Donald Trump holds a wide lead over other 2016 Republican presidential candidates in Massachusetts, with support for the businessman among likely GOP voters nearly double that of the next closest candidate, a poll released Tuesday found. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD &#8210 Donald Trump holds a wide lead over other 2016 Republican presidential candidates in Massachusetts, with support for the businessman among likely GOP voters nearly double that of the next closest candidate, a poll released Tuesday found.

According to the new Suffolk University Poll, nearly a third of respondents said they'd support Trump, who recently campaigned in Worcester, as their first choice if the Republican presidential primary election were held today, compared to just 18 percent who said they'd back U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has seen support spike in recent weeks, meanwhile, came in third among likely Massachusetts Republican voters with 10 percent of the vote, the poll found. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson trailed with a respective 7 and 5 percent.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and businesswoman Carly Fiorina tied at 4 percent. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., pulled-in 2 and 1 percent, a piece.

While former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who lost to President Barack Obama in 2012, has said he will not enter the 2016 Republican presidential contest, survey respondents largely split on whether they would back him over other candidates if he announced another White House run.

Forty-six percent of likely Republican voters in Massachusetts said they would back Romney, while 51 percent said they wouldn't shift their support to him if he entered the race, the poll found. More than two-thirds of undecided respondents, however, said they would vote for him if he was added to the list of candidates.

Among likely Democratic voters, more than half said they would back former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2016 White house run if the primary election were held today, compared to 29 percent who would vote for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Just three percent said they would support former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, according to the poll results.

The poll, which was conducted from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22 via telephone, surveyed 500 likely Massachusetts voters. It has a total margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Related Video: Watch Trump protesters get yanked out of Worcester event

Terry Stebenne, a former cab driver, testified she saw Diego Jimenez pull a gun and heard two or three shots in Springfield's entertainment district on Nov. 13, 2014.

SPRINGFIELD - Terry Stebenne was driving a yellow cab at Dwight and Worthington Streets last November when she noticed there seemed to be a confrontation going on.

Diego Jimenez 

She was looking back when she said she saw a man take a gun from his waistband and shoot two or three times.

Assistant District Attorney Eduardo Velazquez asked Stebenne if she saw the person in the Hampden Superior Court courtroom who had the gun in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2014.

She pointed to defendant Diego Jimenez, 28, of Springfield.

Velazquez had told jurors in his opening statement Monday Stebenne would be the only eyewitness from whom they would hear testimony.

In his opening statement before Judge Mark D. Mason defense lawyer Daniel D. Kelly told jurors Stebenne was mistaken in her identification.

The victim, Dyarel Wojtowicz, testified Monday he got shot in the arm but he doesn't know who shot him.

Jimenez faces charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and two illegal firearms offenses.

Stebenne said she called 911 and the dispatcher told her to get out of the area for her own safety. Stebenne said she met a police officer near the scene and told him what she saw.

Stebenne said she saw the shooter walking up Taylor Street and turning onto Chestnut Street with two other men.

She said she was taken by police to a nearby spot and each of three men were shown to her. She said the first two were definitely not the shooter but the third was the man with the gun.

Kelly asked Stebenne if at an earlier hearing she had testified she saw the shooter run into the Mardi Gras parking lot. She said she had testified to that.

On the stand Tuesday she said she assumed the shooter was running through that parking lot although she didn't see him do it.

K9 police officer Scott Stelzer testified his dog Blek found a Glock semiautomatic handgun in the Mardi Gras strip club parking lot, in bushes right up against a fence.

Jurors were shown a photograph of the gun in the bushes where it was found.

Videos from different angles showing the Mardi Gras parking lot that night were shown to Stebbins, They showed a man entering the lot, taking off a sweatshirt and going to within 10 feet of where the gun was found, Springfield Police Sgt. Matthew Benoit said.

The video does not show the spot where the gun was found.

Stebenne testified she did not recognize the man in that video.

Jessica Brown, a forensic scientist with the State Police crime lab in Sudbury testified she tested swabs from Jimenez hands' and the sweatshirt found in the parking lot and did not find gunshot residue.

She said there were a number of reasons why, even if someone fired a gun, gunshot residue would not be found. She said she wrote in her report she cannot draw any conclusions about the items.

The trial day Tuesday started out with Mason telling lawyers a juror reported he was approached by someone who had been sitting in the courtroom Monday (on the defendant's side) and the person used a threatening tone.

Mason noted several of the individuals in the courtroom had been "somewhat disruptive" and had to be asked to stop talking.

Mason and the lawyers questioned each juror individually at sidebar out of the hearing of the public. After that was done the trial started with the full jury and no mention was made of what had happened.

The trial is scheduled to continues Wednesday.

The fire was limited to a portion of the roof and an exterior wall.

This is an update of a story posted at 1:03 p.m. Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD - A roofer's torch apparently sparked a fire that caused around $5,000 damage to a home Tuesday afternoon on Greene Street in the city's Old Hill neighborhood, a fire department spokesman said.

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said there were no injuries in the fire. Firefighters knocked down the flames before they could spread to the building interior, he said.

The fire was limited to a portion of the roof and an exterior wall, he said.

The fire was reported shortly after noon.

The homeowner had hired a contractor to do some work on the roof recently, and sparks from a torch apparently started the fire, he said.

The residents were allowed to remain at home, he said.

Greene Street is located off Hancock Street.

It's all over on Greene St. Except for the packing up, of course.#Springfieldma pic.twitter.com/o62xcFfWwQ

-- Patrick Johnson (@PaddyJ1325) November 24, 2015

The Senate hopes to take up legislation in the new year addressing motor vehicle cell phone use, according to Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst.

BOSTON— The Senate hopes to take up legislation in the new year addressing motor vehicle cell phone use, according to Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst.

The House this month gave preliminary approval to a Rep. William Straus bill (H 3315) that would ban handheld use of cell phones by drivers except in cases of emergency.

"I don't know if we'd do it exactly the same," Rosenberg told reporters.

Massachusetts has a law banning texting while driving, but many drivers continue to fumble with handheld devices while behind the wheel, and advocates for the so-called hands-free phone option say it will improve public safety.

Attorney General Maura Healey supports limiting cell phone use by drivers to hands-free devices.

"What I see all the time as I am on the road are people of all ages on their phone, texting, totally distracted," Healey said on WGBH's Boston Public Radio last week. "I think it's a serious problem and one we should take more seriously here in the state."

What do you think? Should Massachusetts follow the lead of other states and ban hand-held devices while driving? Vote in the poll below and leave your thoughts in the comment section.

For most of the country, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is generally the worst day for holiday traffic. But in Boston and parts of Massachusetts, Tuesday has edged out Wednesday for the most traffic.

For most of the country, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is generally the worst day for holiday traffic. But in Boston and parts of Massachusetts, Tuesday has edged out Wednesday for the most traffic.

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, traffic was slowed on the eastbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Sturbridge. That's where many drivers are exiting the Pike to pick up I-84. Google Maps also indicated that traffic was slowed on I-95 and I-93 around Boston, in Hartford, and on the Pike due to a seven-car accident in Oxford.

"As of right now its pretty normal," said State Police Lieutenant William Nee of Troop E, which polices the turnpike.

"There are some small accidents around," he said, but nothing blocking lanes on the major highways.

Nee said that troopers were prepared for Tuesday and Wednesday to both be very busy. "It's a busy travel week," he said. 

Drivers can dial 511 for traffic updates, Nee said, which may help them avoid getting caught in a traffic jam.

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Google Maps said that three years of data shows that Wednesday is still the busiest travel day for most of the country. Boston, Providence, San Francisco and Honolulu are all exceptions to the rule.

"Tuesday is a slightly better day to head out than Wednesday. Unless you're in Boston. (Sorry, Boston)" the company posted on its blog.

On the heaviest day of Thanksgiving travel, Massachusetts residents can be thankful that at least the skies were clear as they were stuck in traffic.

SPRINGFIELD -- On the heaviest day of Thanksgiving travel, Massachusetts residents can be thankful that at least the skies were clear as they were stuck in traffic.

While Boston is America's only major city where more people travel on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, data complied by Google shows, traffic has not been further delayed due to weather. 

Tuesday offers "fine travel conditions for hitting the road or flying the friendly skies," said Western Mass News Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff.

Temperatures will drop Tuesday evening to a low possibly in the teens for Springfield, mid-20s in Worcester and low-30s in Boston. 

Sunshine is expected to continue across Massachusetts through Thanksgiving with temperatures rising. 

"Thanksgiving will be warmer and mild - perfect for burning off that second serving of stuffing," Wycoff said. 

Friday may reflect its dark descriptor. The National Weather Service reports there's a 30 percent chance of showers and patchy fog on Friday across the state, with the possibility of rain continuing into Saturday.  

Looking to Montreal as a model, city officials in Boston on Tuesday stood in front of two new super snow blowers and small mountains of salt, saying they’re prepared for the coming winter. “It’s clear we’re ready to face another winter on many different fronts,” said Mayor Marty Walsh. Watch video

The new machines are preferable to snow melters, city officials said.

The new machines will help get the snow off the street, instead of pushing the snow onto street corners and spending money on contractors to remove the snow from there.

"These new snow blowers will give us the ability not to be pushing snow, but actually removing it as we move along," Walsh said.

Montreal has been doing something similar and "they're ahead of the game," Walsh said.

Michael Dennehy, Boston's public works commissioner, said the city used snow melters during the last winter storms, to make room on the snow farms. They plan to rent them if needed this year.

"This can move over 2,000 tons of snow per hour," Dennehy said, the new machines behind him. "Some of the melters we had last year, the biggest one we had melted 350 tons per hour."

#Boston's added 2 of these $320,000 loader/blower units. Can move 2,000 tons of #snow/hr. Fill dump truck in 15 secs pic.twitter.com/Qifr5UmW6k

-- Peter J. Howe (@PeterHoweNECN) November 24, 2015

Boston set aside $18 million for its winter weather budget last year, and thanks to a barrage of snow storms that slammed the region, and ended up spending $44 million.

The city is setting aside $22 million for this winter season.

The city plans to keep in place its "space saver" 48-hour rule for most neighborhoods from last year. Boston residents, after shoveling out their parking space, often place items like chairs and trash barrels to "save" their space.

"I mean last year, obviously, it was a little more than 48 hours, when we got all that snow in the month, but typically, if snow falls" and you shovel out your parking space, you get to keep it for 48 hours, he said.

Boston's South End neighborhood will continue its pilot effort to ban "space savers," Walsh said.

 

Karen Andrade, 51, admitted sufficient facts for a guilty finding earlier this month to a charge of charging a fee for sex.

NORTHAMPTON - A Northampton District Court judge took no action Tuesday on a request by a Southampton lawyer to travel to New York and New Jersey for Thanksgiving, leaving her turkey prospects looking bleak.

Karen J. Andrade  

Andrade, who specializes in child custody, was placed under administrative suspension by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers on Jan. 21, 2014. Police confiscated condoms and lubricants from her home, among other items.

Several conditions were put on Andrade's release, including that she get permission to travel out of state. She asked the court to let her go to New Jersey and New York to see a friend and her mother over Thanksgiving. Judge W. Michael Goggins took no action on the request, however.

MMCT Venture, the joint Mohegan-Mashantucket Pequot company authorized to seek a site for Connecticut's third casino, called on local officials Tuesday to move forward with the approval process on site proposals to compete with the planned MGM Springfield. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD ‒ MMCT Venture, the joint Mohegan-Mashantucket Pequot company authorized to seek a site for Connecticut's third casino, called on local officials Tuesday to move forward with the approval process on site proposals to compete with the planned MGM Springfield.

In letters sent to officials in East Hartford, East Windsor, Hartford and Windsor Locks, MMCT contended the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Mohegan Tribe's casinos are important to the state's economy, providing jobs, as well as revenue to fund things like education. This, however, is in jeopardy with Massachusetts planning to build a $950 million casino just over the line in Springfield, the venture added.

Stressing that the tribes' partnership seeks to prevent MGM Springfield from taking jobs or revenue from Connecticut, MMCT urged local officials to move forward with getting approval for a new state casino. The venture said it would compensate the towns for associated expenses should they choose to move forward with a referendum.

"It's our goal to be part of a municipality that understands the benefits a facility like this will bring to its community, and we want to let everyone know that we intend to do our part from the very beginning," the venture wrote, adding that before any proposal is implemented it must be approved by the town considering it.

Earlier this month, MMCT received five site proposals from East Hartford, East Windsor, Hartford and Windsor Locks. The tribes are aiming to select a site by Dec. 15.

The Connecticut legislature would still need to authorize construction on any potential third casino, which has been described as a means of insulating Connecticut's gaming revenues from out-of-state competition.

MMCT's letter comes just one day after Springfield officials announced that MGM's revised site plan application for the proposed casino project is now complete and ready for a public hearing and city council review.

Consumer advocates from MassPIRG found small parts that can break off and choke a windpipe, toxic chromium and phthalate chemicals, dangerous magnets, small balls and balloons for "Trouble in Toyland", the group's 30th annual survey of Toy Safety.

SPRINGFIELD -- That marvelous toy might go "zip" when it moves, and "bop" when it's stopped, but it could very well also present a choking hazard, a risk of toxic exposure or a threat to a child's hearing.

Consumer advocates from MassPIRG found small parts that can break off and choke a windpipe, toxic chromium and phthalate chemicals, dangerous magnets, small balls and balloons for "Trouble in Toyland," the group's 30th annual survey of toy safety.

"As we know, children put everything in their mouths," said Hillary Weber of the MassPIRG Education Fund.

Weber hosted an annual demonstration of toy hazards Tuesday at the Greater Springfield YMCA. The survey has led to more than 150 product recalls of unsafe toys in the last 30 years, she said. Weber and other advocates found the toys this fall on the shelves of dollar stores and big-box retailers. Dangerous toys included:

• Slinky Jr.: It walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, but the brightly colored Slinkys might have toxic amounts of chromium, according to preliminary tests.
• Minions Locking Pencil Case: Preliminary testing shows that there is too much chromium on the latch.
• Fairy Wand: A sparkly plastic jewel in the center broke off as Weber placed it in her shopping cart. The jewel is small enough to present a choking hazard.
• Fun Bubbles Jump Rope: Contains high levels of chemicals called phthalates, used to make plastic soft. Phthalates present health risks when ingested.
• Disney Planes: These toy planes from the popular movies have propellers that can break. "Think about parts that will break off, especially if it's something like a plane that you are going to want to zoom around and crash," Weber said.
• Vtech Smart Wheels and Vtech Smart Animals: These make noise that can be dangerous for small children, especially when held up close to the ear.
• Fisher Price Click 'n Learn Remote: A noise hazard. Weber said also to be aware of toy cell phones and toy remote controls that can be played with like a cell phone. Children are likely to hold them close to their ears.
• Ballons: Are a choking hazard.
• G2Air MiniBall: Can break and present a choking hazard.
• DisneyPixar Riplash Racers: Can present a choking hazard.

Weber shard a number of safety tips:

• Refer often to PIRG's website, toysafetytips.org.
• Check for choking hazards by fitting parts inside an empty toilet paper tube. If a toy or any part of it fits in the tube, a child can choke on it.
• Sound: For these toys, activate the noise and hold it up to your ear. Remember, children's hearing is very sensitive. 
• Look for warning labels.

Dexter Johnson, interim CEO of the Greater Springfield YMCA, reminded shoppers to consider all the children in a household. He reconsidered a toy he bought for a grandchild. "Because you know that little brother is around," Johnson said. "They are always together and that younger child might be put in danger."

State Rep. Jose F. Tosado, D-Springfield, said he supports MassPIRG's work and will help get the safety tips out.

Westfield District Court records show that Jacquet L. Wilson was arrested Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Westfield Food Fest, which was hosted by the Westfield Rotary Club on Elm Street from School to Franklin streets. Police Officer Scott Phelon reported that Wilson had sex with a woman without her consent after attending the event.

WESTFIELD - The case of a 47-year-old Westfield man accused of raping a woman in his apartment on Elm Street has been transferred to Hampden County Superior Court.

Westfield District Court records show that Jacquet L. Wilson was arrested Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Westfield Food Fest, which was hosted by the Westfield Rotary Club on Elm Street.

Police Officer Scott Phelon reported that Wilson had sex with a woman without her consent after attending the event.

Laura Newberry | laura.newberry@masslive.com

The two had been together at the Food Fest, and Wilson allegedly allowed her to use the bathroom in his apartment, court documents said. After the victim used the bathroom, Wilson reportedly led her to the bedroom, removed her underwear and forced her into intercourse, police said.

"The victim stated she was telling him she did not want to do this and to stop throughout the encounter," Phelon wrote in his police report.

After the incident, the victim told several people what had happened, and was brought to police officers working at the event. The victim pointed Wilson out to the officers, and he was taken into custody almost immediately, police said.

Wilson denied both being in the apartment with the woman and having sexual relations with her, investigators said.

Wilson was held on $50,000 bail.

Alexander faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted; but, under federal sentencing guidelines will more likely face approximately two years.

SPRINGFIELD - A federal judge released illegal firearms defendant Mark "Markie" Alexander under certain restrictions pending trial after Alexander vowed to get a job and move out of his mother's house.

Mark Alexander 

Initially charged in a criminal complaint, Alexander has since been indicted on one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a gun. He was charged along with Hector Nieves in connection with an alleged Sep. 2 sale of a revolver and ammunition to an FBI informant for $230.

An FBI affidavit states the FBI "coordinated" the sale with the unnamed informant, who recognized Alexander from prior jail stints. The document adds that both Nieves and Alexander have multiple felony convictions but does not go into further detail. The alleged sale in question was caught on audio and video, according to the affidavit.

The informant set up a meeting with Nieves in a CVS parking lot at the "X," a busy intersection in Forest Park. Nieves instructed the informant to follow him to a house near Commonwealth Avenue and Walden Street, court records show.

"The (confidential human source) asked Nieves whether he/she was going to get hurt inside the house, and Nieves reassured the (informant) about his-her safety," reads an affidavit by FBI special agent Daniel Patrick.

"Inside the house, the CHS was met by a man known previously to him by having served jail time with him. The CHS knew this man to have a Facebook screen name of 'Markie Alexander,'" it adds.

Alexander handed the informant a .22 caliber revolver with four rounds of ammunition in exchange for $240, which Alexander then handed over to Nieves, according to the complaint.

Nieves said he could not make the change to return the 10 extra dollars the informant provided, it states.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant initially moved for pretrial detention for Alexander, but on Tuesday retracted the request. The prosecutor said he had plans to get a job at his father's company and move out of his mother's house.

Defense lawyer Thomas O'Connor noted that both Alexander's parents and his siblings were in court to offer support.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Katherine Robertson released Alexander on conditions including that he pursue employment and submit to drug testing.

Alexander faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted; but, under federal sentencing guidelines will more likely face approximately two years.

Nieves was ordered held behind bars pending trial.

The blaze, which sent thick plumes of smoke into the air, snarled southbound traffic for hours.

Updates stories posted at 8:20 a.m. and 1:14 p.m.

HOLYOKE -- The blaze that destroyed a trash truck on Interstate 91 Tuesday morning was amplified by its load of cardboard and a ruptured fuel tank, a fire department spokesman said.

The blaze, which broke out while the Alternative Recycling truck was heading south just north Exit 17, was reported shortly after 8 a.m. No injuries were reported

The driver smelled something burning and pulled over. "When he stopped it took off," Capt. Anthony Cerruti said of the flames.

Cerruti said the truck was fully-involved when firefighters arrived. The fuel tank ruptured shortly after they got there, further complicating firefighting efforts.

The truck was hauling cardboard, "which obviously didn't help the situation," he said.

Further complicating their efforts was the lack of a water supply on Interstate 91. Holyoke sent two engines and a ladder truck to the scene. Each of the engines carries 750 gallons of water and the ladder carries none, Cerruti said.

The Northampton Fire Department sent an engine to the scene, which contributed about another 750 gallons, he said.

Fortunately, Holyoke firefighters, aided by their Northampton counterparts, were able to tap into a hydrant at the nearby Woodmar Glen neighborhood and drag a line to fire.

To get access to the burning cardboard, firefighters had to cut the locks that secured the hopper. From there, it was a time-consuming process of removing and dousing portions of the burning cardboard and then digging in for more.

The blaze, which sent thick plumes of smoke into the air, snarled southbound traffic for hours.

Firefighters, assisted by personnel from Red's Towing, remained on the scene until about noon, Cerruti said. State police reopened the southbound lanes at about 12:30 p.m.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The program provides new boilers for struggling homeowners.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Occasionally employees at Baystate Fuel Oil will run across emergency situations where a boiler can't be repaired and the owner can't afford a new one.

Leonard Bruso, one of the owners of the West Springfield-based business, recently met a young mother in Springfield in a desperate situation and with the help of the non-profit Oil Heat Cares was able to install a brand new boiler just in time for Thanksgiving.

"When I met the customer she was in a really tough position," he said. " We tried to repair it, but we just couldn't fix her boiler. She did not have the means to pay for a new boiler, so we decided it was the right thing to do to step up and do this for her."

Bruso is a member of the National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals. About 10 years ago the association's executive director Judy Garber, established Oil Heat Cares. Association members partner with the non-profit to identify people across the northeast in need of heating services.

Garber said the program shows the generosity and huge hearts of the members of the association.

"I was traveling to an event with a well known industry executive and I mentioned to him how the association has some of the most caring individuals I know with huge hearts and I wished we could do something that tied their passion for what they do and caring about their community," she said. From that conversation Oil Heat Cares was established and has been growing ever since.

The organization gets private donations as well as a large annual fundraiser called Care to Ride which brings in between $30,000-$70,000 each year, all of which is used to buy equipment including boilers and furnaces. Association members like Bruso then donate their time and services to install the equipment. The organization helps about 25 individuals and families every year.

The woman who received the boiler lives in Springfield with her young son. She asked to remain anonymous, but said she was overwhelmed with the company's generosity.

"I'm a school teacher in my first year and it's just me and my 3-year-old so I need to have heat," she said "I'm going to school and working trying to make ends meet so when I came home and there was all this water in my basement and a hole in my boiler, I didn't know what I was going to do."

She is a perfect example of the people helped by Oil Heat Cares, Garber said.

"We typically assist people who fall through the cracks. They must own their own home and have recently lost a job, are coming back from military, are elderly folks or people who do not qualify for traditional government fuel assistance programs," she said. "We hope this will help them get back up on their feet."

Since heat is a necessity in New England's coldest months, Garber said the approval process for a potential client does not take more than 48 hours.

"We take a lot of pride in having an easy process because we know that people cannot be without heat," she said.

Garber is planning to retire soon, but said the program will keep going strong with the help of David Bessette, who is now chairman of Oil Heat Cares. Bessette works MacFarlane Energy in Dedham.

Bruso said he is glad to have worked with the association on this project. He credited Carlin Combustion Technology, based in North Haven, Ct., for donating the oil burner and the controls for the project.

The woman said she is grateful for the help.

"It means the world to me that an organization that doesn't know me at all would offer to do this for me," she said.

"It was just the right thing to do," Bruso added.

For more information on the program or to donate visit oilheatcares.com

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was 90.4 points in November, down from 99.1 points in October.

SPRINGFIELD - Consumer Confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, fell again this month after having fallen in October.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was 90.4 points in November, down from 99.1 points in October. The Conference Board, a business think-tank based in New York City , bases its consumer confidence estimates on a ,monthly survey done by Nielsen.

Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board said in a prepared statement:

"Consumer confidence retreated in November, following a moderate decrease in October. The decline was mainly due to a less favorable view of the job market. Consumers' appraisal of current business conditions, on the other hand, was mixed. Fewer consumers said conditions had improved, while the proportion saying conditions had deteriorated also declined. Heading into 2016, consumers are cautious about the labor market and expect little change in business conditions."

Further results:

• Those saying business conditions are "good" decreased from 26.8 percent to 24.4 percent.
• Those saying  business conditions are "bad" also decreased from 18.3 percent to 16.9 percent.
•  Those stating jobs are "plentiful" decreased from 22.7 percent to 19.9 percent.
• Those saying jobs are "hard to get" increased to 26.2 percent from 24.6 percent.
• Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead fell from 14.4 percent to 11.6 percent.
• The proportion of respondents  expecting their incomes to increase declined from 18.1 percent to 17.2 percent.
• The proportion expecting a decline in their income  increased from 10.5 percent to 11.8 percent.

The state-certified level of free cash is only about half the total Holyoke has counted on in previous years.

HOLYOKE -- Raiding the rainy day fund, cutting services and imposing a hiring freeze are among the unattractive options facing officials in light of a state report that leaves the city short in dealing with a deficit as a Dec. 31 deadline looms to set the new tax rate.

The tax rate cannot be set until the budget is balanced, and with the deficit now at $2.9 million, officials were hoping to take the path of previous years and transfer free cash to plug the shortfall.

The city lost that option Tuesday. Acting City Auditor Bellamy H. Schmidt said the state Department of Revenue (DOR) had certified that the amount of free cash available to the city in the current fiscal year was $2.2 million, about half the total of recent years.

Free cash is money left unspent in accounts from the previous fiscal year. The cash has been counted on for years by officials as a fund to tap to cover snow removal and public safety overtime costs with mid-fiscal year transfers.

The $2,240,313 in free cash isn't even enough if used in its entirety to address the deficit let alone offer the cushion officials have depended on to deal with extra expenses.

Mayor Alex B. Morse outlined a plan to address the deficit and get a tax rate set by Dec. 15 in a letter Tuesday to the City Council (see below). Morse said he would be seeking submission of late-filed orders for the council to consider at its meeting Dec. 1.

But it is unclear at best whether councilors will go along with Morse's plan, especially with some reluctant to tap the stabilization, or rainy day, fund for what they have said in the past they consider the non-emergency nature of a budget deficit.

Some such as Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon have said the response should be to cut spending, not spend savings.

Morse said in a text message he was confident the problem could be addressed without a major noticeable effect on the public in terms of city services. A bright spot is the city's financial picture will improve in a year or so with infusion of property tax revenue once ongoing construction projects are completed, he said in the letter to councilors.

"Difficult decisions and cuts will need to be made throughout the remainder of the fiscal year and while preparing the 'FY17 budget,'" Morse said in the text message. "But the city is weathering tough financial times and every indicator has us turning a corner beginning in FY17. We will get through the year without any noticeable impact on city services that residents expect."

One step Morse is recommending the City Council take is to cut the budgeted amount for employee health care costs by $500,000, from the current $8.3 million to $7.8 million, based on what the city spent last year in that account. That would drop the deficit to $2.4 million.

The mayor recommends covering the rest of the deficit by transferring $1.7 million of the free cash, which would leave $500,000 in that account for mid-fiscal year expenses, and $700,000 from the stabilization account, or roughly the amount of interest that that $11.8 million fund earns annually.

"At the same time I will direct city department heads to look for ways to reform city government and create savings," Morse said in the letter to councilors. "I will also monitor the need for a spending and/or hiring freeze. We may have to make some tough budgetary and spending calls to get through this year."

City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain told Morse in a response letter that councilors in determining how to balance the budget will need more information about projected financial transfers for the rest of the fiscal year for snow removal, police and fire overtime and other capital expenses.

Jourdain also suggested that Morse, besides the $500,000 reduction in employee health care costs, give councilors an additional free-cash, stabilization-fund option to consider along with the one he has recommended. That deficit-elimination option could be a combination of using $2 million in free cash and $400,000 from the stabilization fund, for example, Jourdain said.

"This will leave about $250,000 in free cash. I would appreciate this as we could debate each approach and pick one without wasting weeks ... if one approach over another is denied. This will give the body both proposals and options up front," Jourdain said.

Once the budget is balanced, the Board of Assessors will hold its annual public hearing on tax classification. Assessors at the hearing discuss whether property values have risen or fallen compared to a year ago, the average values of different varieties of property such as single-family homes, duplexes and industry and the amount of new growth officials expect the city to receive. New growth is revenue from properties on which construction was completed and added to the tax rolls in the past year.

The City Council votes a new tax rate after the assessors' tax classification hearing.

The current tax rate is $19.04 per $1,000 valuation for residential property and $39.93 per $1,000 valuation for commercial property.

The city has 10,046 taxable parcels of property, Chief Assessor Anthony Dulude said.

Based on the latest state certification, property values here rose slightly. The total valuation of property in the city is $2,056,918,444. That's an increase of .3 percent, or $7.4 million, over the total valuation a year ago of $2,049,477,723, he said.

That means that, generally, on a $200,000 home, its value rose by only $600.

Still, Morse said, while a .3 percent bump in property values is slight, it also marks a change in the trajectory from decline to growth.

"And that growth will continue. There are millions of dollars in the pipeline for 'FY2017' and beyond that will help us move back up the growth ladder," Morse said.

Bills reflecting the new property tax rate must be mailed to home and business owners before the third quarter of the fiscal year begins, which is Jan. 1. (The first quarter begins July 1, the second Oct. 1 and the fourth April 1).

The city began the fiscal year July 1 with a budget of $125.5 million. The deficit consists of $1.6 million in the general fund and $1.3 million in the sewer fund, the latter a running dispute between Morse and some councilors and an issue in the recent mayoral election, in which Morse won reelected Nov. 3 by defeating business owner Fran O'Connell.

The sewer fund is supposed to be funded by fees paid by sewer users. But with expenses in recent years higher than revenues, free cash transfers have been needed to eliminate the sewer fund deficit.

Morse for years has urged the City Council to address the sewer fund deficit such as by establishing an incremental set of sewer-rate increases to bring in new revenue.

Morse also recommended in May the council consider as a revenue-generating option the imposition of a storm water runoff fee, which swelled into an election campaign issue, with O'Connell accusing Morse of pushing another tax. Morse said that was false.

Storm water runoff is water from rain and melting snow that runs off of roofs, roads, parking lots and other hard surfaces and flows into the municipal sewer system. Chicopee, Northampton and Westfield are among cities that charge a fee to manage storm water runoff.

Jourdain has said certain steps should be taken before rates increase: exhaust efforts at collecting overdue bills and renegotiate the contract the city has with United Water, the company that operates the city wastewater treatment plant on Berkshire Street.

Morse said the sewer fund deficit is not because of uncollected bills but because of borrowing and interest costs related to complying with federal orders to reduce combined sewer overflow into the Connecticut River.

Here is City Council President Kevin Jourdain's response to the budget-issues letter from Mayor Alex Morse:

Mayor,

Thank you for your proposal to resolve the pending city deficit so we can set the tax rates timely. I agree it would be ideal to set the rates by December 15 but this will not be possible unless a series of votes occur first.

Some questions for you and a friendly suggestion:

1) Can you please confirm for the members of the City Council that the School Department is fully funded and no additional funds will be needed by the general fund or other revenue source to cover their expenses?

2) Will you be filling the appropriate budget reduction motion with us for December 1 to reduce the health insurance fund by $500,000 as recommended under your plan?

3) What do you project the police and fire overtime accounts will need for supplemental funds for the remainder of the fiscal year if any?

4) Is the city reasonably funded for snow removal services for remainder of fiscal year? If no, how much more will be needed?

5) Do you envision any other expense or capital expenditure for the remainder of FY 16 which would be over $100,000?

Suggestion to aid/speed up the process - I recommend that due to the short time frame that you provide the Council with 2 options: the one you recommend of $1.7 free cash and $0.7 stabilization and one other being $2.0 million free cash and 0.4 million stabilization. This will leave about $250,000 in free cash. I would appreciate this as we could debate each approach and pick one without wasting weeks potential if one approach over another is denied. This will give the body both proposals and options up front.

We will need to vote on these proposals on December 1 to ideally have an Assessors Tax Class Meeting during week of Dec 7th, and then tax classification vote on December 15.

I would be happy to afford you and members of your team the opportunity to be heard on this matter at any meeting so we can have the benefit of any information or suggestions you wish to share with us.

Please call with any questions.

Thank you,

Kevin A. Jourdain

Letter from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse to City Council about budget issues

Daniel A. Mears, Jr., 40, who is homeless, was stopped by police after Big Y employees reported a suspicious looking man in the store.

NORTHAMPTON - A man who allegedly stole liquor from the Big Y Supermarket on King Street pleaded not guilty to shoplifting and shoplifting by concealing merchandise Wednesday in Northampton District Court.

Daniel A. Mears, Jr., 40, who is homeless, was stopped by police after Big Y employees reported a suspicious looking man in the store.

They found he had taken two bottles of liquor.

One officer recognized Mears from similar incidents, according to the report.

Bail was set for Mears at $125 and a pretrial hearing scheduled for Dec. 21.

Five sectors of the economy gained jobs on the month.

SPRINGFIELD -- Unemployment in Greater Springfield fell in October to 5.3 percent, according to new figures released this week by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Those numbers, also developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, show that the region gained 5,200 jobs for the month and 6,900 for the year.

Here is how these jobs break down by sector of the economy. Bear in mind, they have not been corrected for seasonal changes in the economy. Jobs numbers are based on a survey of employers, so the sample captures more established employers than startups.

Five sectors that gained jobs in October were:

• Government 2,300 or +3.7% (+1,800 compared to last year)
• Education and Health Services 2,000 or +2.6% (+1,300 over last year)
• Professional, Scientific, and Business Services 1,000 or +3.6% (+600 over last year)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 700 or +1.2% (+700 vs. last year)
• Other Services 100 or +0.8% (-100 compared to last year)

Two sectors in which jobs remain unchanged for the month:

• Information (no gain or loss compared to last year)
• Financial Activities (-100 last year)

Three sectors that lost jobs for the month were:

• Leisure and Hospitality -600 or -2.0% (-500 from last year)
• Manufacturing -200 or -0.7% (no change from last year)
• Mining, Logging and Construction -100 or -0.8% (no change from last year)

Six sectors that gained jobs for the year were:

• Education and Health Services 3,700 or +5.0% (+2,300 last year)
• Professional, Scientific, and Business Services 2,300 or +8.6% (+1,400 last year)
• Government 700 or +1.1% (+1,900 last year)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 500 or +0.8% (+200 LY)
• Mining, Logging and Construction 400 or +3.5% (+400 LY)
• Other Services 400 or +3.2% (+500 LY)

Two sectors in which jobs remain unchanged for the year were:

• Information (no change last year)
• Financial Activities (+100 last year)

Two sectors that lost jobs were:

• Leisure and Hospitality -600 or -2.0% (-900 last year)
• Manufacturing -500 or -1.7% (-1,200 last year)

Police describe the suspect, who has not been apprehended, as a white male in his early 20's, about 5 feet and 10 inches tall, with scruffy facial hair and a thin build; he is considered dangerous.

 

WARE - A knife-wielding male tried to slash a utility worker during an attempted robbery -- on a residential street in broad daylight Monday afternoon -- Ware police have confirmed.

Police describe the suspect, who has not been apprehended, as a white male in his early 20's, about 5 feet and 10 inches tall, with scruffy facial hair and a thin build; he is considered dangerous.

They said a male utility worker, in the vicinity of Cottage and Spring Streets, was attacked by the suspect after an unsuccessful demand for money.

Police said the suspect attempted to slash the victim after demanding the money, using a knife several inches long. A binder the utility worker was carrying was destroyed during the knife attack; the victim apparently used that to defend himself.

The victim reported the incident to police at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 23, shortly after it happened.

Residents who may have information are urged to call Ware police sergeant Shawn Crevier, or officer Tod Bertini, who are investigating, at 967-3571.

Police declined to say whether they had a suspect in the case.

The initiative is through the state's Naloxone Bulk Purchasing Trust Fund, which allows first responders to buy the lifesaving drug for $20 a dose. Municipalities have been paying between $33 to $67 per dose.

Attorney General Maura Healey announced Wednesday that all Massachusetts cities and towns can buy Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, at a discounted rate.

The initiative is through the state's Naloxone Bulk Purchasing Trust Fund, which allows first responders to buy Narcan -- otherwise known as naloxone -- for $20 a dose, according to the Associated Press.

Municipalities have been paying between $33 to $67 per dose for Narcan, a price that does not include the cost of the atomization delivery device, the AP reports.

Towns can also have the drug, along with the atomizers, sent to them.

Heroin and opioid overdoses tend to spike over the holidays, Healey noted.

The Food and Drug Administration approved this week a nasal spray version of naloxone hydrochloride, or Narcan, according to Fox 43.

Narcan was only approved in intravenous forms until this point, although there has been widespread use of unapproved naloxone kits with an injectable formula of naloxone and an atomizer to deliver the drug nasally.

Narcan continues to save lives as the heroin crisis grips the Bay State, statistics show. Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan estimated in September that the number of opioid overdose-related fatalities in Western Mass. would be 13 to 14 times higher if not for Narcan's role.

In 2014 alone, 263 people were administered Narcan by fire and police departments in Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton and several communities in Franklin County. A very conservative estimate, Sullivan said, is a ratio of 9-to-1 non-fatal to fatal overdoses.

Tapestry Health offers free Narcan at its needle exchanges in Northampton and Holyoke. As of Oct. 30, Tapestry had received 509 reports that Narcan the exchange in Northampton has given out was used to reverse an overdose.

Narcan is also available over-the-counter at Walgreens pharmacies in Northampton, Florence and Greenfield, though those doses are not free.