Nine votes will again be necessary at the City Council Aug. 20 meeting for final approval of the land transfer.

WESTFIELD - The City Council Thursday night narrowly granted initial approval to the transfer of land on Ponders Hollow Road from the fire to the parks and recreation departments.

The 9-4 vote came after at least six parents of students from the former Juniper Park School, now scheduled for transport to the Russell Elementary School in Russell, made passionate pleas for approval of not only the land swap but also a proposed $36 million new elementary school at Ashley and Cross streets.

Nine affirmative votes by the council were necessary to approve the land transfer and nine votes will again be needed when the issue comes up for final approval at the City Council's Aug. 20 meeting.

An estimated 30 residents, representing the Juniper Park School owned by Westfield State University and no longer used by the School Department, attended the council meeting Thursday.

Several parents who spoke tried to intimidate councilors opposed to the transfer and who have consistently voiced opposition to the location of the new new school at the Ashley and Cross streets site.

Residents reminded City Council members that this is an election year and all, especially the opposition, are up for re-election in November.

One speaker, Leslie Clark Yvon, retired principal of Franklin Avenue School, pleaded with councilors to approve the transfer and move forward with construction of the school that will replace Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue schools, both of which are over crowded and suffer from building deficiencies.

One parent called on the council to "provide the same opportunities to students of Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue schools that are afforded other students and other schools throughout the city."

The proposed $36 million school, designed to house 600 students in grades kindergarten to grade 5, has already received approval and 68 percent reimbursement by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The intent of city and school officials was to use the new school, originally proposed in 2010, to replace the need for the city to lease Juniper Park School and close the aging Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue schools.

But, construction of the building has been tied up in Superior Court and now state Appellate Court by some residents of Ashley and Court streets. Their opposition cites the size of the building in a residential neighborhood and anticipated congested traffic flow on both streets.

The land transfer of Ponders Hollow Road parcel will not only move from the Fire Department to the Parks and Recreations but also be used to supplement the loss of the Cross Street Playground if the new school is ever built.

Also, the transfer will allow the Parks and Recreation Department to better maintain the Ponders Hollow parcel and eventually create passive recreation there, city and school officials say.

Council at-Large members David A. Flaherty, Cindy C. Harris, Dan Allie and Ward 4 Councilor Mary L. O'Connell have consistently opposed the land project and school construction.

Harris said Thursday she is awaiting a court resolution to the dispute between residents and the city. Allie, Flaherty and O'Connell have questioned the legality of the land transfer as well as the neighborhood opposition to the school.

West Springfield police shared the identity Friday evening of the driver who was killed late Wednesday when thrown from his car in a Route 5 crash: Nimat Umarov.

West Springfield police shared the identity Friday evening of the driver who was killed late Wednesday when thrown from his car in a Route 5 crash: Nimat Umarov.

The 18-year-old native is a recent graduate of West Springfield High School. Capt. Michael Banas said Umarov was killed just before midnight on Wednesday when he hit a guardrail while driving at high speeds and was ejected from the car.

Umarov was driving with his 15-year-old brother in the vehicle. Police say the younger brother was uninjured and wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash while the older Umarov was not.

Nimat Umarov, an 18-year-old recent West Springfield High School graduate, was killed in a car accident late Thursday evening. West Springfield police say he lost control of the vehicle while driving on Route 5 and hit a guardrail. He died as a result of his injuries sustained in the accident.

The missing 5-by-2 shark was part of the Sharks in the Park art exhibit and fundraiser, an installation on the lawn of Eldredge Public Library on Main Street in Chatham.

CHATHAM — Authorities in the lower Cape Cod town of Chatham, aka "Shark Central," are looking for a good-sized shark.

No, not a big fish lurking in the increasingly shark-infested waters off Chatham, but rather an authentic-looking sculpture that was part of an art installation on the lawn of the town's library, The Cape Cod Times reports.

Someone swiped the wood-carved shark at some point late Thursday night, according to the Hyannis daily, and the Chatham Merchants Association is offering an unspecified reward for information on the whereabouts of the sculpture.

The missing 5-by-2 shark was part of the Sharks in the Park art exhibit and fundraiser on the lawn of Eldredge Public Library. The sculpture was crafted by Rich Benson, a longtime fishermen and guide, whose lifelike pieces are coveted by marine art collectors.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chatham police anonymous tip line at 508-945-8847.

Lamar Brison, 24, and Elijah Small, 19, were arraigned Friday in Roxbury Municipal Court.

BOSTON -- A judge has set high bails for two men arrested after a shooting in Boston that killed a man and wounded another.

Twenty-four-year-old Lamar Brison and 19-year-old Elijah Small were arraigned Friday in Roxbury Municipal Court and ordered detained on $100,000 cash bails. Both are charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm. Brison also was charged with misleading an investigator and motor vehicle offenses. Both men are from the city's Dorchester neighborhood.

Police say 22-year-old Raheem Ramirez was killed and a 24-year-old man was wounded in the shooting Thursday night in the city's Roxbury section. The wounded man is expected to survive.

No one has been charged in Ramirez's killing.

Brison's lawyer said there is no evidence of wrongdoing against his client. Small's attorney says Small wasn't involved in the shooting.

Orange County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Kathleen Kennedy said that power to the attraction was restored with a generator and that firefighters, some on ladders, got riders out of the enclosed capsules by manually opening the doors.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A fire official says firefighters have safely removed all 66 riders who were stranded aboard The Orlando Eye after the 400-foot Ferris wheel stopped moving for more than 45 minutes Friday.

Orange County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Kathleen Kennedy said that power to the attraction was restored with a generator and that firefighters, some on ladders, got riders out of the enclosed capsules by manually opening the doors.

"All guests are safely evacuated," she said, minutes after the end of a more than three-hour effort to remove stranded riders.

She says no one was hurt and there was no immediate indication what caused the observation wheel to stop. Elite rescue climbers stood by, but didn't deploy.

No one was immediately available from The Orlando Eye for comment.

State police spokesman David Procopio said that people have provided information on other missing children, too.

BOSTON -- Massachusetts authorities say hundreds of tips have poured in from across the country after they released a computer-generated image of a young girl found dead in a plastic bag on Deer Island in Boston Harbor.

Computer generated image 

Officials released the image Thursday in an attempt to generate clues about the girl's identity, which remains unknown.

Officials believe the brown-haired, brown-eyed girl was about 4 years old. Her body was found June 25 on Deer Island inside a plastic bag that also contained a black and white zebra-print blanket.

A spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney says some people have offered to pay for the girl's burial or funeral costs.

There are a lot of characters hanging around the Quadrangle at the Springfield Museums and they go by the names Horton, Grinch, Max, Thidwick and more.

SPRINGFIELD - There are a lot of characters hanging around the Quadrangle at the Springfield Museums and they go by the names Horton, Grinch, Max, Thidwick and more.

These characters were born in the mind of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss and comprise the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.

Built in 2002, the sculptures are cast from bronze and are scattered throughout the grounds of the museums. The Lorax is the first character visitors see when they arrive from the parking lot. A 10-foot tall Yertle the Turtle sculpture stands set-back between the old Connecticut Valley Historical Museum and the Michele & Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts.

But right in the heart of the Quadrangle, in front of the library and George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, stands Horton's Court with a giant Horton the Elephant flanked by Thing One and Thing Two, Dr. Seuss himself sitting at his drawing table with the Cat in the Hat looking on and other characters.

Worth a trip from anywhere, the sculptures bring alive some of literature's most beloved creatures. Children can stand next to the Grinch while petting his dog Max, complete with faux antlers. They can crawl under Horton and look up at Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose. Sally and Conrad are there too, keeping an eye on Thing One and Thing Two.

Called "the most photographed place in Western Massachusetts" by museum officials, the sculptures were created to engage the public by allowing people to literally walk through them and touch the artwork.

Viewing the sculptures is free, but if you want to visit the other museums tickets range from $18 for adults to free for children under 2 with many price levels in between.

The child, who was last seen Friday afternoon, was in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families.

BLANDFORD — Authorities were looking for a child who fled DCF custody in Blandford Friday afternoon.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Gerald Johnson told Western Mass News, TV partner of MassLive / The Republican, that troopers were searching the area around Chester and Old Chester roads for the missing child.

Authorities did not release any images or additional information about the child.

A State Police K-9 unit also was involved in the effort, Western Mass News reports.

"There's concern they might be human, so we shipped them to the Medical Examiner's office in Holyoke," West Springfield Police Detective Capt. Daniel Spaulding told a local TV news station.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Police were investigating after organs, either animal or human, were found in a shopping cart in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Riverdale Street on Friday afternoon.

"There's concern they might be human, so we shipped them to the Medical Examiner's office in Holyoke," West Springfield Police Detective Capt. Daniel Spaulding told a local TV news station. "We don't believe they're from a person, but we're not sure," he said.

One of the organs was in a plastic bag, that other was not.

Authorities cordoned off a section of the parking lot while they investigated. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the West Springfield Police Department at 413-732-7423.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is gambling the future of his five-month-old left wing government on Sunday's snap poll — insisting a "no" vote will strengthen his hand to negotiate a third bailout with better terms.

By DEREK GATOPOULOS
and MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS

ATHENS, Greece -- Greeks packed city squares for dueling rallies late into the night Friday, as polls showed a dead heat between the 'yes' and 'no' camps ahead of a bailout referendum Sunday that could be Greece's most important vote since it joined the European Union.

More than 40,000 people gathered at the two rallies, half a mile apart, before Sunday's vote on whether to accept creditors' proposals for more austerity in exchange for rescue loans, or reject the deal as a show of defiance against years of harsh economic austerity.

"This is not a protest. It is a celebration to overcome fear and blackmail," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told a crowd of 25,000 in front of parliament, who were chanting "oxi, oxi" -- "no, no." Tsipras angered Greece's creditors by calling the referendum and is urging Greeks to vote no.

Meanwhile, police said about 17,000 people gathered outside the nearby Panathenian stadium for the "yes" rally, waving Greek and European Union flags and chanting "Greece, Europe, Democracy."

Rallies for both campaigns were also held in 10 other Greek cities Friday.

Tsipras is gambling the future of his five-month-old left wing government on Sunday's snap poll -- insisting a "no" vote will strengthen his hand to negotiate a third bailout with better terms.

But the high-stakes standoff with lenders this week saw Greece default on debts, close banks to avoid their collapse, and lose access to billions of euros as an existing bailout deal expired.

At the "no" rally, Athens resident Maria Antiniou held a handmade sign, reading "oxi."

"We have to strengthen Tsipras. It's not his fault we are bankrupt," she said.

"He doesn't have the mandate to take tougher measures and now we are giving that to him. It's not true this is a vote on the euro. It's a vote to change course and stay in the euro, and Tsipras is our best hope," she said.

That is a message the "yes" voters refuse believe.

Evgenia Bouzala, a Greek born in Germany, said she was considering shutting down her olive oil export business because of the financial turmoil.

"I don't think we can keep going. Look at what happened in the last three days. Imagine if that lasts another six months," she said.

"A 'yes' vote would bring a caretaker government and that would probably be better ... We have to start over."

The drama remained high in the final hours of campaigning.

The country's top court stayed in session till the late afternoon before rejecting a petition to declare the referendum illegal, while party leaders, personalities, and church elders weighed in with impassioned pleas to vote "no" or "yes" on the airwaves and social media.

In a rare public declaration, 16 former armed forces leaders wrote an appeal to citizens to show "calm and national unity."

A series of polls published Friday at the end of a frantic weeklong campaign showed the two sides in a dead heat, with an incremental lead of the "yes" vote well within the margin of error.

But they showed an overwhelming majority of people -- about 75 percent -- want Greece to remain in the euro currency.

Much of the ambiguity arises from the complicated question on the ballot paper:

"Must the agreement plan submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to the Eurogroup of 25 June, 2015, and comprised of two parts which make up their joint proposal, be accepted? The first document is titled 'reforms for the completion of the current program and beyond' and the second 'Preliminary debt sustainability analysis.'"

Voters are asked to check one of two boxes: "not approved/no" and -- below it -- "approved/yes."

"People don't even understand the question," Athens Mayor George Kaminis told supporters at the "yes" rally.

"We have been dragged into a pointless referendum that is dividing the people and hurting the country."

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis told Ireland's RTE radio Friday that an agreement with creditors "is more or less done" and that the only issue left is debt relief.

But the head of the eurozone finance ministers' group, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, rejected the idea, pointing out that negotiations had been broken off.

"There are no new proposals from our side and, whatever happens, the future for Greece will be extremely tough," Dijsselbloem said.

"To get Greece back on track and the economy out of the slump, tough decisions will have to be taken and every politician that says that won't be the case following a 'no' vote is deceiving his population."

Germany's finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble told his country's Bild daily that any negotiations after the Greek vote "will take a while."

No campaigning is allowed the day before an election in Greece, so Friday's rallies were the closing salvoes in the battle to persuade voters ahead of Sunday.

Elena Becatoros and Costas Kantouris in Athens, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Michael Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report.

The boy's condition went from stable to critical, according to Western Mass News, TV partner of MassLive / The Republican.

SOUTHWICK — The teenager who fell into an abandoned rock quarry in Southwick Thursday was in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Friday.

The 17-year-old boy, whose identity wasn't released by authorities, underwent multiple surgeries for injuries sustained in the fall, according to Western Mass News, TV partner of MassLive / The Republican.

The quarry straddles the border of Southwick and Agawam, and firefighters from both towns took part in a roughly hour-long rescue effort that ended around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Agawam fire officials estimate the boy fell about 100 feet down a vertical rock face before coming to rest on a sloped area at the base of the cliff.

Authorities said the rescue effort was challenging because of the difficult terrain and remote location of the quarry. Thursday's mishap was the third time in as many years that Agawam and Southwick firefighters have been called to the quarry to help people who were injured after falling, officials said.

SOUTH HADLEY-The 2015 South Hadley fireworks were held Friday evening at the Michael E. Smith Middle School. The event featured foods from various community non-profits, games and music from the South Hadley Community Band. Crowds gathered at the school as well as the Mosier Elementry School grounds across the street. Business sponsors for the event were PeoplesBank, Easthampton Savings Bank,...

SOUTH HADLEY-The 2015 South Hadley fireworks were held Friday evening at the Michael E. Smith Middle School. The event featured foods from various community non-profits, games and music from the South Hadley Community Band.

Crowds gathered at the school as well as the Mosier Elementry School grounds across the street. Business sponsors for the event were PeoplesBank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Beers & Story, Metras Insurance and Veryl's Automotive.

Two members of the BOH said Arthur Quinn, an engineer, had overseen the installation of a new septic tank at 2 F Pine Tree Drive without their permission and no fee was collected from the homeowner

HOLLAND -- Board of Health Chairman Ken Ferrence, who resigned following an acrimonious meeting Wednesday, said he had a lot of questions about how a septic tank installation took place last week without the board's approval.

Ferrence was joined in his criticism by board member Dana Manning. In opposition was third board member Dave Kowalski who said the proper process was followed with the replacement of the tank.

Ferrence and Manning said the installation of a new septic tank at 2F Pine Tree Drive was overseen by an engineer who is a Board of Health agent.

Ferrence said there are no records of the work filed with the town, a required $150 permit fee was not collected, and that the planned work was supposed to have been discussed with the board for approval prior to installation.

Kowalski, on the other hand, said he had spoken with the engineer prior to the work being done, gave him permission to proceed, and that everything was done properly.

Kowalski said the engineer acted properly, and that there was no fee for installing the 1,500 gallon septic tank as the 500 gallon structure being replaced was leaking and it was an emergency. He said he gave the engineer a green light to proceed.

The tank was installed on Monday.

In an interview, Kowalski said the agent, "... called me up (and said) we have to do an emergency repair. I said, go ahead, and replace the tank," adding, no permit fee was required for that job.

Manning, in an email, stated said she double checked and a permit was needed for the work and the Board of Health is the body that issues the permit.

Infighting on recordkeeping other issues marked the July 1 meeting.

Ferrence said he emailed a letter to the town clerk at 11 p.m. that night, saying he had resigned for health reasons.

Washington launched its second-in-the-nation legal marijuana market with just a handful of stores selling high-priced pot to long lines of customers. A year later, the state has about 160 shops open, tax revenues have soared past expectations and sales top $1.4 million per day.

SEATTLE -- Washington launched its second-in-the-nation legal marijuana market with just a handful of stores selling high-priced pot to long lines of customers. A year later, the state has about 160 shops open, tax revenues have soared past expectations and sales top $1.4 million per day.

And who knows -- the industry might even start making some money.

Washington pot farmers, processors and retailers have complained all year that heavy state and federal tax burdens, along with competition from an unregulated medical marijuana market, have made it difficult for them to do business.

But at least some relief is here: This month, two new laws take effect, one to regulate and tax medical marijuana, and one to cut Washington's three-level excise tax on pot to a single, 37-percent tax.

Despite some industry gripes and those tweaks to Washington's legal pot law, which voters passed in 2012 to legalize marijuana for adults over 21, officials and legalization backers say the state's slow and deliberate effort to regulate marijuana has been a success.

A year after stores opened on July 8, 2014, here's a look at the state of legal weed here.

THE TAXES

Washington's racked up more than $250 million in marijuana sales in the past year -- roughly $62 million of which constitute marijuana excise taxes. That's beyond the state's original forecast of $36 million. And when state and local sales and other taxes are included, the total payday for the state and local governments tops $70 million.

That's real money, if only a drop in Washington's $38 billion two-year budget. Colorado's recreational sales began Jan. 1, 2014, and brought in taxes of $44 million in the first year.

The tax revenue could continue to keep climbing.

And as other states watch Washington and Colorado, the only other state with legal marijuana sales, bring in more money, they're ever more seriously considering following suit, as Oregon and Alaska have already.

"Nobody's counting on the revenue from cannabis sales to save us, but it has an impact," David Zuckerman, a Vermont state senator and legalization advocate, said during a recent visit to Seattle. "The more important thing is that the sky didn't fall in Colorado. The tidal wave hasn't hit Seattle. They're showing us that this can be done."

... AND THE TAXES

The flip side has been the burden of the taxes on pot businesses, with marijuana taxed 25 percent each time it moves from the growers to the processers to the retailers. That's been especially tough on retailers, who must pay federal income tax on the marijuana tax they turn over to the state.

James Lathrop, who owns Seattle's first legal marijuana shop, Cannabis City, says through the end of 2014, his estimated federal tax liability was $510,000, on top of the $778,000 he owed the state on $3.1 million in sales.

"I'm basically doing this for free," Lathrop says. "Nobody's gone out of business, but I'm not driving a new truck either."

It hasn't been much easier on the growers.

"Looking back now, it's amazing we could be so successful and unsuccessful at the same time," says Jeremy Moberg, a long-time black-market grower who went legal and now runs CannaSol Farms in north-central Washington. "We're the No. 9 grower in the state, and my bank account just seems to stagnate."

The new tax rate should help. The law makes clear that the 37 percent tax is the responsibility of the customer -- not the retailer. That means stores won't have to claim that money as income on their federal filings.

ISN'T LEGAL WEED EXPENSIVE IN WASHINGTON?

With few growers harvesting by the time the first stores opened, the average price of a gram of legal marijuana spiked to nearly $30 last summer -- about three times the cost in medical marijuana shops. But prices have been dropping as more weed gets harvested. In fact, Washington has harvested 13.5 tons of marijuana flower intended to be sold as bud, but stores have only sold about 10 tons.

Some of the excess can be turned into marijuana extracts, such as oil, but the harvest has helped drive down the prices to an average of about $11.50 per gram.

Nevertheless, Lathrop says that in addition to tourists eager to visit the city's historic first legal pot shop, his clientele primarily consists of customers in the 25-and-older range.

"It's a more of an adult demographic, but that's OK," he says. "They have jobs and they can afford to buy the product."

WHAT'S NEXT?

Rick Garza, director of Washington's Liquor Control Board -- soon to be renamed the Liquor and Cannabis Board -- says he's most proud of Washington's efforts at meeting the top priorities the Justice Department laid out when it announced it would allow Washington, Colorado and other states to regulate marijuana: keeping criminal organizations out of the industry, keeping the marijuana in-state and keeping pot away from kids.

The state adopted background checks and financial investigations of pot-license applicants, and capped the total amount of production to try to keep it in line with in-state demand.

While public health advocates say they wished the state had done more to stress the potential harms of pot to teens, the state required strict packaging and labeling requirements to keep children from getting into the weed. Products that appeal to kids also remain banned -- no marijuana cotton candy or gummy bears.

Those will remain priorities as the state moves forward with the big task of merging the recreational and medical markets, Garza says.

Less of a concern, he says, is competition from the next state to offer legal marijuana sales: neighboring Oregon. So far, the stores in Vancouver, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, have been some of the top-selling stores in the state. The flow of customers across the river will likely reverse as Oregon's medical marijuana stores are allowed to start selling for recreational use this fall.

"This isn't the first time people have gone to Oregon to buy something either because it's cheaper or because they don't apply sales tax," he said. "We saw it for liquor, we see it for tobacco."

The two car collision occurred at the entrance to the parking lot of the Chicopee City Hall annex on Front Street.

This updates a story posted at 6:31 a.m.

CHICOPEE -- A driver who was involved in an early morning collision Saturday with a police cruiser on Front Street has died, and the officer remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

The 37-year-old male driver was traveling on Front St, when he crossed over the line, striking the police cruiser head-on. The officer's car was pushed into the parking lot of Chicopee City Hall, said Michael Wilk, Chicopee Police media officer.

The cars collided at about 2:12 a.m. Saturday. The police officer and the other driver were taken to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance, Wilk said.

"Our officer is still at Baystate Medical being treated for various bruises, lacerations and head injury," Wilk said at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The name of the 37-year-old driver is not being released until family can be notified, Wilk said.

"Our condolences go out to the (deceased's) family," Wilk said.

The police officer's name has not been released yet. Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section was called to assist with the accident, he said.

The car was a Mercury Mountaineer and the officer was driving a Ford cruiser. Both cars sustained heavy damage.

Staff writer Peter Goonan contributed to this report.

The car was fully engulfed in flames when the Fire Department arrived.

SPRINGFIELD - An early morning car fire on Vadnais Street in Liberty Heights was deliberately set, according to the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad.

The Fire Department responded to the fire at 2:51 a.m., outside 51 Vadnais St., said Dennis G. Leger, executive aide to the fire commissioner. The car, a 1997 Honda Civic was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, he said.

Photo shows the extensive fire damage that followed a deliberately set car fire early Saturday morning.Dennis Leger / Springfield Fire Department 

It was ruled a deliberately set arson, Leger said.

Anyone with information that may help in the investigation is asked to call (413 787-6403 or use the Springfield Police text a tip.

The program begins at 7 p.m. in Riverfront Park with performances by the band Ladies & Gentlemen from Falcetti Music and Sci-Tech Band "The Pride of Springfield". Fireworks are expected to go off at 9:3 from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. MIX 93.1 FM will broadcast a musical simulcast. The fireworks are expected to last 20 minute.

SPRINGFIELD - The Star Spangled Springfield fireworks display will go on as scheduled at dusk tonight, July 4.

The rain showers falling this afternoon are expected to clear the area at about 5 p.m., said Amy Barron-Burke, spokeswoman for organizers Spirit of Springfield.

"They have been setting up in Riverfront Park all day and they set up the fireworks last night," she said. "Hopefully, the lawn will dry out. if you can, bring a blanket or bring a lawn chair."

The program begins at 7 p.m. in Riverfront Park with performances by the band Ladies & Gentlemen from Falcetti Music and Sci-Tech Band "The Pride of Springfield". Fireworks are expected to go off at 9:3 from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. MIX 93.1 FM will broadcast a musical simulcast. The fireworks are expected to last 20 minute.

Star Spangled Springfield is sponsored by MassMutual, Tower Square/CBRE, MGM Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Rotary Club of Springfield, WWLP-22News, Mix 93.1FM, The Republican/MassLive, Springfield Parking Authority, Elegant Affairs, Michael's Party Rentals, 90 Meat Outlet, Charlie Arment Trucking, Hale Trailer, Joseph Freedman Company, United Tractor Trailer School and the City of Springfield.

For public safety, the Springfield Police Department will enforce no bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, pets or alcohol in Riverfront Park.

The 48 people who became American citizens during the Northampton ceremony said they are excited and thankful.

NORTHAMPTON - The Fourth of July was an extra special day for 48 new Americans on Saturday, taking the oath of citizenship and receiving congratulations from their families, friends and local dignitaries.

There were smiles and hugs during the 7th annual Center For New Americans sponsored ceremony outside the Old Courthouse at King and Main streets.

"I'm very happy about this day, this special, special day," said Maysaloon Alsultani, of West Springfield, who came from Iraq and is among the new Americans. "Thank you, thank you my God. Thank you all, everybody in the United States. I'm very happy to thank you."

Alsultani has been in the United States for five years, and is staying with her daughter, who is disabled, and caring for her.

U.S. District Court Judge Katherine A. Robertson, a native of Northampton who presided over the naturalization ceremony, said the new Americans come from countries spanning the alphabet literally from A to Z. They originate from countries ranging from Algeria to Zimbabwe, she said.

Robertson said that the late President Lyndon Johnson, while signing legislation 35 years ago to aid people in becoming citizens, stated that the United States was "built by a nation of strangers from 100 different lands," who blended and helped the land flourish, which remains true today.

Robertson grew up in Northampton, and said people who have moved to the city like those gathered for the ceremony contributed their skills, talents and ideas to make the community more vibrant.

"I know you are going to bring those skills and talents and ideas to Northampton, to Amherst, and to any of the communites where you live," Robertson said.

She and Mayor David J. Narkewicz separately urged the new American citizens to be engaged in their communities and to exercise their new rights, including right to vote.

"The right to vote is one of the most important rights that you gain today," Robertson said.

Bing and Tao Gong, who are from China, were with their children at the ceremony, as Tao was taking the oath of citizenship. Bing has applied for citizenship.

"I feel good because my children are citizens, so I am with them now," said Tao, who has been in the country for 16 years. "I think you feel like it's kind of a new chapter of your life Once we were eligible to apply for citizenship, we applied. This is great."

The couple has two sets of twins, at ages 7 1/2 and 5.

"I am very happy," said Banchigize Tafet of Pittsfield, who is from Ethiopia, and has been living in the United States about five years. "I was waiting for this day, and I am really happy. This is our country now."

Tafet has a daughter, and is working as a nursing assistant and studying to be a nurse.

Ewing unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2103.

EASTHAMPTON -- So far, only two incumbents and a new potential candidate for City Council have taken out nomination papers for elected office in Easthampton. Wednesday, July 1, was the first day the papers were available in the City Clerk's office.

As of Friday afternoon, Mayor Karen L. Cadieux and at-large City Councilor Joseph P. McCoy had pulled papers to seek re-election. David G. Ewing, 66, of 5 Treehouse Circle, Apt. 3, also took out papers, indicating that he may run for one of four at-large seats on the City Council.

David G. Ewing has pulled papers for an at-large seat on the Easthampton City Council.Republican File 

Ewing unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Cadieux and two other candidates in 2013.

The former candle-maker at Yankee Candle in Deerfield at the time touted his "20 years of corporate management experience," saying he had been the manager of a Brooks, a Walgreen's and an Ace Hardware. He also pointed to his political experience as an elected town meeting member in South Hadley for ten years.

Cadieux, 61, of 11 Deerfield Drive, was former Mayor Michael A. Tautznik's assistant for 15 years before launching her own successful campaign, winning a four-way-race in November 2013. Cadieux announced her 2015 campaign last month with a well-attended event at the Glendale Grill on Glendale Street.

City Council president McCoy, 57, of 11 Clapp St., a veterinarian, is now serving his fifth term.

Voters on Nov. 3 will choose a mayor, nine city councilors and six School Committee members. Candidates for mayor or an at-large seat on the City Council must collect 100 signatures, with no more than 25 from any one district. District council candidates must gather 50 signatures to see their name placed on the ballot.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com