Springfield police officers responded to a report of a stabbing victim on Malden Street shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday. An update on the victim's condition wasn't immediately available.

SPRINGFIELD — Police were investigating a stabbing that injured a person in the Malden Street area of Forest Park shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The victim's condition wasn't immediately known, but the man reportedly responsible for the crime – his name was given out over a police radio – was seen leaving the area in a white Nissan Altima.

The 30-year-old suspect's last known address was an apartment near the corner of Main and Patton streets in the city's North End. Officers went to that location but were unable to find him, according to preliminary police reports.

The driver of the Altima, who reportedly gave the suspect a ride, was briefly detained and questioned by police about a block north of the suspect's apartment. Officers were seen talking to the man in the parking lot of the BP gas station on Main Street, between Bond and Carew streets.

After the man checked out, officers were prepared to let him go. However, a police sergeant told them to hang onto the Altima until investigators had a chance to examine it for "evidentiary value." A short while later, Detective Jamie Kelly was seen questioning the driver.

The alleged stabbing scene – the area of 18 Malden St. – is roughly the same spot where 25-year-old Anthony Serrano was fatally shot in June. Less than a half-hour after Thursday night's stabbing call, things were back to normal on Malden Street, where there were no visible signs that a crime had occurred.

Anyone with information about the shooting can reach detectives in the Springfield Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 413-787-6355. Anonymous text-message tips may be sent to CRIMES (274637).

MAP showing approximate location of stabbing:

For the second time in two years, a captive snake in southeast Missouri has given birth without any interaction with a member of the opposite sex.

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- For the second time in two years, a captive snake in southeast Missouri has given birth without any interaction with a member of the opposite sex.

Officials at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center say a female yellow-bellied water snake reproduced on her own in 2014 and again this summer. The snake has been living in captivity, without a male companion, for nearly eight years. An intern who cares for the snake found the freshly laid membranes in July.

This year's offspring didn't survive, but the two born last summer are on display at the nature center, about 100 miles south of St. Louis.

Conservation Department herpetologist Jeff Briggler said virgin births are rare but can occur in some species through a process called parthenogenesis. It occurs in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles, including some snakes, but not mammals.

Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male. It's caused when cells known as polar bodies, which are produced with an animal's egg and usually die, behave like sperm and fuse with the egg, triggering cell division.

The conservation department said there are no other documented cases of parthenogenesis by a yellow-bellied water snake. Like other water snakes, this species gives birth to live young rather than eggs that hatch.

Robert Powell, a biology professor and snake expert at Avila University in Kansas City, said the Brahminy blind snake -- a small burrowing animal native to southeast Asia commonly known as the flowerpot snake -- has long been the only known snake that routinely reproduces without a male's contribution.

In the Missouri case, it's possible -- but unlikely -- that momma snake simply stored sperm from her time in the wild. But Michelle Randecker, a naturalist at the center, said eight years is too long. Powell agreed, saying a female snake usually can't store sperm for longer than a year, although there are accounts of successful storage as long as three years.

"Long-term storage is unusual. When you run into situations like this, you always wonder, 'Is that a possibility?'" he said. "If nothing else, it's an interesting phenomena. Whether this is long-term storage or parthenogenesis, it's cool. Just another sign that nature works in mysterious ways."

A.J. Hendershott, outreach and education regional supervisor for the conservation department, said there was some pride in having the first snake of its species reproduce through parthenogenesis.

"This is the way you make discoveries when you keep things in captivity," Hendershott said. "You learn things about what they're capable of."

The annual kick-off for the 2015 Big E fair came Thursday evening on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The annual kick-off for the 2015 Big E fair came Thursday evening on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

Hosted in the Young Building the evening before New England's fair opens to the general public, the media party brings together Western Mass. reporters, editors, photographers, television and radio personalities, producers and camera operators for a soiree, and advance look at some of the food and drinks to be offered during the 17-day event.

This year, the offerings included Big E gold medal cheeses, fine foods From Chef Tansey,
V-One Vodka Deep Fried Martinis & craft cocktails, Budweiser, Yuengling & Copa Wines, courtesy of Williams Distributing. And of course, there were the Big E Cream Puffs.

Scroll through the slideshow above for a look at who was in attendance, and if you're attending this year's event, get the full 17-day schedule of events and attractions here.

A pair of construction workers were honored by Boston Police Commissioner William Evans for helping a veteran city cop subdue a crime suspect who shoved the officer and attempted to flee.

BOSTON — A pair of construction workers were honored by Boston Police Commissioner William Evans for helping a veteran city cop subdue a crime suspect who shoved the officer and attempted to flee from him.

The incident occurred on Aug. 31 in the Prudential Mall, but authorities posted surveillance video of the takedown on the Boston Police Department's Facebook page on Sept. 17.

Officer Edward Fleming, a 21-year veteran of the force, was working a detail for Turner Construction at 888 Boylston St. when he spotted a suspect in a larceny that occurred a few blocks away.

Fleming pursued the suspect down Boylston Street and into the Prudential Mall, catching up to him in a corridor near an elevator. As Fleming attempts to take the suspect into custody, the surveillance video shows the man shoving the officer and trying to run away from him.

At that point, Ned Flood, a superintendent for Turner Construction, approaches and watches for a couple of seconds before coming to Fleming's aid. As the suspect attempts to push past Fleming, Flood rushes the man and tackles him to the ground.

A pair of construction workers were honored by Boston Police Commissioner William Evans for helping a veteran city cop subdue a crime suspect who shoved the officer and attempted to flee. Here, Evans is seen shaking hands with Ned Flood, a superintendent at Turner Construction. Flood was the first construction worker to come to Boston Police Officer Ed Fleming's help during an Aug. 31 struggle with a crime suspect. To the left of Fleming is Robert Doyle, another Turner Construction employee who assisted at the scene.Boston Police Department 

Seconds later, Robert Doyle, Flood's colleague at Turner Construction, also steps in to help. After the suspect is handcuffed, the video shows Fleming high-fiving both constructions workers, who are seen sharing a laugh with the officer.

"These construction workers do a lot for this city and have always had a great relationship with our officers," Evans said at a ceremony commending Fleming, Flood and Doyle. "We appreciate their support and the support of those from Boston Properties for their role in following up on this incident," the commissioner said.

The suspect, whose name was not released, is "a violent career criminal," police said. He was subsequently charged with larceny and also had numerous unrelated warrants at the time of his arrest, police said.

"The actions taken by these men are refreshing, especially in these times of violence against police officers, negative publicity, and cellphone videos," Boston police said in a press release about the incident.

A Cornell grad student who allowed honeybees to sting him in 25 places was among the winners of this year's Ig Nobels, which honor humorous scientific achievement.

BOSTON (AP) -- A Cornell University graduate student who allowed honeybees to sting him in 25 places and a group of scientists who concluded it's possible for one man to father 888 children are among the winners of this year's Ig Nobels, which honor humorous scientific achievement.

Michael Smith estimates he was stung about 200 times during his 2012 honeybee study. His conclusion: The three most painful places to get stung are the nostril, the upper lip and the male sex organ.

"A sting to the nostril is so painful it's like a whole body experience," he said.

Other winners being honored Thursday night at the 25th annual ceremony at Harvard University include a trio of linguists who discovered that almost every language in the world uses the word "huh" for clarification in a conversation and researchers who found that corporate CEOs take less professional risk if directly affected by natural disasters as children.

Real Nobel laureates hand out the prizes, and each winner receives a cash award: a Zimbabwean 10 trillion-dollar bill, the equivalent of a couple of U.S. dollars.

Smith shared the Ig Nobel for physiology and entomology with Justin Schmidt, an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona who devised a pain scale for insect stings.

His advice: Do not get stung by the tarantula hawk, a nasty looking wasp found in the Southwestern U.S. with a stinger about a quarter-inch long.

"The sting is entirely nontoxic but hurts like the bejesus," Schmidt said.

Mark Dingemanse and two colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, Netherlands, won the Ig Nobel for literature for determining that the word "huh" is used in languages around the world, including some of the most obscure.

"A system for fixing misunderstandings is clearly a crucial part of language," he said. "'Huh?' is one element of this system: It's the basic error signal people fall back on if all else fails."

Elisabeth Oberzaucher and a colleague at the University of Vienna in Austria won the mathematics prize for figuring out whether it was possible for Moroccan Emperor Moulay Ismael to have sired 888 children -- and that's the conservative estimate.

Ismael fathered the children during a roughly 30-year reign that ended in 1727. It sounds exhausting, but the bottom line is, yes, it is possible to father that many children if he had sex daily. The study found that it could be done with as few as 65 women, not the 500 in his harem.

Raghu Rau, professor of finance at the University of Cambridge, and his colleagues won for their study that found business leaders more directly affected by natural disasters as children took less risk during their careers.

Rau uses Apple as an example. Late CEO Steve Jobs, who lived through a deadly landslide near his home in San Francisco as a child, ran the company conservatively. His successor, Tim Cook, witnessed few fatalities despite regular tornadoes while growing up in Alabama and has made more risky business decisions.

"Think of yourself as a member of a board of directors: When you try to hire a CEO, do you want a risk taker or not?" Rau said.

As usual, the winners were thrilled with the honor.

"Sometimes these crazy things provide a lot of insight," said Schmidt, the bug guy.

Jamaries Ruiz, 41, allegedly made $9,400 in checks out to cash while president of Westfield Technical Academy's Parent Volunteer Organization.

The former president of Westfield Technical Academy's Parent Volunteer Organization has been charged with larceny after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the organization's checking account.

Jamaries Ruiz, 41, kept possession of the group's checkbook and was one of four people authorized to use it, Westfield Police Department Det. Todd Edwards wrote in his statement of fact. Two years into her tenure as president, she allegedly began making checks out to cash, totaling $9,400 from June 13, 2013 to Jan. 23, 2015.

Ruiz allegedly wrote on the check's memo lines that the money was for school purposes, but school staff contradicted that story when interviewed by police, according to Edwards' report.

"Administrative staff witnesses for [WTA] report no such items or money was provided to the school," Edwards wrote.

There appeared to be few financial controls on the organization's spending, according to Edwards' report. The treasurer of the organization allegedly told police her son had graduated years earlier and that she was no longer very involved in the organization, with her role limited to assisting Ruiz and co-signing checks. And, Edwards wrote, Ruiz began having the organization's checking account statement forwarded to her home instead of the school beginning in June 2014.

The treasurer told police that there was no legitimate reason to make checks out to cash without documentation, which Ruiz allegedly failed to provide, according to the report.

WTA, known as Westfield Vocational Technical High School until a name-change this year, offers students a range of trade programs, including courses in automotive technology, manufacturing, electrical work and cooking. Its Parent Volunteer Organization distributes scholarships to graduating seniors and organizes activities, according to the school's website.

The criminal filing did not describe a motive for Ruiz' alleged theft, but the allegations coincide with a period of financial struggle for Ruiz and her family.

Ruiz became president of the organization in 2011, according to Edwards' statement, and in 2012 filed for bankruptcy following foreclosure on her and her husband's Conner Ave. home. According to bankruptcy court records, Ruiz owed over $126,000 on a mortgage to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority, and agreed to a five-year payment plan.

Ruiz, who worked for the Center for Human Development, along with her husband, fell behind on scheduled payments several times, according to court records.

The family still lives at the address given in court filings. Ruiz and her attorney John Kavanagh did not immediately return a request for comment.

Det. Edwards wrote in his report that signatures on the cashed checks appeared to match those on Ruiz' bank card, and that Westfield Bank records allegedly showed her making the transactions.

Ruiz' tenure as PVO president ended in July, according to the police statement. Her interim replacement Pauline McClaflin did not immediately return a request for comment.

Westfield Public School Superintendent Suzanne Scallion said the district does not have any financial authority over parent organizations, and that they are responsible for their own audits and controls. She described Ruiz, who she had met briefly at school functions, as a dynamic volunteer who cared about children.

"I think any time this type of charge comes up, it's obviously a concern and it's obviously disappointing. We need to let this play itself out through the legal system. Hopefully it will be resolved to a fair resolution," Scallion said. "We don't have any jurisdiction over them. We're always appreciative of the efforts that our parent organizations make, but we have to trust that they're following the rules."

Ruiz was arraigned Thursday on a count of larceny over $250 by a single scheme in Westfield District Court. She was released on her personal recognizance and is due back in court Nov. 24.

Watertown Police Officer Brandon O'Neill got a hearty sendoff from Springfield as he set out on his 25-hour run to Boston in advance of Saturday's Ride to Remember. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Police Department's Ride to Remember, the annual 104-mile bike ride from Springfield to Boston, off to an early start this year.

Brandon O'Neill set off on the 104-mile ride to the Boston State House promptly at 4 p.m. Friday, a full 15 hours before the rest of the field of 305 riders are due to department on Saturday morning.

O'Neill, a police officer in Watertown, was allowed a head start because he's not technically a rider at all. He plans to run the entire distance -- 104 miles over 25 hours -- and arrive at the State House in Boston on Saturday afternoon at about the same time as the Ride to Remember peloton.

O'Neill, an ultra-marathoner, said it will be the longest he's run on asphalt. "I ran 120 in Vermont but that was trail (running), so that's a whole different ballgame."

O'Neill with a support vehicle in tow, set off from downtown Springfield Friday afternoon. A hundred or so people, many of whom are due to ride the same course tomorrow, were there to cheer him on.

Addressing the crowd, he said "I want to thank everyone. We're own little group (of police officers) here that we represent. And lately we've been getting a bad reputation. Maybe this weekend will bring out some of the goodness in what we do."

The Ride to Remember, now in its third year, is a way for the police officers to celebrate officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The riders will be primarily members of law enforcement, but there are also local firefighters and EMTs, and some members of the press (including this reporter.) This year the ride has been also opened up to members of the general public.

O'Neill is running in remembrance of the fallen, but he's also running in honor of his 9-year-old daughter Savannah, who died of a heart condition in December. His personal rode race is to call attention to It's My Heart - New England, a support, educational and advocacy organization that works around congenital heart defect.

Springfield police Sgt. John Delaney, the principal organizer for the Ride to Remember, said when O'Neill called him up about participating, he said he was welcome.

"But when he said he wanted to run it, I was flabbergasted," he said.

"It's really cool. It's really touching seeing him take off, knowing that he's going to be running all night," Delaney said.

The 305 riders this year represents a record amount in the three-year history of the event.

"The first year I did this there were 190. Last year, there were 230," he said. "I would expect before long, in a couple two or three years we'll have more than 1,000 riders going across the state."

The ride was created in 2013 to honor of Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose and Westfield officer Jose Torres, who were each killed while on duty months apart in 2012. Ambrose was shot to death responding to a domestic call, and Torres was crushed by some heavy equipment while working a traffic detail at a construction site.

It has since been expanded to honor Sean Collier, the MIT officer shot to death by the Boston Marathon bombers in 2013, and Plymouth officer Gregg Maloney, killed last year in an on-duty motorcycle accident.

Last year's ride raised more than $85,000 in funds for the Massachusetts Fallen Officers Memorial in Boston and for local charities.

A portion of this year's money will be used to rehabilitate Michael Schiavina and Alain Beauregard Memorial Field, a youth soccer facility off Tinkham Road in Sixteen Acres named after two Springfield police officers killed on duty in 1985.

William Devin Howell, who is already serving prison time in the death of Nilsa Arizmendi, was charged today with the murders of six other people whose remains were found in the same wooded area in Connecticut as the 33-year-old woman's.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

Bella BondFacebook.com 

State says DCF was involved with family of 'Baby Doe,' little girl whose body was found on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, now known to be Bella Bond [Boston Globe] Photo at left, video above

Owen Labrie  

Suspected serial killer in Virginia prison charged with murder of 6 people in Connecticut [New Britain Herald] Video below

Alan Wishart 

Lynn newspaper publishes cartoon of Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina flipping off rival Donald Trump following debate [CBS Boston.com]

Barney Frank 

Granby Chief of Police Alan Wishart responded to any inferences there was a coverup, saying that "is not an accurate account."

Granby Police Chief Alan WishartRepublican file photo 

GRANBY - The town's police chief has issued a second press release since last week related to the department's handling of an incident involving Belchertown Police Chief Francis Fox being pulled over in February after Granby police said he was observed driving erratically.

Granby Chief of Police Alan Wishart responded to any inferences there was a cover-up, saying that "is not an accurate account."

In a statement on Friday, Wishart wrote: "The level of detail in the officer's report shows there was no attempt to cover it up either by the officer or the department."

He also said any suggestions that Granby was supposed to release the town's police report - prior to anyone requesting it - that stated Fox was driving on the wrong side of the road and smelling of alcohol before being driven home by an officer, is a misunderstanding of normal operating procedures.

"We do not make a practice of calling people's employers when we deal with them in public regardless of who we are dealing with," the Granby police chief wrote.

He said the officer who stopped Fox acting according to his discretion, even though that was not the preferred manner.

"Our officer was placed in a difficult and stressful situation and made a decision. While that decision has led to some skepticism about what he or we didn't do, we stand by his honesty and integrity . . . and for removing any threat to public safety."

Wishart said the officers of the department serve the town well, and he is proud of them, adding: "We will not let one incident define who we are or effect the professional service we provide."

Last week, Wishart issued a statement saying his officers acted within their discretion by not arresting Fox.

In both statements, the Granby chief says his department has been transparent and has responded in a timely matter to requests for public records.

Granby Police Department Press Release Sept 18 2015

The federal government has committed to acquiring more than 300 acres of land into trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, a critical step as the tribe seeks to build a resort casino.

BOSTON (AP) -- The federal government has committed to acquiring over 300 acres of land into trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, a critical step as the tribe seeks to build a resort casino.

The surprise late Friday approval marks the first lands federally designated for the Cape Cod-based tribe whose ancestors encountered the Pilgrims nearly four centuries ago.
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn said the government will acquire 170 acres in the town of Mashpee for tribal governmental, cultural and conservation purposes and 151 acres in Taunton for building and operating a gambling facility and resort.

Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell called it "truly a glorious, monumental day" for the Mashpee Wampanoag, who became a federally-recognized tribe in 2007.

Today at 1 p.m. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell will announce the decision in a formal news conference at the Mashpee Wampanoag Government Center at 483 Great Neck Road South in Mashpee.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley says Bella was "a true innocent."

The late Bella Bond is seen in this photograph on Rachelle Bond's Facebook page.Facebook.com 

Prosecutors announced the charge against Michael McCarthy on Friday. McCarthy is being treated at a Boston hospital for drug issues and can't be reached for comment.

Baby Doe's mother, Rachelle Bond, is under arrest on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact. She's in custody and also can't be reached for comment.

The name of the girl has been revealed as Bella Bond. She had come to be known as Baby Doe over the course of a monthslong investigation that included a massive social media campaign to learn her identity.

Massachusetts House speaker Robert DeLeo said the mother and her boyfriend are blaming each other for the girl's death.

The girl was 2½ years old when she died. Her body was found June 25 inside a trash bag on Deer Island in Winthrop by a woman walking a dog.

Here is a timeline showing how events unfolded today.

5:50 p.m.

This undated flyer released Thursday, July 9, 2015, by the Suffolk County Massachusetts District Attorney includes a computer-generated composite image depicting the possible likeness of a young girl whose body was found on the shore of Deer Island in Boston Harbor on June 25, 2015. Associated Press file 

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said Bella Bond was "a true innocent." He said Friday her "very name means beauty" and she was murdered.

Baby Doe's mother is under arrest on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact.

Bella came to be known as Baby Doe during an investigation that included a massive social media campaign to learn her identity.

5:25 p.m.

News breaks about the arrest of Rachelle Bond's boyfriend being arrested.

5:15 p.m.

A Massachusetts prosecutor says the mother of a toddler girl who was found dead inside a trash bag on a Boston Harbor beach this summer and became known as Baby Doe has been arrested along with another person.

Prosecutor Daniel Conley says he has authorized a murder charge for the mother's boyfriend. The girl's mother is under arrest on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact.

The name of the girl has been revealed as Bella Bond. She had come to be known as Baby Doe over the course of a monthslong investigation that included a massive social media campaign to learn her identity.

The Massachusetts House Speaker says the mother and her boyfriend are blaming each other for the girl's death.

The girl was 2½ years old when she died. Her body was found June 25 inside a trash bag on Deer Island in Winthrop by a woman walking a dog.

2:45 p.m.

Massachusetts officials have identified the little girl whose body was found in a trash bag earlier this summer as Bella Bond.

The body found on June 25 in Boston had been known as "Baby Doe" during an intense campaign to learn her identity.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Friday that investigators have identified the girl, who was believed to be about 3 or 4 years old. Her body was found by a woman walking her dog on a Boston Harbor beach.

Gov. Charlie Baker says the state's Department of Children and Families was involved with the girl's family for several months in 2013, but the case was closed.

The discovery of the body sparked a massive social media campaign. Within two weeks, a composite image of the chubby-cheeked, brown-eyed girl had reached an estimated 47 million people on Facebook.

10:20 a.m.

A law enforcement official says authorities have identified the girl who was found dead on a Boston Harbor beach this summer and whose case sparked a massive social media campaign to try to find out what happened to her.

The official spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release details of the investigation. He said police searched a Boston home Thursday and have been in contact with family members.

A spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney's office said the investigation remains "very active." A state police spokesman did not immediately return calls.

The girl was named Baby Doe by investigators and was estimated to be 4 years old. Her body was found on Deer Island in Winthrop on June 25 by a woman walking a dog.

AP legal affairs writer Denise Lavoie contributed to this report.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley confirmed the name of the toddler found in a trash bag off Deer Island eighty days ago as Bella Bond. Michael P. McCarthy has been charged with her murder, and Rachelle Bond has been charged as an accessory after the fact.

BOSTON - "Her name was Bella."

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley opened the Friday press conference with those words, confirming the name of the toddler found in a trash bag off Deer Island in Winthrop more than 80 days ago.

"This child, whose very name means beauty, was murdered," Conley said.

Michael Patrick McCarthy, the 35-year-old boyfriend of the mother, has been charged with intentionally causing Bella's death, according to Conley.

Rachelle Bond (Suffolk DA's Office)(Suffolk DA's Office) 

Bella's mother, Rachelle Bond, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact, allegedly taking steps to keep her death a secret after it occurred.

McCarthy and Bond, 40, have been arrested and are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on Monday. Conley said he was limited in what he could say before their arraignment.

McCarthy is hospitalized for a medical condition unrelated to the case, while Bond was located at a family friend's home in Lynn earlier on Friday.

Bella Bond was two and a half years old, and a resident of Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, Conley said. He said he has not been briefed on Bella's contact with the state Department of Children and Families.

"I think to learn today that the young Baby Doe was not even three years old, I think, obviously breaks everybody's heart," said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, who joined Conley at the press conference.

Evans said a tip called into the Boston Police Department's homicide unit led to the charges.

Michael P. McCarthy (Suffolk DA's Office)Suffolk DA's Office 

The medical examiner has been working on the cause of death, Conley said, and investigators believe they have "powerful" evidence that they will be able to prove in court, with more information expected to be released on Monday.

"These men and women who have investigated this case have given her name back, now we will give her justice," said State Police Colonel Richard McKeon.

Conley said he received at least ten phone calls from people in the area who wanted to pay for her burial or disposition. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, funeral directors and ordinary citizens were among the people who offered, he said.

The case gained national attention, with law enforcement officials pressing for people to share a composite image of the toddler on social media.

Conley said over the summer he was approached by people while on vacation in Maine, clad in "shorts and flip-flops, inquiring about the case.

"It was on the minds of everybody," he said.

Earlier on Friday, a makeshift memorial sprung up in front of 115 Maxwell Street in Dorchester, as neighbors dropped off a balloon reading "PRINCESS," flowers, and a single candle. Officials believe Bond was living at that address.

Police officers were stationed outside the home as reporters swarmed the street.

Ricky Barron, 30, of Springfield was charged with shoplifting 2nd offense, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in connection with a shoplifting at the Walmart on Memorial Drive.

CHICOPEE - Police apprehended a Springfield man in connection with a shoplifting Friday afternoon at the Walmart at 591 Memorial Drive.

Police charged Ricky Barron, 30, of 19 Warren Avenue, Springfield, with shoplifting 2nd offense, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

He also was charged on a prior arrest warrant, police said.

Police responded to the Walmart Friday at 12:35 p.m. Police said the suspect had fled from store security and was running across Memorial Drive.

Officer Brian LePage stopped the suspect at Williams Paint Store and started speaking with him. When the suspect heard the description of himself on the police radio, police said he fled and ran across Memorial Drive through a wooded area, through a stream, jumped a security fence and ran onto and across the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Detective Sgt. Jeff Nadeau, detective Tim Foley and officer Jan Wegrzynek were able to stop the suspect on Fuller Road. He was taken into custody and transported to the police station where he was charged with shoplifting and resisting arrest.

Four other officers chased Barron, and one suffered a knee injury, police said.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Alysha M. MacInnes 

WESTFIELD - Alysha M. (Byers) MacInnes, 24, beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, and friend peacefully passed away at Baystate Medical Center on Sunday surrounded by her loving family. Born in Holyoke on February 9, 1991, she was a lifelong resident of Westfield. She attended local schools graduating from Westfield High School. She was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Westfield. Alysha loved to help others and did so by walking in the Crop Walk for Hunger for many years. She also was a volunteer for the Community Table in Westfield and participated in the Relay for Life for four years.

Springfield police responded to officer with a hurt leg at 633 Boston Road Friday about 7:15 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD - Police were responding to an officer with a hurt leg in front of the Price Right grocery store at 633 Boston Road.

The police officer was being transported to the hospital by AMR ambulance.

Another police officer was reported to have a laceration to the head.

Police also were reporting two subjects in custody.

The incident happened about 7:15 p.m.

More information will be reported as it becomes available.

Bonds rallied as investors sought safety.

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK -- Fears over slowing global growth hammered stocks in the U.S. and Europe on Friday and lifted prices of government bonds and other assets seen as safer bets.

The selling pushed down major stock indexes in Germany, France and Britain before spreading to the U.S. The Standard and Poor's 500 index slumped to its biggest loss in more than two weeks as all 10 industry sectors of the broad market gauge fell. Energy companies dropped the most as oil plunged.

The stock sell-off came a day after the Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates near zero. That means borrowing costs will remain low for a while yet, a prospect that has in the past typically boosted stocks. But some investors, expecting the Fed would be confident enough to nudge rates up by at least a quarter of a point, interpreted the stance as a sign that the global economy is dangerously weak.

"If growth in the strongest economy -- the United States -- isn't strong enough to raise rates even a quarter of a point, what does that say about the prospects for global growth?" said Bill Strazzullo, chief strategist at market research firm Bell Curve Trading.

The Fed has kept its benchmark rate close to zero for almost seven years. In that time, U.S. stocks have nearly tripled from their financial crisis low. The Fed meets again next month and in December.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 290.16 points, or 1.7 percent, to 16,384.58. The S&P 500 slumped 32.17 points, or 1.6 percent, to 1,958.03 and the Nasdaq composite shed 66.72 points, or 1.4 percent, to 4,827.23.

Bonds rallied as investors sought safety. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note gained, pushing down its yield to 2.13 percent. Gold also gained.

A gauge of investor fear, the VIX index, shot up 7 percent to 23. In early July, this measure of expected swings in stock prices was 12.

In its rate decision Thursday, the Fed cited low inflation, weakness in the global economy and unsettled financial markets. Investors have been on edge about a slowdown in China and other emerging market nations since last month. The S&P 500 index is down about 8 percent from its record close of 2,130.82 set in May.

UBS strategist Julian Emanuel said a mix of other factors may have also fed the selling Friday.

Investors are worried about third-quarter corporate earnings, which are forecast to drop 4 percent for companies in the S&P 500. Also, several dozen House Republicans have said they won't vote for a funding bill that includes money for Planned Parenthood, raising the specter of a government shutdown next month.

"When you add up the Fed, China, the cloudy earnings outlook and, and possibly of government shutdown, it's not a surprise that the market has had a defensive reaction," Emanuel said.

In Europe, Germany's DAX fell 3.1 percent while the CAC-40 in France dropped 2.6 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 ended the day 1.3 percent lower.

Among U.S. stocks making big moves, JPMorgan Chase fell $1.71, or 2.7 percent, to $60.94 as investors judged that lower interest rates for longer mean banks won't be able charge more for loans. Citigroup slumped $1.36, or 2.6 percent, $50.29.

La Quinta plunged $2.92, or 15 percent, to $16.05 after the hotel company announced late Thursday that its CEO Wayne Goldberg had stepped down after almost a decade in charge. The company also lowered its 2015 sales forecast due to weak demand in August and September.

In metals trading, the price of gold rose $20.80 to $1,137 an ounce. Silver climbed 17.9 cents to $15.16 an ounce and Copper fell 6.6 cents to $2.39 per pound.

The price of oil plunged over concerns that demand for crude could weaken if the global economy slows. U.S. oil dropped $2.22, or 4.7 percent, to $44.68 per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell $1.61, or 3.3 percent, to $47.47 per barrel in London.

In other energy futures trading:

1. Wholesale gasoline fell 2 cents to $1.356 per gallon.
2. Heating oil slipped 3.9 cents to $1.491 per gallon.
3. Natural gas fell 4.7 cents to $2.605 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The 2015 Big E fair kicked off on Friday in West Springfield, Massachusetts and one of the highlights was the opening day Mardi Gras Parade.

The 2015 Big E kicked off opening day with a late afternoon Mardi Gras parade on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition on Friday.

Fair goers lined the route hoping to grab beads thrown from parade floats.

The military was also honored with many units participating during Military Appreciation Day.

High school bands also played with Minnechaug Regional as the lead band.

Scroll through the slideshow above for a look at the parade, and if you're attending this year's event, get the full 17-day schedule of events and attractions here.

XPogo, a group of extreme pogo stick performers, delighted the crowd at the opening day of The Big E on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday.

XPogo, a group of extreme pogo stick performers, delighted the crowd at the opening day of The Big E on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on Friday.

The group, based out of Manhattan, features performers from throughout the United States doing various jumps and flips at the end of the Avenue of States.

Sunny skies brought out the crowds for opening day of the 2015 Big E.

Last year, a record 71,019 people attended opening day of the fair. But by 3 p.m. on Friday, the attendance was up 10 percent over the same point in time last year, according to Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition.

Scroll through the slideshow above for a look at the performance, and if you're attending this year's event, get the full 17-day schedule of events and attractions here.

Emergency crews were responding to reports of a rollover accident on Interstate 91 in Northampton south of exit 21.

NORTHAMPTON - Emergency vehicles at 9 p.m. were responding to the scene of a reported rollover accident on Interstate 91, south of exit 21.

 

Hatfield ambulance responded and was transporting a patient to Baystate Medical Center.

This is a developing story. More information will be published as it becomes available.

TV reports showed at least five gunshots in the SUV's hood.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- A sheriff's deputy in a helicopter shot at a suspected home invasion robber who led authorities on a 100-mph chase Friday, and the suspect died on a Southern California freeway, authorities said.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the man had been wounded by gunfire or died from other injuries, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Deon Filer said.

Deputies began pursuing the robbery suspect from the Fontana area east of Los Angeles around midday, authorities said.

The gray Chevrolet Yukon reached speeds of 100 mph as it raced along streets and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 215 into San Bernardino, sideswiping a car, authorities said.

The wrong-way driving prompted a deputy to open fire on the SUV from a helicopter.

"It's a public-safety issue," Deputy Olivia Bozek said. "Once he starts going the wrong way, obviously he doesn't care about passengers or pedestrians or other cars that are around."

TV reports showed at least five gunshots in the SUV's hood.

The driver then bailed out of the vehicle, which kept rolling and crashed head-on into a Dodge Durango. Three people in that SUV were injured and taken to hospitals, officials said.

One was listed in critical condition and two were in fair condition, KABC-TV reported.

The fleeing driver, meanwhile, continued along the freeway until he collapsed a short distance away near an overpass. He died at the scene.

The incident closed the northbound lanes for hours, backing up traffic for miles.