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MassDOT plans I-91, I-291 overnight lane and ramp closures in Springfield

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The road will be closed so contractors can work on overhead signs.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that it will close lanes and ramps on I-91 South and I-291 West on Sunday through Tuesday.

The lane closures will be implemented in phases, beginning at 9 p.m. , and only one of four lanes will be open beginning at 11 p.m. These closures are required for the contractor to work on overhead sign structures, MassDOT said.

On Monday and Tuesday, MassDOT will close Exits 1A and 2A from Interstate 291 West to Interstate 91 South from 11 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. the following morning. The closures are also required for the contractor to take down existing overhead signs.

Traffic will follow the signed detour routes:

To access I-91 South: From I-291 West: take Exit 2B and follow signs for Dwight Street. Turn left on Dwight Street, then turn right on State Street. Turn left on Main Street, then turn right on Bliss Street. Turn right onto East Columbus Avenue. Turn left on State Street, left on West Columbus Avenue/Hall of Fame Avenue, and bear left to merge onto I-91 South.

To access Chestnut Street: From I-291 West, take Exit 2B and follow signs for Dwight Street. Turn right on Dwight Street, then turn right on Bond Street to access Chestnut Street.

Those traveling through the area should reduce speed, follow posted speed limits, and use caution, according to as news release. MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays.

For more information about the project, visit the website at www.mass.gov/massdot/I91ViaductRehab.

It's all a part of the $183.3 million rehab of Interstate 91 and its viaduct over downtown Springfield.


Wilbraham police searching for suspect in credit union robbery

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Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call the Wilbraham Police Department at 413-596-3837.

This updates an earlier story.



WILBRAHAM
- Police are searching for a suspect in a bank robbery at the Polish National Credit Union at 2002 Boston Road.

Massachusetts state police assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office are assisting with the investigation.

Police need the public's health in identifying the man seen in the picture, which was taken from a surveillance camera from inside the bank.

If you recognize this man, you are asked to call the Wilbraham Police Department at 413-596-3837 or Text-a-Tip; text "Crimes: or 274637, and begin the message with "Solve."

The robbery was reported just before 2 p.m. Wilbraham notified Springfield police to be on the lookout for a black SUV possibly heading for Springfield.

Wilbraham police said the incident remains under investigation.

Gov. Charlie Baker says 'multiple errors' occurred in runaway MBTA train incident

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Multiple safety procedures were not followed by an MBTA operator, causing a Boston-bound train to leave a station with 50 passengers onboard but without an operator, Gov. Charlie Baker said.

BOSTON - Multiple safety procedures were not followed by an MBTA operator, causing a Boston-bound train to leave a station with 50 passengers onboard but without an operator, Gov. Charlie Baker said.

While MBTA officials were able to shut down the power and stop the train nine minutes later without anybody getting hurt, "we all understand the fear, the shock, surprise that those 50 passengers must have experienced," Baker said.

As he did yesterday, Baker again stressed the incident was an "isolated" one and sought to reassure riders that the MBTA system is safe.

"Our trains are safe, they have redundant systems. One error would not allow something like this to happen," said Baker's transportation secretary, Stephanie Pollack.

The operator whose train left Braintree Station and flew through four other MBTA stations, is on paid administrative leave, and the internal investigation into the incident continues.

State and federal officials met on Friday morning, and they are expected to provide their own recommendations that could prevent another runaway train.

In attempting to deal with a signal problem just outside Braintree Station, the runaway train's operator, a 51-year-old man who has been with the MBTA for more than 20 years, on Thursday stepped out of the train but did not engage at least one of the train's brakes.

The throttle of the runaway train had been tampered with, transportation officials say. Wedging or restricting the throttle in any way is a "prohibited act" leaves an employee open to losing their job.

Pollack said MBTA employees were reminded both verbally and in writing that they could lose their jobs if they undertake a "prohibited" act.

Asked how widespread is the practice of rigging the throttle, Pollack said there is no reason to believe it is, but they do not have cameras in the main train car that would provide video to review.

Pollack said the train operator is cooperating with the investigation and a final fact-finding hearing with him is set for Monday. There is no timeline for the completion of the MBTA internal investigation.

Mass. transportation chief Stephanie Pollack on runaway MBTA train: 'We failed our passengers'

News Links: Mother gets life in beating death of son, 2; man, 72, accused of sexually assaulting girl, 13; and more

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Foxborough woman's Facebook post about her daughter's high school refusing to allow a photo of her in the yearbook, because she is standing with an American flag has gone viral.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

WFXT-TV, Fox25, Dedham


  • Rehoboth mother sentenced to life in prison for brutal beating death of 2-year-old son [Attleboro Sun Chronicle]


  • 72-year-old Vermont man accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl [WPTZ-TV, NBC5, Plattsburgh, N.Y.]


    Lisa Traux.jpgLisa Traux 
  • Foxborough High School won't accept 'disrespectful' photo for yearbook of student shown standing on skirt of American flag [WCVB-TV, NewsCenter5, Needham] Photo at left, Fox25 video above



    src="http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js"
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  • Connecticut approves $174 million for commuter rail line that would like Springfield, Mass., with Hartford, New Haven [Hartford Courant]


    Driverless Train 
  • Charlie rides the T: Governor Baker says 'multiple safety procedures' violated with runaway train [Boston.com] Photo at right, video above

  • Norwood resident faces drunken driving charges after car carrying 4 people runs stop sign, smashes into other car, killing sole occupant, police say [CBS Boston.com]


  • Family shocked by theft of bones from grandparents' mausoleum at Worcester cemetery [Telegram & Gazette]




    Andrew Aimesbury.jpgAndrew A. Aimesbury 
  • US Army Ranger from New Hampshire killed in live-fire training exercise in Georgia [Foster's Daily Democrat] Photo at left


  • Officials want skate park closed when Pittsfield High School is open in wake of recent knifing incident [Berkshire Eagle]


  • Providence high school science teacher charged with forgery, counterfeiting and embezzlement [Providence Journal] Video above


    WHDH-TV, 7News, Boston





     
  • Slump in crude oil prices hammers stock market

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    The Dow Jones industrial average lost nearly 310 points, closing the week at to 17,265.

    By BERNARD CONDON

    NEW YORK -- A slump in oil prices sparked a global sell-off in financial markets on Friday with losses spreading from Asia to Europe to the U.S., where stocks fell sharply to cap their worst week since the summer.

    The selling was broad, with all 10 sectors of the Standard and Poor's 500 index ending down. Fearful investors put their money in government bonds, especially U.S. Treasurys. Another measure of anxiety, the so-called Vix index, jumped. It is now up 70 percent in just five days.

    Investors worry the sharp fall in the price of oil and other commodities is a sign of weakness in the global economy, especially China, and that will cut into profits at big energy producers and suppliers of raw materials as well as other companies.

    "We're stockpiling commodities and demand is not picking up," said Tim Courtney, chief investment officer of Exencial Wealth Advisors. "It's kind of a depressing market."

    Energy shares, already decimated this year, fell 3.4 percent on Friday. Southwestern Energy plunged 14 percent. Freeport McMoRan, a mining giant, dropped 6 percent.

    The trouble began with a report from the International Energy Agency that said the oversupply in oil would persist until late next year even as demand continues to weaken. Benchmark U.S. crude plunged $1.14, or 3 percent, to close at $35.62 a barrel in New York. It has been falling for 1 1/2 years and is now at its lowest level since early 2009.

    By the end of the day, the S&P 500 index had lost 39.86 points, or 1.9 percent, to 2,012.37. It was down 3.8 percent for the week, its worst showing since August.

    The Dow Jones industrial average lost 309.54 points, or 1.8 percent, to 17,265.21. The Nasdaq composite declined 111.71 points, or 2.2 percent, to 4,933.47.

    In Europe, Germany's DAX lost 2.4 percent, Britain's FTSE 100 dropped 2.2 percent and France's CAC 40 shed 1.8 percent.

    Investors were also rattled by trouble in a risky corner of the credit markets where bonds from heavily indebted companies are traded. Their prices have fallen sharply as investors fear the companies that issued the bonds might default. A fund that tracks the bonds, the iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF, has dropped nearly 4 percent in five days.

    Investors are also focused on a Federal Reserve meeting next week where the central bank is widely expected to announce an increase in its benchmark interest rate from a record low.

    Recent economic reports indicate that the U.S. economy is healthy enough to withstand a rate hike, but investors are still nervous because it would be the first rate rise in nearly a decade.

    "It's anticipation of the Fed, it's oil, it's credit ... all of these factors are putting fear and confusion into the investor," said Jonathan D. Corpina, senior managing partner at Meridian Equity Partners.

    In a sign of trouble among commodity producers, Dow Chemical and DuPont on Friday announced a $130 billion deal to merge their businesses to counter falling prices. Their stocks had risen in previous days on reports the deal was forthcoming, but fell sharply on Friday.

    Dow Chemical dropped $1.54, or nearly 3 percent, to $53.37. DuPont lost $4.11, or 5.5 percent, to $70.44.

    In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index climbed 1 percent, but most other major indexes fell. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.1 percent and mainland China's Shanghai Composite lost 0.6 percent.

    Among stocks making big moves:

    • Software maker Adobe Systems rose $2.46, or 2.8 percent, to $91.42 after reporting earnings in its latest quarter that exceeded analysts' expectations. The stock is up 26 percent since the start of the year.
    • Corning rose 99 cents, or 5.6 percent, to $18.68 after the company said it will give up its stake in Dow Corning, a joint venture with Dow Chemical. Instead it will invest in a semiconductor business that is owned by Dow Corning.

    U.S. government bond prices rose sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.12 percent from 2.23 percent late Thursday, a big move. The dollar fell to 120.79 yen from 121.64 yen. The euro strengthened to $1.0995 from $1.0939.

    Precious and industrial metals futures closed mixed. Gold edged up $3.70 to $1,075.70 an ounce, silver fell 23 cents to $13.88 an ounce and copper rose four cents to $2.12 a pound.

    In other energy futures market, Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell $1.80, or 4.5 percent, to $37.93 a barrel in London. In New York, heating oil plunged eight cents, or 6.5 percent, to $1.146 a gallon, wholesale gasoline was little changed at $1.282 a gallon, and natural gas lost 2.5 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $1.99 per 1,000 cubic feet.

    'Not all Muslims are terrorists': Springfield rally protests prejudice, hostility toward Muslims

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    More than 100 people of different faiths demonstrated in Springfield, Massachusetts, against what they called "vitriol and violence" being directed against Muslims nationwide. Watch video

    SPRINGFIELD — More than 100 people from different faiths assembled Friday night in a show of togetherness and resolve in the face of what they called the pervasive prejudice and even hostility toward people of the Muslim faith.

    The crowd - made up of Jews, Muslim, Christians and presumably a few none-of-the-above - came together on a traffic island at State and Federal Streets, across from the campus of Springfield Technical Community College, to rally in support of Islam.

    The crowd would venture off the island and hand out fliers to cars in between red lights, and then dash back onto the island when the lights turned green. Traffic, expectedly heavy for 5 p.m. on a Friday, was not disrupted.

    Several drivers honked their horns in support.

    "It feels good, of course," said Bassam Yacteen, of Southwick, of the support from passing cars.

    Yacteen, a Muslim, carried a sign that read "#NotInMyName," the social media hashtag adopted by followers of Islam in response to the various acts of terrorism committed by extremist groups like ISIS.

    "I want people to be aware that not all Muslims are terrorists," he said.
    "Just a few Muslims are terrorists, and they are wrong."

    Standing with him, holding the same sign, was Kimberly Leclerc of Belchertown.

    Raised a Catholic, she began exploring Islam shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, mostly because she wanted to know what it was about. She said she came to fall in love with the religion and its message of peace.

    "It's a religion of peace," she said. It's a religion that values life, she said.

    "It says to kill one person is the same as killing the whole world," she said.
    "Terrorists and Islamic extremists are not a part of it. It's not a part of Islam."

    Both Yacteen and Leclerc said they are disheartened and alarmed by the suspicion and even hostility being directed toward Muslims by members of the public, politicians, and even news media.

    For members of the faith, this is a trying time. But as Yacteen put it: "I was born here; where else can I go?"

    The rally was organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace and had several co-organizers including ARISE for Social Justice and Out Now.

    Rachel Weber, of Northampton, said the rally was timed to coincide with the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.

    "Hanukkah means 'dedication' and we are re-dedicating ourselves to social justice," she said.

    The rally was intended to not only call attention to the current anti-Islamic mood in this country, but also to racism, racial profiling and the hostility being directed toward Syrian refugees.

    Weber said the levels of "vitriol and violence" in this country directed toward Muslims in recent weeks have been alarming.

    The demonstration, she said, is an opportunity for Jews and non-Jews to do "all we can to dismantle the racism and Islamophobia that pervade our society."


    Springfield K-9 'Mr. Warner' helps police find driver of stolen red jeep

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    The dog found the suspect standing behind a tree in the woods near the Springfield/Wilbraham line.

    SPRINGFIELD - Springfield Patrolman E. Blair and his K-9 partner Mr. Warner nabbed a male who stole a red Jeep.

    Police said police, along with Blair and his K-9 were dispatched to Spikenard Circle Tuesday at 5:06 a.m. for a stolen motor vehicle.

    Officers located the vehicle, unoccupied in the area of Shirley Street near the Wilbraham/Springfield line.

    One of the responding officers observed that the hood of the jeep was warm to the touch. A jogger had stopped to inform the officers that a suspect wearing a blue sweatshirt was seen fleeing from the vehicle and entering the wooded area behind 33 Shirley St.

    K-9 Mr. Warner was able to pick up the suspect's scent from the driver's side of the vehicle, police said.

    Mr. Warner started tracking directly behind 33 Shirley Street in the wooded area, and moments later, fixed on a male suspect, fitting the description of the driver of the red Jeep who was standing behind some trees.

    The suspect, who was taken into custody, was found with keys to the stolen jeep on his person, along with numerous other stolen items.

    Photos: Star Wars Night at the Springfield Falcons

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    The Falcons wore special jerseys for the night with a silent and live auction for the Star Wars uniforms auctioned off for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hampden County.

    The movie Star Wars set the theme for the Springfield Falcons versus the Binghampton Senators at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Friday evening.

    Charactors from the movie were given the red carpet treatment on the ice with R2D2 dropping the ceremonial puck.

    The Falcons wore special jerseys for the night with a silent and live auction for the Star Wars uniforms auctioned off for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hampden County.


    Car crash takes down pole, causes power outages in Westfield

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    A multi-vehicle car crash in Westfield has knocked down a telephone pole, caused injuries and knocked out power to part of the city.

    A multi-vehicle crash in Westfield has knocked down a telephone pole, caused injuries and knocked out power to part of the city.

    A sergeant with the Westfield Police department told MassLive that at least two vehicles were involved in an accident this afternoon near the intersection of Southampton and North roads. Emergency crews are responding and power lines are down, the sergeant said.

    Injuries were sustained in the crash but are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.

    Sean Fitzgerald, a spokesman for Westfield Gas & Electric, the city's public utility, confirmed that an outage was affecting customers in the northern part of Westfield. An investigation is underway and the exact number of customers affected has not yet been determined, Fitzgerald said.

    "We have a considerable amount out on the North Side," Fitzgerald said.

    Westfield Gas & Electric will provide more information as its crews assess the damage, according to Fitzgerald.

    This is a developing story.

     

    State suspends land sale at former John Patrick Center group home to let Belchertown make offer

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    The town would need to convene a special town meeting, and appropriate money that could be used to purchase the property, in order for the state to sell Belchertown the land

    BELCHERTOWN - A 5.4-acre state-owned parcel on Route 202 that town officials have wanted to purchase almost got away.

    full-size belchertown_seal belchertown seal.jpg 
    The former John Patrick Center group home building and land was scheduled for auction Wednesday - it had been publicly advertised -- but an eleventh hour appeal by legislators to Gov. Baker's administration - along with the town administrator's efforts -- halted the sale.

    The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, which administers surplus state property, wrote to the town after they pulled the Patrick Center property from being auctioned, saying they would sell it to the town -- provided officials could demonstrate a "public use."

    The town would need to convene a special town meeting, and appropriate money that could be used to purchase the property, in order for the state to sell Belchertown the land, town administrator Gary Brougham said in an interview. He said an ad-hoc reuse panel would also need to be appointed, to come up with an appropriate public use for the land, which is surrounded by municipal property, including the public schools.

    "Once those approvals are in place, DCAMM will sell the property to the Town for the appraised value, assuming a public use," division of capital asset management deputy commissioner Beth Rubenstein wrote in a letter to Brougham on Dec. 2.

    Obituaries today: Stanley Chmielewski was retired Agawam police chief

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    Obituaries from The Republican.

     
    20151211_stanley_chmielewski.jpgStanley Chmielewski 

    Stanley J. Chmielewski, 81, passed away on Thursday. He was born in Feeding Hills, was a lifelong resident of Agawam and was a graduate of Agawam High School. He was a police officer in the town of Agawam for 38 years, 18 of which he was chief of police. After retirement, he worked for attorneys Cooledge and Lauro for 10 years as an investigator. He was the president of the Western Mass. Police Chief Association, and a member of Mass. Chiefs of Police Association, New England Police Chiefs Association and Southwick Lions Club.

    Full obituary and funeral arrangements for Stanley Chmielewski »


    To view all obituaries from The Republican:

    » Click here

    The Week in Review: Western Mass. Police & Fire news Dec. 5-12

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    A recap of the most well-read police and fire stories that appeared in The Republican and Masslive over the past week.

    Police: Father admits to putting acid in toddler's sippy cup

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    A Florida father confessed to police to putting acid used to make methamphetamine inside his 3-year-old's sippy cup, according to reports.

    Cooley.pngKyle Cooley and Amber Cooley 

    A Florida father confessed to police to putting acid used to make methamphetamine inside his 3-year-old's sippy cup, according to reports.

    The toddler suffered severe burns to his mouth, face, neck and chest area after drinking from the cup on Wednesday, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department told Channel 3 News.

    A 1-year-old child was also seriously injured.

    "Long term effects, the most severe would be gastric ulcers that can cause structural problems with the way the esophagus works," an unnamed doctor told the news station. "Any type of toxic burn can cause scar tissue and cause problems from now on." 

    The children's parents Amber Nicole Cooley, 24, and Kyle Joseph Cooley, 27, both of Milton, Fla. were arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm and other charges related to the manufacture of meth, the Pensacola News Journal reported.  

    In court on Friday, Amber Cooley broke into tears saying she didn't know the acid was in her home.

    The couple is being held on $1 million bond. 

    Police: Suspect in Wilbraham bank robbery arrested

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    Police have not yet released the suspect's name after a reported arrest on Saturday, but released the man's photo on Friday.

    WILBRAHAM - Police have arrested a suspect in a bank robbery Friday at the Polish National Credit Union on Boston Road, according to the department's Facebook page.

    "Bank robbery suspect had been ARRESTED. More to follow," the brief entry reads.

    No other information was immediately released but police released a photo of the alleged robber from bank surveillance footage late yesterday.

    The robbery was reported just before 2 p.m. on Friday. Wilbraham notified Springfield police to be on the lookout for a black SUV possibly heading for Springfield.

    Police vehicles had cleared out of the parking lot at 2002 Boston Road by shortly after 3 p.m. but yellow crime scene tape was stretched across the front door. That, along with a sign reading that the branch was "temporarily closed due to an emergency" turned customers away through the rest of the afternoon.

    More details to follow as they become available shortly.

    Nearly 200 nations adopt first global pact to fight climate change

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    Nearly 200 nations adopted the first global pact to fight climate change on Saturday, calling on the world to collectively cut and then eliminate greenhouse gas pollution but imposing no sanctions on countries that don't.

    LE BOURGET, France (AP) -- Nearly 200 nations adopted the first global pact to fight climate change on Saturday, calling on the world to collectively cut and then eliminate greenhouse gas pollution but imposing no sanctions on countries that don't.

    The "Paris agreement" aims to keep global temperatures from rising another degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit) between now and 2100, a key demand of poor countries ravaged by rising sea levels and other effects of climate change.

    Loud applause erupted in the conference hall after French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius gaveled the agreement. Some delegates wept and others embraced.

    The agreement, South African Environment Minister Edna Molewa said, "can map a turning point to a better and safer world."

    "This is huge," tweeted U.S. President Barack Obama. "Almost every country in the world just signed on to the #ParisAgreement on climate change -- thanks to American leadership."

    In the pact, the countries commit to limiting the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity to the same levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally, beginning at some point between 2050 and 2100.

    In practical terms, achieving that goal means the world would have to stop emitting greenhouse gases altogether in the next half-century, scientists said. That's because the less we pollute, the less pollution nature absorbs.


    Achieving such a reduction in emissions would involve a complete transformation of how people get energy, and many activists worry that despite the pledges, countries are not ready to make such profound and costly changes.

    The deal now needs to be ratified by individual governments -- at least 55 countries representing at least 55 percent of global emissions -- and would take effect in 2020. It is the first pact to ask all countries to join the fight against global warming, representing a sea change in U.N. talks that previously required only wealthy nations to reduce their emissions.

    The deal commits countries to keeping the rise in global temperatures by the year 2100 compared with pre-industrial times "well below" 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and says they will "endeavor to limit" them even more, to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The world has already warmed by about 1 degree Celsius since pre-industrial times.

    Ben Strauss, a sea level researcher at Climate Central, said limiting warming to 1.5 degrees instead of 2 degrees could potentially cut in half the projected 280 million people whose houses will eventually be submerged by rising seas.

    More than 180 countries have already presented plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions-- a breakthrough in itself after years of stalemate. But those pledges are not enough to achieve the goals in the accord, meaning countries will need to cut much more to meet the goal.

    "We've agreed to what we ought to be doing, but no one yet has agreed to go do it," said Dennis Clare, a negotiator for the Federated States of Micronesia. "It's a whole lot of pomp, given the circumstances."

    The agreement sets a goal of getting global greenhouse gas emissions to start falling "as soon as possible"; they have been generally rising since the industrial revolution.

    It says wealthy nations should continue to provide financial support for poor nations to cope with climate change and encourages other countries to pitch in on a voluntary basis. That reflects Western attempts to expand the donor base to include advanced developing countries such as China.

    In what would be a victory for small island nations, the agreement includes a section highlighting the losses they expect to incur from climate-related disasters that it's too late to adapt to. However, a footnote specifies that it "does not involve or provide any basis for any liability or compensation" -- a key U.S. demand because it would let the Obama administration sign on to the deal without going through the Republican-led Senate.

    The adoption of the agreement was held up for nearly two hours as the United States tried -- successfully, in the end -- to change the wording on emissions targets. The draft agreement had said developed countries "shall" commit to reducing emissions; in adopting the pact organizers changed the language to say those countries "should" make that commitment.

    Experts said the deal probably won't need congressional approval.

    Activists who say the agreement won't go far enough held protests across Paris on Saturday, calling attention to populations threatened by melting glaciers, rising seas and expanding deserts.

    Kumi Naidoo of Greenpeace praised the accord was a good start but isn't enough.

    "Today the human race has joined in a common cause, but it's what happens after this conference that really matters," he said. "This deal alone won't dig us out the hole we're in, but it makes the sides less steep."

    Still, the accord is a breakthrough in climate negotiations. The U.N. has been working for more than two decades to persuade governments to work together to reduce the man-made emissions that scientists say are warming the planet.

    The previous emissions treaty, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, included only rich countries and the U.S. never signed on. The last climate summit, in Copenhagen in 2009, ended in failure when countries couldn't agree on a binding emissions pact.

    The talks were initially scheduled to end Friday but ran over as Western powers, tiny Pacific island nations and everyone in between haggled over wording.

    The main dispute centered over how to anchor the climate targets in a binding international pact, with China and other major developing countries insisting on different rules for rich and poor nations. The agreement struck a middle ground, removing a strict firewall between rich and poor nations and saying that expectations on countries to take climate action should grow as their capabilities evolve. It does not require them to do so.

    Some scientists who had criticized earlier drafts of the pact as unrealistic praised the final language for including language that essentially means the world will have to all but stop polluting with greenhouse gases by 2070 to reach the 2-degree goal, or by 2050 to reach the 1.5-degree goal.

    That's because when emissions fall, nature compensates by absorbing less carbon dioxide -- and can even release old pollution once there's less of it in the air, said Princeton University's Michael Oppenheimer. Forests, oceans and soil currently absorb about half the world's man-made carbon dioxide emissions.

    "It means that in the end, you have to phase out carbon dioxide," said John Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

    In addition to the cuts in emissions, the goal could be reached in part by increasing how much carbon dioxide is sucked out of the air by planting forests or with futuristic technology, said Princeton University's Michael Oppenheimer. But, he added, such technology would be expensive and might not come about.


    Photos: Ex-Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield signs baseballs for fans in East Longmeadow

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    Former Major League Baseball star knuckleball pitcher and Farmington Bank's new celebrity spokesperson Tim Wakefield signed baseballs and met with fans Saturday at the company's second branch to open in Western Massachusetts.

    EAST LONGMEADOW -- Former Major League Baseball star knuckleball pitcher and Farmington Bank's new celebrity spokesperson Tim Wakefield signed baseballs and met with fans Saturday at the company's second branch to open in Western Massachusetts.

    In addition to Wakefield's appearance, the Farmington Bank "Family Day" event included face painting and balloon art by Amazing Face Art and appearances by WAQY-FM's Bax & O'Brien.

    Farmington Bank's grand opening celebration at its 61 Main St. location will continue through Dec. 19. Throughout the event, the public is invited to explore product specials and enter to win daily drawings for gift cards from local merchants.

    The recently opened Farmington Bank branch in East Longmeadow features an open floor plan with 2,000 square feet of space, designed to allow customers to interact with Farmington Bank's personal bankers without teller lines, according to the company, which is based out of Connecticut.

    The East Longmeadow branch opens following the opening of its first branch in the Pioneer Valley, which is on Elm Street in West Springfield.

    Springfield man dies Friday night of earlier gunshot wound to the leg, brings city's homicide total to 18

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    Police originally said they believed Finney would recover from his injuries but Delaney said his conditioned worsened, prompting emergency surgery. He died of the gunshot wound last night around 8:40 p.m.

    SPRINGFIELD - A 47-year-old shot in the leg outside 122 Benton St. on Thursday has died from his injuries, according to a police spokesman.

    Sgt. John M. Delaney said in a statement that officers found the victim, Larry Finney, in the driveway of that address with a gunshot wound to the leg after a "shots fired" call came in around 6:30 p.m.

    "A neighbor heard one shot and then observed two subjects in dark clothing running from the scene," Delaney said.

    Police originally said they believed Finney would recover from his injuries but Delaney said his conditioned worsened, prompting emergency surgery. He died of the gunshot wound last night around 8:40 p.m.

    Finney's death brings the city's homicide total to 18, an increase of four from last year.

    "Capt. Trent Duda of the Major Crime Unit's Homicide squad and his detectives have been working on this case around-the-clock following leads," Delaney said, adding that Police Commissioner John Barbieri sends his condolences to Finney's family.

    "Detectives determined that this is not a random crime," Delaney said, without elaborating.

    Police ask that anyone who has any information regarding this murder investigation call the Major Crimes Unit at 413-787-6355 or Text-a-Tip.

    US Reps. Niki Tsongas, Seth Moulton campaign for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in New Hampshire

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    Massachusetts lawmakers traveled to New Hampshire Saturday to rally support for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic presidential campaign.

    SPRINGFIELD ‒ Massachusetts lawmakers traveled to New Hampshire Saturday to rally support for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic presidential campaign.

    U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, helped launch the campaign's "Week of Action," which will lead up to the Dec. 19 Democratic presidential debate in Manchester, N.H., by joining supporters at the Portsmouth Hillary for NH Office.

    Moulton, a former US Marine, promoted the former secretary of state's White House bid, before collecting items for Pease Greeters' care packages to support U.S. troops.

    Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, meanwhile, stumped for Clinton during a morning speech before members of the Business and Professional Women's Club in Franklin, N.H.

    She later traveled to Salem, N.H., where she kicked off a door-to-door canvass with other supporters of the Democratic presidential front-runner.

    The events come one week after fellow Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, traveled to the Granite State to campaign for Clinton's presidential run.

    Despite holding a strong lead over other 2016 Democratic presidential contenders in national polls, survey data released this week found the former first lady trails Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders among likely New Hampshire Democratic primary voters.

    Photos: Annual Holly Fair in Wilbraham draws over 80 vendors, holiday shoppers to Western Mass

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    The annual Wilbraham United Church's Holly Fair drew a solid crowd and more than 80 vendors to Western Massachusetts on Saturday.

    WILBRAHAM ‒ The annual Wilbraham United Church's Holly Fair drew a solid crowd and more than 80 vendors to Western Massachusetts on Saturday.

    The event, which organizers said began as a small fair, has grown into a holiday tradition featuring dozens of artisans and vendors, attracting patrons from across the region

    In addition to the arts and crafts, the famous Cookie Walk allowed customers to purchase a large pie-sized box for $25 and fill it with an assortment of decorated sweets baked by volunteers in the church's kitchen.

    There was also entertainment provided as carolers strolled through all three floors of the church, with other singers performing on the Fellowship Hall stage. The church's thrift shop also proved popular to patrons, offering deals on a variety of items including clothes, housewares and Christmas decor.

    "The Holly Fair is a great opportunity to introduce people to the Thrift Shop and our mission to support local charities," said thrift shop co-manager Nancy Apple in a statement. "Forty percent of this quarter's proceeds will go to Cancer House of Hope."

    26-year-old Ludlow man identified as alleged Wilbraham bank robber

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    Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office announced Saturday that a 26-year-old Ludlow man has been identified as the alleged suspect in the Friday robbery of a Wilbraham credit union.

    SPRINGFIELD ‒ Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office announced Saturday that a 26-year-old Ludlow man has been identified as the alleged suspect in the Friday robbery of a Wilbraham credit union.

    According to the DA's office, Frank Petrolati has been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of the Polish National Credit Union located at 2002 Boston Rd. He was taken into custody after a picture of the suspect was circulated by news outlets and tips came into the Wilbraham Police Department.

    Upon identifying the alleged suspect, Wilbraham Police worked with the Ludlow Police Department to apprehend him. They were assisted by the Massachusetts State Police Unit assigned to Gulluni's office on the case.

    Gulluni praised law enforcement's efforts, calling it "a great team effort," by the three agencies.

    "The swift apprehension of this subject will be followed by a thorough and aggressive prosecution," he added in a statement.

    The robbery was reported just before 2 p.m. on Friday. Wilbraham notified Springfield police to be on the lookout for a black SUV possibly heading for Springfield.

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