MMCT, the tribal business venture authorized to seek a site for Connecticut's third casino, has received five site proposals ahead of today's 4 p.m. deadline.

MMCT, the joint Mohegan-Mashantucket Pequot venture authorized to seek a site for Connecticut's third casino received five site proposals ahead of Friday's 4 p.m. deadline.

The venture, which issued a request for casino proposals in October, said in a press release that it had received submissions from East Hartford, East Windsor, Hartford and Windsor Locks.

Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman Kevin Brown has described the project as in direct competition with MGM Springfield, which is scheduled to open in late 2018. 

"This process began to preserve thousands of jobs and millions in revenue which will leave (Connecticut), the loss of which MGM has repeatedly acknowledged is necessary to make their project in Springfield a success," Brown said. "As members of communities with deep ties to this state, we're simply not going to let that happen without a fight.  With this phase complete, we can now begin to engage interested parties and save Connecticut jobs." 

Connecticut's potential third casino, which will still require a vote by Connecticut's legislature to authorize its construction, is targeting an opening date ahead of the MGM Springfield casino and has been described by both tribal proponents and state officials as a means of insulating Connecticut's gaming revenues from out-of-state competition. 

MGM Resorts International filed a legal challenge in August to Connecticut's new casino gaming law and is suing in federal court to have it declared discriminatory and unconstitutional. That court battle is still ongoing.

The tribes are aiming to select a site by Dec. 15.

East Hartford, whose bid is being backed by former Springfield City Councilor Anthony Ravosa Jr., released its full proposal Friday morning.

 

Enfield fell out the running following opposition from town officials, NBC Connecticut reported today. The Windsor Locks submission appears to be tied to Bradley International Airport, which the Journal Inquirer reported on earlier this morning.

East Windsor First Selectman Denise Menard told MassLive on Monday that the town was considering putting forward two submissions -- one for property that would be owned by the town, and another backed by a private developer. Menard did not return request for further comment on Friday.

The growth of interest in the request for proposals, including submissions like Bradley International Airport's that lack the formal support of the municipalities where they are located, was made possible by MMCT's loosening of its rules for proposals earlier this week.

The company said it would allow "incomplete" applications that lack municipal support, saying that it understood that Election Day had created uncertainty and made meeting today's deadline difficult for some municipalities.

Pearce Real Estate, the company managing the proposals for MMCT, will being reviewing them immediately, according to a press release.

In comments to The Republican last week, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he was focused on his city's development, not on what is taking place across the Connecticut border.

"Our process here, we had to go through two ballot questions and we also had to go through state initiative and we had a very, very democratic process," Sarno said. "I am not going to speak about what Connecticut is going to do or not going to do, the only thing I can control or oversee and be part of is what's being done in Springfield."

Shannon Young contributed reporting to this story.

The objects are box cameras, which record images through pinholes onto film strips. Some of the first working cameras were box cameras. The discovery of one near The Academy of Music at about 7 p.m. Thursday caused Northampton police to summon the state police bomb squad, which X-rayed the device. Four more were foujnd in various places and deemed harmless.

NORTHAMPTON — Police have the five mysterious boxes that caused them to close Main Street on Thursday night, but they still don't know exactly what school project prompted them to be placed downtown.

The objects are box cameras, which record images through pinholes onto film strips. Some of the first working cameras were box cameras. The discovery of one near The Academy of Music at about 7 p.m. Thursday caused Northampton police to summon the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad, which X-rayed the device.

Four more were found in various places and deemed harmless.

Mayor David J. Narkewicz, who received a cell phone call when police closed Main Street, announced the situation at the City Council Thursday. He told councilors not to be alarmed if they heard helicopters.

Narkewicz later said the packages proved to be harmless and that police had reopened Main Street.

Northampton Police Capt. John Cartledge released a statement Thursday saying the packages were related to a school project, but on Friday he would not divulge the name of the school, except to say it was a college.

The Northampton Detective Bureau will continue to investigate the matter, Cartelege said.

Springfield Council President Michael Fenton and Councilor Bud Williams are competing for the council presidency in 2016.

(This story updates a story published at 3:24 p.m. Friday seen here.

SPRINGFIELD - City Council President Michael Fenton is seeking an apology from at-large member Bud Williams after Williams accused him of making an "unethical" promise to secure support for the presidency in 2016.

Fenton has announced that he has the votes to return as council president in 2016 for a third consecutive year, and said he made no promises to councilors to gain their support in contrast to comments made by Williams...

Williams, who is fighting for the council presidency, said he heard that Fenton agreed to support another councilor for president in 2017 in exchange for that member's support for Fenton to remain president in 2016. Williams declined to name the other councilor.

Fenton said the allegation is false.

"I am offended by his remarks and I would appreciate an apology from Councilor Williams," Fenton said. "That's not how I do business."

Fenton also challenged Williams to produce any evidence of any promises.

"That's what I heard," Williams said. "If it's not true, it's not true."

Williams said he is not apologizing, and just stated what he heard.

The vote for president is not scheduled until the newly elected council meets in January, and Williams said he will strive to get the seven votes needed from the 13-member council to serve as its next president

Springfield fire prevention personnel also will be installing stovetop firestop extinguishers in a limited number of homes determined to be high risk for a cooking fire

SPRINGFIELD - The Fire Department is offering free home safety checks throughout the city.

Residents who sign up for a free home safety check will have fire prevention personnel in their homes, providing tips on fire safety which will allow them to identify any behaviors that may be increasing their risk of fire.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said, "I encourage our residents to take advantage of a great opportunity to have our professionals in their homes to improve their safety knowledge as well as to upgrade their detectors."

The fire prevention personnel also will be installing free 10-year photoelectric smoke detectors in homes that require them to make the home compliant with fire codes (until supplies run out).

Also, the fire prevention personnel will be installing stovetop firestop extinguishers in a limited number of homes determined to be high risk for a cooking fire.

Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant said, "Properly installed and operating smoke detectors are the first line of defense in protecting lives and saving property in the city of Springfield."

Residents who are interested in scheduling an appointment should call the city's 3-1-1 Call Center by dialing 3-1-1 from a land line or by calling 413-736-311 from a cell phone.

The Fire Department is offering the home safety checks through a Fire Prevention and Safety Program grant.

Baker vetoed a new public art program, citing concerns about the cost and details.

Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a new public art program, citing concerns about the cost and details.

Charlie Baker
 

"While the goals of this program are admirable, the costs and structure are unreasonable in light of the many legitimate demands and constraints on the Commonwealth's capital investment plan," Baker wrote in his veto letter.

The bill, H.3841, would have created a "percent for art" program in Massachusetts.

Former governor Deval Patrick signed an executive order in December 2014 establishing a "Percent for Art" program in Boston and Gateway Cities, which are struggling urban cities that could anchor their regional economies. The order created a program in which for every construction or renovation project of state-owned property, half of 1 percent of the cost would be set aside to preserve and create public art, up to $250,000 per project.

One sticking point is that Baker suggested capping the contribution at $100,000 per construction project, with a maximum of $1 million set aside each fiscal year. The Legislature limited the requirement to construction projects costing at least $4 million - but kept the $250,000 per project cap with no yearly maximum.But when Baker took office, he never implemented the program. The Legislature tried to codify the program in its fiscal year 2016 budget, but Baker sent it back with an amendment. The Legislature then adopted some, but not all of Baker's suggestions and returned it to the governor's desk. For example, lawmakers applied the program to the entire state. But now, Baker returned the bill again.

Practically, the cost difference to the state is tiny. Baker estimated that the program could cost $7 million over five years - or just $400,000 a year over what Baker had proposed. The state borrows around $2.1 billion annually for capital projects, and the total capital budget, including federal and other money, is more than $4 billion.

Baker also raised concerns about having an independent commission overseeing the program, rather than putting it under the state agency overseeing capital projects. 

"The legislation retains an unduly complex and unwieldy administrative structure, which could lead to significant delays in decisions that need to be made for projects to proceed," Baker wrote.

According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, 27 states or territories have a "Percent for Art" program, including every state in New England.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 47 points to close at 17,910.

By KEN SWEET

NEW YORK -- Stocks had a mixed reaction Friday to the surprisingly strong October jobs report as investors adjusted to the prospect of higher interest rates as early as next month.

While the major indexes, on the surface, had a muted reaction to the jobs numbers, a look at the individual parts of the market showed investors were actively reshuffling their portfolios.

Dividend-paying stocks, which are typically bought for their higher-than-average payouts when interest rates and bond yields are low, dropped sharply on Friday. The Dow Jones utility index, a basket of 15 dividend-paying utility stocks, sank 4 percent.

In contrast, bank stocks rose sharply as investors bet that higher interest rates would translate into higher profits, since they may be able to charge more for lending. JPMorgan Chase rose $2.02, or 3 percent, to $68.46, Bank of America rose 64 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $17.95 and Morgan Stanley rose $1.53, or 4.5 percent, to $35.41.

"You just need to look at those two groups and see that the market is positioning itself for higher interest rates," said Ryan Larson, head of equity trading at RBC Global Asset Management.

Wall Street has been in a months-long guessing game about the Federal Reserve, trying to figure out when the policymakers at the nation's central bank will finally raise interest rates. The market turmoil over the summer kept the Fed from raising rates at their September meeting, and policymakers decided to wait yet again at their October meeting to see more signs the U.S. economy was on sure footing.

By nearly every account, the October jobs report gave the Fed exactly what they wanted. The Labor Department said U.S. employers added 271,000 jobs, far more than the most hopeful of expectations, and the unemployment rate dipped to a fresh seven-year low of 5 percent, from 5.1 percent. The burst of hiring, the most in 10 months, filled jobs across a range of industries.

"This makes it pretty likely the Fed will raise rates in December," said Priscilla Hancock, a global fixed income strategist for J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Fed fund futures, which are securities that bet on which way the Fed will move interest rates, now show a 74 percent chance of the central bank raising rates in December, up from 60 percent on Wednesday and up from well below 50 percent as recently as late summer. But the size of the predicted interest rate increase remains modest. Investors expect interest rates will go from their current 0-to-0.25 percent levels to 0.5 percent.

"The Fed is still going to be extremely accommodative for investors. A rate hike in December is removing those emergency measures that the bank put into place during the financial crisis," Hancock said.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 46.90 points, or 0.3 percent, to close at 17,910.33. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell less than a point to 2,099.20 and the Nasdaq composite rose 19.38 points, or 0.4 percent, to close 5,147.12.

The bond market's reaction to the jobs number was far more volatile than the stock market's, with bond prices sinking as investors scaled back their holdings of Treasuries and safer investments.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to a yield of 2.32 percent from 2.23 percent on Thursday, a big move for that security. The two-year note jumped to a yield of 0.89 percent, a five-year high for that note, from 0.83 percent the day before.

The data also caused the dollar to rise sharply against its major currency counterparts. The euro fell to $1.0742, its lowest level in six months, and the dollar rose against the Japanese yen to 123.19.

The stronger dollar caused a selloff in commodities as well. Benchmark crude oil fell 91 cents, or 2 percent, to $44.29 a barrel and Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, fell 56 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $47.42 a barrel. Gold fell $16.50, or 1.5 percent, to $1,087.70 an ounce, silver fell 29 cents, or 2 percent, to $14.69 an ounce and high-grade copper fell a penny, or 0.6 percent, to $2.242 a pound.

In other energy trading, heating oil rose less than a cent to $1.49 a gallon, wholesale gasoline futures rose a penny to $1.37 a gallon and natural gas rose 0.7 cent to $2.371 per 1,000 cubic feet.

On Thursday, the Dow lost 4 points, the S&P 500 fell 2 and the Nasdaq composite fell about 15 points.

Developers considering a bid to build a casino at the Enfield Square mall will not submit a proposal ahead of today's 4 p.m. deadline, according to NBC Connecticut.

Developers considering a bid to build a casino at the Enfield Square mall will not submit a proposal ahead of today's 4 p.m. deadline, according to NBC Connecticut.

Enfield had considered pitching itself as a possible casino site, with town officials weighing whether to respond to the request for proposals issued by the joint Mashantucket Pequot-Mohegan casino company MM4CT.

The town eventually indicated it would not support a bit, but the idea was revived this week when MM4CT loosened its rules, allowing "incomplete" submissions that had not been approved by a municipality.

But developers of the mall announced they would not submit a proposal on Friday, according to NBC Connecticut. Their decision leaves East Hartford as the only municipality that has confirmed its bid so far. East Windsor was also expected to file a proposal but has not responded to request for comment today, and the Hartford Courant reported that developers at Bradley International Airport were also considering a bid.

The tribal company, authorized to seek a casino site by Connecticut's June gaming act, has said it would not publicly release the proposals it receives, leaving that decision up to the bidding towns and cities. East Hartford released its bid in full this morning.

The tribes hope to select a site by Dec. 15. The Connecticut legislature will still have to vote to authorize the construction of a casino, and MGM Resorts International is fighting an ongoing legal battle to have the gaming act declared unconstitutional.

The new casino plans have been described by both tribal proponents and state officials as a means of protecting Connecticut gaming revenue from increased gaming competition, and the tribes are targeting an opening ahead of MGM Springfield's 2018 opening date.

Santa will arrive to flip the switch to turn on the decorations.

CHICOPEE - The city will kick off the Christmas season with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4 in front of City Hall.

The event, which will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., will include live music, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, treats and more.

Santa Claus will arrive during the evening to officially flip the switch and turn on the Christmas tree and other lights around City Hall.

The public is invited to the event.

"Not to minimize this, but it was a small amount of narcotics," defense lawyer Arthur O'Donald added.

SPRINGFIELD - The four bags of cocaine that police found in the handlebars of a North End man's bicycle Thursday had previously been hidden in another man's mouth, a prosecutor said.

The men - Joel Maldonado, 39, and Ishmael Garrafa, 25, both of Springfield - pleaded innocent Friday in Springfield District Court to cocaine possession with intent to distribute.

Because Maldonado allegedly spit in a police officer's face during the arrest, he was also charged with assault and battery on a police officer.

The men were arrested Thursday night on Washburn Street after detectives spotted an apparent drug transaction taking place in an alley, Assistant District Attorney Charles McDonald said.

Investigators saw Garrafa approach Maldonado and hand over several items he had just spit from his mouth. Maldonado took the items and hid them in the handlebars of his bicycle, the prosecutor said.

After arresting Maldonado, police found a bag of marijuana in the bike's handlebars, according to McDonald, who requested $5,000 cash bail for Maldonado and $500 for Garrafa.

Maldonado has an extensive criminal record that includes convictions for distributing cocaine, the prosecutor said.

Defense lawyer Arthur O'Donald requested $500 bail for Maldonado, saying the alleged transaction took place in the dark, in an alley that offered little visibility for police.

His client works as a carpet installer, has five children and pays $700 monthly in child support, according to O'Donald, who said Maldonado could not come up with $5,000 cash.

"Not to minimize this, but it was a small amount of narcotics," the lawyer added.

Judge Matthew Shea set bail at $5,000 for Maldonado and $500 for Garrafa, the figure requested by prosecution and defense lawyers.

The judge scheduled a pretrial hearing for Dec. 8.

Gayle Hsiao is the new director of summer programs. She has already created several new summer programs, Head of School Brian Easler said.

WILBRAHAM - Gayle Hsiao has been appointed director of summer programs at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

Hsiao has been a faculty member of the Academy's Center for Entrepreneurial & Global Studies Department since 2007 and director of the International Student Program.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy Head of School Brian Easler said Hsiao "has demonstrated a knack for building programs that are exciting to children, attentive to the needs of families and appealing to the community."

"We are very confident that Gayle will lead WMA Summer Programs to new heights," Easler said.

For summer 2016, Hsiao has created several new programs for students across the region and the globe: Camp Tinkerpreneurshop, Make It Move - Artbotics!, Darkroom to Lightroom and Man! Ball! Release!

At Camp Tinkerpreneurshop, kids will be encouraged to invent a game or toy. Toward the end of camp, they will pitch their invention to a panel who will determine if the team can submit their project to the Young Inventors' Challenge in Chicago."

Registration for WMA's new summer programs and Beech Tree Day Camp will open with early bird pricing Nov. 15 through Dec. 15. For more information visit www.wma.us/summer.

Voters at Tuesday's special Town Meeting said yes to a request to spend an additional $438,300 to fund engineering and design work for a new Department of Public Works facility

LONGMEADOW - Voters at Tuesday's special Town Meeting said "yes" to a request to spend an additional $438,300 to fund engineering and design work for a new Department of Public Works facility.

That money adds to the $250,000 approved at town meeting last year.

A feasibility study was already completed, according to the DPW facility task force.

Town meeting also allocated community preservation act funds as follows: $39,482 for open space; $39,482.00 for community housing; and $39,482.00 for housing preservation.

The assembly similarly said "yes" to spending $50,000 for the design of a new or renovated senior center.

The legislative body also approved a "complete streets bylaw." The measure aims to require roadways to be safe for "all modes of travel."

The article that was approved states: "The goal is to create a connected network of right-of-way facilities accommodating all modes of travel to the maximum practical extent and to promote the walkability and bikability of the town's streets."

The confessed shoplifter did get something for nothing when defense lawyer Shawn O'Connor agreed to represent him for free. "No, your honor. There's too much paperwork," he replied when the judge asked if he wanted to be paid as Stewart's court-appointed, taxpayer-financed lawyer.

These were the most read stories out of Springfield District Court this week, plus one from last week. If you missed any, click on the links below to read them now.

Springfield man threatens to kill ex for reporting abuse, police say

Springfield man stole video camera, baseball glove to make 'Christian' movie, police say

Springfield man denies stabbing neighbor over stolen TV set; bail set at $50,000

Springfield man indicted on child pornography charge

Simpson is an artist, lecturer, and mentor for many artist in the Western Massachusetts area. Thirty-six of Simpson's works were displayed around two rooms of the club.

SPRINGFIELD - Some of Springfield's most prominent portraits were unveiled Friday evening at a reception for artist John Simpson and his one-man show at the Colony Club.

Simpson is an artist, lecturer, and mentor for many artists in the Western Massachusetts area. Thirty-six of Simpson's works were displayed around two rooms of the club.

Featured in the exhibit were two portraits of Simpson's wife Kay along with pieces featuring Evan Plotkin, David and Peggy Starr of The Republican, Michael Mathis of MGM, Lyman Wood and Dr. Willie Hall Jr of the UMass Fine Arts Center.

Many of the notable locals in Simpson's portraits attended the opening. One of Simpson's most ambitious projects are the large portraits seen around Court Square in Springfield. A photo gallery of that project can be seen here.

The local Chamber of Commerce is scaling back its support for holiday lights this year, so three business people are stepping up to the plate.

EASTHAMPTON -- Don't let Cottage Street go dark this holiday season.

That's the message sent by three local business people, who are trying to raise $1,750 to light street trees within the city's cultural district.

To that effect, a beer-tasting benefit is set for Wednesday evening at the Brass Cat, located at 65 Cottage Street. For a $10 donation, patrons will get to sample beers from local breweries, as well as a multitude of regional craft beers presented by Williams Distributing of Chicopee.

The bar will be open for paid full-pours, as well.

For 30 years, the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce raised the funds for a city-wide lighting display. This year, they are downsizing their efforts. Next year, the Chamber will discontinue its downtown lighting program altogether, the group announced in August.

The effort to light Cottage Street is spearheaded by Marlies Stoddard, proprietor of the Nash Gallery; Michael LaValle, owner of the Brass Cat; and Realtor Peter Davies.

If you go:

What: 'Light Up Cottage Street' Beer Tasting Benefit
Where: The Brass Cat, 65 Cottage St.
When: Wed. Nov 11, 6-9 p.m.
Tickets: A $10 donation is requested at the door.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

A noise was heard in the last second of the cockpit voice recording from the Russian plane that crashed last week in Egypt, killing all 224 people onboard, the head of the Egyptian investigation team said Saturday.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) -- A noise was heard in the last second of the cockpit voice recording from the Russian plane that crashed last week in Egypt's Sinai, killing all 224 people onboard, the head of the Egyptian investigation team said Saturday.

Ayman el-Muqadem told a news conference in Cairo that an analysis of the noise was underway to identify its nature. He said the way the debris was scattered over a wide area indicated the Airbus A321-200 broke up mid-air, but initial observations don't shed light on what caused it.

U.S. and British officials have cited intelligence reports as indicating that the Russian flight from the Sinai resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg was brought down on Oct. 31 by a bomb on board.

Also Saturday, Egypt's foreign minister complained that Western governments had not sufficiently helped Egypt in its war on terrorism and had not shared relevant intelligence with Cairo.

Sameh Shoukry, speaking at a press conference, said that "European countries did not give us the cooperation we are hoping for."

Egypt's past calls for assistance and coordination on terrorism issues from "the countries that are now facing the danger" had not been dealt with seriously, he said.

Shoukry also complained that Western nations that have suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh did not share with Cairo the relevant intelligence upon which they based their decisions.

Shoukry told reporters that Egypt "expected that the information available would be communicated to us instead of being broadcast" in the media.

The foreign minister's comments came as Egypt launched an investigation into the staff and ground crew at the Sharm el-Sheikh airport, according to Egyptian airport and security officials.

The officials told The Associated Press on Saturday that authorities were questioning airport staff and ground crew who worked on the Russian flight and had placed some employees under surveillance. The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The crash one week ago dealt another blow to Egypt's battered tourism sector, which is yet to fully recover from years of political turmoil. Russians comprise nearly a third of all tourists who visited Egypt in the past year.

Islamic State extremists have claimed that they brought down the Russian Metrojet flight, with mostly Russian tourists onboard, though they did not offer any proof.

Egyptian authorities have been trying to whip up support for a war on terror after the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. A crackdown on Islamists and a series of militant attacks on security buildings and checkpoints, mainly in the restive Sinai Peninsula, have followed Morsi's ouster -- with a Sinai-based affiliate of the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for some of the most devastating attacks.

On Friday evening, Russia suspended all flights to Egypt, joining the UK, which had specifically banned all flights to Sharm el-Sheikh. Ireland has also suspended flights to the Red Sea resort, while at least a half-dozen Western European governments told their citizens not to travel there. Empty charter planes have been flying to Sharm el-Sheikh to bring home stranded Russian and British tourists. But these flights banned passengers from checking in luggage __ reflecting an apparent concern about security and luggage-screening procedures at the airport.

Tourism chief Oleg Safonov said, according to Russian news agencies, that a revised count showed 80,000 Russians currently in Egypt -- 79,000 of them in the resort areas of Hurgada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Maya Lomidze, acting director of the Russian Association of Tour Operators, said 46 empty Russian planes were expected to be sent to Egypt on Saturday to bring tourists home and another 47 flights were planned for Sunday. The Russian Emergencies Ministry also said it would send planes to Egypt to bring back the checked baggage of Russian tourists who were forced to leave their suitcases behind.

Egypt's military was registering departing passengers for flights out of the country, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said, adding that 10 flights to Russia had already taken off on Saturday. An Azur Air flight from Sharm el-Sheikh landed at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on Saturday evening.

The news of the cancelled flights didn't reach all would-be Russian vacationers. At Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, some travelers arrived on Saturday unaware they wouldn't be able to fly. Some were disappointed, but appeared to be trying to take the news in stride.

"If there is a reason to cancel, then it's better not to fly," tourist Vyacheslav Kuznetsov said.

Meanwhile, British media on Saturday reported more troubling news for the Egyptian tourism industry, saying a plane carrying British tourists narrowly missed being hit by an Egyptian missile in August. The British government and Thomson Airways confirmed the incident.

The Guardian and other British media said a rocket came within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a Thomson jet bound for Sharm el-Sheikh with 189 passengers onboard on Aug. 23.

The British Department for Transport said its investigation concluded it was not a "targeted attack" and likely connected to routine Egyptian military exercises in the area at the time. Thomson said there was "no cause for concern" for further flights.

The most-read Western Massachusetts police and fire news for the week of Oct. 31 - Nov. 6

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he is considering revisiting an ordinance requiring bars to shut down at 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m., in the wake of after-bar violence downtown. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - A seething Mayor Domenic Sarno and frustrated police held a press conference Saturday morning across from City Stage parking garage on lower Worthington Street, where just hours before one of two overnight shootings occurred inside.

The gunfire erupted within minutes of each other right around 3 a.m., according to police. A Springfield man also was shot in the leg in a Pro Park lot farther up Worthington Street, nearby a cluster of late-night bars. Neither was fatally injured.

The victims and dozens of potential witnesses refused to cooperate with police, said Deputy Police Chief William Cochrane.

"All we need is for someone to say: 'I saw that person shoot that guy with that gun,'" Cochrane said, adding that while the investigation is ongoing and police are reviewing ballistics evidence, surveillance videos and more, it feels like a familiar dead end. There are no suspects yet.

The victim of the shooting in the enclosed garage is a Greater Hartford resident, according to Lt. Thomas Zarelli.

Sarno, who was flanked by police and spoke to reporters across from the parking garage, railed away at the "gang bangers" and establishments that cater to them.

"Some of these places are cesspools that market to gang members," Sarno said. "It sends a bad message, making people apprehensive to come down here ... And it's not only local gang bangers, but Connecticut gang bangers as well. They come here from Hartford after 1 a.m. for last call."

Sarno said he is considering re-introducing a 1 a.m. ordinance mandating that all bars close by then, rather than 2 a.m. He also lamented that bars are required to prevent entry after 1 a.m. but it is not being enforced. The mayor said that given the frequent late-night violence in the entertainment district he plans to propose going back to a blanket 1 a.m. cutoff - despite a federal lawsuit filed by several owners who argued the restriction was unconstitutional.

"We don't want any innocents getting hurt, and we don't want any cops getting shot," said Cochrane, noting that there is already a heavy police presence in the club quarter on the weekends. "But we still have shootings, stabbings and brawls ... even though police get there in minutes."

Police did not attribute this morning's shootings to any particular establishment. However, Sarno repeatedly said he plans to pursue "severe sanctions" up to and including revoking entertainment and liquor licenses for troublesome venues.

"I can tell you that Odyssey and the Mount Carmel Society Club are on my radar screen," said Sarno, referring to the Worthington Street bar where a bouncer was recently stabbed and employees were subsequently arrested for dealing cocaine, and the Italian social club on Winthrop Street where a man was stabbed during a late-night poker game in August.

Daniel D. Kelly, who is representing both bars before city licensing commissions, had no comment on the mayor's remarks.

Sarno said the problem clubs detract from responsible owners' efforts.

"This gives a bad name to the great places: the Fort, Adolfo's, Theodore's, Smith's Billiards and the Big Mamou," to name a few, Sarno said. "I was so aggravated when I got the call about these shootings early this morning, because I had just bumped into some people from out-of-town when I was downtown last night and they were telling me what a great time they had."

Cochrane echoed that responsible bar owners should be "knocking at the door" of the police station the very next day after a violent incident.

"Why are they not?" he said.

Sarno said in addition to reviving the 1 a.m. closing proposal and cracking down on the entry mandate, police will continue undercover operations (which uncovered the alleged drug dealing at Odyssey) and he will consider assigning more police to quell after-hours violence in the club quarter.

A reception featuring the works of Agawam artist Imo Nse Imeh kicked off the re-opening of the Art for the Soul Gallery in Tower Square on Friday evening. The gallery is located in Suite 208.

SPRINGFIELD - A reception featuring the works of Agawam artist Imo Nse Imeh kicked off the re-opening of the Art for the Soul Gallery in Tower Square on Friday evening. The gallery is located in Suite 208.

Imeh, an assistant professor of art and art history at Westfield State University, featured 15 works including A works in progress / open studio exhibition which he titled "Ten Little Nigger Girls."

According to the gallery's promotional material, the exhibit features a portion of a developing series by the artist that confronts a troubling children's storybook from the early 1900's that eliminates a cast of little black girls in horrific ways. Written by Nora Case, the book bears the same title as the studio exhibition in downtown Springfield.

Imeh's large-scale drawings collectively address the present day reality of black girls in different states of danger within the american and global cultural contexts. Imeh's has 15 pieces in the exhibition with many as large as 4x5 feet.

The galley is run by long-time art advocate Rosemary Tracy Woods.

The United Independent Party on Saturday celebrated its one year anniversary since becoming an official party in Massachusetts by encouraging supporters to promote UIP to other voters.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ The United Independent Party on Saturday celebrated its one year anniversary since becoming an official party in Massachusetts by encouraging supporters to promote UIP to other voters.

While more than 15,000 Massachusetts voters joined UIP in the last year, party leaders stressed that enrollment isn't enough and urged supporters to spread its message by asking others to join its mailing list.

"Our goal is to create something much better than what we see in politics today," it said in an email. "For those who have always wanted a party for people who are socially progressive and fiscally sane -- it's here. And with an election coming up in 2016, the need for a new voice has never been greater.

Evan Falchuk, who founded UIP in Massachusetts, previously said that he's seeking to enroll 50,000 people in the party by the end of 2015 and to field legislative candidates in 2016.

Falchuk, who ran as a gubernatorial candidate against now-Gov. Charlie Baker and former Attorney General Martha Coakley, earned 3 percent of the votes in November 2014 - enough for UIP to receive recognition as a "major" political party.

The party's first candidate Taylor DiSantis lost his bid for Pittsfield city councilor at-large in Tuesday's election.

Traffic heading south on Interstate 91 South by the Connecticut state line slowed Saturday afternoon following a crash near Exit 48.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Traffic heading south on Interstate 91 South by the Connecticut state line slowed Saturday afternoon following a reported crash near Exit 48.

Connecticut State Police confirmed that the crash occurred near the Enfield exit, but did not release any other details surrounding the incident.

Traffic was reportedly backed up all the way into Longmeadow around 3 p.m., due to an excavator that had flipped over on the highway, according to 22 News.