Approved by voters via a 2005 ballot question, the Community Preservation Act provides money for housing, conservation, historic preservation and recreation by adding a surcharge to property taxes.

NORTHAMPTON - As the Community Preservation Committee begins its examination of applications for the first round of funding in 2015, a massive project looms over it.

The Department of Public Works is seeking $1.675 million in Community Preservation Act funding, nearly ten times what the committee has left in its pot, to renovate Pulaski Park. With the Planning Department, the Conservation Commission and Historic Northampton also applying to money, a condominium association seeking $200,000 to redo the stairwells and the former county jail and the owners of the historical Seth Thomas clock asking for money for repair work, there is more than enough demand for the $180,000 the CPC has left over from the last round of funding.

Approved by voters via a 2005 ballot question, the Community Preservation Act provides money for housing, conservation, historic preservation and recreation by adding a surcharge to property taxes. The state originally matched the local money 100 percent through revenues from the Massachusetts halls of records. As more communities joined the program, however, and as the pace of real estate transactions slowed, the state's share has decreased. Currently, it is matching only 30 percent of the local revenues, according to Sarah LaValley, the Planning Department liaison to the Community Preservation Committee.

The $2.475 million renovation of Pulaski Park has been in the works for a long time. The project has already received a $400,000 grant from the state to help get it started. Considered by some the most underused resource in downtown Northampton, Pulaski Park will be give a complete face job, with trees moved or added, utilities buried and public performance areas created.

Because the request exceeds the current revenues, the city could borrow or bond for the additional funds, LaValley said. It would not be the first time the CPC has does so. It also bonded to pay for the purchase of the Bean/Allard farms and their conversation to playing fields. The committee also bonded to pay for a major renovation project at Forbes Library. It will begin its review of the six applications on March 18 and have it recommendations ready for the City Council in May.

Police arrest Chicopee man who tried to impede arrest of his friend.

AMHERST - Amherst police arrested two men Saturday night after those at a party refused to lower the music.

Just after 9 p.m. Saturday night police responded to a loud music complaint on Phillips Street and when the resident refused to lower the volume, police arrested him for violating the town's unlawful noise bylaw.

When a party goer didn't like his friend being arrested, he allegedly tried to impede the arrest and he too ended up being arrested. The arrests were among the six initiated during the day of the Blarney Blowout. 

Police arrested Matthew R. Crosby, 23, of Southwick and charged him with violating the town's unlawful noise bylaw.

Jeremy E. McGarry, also 23, of Chicopee was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after he allegedly tried to prevent the arrest, police said.

Crosby is listed as a student at the University of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts has the lowest rate of uninsured females and the highest percentage of women up-to-date on cervical and breast cancer screenings.

The Bay State isn't the top dog when it comes to quality of life for women, according to a new study, but it's close.

In honor of Women's History Month, WalletHub, a personal finance social network,
published "2015's Best and Worst States for Women." Massachusetts ranked No. 2 on the list, trailing only Minnesota.

Massachusetts has the lowest rate of uninsured females, the study says, and the highest percentage of women up-to-date on cervical and breast cancer screenings.

The report ranked each state based on economic and social well-being - Massachusetts got No. 3 for that category - and health care access, for which the commonwealth was rated No. 2.

Five New England states made the top 10, with Vermont coming in at No. 3, New Hampshire at No. 5, Maine at No. 6 and Connecticut at No. 7.

Rhode Island took No. 18.

Arkansas was the overall worst place to live for women, according to the study, which considered the following economic and social well-being factors for each state:

• Median earnings of female workers

• Unemployment rate for women

• Percentage of women living in poverty

• Share of women-owned businesses

• High school dropout rate for women

• Percentage of women who voted in the 2012 presidential election.

The study also reviewed women's hospitals ratings, the female uninsured rate, women's preventative health care and women's life expectancy.

In Aug. 2014, WalletHub ranked Massachusetts at No. 14 for women's equality.

The Springfield gunmaker said that total sales for its third quarter were $130.6 million, a decrease of 10.5 percent from net sales of $145.9 million for the third quarter last year.

SPRINGFIELD - Smith & Wesson's stock price went up this week after the company released earnings that beat Wall Street estimates despite being down from the same time a year prior.

Smith & Wesson shares ticker symbol SWHC, were trading at $14.13 a share on Friday, up from $13.80 a share on Monday.

Smith & Wesson's regular quarterly earnings release was just one of the business stories making headlines last week:

1) Smith & Wesson announces declines in sales, profits; cites strong orders at 2015 SHOT Show

Smith & Wesson reported Tuesday that income from continuing operations  a measure of profitability, for the third quarter of Smith & Wesson's fiscal year was $8.2 million, or 15 cents per share. This is compared with $20.1 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter the last fiscal year.

The Springfield gunmaker said that total sales for its  third quarter were $130.6 million, a decrease of 10.5 percent from net sales of $145.9 million for the third quarter last year.

2) Massachusetts women's full-time median wage 81 percent of men's: Bureau of Labor Statistics

We learned a little more about gender discrimination in the workforce this week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Massachusetts women who worked full-time in 2013 earned a median weekly wage of $900.

The good news: that is the highest median wage for women in the country. But that $900 a week is only 81.2 percent of the $1,109 median weekly wage for males who worked full-time.

3)Big E Vice President Sue Lavoie to retire after 49-year career

Lavoie joined the staff of The Big E in June 1966 and has held a number of positions over the years. She  was appointed  of vice president in 1986.

In the news release announcing her retirement, Lavoie recalled a Big E where the streets were dirt and the buildings were really sheds. She's seen a lot of changes at the fair.

4) Under construction: Human Resources Unlimited readies $2.6 million center in Springfield

HRU  is readying a $2.6 million, 17,600-square foot building at 60 Brookdale Drive in East Springfield. The organization, which provides programing for those living with disabilities, hopes to move in a few months.

5)Argotec to consolidate Easthampton operations in Greenfield

There are 72 employees at the former Stevens Urethane plant in Easthampton purchased by Argotec in 2014. Argotec is expanding its plants in Greenfield.

The company makes plastic films for everything from bullet-resistant glass to smartphone screens. 

The base is alerting the public of the flights because of the possibility of increased aircraft noise.

WESTFIELD - The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base announced it is planning a series of nighttime training flights for the next two weeks, beginning Tuesday evening.

The flights are expected to depart from Barnes between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. and return to the base between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

The base is alerting the public of the flights because of the possibility of increased aircraft noise.

"We do not want to alarm the residence around the local area of Westfield who may be startled by the increase in aircraft activity during the evening hours," the base said in a statement.

"The evening missions are a critical part of our required reoccurring training. The night-training is required to ensure our pilots are ready to respond to any airborne threat in the Northeastern United States, at any time, in any condition."

The forum was held Saturday night at the Wilbraham Public Library.

WILBRAHAM - The three finalists for the Wilbraham town administrator position said at a public forum that they would consider themselves very fortunate if they are offered the job.

"You have a historic, vibrant community, said Dana Reed, former longtime manager of Bar Harbor, Maine, and interim town manager in Tremont, Maine. "Who would not want this job?

The three finalists for the job are Reed, Edward Gibson, former mayor of West Springfield and Nick Breault, town administrator in East Longmeadow. They were interviewed Saturday by the Board of Selectmen and then made presentations and answered question at a "Meet & Greet" Saturday night at the Wilbraham Public Library.

Gibson, who said he has a business background, was West Springfield's first mayor, serving for 11 years. He said he "got tired of running for election every two years" and said he enjoys serving as town administrator in Becket.

Gibson said Wilbraham is well known as "a solid community."

"Citizen participation in government in Wilbraham is well known," he said.

Gibson said he "believes in building a team" and he said that if he takes the job, he would be "more of a coach than a manager."

He said he is aware that "most of the staff knows their jobs."

Breault said he worked as a mayoral aide for Springfield Mayors Michael Albano and Charles Ryan before going to work for the town of East Longmeadow.

Breault said he is interested in the Wilbraham job because the community "is forward thinking and dynamic."

If selected, Breault said he would try to implement some of the priorities of the town' Vision Task Force document.

Breault called the proposed police and senior centers in Wilbraham "exciting projects," but said the town has to look for ways "to pay for them."

"I would be pretty happy if I got the job," Breault said.

Police Captain Timothy Kane asked the three if they were ever put in a position which challenged their integrity while serving as chief administrator of a community.

All three candidates said they were and that more information could be found by "googling" their names.

Reed said he fired the 20-year police chief of Bar Harbor after he was found drunk in a personal vehicle and an investigation showed that he intimidated the officers who found him.

"Nobody who works for the town should feel they are above the law," he said. Following the termination, Reed and the Town Council reached a separation agreement.

The largest teacher's union in the state has responded to the threat of three Boston lawyers regarding the state cap on charter schools, dismissing the basis for the suit.

The largest teacher's union in the state has responded to the threat of lawsuit by three Boston lawyers regarding the state cap on charter schools, dismissing the basis for the suit.

Paul F. Ware Jr., Michael B. Keating, and William F. Lee told The Boston Globe they plan to file a lawsuit in the hopes of overturning the cap on the number of charter schools in Massachusetts. The three say the cap denies urban students the right to a quality education.

"Any claim that the charter school cap is the basis of Massachusetts children being denied their civil rights is appalling and deceptive," MTA President Barbara Madeloni said in a statement Sunday. "The real threat to our students -- and to our democracy -- is the two-tiered school system funded by public dollars that charter proponents will go to any lengths to expand."

Madeloni went on to say, the lawsuit "will represent just one more step in the effort to dismantle public education, put public resources into private hands, and undermine the schools in our poorest communities."

Current limits allow for up to 18 percent of the state's lowest-performing school districts to be spent on charter school tuition.

The lawsuit, the Globe reports, will be filed in either the state Supreme Judicial Court or Superior Court and will name Secretary of Education James A. Peyser and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as defendants.

While Peyser is named in the suit, he is a known advocate for charter schools. He was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker, who has also spoken against the state cap on charter schools.

Madeloni called the named defendants concerning because of Peyser and Baker's stances on charter schools. Due to their support of the efforts to lift the current cap, she called on a response to the lawsuit to be handled by the state attorney general'f office.

Whole Children, based in Hadley, serves children with disabilities.

NORTHAMPTON — In Hadley there is a center where children, some with special needs and some without, can dance, run and play all while learning critical social skills.

When Judy Herrell, owner of Herrell's Ice Cream in Northampton, learned about Whole Children's Inclusive Community Center, she decided to donate the funds from the shop's annual National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, to the organization.

"I just think the work they do is fantastic and I wanted to make sure they got some recognition and whatever money we could raise," Herrell said.

The ice cream for breakfast event was held in February, and $700 have since been donated to the organization.Other sponsors of the ice cream event included Rao's Coffee, Paradise Copies, Flyer Girl, Thornes Marketplace and All Star Dairy.

"We are so grateful for any donations received because it all goes towards the mission of helping children learn the social skills they will need to succeed," said Carrie McGee, one of the founders of Whole Children which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

"The classes we put together give children with disabilities social skills in a really fun setting," said Joyce Paige, the Outreach Coordinator for Whole Children.

The group was started by several mothers with children who had various disabilities and no place to take them to for recreation, Paige explained. They started with gymnastics and have since expanded. Now they offer activities to children ages 3 to young adults.

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz serves as a celebrity scooper for the Eat Ice Cream For breakfast event at Herrell's Ice Cream. Herrell's Ice Cream 

"I happened to do gymnastics so that is how we started it all. The kids were sick of doing therapy and this way they were doing something they enjoyed whole we sneeked in some developmental work and social skills training," McGee said.

The organization started with 26 families and since then has partnered with the Association for Community Living in Springfield and helped more than 800 families.

"We have this huge array of programs and classes and all are designed to build community and to teach them skills they can take back and be part of their local basketball team or a play at school or participate in recess games they may not be able to learn on the spot," McGee said.

The organization also unofficially serves as a support group for parents.

"What we didn't expect was that as parents we needed each other too," she said. "While the kids are in a class we are sharing what doctors we like or issues we are struggling with."

The program is open to children from any community not just Hadley and children without special needs are also welcome.

"We have participants who don't have special needs, but just enjoy being in this innovative environment where things are done a little differently," she said.

Herrell said she hopes the ice cream event successfully highlighted the organization.

"It was such great fun and really helped promote awareness for the Whole Children organization. Personally, I feel it was not only a financial success, but also an informational success," she said.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association says Sagan should not be overseeing the board because of his strong advocacy on behalf of charter schools.

BOSTON — A Massachusetts teachers union is objecting to Gov. Charlie Baker's pick to chair the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, calling the appointment "highly political."

The Massachusetts Teachers Association, which represents 110,000 teachers, released a statement Friday evening opposing Baker's appointment of Paul Sagan to lead the Board of Education. The union cited Sagan's strong support of charter schools, which some public school advocates say draw money away from the public schools.

"Sagan has been a leader of the campaign to lift the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts, and it is disturbing that someone with that view will hold such a prominent place in overseeing public education," said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni. "Commonwealth charter school supporters advocate for the expansion of a two-tiered education system funded by public dollars, and they do not deserve such a platform."

Sagan's past experience is primarily as a manager. He is an executive in residence at the venture capital firm General Catalyst Partners and former president and CEO of Akamai Technologies. His involvement in education is as an advocate for charter schools, through the advocacy group Massachusetts Business Leaders for Charter Public Schools.

Asked about his views on charter schools at a Friday press conference, Sagan said that while he has been a "very strong advocate" for charter schools and still supports raising the state's cap on charter schools, he recognizes that that decision is made by the Legislature, not the board of education. He said his role now is "more broad," and he recognizes that his responsibility is "for all kids."

Secretary of Education Jim Peyser and Baker, a Republican, are also charter school supporters who support raising the cap on charter schools.

Madeloni said the teachers union, which opposes lifting the cap on charter schools, is concerned that the Massachusetts Business Leaders for Charter Public Schools is supportive of "favoring the privatization of public resources."

"The board needs qualified educators, not venture capitalists, setting the course for public education in the Commonwealth," Madeloni said.

Tom Gosnell, the president of a smaller Massachusetts teachers union, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, through a spokesman declined to comment, saying he did not know enough about Sagan.

Lifting the charter school cap – a law that limits the number of charter schools allowed in a school district – has been a major issue in Boston, where demand for charter schools far outstrips supply, and also in cities like Holyoke and Greenfield, which are underperforming school districts that are not allowed to have any more charters under the cap. Bills proposed in the Legislature last session would have lifted the cap on low-performing districts. But the move was rejected by the state Senate.

The Boston Globe reported on Sunday that a group of Boston lawyers is now planning to challenge the charter school cap in court, arguing that it is illegal under the Massachusetts Constitution because it denies some students a quality education.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools, with admission generally by lottery, but they are allowed more flexibility with curriculum, length of the school day, teacher pay and hiring. The money the state would pay to the public school to educate that student is paid to the charter school, although the school district is still reimbursed for part of the cost of that student.

More graphic evidence from the Boston Marathon bombing is expected to be presented to jurors this week in the federal death penalty trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Watch video

BOSTON -- More graphic evidence from the Boston Marathon bombing is expected to be presented to jurors this week in the federal death penalty trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

The first two days of the trial were filled with gripping testimony from survivors and accompanied by an intense mix of photographs and videos of the bombing.

Surveillance video like the one from Marathon Sports shown above was presented in court to show where witnesses and victims were when the bombs went off. Additional video from witnesses like Colton Kilgore of North Carolina gave jurors an idea of what the chaos on Boylston Street was like in the aftermath of the bombing. Kilgore recorded extensive video near where the first bomb went off.

Iconic survivor Jeff Bauman was presented with some of the images of him and the bombers from the day of the attack. Bauman successfully identified the bombers from his hospital bed after losing both of his legs.

The father of Martin Richard, Bill, was stoic while he recalled what happened on April 15, 2013. He was presented with graphic images of his injured family in the aftermath while he was on the stand and seated just 15 feet away from Tsarnaev.

Some videos, like the Forum restaurant security footage, has not been released to the public by Judge George O'Toole on sensitivity grounds.

Nearly all of these videos and images have never been seen by the public before.

The trial continues today. Tsarnaev is charged with 30 counts stemming from the incidents that occurred the week of the Boston Marathon bombing and could face the death penalty if convicted.

The Northampton City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that would require home and business owners to remove snow or ice within 24 hours after a storm. Under the law, those who fail to do so would face a first-time fine of $50, and $100 and $250 for second and third offenses. The progressive fine schedule would reset every winter.

NORTHAMPTON -- Local property owners with a tendency to procrastinate when it comes to clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks could soon be facing steeper fines.

The Northampton City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that would require home and business owners to remove snow or ice within 24 hours after a storm. Under the law, those who fail to do so would face a first-time fine of $50, and $100 and $250 for second and third offenses. The progressive fine schedule would reset every winter.

The measure must be approved a second and final time before being put on the books.

Mayor David Narkewicz, who sponsored the ordinance, said the existing law that enforces snow and ice removal lacked teeth. This became especially troublesome after the Northampton Business District, which had assumed responsibility for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in front of downtown establishments, was dissolved in November.

"On the whole, the downtown business property owners have done a good job, but we did identify some gaps in areas when the BID went away and the snow clearing went away," Narkewicz said Monday.

The ordinance clarifies that the responsibility for sidewalk clearing falls on the owner, not on the tenant, Narkewicz added, and gives property owners more of a financial incentive to get the job done in a timely manner.

Property owners within either the Northampton or Florence central business districts would face stiffer restrictions, as they would be required to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm, or 9 a.m. the next day - whichever comes first.

"It makes sense to have the downtown sidewalks in front of stores be cleared by the start of the business day," Narkewicz said.

The ordinance also allows the city's Department of Public Works and parking enforcement officers to issue fines to those who violate the law. As the law stands, only Northampton police can do so.

Under the existing ticketing system, the city must file a civil summons with the court against whoever has failed to clear their sidewalks. The new law would make the violation a simple civil infraction.

Read the full ordinance here.

Education and Health Services, and Professional, Scientific and Business Services sectors added the most jobs in 2014.

BOSTON -- The statewide unemployment rate fell in January to 5.1 percent and the December 2014 rate was revised to 5.3 percent, according to figures released Tuesday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

January's unemployment rate was the lowest since May 2008.

Over the year, the January 2015 unemployment rate fell a full percentage point from 6.1 percent January 2014.

The statewide unemployment rate is 11.5 percent when those who have stopped looking for work and those working part-time who would rather be working full-time are taken into account.

Recent improvements in the unemployment rate came even as the labor force grew, state officials said.

In January the labor force increased by 4,800 from 3.6 million in December; 14,600 more residents were employed and 9,700 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force was 64,900 above the December 2014 estimate.

Local city-by-city jobless numbers will not be available until later this week. But in December, the most recent figures available, Springfield's unemployment fell seven-tenths of a percentage point, to 8 percent.

That was the lowest the city of Springfield's unemployment rate has been since it hit 7.6 percent in June 2008.

According to statewide numbers released Tuesday, over the month, jobs were up 2,600 with private sector gains of 800 in six of the nine measured sectors. Over the year, the number of jobs grew by 68,000, with 56,600 private sector job gains in all sectors except Manufacturing.

Education and Health Services; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities had the largest gains over the year. 

Education and Health Services, and Professional, Scientific and Business Services sectors added the most jobs in 2014.

All sector details for January 2015 are listed below:

• Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 3,800 jobs (+0.7%) over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 11,100 jobs (+2.0%).
• Financial Activities added 1,700 jobs (+0.8%) over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities added 3,500 jobs (+1.7%).
• Construction gained 1,200  jobs (+0.9%) over the month. Over the year, Construction has added 4,700 jobs (+3.8%).
• Information added 300 jobs (+0.3%) over the month. Over the year, Information added 2,200 jobs (+2.6%).
• Manufacturing gained 200 jobs (+0.1%) over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 2,400 jobs (-1.0%).
• Other Services added 200 jobs over the month (+0.1%). Over the year, Other Services jobs are up 3,700 jobs (+2.8%).
• Professional, Scientific and Business Services had no change in its jobs (0.0%) level over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 12,800 jobs (+2.5%).
• Leisure and Hospitality lost 3,900 jobs (-1.1%) over the month. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 4,200 jobs (+1.2%).
• Education and Health Services lost 2,700 jobs (-0.4%) over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 16,800 jobs (+2.3%).
• Government added 1,800 jobs (+0.4%) over the month. Over the year, Government gained 11,400 jobs (+2.6%).

Jen Jabaily-Blackburn, who works at Smith College as an administrative assistant for the Poetry center and French studies department, took home $19,700 on Monday night's episode of the game show and will advance to the next round Tuesday.

NORTHAMPTON -- She grew up watching "Jeopardy!" and now she's won it - at least once.

Jen Jabaily-Blackburn, a 34-year-old Northampton resident, took home $19,700 on Monday night's episode of the game show and will advance to the next round Tuesday.

Jabaily-Blackburn, who works as an administrative assistant for the Smith College Poetry Center and French studies department, said friends and family called her many times during Monday night's episode as they watched her compete with bated breath.

In the end, she beat out University of Illinois alum Rachel Sims and Michael Ewing of Austin, Texas, surpassing the former by $6,400.

Jabaily-Blackburn graduated from UMass Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2005 before getting her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and poetry from the University of Arkansas. She said she regularly competed in trivia nights at The Harp as an undergrad and later at the World War II Club in Northampton.

But competing on "Jeopardy!" was something else entirely, she said Tuesday morning.

"You only have your own store of knowledge to rely on," she said. "It's not like you have a teammate you can bounce ideas off of."

Jabaily-Blackburn has fielded lots of inquiries about her game show experience from curious friends since the episodes were recorded about two months ago. But the most common, she said, are related to "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek.

More than one person has asked her a particularly pressing question: "Does he smell good?"

"In all seriousness, he's such an amazing professional," Jabaily-Blackburn said of Trebek. "He is just so focused, and really the show runs so smoothly. "

Watch Jabaily-Blackburn compete on "Jeopardy!" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on WWLP-TV.

Parents can expect another survey on calendar issues in October.

WESTFIELD - Most parents and teachers responding to a week-long survey on school year calendars last week support the traditional schedule that includes both a February and April vacation.

Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion told the School Committee Monday night that of the 1,212 respondents to the survey, 715 or 59 percent support the traditional calendar for the 2015-2016 school year that begins in September.

As a result the School Committee plans to approve the traditional calendar when it meets March 16.

But, the committee also indicated it plans to conduct another survey in October on the possible elimination of February and April vacations in favor of a March one-week vacation for the 2017-2018 school year.

The survey was conducted last week by the superintendent in an effort to gauge public reaction to a change in the school calendar.

School Committee vice chairman Ramon Diaz Jr. said changes in the calendar is the result of "continuity in education and not a knee-jerk reaction to any increased use of snow days."

School officials noted that a total of five snow days, the amount routinely included in the school calendar, were used this year.

And, any calendar change in the future may become a "moot issue," said Committee member Kevin J. Sullivan, noting "the state is considering a common calendar" for all school districts.

Scallion has said school districts in Connecticut have moved to a March vacation schedule and others in Massachusetts are considering similar changes.

Scallion said the 1,212 responses to the calendar survey "speaks to a commitment to education in Westfield."

She said "715 or 59 percent of the responses support the tratitional calendar while 487 or 41 percent opted for the change. We also received over 300 comments on the survey and I am concerened that 31 percent indicated the change would present a hardship for their family." The hardship, she said, was aimed at child care.

"This was an amazing response," the superintendent said, suggesting that another poll be conducted next year.

Sullivan said he supports another poll that will include a one-year notice of any changes in the traditional school calendar.

Cancelling school for the day while repairs were underway "was probably a wise decision," said a spokeswoman for Columbia Gas.

This is an update of a story posted at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday.

MONSON - The gas leak that forced the cancellation of classes Tuesday at Quarry Hill Community School was the result of snow and ice falling from the roof and damaging the gas meter, said an official with Columbia Gas.

Andrea Luppi, Communications & Community Relations Manager for Columbia Gas, said crews are on scene repairing the damage.

The work is expected to be completed by noon and after that the building should be ready for use, she said.

She said a small amount of gas was found to have entered the building in the area of the pool.

Cancelling school for the day while repairs were underway "was probably a wise decision," she said.

School was cancelled Tuesday morning as a precaution.

Police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene as a precaution and the building was evacuated.

Because of the leak, the school's boilers had to be shut down, leaving the building with no heat.

Officials in the Monson School Department office could not be reached for comment.

Maria Dias wrote the book with her daughter, Lisa.

LUDLOW - Ludlow resident Maria Dias is promoting her new book, "Taste Portugal: 101 easy Portuguese recipes from Tia Maria's Portuguese Food Blog.

She has a book signing scheduled for March 21 from 11 a.m. until noon at Hubbard Memorial Library.

Maria will discuss and sign her new cookbook. Those who attend are invited to sample the delights of Portuguese cuisine.

The recipes include soups, sides, breads, main dishes and desserts.

Dias, a Portuguese immigrant, said that since Portuguese explorers sailed the seas in the 15th century in quest of an ocean route to the East searching for spices, their journeys introduced the world to many spices and wines, citrus fruits, potatoes, corn, chili and even coffee.

Portuguese food blogger Dias co-authored the book with her daughter, Lisa.

She said, "We predict that eventually the cuisine will be finally recognized and achieve much notoriety in the culinary world that it deserves because the food of Portugal is uniquely appealing, and memorable to anyone who tastes Portugal for the first time."

Dias, who writes Tia Maria's Blog, said her goal is to inspire others to write down their own family recipes, start a family food blog or even their own family cookbook to pass on to their children.

"In Portuguese culture, food has always been a central part of hosting social gatherings creating a welcoming atmosphere which makes even a stranger feel like family," Dias said. She added, "The cookbook will let you create your own special moments and fond memories with your families and friends. Come along, and learn how to cook 101 easy Portuguese recipes and taste Portugal," she said.

The cookbook is for sale at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com and at retailers such as Walmart and Target.

Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina replaces Priscialla Clarkson at Commonwealth College.

AMHERST - Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, author of a book that tell tells the story of slaves who grew up and became husband and wife in Deerfield in the 1700s, has been chosen to become the new dean of Commonwealth Honors College.

 Gerzina, who grew up in Springfield, will begin July 15.

She replaces Priscilla Clarkson who died in August of 2013.

Gretchen Holbrook GerzinaSubmitted 

Gerzina is  Kathe Tappe Vernon Professor of Biography and chair of the department of African and African-American studies at Dartmouth, according to a press release.

Previously, she was professor of English and director of Africana Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University and professor of English and associate dean of the faculty at Vassar College, according to a press release. 

UMass Amherst Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Katherine Newman in a statement said, "Professor Gerzina is a public intellectual of great depth and range.

"She embodies everything we treasure in higher education: extraordinary scholarship, close attention to the interests and needs of students, and that 'true North' sense of leadership that will carry the Commonwealth Honors College to even greater heights." 

Gerzina's book "Mr. and Mrs. Prince: How an Extraordinary 18th-century Family Moved out of Slavery and into Legend" was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Frederick Douglass Book Prize and the NAACP National Image Award.

Ryan, a founding member of Gray House and a member of the board of trustees at Elms College, where she earned her bachelor's degree, died at her Forest Park home surrounded by her family.

This story will be updated with reaction to Joan Ryan's passing.

In her obituary, appearing in Tuesday's edition of The Republican, Ryan, who is survived by her husband , 11 children, 36 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, was first and foremost a homemaker.

"The Ryan household usually rang with laughter and Joan was the inspiration and the cause of the happiness and love that was its constant environment, the obituary read.

"She did it all. She was a wonderful homemaker, the creator of sweaters, mittens, prayer shawls, braided rugs and quilts," it reads. "That and her innate goodness, led many of her children to assist and become a part of the significant logistics and demands of her day."

Ryan, was involved with the Gray House since its founding and a member of the board of trustees at Elms College, where she earned her bachelor's degree, died at her Forest Park home surrounded by her family.

Joan was the first lady of Springfield during Ryan's multiple terms in office.

Charlie Ryan, the only mayor in Springfield history to serve multiple terms over the span of multiple decades. Ryan served three, two-year terms starting in January 1962 and another two terms beginning in January 2004.

Public safety officials were in the process of closing Main Street to vehicle and pedestrian access between Union and Lombard streets.

SPRINGFIELD — A section of Main Street in the city's South End is closed due to a gas leak and people are being asked to leave several buildings in the area.

The leak was reported Tuesday morning in the area of the 700 block of Main St., near Adams Street. The leak was reported at the vacant site of a former auto parts store.

Dennis G. Leger, executive aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said buildings in the area are being evacuated as a precaution. Leger said the hope is that people will be able to return to the buildings in about an hour.

"They came into my building. Told me to leave," said a woman at the scene. "First time I ever had to evacuate. I lived through the tornado and everything."

Police and fire officials have closed Main Street to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from Union Street to Lombard Street.

South end is blocked off on main from Union to Lombard. Plan accordingly pic.twitter.com/hNg4U0dpTJ

— Patrick Johnson (@PaddyJ1325) March 10, 2015

This is a developing story. Updates will be posted as our reporting continues. Below, the approximate area of the reported gas leak.

Building committee member Carolyn Brennan called the site "a good fit."

WILBRAHAM - Members of the Senior Center Building Feasibility Committee think they may have finally found the ideal site for a new senior center.

Jules Gaudreau of the non-profit Wilbraham Nature and Cultural Center which oversees Fountain Park, met with the building committee Monday and offered Fountain Park as a site for a new senior center.

"This is a beautiful piece of land," Gaudreau said, "and we would be willing to lease a portion of it for a senior center for $1 year."

A change in a deed restriction which currently allows no new development on the property would have to be approved at a town meeting and by the Legislature, Gaudreau said.

He said Wilbraham's Legislative delegation would support a change in the deed restriction by the Legislature if it would help Fountain Park and the senior center.

"We think building a senior center is the right thing to do," Gaudreau said.

He added, "We believe that a senior center will be built at some point in this town."

"We would be good hosts," he said. "We would love to have you there."

Gaudreau said police officers already patrol Fountain Park and would continue to do so if a senior center is built on the property.

Dennis Lopata, chairman of the Senior Center Building Feasibility Committee, said the group will have its architect review the proposed site.

Members of the building feasibility committee said they are interested in touring the proposed location.

Paula Dubord, director of the Council on Aging, said she will arrange a tour for the members of the committee.

Trant Campbell, a member of the building feasibility committee, said there would be no site acquisition costs if a new senior center is built on the Fountain Park site.

Other sites which the committee has looked at are a soccer field in front of Mile Tree School on Main Street and property behind Christ the King Lutheran Churchy at 758 Main Street.

Carolyn Brennan, a member of the committee, said "I think this site is a great fit."

Dubord said the senior center already takes seniors to Fountain Park for walking tours and snow shoeing.

"We should get the momentum going on this," said Norma Bandarra, a member of the building feasibility committee.

Dubord said cost estimates are that a new 15,000-square-foot senior center could be built for $6 million.