With the neon lights switched off and the doors shuttered, the 24-hour Route 9 Diner has closed.

HADLEY -- With the neon lights switched off and the doors shuttered, the 24-hour Route 9 Diner has closed.

The decision was publicly announced with a note on the business door Monday morning. "Sorry the Route 9 Diner has closed. Thank you for all your support over the last 11 years."

The Daily Hampshire Gazettes reports that the decision was told to employees with one-day notice.

Sophie Marciano, a waitress for almost three years at the Diner, told the Gazette that the restaurant owners Chris Karabetsos and Archie Sedaris said on Sunday that it would be their last day of service.

Their decision to close came days after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against the business. Attorney General Maura Healey filed a discrimination complaint against the Hadley business owners with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination on Friday. She began investigating the matter after 10 former employees wrote blog posts detailing alleged harassment. 

RELATED: Sexual harassment complaint filed against Route 9 Diner in Hadley by state attorney general

Calls made to the restaurant by MassLive were unanswered. A reporter with the Gazette stopped by the diner Monday and saw a truck loaded with items from the restaurant parked behind the building. Co-owner Karabetsos declined a request for comment.

The reduced price is $8 million.

WILBRAHAM - The Police Station Building Feasibility Committee has reduced the price of the proposed new police station from $9.4 million to $8 million.

The price reduction was achieved by reducing the square footage of the building from 17,000 square-feet to 15,800 square feet.

The width of the building was reduced, but no program space was lost, Police Chief Roger Tucker said.

Interim Town Administrator Thomas Sullivan said the town is proposing to pay for $4.2 million of the cost through a debt exclusion override, with the balance being paid for out of free cash and stabilization accounts and borrowing capacity within the Proposition 2 1/2 levy limit.

On the average $272,000 home in town, the tax impact the first year of the debt exclusion would be $78.52 on the tax bill, declining to $49.78 in the 15th and final year, Sullivan said.

The proposed new police station will require approval at the May 11 annual town meeting, with approval of a $4.2 million debt exclusion vote being sought at the May 16 annual town meeting.

Sullivan was asked whether other building projects being discussed in town will hurt the chances of approval of a new police station.

"It will be the residents' choice" in future years whether they approve a new senior center or improvements to town schools, Sullivan said.

He said voters in the past turned down a debt exclusion override for a proposed new library and for a new roof and energy efficient windows for two schools in town.

If the police station is approved, the town will still have stabilization funds for other emergency needs, Sullivan said.

The proposed new station would be built on Boston Road next to the fire station.

Police Chief Roger Tucker said the new station would serve the town for another 80 to 100 years.

Public forums are being planned for April to address people's questions about the proposed new facility.

"People need to see the condition" of the existing 1910 building, Sullivan said.

A new station would improve security for prisoners, the public and police officers and would correct deficiencies in the building which was built in 1910 as a school house, Tucker said.

William Hernandez was sentenced Monday to six to eight years in state prison for heroin trafficking.

SPRINGFIELD - A defense lawyer said William Henandez came to Springfield from the Dominican Republic to better his family situation.

Matthew Fleischner, lawyer for the 49-year-old Hernandez, said his client became involved in something he regrets.

Hernandez was sentenced to six to eight years in state prison Monday by Hampden Superior Court Judge Richard J. Carey. That was the sentence recommendation agreed upon by Fleischner and Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell.

Hernandez faced a charge of trafficking heroin in the amount of 100 to 200 grams, but under the plea agreement was allowed to plead to trafficking heroin in the amount of 36 to 100 grams.

He has 301 days credit on his sentence for time spent in jail awaiting trial.

Bell said the sentence was appropriate based on Hernandez's prior history with the court as well as the facts of the case.

She said on June 3 Springfield police officers went to 397 Eastern Ave. with a search warrant.

They saw Hernandez leave through the rear of the building and approach a sports utility vehicle.

Police officers went to take him into custody and he threw 1.11 grams of heroin onto the floor of the SUV, she said.

Searching the building police found a bedroom in the basement area with the door open and a glass table with heroin and scales visible.

Police did not go in initially but got a search warrant.

In the bedroom they found 12.8 grams of heroin on the table, plus 29 additional smaller packages. There were 95.2 grams of heroin in a jacket pocket and more in other locations in the bedroom.

Hernandez had keys to the bedroom on him. They also found $217 on him as well as $1,800 in the bedroom.

Recent gunfire incidents in the area of AIC have put the campus community on alert, with beefed-up security measures and shuttle bus service to keep students off local side streets.

SPRINGFIELD — Police responded to more gunfire reports near American International College, whose campus center was struck by gunfire on Sunday afternoon.

City police responded to a 5:04 p.m. Monday report of shots fired on Maynard Street, directly across from the AIC campus. There were no apparent injuries in the incident.

Springfield Police Capt. Trent Duda told CBS 3 Springfield, media partner of MassLive / The Republican, that officers went to the intersection of Maynard and Garden streets after they were contacted by AIC campus police.

A text message was sent to college students and staff notifying them of the situation., CBS 3 reports. The message said the suspects apparently fled the area in a vehicle and encouraged students to use a campus shuttle service to avoid walking on certain side streets.

Monday afternoon's incident comes just a day after gunfire pierced a window in AIC's campus center, where a small number of students were eating lunch at about 12:35 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses told police that more than ten shots were fired. Another round hit a car that was parked on State Street near the campus.

No injuries were reported in Sunday's incident involving a shootout between two vehicles on Oak Grove Avenue, which is across from the AIC campus.

After the campus center incident, college officials sent out electronic notifications to all students and beefed up security patrols and shuttle services.

Anyone with information about the recent gunfire is asked to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355.

MAP showing approximate location of latest gunfire reports near AIC campus:

The fire was extinguished quickly, fire officials said.

WILBRAHAM - Police extinguished a fire shortly after 5 p.m. Monday at Abudanza Ristorante on Boston Road.

According to Fire Department reports, the fire broke out in the office of the restaurant at 2341 Boston Road and was extinquished quickly.

Fire officials reported that the fire was out about 6:15 p.m.

More information would be available shortly, fire officials said.

In 2014, Abudanza Ristorante was the subject of a "Restaurant Impossible" show filmed at the restaurant.

An early retirement incentive package aimed an enticing 4,500 state employees to leave the state payroll by this summer came under scrutiny on Monday from several senators who questioned whether the Baker administration was prepared for too few or too many employees opting into the program.

Early retirement plan could cause exodus in some state agencies.

By MATT MURPHY

BOSTON, — An early retirement incentive package aimed an enticing 4,500 state employees to leave the state payroll by this summer came under scrutiny on Monday from several senators who questioned whether the Baker administration was prepared for too few or too many employees opting into the program.

Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore told the Joint Committee on Public Service that she was "very confident" the administration could achieve the desired budget savings of more than $170 million with "minimal disruption" to state services.

During a probing, and at times tense, back and forth with lawmakers on the committee, Lepore said she had put together a working group to consult with agencies and develop plans for backfilling jobs at certain agencies. Falling short of retirements goals would require layoffs, according to Lepore, who said her office was also planning how to handle greater than expected interest.

"It is important that we limit the program only to executive department employees to ensure that we realize the savings through controlling rehires," Lepore said.

The program, as proposed by Baker, would offer pension incentives to executive branch employees who have reached the age of 55 or have 20 years of service. The Executive Office of Administration and Finance estimates about 14,000 employees would be eligible to add five years to their years of service or their age to boost their pensions.

The bill filed by Gov. Charlie Baker and approved by the House last week would limit rehires to 20 percent of the payroll savings. The Senate is expected to take up the bill as soon as next week, with the Committee on Public Service making its recommendations to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for possible inclusion.

Lepore said the administration was also considering whether to allow agencies, within their existing budgets, to offer employees already eligible to retire with a maximum pension up to $10,000 in cash incentives to retire.

Sen. Kenneth Donnelly, an Arlington Democrat, raised concerns over whether certain agencies with high numbers of eligible employees would be able to continue to deliver services at the same level if they experience a significant turnover.

"But we don't know what services people won't have provided to them?" Donnelly asked.

Lepore said her office was still working with agencies to get an idea of how many employees might opt for early retirement and where the bulk of the rehiring should occur. "I didn't say they wouldn't have their services. You said that," Lepore told Donnelly.

Sen. Michael Barrett, a Lexington Democrat, said he shared Donnelly's concern about what might happen if more than 4,500 employees apply for early retirement, particularly at agencies like the Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Mental Health where more than 40 percent of employees could be eligible.

"You might be significantly underestimating what Baby Boomer employees elect to do," Barrett said.

Barrett also expressed concern that the administration has not shared any of its detailed analysis with members of the Public Service Committee and he and Sen. William Brownsberger questioned whether the administration had done a comparison to private sector early programs.

"None of this analysis has been shared with members of the Legislature," Barrett said. "I'm a little concerned where this leaves us in terms of evaluating this program and deciding as a Senate how to vote on it."

Lepore responded, "I'm not sure I was asked for it, but if I was I would share it with you."

Lepore said she based the program on what had been done by the state in 2002 and 2003 when the last early retirement program ran. She said they hadn't compared the incentives being offered, which Barrett called "very generous," to the private sector.

Lepore also said the administration could be open to a cap on the number of employees who can take the early retirement. However, Gov. Charlie Baker said later he didn't know if it would be legal to do an agency-specific cap.

Rep. James Miceli, a Wilmington Democrat, questioned whether Lepore had informed individual departments that they would not be able to freely rehire retirees as consultants.

Lepore said department heads had been informed of the plan verbally, but not in writing. Miceli, telling Lepore that her message "was not conveyed," said he had heard from constituents who believed they would be able to work as consultants after they retire.

When Lepore did not understand a follow-up question, Miceli became frustrated. "I'm speaking English," he said, before each tried to talk over the other demanding that they be allow to make their point.

"No, let me finish," Miceli said. "The point I'm making is you should tell the department heads what you're plan is."

Some union officials and non-executive branch employees who would not be eligible for the early retirement program as proposed called on the Legislature to expand the program.

SEIU Local 888 President Mark DelloRusso said he was there to "plead with the committee" to expand the incentive program to more employees. DelloRusso's union represents workers in the Lottery and in higher education.

"I know the treasurer is concerned about a run on the retirement board, but I don't think that's going to happen," he said.

Sheila Dubrawski, a Lottery Commission employee with 41 years state experience, said Baker's proposal to limit the early retirement program to Group 1 classified employees within the executive branch discriminated against other Group 1 state employees with many years of service. She said employees not covered by the program will be forced to help pay for their colleague's retirement if health insurance premiums for state employees increase in July to 25 percent, as proposed by the governor.

"The proposed legislation uses the word fair and orderly, when in fact this is nothing of the sort," Dubrawski said.

Nick Favorito, director State Retirement Board, told lawmakers that the program would require his agency to process more applications for retirement in a few months than it typically handles in a year. Still, Favorito said his team would be "up to the task" and was working for the first time to find a way to accept electronically filed applications.

John Pourbaix, executive director of the trade group Construction Industries of Massachusetts, said his "major concern" was that a high number of employees with experience administering the highway department's capital program could leave, exposing the state to the loss of federal dollars.

Pourbaix, who estimated at least 400 MassDOT employees will be eligible for the program, said the federal highway department has threatened in the past to withhold funds if capital projects are not being staffed appropriately.

"We would hate to see Massachusetts returning or not taking advantage of every nickel that we could," he said.

After improvising through much of the historically harsh February storms, the MBTA plans to develop reduced trip snow schedules for next year and to purchase snow-clearing equipment, officials said after an oversight hearing Monday.

By ANDY METZGER

BOSTON — After improvising through much of the historically harsh February storms, the MBTA plans to develop reduced trip snow schedules for next year and to purchase snow-clearing equipment, officials said after an oversight hearing Monday.

Those ideas came about through a peer-review process with transit officials from New York, New Jersey, Toronto, Philadelphia and Chicago, other cities that face challenges from snow and cold.

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the MBTA has to balance between giving people a way to get around during bad weather conditions, when motorists are often discouraged from driving, and giving workers a chance to perform maintenance to protect equipment.

"We were trying to make those balancing decisions in real-time under real pressure," Pollack said, referring to high-level discussions this winter. "That's not the optimum way to do that. Now we have the advantage of learning from what did and didn't do right."

Interim MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola told reporters the proposed schedules for extreme conditions would be offered for public comment before going into effect, and he said the T would purchase diesel-powered equipment that would be able to run on the lines when the electrified third-rail is down. Pollack said the T needs "special purpose" equipment for snow removal and other tasks, rather than relying on regular subway cars.

DePaola and Pollack discussed strategies suggested by the peer review - such as a non-corrosive, non-toxic de-icer that can be used on the third rail - during an oversight hearing by the Transportation Committee.

"The thing about snow schedules that's always bothered me was the first words to come out of everybody's mouth when there's a snow event was, 'Don't drive; take the T,'" MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director Paul Regan told reporters. He said, "The T's ability to deliver service on snow days has to be as close to regular service as it possibly can... It's in the snow where they need to shine, and they haven't done it."

Regan told the News Service the T should better manage its workforce.

"There's a lot of absenteeism at the T," said Regan, who blamed that phenomenon in part ON poorly trained managers, and said the T's efforts to ensure workers showed up have slipped since about a decade ago. He said, "There was progress, and things got better. But it's one of these things where that was then and now some other part of the building's on fire."

Rep. Evandro Carvalho, a Dorchester Democrat, asked why the MBTA hadn't "caught up" to other transit agencies that use de-icer and specialized snow-clearing vehicles.

"It sounds to me kind of basic," Carvalho said.

DePaola, who was the highway chief until recently stepping in to the top of the T, said people can get "comfortable" with traditional methods of addressing situations. After the hearing, DePaola said the T ran "flawlessly" in past years during snowstorms. He said, "Basically we didn't have the need before to try different things and go out and experiment with different things. Necessity has driven us to look at new innovative methods to keep the service running under extreme weather conditions."

This winter after learning about the de-icer, the MBTA used it on the Blue Line, but the system still lacks equipment to spread it efficiently, DePaola said. He said New York and Chicago publish reduced schedules that clear the systems for maintenance during the middle of the day during extreme weather, and those systems use the relatively new de-icer.

House Transportation Chairman William Straus, a Mattapoisett Democrat - who chaired the committee by himself as Senate Chairman Tom McGee got tied up by security at an event with President Barack Obama - said the committee would hold another hearing after the release of recommendations for the MBTA by a gubernatorial advisory group.

Speakers at Monday's dedication ceremony include President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and Sens. John McCain, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

BOSTON - The formal opening of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate on Monday will be a daylong celebration of the late liberal senator from Massachusetts featuring some of the most powerful figures in the U.S. government.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the dedication ceremony, as will Secretary of State John Kerry. First Lady Michelle Obama will also attend.

Edward "Ted" Kennedy was a liberal icon who held Massachusetts' U.S. Senate seat for nearly half a century and played major roles in fighting for universal health care, immigration reform and disability rights, among other issues, despite an at-times checkered personal life.

Biden and Kerry, both Democrats, served with Kennedy in the U.S. Senate for decades, before taking their current positions in the Obama administration. Kennedy and Kerry made up Massachusetts' U.S. Senate delegation from the time Kerry was elected in 1985 until Kennedy's death from a brain tumor in 2009. Biden, in an op-ed in the Boston Globe, described Kennedy as his mentor when Biden first won a Senate seat at age 29.

Also scheduled to speak at the dedication is U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican who ran against Obama in the 2008 presidential election. McCain worked with Kennedy on immigration reform, served with him in the Senate for decades and considered him a friend.

From Massachusetts, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, both Democrats who took office after Kennedy died, will speak. So will Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat.

The new institute will be a non-partisan organization dedicated to teaching people about the U.S. Senate and encouraging civic participation. Underscoring the bipartisan nature of the institute, institute board members Tom Daschle and Trent Lott will speak. Both men are former U.S Senate majority leaders - Daschle is a Democrat and Lott, a Republican.

The institute was Kennedy's brainchild, though his family only implemented the idea after his death. "Sen. Kennedy felt he loved the institution of the Senate, and he wanted more people to know," Institute President Jean MacCormack told The Republican/MassLive.com in December.

Speaking at the dedication will be Kennedy's wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, and his sons, former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-Rhode Island, and Ted Kennedy, Jr., a Democratic state senator from Connecticut.

On Friday, March 27, 2015, workers prepare for Monday's dedication of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston.SHIRA SCHOENBERG / THE REPUBLICAN 

After the main dedication ceremony, a life-size replica of the U.S. Senate chamber, which is the centerpiece of the institute, will be dedicated in a separate ceremony, led by Biden and attended by students from around the country and by current and former U.S. Senators.

The non-profit institute is located on the UMass Boston campus, next door to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. It has taken four years since the groundbreaking for the $79 million, 68,000-square-foot building to be completed.

Visitors can see a replica of Kennedy's office. A visit to the institute will include an interactive tour, where visitors receive an electronic tablet and can learn about the Senate, then "vote" on an issue. The institute will host events related to public policy.

"We're very much committed to being bipartisan and nonpartisan," MacCormack said. "Even though we bear the name of a liberal progressive senator, it was his wish and our desire that everyone would see this as a place where people can learn about the process of government."

The institute opens to the public on Tuesday.

Watch MassLive.com for continuing coverage of the event.

The pair was arrested on Willard Avenue when they were found in a car with two guns.

SPRINGFIELD - Police arrested two men on weapons charges early Tuesday and are seeking to connect them to a reported home invasion robbery that was reported a few hours earlier, police said.

In the arrest, just after midnight on Willard Avenue, off State Street in the city's Bay neighborhood, police arrested Chaz Clark, 24, of 155 Bay St., Springfield, and Khair-Ulrin Raheem-Abdul, 26, of 919 Worthington St., said police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney.

Clark was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a firearm with two prior violent felony conviction, assault by means of a dangerous weapon and receiving stolen property.

Raheem-Abdul was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license, and improper storage of a firearm.

Delaney said officers Daniel Moynahan and Jonathan Turner spotted a new red Jeep parked on Willard Avenue. The vehicle matched a description given out for a 10 p.m. home invasion on Union Street, Delaney said.

Police photo of one of the guns recovered in the arrest of two men on Willard Avenue. Springfield police photo 

In that incident, a resident reported two men with guns burst into his apartment, ransacked the place and then left with an Xbox video game console, Delaney said.

The two officers approached the jeep, officer Moynahan spotted Clark sitting in the backseat holding handgun, Delaney said.

"Without hesitation, Officer Moynahan opened the car door and knocked the gun from the suspect's hand," Delaney's hand.

Another gun was found in the glove compartment, he said.

The gun that Clark was holding was traced back to one reported stolen in a 2011 break-in, Delaney said.

"These two officers showed professionalism and bravery making these arrests," Delaney said.
"Getting two guns and two dangerous suspects off the street is a fantastic arrest. "

The detectives are still working to connect Clark and Raheem-Abdul to the home invasion. Additional charges may be pending, he said.

Clark and Raheem-Abdul were scheduled to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Tuesday.

Those taking out nomination papers on Tuesday included three political allies taking out papers at the same time for City Council ward and at-large races.

(This updates an earlier story, seen here).

SPRINGFIELD — A dozen incumbents and challengers took out nomination papers for the 2015 election on Tuesday on the first day forms were available including two familiar foes for the Ward 8 City Council seat.

Current Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos, and his three-time foe, former Councilor John Lysak, both took out papers for the Ward 8 seat, setting up their fourth consecutive election battle in the Indian Orchard-Pine Point area.

Lysak was victorious in the 2009 and 2011 elections, beating Ramos both times, while Ramos beat the incumbent in 2013.

Lysak was the first of the two to take out papers, but Ramos fired the first salvo.

Orlando RamosFile photo 

"If he (Lysak) decides to run, I hope he keeps it clean this time," Ramos said. "I am not surprised (Lysak's running), but I haven't heard that name since probably election night. I'm surprised he still lives in the district."

Lysak, of 80 Elijah St., in Pine Point, said he is no longer an elected official, just an "average citizen."

"That's probably why people haven't noticed me around as much," Lysak said, adding that he had many constituents urging him to run again.

John LysakFile photo 

He chose not to respond to the "keep it clean" comment.

Various other residents took out nomination papers including three political allies who took out papers at the same time.

Jesse Lederman, who has already announced his candidacy for an at-large City Council seat, was joined by two of his supporters - Ward 1 Councilor Zaida Luna and Ward 3 Councilor Melvin Edwards - in taking out nomination papers at approximately 1 p.m.

Luna and Edward had previously announced their support for Lederman, 19, running for elective office for the first time.

The three candidates were joined by approximately a dozen supporters.

Nomination papers became available for the first time on Tuesday.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was the first person to take out the papers, arriving just 2 minutes after the election office opened. Subsequently, Michael Jones, of 180 Albemarle St., took out papers for mayor.

Others taking out nomination papers for the council were Ward 6 incumbent Kenneth E. Shea and Ward 7 incumbent Timothy Allen. Nonincumbents taking out papers were: Norman Roldan, Ward 1; Yolanda Cancel, Ward 3; and Kim Rivera, Ward 6.

NORTHAMPTON — The casino is coming. Faces is going. The Business Improvement District has been dissolved. The sky is falling. Few echoed Chicken Little Tuesday at a community forum on the future of downtown Northampton organized by radio station WHMP-AM at the Parlor Room on Masonic Street. In fact, no one from the public expressed such dismay, because there were...

NORTHAMPTON — The casino is coming. Faces is going. The Business Improvement District has been dissolved. The sky is falling.

Few echoed Chicken Little Tuesday at a community forum on the future of downtown Northampton organized by radio station WHMP-AM at the Parlor Room on Masonic Street. In fact, no one from the public expressed such dismay, because there were no members of the public at the forum.

"There were no questions from the public," said Mayor David J. Narkewicz, who did take part in the discussion. "It was not really a public forum."

Narkewicz was joined in the broadcast by members of a task force that is trying to fill the gap left by a judge's decision to void the BID because of flaws in its process of formation. The 15-member task force, which does not yet have a name, includes merchants and restaurant-owners who have a stake in the downtown economy. Bud Stockwell, who owns Cornucopia, a health food store in Thornes Marketplace, believes Northampton will weather the store closings on Main Street.

"Change is inevitable," said Stockwell, who has maintained a solid customer base for 35 years. "That process is good and healthy."

That said, Stockwell, who did not participate in the forum, thinks downtown Norrthampton never looked better than when the BID was thriving. The BID used fees tacked onto property taxes in the district to clean the streets, put flowers out and organize events such as the jazz festival, which drew outsiders to Northampton.

Narkewicz does not believe that void cannot be filled, however.

"A lot of communities would like to be like Northampton," he said. "It's still the place to be in the Valley."

Suzanne Beck, the executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, said her organization worked with City Hall to be proactive after the BID decision.

"I think this is a great opportunity to engage people to invest in downtown," she said.

Molly Feinstein, the owner of GoBerry on Main Street, sat on Tuesday's panel.

"We see our role as being listeners," she said of the task force. "It very much makes sense that we are all in this together."

Peter St. Martin, who owns Sylvester's and Roberto's restaurants on Pleasant Street, feels the scope of the task force should expand beyond downtown property owners.

"Everybody has to contribute," he said. "A lot of people benefit from downtown."

City Councilor David Murphy, who was not at the 8 a.m. panel discussion, is not panicking at the closing of Faces and some other downtown stores.

"It's not the end of the world," said Murphy, who runs a real estate agency.

He acknowledges that the casino complex being developed in Springfield might hurt some local restaurants, but does not believe it will doom the local economy.

One panelist who did not accept the invitation to participate in the panel was music mogul Eric Suher, who owns The Calvin Theater, The Iron Horse and a nightclub on Pearl Street. Union Station owner John Rhoades, the chairman of the task force, hoped to get Suher's input at some point.

"He's a big stakeholder," Rhoades said of Suher.

Ronald Ruell Jr. on Tuesday pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the 2012 death of 38-year-old Judy Ramirez.

SPRINGFIELD — Ronald Ruell Jr. on Tuesday pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the 2012 beating death of Judy Ramirez.

Defense lawyer Calvin C. Carr said Ruell, 33, did not plan to kill Ramirez but beat her because he wanted to steal crack cocaine from her.

Police found Ramirez's body in the rear stairwell of the Progressive Community Chapel on State Street on Feb. 1, 2012. She was 38 at the time of her death, with an address listed in court documents as 47 Pendleton Ave.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Richard J. Carey sentenced Ruell to 25 years to life in state prison. He adopted the sentence agreed upon by prosecution and defense.

Under the sentence, Ruell will not be eligible to apply for parole until he has served 25 years. Before a new state law went into effect on July 25, 2014, a person convicted of or pleading guilty to second-degree murder was automatically eligible to apply for parole after 15 years.

Judy Ramirez, shown in a September, 2011 file photo. Greg Saulmon / The Republican

Assistant District Attorney Melissa G. Doran said an autopsy showed Ramirez died from blunt force injury to the torso — specifically, a fractured sternum that caused internal bleeding.

Doran said police found blue jeans stained with blood at Ruell's sister's house, where he sometimes stayed. The blood on the jeans matched Ramirez's blood, Doran said.

She said Ruell also told workers and another inmate at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow that he was responsible for killing Ramirez while he was using crack with her.

Doran said Ramirez had seven children, six of whom were living in the custody of her ex-husband's mother. The ex-husband's mother was one of several people who offered victim impact statements in court.

Two of the children, ages 13 and 15, came into the courtroom with victim witness advocate Margaret Piela after the facts of the death were stated.

One of the daughters intended to read a statement, but ran back to her relatives in the courtroom rows, saying she could not read it. Doran read the statement on the girl's behalf; it read, in part: "Losing my mother was the worst thing that ever happened to me."

Ramirez's aunt, Evelyn Ramirez, told judge Carey her niece was very much loved, despite the problems she had in her life.

"She had a beautiful smile," the aunt said, adding that the family can't forgive Ruell, as forgiveness would be up to God.

Carr, the defense attorney, said Ruell had been taken away from his mother at 22 months and put in foster care.

He was abused in some foster placements, and "learned to trust no one," Carr said.

Carr also said Ruell has post traumatic stress disorder, is bipolar, and suffers from anxiety and depression, with alcohol and drug addictions, including a heroin addiction that began when he was 20.

In the weeks before Ramirez was killed, Carr said, Ruell used 20 bags of heroin a day, drank heavily, and was basically homeless.

Carr said killing Ramirez was an "unplanned event" and happened because Ruell — driven by his addictions — was trying to steal cocaine from Ramirez.

Carr pointed out Ruell's father, sister and other family members who were in the courtroom to support Ruell.

Oils used in sacred rites are blessed for the year.

SPRINGFIELD - The Most Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, celebrated the Chrism Mass, during which oil used in the Church's sacred rites is blessed, on Monday at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, 260 State St.

The cathedral was nearly full for the service, during which clergy also renewed promises to their vocation. Those in attendance included Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell who now lives at St. Joseph's Parish in Pittsfield.

One of the olive oils blessed will be used for the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Liturgy at 7 p.m. on Holy Saturday at the cathedral. This is when converts to Catholicism, who have completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. A second oil blessed is used for anointing the sick, and what is called Sacred Chrism is used for other sacramental rites and blessings.

Holy Week, the last week of Lent, is a time of solemnity for Christians around the world. The days before Easter Sunday include the Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday, Good Friday and many churches hold Easter vigil or Easter sunrise services.

The Right Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, will take part in "Stations in the Street - The Way of the Cross," on Good Friday at noon. The procession will be lead by the Very Rev. James Munroe, dean of Christ Church Cathedral, and will proceed from the cathedral at 35 Chestnut St., up State Street to Springfield Technical Community College and then down Worthington.

Munroe will also preach at a sunrise service in the cathedral's courtyard at 6 a.m. on April 5, Easter Sunday.

Other Holy Week events include the Cathedral Choir of Boys and Adults, accompanied by string musicians from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the Community Music School of Springfield, in a Tenebrae service on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Cathedral. Tenebrae is from the Latin meaning darkness, and it references traditions associated with the three days before Easter. The tradition of the Good Friday Tenebrae service is to symbolize, through the use of candles, both Christ's death and approaching resurrection.

The sixth annual March for Jesus, an event started by Scott Lively, senior pastor of the Coffee House Church and organized by his Redemption Gate Mission Society, begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at State and Walnut streets. It will proceed down State Street to City Hall. Anyone interested in participating individually or with their church group should contact Pastor C.S. Cooley at lasavior@aol.com.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who a decade ago was one of the leading Republican lawmakers seeking to ban gay marriage, will officiate at state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg's wedding to his domestic partner, according to people with knowledge of her decision.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

Stanley Rosenberg, top, and Byron Hefner 

WHDH-TV, 7News, Boston

"There's no debate," Bilas said. "He's an incredible coach."

It's no doubt on the back burner of his mind heading into Final Four weekend, but Kentucky coach John Calipari is on the cusp of a major potential career milestone.

Calipari's Wildcats stand just two games shy of completing a 40-0 undefeated season. First up is Wisconsin in a Final Four matchup scheduled for Saturday night. Should Kentucky make it through, the national championship game awaits on April 6.

But before that game tips off, the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame is set to announce its class of 2015, of which Calipari (as well as Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan) is a finalist. Win or lose, Calipari and the other candidates will learn their fate that Monday before the title game.

Whether Calipari is deserving of such a recognition is a divisive topic depending upon your opinion of the former University of Massachusetts and Memphis head coach. There's no lack of strong sentiments on the subject.

But according to ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, Calipari's enshrinement in Springfield shouldn't be up for debate.

"It's a no-brainer," Bilas said in a story Tuesday for The Courier-Journal. "He should be in. I can't think of a reasonable (argument against it). He's done it at every stop, whether it's at UMass, Memphis or Kentucky. He's done it with different personnel, different styles. So he's not done it just one way. It's not as if he's just had Kentucky talent everywhere he's been. He's built programs.

"There wasn't a sustained program at UMass before he got there. It had been 30 years before they'd won at Memphis when he got there and built that place into a national power. And he resurrected a Kentucky program that had fallen on a few years of hard times. There's no debate. He's an incredible coach."

As Bilas explained, Calipari's on-court resume makes him a strong candidate.

After building UMass and Memphis into national championship contenders, he's most recently molded Kentucky into an NCAA Tournament monster. Under Calipari, the Wildcats have been to four Final Fours and won the national title in 2012. A perfect season capped Monday would be a crowning achievement.

No one's managed the NCAA's "one and done" rule better and because of it, no one inspires more arguments within the current college game.

And what's a conversation about Calipari's coaching career without the warts? UMass fans know well the punishment handed down to the program by the NCAA after it was discovered that star center Marcus Camby, among other things, had accepted money from agents.

The 1996 Final Four banner still hangs the Mullins Center, but officially, the appearance has been stricken from the record books. UMass plans to honor Calipari and that 1995-96 team for its 20th anniversary next season.

After a brief, unsuccessful foray into the NBA, Calipari returned to college's head coaching ranks with Memphis in 2000. There, too, controversy followed, as further NCAA violations in connection with Derrick Rose resulted in the Tigers' having to vacate their entire 2007-08 season.

Those two vacated Final Four appearances, though not officially connected to Calipari by NCAA investigators, will stick with him forever. It's an argument against his Hall of Fame candidacy, Bilas said, that is "short-sighted and irrelevant."

"He wasn't named in either of those things, so I don't see that as being an issue at all," he said. "You can look at other Hall of Fame members and say the same thing."

Will it be enough to keep Calipari (for at least this year) out of the Hall of Fame? We'll know for sure in less than a week.

Follow MassLive.com UMass beat writer @Daniel_Malone on Twitter or reach him via email.

A transportation union chief laid into the MBTA on Tuesday, referring to new equipment as "wrecks on wheels" and charging the transit agency with micro-managing the commuter rail system.

By GINTAUTAS DUMCIUS

BOSTON — A transportation union chief laid into the MBTA on Tuesday, referring to new equipment as "wrecks on wheels" and charging the transit agency with micro-managing the commuter rail system.

Thomas Murray, president of Transport Workers Union Local 2054, told lawmakers on the Joint Transportation Committee that the commuter rail system's ability to fight back against the winter storms was hampered by a "dysfunctional" management system.

"The present system allows the MBTA to assess blame on the operator, Keolis, and evade responsibility in the MBTA's governance of the commuter rail operation," said Murray, whose union represents inspectors, mechanics and cleaners.

Separately, lawmakers pressed Keolis commuter rail officials on efforts to ensure fare collection and prevent fare evasion. Keolis has been cited nine times, for a total of $4,500 in penalties for failing to collect passenger fares, according to the MBTA.

Keolis, which is based in France and manages transportation programs in 15 countries, started operating the commuter rail in July under an eight-year contract.

Murray, the union official, said upper management transportation officials were unable to make decisions amid the snowstorms. "Nobody knew what the hell was going on," he said.

He added, referring to Gerald Francis, the general manager of Keolis Commuter Services, "You're paying Gerald to manage a system. Let him manage it."

Francis declined comment to reporters as he stepped into a State House elevator.

Asked to respond to Murray's comments, an MBTA spokesman said the agency is adding new coaches and locomotives every month.

"With proper maintenance, the new vehicles strongly enhance our concerted efforts to improve service reliability and increase capacity," the spokesman, Joe Pesaturo, said in an email. "The MBTA will continue to work closely with its Commuter Rail partner to provide customers with the level of service they expect and deserve."

Murray said the new equipment touted by the MBTA has been "plagued" with mechanical and structural defects.

Francis, in his testimony, acknowledged "some" of the new ten commuter rail locomotives in service were affected by the winter weather.

Keolis was expecting a total delivery of 40 new locomotives by the end of 2014, but has only received the ten that are in service. Francis said shortly after Keolis took over the commuter rail service in July, "we were told delivery of the new trains would be delayed by a year."

Pointing to the four major snowstorms that hit the Bay State this year, Francis added, "The [current] locomotive fleet, which is old and fragile on its best days, was devastated by the snow and ice."

He said 67 traction motors were disabled after coming into contact with snow, causing them to "short out."

The commuter rail finally returned to full service on Monday, March 30, after 33 trains were taken out of service earlier in the month.

Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) pressed Keolis officials on commuter rail ridership, saying he has seen data that shows it's declining.

The parking system is "archaic" and depressing ridership, Hedlund said, adding that that Keolis inherited the system.

Hedlund asked how they are processing ridership numbers and how they are collecting fares. "I don't have a monthly pass but I've never been asked to pay a fare," Hedlund said.

He added: "It's a complaint that we receive from those who buy the passes and expect to pay."

Franck Dubourdieu, the deputy general manager, responded that Keolis has signed a proposal with the MBTA to have automatic devices installed at stations – "kind of cameras" – to capture people de-boarding and get a passenger count.

As for fare collection, Dubourdieu said the current system is "not modern," and it's a priority, as well as a management issue they have to address through the conductor and assistant conductor, who are charged with collecting fares.

Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) relayed his experience on the commuter rail in February to Keolis officials.

Howitt said he had arrived for a nine o'clock train, and the station was "full of people, waiting." But the platform and the parking lot had not been cleared of the snow.

Just before the train came, a pick-up truck showed up with three men, apparently employed by the MBTA, and Howitt said he asked them why they hadn't appeared earlier to clean the area. One of the men said the Super Bowl had occurred the day before.

"There's a certain culture there that has to be addressed," Howitt said.

Teachers facing possible layoffs will be notified in April.

WILBRAHAM - The budget subcommittee of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee met Tuesday afternoon to begin considering how to make up a projected deficit of at least $1.5 million in the fiscal 2016 school budget.

Regional School Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea said he is meeting with principals about staff reductions.

Teachers facing a possible layoff will be notified in April, O'Shea said.

O'Shea said he has not finalized a number yet of the amount of layoffs which will be required.

Some of the staff reductions will be related to declining enrollment, O'Shea said.

"We will be looking to optimize class size," O'Shea said.

While the district currently has middle schools with students taught by teams of teachers, there may have to be more teachers teaching across grades, giving teachers more students they are responsible for, O'Shea said.

In some cases the school district may have to go to more of "a junior high model" where teachers teach their subjects in more than one grade instead of the current "middle school model" where teachers teach their subject to students in a single grade, O'Shea said.

Declining enrollment which means declining state aid is a factor in the budget deficit, O'Shea said. State aid to the school district is based on the number of students.

Regional School Committee Chairman Marc Ducey says the budget deficit shows why the school district needs to consider consolidating two middle schools into one.

The two mddle schools cannot be consolidated without votes by residents at Wilbraham and Hampden town meetings. The earliest those votes will take place is at fall town meetings, school officials said.

The district could save $1.3 million in labor costs by consolidating the two middle schools into one, Ducey said.

Other areas where O'Shea said he will be looking for reductions is in the number of special education teachers and teacher aides.

O'Shea said the school district will continue to meet the requirement to provide special education to students who are on individual educational programs for students with disabilities.

Elective courses at the high school also will be looked at, O'Shea said. The district also will be seeking to optimize class size at the high school, he said.

Gov. Charlie Baker's administration announced that it will set aside $1 million over two years for the AgEnergy Program, a competitive grant program in which agricultural operations can apply for money for projects to improve energy efficiency or adopt clean energy technology.

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is expanding a program that provides energy efficiency grants to farmers.

Gov. Charlie Baker's administration announced Tuesday that it will set aside an additional $1 million over two years for the AgEnergy Program, a competitive grant program in which agricultural operations can apply for money for projects to improve energy efficiency or adopt clean energy technology.

The program was started in 2009 under Gov. Deval Patrick and has given out $2.2 million since then to 156 farms. According to the state, that money has helped develop $12.3 million worth of projects, which have achieved $900,000 in annual energy savings. The new funding is a major boost for a program that has gotten $325,000 to $345,000 annually for the last two years.

"The AgEnergy grants are a means by which our farmers can operate their energy needs in a more environmentally friendly manner," Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux said in an interview with The Republican/MassLive.com. "They can reduce their costs, and it also encourages them to produce energy on the farms."

Lebeaux called the $1 million in funding "a big, big influx of new money" that will allow the department to give more grants to farmers.

The money will come from the fines paid by electric retail suppliers if they have not purchased enough energy from renewable sources to meet their obligations under state law. That money is used for energy-related projects. This will be the first time that money has gone to fund AgEnergy grants.

Projects that have been funded in the past by AgEnergy grants include things like biomass boilers and high efficiency heaters for greenhouses, cold storage and high efficiency refrigeration for vegetable farms, and a variety of photovoltaic projects.

Louis Aragi, co-owner of Pine Island Farm in Sheffield, said he used state and federal grants to help with a $2.2 million project to install a methane digester - essentially, a machine that uses cow manure to make electricity, which then powers the farm. Aragi called the expanded grants "huge" for farmers trying to improve energy efficiency. "Any time you can figure out what you can do to save money, it's money in your pocket," Aragi said.

Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton and state agricultural and energy officials announced the expanded grants as part of a Statehouse event proclaiming Tuesday Massachusetts Agricultural Day.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Lesley Pisarski 

Gary Rome Hyundai needs a zone change to Business Highway from Business General to build a dealership.

HOLYOKE -- Another proposal for a zone change, another controversy.

Follow along as live coverage of the latest zone-change dispute is posted in the comments section under this story as a 6:30 p.m. public hearing is held Tuesday (March 31) at City Hall on a bid from Gary Rome Hyundai on Whiting Farms Road.

The company has a deal to buy the vacant 18.7-acre site -- previously eyed by Walmart and Lowe's Home Improvement -- from the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department (HGE) for $2,050,000.

But the sale is contingent on Rome succeeding in a petition to change the zoning designation of the property to Business Highway, which would allow an auto dealership, from the current Business General, which prohibits such a business. Gary Rome Hyundai currently is at 1000 Main St. here.

The City Council Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board are holding the public hearing -- if it proceeds as scheduled.

Aside from the expected opposition to the plan from neighbors, Helen F. Norris, a former city councilor, said in a MassLive.com story Tuesday it would be illegal to continue with the planned public hearing since four abutting property owners didn't receive the required notices of the hearing by mail.

But Assistant City Solicitor Kara Cunha said the law that Norris appears to be citing pertains to special permits and variances, not zoning amendments. The hearing can proceed as long as the abutters who didn't get notices about tonight's (March 31) hearing get to participate in the hearing at some point, and that is likely because the hearing is unlikely to be closed tonight, she said.

The City Council March 17 upset some people in the community by rejecting by one vote a request for a zone change from the Greater Holyoke YMCA for a vacant lot at 399 Appleton St.

YMCA officials said the zone change was needed to build a 21-space parking lot. But some councilors said they felt granting a zone change there would be spot zoning and would set a detrimental precedent.

On April 7, the City Council will weigh in on a dispute that has been boiling for more than four years. The council will vote to adopt or reject an ordinance to establish a Polish Heritage Historic District on the south side of Lyman Street featuring the closed Mater Dolorosa Church.