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Irish ancestry in US is dwindling, but Massachusetts still has most Irish-folk

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Only 10.5 percent of Americans - or one in ten people - traced their ancestry back to Ireland in 2013, according to a report by the Pew Research Center in Washington. That's down from 15.5 percent in 1990.

On St. Patrick's Day in the US, seemingly every other blarney-speaking bloke proclaims an Irish heritage as he slugs back watery green beer to the tune of bad Celtic music.

But the fact is, only 10.5 percent of Americans - or one in ten people - traced their ancestry back to Ireland in 2013, according to a report by the Pew Research Center in Washington. That's down from 15.5 percent in 1990.

Massachusetts still maintains the highest proportion of Irish-folk, with 21.2 percent of the population claiming they're of Irish descent in 2013. New Hampshire takes a close second with 20.5 percent, and Vermont and Maine tie for third with 18 percent.

Northeast states lead in Irish ancestry

Walpole is the most Irish town in Massachusetts, Cenus numbers show, with 40 percent of the population there claiming Irish ancestry.

The Irish make up the second-largest ancestry group in the U.S. after Germans, Pew said in its report.

The number of Scotch-Irish in the US has also dipped from about 2.5 percent in 1990 to just under 1 percent in 2013.

Pew pulled the figures from The US Census Bureau, which has periodically asked Americans to identify their ethnic ancestry since 1980 and each year since 2005.

Census numbers also show that Irish-Americans tend to be more well-educated and bring in higher salaries than other ancestry groups.

About 35 percent of people claiming Irish lineage had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2013, compared to 29.6 percent nationwide. And the median income in 2013 for households headed by an Irish-American was $60,967, considerably higher than the nation's overall average of $52,250.

In the U.S., Irish ancestry is declining


Ware officials to discuss objections to school choice with trio of legislators

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Members of the school committee say there is no requirement that parents meet with the administration prior to deciding to utilize school choice, and as a result they have little or no idea why students attend elsewhere


WARE - A trio of legislators are scheduled to meet with selectmen and the school committee Tuesday night and discuss the municipality's disenchantment with the state's school choice program that has cost the town $4.3 million the past five years.

The large sum of tuition money is being paid by the town to school districts outside of Ware - where parents have opted to send their children for an education - which is allowed by school choice.

The three state legislators listed on the selectmen's meeting agenda for March 17 are: Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer; and Reps. Todd Smola, R-Warren, and Donnie Berthiaume, R-Spencer.

According to the school, 6 percent of the operating budget is lost to school choice payments.

The district says $910,578 was paid in out-of-district tuition during the previous fiscal year.

Information provided by the administration in November shows that in addition to the 154 Ware children attending outside of town via school choice, another 67 attend parochial or private schools; and that 22 are home-schooled here.

Local officials say they do not expect to get rid of school choice, but would like to see changes to it.

Ware school committeeWare school committee discussing the negative impact school choice has on district finances at a March 11, 2015 meeting, L-R, Brian Winslow, Chairman Aaron Sawabi, Vice Chair Danielle Souza, Marcia Vadnais, and to her left is Superintendent Marlene DiLeo. Board member William Gunn was absent.  

Members of the school committee say there is no requirement that parents meet with the administration prior to deciding to utilize school choice, and as a result they have little or no idea why students attend elsewhere.

At numerous school committee meetings the officials said they believe that a parent should be required to discuss leaving the district with the administration beforehand.

Amherst holds its 3rd parking forum, asking people to prioritize need

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Amherst officials want participants to prioritze parking suggestions.

AMHERST — Amherst officials are holding the town's third forum on parking March 24, and this one will be more interactive.

Officials are hoping participants will provide feedback on some of the options and fill out a priority form indicating which they would like to see the town tackle first, said senior planner Jeff Bagg.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in the Bangs Community Center.

He said after the first two parking forums, planners have funneled the comments into six groupings they want people to consider, including the current permit system and whether to expand it or how to make it more efficient.

Currently people who live, work or own property or businesses downtown can purchase a permit for $25 a year and park on streets just outside the downtown. Permits are required in those locations from Sept. 1 through May 30.

Bagg said another consideration is looking at the lots and metering system, and whether to have different rates depending on the location.

Signage is another issue. Some of the lots are not clearly labeled.

He said they also want to look at both public and private parking lots and see if there might be some kind of arrangement the town can make to use private lots when they are not being used.

Another topic is the building of a new garage; some support it and others don't. One possible siting would be the CVS lot.

Bagg said the perception is there is not enough parking, especially during peak hours. The town has grown, and there are more restaurants increasing the demand.

No new parking has been offered since the 188-space Boltwood Walk Parking Garage opened in 2002.

Once priorities are set, they can be moved to the appropriate departments to address them.


Truck backs into pump at Westfield gas station

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A truck ran into canopy at a Westfield Citgo station Monday afternoon and took off without reporting the damage, police and a station employee said.

A truck ran into the canopy at a Westfield Citgo station Monday afternoon and took off without reporting the damage, police and a station employee said.

Flora Tritscher, a manager at the station, said the pump was back up and running after a truck accidentally backed into it while trying to exit the parking lot.

"The canopy is bent," Tritscher said. "The nozzle is already fixed."

According to Tritscher, the truck operator replaced the gas nozzle in its holder after knocking it to the ground, but left without reporting the accident.

Westfield police said in a report the crash was captured on video and that the driver told officers he was not aware he had caused any damage. The driver was issued a verbal warning for failure to disclose the crash to station employees, according to the report.

Northampton St. Patrick's Association breakfast sends up mayors Alex Morse and David Narkewicz

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The 35th-annual event, sponsored by the Northampton St. Patrick's Day Association, was held in the grand ballroom at the Hotel Northampton.

NORTHAMPTON — In the grand tradition of the Irish, the guest speakers at Tuesday's 35th-annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast poked fun at everyone and everything they could think of, including Mayor David J. Narkewicz,, massage parlors, and Holyoke, Holyoke, Holyoke.

The event, sponsored by the Northampton St. Patrick's Day Association, was held in the grand ballroom at the Hotel Northampton and featured two keynote speakers: Dr. Raymond F. Conway, the head of Emergency Services at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and Brian Rust, a former police lieutenant and current head of security at Cooley Dickinson.

The Paper City will host its annual St. Patrick's Sunday, but that doesn't mean the speakers at the Northampton event let the city off easy.

Wondering why Mayor Alex Morse was in the crowd, Rust cracked:"The Mayor of Holyoke said he only comes to Northampton with his cousin for pizza."

The joke was a reference to an incident last March in which Morse's cousin was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol after driving his car onto the Nagle Walkway near the former Union Station restaurant, supposedly on his way to get pizza.

whalen.JPGFrancis Whalen, 2015 Parade Marshal, flanked by Chris Powers (left) and Larry Costello (right).

Northampton Mayor David J. Narkewicz, who sat at the head table, saw his city take its lumps as well.

Fr. John Connors, the pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, quipped: "If I look a little shorter this year, Mayor, it's because I'm standing in a pothole"

Alluding to the rainbow crosswalk on Main Street that sparked controversy last year, Rust suggested it was a tribute to the Irish legend of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Rust also took a jab at a recent hubbub over area massage parlors allegedly performing sexual services.

"The one in Northampton is called 'shillelagh'," he said.

The breakfast concluded with the association presenting its 2015 Parade Marshal banner to Francis Whalen, 85. Other honorees included the 2015 James Brennan Award winner Kay Kowalski; the 2015 Joan Tobin Scholaship winner Liam Keefe; and the 2015 William O'Connor Shanachie winner Jack Shaughnessy.

Following the breakfast, the group headed to Fitzwilly's for its traditional "post-breakfast daylong gathering."


Chicopee City Council to discuss funding $730,000 in expenses

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Masslive will report on the meeting live starting at 7:15 p.m.

CHICOPEE - The City Council is meeting tonight to discuss spending more than $730,000 to do everything from replacing water pipes and replacing a sewer truck to fire department overtime and studying one of the most congested intersections in the city.

The total request for funding is $730,815. Some of the money is to come from the city's free cash account while some will come from the Water Department.

The largest amount is $350,000 to replace a specialized truck for the Wastewater Treatment Department. The truck is used to clean lines and can also send a wire down that can televise problems with the lines. The request is to replace an existing truck which is 24-years-old.

City officials are also requesting $60,000 in legal fees to fight a civil rights suit brought by Maylene Maldonado against the Police Department.

The City Council will meet at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers of City Hall. Masslive will report on the meeting live.

Chicopee City Council Agenda for March 17

Air Force vet from NJ arrested on terrorism charges; planned to join ISIS

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A grand jury indicted Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh on charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group and obstruction of justice.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say a U.S. Air Force veteran has been arrested on terrorism charges in a plot to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

A grand jury indicted Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh , of Neptune, New Jersey, on charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group and obstruction of justice.

He will appear Wednesday in federal court in New York City and is now in custody. It isn't immediately clear whether he had been assigned an attorney who could comment on the charges against him.

Prosecutors say the 47-year-old Pugh had been fired from his most recent job as an airplane mechanic based in the Middle East. Prosecutors say he tried to travel from Egypt to Turkey to ultimately cross the border into Syria.

Chicopee receives $933,000 in reimbursement for Oct. 2011 storm

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The city has already received more than $3.5 million in storm reimbursements.

CHICOPEE - More than three years after a rare October snowstorm downed trees and power lines and left residents without electricity for as long as a week, the city has received a final payment from the federal government for money spent on the storm.

The $933,971 payment comes from the federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program and reimburses the city mainly for cleanup expenses paid to outside contractors following the October 2011 storm. The reimbursement was funneled through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Over the past three years, the city has received millions of dollars in other reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal and state agencies for the storm which cost about $4.5 million to remove fallen trees and broken limbs and fix power lines.

"There was a lot of back and forth on this one, not just with Chicopee but with all the communities," said Sharyn Riley, the city auditor.

The money will not be available for use until late fall when the state releases the annual free cash, said Joel McAuliffe, assistant to Mayor Richard J. Kos.

The amount represents full restitution for estimated costs of labor, tools, materials and equipment needed to complete cleanup work following the storm, Riley said.

During the storm multiple departments were involved in trying to clean up city streets. In addition a number of private contractors were hired.

The reimbursements return money the city paid years ago. It includes $827,490 paid to the outside company Ashbritt for cleaning up debris, $43,875 also to Ashbritt for trimming hanging limbs; $23,394 to Northern Tree Equipment which also removed hanging limbs and $37,344 to O'Brien Company which monitored the weight of debris collected to ensure the city was being billed properly, Riley said.

"I am glad the city will be receiving this money. It will essentially be used to pay for snow bills in future years. This year's expense has already surpassed $1.3 million," Kos said.

He especially thanked Riley and now-retired Department of Public Works Superintendent Stanley Kulig for their hard work in filing for and following up with the reimbursement.


West Springfield residents encouraged to go blue for World Autism Awareness Day

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Town employees and residents are encouraged to wear blue on Thursday, April 2, and stop by town hall for a photo.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Next month, you can show your support for people with autism and their families by wearing blue and making a quick stop at town hall.

April 2 is the 8th annual World Autism Awareness Day, when landmarks around the globe turn blue to express solidarity and raise awareness of autism and autism spectrum disorder.

It's not the Eiffel Tower, but the Municipal Office Building at 26 Central St. is participating in its own way. Town employees and residents are encouraged to wear blue on Thursday, April 2, and stop by for a photo.

The town's website says a photo may be possible at one or more schools, as well. A time has not been announced yet.

"We like to think the more support, the better," said Bobby Bruso, a spokesman for the town. "If anyone wants to get involved ... we would appreciate it."

Bruso said it's possible that Mayor Edward C. Sullivan would issue a proclamation, as well.

Springfield and Westfield city halls will be lit up blue that day, and some upcoming local events hope to raise money for the cause.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and 1 in 42 boys.

 

MassMutual to Provide More Than $100,000 to Junior Achievement to Expand Financial Literacy Programs

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In 2014, MassMutual supported JA by facilitating financial education for more than 1,500 students in eight communities across the U.S. Ninety-seven percent of teachers who participated in the program believed it had a positive impact on students.

SPRINGFIELD - Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced that for the third straight year it will provide more than $100,000 to Junior Achievement USA (JA) to provide financial literacy programs to young people in 12 communities across the United States.



"Learning how to make smart money and education decisions at a young age is one of the biggest influences on future financial success," said Nick Fyntrilakis, Vice President, Community Responsibility, MassMutual. "We are proud to support Junior Achievement to empower students to take control of their financial future."

The $107,350 grant will help elementary and junior high school students gain the knowledge and skills they need to help make smart academic and economic choices. This year's grant will serve schools in 12 locations: here in Springfield, Los Angeles; Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia.; New Jersey, Las Vegas; Rochester, New York,.; Jacksonville, Florida.; Austin, Texas; Washington D.C.; ; Memphis, Tennessee.; and Baltimore.

Additionally, MassMutual representatives in the 12 communities will serve as JA volunteers, teaching the JA curriculum and sharing their personal and professional experiences with students.

Jack E. Kosakowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Junior Achievement USA, added,:

"We are thrilled to work with MassMutual volunteers who will share their professional expertise to help young people learn how to be financially responsible and successful."

In 2014, MassMutual supported JA by facilitating financial education for more than 1,500 students in eight communities across the U.S. Ninety-seven percent of teachers who participated in the program believed it had a positive impact on students.

WWLP, Channel 22, to become new home of The CW network

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The station will debut on April 1.

cw-springfield_logo.jpg 

WWLP, Channel 22, a longtime NBC affiliate in Greater Springfield, will also become home to The CW network beginning April 1.

CW Springfield, which will  be found over-the-air on digital channel 22.2, will offer 22News at 10 p.m. beginning April 13.

WWLP's move mirrors that of rival WGGB abc40. In 2008, WGGB also became home to a Fox network affiliate and offered a 10 p.m. newscast.

Last year, WGGB, was acquired by Meredith Corp., which owns the CBS affiliate in Springfield, WHSM, cbs3 Springfield. The Republican and MassLive are media partners with cbs3 Springfield.

In addition to the evening news, the WWLP program "Mass Appeal" will be rebroadcast on CW Springfield. Increased local programming, including sports, is planned, WWLP General Manager Bill Pepin said.

Some additional staffing is planned, he added.

For cable TV subscribers who currently receive the cable TV-only station Pioneer Valley CW, programs will still air on Charter Communications on Channel 13 and on Comcast systems on Channel 16 and 820.

The CW was created in 2006 when two struggling networks - CBS' UPN and Warner Brothers' The WB  - announced they would merge into a new network.

The CW is best known for such prime time fare as Jane the Virgin, Arrow and  The Vampire Diaries.

Tribal leaders: MGM Springfield could cost Connecticut 18,000 jobs

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The chairmen of Connecticut's two federally recognized Indian tribes are warning lawmakers that a new casino in neighboring Springfield, Massachusetts, could cost the state as many as 18,000 jobs unless steps are taken to address the competition.

By SUSAN HAIGH

HARTFORD, Conn. — The chairmen of Connecticut's two federally recognized Indian tribes are warning lawmakers that a new casino in neighboring Springfield, Massachusetts, could cost the state as many as 18,000 jobs unless steps are taken to address the competition.

Kevin Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said that figure includes both jobs at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino as well as vendors and other affected businesses.

Brown appeared side-by-side with Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, at Tuesday's legislative hearing. They voiced support for a bill that would allow the two tribes to open up to three jointly operated satellite casinos near the state's borders.

Anne Noble, president and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, voiced concern about the possible "cannibalization of lottery sales" with expanded casino gambling.

MGM Springfield plans to break ground on its $800 million resort casino complex next week, and is targeting a late 2017 opening.


Springfield residents, dignitaries honor Irish heritage, successes on St. Patrick's Day

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The St. Patrick's Day ceremony outside Springfield City Hall ended with the raising of the Irish Flag.

SPRINGFIELD - Residents and dignitaries gathered at City Hall on Tuesday to honor the heritage, struggles and successes of the Irish while celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

Even Mayor Domenic J. Sarno professed an apparent one-day name change, reading a proclamation as "Mayor Domenic J. O'Sarno."

The ceremony was sponsored by the Springfield St. Patrick's Parade Committee and culminated with the raising of the Irish Flag.

Sarno said the Irish-American community "has always and shall continue to be a great contributor to the well-being and betterment of our city through persistence in establishing homes and businesses, as well as sharing culture and history."

Eric Devine, the Springfield Parade Committee Parade Marshal, said the story of the Irish "had not always been about success," citing negative stereotypes about the Irish when they came to America. But over the years, with hard work and determination, the Irish people would rise up and meet those challenges," he said.

The Irish "took the jobs nobody wanted and learned the power of the vote," and transformed from being the arrested to the police doing the arresting, Devine said.

The Irish became the congressmen, mayors, city councilors, and went from being the "poor Irish student to the superintendent of schools, Devine said, as Springfield Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick stood nearby.

Springfield Colleen Molly Sullivan spoke with pride of her Irish heritage, and of her great grandparents immigrating to the United States. They left a country that was "in bondage," with oppression of their Catholic faith and their land ravaged by the potato famine, she said.

There was hardship in the United States and her grandmother was left a widow with children, and working multiple jobs, she said.

"I recognize that I cannot take for granted the opportunities I am afforded," Sullivan. " My ancestors' dedication and determination to a better life served as my motivation. Being Irish goes beyond being simply a heritage. For it is also an identity. St. Patrick's Day is not only a day of celebration but also a day of remembrance."

The Most Rev. Mitchell Rozanski, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, said the Irish transformed their lives "because of their hard work, because of their deep faith."

That great heritage "has given birth to such freedom, and such love of country, love of God and neighbor," Rozanski said.

Environmental news links: Warm water questioned in starving sea lion pups; Fla. workers banned from saying 'climate change', and more

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See a documentary banned in China, "Under the Dome - Investigating China's Smog."

A digest of environmental stories from around the globe.


  • Warmer water tied to starving sea lion pups (The Associated Press)

  • China's divided view on cleaner air (The Washington Post)

  • Report: Florida banned state workers from saying 'climate change' (The Guardian)

  • U.S. fights $4B cut in PB fine (Blomberg)

  • Going green topic of South Hadley forum (MassLive.com)

  • University report: Plastic devastating ocean wildlife (Daily Mail)

  • beijing.JPGA road worker picks up trash along the median of a highway on a smoggy day in Beijing, in this March photo.  

    See a documentary banned in China, "Under the Dome - Investigating China's Smog."

    South Hadley looking for payment for student housing at Berkshire Hills Music Academy

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    The BHMC Executive Director Michelle Theroux "was non-committal on how and if BHMA would be willing to consider such an agreement, but was very cognizant of the cost of the municipal services provided," Town Administrator Sullivan wrote

    SOUTH HADLEY — A tax-exempt, private, not for profit school that hopes to build additional student housing will be pressed to make payments in lieu of taxes related to municipal services that would be used.

    During a meeting earlier this month involving town officials and the director of Berkshire Hills Music Academy, the non-profit institution on Woodbridge Street that serves developmentally disabled individuals, it was disclosed that they want to expand student housing.

    According to a report provided to the Selectboard by Town Administrator Michael Sullivan, who attended that March 10 meeting with Planning Director Richard Harris, the municipality would benefit from the housing expansion, but said the school should also agree to a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement.

    The BHMC Executive Director Michelle Theroux "was non-committal on how and if BHMA would be willing to consider such an agreement, but was very cognizant of the cost of the municipal services provided," Sullivan wrote.

    He said non-profits, which are exempt from paying taxes, should pay the same as other entities and individuals.

    "I feel we need to press in the future to make sure we are making non-profits, especially those who use many services the contribution the taxpayer makes," the town administrator wrote in the March 13 report.

    Sullivan also wrote in his report to the Selectboard that "All units would be counted to South Hadley's Subsidized Housing Index."

    He said the index measures the percentage of "affordable units" in a city or town and that each community must "be working towards 10 percent of housing inventory to be deemed 'affordable.'" The town's percentage is currently 5.6 percent.

    A community meeting the 10 percent threshold is not subject to controversial 40B developments.

    Municipalities, such as South Hadley, that are not at 10 percent, cannot prevent a 40B development – when a builder can obtain a state permit to construct a large housing project that need not comply with a community's local zoning bylaws.


    Judge tosses out statements to police by Ayyub Abdul-Alim in Springfield gun case; keeps statements to wife

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    A judge has tossed out statements Ayyub Abdul-Alim made to police, but is allowing statement he made to his wife to be used at trial.

    SPRINGFIELD — A judge has tossed out statements Ayyub Abdul-Alim made to police, but is allowing statements he made to his wife to be used at trial.

    Hampden Superior Court Judge John S. Ferrara said Abdul-Alim had been held too long in custody without arraignment, so the statements to police must be thrown out.

    In the current case, Abdul-Alim is charged relating to a bag of guns that was allegedly found in 2011 in a Springfield apartment that Abdul-Alim had previously managed. He was not indicted on those charges until January 2014.

    He is charged with three counts of possessing a firearm without a firearms identification card and one count of possessing a large capacity firearm.

    The next court date in the case is Tuesday, scheduled as a hearing on a motion to suppress Abdul-Alim's written statements and to set a new trial date.

    A group of supporters who have formed Justice for Ayyub come to court appearances to support him, both in the current case and in the case for which he is serving a sentence. Abdul-Alim is serving a four- to six-year state prison sentence in another gun case in which a jury found him guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a firearms identification card.

    At that trial Thomas E. Robinson, Abdul-Alim's lawyer, said police planted a gun on Abdul-Alim after several attempts to recruit him as an informant had failed.

    In his ruling on the current case, dated March 9, Ferrara said city police officer Ronald Sheehan and FBI Special Agent Hisgin of the joint federal-state anti-terrorism task force came to Abdul-Alim on Dec. 11, 2011, when he was held at the Police Department lockup pending his arraignment. This was after Abdul-Alim had been arrested in the first case for which he is now serving the sentence.

    He was told he was looking at a lengthy minimum mandatory sentence and his cooperation could possibly yield a lighter sentence. He was asked about guns and bullet-proof vests, what he had access to, and if he knew anyone who may wish to harm the U.S., Ferrara wrote.

    Abdul-Alim volunteered that he had access to a high-powered rifle and a bullet-proof vest, but did not commit to further cooperation, Ferrara wrote. The interview was not recorded, as it was "not the policy to record interviews of potential informants."

    Ferrara ruled that because the interview by Sheehan and Hisgin occurred two days after Abdul-Alim's arrest, while he was held awaiting the courts to open, the statements are inadmissible in evidence.

    He wrote that becasue the interview occurred more than six hours after the arrest, the defendant would have had to have waived his right to a prompt arraignment in order for statements to be admissible. Abdul-Alim did not waive his right to a prompt arraignment.

    As for the statements he made to his wife on Dec. 17, 2011, Ferrara allowed those to stay in evidence because at that time his wife was not acting as agent of the government. He wrote while Siham Nafi Stewart, Abdul-Alim's wife, had been in contact with Sheehan prior to meeting with her husband in jail, there is no evidence Sheehan directed her to try to obtain evidence to use against him.

    She became a paid informant for law enforcement in April 2012, Ferrara said.

    Stewart said Abdul-Alim advised her that he "had something" and that she had to move it. He had been manager of the apartment building in which they lived and had keys to all apartments including unoccupied ones.

    Ferrara wrote Abdul-Alim directed Stewart to contact his friend, who would assist her in moving and hiding the items. After Stewart left the jail, she called Sheehan, who obtained a search warrant and seized ammunition and two firearms, Ferrara wrote.

    Ayyub Abdul-Alim ruling

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wins reelection despite polls showing him in tight race

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    Netanyahu surged ahead after a last-minute lurch to the right in which he opposed Palestinian statehood and vowed continued settlement construction,

    By ARON HELLER

    TEL AVIV, Israel -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud Party scored a resounding victory in Israel's election, final results showed Wednesday, a stunning turnaround after a tight race that had put his lengthy rule in jeopardy.

    Netanyahu surged ahead after a last-minute lurch to the right in which he opposed Palestinian statehood and vowed continued settlement construction, setting the stage for fresh confrontations with the White House just weeks after criticizing U.S. talks with Iran in a divisive address to Congress.

    With nearly all votes counted, Likud appeared to have earned 30 out of parliament's 120 seats and was in a position to build with relative ease a coalition government with its nationalist, religious and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies.

    On Wednesday, Netanyahu visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, a remnant of the biblical Jewish Temple and the holiest site where Jews can pray. "I'm touched by the weight of the responsibility that the people of Israel have put on my shoulders. I wish to say that I will do anything in my power to ensure the well-being and security of all the citizens of Israel," he said.

    The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has governed for the past six years. Recent opinion polls indicated he was in trouble, giving chief rival Isaac Herzog's center-left Zionist Union a slight lead. Exit polls Tuesday showed the two sides deadlocked but once the actual results came pouring in early Wednesday, the Zionist Union dropped to just 24 seats.

    Given the final results, it is all but assured that Israel's largely ceremonial President Reuven Rivlin will task Netanyahu with forming a new government. Netanyahu says he hopes to do so quickly, within two to three weeks.

    "Against all odds, we achieved a great victory for the Likud," Netanyahu told supporters at his election night headquarters, declaring victory even before final results were known.

    Netanyahu focused his campaign primarily on security issues, while his opponents pledged to address the high cost of living and housing crisis while accusing him of being out of touch. Netanyahu will likely look to battle that image now by adding to his government Moshe Kahlon, whose upstart Kulanu party captured 10 seats with a campaign focused almost entirely on bread-and-butter economic issues. Kahlon is expected to be the next finance minister.

    A union of four largely Arab-backed factions became Israel's third largest party -- with 14 seats -- and gave Israel's Arab minority significant leverage in parliament for the first time. Ten parties in all made it into parliament.

    Herzog conceded defeat, saying he called Netanyahu and offered him congratulations. He signaled that he would not join forces with Netanyahu and would rather head to the opposition.

    "I think that at this moment what Israel needs most of all is another voice, a voice that offers an alternative and a voice that tells it the truth," he said outside his Tel Aviv home. "It must be clear that for the citizens of Israel, the challenges remain the same, the problems are the same. Nothing has changed."

    Netanyahu's return to power for a fourth term likely spells trouble for Mideast peace efforts and could further escalate tensions with Washington.

    Netanyahu, who already has a testy relationship with President Barack Obama, staked out a series of hard-line positions in the final days of the race that will put him on a collision course with much of the international community.

    In a dramatic policy reversal, he said he now opposes the creation of a Palestinian state -- a key policy goal of the White House and the international community. He also promised to expand construction in Jewish areas of east Jerusalem, the section of the city claimed by the Palestinians as their capital, where violence has increased in recent months.

    The Palestinians, fed up after years of deadlock with Netanyahu, are now likely to press ahead with their attempts to bring war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court.

    "Now, more than ever, the international community must act," said Palestinian official Saeb Erekat.

    The world overwhelmingly supports the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas captured by Israel in 1967, and opposes settlement construction.

    With the race close, Netanyahu reneged on his previous stated support for a Palestinian state in an attempt to shore up his hawkish base. But peace talks last collapsed nearly a year ago, and it's unclear whether the next government will pursue any drastic policy changes.

    Netanyahu also infuriated the White House earlier this month when he delivered a speech to the U.S. Congress criticizing an emerging nuclear deal with Iran. The speech was arranged with Republican leaders and not coordinated with the White House ahead of time in a rare breach of diplomatic protocol.

    In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama was confident strong U.S.-Israeli ties would endure far beyond the election, regardless of the victor.

    Throughout the campaign, Netanyahu portrayed himself as the only politician capable of confronting Israel's numerous security challenges.

    Avi Degani, president of the Geocartography polling institute, who had predicted an outright Likud victory, said ultimately Netanyahu's experience prevailed. "There was a situation where many people wanted to replace him but there was no one whom they wanted to replace him with," he said.

    Rivlin will now meet with all ten parties that entered parliament and hear their recommendation for who should try to form the next government. Rivlin will then task the leading candidate, almost certainly Netanyahu, with putting together a coalition that makes up a majority in parliament. Netanyahu will remain prime minister throughout the process.

    Netanyahu appears to have 67 backers who would join a right-wing nationalist government, but he could still surprise and try to reach out to centrist rivals in order to present a more moderate face to the world.

    Agawam: Teenage skateboarder in critical condition after hit and run

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    Agawam Police Sgt. Jennifer Blanchette has confirmed that the victim is a teenage boy who was skateboarding at the time of the accident. He was in critical condition and receiving treatment at Baystate Medical Center as of Tuesday night.

     AGAWAM -- A teenage boy remains in critical condition after being hit by a car on Springfield Street Sunday night, according to police.

    Agawam Police Sgt. Jennifer Blanchette has confirmed that the victim is a 16-year-old male who was skateboarding at the time of the accident. He was in critical condition and receiving treatment at Baystate Medical Center as of Tuesday night.

    The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. in the area of Springfield and Rowley streets, police said. The driver of the vehicle, described only as black car, fled the scene, leaving behind a passenger mirror. By midnight police had tracked down the car, which was then impounded.

    Blanchette said no charges have been filed against the driver. No other information was available Wednesday.

    The accident comes at a time when the town continues to assess the safety of Springfield Street, which has very few crosswalks. The Massachusetts Highway Safety Division has identified several pedestrian crash clusters along the Springfield Street corridor.

    Edwin Smith, 85, was struck and killed by a car at Springfield Street and Hastings Street in Nov. 2011.

    State fire marshal: Owner of former Deerfield grain mill damaged in blaze cited for fire code violations

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    The March 6 fire was started by an employee using a cutting and welding torch.

    DEERFIELD -- The owner of a former grain mill at the East Deerfield Rail Yard that was damaged by fire earlier this month has been fined $500 for violations of the state fire code.

    The March 6 fire was started by an employee using a cutting and welding torch to remove machinery in the building at 6 Railroad Yard Road, according to a release issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    Firefighters from Franklin and Hampshire counties and as far away as Brattleboro, Vt. were summoned to the fire, which broke out shortly after 3:20 a.m.

    The owner of the building, Phillip Nash, was cited by the state Department of Fire Services' Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit for five violations which carry a fine of $100 each, according to the release.

    The violations are: Failure to maintain fire extinguishers, failure to obtain a hot works (cutting and welding torch) permit, failure to ensure employees are familiar with the fire code, failure to obtain a permit for LP gas and failure to have a fire safety plan for renovations, alterations or demolition.

    Nash may appeal these citations to the Western Division Housing Court, the release states.

    State police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Deerfield Fire Department and the Deerfield Police Department investigated the fire.

    There was no permit from the local building official for the work being conducted in the building as required under the State Building Code.

    The Deerfield Building Commissioner has also issued a cease and desist order for all work until a registered design professional has inspected and evaluated the structure and filed a report with his office.

    Nash said the fire will not be a major setback for a planned $1 million-plus renovation of the site.

    He estimated damage at $50,000, and said the required repairs are mostly confined to an area of the roof and some framing. His current plans for the site, a mixed-use industrial and commercial project marketed as the Deerfield Innovators Mill, already called for removal of the building's floors and corrugated tin siding.

    Ludlow Police Department promotions approved

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    The promotions were all recommended by Police Chief Paul Madera.

    LUDLOW - The Board of Selectmen have approved the promotion of a new lieutenant, two new sergeants and a provisional sergeant for the Police Department.

    Those promoted are Sgt. Michael Brennan promoted to lieutenant, Patrolman Michael Gilrein promoted to sergeant, Provisional Sgt. Brian Shameklis promoted to sergeant and Patrolman James Sevigne promoted to sergeant.

    The promotions all were recommended by Police Chief Paul Madera.

    "I am confident in the men's abilities," Madera said. He added that he is "fortunate" to have such men in the Ludlow Police Department.

    Officers were asked what they would like to see changed about the Police Department.

    Gilrein said, "More manpower for drug investigations."

    Brennan said additional manpower would be helpful so more training can be provided to officers to "modernize and professionalize" the department.

    Selectman William Rooney called all the candidates "fantastic."

    Selectman Aaron Saunders praised Gilrein for all the "narcotics work he has done."

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