The machines are, in the opinion of one Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner, against the law.

HOLYOKE - As Massachusetts expands casino gambling under its 2011 Gaming Law, lawmakers and state officials are only beginning to wrestle with what that law means for the video poker machines in many veterans-post barrooms across the commonwealth.

These are the machines that American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts depend on to fund baseball teams and youth programs and provide aid to their fellow veterans in a time of need.

"In my estimation they are illegal," said Enrique A. Zuniga, a member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. "The question is, who is going to enforce that?"

Zuniga, who lives in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, said the commission has not taken a formal vote, and he was only speaking for himself. He said the state only allows gambling under a few limited exceptions: horse racing, charity raffles and now casinos.

He testified at a hearing of the state's Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies convened and chaired by state Rep.  Joseph F. Wagner, D-Chicopee, Tuesday afternoon at Holyoke Community College. 

The subject was a bill brought forward by state Rep. Thomas J.Calter, D-Kingston, that would direct the commission to license as many as 10 slot machines per veterans post.

Calter, who was present Tuesday, filed the legislation after state authorities started enforcing bans on the machines at veterans posts in Plymouth which is part of his district.

Plymouth's veterans link that enforcement  to the June opening of Plainridge Park Casino in nearby Plainville.

It escaped no one's attention that the hearing took place on the eve of Veterans Day and on the 240th birthday of the Marine Corps.

The machines have been considered legal, he said, as long as they are marked for entertainment purposes only. Some towns around the state licese them and collect a fee.

Phil Ryan, junior vice commander at American Legion Post 40 in Plymouth, said the machines at his post help keep it afloat. They take in $5,700 a month which the post claims as taxable income, he said.

"At our post, if you win you do get cash," he said. "There is a limit as to how much cash you can win at a time. Everyone abides by the rules."

But gambling isn't really the point. the point is collecting money to serve the community.

"We turn away no veteran in need," said Ryan, a Marine veteran of the Vietnam era..

Louis Brault, of Chicopee, is the state commander of the American Legion. A Vietnam veteran himself, he said local posts have had to deal with enforcement. He said he hasn't noticed or been told of increased scrutiny since casinos became legal.

But if the machines and their revenue went away, the posts would have to curtail their charitable activities and community programs.

"This is how we pay for our baseball teams. This is how we pay for Boy's State and Girl's State," Brault said.

The committee took no action. Members of the committee include: state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, state Rep. Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield and state Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi, D-North Adams.

Veterans slot machine bill

Kristopher Riskin, 39, of Eden, Vermont, was stopped on Route 100 in Hyde Park, Vermont, for a traffic violation Friday night, according to police, who said they found marijuana and painkillers while searching Riskin's car.

HYDE PARK, Vt. — A Vermont man is due in court next month on charges of possessing several pounds of marijuana, police said Tuesday.

Vermont State Police said 39-year-old Kristopher Riskin of Eden, Vermont, was stopped on Route 100 in Hyde Park, Vermont, for an alleged traffic violation late Friday night. A subsequent search of Riskin's car turned up about 5½ pounds of marijuana and "several pills of oxycodone," police said.

His vehicle was seized and he was taken to the State Police barracks in Williston for processing. Riskin is expected to answer the charges Dec. 2 in Lamoille County Superior Court.

Troopers patrolling Route 100 shortly after 11 p.m. Friday pulled over Riskin for a "civil motor vehicle violation," police said, without detailing the nature of the alleged violation.

"Investigation during the stop led troopers to have probable cause there was marijuana in the vehicle," police said in a press release. Troopers applied for a search warrant, which was granted Monday and led to the discovery of the drugs, police said.

Riskin was charged with cultivating marijuana in 2010, according to the Stowe Reporter. The outcome of that case wasn't immediately known.

This reunion was especially poignant coming as it did the day before Veteran's Day and on year marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD — It was a fitting reunion date – the day before Veterans Day 2015 – when Daniel M. Walsh III and fellow Marine Corps officers Dudley 'Keifer" Campbell, of Dayton, Ohio and James T. Sehulster of New Orleans met for lunch at Nathan Bill's Restaurant on Island Pond Road.

Walsh, Campbell and Sehulster, who served together in Lima Company, Third Battalion, 1st Marines, were all well aware that Tuesday was a special day – the 240th anniversary of the Marine Corps., a branch of service they are proud to count themselves among.

Walsh, joined by wife, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, and Louise Campbell and Gail Sehulster have met often over the last several decades, but this reunion was especially poignant, coming as it did the day before Veteran's Day and during the year marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Sehulster, who would later work for the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon under Philip Habib to help in the negotiations that allowed the PLO to evacuate Beirut, said the Mideast assignment was a post to remember.

But nothing could compare to the bond he and fellow Marines forged in Vietnam, he said.

Walsh was a newly minted lieutenant when his company of 200 men were involved in an assault on a North Vietnamese stronghold in 1966, recalled the stifling hot day when he first experienced the horrors of war.

His company lost 10 men and 20 more were wounded, including Walsh, who is a recipient of a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, among other service honors.

"We were trained to do your job," Sehulster said, adding that it meant fighting the enemy to the death.

Campbell, who traveled with the Marine battalion worked as a field surgeon, called Walsh and Sehulster "his very close friends," adding that he was pleased to travel to Springfield to celebrate the Marine Corps anniversary and the bond the men shared.

Earlier this year, During an interview on the anniversary of the start of the ground war in Vietnam, Walsh said he has come to believe that war is futile and he prays daily for the those who serve in war-torn countries from Afghanistan to Iraq. "We've been at constant war since 1965," he said.

For those who continue to serve, Walsh has the utmost respect. "They're doing their job, protecting our freedoms," he said.

March 8 marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the ground war in Vietnam with the deployment of 3,500 Marines.

By war's end on April 30, 1975, nearly 3 million service men and women fought in the conflict that would take the lives of more than 58,000 Americans.

On Tuesday night, the reunited Marines and their wives were treated to a catered dinner at the Walsh home on Magnolia Terrace where the Marine Corps flag flies from the front porch.

Walsh ordered a cake with the Marine Corps seal for the anniversary.

On Wednesday they will attend Veterans Day parade in Springfield.

While they were visiting at Nathan Bill's, a news channel showed a group of Marines cutting a birthday cake to celebrate the 240th anniversary.

It is a Marine tradition on the anniversary to have the guest of honor, followed by the oldest Marine in attendance to cut the first piece of cake and the youngest Marine to cut the next piece of cake as a symbol of continuity.

The three joked that all three of them would cut the first piece after dinner on Tuesday.

A sobriety checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed Hampden County location on Saturday, Nov. 14, into Sunday, Nov. 15, according to Col. Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police.

SPRINGFIELD — A sobriety checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed Hampden County location on Saturday, Nov. 14, into Sunday, Nov. 15, Col. Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The purpose of the grant-funded checkpoint is to increase public safety by removing intoxicated motorists from state roads, police said. The checkpoint will be conducted during varied hours at a greater Springfield-area location, and the selection of vehicles won't be arbitrary, police said.

In 2013, there were 118 fatal crashes involving alcohol in Massachusetts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

John Gawlik, 97, of Springfield, Massachusetts, served in the Pacific aboard the USS West Point and the Gambier Bay, which was sunk by the Japanese during an attack. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Between Nov. 3, 1941 and April 24, 1942, John S. Gawlik traveled the world as a U.S. Navy water tender second class aboard the USS West Point. He saw South Africa, India, Singapore, Australia and more as the United States entered World War II.

In 1944, he found himself in the shark-infested waters of the Pacific Ocean after the USS Gambier Bay aircraft carrier came under attack by the Japanese in the Battle off Samar.

"I'm lucky to be alive I guess," Gawlik said on Tuesday from his home in Springfield, which he built in 1970.

Gawlik reflected on his military experiences ahead of Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

Gawlik's story begins in 1918, when he was born to Polish parents in Springfield. He was raised in Indian Orchard, attending Myrtle Street School until ninth grade, then went to Springfield Trade School.

"I studied to be a machinist like my father, but he was also a barber. He would cut hair for 25 cents at night after work," he said.

After graduation, he joined his father at Chapman Valve, a company in Indian Orchard which at one time was the largest manufacturer of valves in the world.

Gawlik had one brother, Florian. While the boys were working on a neighbor's roof one day, John was called to join the Naval Reserve. It was 1939 and he was 21 years old.

"They told me I had to go, but my brother did not have to go because of his name. They thought he was a girl," Gawlik said, laughing as he recalled the day he joined the military more than 75 years ago.

Gawlik was called to active duty before the war. He was assigned to the West Point, which transported 10,000 troops from England to Singapore. It was during that time that Gawlick got to see a bit of the world and work in the ship's fire room, cleaning and maintaining the ship's boilers.

But Gawlik became bored with the duties after several years. "I was a machinist. I wanted to repair things," he said.

Gawlik asked for a transfer and was sent to Seattle, where he was assigned to the Gambier Bay.

On Oct. 25, 1944 the ship and several other aircraft carriers came under attack by the Japanese. Gawlik said he remembers the loud sound as the ship got hit and the water came rushing in.

"I jumped out into the water with a rubber belt," he said, describing the lifesaving device he had around his waist. He ended up in shark-infested waters floating in a scrambling net made of rope. "There was another fellow with me and I was holding onto him," he said.

An 8-inch salvo from either Japanese cruiser Tone or Chikuma straddles the burning U.S. escort carrier Gambier Bay on October 25, 1944 during the Battle off Samar. The Japanese cruiser can be faintly seen in the center right of the photograph.US NAVY 

Gawlik recalls seeing many crew mates drown and others taken by the sharks as the Gamber Bay sank. It was two days before enemy fire had calmed down enough for a rescue effort.

"I'm lucky to be alive," he said, again.

After the attack, Gawlik was given shore leave. A few months later, he was awarded a Purple Heart. He returned to Indian Orchard, where he worked for Chapman Valve for more than 40 years. He married his longtime girlfriend, Millie Zaganiacz, and together they raised three children. They were married for 62 years until she died eight years ago.

"She was a good cook and a good wife. We had a good life," he said looking at pictures of his children, grandchildren and great grandchild.

Gawlik may be 97, but he has a brand new hip that keeps him active. He loves watching "Judge Judy," and until a few years ago he was part of bowling league. His three children live in Western Massachusetts and spend time with him regularly.

"It's been a good life," he said.

Palmer's new ordinance mandates sprinkler systems in all new dwellings with four or more units. It also requires existing boarding, lodging and rooming houses with more than five units to install sprinklers within five years.

 

PALMER - The Town Council Monday unanimously adopted two new municipal ordinances that require automatic sprinkler systems in multi-unit dwellings.

Requests to amend town bylaws came earlier this year -- by the district fire chiefs and building inspector.

Their action followed a February fire that killed an occupant residing in a 20-unit apartment building at 1047 Pleasant St..

An investigation revealed that a candle caused the fire in the basement unit of the 53-year old occupant, who perished.

Palmer's new ordinance mandates sprinkler systems in all new dwellings with four or more units.

It also requires existing boarding, lodging and rooming houses with more than five units to install sprinklers within five years.

MILWAUKEE — The U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday it wouldn't pursue criminal civil rights charges against a white Milwaukee police officer who shot a mentally ill black man 14 times in a city park last year. The department said in a news release that there was insufficient evidence to warrant charging Christopher Manney in the April 2014 killing of...

MILWAUKEE -- The U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday it wouldn't pursue criminal civil rights charges against a white Milwaukee police officer who shot a mentally ill black man 14 times in a city park last year.

The department said in a news release that there was insufficient evidence to warrant charging Christopher Manney in the April 2014 killing of Dontre Hamilton, who was schizophrenic but not violent, according to his family.

According to Manney, who has since been fired, he encountered Hamilton in the park while responding to a call about a man sleeping there. Manney's attorney, Jonathan Cermele, has said the officer suspected Hamilton was armed and may have been more of a threat than he appeared when he stood up and raised his arms to be frisked.

Manney has said he patted down Hamilton and a struggle ensued. He has said Hamilton took away his police baton and attacked, prompting him to open fire in self-defense.

Police Chief Edward Flynn said at the time that the pat-down wasn't necessary, and he fired Manney for failing to follow department rules. A panel of police commissioners agreed with Flynn's decision.

The Justice Department said it based its decision not to charge Manney on eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, Manney's testimony and input from use-of-force experts. Federal prosecutors said they determined they couldn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Manney willfully broke the law.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the FBI met with the Hamilton family Tuesday to let them know about the decision.

The family's attorney, Jonathan Safran, said Hamilton's relatives are disappointed by the decision and dismayed that it took federal prosecutors 101/2 months to come to it.

"They don't have much confidence in the criminal legal process," Safran said.

At a tearful news conference Tuesday afternoon, Nate Hamilton, Dontre's brother, said the Justice Department's decision didn't surprise him.

"We all know what to expect when it comes to this city," Hamilton said, speaking for the family. "We know injustice; we've seen what injustice looks like before Dontre."

In a rambling, emotional message, Hamilton at times called for political action and unity and at times warned that unrest could take the streets if changes weren't enacted. "I'm calling out everybody in my community," he said and asked people to attend an afternoon rally and march planned ahead of a nearby Republican presidential debate.

Flynn, meanwhile, said his department has been committed to reform and has reduced uses of force, citizen complaints and the number of people injured by police.

He said he has requested a Justice Department partnership and examination "to demonstrate that I am absolutely convinced that external review of our operations, our policies, our procedures and our practices will verify the progress we make and the fact that we are an agency committed to reform."

Federal officials began to review the case after the Milwaukee County district attorney decided not to file state charges against Manney.

Safran said Dontre Hamilton's family plans to file a civil rights lawsuit in federal court in the near future.

Hamilton's mother, Maria Hamilton, started a support group for mothers whose children have died in police encounters and took part in a "Million Moms" march in Washington last May.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 28 points to close at 17,758.

By MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK -- Stocks reversed course and moved mostly higher Tuesday, breaking a four-day losing streak.

The gainers included retailers and media companies. Strong quarterly results from D.R. Horton boosted shares of homebuilders.

Health care stocks including drug companies also made gains, while Apple dragged down the technology sector. Analysts at Credit Suisse said a slowdown in the company's orders for components suggests demand for the new iPhone 6 is weak.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 27.73 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,758.21. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 3.14 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,081.72. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gave up 12.06 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,083.24.

Stocks spent most of Tuesday in the red, then turned positive in the last hour and a half of trading. The S&P 500 had fallen 1.5 over the previous four trading days. Most of that loss came on Monday, when the index took its biggest dive in six weeks.

Botox maker Allergan was one of the biggest gainers in health care. The Irish company, which has held talks with competitor Pfizer about a potential sale, rose $9.88, or 3.3 percent, to $306.70. Drugmakers Perrigo, Endo and Mallinckrodt all traded higher.

Apple lost $3.80, or 3.2 percent, to $116.77. The world's most valuable company reported record earnings just two weeks ago, boosted by surging sales in China. Apple gets more than two-thirds of its revenue from iPhone sales, and some investors are worried that Apple won't be able to maintain its growth as worldwide smartphone sales slow down.

Apple's loss weighed down tech stocks. Tech stocks have had a strong year, rising more than 6 percent, the second-best industry gain in the S&P 500.

While tech and health care stocks have performed well this year, some companies could have a rougher road ahead. With the Federal Reserve poised to raise interest rates, the dollar could get stronger. That would be a source of pain for semiconductor makers and drug companies, said Jack Ablin of BMO Private Bank.

"The types of companies that could get hurt are the ones that rely on exports for their growth and profits," he said.

Chipotle Mexican Grill's restaurants in Washington state and Oregon could reopen in a few days after. A total of 43 locations were closed because of an E. coli outbreak, and tests for the bacteria at Chipotle restaurants came back negative. Shares of Chipotle rose $19.59, or 3.2 percent, to $628.88.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton rose $2.38, or 8.3 percent, to $31.35 after its fiscal fourth-quarter results surpassed analyst estimates. That lifted shares of its competitors: PulteGroup rose 63 cents, or 3.6 percent, $18.19 and Lennar added $1.60, or 3.4 percent, to $49.40,

Gap lost 40 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $27.29 after the retailer posted disappointing results for October, including lower overall sales. Earlier in the day its stock fell as much as 6 percent.

Industrial equipment and software maker Rockwell Automation fell $3.61, or 3.4 percent, to $104.18 after its earnings came up short of what analysts were looking for.

Bond prices didn't move much. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dipped to 2.33 percent from 2.34 percent a day earlier.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose 34 cents, or 0.8 percent, to close at $44.21 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils, picked up 25 cents, or 0.5 percent, to close at $47.44 a barrel in London. Heating oil rose 0.9 cents to $1.487 and wholesale gasoline slipped 0.9 cents to $1.362 a gallon. Natural gas rose two cents to $2.32 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The dollar rose to 123.19 yen from 123.11 yen on Monday. The euro slipped to $1.0721 from $1.0758.

Gold inched up 40 cents to $1,088.50 an ounce. Silver fell 5.7 cents to $14.36 an ounce. Copper fell 1.25 cents to $2.2175 a pound.

Michael Hinds, of Norton, the 67-year-old man accused of drunken driving during a fatal road rage incident on Interstate 495 in Mansfield Monday has at least two prior cases of operating under the influence, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

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WFSB-TV, CBS3, Hartford

Connecticut teacher fired after video surfaces showing him pulling chair out from underneath student [New Haven Register] Videos above and below

Ayla Johnson 

Rhode Island school bus driver arrested, placed on leave, for allegedly driving children to school while drunk [WPRI-TV, CBS12, Providence] Video below

Michael Hinds 

Man accused of trying to run down Worcester police officer held without bail [Telegram & Gazette]

Lisa Ziegert 

2 former Weymouth High School students sue over use of breathalyzer at homecoming dance [Boston Globe]

Ben Affleck 

Air Force veteran Scott Leary and his family were treated to major house renovations at their Clark Street home in Holyoke by Revitalize CDC and many volunteers working with them. Watch video

HOLYOKE — Think of a beehive. Thousands of bees buzzing around the hive, all with a common goal. That's what the scene at 39-41 Clark St. in Holyoke looked like on Veterans Day, as Revitalize CDC and their volunteers surrounded Air Force veteran Scott Leary's home, scraping, painting and hammering.

Founded in 1992, Revitalize CDC performs critical repairs, modifications and rehabilitation on the homes and non-profit facilities of low-income families with children, the elderly, military veterans and people with disabilities.

Scott Leary and his wife Jessica live in a home with their three children that has been in the Leary family for generations. Scott actually calls the home "part of the family" and likened the work today to a child going into surgery.

"You don't want to see your kid go under the knife, but you know that in the long run it's the best thing," he said.

With Jessica permanently disabled due to a back injury, and their youngest child diagnosed with autism, the family has seen some tough times.

"Today is like winning the lottery", said Scott Leary, while Jessica added, "It's something you see on TV".

It will remain cloudy and cool this evening with some partial clearing and areas of fog later on. One system moves out but very quickly another system will move in. An area of strong low pressure will slide into eastern Canada  tomorrow dragging it's cold front across western Mass. This front will bring showers and a few downpours by late...

It will remain cloudy and cool this evening with some partial clearing and areas of fog later on. One system moves out but very quickly another system will move in.

An area of strong low pressure will slide into eastern Canada tomorrow dragging it's cold front across western Mass. This front will bring showers and a few downpours by late afternoon and into the evening. This same storm will bring snow to parts of the Rockies and Plain States along with severe weather to parts of the Mid-West. Thankfully for us much of the energy with this system will get zapped into Canada as this storm weakens. Behind the cold front a brisk, chilly feel will settle in for a couple of days. Temperatures on Friday will still manage to reach into the 50s however Saturday's highs will be stuck in the 40s with readings climbing back into the lower 50s by Sunday.

However, it looks as though the Jet Stream will lift back into Canada for next week. This means temperatures will moderate and could be back into the 60s for a few days next week!

An estimated 134 million people shopped over Thanksgiving weekend last year, 87 million of them on Black Friday alone..

As Thanksgiving weekend approaches, the much-anticipated Black Friday sales are right around the corner.

The National Retail Federation says an estimated 134 million people shopped over Thanksgiving weekend in 2014. Of those, 87 million shopped on Black Friday itself.

While those numbers are indeed significant, it was fewer than the year before. NRF economists figure that consumers are shifting their behavior with retailers offering more deals before Thanksgiving and more shopping online.

But that doesn't mean Black Friday deals are unimportant.

"Consumers are more savvy and sophisticated than ever before," said NRF's CEO and President Matthew Shay in a news release. "The recession had a tremendous impact on how consumers shop ... they have a few more dollars in their wallets, but that doesn't mean they aren't going to be smart about how and when they spend."

A close reading of the leaked Black Friday circulars reveals that while many deals are in place as of early Friday, others kick off later in the day on Black Friday.

Also remember, most retailers in Massachusetts are closed on Thanksgiving Day due to statewide Blue Laws.

Below, find a sampling of this year's Black Friday deals, courtesy of the website BlackFriday.com:

Target: is offering a GoPro Hero action video and still camera for $299.99 but you get a $60 gift card back with your purchase. It also has a FitBit Charge HR fitness monitor for $119 regular price is $149.99.

The circular is here.

Kohl's: Has SkullCandy Uproar headphones for $19.99 and an LG 49-inch television for $369.99, down from $429.99

The circular is here.

Sears: is offering a Kenmore Elite 5-quart mixer for $179, down from $279.99  and savings of up to $200 on Dyson vacuums. A Dyson Cintek Big Ball vacuum sells for $399.99 down from $599.99.

The circular is here.

Macy's: A Bella 5-quart slow cooker is $7.99 after a $12 rebate. A 12-piece set of Martha Stewart pots and pans is $59.99 compared with $179.99 normally.

The circular is here.

Bon-Ton: A Toastmaster 12-cup programmable coffee maker is $12.97 down from $40. the store has a Sharper Image radio-controlled sky drone for $49.97 down from a regular price of $100.

The circular is here.

Walmart: Does not have its black Friday book out yet, but its Wonder of Christmas Toy Book lists talking Minion dolls for $34.83. The retailer is selling a Signature LightSaber for $49.67 and a Lego Star Wars Fighter for $69.

The book is available online here.

Amazon:  Has a 54-page book contains 1,070 items. The website will have daily deals leading up to Black Friday. Other specials include a Power Wheels Thomas the Train Ride on with Track for $104.49 and a Back to the Future 30^th Anniversary Trilogy DCD set for $29.69.

Amazon's toy list is available here.

Joshua Duncan, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, was among Holyoke Soldiers' Home residents who participated in Veterans Day 2015 events.

HOLYOKE — At 86 years old, Joshua Duncan, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, still keeps a brisk pace as he walks through the halls of the Holyoke Soldiers Home.

"I was a Marine drill instructor, and I take good care of myself," he said Wednesday in a slight Southern accent. Duncan was one of the many veterans who attended various Veterans Day ceremonies planned at the Soldiers' Home throughout the day.

Originally from Whistler, Alabama, Duncan joined the Merchant Marines as a teenager right at the tail end of Ward War II. He later joined the Marine Corps, where he served as an non-commissioned intelligence officer.

Duncan went on to the Air Force, where he spent six years before serving in the Army National Guard as a chief warrant officer in intelligence. He retired from the Army in 1991.

"I served in every branch but the Navy, and I consider them the very best of our services only because we wouldn't be able to do anything with our other services if it wasn't for the Navy, from transporting people to food and medical supplies," he said.

Army veteran and longtime photographer Paul Nowak sat in the canteen talking with other veterans. He is 85 and until recently was an avid golfer. He ended up at the Soldiers Home several years ago after developing pneumonia and cancer. He said he loves it the facility.

"It's tremendous. There are a lot of activities to do here," said Nowak, who was a freelance photographer for 60 years working for local newspapers, businesses and charity events.

Events at the Soldiers' Home included a ceremony honoring veterans and a coffee hour with the Veterans of Foreign Wars members.

Rain and cold did not stop Barbara Rattelle from coming out to visit. Rattelle is a member of VFW Post 625 based in Chicopee.

"We want them to know we are thinking about them and that we are thankful for everything they have done for us," she said.

Veterans also got a visit from members of the Southampton Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG). Four members braved the chilly weather and rain to ride to the Soldiers Home and deliver a donation of $1,500.

"Every year we donate, usually to a military cause, and this year we decided to donate to the Soldiers' Home," said Tim Day, an Air Force veteran. The chapter raised $750, and Aaron Patrick, owner of Southampton Harley-Davidson, matched every dollar. "We are donating the $1,500 for the Soldiers' Home recreation fund."

Greg Galaneki, of Belchertown, is a Navy veteran and longtime club member. He said rain was not going to stop him from riding.

"I would do anything for a veteran. They sacrificed for us and cold weather is nothing in comparison to what they have done for our country," he said.

Ken Neary, of Westfield, and Jim Taylor, of Agawam, also rode to the Soldiers' Home. Neary's father was a World War II veteran who lived at the facility a few years ago.

"I hope they enjoy the visit and seeing some new faces here," he said.

Outside near the main entrance, a large American flag hung from the top of two Interstate Towing Inc., cranes. The company, based in Chicopee and owned by Jeremy Procon, has flown the flag for other events at the facility, but this was the first year it was done for Veterans Day. The flag will remain raised all day.

Inside the facility, veterans gathered in the canteen, visiting with relatives and friends.

In his room, Duncan received a call on his cell phone, an older flip phone model. It was someone calling to thank him for his service.

"Thank you, I am very proud to be a veteran and to have protected this country," he said.

In a folder on his bed, Duncan keeps many of his military paperwork, including documentation for his four Presidential Unit Citations, his National Defense Medals and a commendation he received from President Harry S. Truman for his time in the Merchant Marines.

"We were not recognized back then, just like all of the women who flew planes, but Truman gave us recognition many years later," he said.

Duncan's small room, or bunk as he calls it, is decorated with photographs of his wife Marion Duncan, a Springfield resident who grew up in Hungry Hill. Together they had four daughters and one son, an Air Force veteran who died several years ago.

Duncan's wife is currently in a nursing home, but his daughter brings him to see her several times a week. The have been married for 56 years.

"She was a telephone operator during World War II, but after she met me she left work to marry me and raise our children," he said, beaming as he looked at a photo of his wife in a red dress standing next to him in his formal military suit.

On his dresser he has a saying he reads every day:

"'Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. Life is learning how to dance in the rain,'" he said. "And that's the way I live."

Meehan spoke about his goals for the UMass system and the role Amherst plays as UMass' flagship campus. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Recently installed University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan met for the first time since taking the reigns of the 5-campus system with The Republican's Editorial Board.

Meehan, who became president in July, spoke for about an hour on a variety of topics, including increasing fund-raising for the UMass system, the accomplishments of the the university in recruiting top students, graduation rates, research and meeting the demands of the Massachusetts work force.

He also spoke about the import role the Amherst campus holds as flagship for the UMass system.

Meehan, a longtime Congressman from Lowell, previously served as Chancellor for UMass-Lowell for eight years before being tapped to succeed Robert Caret.

To rebate fees and go into debt would be irresponsible Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Students at the University of Massachusetts will not be getting fee and tuition rebates this year because there's no money in the budget to do it.

UMass president Marty Meehan on the eve of his inaugural as 27^th president of the UMass system Thursday said that the system has covered the $10.9 million in negotiated employee fee hikes that have not yet been paid for from the state.

Meehan met with the Editorial Board of the Springfield Republican Wednesday and talked about myriad subjects including the need to raise more money, increase the online program and to run programs like the UMass Center at Tower Square, like a business.

The program lost $1.1 million a year.

Meehan said he made the decision to pay the retroactive raises even though the state had not yet funded the $10.9 million "as a sign of good faith."

"I didn't think you could afford to start the year (with protests.)

But at the same time there's no funding to offer rebates as some had hoped.

The Senate has indicated it would reimburse UMass $10.9 million to cover the raises, with $5 million of that to be spent on need-based financial aid.

Meehan said he's committed to raising the money but not in that way. "I don't operate like that."

He said he's concerned about the next fiscal year's budget as the contracts are three-years long.

He said the university would risk its bond rating by providing fee rebates.

"It's really irresponsible. You go further into debt, that's not the way to run a university."

He has asked the chancellors on the five campuses to look at cutting.

He said though that every time fees rise, financial aid increases 20 to 30 percent and providing that aid targets students in need.

Fees increased fees up to 5 percent along with approving fees for other costs such as information technology, as a contingency depending on the final state budget.

The Legislature in August voted to restore $5.2 million in funding for the UMass budget overturning Gov. Charlie Baker's veto leading some to hope that a rebate could be offered.

But then UMass said they had to wait to see what happened with the $10.9 million for raises.

As president, he said he is doing even more fundraising than other presidents.

UMass had announced a goal of raising $1 million for student scholarships as part of the inaugural. Meehan said he has raised $1.6 million.

"I think fundraising is important, being entrepreneurial is important." He said, "I like to fund-raise."

He did a lot of fundraising when he was in Congress and enjoys it even more to be raising money for UMass.

With the Minuteman football program, he believes there are opportunities to generate more revenue.

UMass became part of the Mid-American Conference and plays many home games at Gillette Stadium. He said there are sponsorship opportunities and the chance to bring in donors.

The program has been controversial and some have wanted to end it.

He would like to see more people from other campuses attend games.

"Athletics are the front porch of the university." He said they bring in donors as well as students who want to attend.

Developing the program "was always a seven year endeavor." It is now five years along.

"I have a box at Gillette." He has invited donors. "They like to go to the game. It's a nice environment.

He said the new Athletic Director Ryan Bamford "is energetic, smart. He knows were' looking at ways to raise revenue.

He wants to increase the system's online program as well, which can also bring in revenue.

With the satellite in Springfield, he said, "I'm excited about Springfield." But with the loss of $1.1 million, "we need to have a business plan to make it work.

He said the community, Mayor Domenic Sarno and UMass deans needs to help devise a "sustainable business plan, not so we can just keep it there so we can grow it."

He believes in expanding diversity on the campuses as a challenge because bringing in a diverse body is competitive.

He also had high praise from UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.

"One of advantages to being in the system for eight years I have great relationship with all the chancellors.

"Subbaswamy is the right person to be chancellor." He provides "good leadership." He said this is the fourth chancellor he has worked from Amherst with since he was the Lowell chancellor Lowell and said the campus "needs stability."

Subbaswamy has been chancellor for four years. "He's smart. He's a great academic leader. He doesn't have a big ego. He's a nice person."

He said he feels the respect that the campus has for him.

Meehan said he's seen how over the last 10 to 12 years the campuses are more collaborative than they had been.

"The less competition among campuses makes it stronger for the system."

The second graders at Chapin Street School in Ludlow learned about the meaning of a Purple Heart and a Gold Star Mother.

LUDLOW - Second graders at Chapin Street School had four special guest readers in their classrooms Monday to discuss the meaning of Veterans Day.

Principal Nikki Reed said on the School Department's Facebook page that the four guests were all Ludlow veterans - United States Army Veteran Christian Mendes, United States Air Force Veteran James Jyz; Director of Veterans Services Eric Segundo and Retired United States Air Force veteran & Commander of the Ludlow VFW Post 3236 Christine Bassett.

Army Veteran Christian Mendes read a book to students, "Heroes in Our Neighborhoods" by Valerie Pfundstein.

After reading the book the veterans asked questions of students about information shared in the book such as the meaning of a Purple Heart and a Gold Star Mother.

Also shared was the story of the late Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, a Ludlow High School graduate and member of the United States Marine Corps. who was killed at age 23 on May 10, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

There also was time for students to ask questions about the different branches of the military.

Christian Mendes is the son of the students' former kindergarten teacher Nancy Golec.

Reed said she believes it is important to expose students to the sacrifices of veterans and to help foster appreciation and respect for veterans.

Segundo donated two books to each classroom and the school library in honor of all veterans.

The $35,000 in improvements to the Holyoke veteran's home included an exterior paint job and more than 30 new windows. Watch video

HOLYOKE -- The feeling of one moment worrying about how to pay for home repairs and the next having volunteers do the renovations on Veterans Day will stay a long time with Jessica Leary.

"I'm in awe. I'm ecstatic ... I'm just thankful for everybody for making this happen, especially my husband for being a vet," Leary, 36, said Wednesday.

Scott Leary's status as a U.S. Air Force veteran put him on the radar of Revitalize CDC, a Springfield-based group that works with donors and contractors to rebuild homes for the poor, the elderly, people with disabilities and military veterans.

The transformation targeted the Leary's home at 39-41 Clark St., a side street off of Northampton Street near Whiting Farms Road.

Jessica Leary, an emergency medical technician, suffered a career-ending injury on the job in 2013, and losing that income has hurt the family of five. The Leary's have three children and three dogs, they said.

The work consisted of more than $35,000 worth of new exterior paint, painting of the kitchen, a new refrigerator, stove, microwave oven and dishwasher, new kitchen cabinets, more than 30 windows, landscaping and a new garage roof, said Colleen Loveless, Revitalize CDC president and chief executive officer.

Most of the work would get done Wednesday. Painters disrupted by the morning rain will return later this week. Applying polyurethane to a newly installed wood floor in the kitchen will come later, Loveless and Leary said.

"Extremely overwhelming" was how Scott Leary, 43, described the welcomed chaos at his home.

Contractors and others wearing shirts bearing the logos of Revitalize CDC, Phil Beaulieu & Sons Home Improvement and Kitchens by Curio zipped through the house, pounded nails, called out measurements and generally restored the home that Leary's family has occupied since it was built nearly a century ago. City assessor records show the house was built around 1920.

"At first, it was a little unnerving. I'm usually the one who's swinging the hammer," Leary said.

"I like to equate it almost like your child going into surgery. You don't want them going into surgery, but you know they need it. These guys are like surgeons. They know what they're doing," he said. 

Leary was in the Air Force from May 1990 to December 1996, service that included time in the Gulf War against Iraq and stationing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, he said.

He works as a truck driver with XPO Logistics. Losing his wife's income relegated home repairs to a dream, he said.

"There's no way I could have afforded all this. Paychecks haven't gotten bigger over the years," he said.

The family cut costs, switching from oil heat to natural gas, enlisting only basic cable and cell phone plans, he said. Their children are Alexis, 14, Scott, 12 and Trent, 10.

They also have a Siberian Husky named Rascal, a Border Collie-Bernese Mountain Dog named Dakota and a Yorkshire Terrier named Zack, Jessica Leary said.

"And the kids, with their sports, you've got to cater to everybody's needs," Scott Leary said.

Revitalize CDC had worked only in Springfield but was branching out. The organization contacted Jim Mahoney, director of the Holyoke Veterans Services Department. Was there an honorably discharged Holyoke veteran who owned his or her own house, was up to date on taxes and struggling?

Leary's aunt knew Mahoney. The Leary's were put in touch with Revitalize CDC. The organization did its review process and decided the next project was the Leary house, the Learys and Loveless said.

A breakfast at the War Memorial at 310 Appleton St. Nov. 5 raised $30,000 for Revitalize CDC projects, including the work on the Leary's house, Loveless said.

About 50 contractors volunteered their time on the Leary house. They began around 9 a.m. Wednesday and would work into early evening. The work included replacing the home's original windows and metal kitchen cabinets. Pizzeria Uno at the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside donated pizzas, she said.

"I always say, everybody needs a little help now and then, and you get so much more than you give, when you give back," said Loveless, who said she has been working with Revitalize CDC for seven years.

"It never gets old," she said.

Among those moving in and out of the Leary's home were Mayor Alex B. Morse and state Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, who participated in the fundraising breakfast week.

Morse said he was hopeful the city partnership with Revitalize CDC will result in more renovations here.

"It's the first of many projects to come in the city. It has been a pleasure getting to know the Leary family. The project is well deserved for them, and a booster for the neighborhood and the entire city," Morse said.

A Norton man accused of killing another driver in a road rage incident while drunk behind the wheel blamed the victim and denied any responsibility for his death — statements the dead man's fiancee said were a shot right through her heart.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

Don Reiter 

Boston police say robbery scheme targeting victims through online dating sites [WCVB-TV, NewsCenter5, Needham] Video below

Michael Hinds 

Alleged drunken driver blames man killed for crash on Interstate 495 in Mansfield, police say [Boston Herald] Photo at left, video below

src="http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js"
id="_nw2e-js">

This is a screen grab from the Worcester's Smokin' Hot Heros fundtraising website. 

Woman says she was sexually assaulted at male strip show in Portsmouth [SeacoastOnline.com]

Homes evacuated after fire rips through Connecticut factoryWFSB-TV, CBS3, Hartford

Bob Lobel 

A white college student suspected of posting online threats to shoot black students and faculty at the University of Missouri was arrested Wednesday, adding to the racial tension at the heart of the protests that led two top administrators to resign earlier this week.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A white college student suspected of posting online threats to shoot black students and faculty at the University of Missouri was charged Wednesday with making a terrorist threat, adding to the racial tension at the heart of the protests that led two top administrators to resign earlier this week.

Hunter M. Park, a 19-year-old sophomore studying computer science at a sister campus in Rolla, was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. at a residence hall, authorities said. The school said no weapons were found. Boone County prosecutors announced the criminal charge later Wednesday and recommended that he be held without bond.

Park, who is enrolled at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, was jailed in Columbia, about 75 miles to the northwest.

The author of the posts, which showed up Tuesday on the anonymous location-

This booking photo provided by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriffs Department shows Hunter M. Park.AP 

Another threat said: "Some of you are alright. Don't go to campus tomorrow." The message seemed to echo one that appeared on the website 4chan -- a forum where racist and misogynistic comments are common -- ahead of the deadly campus shooting at an Oregon community college last month.

Because the county courts were closed for Veterans Day, Park was not expected to appear before a judge until at least Thursday. The prosecutor's office didn't immediately respond to an email asking whether Park had an attorney, and no information about the case is listed online. Prosecutors also didn't immediately release the probable cause statement, which would include more details about the case.

A message left by The Associated Press on Park's mother's cellphone was not returned. An AP reporter got no answer when he knocked on the door of the family's home in the affluent St. Louis suburb of Lake St. Louis.

Authorities were also investigating two other threats on YikYak involving other campuses in Missouri. One was leveled at the Rolla campus by someone saying, "I'm gonna shoot up this school." In the other case, a student at Northwest State University in Maryville was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly posting, "I'm gonna shoot any black people tomorrow, so be ready."

When the first threat emerged, the Columbia school's online emergency information center tweeted, "There is no immediate threat to campus," and asked students not to spread rumors.

Park has excelled academically in science. As a senior at Wentzville's Holt High School in early 2014, he was a member of the school district's robotics team when he won the honors division for a project titled "A Novel Method for Determination of Camera Pose Estimation Based on Angle Constraints."

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the project advanced to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles.

A spokeswoman for the Rolla school, Mary Helen Stoltz, said she did not know whether the university planned to take any action against Park over his arrest.

On Wednesday, student foot traffic in Columbia was light as freshman Megan Grazman was on her way to class. Although she said she felt safe, "There's nobody out. It's a ghost town. It's kind of eerie."

Yixiang Gao, a Chinese student from Shanghai, said he also felt safe, but he described the campus climate as "very heavy." He said his black roommate was not going to class.

Also Wednesday, the university said an employee who was among those who clashed with a student photographer during campus protests was placed on administrative leave while her actions are investigated.

Janna Basler is the school's director of Greek life. The videotaped clash helped fan a debate about the free press. Basler did not return a message seeking comment.

A communication professor also drew criticism for trying to stop a photographer from taking pictures. Melissa Click apologized Tuesday.

Months of protests culminated in a tumultuous week on the Columbia campus.

Back in September, the student government president reported that people shouted racial slurs at him from a passing pickup truck, galvanizing the protest movement. Last week, a graduate student went on a hunger strike to demand the resignation of university system President Tim Wolfe over his handling of racial complaints.

Then more than 30 members of the Missouri football team refused to practice or play in support of the hunger striker. Those developments came to a head Monday with the resignation of Wolfe and Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, the top administrator of the Columbia campus.

Some students, faculty and alumni have said the protests and top leaders' resignations are the culmination of years of racial tension.

Among other recent events, members of the Legions of Black Collegians, whose founders include a recently retired deputy chancellor, said slurs were hurled at them by an apparently drunken white student while practicing for a homecoming performance.

The university has promised changes.

Chuck Henson, a black law professor and associate dean, was appointed Tuesday as the university's first-ever interim vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity and equity.

The university system's governing body, the Board of Curators, also announced other initiatives, including offering more support for hiring and retaining diverse faculty and staff and performing a full review of all policies related to staff and student conduct.

The board was holding an emergency closed meeting Wednesday afternoon, with the announcement of an interim replacement for Wolfe expected afterward.

Authorities said they do not suspect foul play in the death of the 2-month-old boy, who woke up crying before he went limp and stopped breathing.

BRADFORD, Vt. — Authorities are investigating the death of an infant Monday at a home in Bradford, Vermont, a small town bordering the Connecticut River.

A preliminary investigation did not indicate any foul play or negligence, according to Vermont State Police officials, who said the 2-month-old boy reportedly woke up around 8:30 p.m. and began "crying hysterically." Shortly thereafter, the baby "went limp" and stopped breathing, police said.

The child had previously suffered from a life-threatening medical condition and was hospitalized in September for an extended period, police said. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Troopers from the Bradford Barracks responded to the home on Waits River Road, where they performed CPR on the unresponsive infant. The baby was then taken by ambulance to the Bradford Fire Department, where the child was expected to be flown to an area hospital for emergency treatment. Upon arrival at the fire station, however, the baby was pronounced dead by medical personnel, police said.

Detectives from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Investigation are handling the investigation.