant to hold fundraisers today
From a press release:

On Tuesday June 14th10% of all product sales at Massachusetts Rocky’s Ace Hardware Stores will be donated to assist Western Massachusetts Tornado Victims. Please help make a difference in the lives of those affected! Cash donations will also be accepted.

And, the Springfield location of Texas Roadhouse (12 Mall Street) will hold an "East Forest Park Tornado Relief Fundraiser" today from 4pm-10pm. The restaurant will donate 20% of each party's bill to the clean up efforts.

"Monson Unites" shirts available starting Today
Posted by Laura Sauriol to the Monson Tornado Watch 2011 Facebook page: OFFICIAL "MONSON UNITES" T-Shirts Will be available for $20 starting Tuesday at Monson Savings Bank and at The First Church of Monson!

Area police and firefighters need help with Monson cleanup effort
The "Monson Tree Crew," made up of local first responders, will take another trip to Monson Wednesday to help clear trees and debris.

More information on the effort, from Fireground360: After the recent tornadoes that affected several cities and towns across Western Massachusetts local law enforcement officers and firefighters came together with chainsaws and manpower. These individuals descended on the town of Monson, MA and are providing critical assistance with the removal of trees and debris from houses, driveways, and outside structures. Their swift action this has allowed the devastated families access to their homes and what is left of their belongings.

The crew's hope is to continue this service throughout the town of Monson with the assistance of heavy equipment. With the much needed donation of a skid steer, the machine would give volunteers the ability to be more efficient by moving larger pieces of debris from the storm ravaged neighborhoods.

The crew needs: MANPOWER to pull brush + cut trees from houses, CAT 257B skid steer + grapple bucket (rental cost $451.93), used professional chain saws, saw chains, bars, files, 2 cycle oil + bar/chain oil, monetary donations for heavy equipment rental

If you would like to give a monetary donation, donate equipment and HELP in some small or BIG way we urge you to contact: Justin Green, UMASS PD, Monson Tree Crew, (413) 387-7722. Donations can also be made at Florence Savings Banks under the name of "LE Tree Crew Monson Tornado Relief".

For other questions please contact Paula + Rick Labrecque, FIREGROUND360°, fireground360@gmail.com or (413) 250-7924

Springfield Partners for Community Action to host clothing distribution on Wednesday
From a press release sent by SPCA development specialist Jennifer Picard:

Springfield Partners for Community Action will distribute clothing, personal care items, and baby care products to those affected by the tornado on Wednesday, June 15, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at its offices at 721 State St., 2nd floor.

Residents picking up items at the distribution should bring proof of address. Please use the State Street entrance.

Free twin beds and mattresses are also available for pick up, but only by appointment; please call 413-263-6500 to make arrangements.

People who need elevator access for Wednesday’s distribution should call 413-263-6500 prior to arrival.

For more information, please visit www.springfieldpartnersinc.com.

Open Pantry to distribute clothing, hygiene supplies June 15
From Open Pantry:

On Wednesday June 15th Open Pantry's People's Center will be open to only those affected by the tornado. People will be able to get free clothing and hygiene items. The People's Center is located at 287 State Street, Springfield. We will be open from 10:00am to 2:00pm. If you have any questions please call (413) 737-5354.

Information on the Monson Recovers Resource Center
From Monson's website:

The Monson Recovers Resource Center (MRRC) has opened at Hillside School, 29 Thompson Street to provide information to community members for services needed and resources available. The MRRC has been operational since Tuesday, June 7, 2011 and is staffed by Medical Reserve Corps and community volunteers. People who are interested in volunteering by staffing the office to provide information and resources to our neighbors are asked to contact Liz Manley at monsonrecovers@monson-ma.gov or by calling 413-579-4803.

The map below includes shelter locations, agencies accepting donations, storm assistance centers and other resources.

Map Key:

  • Red line: Street closed.
  • Blue line: Road open, but police advise motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.
  • Green marker: Shelter location
  • Pink marker: Donations accepted
  • Pink marker with dot: Information resource + donations accepted.
  • Yellow marker: Food / donation distribution point.
  • Turquoise marker: Information and links to other resources.
  • Purple marker: State Storm Assistance Center.



View Western Massachusetts tornadoes: Resources, damage and road closures in a larger map


ONGOING RESOURCES / REQUESTS

RMV offers free ID replacement for tornado victims
According to a press release from the Department of Transportation, "Governor Deval Patrick has directed that the RMV waive the $25 fee associated with duplicate IDs and license for residents living in the communities impacted by the storms." Read more here.

Food Bank seeks volunteer help at Hatfield warehouse
WWLP reports:

Food Bank Program Director Christina Maxwell says "Right now we need more people to volunteer to help distribute food and water. The community has been wonderful responding to this need and we've been getting cash donations as well as food donations. We could definitely use volunteers at our warehouse in Hatfield and people can go on our website to find out how to sign up for those opportunities."

Visit the Food Bank's website for information.

STCC library rolls out calendar of relief events
Nice use of a Google calendar to aggregate both fundraising and distribution events happening here.

Red Cross releases video of Sen. Scott Brown's Springfield tour

Ryan Hughes, a Central Mass Chapter volunteer for the Red Cross, shot and edited video chronicling Scott Brown's June 4th tour with the Red Cross. Rick Lee, executive director of the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter, writes:

Ryan is a professional videographer who took a high definition camera out on my ride-along with U.S. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts into some of the most severely affected areas of Springfield.

I should note that, Senator John Kerry was with us in the shelter June 1st and returned last week to revisit our shelter to speak with clients and workers. He personally thanked almost every Red Crosser he came upon and told me he had raised $25,000 through his Facebook page to support Red Cross relief in western Massachusetts.

Governor Deval Patrick, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and much of our local political delegation have been on scene and offering their support.

When asked what we needed most I told both Senators Brown and Kerry “we need the Individual Assistance and Presidential Declaration to fuel federal financial assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the homeowners, renters and businesses affected by these devastating storms. They pledged to do all they could to support that.

kategray boutique of East Longmeadow begins clothing drive

Starting Thursday, June 9, there will be a donations drive at kategray store, 32 Center Square, East Longmeadow. Our goal is to be able to distribute a new professional wardrobe to anybody in need - right here at the store.

Business and work clothes, shoes and accessories in very good condition are badly needed. Personal items (soaps, new tooth brushes, tooth paste, body wash), food items, children's items and games, paper towels, 60 gallon trash bags, pet items and canned pet food will also be greatly appreciated.

Other items will be taken to Dakin Humane Center, Salvation Army and other local organizations directly involved with Tornado Relief services. Call (413) 318-0141 for more information.

Fancy That Antiques of Monson offers to aid tornado victims
From Christian Lund, Fancy That Antiques:

I am donating half of the antique merchandise up for Auction in Monson in my store to help the tornado victims.I would like to also get the word out that if anyone has the following items, Old wrist watches, pocket watches, any sort of gold, silver, old coins, fine estate jewelry, old post cards, and costume jewelry. Any of these items that I buy, I will pay them and extra 15% towards Local Tornado Victims. For information call 413 599 4705

Mass.gov launches tornado recovery resource page
Mass.gov's tornado recovery page includes information on storm assistance centers, rebuilding resources, consumer information, and how to help.

Catholic Charities establishes donation center
Donation center established at St. Francis Chapel, 254 Bridge St., Springfield, open Tuesday and Thursday, through July 7, also by appointment, call (413) 733-9298; needs include lamps, dishes, flatware, cups, glassware, small kitchen appliances, pots and pans, linens, blankets, towels, toiletries for adults and children, spring and summer clothing, including undergarments and sleepwear, all sizes, diapers, baby food, formula, non-perishable food supplies; also accepting volunteers and funds to assist displaced victims and aid other agencies like Red Cross and Salvation Army; more information available online, www.diospringfield.org or email inquiries to tornadorelief@diospringfield.org.

Holyoke Mall accepting donations on behalf of Springfield Rescue Mission
People may donate the following items at the customer service center, located on the lower level near Sears:

  • Non-perishable food / beverages: Bottled Water, Ice Tea Mix, Lemonade Mix, Bread, Peanut Butter, Jelly / Jam, Sugar

  • Paper / other kitchen goods: Sandwich baggies, plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, plastic flatware

  • Clean-up needs: Work gloves, Kitchen gloves (powderless), Heavy duty kitchen bags (40-45 gallon size), Hand sanitizer packets or wipes, Sunblock, Bug spray

  • Clothing: New underwear (men, women and children), New Socks (men, women and children), New t-shirts (men size large and XL). Note: The Rescue Mission is in "desperate need" of women's new underwear and new socks. 

  • Toiletries: Toothbrushes / toothpaste, soap and body wash, deodorant, lip balm, shampoo / conditioner, brushes / combs, tissues, hand / body lotion, baby power, disposable razors, shaving cream.

  • Gift cards for gas and food: Gift cards will be accepted to distribute to those living in crisis and to assist the Mission.

Council of Churches of Greater Springfield lists donation / distribution sites
The Council of Churches of Greater Springfield has set up a tornado relief page listing donation and distribution sites. Basilica of the Holy Apostles at 339 State Street in Springfield is accepting large furniture items, food, clothing and other large donations, and a "show room' will be set up at the church to facilitate pick-up.

Salvation Army offers vouchers for clothing purchases
Today, the Salvation Army will be distributing vouchers that tornado victims may use to purchase clothing at Salvation Army retail stores, said Maj. Linda Perks. Victims may claim vouchers at 170 Pearl Street from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Perks said the Salvation Army is accepting clothing donations at 327 Liberty Street. Donations of food, toiletries and water may be made at 170 Pearl Street.

Center for Human Development seeks donations
From Chris Yurko, communications director:

CHD’s Diversion, Shelter & Housing program is collecting household items, furniture, canned foods, dry goods, and other items that will be distributed to individuals and families displaced by the June 1 tornado in the West Springfield, Springfield, Wilbraham, and Monson areas. Items needed in new or “like new” condition:

Kitchen supplies (silverware, plates, bowls, cups, etc), towels (large and small) canned foods, dry goods, bedding (sheets, comforters, pillows), bed frames (twin and full), mattresses (new), pots & pans, lamps, flash lights/batteries, toiletries (toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene, etc.), cleaning supplies (paper towels, disinfectant, sponges, mops, brooms, etc.)

Please deliver to CHD PACE School, 69 Capital Drive, West Springfield, MA, or contact: Rose Evans at (413) 737-2679 (office), (413) 519-5468 (cell), revans@chd.org (email) or Jane Banks at (413) 737-2679 (office), (413) 575-7402 (cell), jbanks@chd.org (email).

Monetary donations and / or gift cards to any local Springfield area business that carries listed items will also be accepted and used to assist tornado victims. Please send monetary donations and/or gift cards to: CHD Development Office, 332 Birnie Ave. Springfield, MA 01107.

Uno restaurants, Taste of the Valley donating to tornado relief efforts
Through June 10, all Uno Chicago Grill restaurants in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island will donate 10% of their profits to the Pioneer Valley Red Cross.

West Springfield's Taste of the Valley event, which runs today (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) through Sunday will be donating 100% of its proceeds to local tornado relief efforts.


FEMA, MEMA offer new ways to donate and volunteer
From MEMA public information officer Peter Judge:

Those wishing to make monetary donations to assist the most impacted individuals can contribute to the Massachusetts Statewide Disaster Relief Fund. This effort, hosted by the United Way of Tri-County can be found online at www.unitedwaytri-county.org/disaster. These funds will then be distributed in the form of grants to meet the needs of individuals and families through long-term recovery groups recognized by the Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MAVOAD).
Members of the public interested in volunteering their time/skills or wishing to donate products/ equipment are encouraged to do so by using the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Donation’s Management System at http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/FEMA/.

Springfield seeks landlords with vacant housing units
From the mayor's office:

In an effort to help the victims of the tornado, Attorney Lisa DeSousa from the City’s Law Department – Housing Division, is urgently requesting any landlords who have available rental units to contact the Office of Housing at (413) 787-6500 or email Lizzie Malave at lmalave@springfieldcityhall.com.

Relief fund established for Monson
The Monson Arts Council reports that a relief fund for Monson has been established at Monson Savings Bank. Checks can be made out to: Make check out to Monson Savings Bank, Monson Tornado Relief, 146 Main St., Monson, MA 01057.

The Arts Council also notes: "Donations and volunteers can help at First Church, 5 Main St; Glendale Methodist Church, Main St; or St Patrick church. All clothing is being taking in at St Patrick's, The First Church and Glendale are providing hot/cold food and drinks. They both have non-perishable items for the tornado victims."

And, debris pick-up information from Kathleen Conley Norbut, Emergency Management Director:

The Board of Selectmen has contracted with Ash Britt Environmental to begin debris collection and removal from the storm beginning on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.

Regular trash pick-up resumes June 6, 2011.

Residents are asked to separate disaster debris and place vegetative debris only in piles at the curb in the public right-of-way, not on private property and NOT IN THE STREET.

Stimulations Learning Center in Monson distributing toys, school supplies and more
Stimulations Learning Center has been collecting and distributing toys, books, outdoor equipment, school and art supplies, baby items, games, puzzles and other items for children and families. Pick-up times are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

The center is also seeking donations of large boxes, masking tape and storage space.

Phone: 413 267-4716 and 413 267-0558

Open Pantry offers food and clothing
From the website of the United Way, a list of resources offered by Open Pantry Community Services [main phone: (413) 737-5354]:

  • Emergency Food Pantry: Our emergency food pantry is open Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and Friday from 9:00AM-3:00PM. We are waiving the intake process for all tornado survivors. Special boxes will be prepared with ready to eat foods and toiletry items. We are located at 2460 Main Street, Springfield.

  • People's Center: The People's Center provides free clothing to those in need. We are open Monday through Friday 10:00AM-2:00PM. On Tuesday June 7, the People's Center will be open only to those affected by the tornado. In addition we will distributing ready to eat food and hygiene products out of 287 State Street (3rd Floor) from 9:00AM-5:00PM.

  • Loaves and Fishes Kitchen: We provide two meals a day at 12:00PM and 5:00PM. We are at Christ Church Cathedral Monday through Friday, South Congregational on Saturday and Sunday at Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist.

Red Cross seeks translators
From the website of the Pioneer Valley Chapter: The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter currently has a need for specialized translators -- if you are trained in the following: Napalese, Arabic, Burmese, Russian or Spanish -- please report to the Pioneer Valley Chapter at 506 Cottage St., Springfield and ask for Paula W.

Donations to the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter may be sent to 506 Cottage St., Springfield, 01104. Phone (413) 737-4306. Donations also can be made online at http://www.redcrosscwm.org/.

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society offers temporary pet care
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, located at 171 Union Street in Springfield, is offering temporary care for pets owned by residents displaced by the tornado. Dakin will house and provide care for pets for 5 days. Phone: (413) 781-4000.

Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center offers services for stray animals, search and rescue
Residents can contact the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center for "field services" (search and rescue) involving animals, or if they find stray cats and dogs. The center is located at 627 Cottage Street. Phone: (413) 781-1484.

Friendship Baptist Church in Brimfield offers relief for tornado victims
Brimfield's Friendship Baptist Church, located at 9 East Brimfield / Holland Road, is coordinating chainsaw crews to help residents clear downed trees and limbs from their property. To schedule a crew, call (860) 961-0513. Crews are currently operating between Sturbridge and Monson, Pastor Steve Nurger said Monday morning. Nurger said the church also has showers and laundry facilities available to stricken residents. And while the church is not an official meal site, Nurger said, "We always have food."

Clothing, household items available at Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield
Sharon Palmer, assistant director of Brimfield's Hitchcock Academy reports this morning that the school's clothing drive was an overwhelming success. Items are now available for pick-up by residents affected by the tornado. The school is located at 2 Brookfield Road, and pick-up hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

"Even more amazing than the force of the storms is the generosity, concern, and good nature of so many people in the area who contributed their time and efforts to help others," Palmer said in a press release. The clothing / item drive is now closed to further donations. "We now have more than enough donations and literally cannot handle more," Palmer said.

Springfield releases emergency information sheet

Springfield Emergency Sheet


BUSINESS EVENTS / COLLECTIONS / DONATIONS

Antonios Grinders of Springfield to host fundraiser on June 22
Press advisory from Antonio's Grinders:
On Wednesday June 22, 10 percent of all purchases made at Antonio's Grinders will be donated to tornado relief efforts. Please stop by any of our locations throughout Springfield: 770 Bay St., 17 Longhill St., and 1030 State St.
Thank you for your efforts in helping our community !

Heartsong Yoga Center of East Longmeadow plans June 21 fund raiser for tornado relief
From Sheila Magalhaes of Heartsong Yoga Center, 264 North Main St. East Longmeadow:


"The Eye of the Storm" is Heartsong's offering to the community, to raise funds for the American Red Cross, still hard at work helping Western Mass residents to re build. On Tuesday, June 21st, from 6 to 8 pm, all are welcome to attend an evening of Gentle Yoga and Deep Relaxation, with free will donations being accepted for the event, which will be dedicated to those affected by the disaster. The class will include a "Metta" or "Loving Kindness Meditation" a very gentle yoga practice (beginners are welcome) and a relaxation practice known as "Yoga Nidra" which has been widely used in the treatment of PTSD for health and wellness. 100% of the proceeds of this class will go to the Pioneer Valley Red Cross Chapter's Tornado Relief Fund.

In addition, Heartsong Yoga will collect non perishable food donations for the Open Pantry, and these can be dropped off at any time through the week of June 21st. You can contact Heartsong Yoga at 414-525-0720, they are located at 264 North Main St. "Condo East" in East Longmeadow, MA, or visit the web at www.heartsongyoga.com for a full schedule of the evening's events. All proceeds from Heartsong's four regular "drop in" classes on June 21st, morning and evening, will also be donated to the relief fund as well, call or visit the web for details.

2011 Valley Food Championship Pizza Playoffs: Let the battle begin

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You voted and now it's up to us to decide - Who makes the best pizza in the Pioneer Valley?

2011-valley-food-championship-b2.jpg

Well you've done it. You've narrowed the field and now we're left with The Elite 8 of the 2011 Valley Food Championship Pizza Playoffs.

I think I can speak for my fellow judges on this one - we're ready to eat some pizza!

We've watched as you've voted for your favorites and we thank you for giving us the best of the best. But now it's our turn.

Ray Kelly, Don Treeger – and I have taken on the challenge of crowning one pizza shop the best in the Pioneer Valley. I can assure you that we're taking the challenge very seriously.

Starting Wednesday we'll visit two pizza shops each week. This week's head-to-head matchup begins in the North Region. On Wednesday we'll visit Joe's and on Thursday we'll head to Antonio's.

After each visit you can read our critique and check out videos and photos from each pizza shop. Then on Friday, we'll compare the two and reveal our winner. Over the next four weeks we'll narrow it down to reveal our semifinalists.

ray kelly pam mccray don treeger.jpgView full sizeThese are your 2011 Valley Food Championship Pizza Playoffs judges from The Republican newsroom: left to right, arts and entertainment editor Ray Kelly, sports reporter Pam McCray and photographer Don Treeger.

I hope you're ready - because I know we are!

As always, visit www.masslive.com/pizza to keep up with where we've been and where we're headed next.

As of Wednesday we can officially say - let the battle begin! Oh, did I mention that we're ready to eat some pizza? Because we are!


Michele Bachmann brings flair, tea party clout to GOP race

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While some see her as a novelty candidate, she's also regarded as a skilled, resilient politician.

michele bachman concealed weapon permit photo, APThis 2005 photo provided by Michele Bachmann shows then-state Sen. Michele Bachmann as she poses with her state permit to carry a concealed weapon nestled in a folded U.S. flag at her office in the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul. In Bachmann's quick rise from state lawmaker to unofficial tea party ambassador in Washington, her brazen style has kept Republican leaders on edge and appealed to those in the GOP searching for a fresh, unfettered voice.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — One hand clutches a crisply folded U.S. flag with a concealed weapons certification protruding; the other slides discreetly into a denim coat pocket. Behind the beaming state lawmaker, a silhouette target with bullet holes square in the chest. Next to her nameplate, a "No New Taxes!" sticker.

The 2005 photo captures Minnesota Republican Michele Bachmann's essence.

In Bachmann's quick rise from state lawmaker to unofficial tea party ambassador in Washington, her brazen style has kept Republican leaders on edge and appealed to those in the GOP searching for a fresh, unfettered voice. She relishes the spotlight and seldom cedes ground.

Her unpredictable edge was on display during Monday night's GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire when, out of the blue, she announced that she had filed papers to be an official candidate for the Republican nomination.

"I do what I say and I say what I mean and I don't change what I do based on a political wind or desire to necessarily move up the next ladder," Bachmann told The Associated Press this spring in an interview in which she stressed her eagerness to "take on not only the opposing party but my own party as well to do what I think is right."

Known for piercing and sometimes inaccurate commentary, she regularly aggravates political foes and provides ample fodder to late-night comics. She once falsely claimed taxpayers would be stuck with a $200 million per day tab for Democratic President Barack Obama's trip to India. She mistakenly identified New Hampshire as the site of the Revolutionary War's opening shots. (That key American moment occurred in Massachusetts.)

While some see her as a novelty candidate, she's also regarded as a skilled, resilient politician.

"I know people like to pick at her," said Dan Nygaard, a local Republican official during Bachmann's early days in politics. "But you can never underestimate her."

Her personal evolution is striking.

In college, Bachmann volunteered on Democrat Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign and took her maiden trip to Washington to revel in his inauguration; now she's a congressional megaphone for the conservative tea party. As a young government lawyer, Bachmann helped chase tax dodgers for the Internal Revenue Service; now she stokes worry about a swarm of IRS agents enforcing the new health insurance law she's determined to repeal. In 1999, Bachmann failed to win a local school board seat; now she's a factor in the race for the nation's highest office.

Carter's evangelical Christian beliefs attracted her, she says, while his struggles to rescue the country from a funk turned her away. Bachmann says the tax work gave her a deeper understanding of a tax code she came to regard as flawed.

Bachmann, 55, was born Michele Marie Amble in Waterloo, Iowa. Her father's engineering job led the family, including Michele and three brothers, to Minnesota when she was in elementary school. By high school, her parents had divorced. She stayed with her mother, who later remarried.

Michele Amble married college boyfriend Marcus Bachmann, a clinical therapist. The youngest of their five children will soon head off to college.

Religion has always factored heavily into Bachmann's life. She was in the last class to graduate from Oral Roberts University's now-defunct Coburn School of Law, a school dedicated to educating lawyers with Christian values. (Anita Hill, later involved in the scandal that nearly sank Clarence Thomas' Supreme Court nomination, taught a couple of Bachmann's classes.)

Until about two years ago, the Bachmanns were members of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn., part of a conservative denomination that adheres to strict doctrine and excludes women from church leadership roles. The pastor there, the Rev. Marcus Birkholz, told the AP that the family stopped attending regularly when they moved to another Twin Cities suburb.

"Our church body is very pro-life, and that has come out in Michele's position all the way along," Birkholz said. "I would say not everybody would be as outspoken as she is."

A fellow parishioner encouraged the Bachmanns to consider providing foster care. Teenage girls from troubled families — 23 in all — cycled through the Bachmann house, some as briefly as a couple of weeks and others as long as a couple of years.

Former neighbor Joanne Hood recalls Bachmann taking the lead in organizing block picnics, Christmas cookie exchanges and kiddie bike parades. Today, it pains Hood to see Bachmann mocked over verbal gaffes or demonized over her stances.

"When I hear negative things about her, I think, 'You don't know her,'" Hood said. Critics "make her out to be a ditz, and she's not."

Bachmann needed a couple of tries to make her mark in politics. After the school board loss, she toppled an incumbent Republican on her way to a state Senate win in 2000. She won an open seat in Congress six years later.

Outspoken on fiscal matters, she vaulted to congressional prominence as the tea party did. She co-founded the House Tea Party Caucus.

Some close to Bachmann privately refer to her as a "light switch." She flips on the charm to dazzle audiences or nail TV interviews, they say, then takes on a drill sergeant persona in private, where questioning her decisions draws suspicion of disloyalty. She's described as meticulous and worried about the finer details, such as soundtracks played to pump up rally crowds.

Bachmann has experienced frequent top-level staff changes in her congressional office since 2007. She's had six chiefs of staff in four years, five press secretaries, five legislative directors and three communications directors.

Bachmann discounts the staff churning as "growing pains" in an office that "moves at a fast rate of speed," and she stresses that many left for more influential jobs elsewhere.

A few prominent ex-staff members publicly support a fellow GOP presidential candidate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Sean Nienow, who ran Bachmann's district office for a year before a split he called mutual, is among those reserving judgment.

"There's no question she's very conservative ideologically," said Nienow, now a state senator who mirrors Bachmann from a philosophical standpoint. "Can she win? If she were elected, how would she lead? These are questions that have yet to be answered."

PM News Links: Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman running for president, heart-shaped meteorite lands in backyard, and more

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A study shows that history is the subject in which U.S. students are least proficient.

Huntsman.JPGRepublican presidential hopeful, Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, left, wife Mary Kaye, middle, and US Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., right, at the Department of New Hampshire VFW Annual Convention in Nashua, N.H., Saturday, June 11, 2011.

NOTE: Users of modern browsers can open each link in a new tab by holding 'control' ('command' on a Mac) and clicking each link.

Arizona wildfire largest in state history, burning more than 733 square miles

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Some of the affected area is in New Mexico, where flare-ups that skipped along treetops Tuesday threatened Luna, a small mountain town.

Arizona WildfiresFirefighters create a burnout to protect homes in the Ash Canyon area near Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Monday, June 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Sierra Vista Herald, Beatrice Richardson)

LUNA, N.M. (AP) — A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona is burning more acres than the largest in state history, although some of that area is in New Mexico, where flare-ups that skipped along treetops Tuesday threatened a small mountain town.

The Wallow Fire has burned more than 733 square miles since Memorial Day weekend. Fire spokesman John Helmich said Tuesday morning it's not yet certain whether the acreage that has burned in Arizona makes it larger than the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire, which burned 732 square miles, destroyed 491 buildings and cost about $400 million to fight.

The current blaze has burned only 31 homes and some other structures. It has encroached into New Mexico about a mile from the working-class community of Luna, where residents were warned to be prepared to flee.

In the state's opposite corner, near the Colorado border, a wildfire fanned by high winds that has forced hundreds of people from their homes more than doubled in size to more than 9 square miles.

"We're watching trees explode before our eyes. It's horrendous," said Barbara Riley, a schoolteacher and bed-and-breakfast owner in the northeastern New Mexico community of Raton. A 20-mile section of the main north-south highway through New Mexico and Colorado remained closed, causing hundreds of travelers to drive hours out of their way.

Crews worked furiously to protect Luna from the Wallow fire, after a successful weekend of no major fire growth despite gusting winds and dry conditions.

Hundreds of firefighters worked along U.S. Highway 180 between Luna and the state line, hacking down brush, using chain saws to cut trees, and burning fuel in the fire's path.

At Luna Lake in Arizona, just a few miles from town, helicopters collected water and flew west to attack flames sending up thick, gray smoke.

Catron County Undersheriff Ian Fletcher said the roughly 200 Luna residents hadn't yet been ordered to leave, but evacuation plans were in place.

Fire spokesman Sean Johnson said the work crews have done clearing brush and setting their own fires to burn off fuel along the state line has so far spared Luna from the inferno.

"That's what's saved the town," Johnson said. "The line is holding. There's no fire in New Mexico that we haven't set ourselves."

Roughly 7,000 residents of the two Arizona mountain towns of Eagar and Springerville on the fire's northern edge were allowed back home over the weekend. Crews had stopped the blaze's northern advance and were trying to corral its eastern push into New Mexico.

Officials continued to express optimism that their efforts were paying off.

"It's getting better every day," said fire spokesman Kelly Wood.

About 2,700 people who live in several Arizona resort communities in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest remained under an evacuation order. Fire officials said they were working to make the picturesque hamlets of Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer safe for residents to go home, possibly within the week.

Greer, considered the jewel of eastern Arizona's summer havens, lost more than 20 homes and a couple dozen outbuildings as flames moved into the valley last week.

The wildfire near the New Mexico-Colorado border started Sunday on the west side of Interstate 25 and jumped to the east side later that day. Up to 1,000 people were asked to leave their homes northeast of Raton.

The fire prompted the closure of I-25 from Trinidad, Colo., to Raton, sending summer motorists on lengthy detours. Fire officials said at least two structures had burned, but they couldn't say whether they were homes, businesses or outbuildings.

The blaze more than doubled in size in a matter of hours Monday, to about 9 square miles, as crews worked to protect structures.

"It looks like your worst nightmare," Raton Mayor Neil Segotta said after he saw the plume of smoke rising from the hills outside the city.

Another wildfire in southern Colorado spread to about 1,000 acres and forced the evacuation of a church camp. Crews were attacking the blaze near Westcliffe from the air after it broke out Sunday and quickly spread in dry conditions.

Meanwhile, in southeastern Colorado, crews were close to containing three large wildfires that broke out last week.

Several other fires were burning around Arizona, including a huge blaze near the southeastern border town of Portal that has burned more than 267 square miles since May 8. It was about 53 percent contained. Another fire that broke out Sunday outside Sierra Vista near the Coronado National Memorial also forced evacuations.

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Christie and Associated Press Writer Mark Carlson reported from Phoenix; Susan Montoya Bryan contributed from Albuquerque, N.M.

Amherst College names Wisconsin chancellor as new president

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Carolyn Arthur “Biddy” Martin will start sometime in August and be introduced to the Amherst community on Thursday.

Martin_Biddy_hs_cropped08.jpgCarolyn Arthur “Biddy” Martin

AMHERST - Amherst College has named Carolyn Arthur “Biddy” Martin, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin’s Madison flagship campus, as the college’s 19th president.

Martin will be the first woman to lead the liberal arts school, which was a male-only institution until 1975.

Martin will start sometime in August and be introduced to the Amherst community on Thursday.

Jide Zeitlin, Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee chairman, said in a press release that Martin’s "formidable intellect" and leadership experience made her the top choice in an extremely rich pool of candidates.

“Martin is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of issues ranging from attracting and retaining an extraordinary faculty, supporting and investing in a diverse student body, institutional governance, and some of the evolving ways that knowledge is delivered,” Zeitlin said.

President Anthony W. Marx is leaving at the end of the month to become the president of the New York Public Library after serving as president here for eight years.

“Amherst represents everything I value in higher education,” Martin said, “including the best possible education by a faculty known for outstanding research, a serious and lively intellectual community, and a commitment to opportunity and service. Amherst’s leadership has worked hard to increase the socioeconomic, racial and ethnic diversity of the campus to an extent rarely seen elsewhere—something I personally hold dear. What amazes me is that Amherst has maintained this commitment to diversity in the face of extraordinarily difficult circumstances economically. I know that we can take even greater advantage of the diversity that the college has now succeeded in establishing.”

Martin was on the Cornell University faculty for more than two decades and served as provost from 2000 to 2008. She earned her doctorate in German literature from the University of Wisonsin-Madison in 1985.

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the College of William & Mary with a degree in English, in 1973, then received a master’s degree in German literature from Middlebury College in Vermont. She continued her studies at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz, Germany before seeking her doctorate degree.

Massachusetts Department of Education looking into neglect at Chinese Charter school cttlreport

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The state Department of Children and Families determined there was a case of neglect at the school.

WANG(1).JPGKathleen Wang

HADLEY - The Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Monday reinstated the school principal and a teacher after each completed a one-week suspension following a state finding of neglect at the school last month.

The suspensions stem from a March 25 incident when a child was confined to a room for 7 hours and only allowed to leave to use the bathroom and eat lunch. The incident took place March 25.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, meanwhile, is now reviewing the report on the incident, said Jonathan Considine, a spokesman for the agency. “We will complete a very thorough review of the situation and then determine what action is appropriate to take,” Considine said.

The Department of Children and Families sent its findings to the education department for further review because the neglect occurred at a school, a spokeswoman said. That agency would not impose sanctions.

But in keeping with school policy the charter school last week suspended principal Kathleen Wang and the classroom teacher. The school’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to reinstate both Monday, according to a statement from Richard Alcorn, the school’s executive director.

In an email, he said that school policy “required immediate suspension.” The two were reinstated with back pay and indemnification, he wrote.

Acorn said the child had been removed from class because of bullying.

“Bullying is a serious issue, and when such situations arise we are legally responsible for ensuring that a safe environment is maintained. We continue to believe that the steps taken by school officials were appropriate, and consistent with these responsibilities,” Alcorn wrote.

Northampton lawyer Thomas Lesser, who is representing the boy and his family, said “there was no prior history of any behavioral issues involving the young man.” He added that “the school violated its own handbook (of) not discussing the discipline with the parents prior to imposing it. Unfortunately the school continues to refuse to acknowledge that the discipline it imposed this third grader is inappropriate.”

He also said that the boy spent the majority of his time alone not with one-on-one supervision.

The investigation into the incident began after the boy’s physician notified the state following the incident, Lesser said.

Lesser said the family is focusing its attention on ensuring the child gets his proper education, as he has not returned to the school since the incident. Both the boy’s physician and therapist recommended against the boy returning to the school, he said.

Earlier this month, 144 parents and guardians of children attending the school signed a letter praising the school that was sent to several area newspapers, including The Republican. The letter stated, in part, “for the past four years, the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School has provided our children with an innovative educational opportunity without parallel in Western New England.”

Alcorn said that “interest in the school seems undiminished.”

Erratic behavior by 42-year-old West Springfield resident Thomas Geas, U.S. Marine veteran, prompts large-scale police response to West Street

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Geas, who has five yours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan under his belt, was taken to a veterans hospital.

PX195_05DE_9Geas.JPGJune 14, 2011 - West Springfield - Staff photo by Michael S. Gordon - Thomas Geas, 42, leaves his house at 22 West St. with two unidentified men after a stand off with West Springfield Police Tuesday morning. Police reported that they received phone calls about Geas' unusual behavior includinig walking up the street to Collins Tavern, destroying their flag poles and taking three flags.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Police closed a section of West Street for a time late Tuesday morning after a 42-year-old resident, a U.S, Marine veteran with five tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq under his belt, began acting erratically in and near his home.

Police Chief Thomas Burke said the incident began when the man, identified as 42-year-old Thomas Geas, took an ax or sledge hammer and destroyed two air conditioners at the multi-family home where he lives at 22 West St.

Nobody was hurt in the approximately-hour long incident that brought a large-scale police response to the neighborhood and prompted the temporary lock-down of the nearby Mittineague Elementary School.

Burke said that Geas voluntarily left his home into the custody of his father and personnel from the Veterans Center.

“He’s a pretty good kid and he’s having some problems ,” said Burke, still wearing a bullet-proof vest shortly after the incident. “We were able to get him out of the house without anybody getting hurt and we will take him up to the veteran’s hospital where he can get the treatment that he needs.”

Burke said that Geas is brother to Fotios “Freddy“ Geas, 44, of West Springfield; and Ty Geas, 39, of Westfield, recently convicted by a New York federal jury of charges pertaining to the public execution of Springfield crime boss Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno in the parking lot of an Italian social club in late 2003.

Burke said that after Geas allegedly damaged the air conditioners he knocked down a flag pole at nearby Collins Tavern and took a U.S. flag and two military flags back to his home on the second floor.

Burke stressed there was no stand-off of any kind, armed or otherwise, and that Geas left his home when he was prompted by somebody on a bullhorn. Geas, who was not handcuffed, was escorted to a waiting ambulance.

“Right now we are just glad that we got him out of there without an armed stand-off,” said Burke, adding that charges may be pending against Geas.

Burke said two legally-owned firearms were confiscated from Geas’s apartment after the incident.

Police seek complaint against sergeant who allegedly threatened hospital employee where accused cop-shooter Tamik Kirkland was recuperating

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Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni said Department of Corrections employee Adam Demoranville allegedly made a threatening call to an employee at a nurse's station.

Tamik Kirkland 2011.jpgTamik Kirkland

SPRINGFIELD - Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said police will seek criminal charges against a sergeant in the state Department of Corrections, alleging he made a threatening phone call to an employee at a nurses’ station outside the intensive care unit where accused cop shooter Tamik Kirkland was recuperating on May 4.

Kirkland, 29, an escapee from Shirley state prison, went on a shooting spree in downtown Springfield on April 30, killing a patron at a barber shop and wounding a barber before opening fire on two officers who got in the way of him escaping the scene in a trunk of a car on Cambridge Street.

The officers were spared serious injuries by their bullet-proof vests. Kirkland suffered several gunshot wounds and underwent surgery at Baystate Medical Center that afternoon. In the days following the shootings, an employee at the nurses’ station outside Kirkland’s heavily-guarded room received a call from an anonymous caller who said: "I’m going to (expletive) kill you," rattling the woman and sparking an investigation into the call.

Diane Wiffin, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, said she could not comment beyond saying, "This is a personnel matter. A sergeant was suspended with pay until indicted."

As the security detail had transitioned from local and state police to state corrections officers, rampant rumors went around about state workers making the call as a hoax to trigger more overtime shifts.

But Mastroianni said is was more likely idiocy than a plot to boost overtime that prompted the call, which was traced back to the cell phone of Adam Demoranville, 39, a corrections employee from the eastern part of the state.

"I heard the overtime motive. We looked into it. But when you start looking at this to determine motive it looks more like a prank or idiotic, senseless thing," he said.

Mastroianni added that Demoranville was not scheduled to work the security detail. He admitting placing the call to the nurses’ station but denied making any threatening statements.

"It looked like the guy was making the call from some kind of gathering where people were watching a Bruins game," Mastroianni said, adding that the same hospital employee received other, similar calls with ambient noise and swearing in the background. Investigators were unable to trace those, however.

No other corrections employees were implicated in the alleged phone caper, Mastroianni said.

Demoranville will be required to appear at a hearing in Springfield District Court later this month. That hearing will not be open to the public. The charges sought include disorderly conduct and threatening to commit a crime.

Kirkland is scheduled to be arraigned in connection with the April 30 shootings on Thursday in Springfield District Court. He is alleged to have jumped out a window in the middle of the night, traveling to this city to avenge the nonfatal shooting of his mother days earlier.


Staff writer Dan Ring contributed to this report.


South Hadley High School students reach out to Monson counterparts

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A "spare change drive" recently netted $700.

SOUTH HADLEY – Students at South Hadley High School have decided to “adopt” Monson High School for the year.

Monson was struck by the tornado that ripped through Western Massachusetts on June 1.

Tiesa Graf, head of the foreign languages department at South Hadley High, remembers thinking to herself, “Here was a parallel community that should be at a point of celebrating and rejoicing because of graduation, and instead it is simply devastated.”

Graf is the faculty sponsor of the effort to help Monson High students and their families. When assistant principal Ted McCarthy called a meeting for anyone interested in tornado relief, “30 students and 17 faculty and staff showed up,” said Graf, and the number keeps growing.

So far the group has held a bake sale. A car wash planned for Saturday was rained out, and the tentative new date is June 15.

“We also set up a spare change drive,” said Ashley Willis, 16, a sophomore at South Hadley High who is one of the leaders of the initiative.

“At lunch we put out buckets and people can drop in pennies or quarters or whatever they want,” said Willis. Sometimes kids give up their snack money. The first week produced $700.

Willis is especially invested in the project because her mother is an art teacher at Monson High.

“She’s been teaching there since before I was born,” said Willis. “I know the teachers and the community.”

The first time she viewed the damage in Monson, Willis tried to imagine what it must be like for a student whose home was destroyed. “I would think of all my stuff,” she said, “important documents, how it’s going to impact my life.

“I think there would be an identity loss as well as a material loss,” said Willis. “It would remove your security. You can move into another house. But it’s a big thing to lose.”

When Graf learned from a colleague that volunteers in Monson needed something to prevent dehydration as they went through debris without potable water nearby, the South Hadley High volunteers bought and sent 750 bottles of Gatorade.

They have also collected sunscreen and bug spray. The town of Monson has an ongoing list of things they need posted on the Internet, Graf said.

From now on, she said, her group will try to send money, because those receiving it know best what they need. The kids have all kinds of ideas for raising the money, she said.

On one of the deliveries, they will take to Monson a banner. South Hadley High students painted it under the direction of history teacher Stephanie Viens.

In blue and white, the Monson High School colors, the banner is emblazoned with the words, “Monson, you are not alone.”

Amherst non-union employees to see a 2 percent cost of living increase

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The Personnel Board did not recommend a pay hike last year.

AMHERST - Non-union town employees will get a 2 percent cost of living pay hike for fiscal 2012 the first time in two years the staff will receive a hike.

Last year, the town was facing a budget shortfall that required a $1.68 million Proposition 2 ½ property tax override so many employee groups voted to forgo a pay hike. The teacher’s union also made salary concessions.

The Personnel Board last year recommended no cost of living hike.
“They have been doing really good work, everybody knows it,” said Flo R. Stern, chairwoman of the Personnel Board, which made the recommendation to the Select Board for the increase.

She said some employees are retiring now who have with the town for 40 years. “For a town, were very lucky, I’d like to reward it,” she said.

Town Manager John P. Musante said the 2 percent hike “was factored into the (fiscal 2012) budget. A COLA of 2 percent is doable,” he said.

He said there’s been a 10 percent reduction in the work forces and employees are being asked to do more work.

The 2 percent hike “it’s in keeping with what we’re seeing in the marketplace.”
The Select Board supported the hike, however,
board member Alisa V. Brewer was critical of the Personnel Board report because she said it lacked a historical context and asked that a more complete report be presented next time.

Stern said the town has 72 non-union employees. Kay Zlogar, the town’s trust manager, said the average salary in this group is in the $50,000 and $55,000 range so the average hike cost of living increase is about $1,000.

While the cost of living increase in the past applied to the town manager, that is not the case with Musante, Zlogar said. His contract is negotiated with the Select Board.
The increase takes effect July 1.

Obama pledges support for Puerto Rico

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Puerto Ricans hosted a U.S. president for the first time since John F. Kennedy visited in 1961.

061411puertorico-obama.jpgPresident Barack Obama waves to a crowd gathered inside a hangar at the Muniz Air National Guard Base, shortly after his arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Obama's visit to Puerto Rico marks the first by a sitting U.S. President since John Kennedy. Obama is backed by Puerto Rican and American flags.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — President Barack Obama told Puerto Ricans Tuesday that he's committed to the success and self-determination of the U.S. island territory, welcome words that could help him with Puerto Rican voters in all states as the 2012 election approaches.

Obama spoke to Puerto Ricans excited to host a U.S. president for the first time since John F. Kennedy stopped here in 1961, an event that's still remembered fondly. Residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential general elections — only in primaries — one of many factors that give rise to a sense of second-class citizenship among some here.

In remarks to a friendly crowd at a welcoming ceremony at the airport in San Juan, Obama quickly turned to the decades-old debate about the island's status, which has some pushing for statehood or even independence. The president reaffirmed his support for a referendum in which island voters would resolve the matter for themselves, eliciting cheers when he said: "When the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you."

The words could resonate not just here but with the millions of Puerto Rican voters on the mainland, including hundreds of thousands in politically important Florida, where Obama stayed overnight Monday before flying here Tuesday morning.

About 4.6 million Puerto Ricans live on the mainland, boosting a fast-growing Hispanic population that is becoming increasingly important in American politics.

Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Obama noted that he was making good on a campaign promise to visit Puerto Rico as president. He talked about his commitment to including Puerto Rico in his administration's initiatives, such as the health care bill, and praised Puerto Ricans' cultural achievements and contributions to American society and the military. The president singled out Dallas Mavericks player J.J. Barea, a celebrity here as a Puerto Rican athlete on a championship team.

"Every day, Boricuas help write the American story," the president said, using a term for Puerto Ricans. His feel-good message included references to Puerto Rican foods and sprinkled in a little Spanish.

The president spoke in front of American and Puerto Rican flags lined side by side. Then his motorcade took him through sunny streets lined with palm trees as he headed from the airport to a visit with the island's Republican governor, Luis Fortuno.

The president sped past crowds of thousands of islanders waving American flags lined up along the highway. Along the way, a huge banner filled eight stories of a building, featuring the images of Kennedy and Obama. "We are proud to be part of history," it said.

At the governor's mansion, La Fortaleza, Fortuno told Obama: "On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico we want to welcome you. I guess you saw a taste of it driving over here. We are proud to welcome you and we thank you for the visit."

"I cannot be more honored to be here," said the president, joking that he just wished he could jump in the ocean.

The governor's compound features stunning views of the Caribbean.

As the president's motorcade approached, protesters with megaphones could be heard in the distance calling for "Independencia para Puerto Rico" — independence for Puerto Rico.

About 20 demonstrators kept an all-night vigil at a colonial fort in San Juan to protest Obama's visit. They want the release of three Puerto Rican nationalists imprisoned in the U.S.

By venturing into Puerto Rico, Obama is courting a population that is concentrated in the New York region but that also has established a foothold in Florida, where about 841,000 Puerto Ricans live, according to the 2010 census.

While administration officials said the visit gives Obama a chance to interact with Puerto Ricans, he was spending only about five hours on the island. He was to be in a closed Democratic National Committee fundraiser for part of that time, after sitting for interviews with Puerto Rican journalists.

The president did make time to mix with residents, making an unannounced stop at a local lunch spot a couple of blocks from the beach. As customers snapped pictures with their cellphones, the president, in shirtsleeves, ordered the house specialty: a Medianoche sandwich — ham, pork and swiss with pickles and mustard on a sweet bread.

The recession hit Puerto Rico harder than the mainland, with unemployment rising to nearly 17 percent. It had dropped to 16.2 percent in April.

Fortuno said in an interview with The Associated Press that the economy is the biggest issue among islanders. And because they are U.S. citizens, immigration is not as potent a political subject as it is with other Hispanic groups.

Still, he said, "Many issues cut across the different subgroups within the Hispanic community."

The governor said he welcomed the attention his island is getting and credited a growing regard among politicians for the Hispanic vote.

"There is a heightened level of awareness about the importance of the Latino vote that hadn't existed for a while," he said.

Granby Police Chief Alan Wishart convinces Town Meeting to fund new 4-wheel drive vehicle

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Town Meeting did not muster the two-thirds majority needed to fund an assessment of municipal buildings.

Alan Wishart 2003.jpgAlan P. Wishart

GRANBY – At Town Meeting on Monday, Granby voters approved the Police Department’s request for $29,000 for a new four-wheel-drive vehicle.

That’s no surprise. The old four-wheel vehicle the police have been using is shot.

The surprise is that Granby Police Chief Alan Wishart had to fight hard for the funding, returning to the podium over and over again to convince voters that, as the only 24/7 emergency response agency in town, his department needs the vehicle.

It’s a sign of the times. Voters have been thinking twice about spending in this economy. State aid has dropped precipitously. John J. Libera, chair of the Finance Committee, reminded voters that the landfill in Granby, a source of more than $1 million in annual revenue, will close in December.

“We have to change the way we do business,” said Libera.

He asked why the police need six vehicles. Why they weren’t shopping for a used four-wheel-drive vehicle instead of a new one. Why Police and Fire Departments can’t share a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

He told voters that if this motion passed, they should vote down the request for a new police cruiser.

More expenses are on the horizon, said Granby Highway Superintendent David Desrosiers. He was asking for $20,000 to help bring a stormwater discharge system up to standards mandated by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

The sum was just “a tip of the iceberg,” Desrosiers warned, adding that it will cost the town much more to comply with 55 pages of new regulations, including anti-pollution measures. Are the benefits worth the cost? Desrosiers doubts it. “But we have a gun to our head,” he said.

He got his $20,000. The police got their new cruiser, their four-wheel-drive vehicle and a back-up repeater they can use in case of malfunction.

The ambulance fund got $15,900 for an Auto Pulse CPR Unit and the Fire Department got $130,000 for a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.

West Street Elementary School was allotted money for a new roof. The Senior Center got funding for an elevator, which will make the second floor of its building ADA-compliant and thus available for town use.

The town also voted to use $292,800 to create a municipal solid waste disposal enterprise fund, which will identify the total costs of trash disposal and help determine how to fund it. “The town must come up with a waste disposal program that is self-sustaining,” said Selectboard member Mary McDowell.

Unfortunately, Town Meeting did not muster the two-thirds majority needed to fund an assessment of municipal buildings.

Such an assessment might have finally settled the question of what the town should do with some of its historic but deteriorating buildings, a subject that has been hotly debated.

Joseph Trombley of Holyoke, Roger Bancroft of Belchertown, arrested in Amherst motor vehicle break-ins

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Police arrested Trombley at his home while Bancroft turned himself in, police said.

Bankcroft Trombley 61411.jpgRoger R. Bancroft, left, and Joseph A. Trombley are seen in their Amherst Police Department booking photos.

AMHERST - Police Tuesday arrested two men Tuesday in connection with motor vehicle break-ins June 5.

Police arrested Joseph A. Trombley, 32, of Holyoke and Roger R. Bancroft, 42, of Belchertown.

Trombley was arrested at home Tuesday morning and Bancroft turned himself in to the police station in the afternoon, according to police.

Both were charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, larceny more than $250 and malicious destruction of property more than $250, car windows.

The pair were identified following an investigation, police said. Both are expected to be arraigned later today at Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown.

The investigation is continuing, according to Amherst police.

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