The Dow Jones industrial average fell nearly 86 points to close at 18,105.

By ALEX VEIGA

NEW YORK - The U.S. stock market took a small step back on Monday, giving up some of its big gains from last week.

Crude oil prices fell, pulling down energy stocks. Exxon Mobil lost 1.7 percent, the most in the Dow Jones industrial average. The price of oil slipped as traders weighed declining drilling in the U.S. against rising gasoline supplies that could crimp demand for crude in the coming weeks. Benchmark U.S. crude fell 14 cents to close at $59.25 a barrel in New York.

The market was coming off its biggest gain in two months on Friday following news that U.S. employers added 223,000 jobs in April, a solid gain suggesting that the economy may be recovering after a stumbling start to the year.

That sentiment helped cool off demand for bonds on Monday. As a result, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.26 percent, its highest level of the year so far, from 2.15 percent late Friday.

"It's a day of digestion after big news and a big move on Friday," said Eric Wiegand, a senior portfolio manager at U.S. Bank Wealth Management.

The Dow fell 85.94 points, or 0.5 percent, to 18,105.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 10.77 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,105.33. The Nasdaq composite slipped 9.98 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,993.57. The three indexes are up for the month and year.

The indexes barely budged much of the day. Absent major new economic data, investors mostly focused Monday on the latest corporate deal news and company earnings.

Noble Energy's $2.1 billion all-stock buyout of rival oil and gas production company Rosetta Resources failed to impress traders, however. Noble's shares slumped $3.05, or 6.2 percent, to $46.07. It was the biggest decliner among S&P 500 companies.

The slide in oil prices also hurt stock prices for several other oil producers and drilling equipment companies. QEP Resources fell $1.13, or 5.2 percent, to $20.46, while Pioneer Natural Resources slid $6.07, or 3.8 percent, to $152.99. National Oilwell Varco shed $1.90, or 3.6 percent, to $51.33.

"We have crude down a little bit today and energy stocks are having a tough time," said JJ Kinahan, TD Ameritrade's chief strategist.

The 10 sectors in the S&P 500 declined, led by energy stocks. The sector is down 0.2 percent for the year.

The rest of this week should provide traders some insight into a key facet of the U.S. economy: consumer spending.

Several major retailers report quarterly results, including Macy's, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom and Kohl's. Also, the government reports its latest monthly tally of retail sales on Wednesday.

"Are the people out there spending money? That's what we need to see next," Kinahan said. "That's what everybody is having a bit of trouble figuring out."

In other energy futures trading, Brent crude, a benchmark for international oil used by many U.S. refineries, fell 48 cents to close at $64.91 in London. Wholesale gasoline fell 0.6 cents to close at $1.986 a gallon, while heating oil fell 0.9 cent to close at $1.945 a gallon. Natural gas fell 7.8 cents to close at $2.802 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In metals trading, gold fell $5.90 to $1,183 an ounce, silver fell 15 cents to $16.31 an ounce and copper fell two cents to $2.90 a pound.

Markets in Europe were mixed as traders looked for progress on the latest bailout for Greece. European finance ministers met on Monday to discuss the issue, but emerged without a deal. A debt default would destabilize Greece, potentially causing it to fall out of the eurozone. France's CAC 40 fell 1.2 percent, while Germany's DAX shed 0.3 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 edged up 0.2 percent.

The Shanghai Composite Index jumped 3 percent after the People's Bank of China cut interest rates for the third time in half a year, the central bank's latest bid to shore up sputtering economic growth. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.3 percent, while South Korea's Kospi gained 0.6 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.5 percent.

Among U.S. stocks making big moves Monday:

• Better-than-expected quarterly results sent shares in Actavis and Dean Foods higher. Actavis rose $8.92, or 3 percent, to $301.74, while Dean Foods gained $1.05, or 6.4 percent, to $17.33.
• Monster Beverage surged after a Citi analyst upgraded the energy drink maker. The stock jumped $5.53, or 4.3 percent, to $134.01.

The School Committee's Finance Subcommittee will consider cuts to the proposed school budget Thursday night.

WESTFIELD - City and school leaders have ordered a municipal spending freeze to offset potential current and future budget shortfalls.

The freeze on the municipal side was announced last night by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, immediately followed by a similar announcement by School Department finance officer Ronald R. Rix.

The problem on the city side is a looming $1.4 million deficit in the municipal snow and ice removal budget line item. That amount is about $600,000 more than the city spent for snow and ice removal in fiscal 2014, the mayor said.

The problem on the School Department side of city finances is a difference of nearly $2 million between what schools need for Fiscal 2016 and what the mayor has already said the city can afford next year.

But, because of the snow and ice budget item, Knapik warned school officials Monday night they may need to make up another $500,000 to $1 million.

The freeze announcements were made as the School Department presented its financial needs for FY16 to the mayor and School Committee Monday night at South Middle School.

Rix outlined the school budget needs referring to the proposed "budget of need" that totals $60,649,793. That included "fixed costs" such as $1.5 million in staff raises; $345,307 in staff salary step increases and another $76,510 in state salary longevity payments. Projected severance payments to staff retiring or leaving the system during the next year is listed at $608,524.

The mayor told school officials previously that he would allow $58,724,000 for the new year beginning July 1. That represents an increase of about$2 million more than current year school funding.

The $60.6 million requested by the School Department is nearly $4 million higher than current school funding.

The School Department has nearly 1,000 employees and supports a dozen schools.

Knapik said he will be unable to offer the city and its employees a health insurance premium holiday this year because of initial cuts to the insurance by the City Council last June.

"It is prudent to stop spending," Knapik said.

The holiday, which allows both the city and its employees to withhold one-month worth of premium has allowed the city to cover its snow and ice deficit in previous years.

That holiday, Knapik said saves the city about $870,000.

The School Committee's Finance Subcommittee will meet Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall to consider reductions in the FY16 School budget as presented Monday night.

The Holyoke Salvation Army will be at the farmers' market Thursday for "Hispanic Celebration."

HOLYOKE -- The Salvation Army Holyoke Corps. will celebrate National Salvation Army Week with events every day through Saturday (May 16).

"Events locally and across country will highlight the importance of Americans giving back to their local communities to support their neighbors in need at a time when many families and individuals continue to struggle to make ends meet," said a press release Friday.

The press release was issued by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and listed as contacts Lieutenants Miguel and Nancy Garces, who head the Holyoke Salvation Army chapter at 271 Appleton St.

The Salvation Army is an international, evangelical part of the Christian church that operates 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. Joseph McFee began the Salvation Army in 1891 in San Francisco to raise money to keep poor people from going hungry during the winter holidays, according to its website.

Mayor Alex B. Morse said he issued a proclamation honoring the Salvation Army Monday.

Fund-raisers will be held at local restaurants Tuesday (May 12) for the local chapter, the press release said.

Ice cream and freeze pop giveaway will be held Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Carlos Vega Park on Hamilton Street in South Holyoke.

"Hispanic Celebration" will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Holyoke Farmers' Market on High Street in front of City Hall.

On Friday, "Family Fun Night" is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at 271 Appleton St.

The Salvation Army Holyoke Corps. on Saturday will offer an open house at 271 Appleton St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games, music and program information, Refreshments will be served, the press release said.

No injuries were reported, according to state police.

A BoltBus burst into flames on the Massachusetts Turnpike in West Newton Monday afternoon temporarily shutting down eastbound lanes of the highway during the evening rush hour.

Despite the dramatic events, no injuries were reported, Massachusetts State Police said, as the bus had been evacuated prior to the fire. The video shows the bus stopped along the side of the highway, with thick gray smoke billowing from its engine and windows. Suddenly, the bus can be seen exploding, with windows being blown into the road and flames shooting out the side of the bus.

According to WCVB-TV, NewsCenter5 in Needham, state police had to close two lanes in the eastbound direction so firefighters could extinguish the blaze. Once the flames were out, the lanes were reopened, the station reported. The highway was fully reopened about 7 p.m., the Associated Press reported.

The Boston Herald reported that the bus was traveling from New York to Boston with 47 passengers aboard.

"Once the driver noticed smoke, the driver pulled over, evacuated the bus and called local authorities, who are currently investigating the situation," Ashley Sears, a spokesperson for Greyhound Lines, which owns the bus told the Herald.

"All 47 customers (who) were on board are unharmed and were able to retrieve all their belongings," she added.

According to NECN, the bus caught on fire about 4:45 p.m., and the blaze was extinguished in about a half hour. The Newton Fire Department characterized the blaze as a two-alarm fire because of water supply concerns.

One of the passengers told NECN that the bus had to stop in Milldale, Connecticut, for a mechanical issue, but then resumed the trip.

After the fire, a second bus was sent to West Newton to transport the passengers the rest of the way to Boston.

WHDH-TV, 7News in Boston, quoted a resident as saying that the explosion that caused the fire was so strong it shook the ground.

In the Northeast, BoltBus is operated by Peter Pan Bus Lines of Springfield.

Here is some of what news organizations tweeted about the incident:

Bolt bus catches fire, causes traffic problems on Mass. Pike eastbound: http://t.co/GKsuYtm0kk #fox25 #matraffic pic.twitter.com/XfV6g06dJr

-- FOX 25 News Boston (@fox25news) May 11, 2015

Passengers getting on another Bolt Bus which stopped at side of Pike after fire. Bus was headed NYC to BOS pic.twitter.com/hUfw7bbwFP

-- Josh Brogadir (@joshbNECN) May 11, 2015

A group of passengers still waiting for another Bolt Bus to pick them up off side of Mass Pike pic.twitter.com/stb0mnX2iB

-- Josh Brogadir (@joshbNECN) May 11, 2015

Bolt Bus Catches Fire On Pike During Evening Commute http://t.co/kqRi7K8UfU pic.twitter.com/MHhYZZZIfO

-- WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) May 11, 2015

Appearing before the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti listed numerous reforms taken or underway to improve the system since he became president in February 2014.

By SUSAN HAIGH

HARTFORD -- The president of the nation's second-biggest commuter railroad told state lawmakers on Monday that progress is being made toward improving safety and reliability following a series of high-profile accidents and service disruptions two years ago.

Appearing before the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti listed numerous reforms taken or underway to improve the system since he became president in February 2014. He said the New Haven Line of Metro-North, which serves Connecticut and New York, had an on-time rate of 92.2 percent in April and complaints were 25 percent lower than in March.

"I do know that Metro-North today is a better railroad than it was two years ago," said Giulietti, adding how he expects the railroad will be back in a "state of good repair" in about three to four years if the Connecticut Department of Transportation receives the necessary funding to make upgrades.

Yet Giulietti stressed that Metro-North, which is second in scope only to the Long Island Rail Road, still faces "extensive challenges" that did not develop overnight.

He said Metro-North for years focused on its employees delivering better on-time performance "while neglecting basic infrastructure investments and investments in our own employees' training and development." He said the "organizational culture had been compromised," track and infrastructure repair "was lacking," employees didn't have "the sufficient tools and resources to do their jobs properly" and "corporate morale had hit bottom."

Giulietti, who said he often rides the trains, said morale appears to be improving and safety has become a top priority.

"We communicated a clear message to our employees that working and operating safely is the primary focus of the railroad -- not on-time performance," he said.

There was a series of accidents and other incidents in 2013 involving Metro-North, including a derailment in Bridgeport that left more than 70 people injured when two commuter trains collided. Later that year, a train derailed in New York City, killing four passengers. Commuters also were affected by a major power failure, which disrupted service for days.

Connecticut lawmakers praised Giulietti for his efforts. Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, said communication with the railroad has improved "180 degrees" since he took over.

But the legislators said they still hear complaints from their constituents about equipment failures and delays on the branch lines, standing room only during peak times on the New Haven Line and diesel locomotives breaking down.

Meanwhile, a bill filed a state lawmaker would require school officials to immediately contact authorities when threats are received, rather than try to handle such incidents on their own.

PALMER — Some parents of school-age children in Palmer are reaching the boiling point after yet another threat was found written on a wall at Converse Middle School on May 11.

"At this point, it's ridiculous," parent Rebecca Heilman told Western Mass News, media partner of MassLive / The Republican.

Heilman was reacting to Monday morning's evacuation after a threat was found written on a bathroom wall at the school on Middle Street, which has now had five such threats since late April.

The threat was once again found on a wall inside a bathroom for male students at the school for grades 5-7.

Bomb threats have also been reported at Palmer High School and Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, a bill filed by state Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr., D-Clinton, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, would require school principals at any public or private educational institution in Massachusetts, from elementary school to high school, to immediately report suspicious incidents to local police and fire officials, the State House News Service reports.

State Fire Marshall Stephen D. Coan supports the bill, which would require school officials to reach out immediately to public safety officials and not try to handle such threats on their own.

For parents such as Daniel Kane, who said he recently moved his family from the city to the suburbs to hopefully avoid such problems, Monday's evacuation was bad news.

"To have as many as they do in such a short amount of time is concerning, and I think it's just an easy way in a small town like this to get attention," he told Western Mass News.

Just last week, a black bear was put down after attacking to people in a wildlife refuge in Connecticut

By MATTHEW BROWN

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Dramatic video captured by a Montana wildlife official shows a mother black bear with cubs running toward a knot of camera-clicking tourists as the animals try to cross a bridge in Yellowstone National Park.

No one is hurt, but at one point the adult bear rushes full-tilt toward a group of people standing at one end of the bridge. Yelling is heard as people scramble to get to their vehicles.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks spokesman Bob Gibson witnessed the encounter and said some visitors ignored or were slow to heed a park official's commands to leave the bridge. As the nervous-seeming cubs scattered, the mother bear raced to round them up, frightening the tourists.

"The bear was the only one doing anything right there," Gibson said. "The bear was definitely not charging at people. The bear was trying to get across the bridge, and people were in the way."

How should the tourists have reacted?

Each year, Yellowstone sees about 1,000 so-called bear jams, in which grizzly or black bear sightings prompt dozens and sometimes hundreds of tourists to pull over their vehicles hoping for a photo.

Ideally, the visitors on the bridge would have stayed in their vehicles, said Kerry Gunther, the park's bear management program leader.

Once the bears started approaching, the tourists worsened the situation by running and screaming, Gunther said. They instead should have grouped together on one side of the bridge and allowed the bears to pass.

Yellowstone has never had a bear-caused injury among groups of three or more people, he said.

How dangerous are black bears?

Another species of bear -- the grizzly -- is generally more feared because of its larger size and reputation for aggressive behavior.

However, researchers have recorded at least 63 people killed by black bears since 1900 in the U.S. and Canada.

Of those fatal attacks in which black bears exhibited predatory behavior, 92 percent involved male bears, defying the commonly held belief that females with cubs are the most dangerous bears.

What are the chances of injury?

Hundreds of bears of both species live in and near Yellowstone, making for a high potential for dangerous run-ins.

Over a three-decade period ending in 2011, black and grizzly bears injured 43 people, park officials said.

When stacked against total visitation numbers -- more than 3.5 million passed through Yellowstone last year -- that works out to a 1 in 2.1 million chance of a visitor getting hurt by a bear, according to the park. More often people are injured by the park's buffalo.

How big are black bears?

In Yellowstone, adult male black bears can top 300 pounds, while females weigh 135 to 200 pounds. Black bears elsewhere can get much larger because of differences in their diet.

In the park, the animals live up to 30 years, surviving on elk calves, trout, pine nuts, grasses, rodents and insects.

The cubs in the bridge encounter were more than a year old, which likely worked in the tourists' favor. Their mother would have been more aggressive had she been traveling with newborns, Gibson said.

Should you shoot or spray them?

Some backcountry travelers carry large-caliber handguns for protection against bear attacks.

Wildlife officials say a much more effective deterrent is bear spray, which is similar to mace. It shoots out a mist of capsaicin, a form of pepper that makes an animal's eyes burn and causes trouble breathing.

What if you don't have spray?

If the bear is more than 100 yards away, wildlife officials advise people to retreat quietly and without running to avoid attracting its attention.

If the bear is within 100 yards, people are advised to slowly back away and speak to the bear so the animal can recognize that it's having an encounter with a human and not one of its typical prey species.

Where else are black bears found?

The animals are widely distributed from Canada to Mexico and are found in at least 40 U.S. states, according to the advocacy group Defenders of Wildlife.

Just last week, a black bear was put down after it charged two runners at a wildlife refuge in Connecticut. The two were not hurt, but they sure got a scare.

The body was found shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, May 11.

CHICOPEE — Authorities pulled a body from the Chicopee River on Monday evening.

Chicopee fire and police officials responded to a report of a body in the river near the end of Nelson Street shortly before 7 p.m., according to Western Mass News, media partner of MassLive / The Republican.

Public safety officials requested lighting to illuminate the area where the body was found as they investigated the incident.

Foul play is not expected, Chicopee Police Lt. Holly Davis told 22News.

Officials did not immediately release additional details.

Jose Ramos, 35, on Monday denied a murder charge for the fatal stabbing of Luis Sanchez March 10 in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD - Jose Ramos, 35, on Monday denied a murder charge for the fatal stabbing of Luis Sanchez March 10 in Springfield.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ford ordered Ramos, represented by Daniel W. Cronin, held without right to bail.

Ramos had been arraigned in March in Springfield District Court but the case was moved to Superior Court.

Sanchez was found sprawled on the sidewalk and bleeding from two stab wounds outside of the Worthington Street shelter.

Police said Ramos and the victim were both residents at the shelter and were arguing before the stabbing.

"That guy is dangerous. He always carries knives. I don't feel bad about it," Ramos told two Springfield police detectives following his arrest outside the shelter, according to police reports.

While the detectives walked Ramos to their cruiser, patrolman Juan Flores was on the sidewalk, administering first aid to Sanchez, who had collapsed moments after being allegedly stabbed by Ramos, police said.

To stop the bleeding, Flores used the victim's shirt, then a towel, pressing them to his chest until paramedics arrived.

Documents in the court file say the trouble began about 6 p.m. when the two men began arguing in the basement of the shelter at 769 Worthington St. After they went outside to fight, a shelter employee notified officer Flores, was working a paid security detail that night.

When Flores ran outside to break up the fight, he saw Ramos clutching a 4- or 5-inch "knife-like object" and Sanchez pulling his shirt off, with blood coming from his stomach area, Flores wrote in his report.

"I ... ordered Mr. Ramos to drop the object" before calling for an ambulance and more police officers, Flores said.

By the time detectives Eric Podgurski and Matthew Longo arrived, Ramos was sitting outside with a shelter employee. When the detectives approached him, Ramos stood up and put both hands behind his back, allowing police to handcuff him, police said.

Asked if he had anything in his pockets, Ramos responded: "No, I already dropped the knife," police said.

A pretrial hearing will be held Nov. 10 in the case which is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett.

James Raimer is on trial on two counts of assault and battery on a person over 60, alleging he beat and pushed his grandmother on May 25, 2014, in her East Longmeadow home.

Joe Deburro | jdeburro@repub.com 

SPRINGFIELD - Pamela Dean testified Tuesday in Hampden Superior Court her 80-year-old East Longmeadow neighbor Josephine Raimer stumbled into her yard holding her head and saying, "He beat me up."

Dean said walking in front of Josephine Raimer was her grandson James Raimer, yelling and waving his arms wildly.

Dean was testifying at the trial of 26-year-old James Raimer on two counts of assault and battery on a person over 60, alleging he beat and pushed his grandmother down on May 25, 2014, in her East Longmeadow home.

Joseph A. Franco, lawyer for James Raimer, told jurors in his opening statement Tuesday he will call Josephine Raimer who will testify for the defense her grandson never struck or pushed her down but instead her injuries were from falling.

Franco said Josephine Raimer's testimony will be "a little bit different" than what she told Dean but she will explain that.

He said his client was drinking and in a rage and he smashed a glass enclosed candle but Josephine Raimer's injuries were from falling, not from being assaulted by her grandson.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa G. Doran told jurors in her opening statement in the trial before Judge Constance M. Sweeney it will be clear that James Raimer did strike and push his grandmother, causing a number of injuries which sent her to Mercy Medical Center by ambulance for treatment.

Dean testified Josephine Raimer was hanging on to a broken phone receiver when she came into her yard. Dean said she took her into her (Dean's) house to treat her injuries and Raimer told her her grandson was angry at her because she wouldn't let him borrow her car.

Dean said her neighbor's head was swelling, one leg was starting to swell, and she had a bloody injury on her arm.

Jurors were shown photos of Josephine Raimer's injuries taken by police right after the incident and several days later when the bruises were more apparent.

Francis Dean Jr., Pamela Dean's husband, said James Raimer was yelling "call 911" when he came into the yard ahead of his grandmother. Dean said he tried to calm James Raimer down but the man was in his face and he thought Raimer would harm him.

East Longmeadow police officer Michael Ingalls testified when he got to the scene James Raimer came out of the hatchway in his grandmother's house. At first he would not show his hands, Ingalls said, so he drew his gun.

Raimer then cooperated and was arrested, he said.

Ingalls said during the booking procedure he asked Sgt. Daniel Manley if the victim had been brought to the hospital.

Ingalls said Raimer said, "If she doesn't die I'll finish it myself and kill the rest of my family."

Officers said James Raimer had some cuts on his hand when arrested.

The Massachusetts National Guard has has 9,000 soldiers, airmen and civilians.

BOSTON - Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice of Southampton, commander of the Massachusetts National Guard since 2012 and a commander of the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield, will remain in his post, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker.

As adjutant general, Rice serves as de facto commander of the state's military forces.

The Massachusetts National Guard has 9,000 soldiers, airmen and civilians. The Massachusetts National Guard has deployed more than 20,000 soldiers and airmen since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to the release.

The Guard was pressed into service in Massachusetts this winter following a series of crippling snowstorms.

Baker said, in a prepared release:

"Maj. Gen. Rice has done a tremendous job leading our National Guard and ensuring our troops maintain the utmost level of preparedness to protect the Commonwealth and serve our nation. Throughout the unprecedented winter, Maj. Gen. Rice was instrumental to storm recovery efforts and repeatedly coordinated troops and resources to dig out communities in need and clear T tracks for commuters. Our administration is grateful for his service and confident he will continue to successfully lead the Massachusetts National Guard."

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said in a prepared statement:

"I commend Major General Rice for his strong leadership. We are pleased that he will continue to work with the Baker-Polito Administration to oversee our brave men and women serving the Commonwealth and nation."

Prior to being appointed adjutant general, Rice served as the commander of Massachusetts Air National Guard and as the Air National Guard assistant to the commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe.

Rice was commissioned in 1980 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps' program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He attended pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in Texas.

In 1989, after nine years of active duty flying the F-111, Rice joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard, 104th Fighter Wing based at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield to fly the A-10 Thunderbolt II. He was the fighter squadron commander, operations group commander and wing commander.

Rice has deployed a number of times including to Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait and Iraq and has served as an Air Force commander in Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Pakistan.

Rice said in a prepared statement:

"It's an honor and privilege for continued service as the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. I look forward in extending the Minuteman tradition that started right here in Massachusetts 379 years ago. I am grateful for the confidence Governor Baker has entrusted upon me and for the opportunity to lead the finest Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian professionals in the National Guard."

Lenox American Saw showed off its line of saw blades and other tools, including carbide-tipped blades capable of cutting huge steel billets for the automotive and shipbuilding industries.

This story follows and expands upon: Eastec trade show at Big E in West Springfield showcases demand for manufactured goods

and

Drill holes smaller than a hair; Control machines with a table computer: 5 new technologies at Eastec

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Eastec, the manufacturing trade show at the Eastern States Exposition this week, features more than 600 exhibitors and they come from all over the country.

But the local interest is in Massachusetts companies innovating and selling those innovations to industry this week at the Big E.

Here is a sampling:

1) Rethink Robotocs of Boston displayed a robot with tablet computer face displaying two big smiling eyes.

It's not just to be cute, Rethink's Cliff Fitzgerlad said. The "eyes" point in the direction the robot is about to move providing an intuitive way for the humans on the factory floor to know what the robot is about to do.

"It's a safety issue," he said. "You always know what it is doing."

After hearing that the robot is good at repetitive tasks that will drive a human crazy, state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, a parent of a young daughter, asked if it changes diapers.

The robots are designed in Boston and built in New Hampshire.

2) Smith & Wesson

The Springfield-based gunmaker used the show to tout its industrial services capabilities, basically its ability to manufacture and heat-treat parts for other companies using the same technology, employees and facilities it uses to make firearms.

A display table showed a large assortment of clutch forks and gearbox components.

3) Lenox, the former American Saw

The East Longmeadow-based Lenox showed off its line of saw blades and other tools, including carbide-tipped blades capable of cutting huge steel billets for the automotive and shipbuilding industries.

4) Pinpoint Laser Systems

Pinpoint, based in Peabody, makes laser levels that can detect discrepancies of three one-thousandths of an inch at 200 feet of distance. The lasers are used by industry to make sure parts line up, including the U.S. Navy, General Dynamics and Bath Iron Works in the building of American warships.

5) American System and Equipment Company of Springfield

This company deals in machine tools and equipment and had a car-sized milling machine on display capable of making large valves or engine housings for aircraft industry.

A group of men broke into a unit and attacked residents at the Courthouse Square Apartments, a privately-owned housing complex popular with Westfield State University students, according to arraignment documents filed Tuesday in Westfield District Court.

A group of men broke into a unit and attacked residents at the Courthouse Square Apartments, a privately-owned housing complex popular with Westfield State University students, according to arraignment documents filed Tuesday in Westfield District Court.

Joseph Alibrandi, 21, of Quincy, was charged with three counts of assault and battery, felony breaking and entering, destruction of property and trespassing for the alleged March attack. Victims told Westfield police three other men participated in the assaults, though only Alibrandi was identified in the charging documents.

Alibrandi's lawyer, Stephen Phillips, could not be immediately reached for comment.

On March 18 at about 1 a.m., Alibrandi and three other men allegedly broke into an apartment at the complex and attacked its residents, the three victims told police.

One man told police Albrandi slammed open the door, charged toward him and began punching and biting him. Another man in apartment told officers he joined the fight to aid the other victim and was thrown to the ground and kicked. A woman, identified as the third victim, said Alibrandi grabbed her and tossed her to the ground.

The woman told police someone yelled "cops," and Alibrandi and the other alleged attackers ran out of the apartment. The victims identified Alibrandi on sight, according the police report, but could not name the three men he was with.

According to the police report, Alibrandi had previously trespassed at the apartment complex.

A set of speakers and a chair were broken during the fight, victims told police.
Alibrandi was release on his personal recognizance and is due back in court July 10.

Town meeting also approved a $48.4 million budget that includes funds for a new assisted living facility at the former Belchertown State School site.

BELCHERTOWN - Town meeting on Monday approved a new bylaw to regulate motor boating on waters in the community.

 

Marlborough-based Grantham Group LLC plans to construct the $11 million, 83-unit building and have received permission from the Planning Board.

Last year selectmen directed the town administrator to write a letter supporting the $218,000 request. That uses money from the municipality's Community Preservation Act fund.

They said that with the town investment in the project, all the housing units would be counted towards the town's total affordable housing percentage, with the goal of reaching the 10 percent threshold in accordance with state guidelines.

The new motorboat rules approved set a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour, and require those engaging in waterskiing to have at least two people in the boat - one to drive, the other to keep an eye on the skier. It limits a pulling rope to 75 feet in length.

The Dow fell nearly 37 points to close at 18,068.

By ALEX VEIGA

NEW YORK - A spike in long-term interest rates rattled investors Tuesday, nudging major U.S. stock indexes lower for the second day in a row.

The market nearly clawed back all the way from an early slump that dragged the Dow Jones industrial average down as much as 180 points in the first half-hour of trading. The price of oil closed above $60 a barrel for just the third time this year, giving a boost to energy stocks.

Traders around the world have been selling off government bonds in recent weeks. That trend accelerated on Tuesday, bringing down bond prices and, in turn, driving up the benchmark U.S. bond yield to the highest level since late November. Weakness in bond prices pushes up the cost of borrowing, including mortgages and other loans, which can act as drag on the economy.

"A dramatic increase in yields brought our market down in the morning, and as the pressure on the bonds eased up the stock market came back," said David Chalupnik, head of equities at Nuveen Asset Management.

The Dow fell 36.94 points, or 0.2 percent, to 18,068.23. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 6.21 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,099.12. The Nasdaq composite slid 17.38 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,976.19. The three indexes are up for the month and year.

The indexes headed lower as soon as regular trading opened on Tuesday, following declines in European markets as the bond market sell-off sent yields higher.

The yield on the 10-year German government bond rose to 0.67 percent from 0.61 percent the day before. It traded as low as 0.08 percent last month.

In the U.S., the yield on the 10-year Treasury note surged as high as 2.36 percent. The selling eased by late afternoon and the yield fell to 2.25 percent, down from 2.28 percent late Monday. The yield was below 2 percent as recently as April 28.

"Bonds had been at such lofty prices that a sell-off was somewhat expected," said Chris Gaffney, president of EverBank World Markets.

Investors also had their eye on the latest batch of company earnings and some headline-grabbing corporate deals.

Verizon agreed to buy Internet pioneer AOL for about $4.4 billion, a 15 percent premium to its closing price on Monday. Shares in AOL jumped 18.6 percent. The stock added $7.93 to $50.52. Verizon slipped 18 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $49.62.

Shares in water and air filter maker Pall vaulted 19.4 percent on a published report that the company is close to being acquired. The stock added $19.31 to $118.62.

Traders sold off shares in clothing chain operator Gap and cloud computing company Rackspace Hosting after each reported quarterly results that were crimped by the strong U.S. dollar. Gap fell $1.51, or 3.8 percent, to $38.36, while Rackspace slid $7.17, or 13.5 percent, to $45.96.

Eight of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 moved lower. Materials stocks dropped the most. The sector is up 4.3 percent this year. Energy led the gainers. It's up 0.3 percent for the year.

In Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.4 percent and Germany's DAX sank 1.7 percent. France's CAC 40 dropped 1.1 percent. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 closed flat. South Korea's Kospi was little changed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1.1 percent, while Australia's S&P/ ASX 200 rose 0.9 percent. China's Shanghai Composite index advanced 1.6 percent.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.50 to close at $60.75 in New York. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oil used by many U.S. refineries, climbed $1.95 to close at $66.86 in London.

In other futures trading on the NYMEX, wholesale gasoline rose 5 cents to close at $2.039 a gallon, while heating oil rose 5 cents to close at $2 a gallon. Natural gas rose 10 cents to close at $2.90 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In metals trading, gold rose $9.40 to $1,192.40 an ounce, silver gained 21 cents to $16.53 and copper increased three cents to $2.93 a pound.

AP business writer Youkyung Lee in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

Several Democrats said Obama erred last weekend by pointedly criticizing a leading Democratic foe on trade, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

By CHARLES BABINGTON

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats dealt President Barack Obama a stinging setback on trade Tuesday, blocking efforts to begin a full-blown debate on a top priority of his second term.

The president's supporters said they will try again, and Obama summoned key Democrats to the White House to discuss possible strategies. One possibility was to drop a contentious issue dealing with countries that manipulate their currency, but it was unclear whether that would resolve the impasse.

What was clear, however, was that Obama suffered a rebuke from his own party, led by some who served with him in the Senate.

Only one Senate Democrat, Tom Carper of Delaware, voted for a GOP-crafted motion to start considering Obama's request for "fast track" trade authority. Fast track would let the president present trade agreements that Congress can ratify or reject, but not amend.

Proponents needed 60 votes to thwart a Democratic filibuster, but managed only 52 in the 100-member Senate.

Tuesday's vote highlighted the deep divide between Obama and the many congressional Democrats who say such trade deals hurt U.S. jobs. Leading the fight against fast track are labor unions and liberal groups, which are crucial to many Democrats' elections.

Most Republican lawmakers support free-trade agreements. They were in the strange position Tuesday of losing a vote but seeing the Democratic president take the blame.

"It is the president's party," said GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. "It's amazing to me that they would do this to the president on a bill of this magnitude."

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said Democrats were "throwing their own president under the bus." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the results "pretty shocking," but he said the "door remains open" for trade legislation.

Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida took a darker view, however. "Maybe what McConnell really wants to do is embarrass the president," he said, referring to McConnell's refusal to grant Democrats' demands about assembling the legislative trade package.

Several Democrats said Obama erred last weekend by pointedly criticizing a leading Democratic foe on trade, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, in an interview with Yahoo News. He suggested Warren was poorly informed and politically motivated.

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, another strong opponent on trade, told reporters that Obama "was disrespectful to her by the way he did that," and "made this more personal than he needed to." Brown said he suspects Obama regrets the remarks.

The administration had planned to invite Senate Democrats to the White House on Monday to discuss trade, but it canceled the event, citing conflicts with a Senate vote on another matter.

Shortly before the Senate roll call began, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said some Democrats would vote against Tuesday's procedural motion but ultimately support fast track for the president

Numerous Senate Democrats said they would back fast track only if Republican leaders cleared a path for three other trade measures.

One, to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, is uncontroversial.

The second calls for Trade Adjustment Assistance, which provides federal aid to workers displaced by trade agreements. Republicans don't like it, but reluctantly acknowledge it's the price for winning even modest Democratic support.

The third bill, involving Customs enforcement, is the stickiest. It includes a measure to take actions against countries that keep their currency artificially low, which makes their exports more attractive. The Obama administration opposes "currency manipulation" measures, saying they could invite international challenges to the Federal Reserve's policies meant to boost the U.S. economy.

McConnell said that only two of the bills -- fast track and Trade Adjustment Assistance -- would be the subject of initial votes, but senators would have ample chances to address the other two bills during the amendment process.

Democratic senators huddled at midday and declared McConnell's package unacceptable. Democrats rejected GOP claims that they broke an earlier agreement on how the four bills would be handled.

The president's trade foes were exultant.

"The Fast Track train went off the rails today," said Lori Wallach of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch. Obama's bid to build momentum in the Senate backfired, she said, and House Democrats remain convinced that "the trade package would do a lot more harm than good."

Obama says the global economy makes it essential for more U.S. goods and services to reach other countries, home to 95 percent of the world's inhabitants. He says old criticisms of the 1995 North America Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, are outdated.

The administration says it needs fast track approval to wrap up long-running negotiations with Japan and 10 other Pacific-rim countries, parties to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trade experts say countries won't put their best offers forward if they think Congress will sidetrack the president's agreements.

Senators and aides said the multi-faceted customs bill is the most problematic item in trying to find a new path forward. Some say the currency manipulation provision could deeply undermine Obama's trade goals, while others call it mostly harmless.

Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, David Espo, Andrew Taylor, Erica Werner and Nedra Pickler contributed to this report.

Most people who spoke at a March 31 public hearing were in favor of Gary Rome Hyundai's plan.

HOLYOKE -- Gary Rome Hyundai could get a key approval from the city as soon as May 19 to proceed with building a $10 million dealership on Whiting Farms Road after a committee recommended approval Tuesday (May 12).

The City Council Ordinance Committee voted 4-0 to recommend that the full council approve a zone change Rome needs for the project.

The committee also voted 3-1 to recommend against adopting a competing zone change filed by residents who had eyed the same nearly-19-acre property on Whiting Farms Road as Rome but for a residential use.

Also, the committee voted 5-0 to recommend the full City Council grant a zone change to James P. Lavelle Jr. to allow for auto sales at the family-run JP's Restaurant & Sports Bar at 200 Whiting Farms Road.

The Ordinance Committee in voting the recommendations at City Hall agreed with recommendations the Planning Board had made regarding the Rome, residents' and Lavelle zone change petitions. The City Council will consider the Ordinance Committee recommendations May 19.

Rome needs a zone change to Business Highway from the current Business General, which prohibits an auto dealership.

Most people who spoke at a public hearing March 31 favored the zone change for Rome.

Rome has a deal to buy the property from the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department (HGE) for $2,050,000 contingent on getting the zone change.

Residents, including former councilor Helen F. Norris, Gayle Keith and Terri Laramee, sought a zoning designation for the property they said would be more compatible for the neighborhood than an auto dealer called RM-20. That stands for Multi-Family Residence at 20 units per acre. The uses are generally housing with limited commercial uses like bed and breakfast, funeral home, hospital and nursing home.

Lavelle also needs a zone change for 200 Whiting Farms Road to Business Highway from the current Business General to allow him to sell used cars. He said he would sell a maximum of four used vehicles at a time.

Details will be added to this story as reporting continues.

An Amtrak train headed to New York City derailed and crashed in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, and several people appeared to be injured.

PHILADELPHIA -- An Amtrak train headed to New York City derailed in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, mangling the front of it and injuring several people, some of whom climbed out of windows to get away.

Train 188, a Northeast Regional, had left Washington, D.C. The front of the train was going into a turn when it shook.

An Associated Press manager, Paul Cheung, was on the train and said he was watching Netflix when "the train started to decelerate, like someone had slammed the brake."

"Then suddenly you could see everything starting to shake," he said. "You could see people's stuff flying over me."

Cheung said another passenger urged him to escape from the back of his car, which he did. He said he saw passengers trying to escape through the windows of cars tipped on their side.

"The front of the train is really mangled," he said. "It's a complete wreck. The whole thing is like a pile of metal."

The cause of the derailment was unknown, but Amtrak said it was investigating. The area where the derailment occurred is known as Frankford Junction and has a big curve.

Police swarming around the crash site, in Port Richmond, a working-class area, told people to get back, away from the train. They pleaded with curious onlookers: "Do NOT go to scene of derailment. Please allow 1st responders room to work."

Roads all around the crash site were blocked off. Waves of firefighters continuing toward the train cars, taking people out.

Several injured people, including one man complaining of neck pain, were rolled away on stretchers. Others wobbled while walking away or were put on city buses. An elderly woman was given oxygen. Dozens of people were hospitalized.

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy was on the train and said he helped people. He tweeted photos of firefighters helping other people in the wreckage.

"Pray for those injured," he said.

Amtrak said the train was carrying 238 passengers and five crew members. It said rail service on the busy Northeast Corridor between New York and Philadelphia was stopped.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering information about the derailment. It said it was launching an investigative team, which would arrive at site Wednesday morning.

Another Amtrak train crashed on Sunday. That train, bound for New Orleans, struck a flatbed truck at a railway crossing in Amite, killing the truck's driver and injuring two people on the train.

In March, at least 55 people were injured when an Amtrak train collided with a tractor-trailer that was stuck on the tracks in North Carolina.

Port Richmond, the site of Tuesday's crash, is one of five neighborhoods in what's known as Philadelphia's River Wards, dense rowhouse neighborhoods located off the Delaware River.

Injuries reported in train 188 incident, all service canceled this evening btwn NY/Philly. Updates to follow: http://t.co/NrbRlMazfl.

-- Amtrak (@Amtrak) May 13, 2015

pic.twitter.com/GvooK8lq58

-- Patrick J. Murphy (@PatrickMurphyPA) May 13, 2015

BREAKING: LIVE VIDEO FROM SCENE OF AMTRAK CRASH IN PHILLY (Improved link) - http://t.co/dUwtTEOzjT pic.twitter.com/Bquccvi4e0

-- Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 13, 2015

Five percent of the total number of registered voters cast ballots Tuesday.

SOUTHWICK - Voters Tuesday gave a one-year term on the Dickinson School Trust to Kristi L. Deedy by a 103 vote margin.

Deedy defeated former Selectman J. Patrick Ayotte in the only contested race on the election ballot.

A total of 325 voters cast ballots or 5 percent of the total 6,453 eligible voters.

John Whalley collected 94 write-in votes to earn a one-year term on the Park and Recreation Commission. There was no announced candidate for that post.

Planning Board member Douglas S. Moglin was unopposed in his quest for a seat on the Board of Selectman. However, write-in candidate Bruce Mason collected 15 votes for that seat.

Selectwoman Tracy L. Cesan chose not to seek re-election.

Other unopposed candidates for various offices were Maria P. Seddon for a three-year seat on the School Committee and Paul M. Connolly for a three-year term on the Board of Assessors.

Veronica L. Connolly earned a three-year term on the Cemetery Commission and Tammy L. Ciak-Bissaillon was elected to a one-year term as Library trustee.

Daniel D. Call and Jeanne Reed Waldron each received a three-year term on the Park and Recreation Commission and Michael B. Doherty earned a five-year term on the Planning Board.

Veteran Health Board Commissioner Jerome M. Azia was unopposed for another three-year term and Karen F. Reed was unopposed for a five-year term on the Housing Authority.

Dean M. Rankin was unopposed for a three-year as Dickinson School Trustee and David Brian Meczywor was not challenged in a bid for a three-year seat on the Water Commission.

Suzanne Davis and Tracy R. Meczywor each received three-year terms as Library Trustees.

A forensic investigation van, typically called out for homicides could be seen in front of a Franklin Street home.

An updated version of this story is now available at MassLive.

Springfield police responded to the scene of a stabbing on Franklin Street Tuesday night.

A forensic investigation van, typically called out for homicides, could be seen in front of a Franklin Street home shortly after 10 p.m.

Police could be seen on a porch in front of the tree-shrouded house across the street from Our Lady of the Rosary church.

MassLive's media partner, Western Mass News, said the incident occurred at 329 Franklin St.

Western Mass News reported that Sgt. John Delaney called the incident a homicide.

More details coming on MassLive and in The Republican as they become available.