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Springfield police arrest 3 on warrant charges; 1 suspect surrenders in police station front lobby

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Seth Watson surrendered at the police station, telling the front window officer he was tired of warrants "hanging over my head."


SPRINGFIELD - Police arrested three people who were wanted on outstanding warrants, including one man who surrendered at the police station lobby, apparently tired of a life on the lam, police said.

Sgt. John Delaney, police spokesman, said Seth Watson, 34, of Agnes Street, walked up to the officer at the front window and announced he was wanted and wished to turn himself in.

Delaney said Watson told the officer "I have active warrants, and I don't want them hanging over my head anymore."

Watson had two outstanding warrants, one for possession of heroin and cocaine, and another for larceny of more than $250.

He was taken into custody and is due to be arraigned Wednesday in Springfield District Court.

Two other wanted suspects were arrested by officers on patrol Tuesday evening.

Angela Bigos, 38, of Blanding Street, was taken into custody when she was spotted by
patrol officers in front of 1659 Main St just before 8:30 p.m.

She was wanted on multiple warrants, including assault and battery on a family member, resisting arrest, disorderly person, and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer. She was also sought in Palmer on charges of failure to appear in court, larceny of a motor vehicle, and larceny by scheme of more than $250.

She was arrested without incident by officers Igor Basovskiy, and Orette Ho Sang.

Roughly an hour earlier, narcotics detectives arrested Ronald Pena, 28, of Pine Street, Holyoke, at 77 West Street after finding he was wanted by police in Holyoke, Chicopee for shoplifting and in New Bedford for larceny of more than $250.

They are also scheduled to be arraigned today in Springfield District Court.


Sandisfield taxpayers plan to sue federal government over gas pipeline through Otis State Forest

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The landowners oppose the pipeline through the Otis State Forest and say FERC issued its March 11 certificate in violation of the Clean Water Act.

Less than a week after Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. sued the commonwealth of Massachusetts seeking an easement through the Otis State Forest, a group of property owners in a Berkshire County town announced their intention to sue both the pipeline company and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Sandisfield Taxpayers Opposing the Pipeline on March 21 filed notices of intent with both FERC and Tennessee, saying the group plans to file a citizens' lawsuit in federal court under the Clean Water Act.

The landowners oppose the Connecticut Expansion, a Kinder Morgan-Tennessee Gas pipeline project which would impact their properties as well as the state forest.

The federal commission on March 11 awarded Tennessee a certificate for the 13-mile natural gas pipeline with loops in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. The project would connect existing pipelines and serve three natural gas utilities in Connecticut.

FERC should have made Tennessee obtain a water quality certificate from Massachusetts under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act before approving the project, the notices claim.

"Until this required state certification is obtained, the Clean Water Act expressly prohibits FERC from issuing a certificate for the Connecticut Expansion Project," wrote Alexander English, lead counsel for STOP. English is is an attorney with the Washington-based law offices of Carolyn Elefant.

FERC denies that the 401 Water Certificate has to be in hand before the FERC certificate is issued.

FERC, in issuing its March 11 certificate, said the commission's "conditional approval" of the pipeline does not conflict with the language of the Clean Water Act, and that Tennessee "will not be allowed to construct any facilities...unless or until there is a favorable outcome" on the Section 401 permit.

In a related matter, STOP hopes to prevent Tennessee from cutting down trees along the pipeline route. The group on March 17 filed an administrative motion with FERC seeking a stay of all construction along the pipeline route, including tree-cutting, which Tennessee hopes to complete by March 31.

"There will be irreparable harm if trees are taken down," reads the motion.

Tennessee Gas filed an answer on March 22 saying STOP "utterly fails to demonstrate that a stay of the March 11 order is warranted" and that if it is granted, Tennessee's customers would suffer "substantial harm."

Tennessee on Feb. 25 requested expedited approval of the project so it could complete all tree cutting by the end of March. No tree cutting will be allowed after that date due to environmental concerns. The company hopes to have the pipeline operational by November.

The FERC certificate grants Tennessee the power of eminent domain to take properties along the pipeline route, but the company's bid to cross the forest is currently tied up in court. 

Tennessee on March 16 sued the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for a two-mile easement through the Otis State Forest. The lawsuit was filed the same day a bill that would have conveyed the easement failed to gain a favorable recommendation from a joint legislative committee.

Massachusetts is unique in that Article 97, an amendment to the state constitution, mandates legislative approval for the disposition of conservation land. DCR would not convey the easement without a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, the March 16 lawsuit states.

"Tennessee negotiated in good faith with Massachusetts DCR and sought enactment of a bill authorizing the easements through Otis State (Forest) from the Massachusetts Legislature since at least July 10, 2015, all to no avail," the company stated in its March 22 filing.

"What we're seeing is a pattern of behavior on the part of FERC," Alexander said Wednesday. "We plan to challenge this through all appropriate legal channels."

According to the town's website, "Sandisfield is the quintessential bucolic New England town, home to approximately eight hundred full-time residents; despite this diminutive population, Sandisfield's borders encompass the most square miles of any town in Berkshire County."

Massachusetts energy and environment secretary Matthew Beaton signed off on the Connecticut Expansion in April of 2015. The project is undergoing a separate permitting process from Northeast Energy Direct, the controversial 400-plus-mile pipeline also proposed by the Kinder Morgan subsidiary.

The Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission is the final permitting authority for interstate natural gas pipelines.

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Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com.

No money, no problem: Springfield lawyer offers to waive fee; judge says no deal

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The case was settled so quickly MacMahon received something of a discount – the standard probation fee was cut from $150 to $75.

SPRINGFIELD - In the end, defense lawyer Nancy Flahive had no choice.

Nancy Flahive mug 2014Nancy Flahive 
She had to take the money.

In Springfield District Court Tuesday, Judge Michael Rips refused to waive her $150 fee for representing a drunken driving defendant.

"You spent the last two hours on the case," Rips said when the lawyer offered to forgo the fee.

The so-called "bar counsel" fee was one of seven imposed on Sean McMahon, 28, of Longmeadow, who admitted to one count of operating under the influence of alcohol less than 12 hours after his arrest on Interstate 91.

Under the plea, McMahon must surrender his license for 45 days, serve one year of probation, attend an alcohol education program and remain drug and alcohol free, subject to random testing.

In addition, he faces $707.07 in court fines and fees - a head injury fee, an operating under the influence fee, a victim witness fee, a probation fee and more.

The sentence is standard for first time drunken driving offenders, but the 12-hour life of the case was not.

A courier, MacMahon decided to resolve the case as quickly as possible by pleading guilty at his initial appearance. Barring further legal problems, he can resume driving on May 6.

Normally, expedited pleas are negotiated between the prosecutor, the defense lawyer and the client, though a quick resolution is not always possible.

On Tuesday, MacMahon's case was settled so quickly that the judge offered him something of a discount - he cut the standard probation fee from $150 to $75.

At that point, Flahive suggested discounting her fee from $150 to zero. As the court-appointed attorney, she spent a minimal amount of time on the case, and MacMahon has enough fees to pay already.

"No. I already cut the probation fee," Rips told her.

Flahive continued to downplay her involvement in the case, then relented.

"Thank you, your honor," she said.

Longmeadow retirement community to host panel on philanthropy

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Glenmeadow Retirement Community will host a panel on philanthropy on March 30.

LONGMEADOW — The Glenmeadow Retirement Community will host a panel on philanthropy this month.

Working with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Glenmeadow will host the discussion at the Longmeadow Country Club from 10 a.m. to noon on March 30 will discuss philanthropic and charitable ventures. The talk will be moderated by foundation president Katie Allan Zobel.

"As part of 'Informed Giving: A Look at Philanthropy's Role in Estate Planning,' a panel of experts will help participants identify their philanthropic values and outline the legal and financial mechanisms through which gifts can be made," the Glenmeadow statement says. "Several community members will discuss their philanthropic inspiration."

In addition to Zobel, panelists will include: George C. Keady III of The Keady Montemagni Wealth Management Group, and Todd C. Ratner of a lawyer with Bacon & Wilson, P.C.

The event is free but seating is limited, and registration is required. all (413) 567-7800 or email learning@glenmeadow.org. Visit glenmeadow.org/learning for more information.

 

Traffic on Mass. Pike west in Chicopee delayed due to guardrail work

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The westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Chicopee was clogged with traffic Thursday morning as workers repair guardrails along the median.

CHICOPEE - The westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Chicopee was clogged with traffic Thursday morning as workers repair guardrails along the median.

State Trooper Arthur Hebb said the contractor is working on the guardrails in the area for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the next few weeks, and drivers should expect delays.

Thursday around 9 a.m., traffic was delayed westbound for nearly three miles from around Exit 4 for Interstate 91.

Hebb said that the side of the highway that will experience delays will depend on where the workers are repairing the guardrails.

The work will be taking place from Chicopee to Westfield on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hebb said.

Diva's Nightclub to close this fall, announces final Pride celebration

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Diva's Nightclub, a nightlife staple in Northampton for 15 years, will close this fall, the business announced in a Facebook event for the club's annual Pride celebration.

NORTHAMPTON - Diva's Nightclub, a nightlife staple in the city for 15 years, will close this fall, the business announced in a Facebook event for the club's annual Pride celebration.

"The is the Final Pride of Diva's NightClub," the Facebook event reads. "After 15 years Diva's Nightclub will be closing it's doors Fall 2016."

The Pleasant Street nightclub, known for its drag, goth and alternative dance nights, will host its final Pride celebration on May 7 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., following the city's annual Pride event.

The closing announcement is the latest of a list of Northampton establishments that have recently closed, or announced their closing.

"We've been through a lot together and we hope you'll take a final journey with us," the Facebook event concluded.

Further details were not available, and attempts to contact Diva's were not immediately successful.

Brimfield police: 51-year-old Wales woman killed in single-vehicle crash on Warren Road

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Police said the accident occurred Tuesday afternoon when the woman's vehicle veered across the road and crashed into a tree.

BRIMFIELD -- A single-vehicle accident on Warren Road Tuesday afternoon took the life of a 51-year-old Wales woman, police said.

Police Chief Charles Kuss told WWLP the accident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. when the vehicle veered across the road and crashed into a tree.

The woman was alone in her car. Police, who could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning, have not yet released her identity.


East Longmeadow charity gives $3,500 in grants to anti-bullying projects

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Unify Against Bullying, an antibullying charity, gave out $3,500 in grants for projects that will combat bullying.

EAST LONGMEADOW — An anti-bullying charity that was established less than four months ago gave away $3,500 in grants supporting projects to fight against bullying in Western Massachusetts.

Unify Against Bullying was established as a 501(c)3 charity in January, but its roots go back to a year ago, when founder Edward Zemba was looking for a Western Massachusetts anti-bullying charity to which he could donate proceeds from a fashion show put on by Robert Charles Photography, which he co-owns.

"We found out that there was no established Western Mass. charity that dealt specifically with bullying," Zemba said.

The issue of bullying is very much on Zemba's radar, he said. Robert Charles Photography often photographs high school events.

Robert Charles, Zemba's father and founder of the business, always pointed out the importance of celebrating peoples' differences, Zemba said.

"We try to catch images of who people are, rather than just what they look like," Zemba recalled his father saying.

After Zemba and volunteers established Unify Against Bullying, they were able to use money they raised at last year's fashion show to award grants to people seeking funding for proposals that will work against bullying in Western Massachusetts.

About 70 people gathered at the Center Street Grill in East Longmeadow on March 14, as the charity gave away $1,000 grants to three people, and $250 grants to two others.

Those given $1,000 grants were Patrick Ireland, a Longmeadow educator who teaches classes focusing on building self-esteem, educational success and kindness through non-contact self defense; Mitchell Knowles, a Ludlow High School guidance counselor who is developing a program to educate bullies about the effects of their behavior on others; and Matt Walting, a high school student from Wilbraham who is producing a film about a student who is a victim of extreme abuse inside and outside of school.

Receiving $250 grants were Taylor White, a high school student from Westfield who was in the Unify Against Bullying Fashion Show last April, and Justin Comtois, an Agawam High School student who plans to make a short film focusing on bullying.

Proceeds for this year's Unify Against Bullying Fashion Show, which is scheduled to take place on April 8, 2016, will go toward funding grants for future projects, Zemba said. The fashion show will seek to feature children from diverse races, sexual orientations and physical abilities, he said.

"Let's celebrate what makes us all different, because that's what makes this world a cool place to live in," Zemba said.


Poll: Majority of American voters blame Donald Trump for violence at rallies

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More than two-thirds of American voters hold Donald Trump responsible for the recent violence that has surrounded his Republican presidential campaign rallies, a new poll has found.

More than two-thirds of American voters hold Donald Trump responsible, in part, for the recent violence that has surrounded his Republican presidential campaign rallies, a new poll has found.

According to the Quinnipiac University national poll released this week, 37 percent of voters surveyed said they believe the GOP front-runner is "very responsible" for violent incidents involving supporters and protesters at his campaign rallies, while 27 percent said he's "somewhat responsible."

Less than a quarter said they believe he's "not responsible."

More than three-quarters of respondents, meanwhile, also blamed protesters at Trump rallies for being "very responsible" or "somewhat responsible" for such violence, while 70 percent said supporters of the businessman are very or somewhat responsible, the poll found.

Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Tim Malloy contended that the results come somewhat in contrast to claims Trump has made about the origin of such incidents at his campaign events.

"Donald Trump may say hired instigators have brought violence to his rallies, but 64 percent of American voters are laying the blame squarely on the candidate, while 78 percent are blaming the protestors," he said in a statement.

Aside from a majority of voters surveyed blaming Trump, in part, for the violence, more than 100 respondents said they feel "scared" about the possibility of the businessman becoming president -- the most common response.

Forty-six, meanwhile, described the idea as a "disaster," while 45 voters respectively said they were "frightened" or "terrified" by a President Trump, according to the survey. Thirty-six said they felt "good" about him taking over the White House and 29 described the idea as "great."

Comparatively, 68 respondents said felt it would be a "disaster" if Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton won the presidency -- the most common response. Fifty-one, meanwhile, said they thought it would be "good," the poll found.

Although Trump and Clinton both led their respective fields of candidates with 43 and 50 percent of the vote a piece, the front-runners also topped the list of White House hopefuls voters said they "would definitely not support."

Fifty-four percent of voters surveyed said they would not back Trump, while 43 percent said they would not cast ballots for Clinton. A third said they would not vote for Cruz, followed by 27 percent for Sanders and 14 percent for Kasich, the poll found.

Malloy argued that while Trump and Clinton may have the overall leads among primary voters, "there is not a lot of love in the room as a big percentage of Americans say of the front-runners they could take 'em or leave 'em."

The poll, which surveyed more than 1,400 registered voters nationwide via telephone from March 16 to 21, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. It includes 652 Republicans with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points and 635 Democratis with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Vermont State Police: Motorist hits moose in Groton, escapes injury

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The injured moose had to be euthanized, state police said.


GROTON, Vt. - A motorist escaped injury shortly before dawn Wednesday after a moose walked in front of his pickup truck as he drove west on U.S. Route 302, state police said.

The accident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. and the injured moose had to be euthanized. The vehicle, a 2013 GMC Sierra sustained significant front-end damage.

The motorist was wearing a seatbelt.

Groton is located in north-central Vermont. Sunrise there on Wednesday was about 6:49 a.m.


Recommended Hampden-Wilbraham school budget does not include Thornton W. Burgess Middle School closing

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Hampden residents are divided over the porposal to close Thornton Burgess Middle School, and the recommendation is not included in next year's regional school budget.

WILBRAHAM — The recommended fiscal 2017 Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee budget does not assume the closing of Thornton Burgess Middle School, School Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea said.

The estimated savings from the proposal to close Thornton Burgess Middle School and send all Hampden middle school students to Wilbraham Middle School is $200,000 in the first year.

The recommended fiscal '17 regional school budget of $45,916,205 calls for the school district to use $700,000 of its $1.3 million Excess and Deficiency, or unappropriated funds, to fund next year's school budget.

The budget includes $815,000 to pay a 2.5 percent salary increase for the town's teachers. The school district is in the last year of a three-year contract, regional School Committee Chairman Peter Salerno said.

Final approval of the assessments to fund the regional school budget will be at the annual town meetings in Wilbraham and Hampden.

The annual Town Meeting in Hampden is scheduled for April 25, and the annual Town Meeting in Wilbraham is scheduled for May 16.

O'Shea said the recommended budget contains a funding gap of more than $500,000.

"It is premature to say how we will close that gap," O'Shea said.

Residents in Hampden are divided over a proposal by the regional School Committee and its Middle School Task Force to close TWB next fall and send its 6th through 8th graders to Wilbraham Middle School.

Some residents say they are concerned their property values will go down because people with children will not want to move to Hampden if the children have to travel all the way to Wilbraham Middle School on Stony Hill Road in Wilbraham.

Hampden Selectman John D. Flynn said the Board of Selectmen favors making the proposal to allow middle school children from Hampden to attend middle school in Wilbraham subject to referendum approval at the May 2 annual town election if the proposal is approved at Town Meeting.

Selectman Norman Charest said the people who are contacting him are not in favor of the proposal to close Thornton Burgess Middle School.

"I'm hearing more 'no's," he said.

Other parents say they believe their children will have more educational offerings if the two middle schools are merged.

Flynn said he favors a ballot vote on the issue "so the greatest number of people can vote."


Wilbraham Republicans caucusing tonight

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Candidates will be endorsed for the positions of selectman, assessor and regional School Committee in the May 21st town election.

WILBRAHAM - The Wilbraham Republican Town Committee will hold its Republican Town Caucus tonight at 7 at Wilbraham Middle School to choose candidates for the May 21st annual town election.

All Republicans enrolled in Wilbraham are invited to attend and participate. Everyone else is welcome to attend as non-participating guests.

Candidates for the positions of selectman, assessor, regional School Committee, Cemetery Commissioner, Water Commissioner, two library trustee members, Planning Board and Housing Authority will be selected.

Nominations for any of those positions will be taken from the floor.

The selectmen position is currently held by Republican Robert J. Boilard, the assessor position is held by Republican Roger Roberge II, and the regional School Committee position is held by Republican Michael Mazzuca.
The Water Commissioner position is held by Republican Mary McCarthy, the library trustee positions are held by Republican James Jurgens and a Republican appointee, the Planning Board position is held by Democrat John McCloskey, the Wilbraham Housing Authority position is held by Republican Judy Cezeaux, and the Cemetery position is held by a Republican appointee, according to information provided by the town clerk's office.

The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee on Tuesday voted to delay until the fall placing on town meeting warrants in Wilbraham and Hampden a proposal to regionalize the middle schools in Wilbraham and Hampden.

The proposal has generated strong feeling for and against in the towns of Wilbraham and Hampden.

The proposal would have all middle school students in the two towns attend school at Wilbraham Middle School. Educators say the academic program would be strengthened if the two schools are merged, and there would be a cost savings.
Some residents in Hampden have been opposed to closing Thornton Burgess Middle School in Hampden.

The Wilbraham Democratic Caucus to endorse candidates to run in the May 21st annual town election is set for March 30th at 7 p.m. in the Brooks Room of the Wilbraham Public Library.

Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Sen. Eric Lesser to meet with millennials at UMass

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The meetings are part of a series of roundtables that will be held around the state.

AMHERST - Senate President Stan Rosenberg and state Sen. Eric P. Lesser will take a tour of the data science program at the University of Massachusetts Friday and meet with millennials.

Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and state Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, are conducting a series of roundtables around the state as part of the Massachusetts Senate's Millennial Engagement Initiative.

Roundtables are scheduled in Westfield and Holyoke next month as well.

The initiative aims to encourage more millennials to become involved in politics and government, and to gain their input in the legislative process, according to a press release.

The initiative was launched last month,

Lesser and Rosenberg will tour the Data Science and Data Security Program at 2 then meet with students at 3 p.m. in the Life Sciences Lab N610, 240 Thatcher Rd.

Carly Fiorina launches effort to elect conservative outsiders

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Despite dropping out of the Republican presidential contest, Carly Fiorina has relaunched her Carly for America campaign in an effort to help elect outsider conservative leaders to public office this fall.

Despite dropping out of the Republican presidential contest, Carly Fiorina has relaunched her Carly for America campaign in an effort to help elect outsider conservative leaders to public office this fall.

The former Hewlett-Packard CEO, who painted herself as an outsider candidate in the presidential race, contended that the 2016 election is about more than just replacing Democrats with Republicans.

"It's about defeating the Washington establishment of both parties and electing real conservative leaders from outside the political class who will engage citizens around the nation and lead the charge to take our country back," she said in a fundraising email to supporters.

Pointing to the challenges facing outsider candidates, Fiorina said Carly for America will use its resources and experience to help elect such conservatives come November.

Specifically, she said, the relaunched campaign will identify principled conservative candidates from outside the political class and introduce them to the American people.

Carly for America will also help them with campaigning and fundraising, as well as do whatever is needed to ensure they can "amplify their voices, bypass the media and the establishment and win over voters."

"You know just as well as I do: if we want to elect real conservatives, we cannot depend on the Republican Party," she wrote. "If we want to change Washington, we're going to have to do it ourselves, and we're going to have to do it together."

The Carly for America relaunch comes just weeks after Fiorina endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's, R-Texas, Republican presidential bid.

The businesswoman ended her presidential run following a disappointing finish in the New Hampshire primary.

Kiddly Winks toy store in Longmeadow focuses on service, community ties

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Since 1986, parents have flocked to Kiddly Winks in Longmeadow to find the perfect gift.

LONGMEADOW — When Kiddly Winks opened on Williams Street 30 years ago, Joy Leavitt already had a good idea of what children and parents wanted in a toy store.

Leavitt taught children from preschool age to second grade before moving to Longmeadow. She began her toy vending career by putting on home toy parties, where people could buy toys she had curated. Before long, Leavitt said, people sought her out for toy purchases outside a group party context.

"People started coming to my house, because I had all the toys," Leavitt chuckled. "It was a great experiment, without having a business plan, to figure out what people wanted."

After running the business for about five years, Leavitt and her husband, Michael, decided to corner the toy market in Longmeadow, and opened Kiddly Winks.

On a recent Friday, a customer who came in with her daughter sought Leavitt's advice on a good toy for the little girl, who just came from receiving a blood test. Leavitt showed the mother and girl wearable fairy wings, and suggested games. About 20 minutes earlier, an employee demonstrated for two grandparents a quiet remote control car that would entertain their grandson without disturbing their daughter too much.

Each employee must complete a rigorous training program, where they learn about all the toys in the store, what toys are appropriate for what age groups and what toys meet with parental values, Leavitt said.

"When I had a young child, I found there was no good toy store with good products and people to help you," Leavitt said. "We're passionate about play, passionate about the power of play."

For this reason, Leavitt personally curates every product Kiddly Winks sells, from baby clothes, to children's books to new light sabers manufactured since the latest Star Wars movie was released.

As a former educator, Leavitt likes to sell toys that encourage physical learning, she said. Blocks, for example, teach young children about dimensions and space. Artistic-based and outdoor toys encourage creativity and exercise.

"We want kids using their bodies and minds, not screen time," Leavitt said. "That's what makes brain cells grow."

The store also hosts story hours, baby groups and an April art show, during which children's artwork is hung up around the store. Every piece gets a ribbon.

"We are proud to be serving the community," Leavitt said. "Kids feel like this is their toy store."


Chicopee's municipal buildings need $50 million in repairs, evaluation finds

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Some of the priorities are replacing furnaces at Chicopee High School and the Public Safety Complex.

CHICOPEE — An evaluation of all 45 city buildings found they need more than $50 million in repairs.

In 2013 the city hired Siemens Industry, Inc. to evaluate City Hall, all the schools and other buildings such as the Parks and Recreation office and the library.

This week Mayor Richard J. Kos met with company officials and the City Council to discuss the findings and the next steps the city needs to take.

"We are trying to prioritize," Kos said. "We are trying to do what is needed."

Kos told the City Council the city cannot afford to make all the repairs at once and said the work can be spread out over a number of years. He said he plans to submit a bonding package to members for their approval in April to make a variety of necessary improvements.

Along with some of the problems Siemens employees found, the package will also include money needed to rebuild the Ray Ash Pool and replace several school roofs, all of which will be partly funded through grants.

Kos said he hopes the council will review it over April and approve it for May so work, especially on the school roofs, can be done this summer.

Building experts from Siemens mainly focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems but also looked at roofs and windows to see what can done to make buildings more efficient, said Roland K. W. Butzke, senior account executive for the company.

In its examination of Chicopee City Hall, probably the oldest of the city buildings, it worked with Dietz & Company Architects Inc., of Springfield, which is currently evaluating the structural condition of the auditorium and making recommendations to repair the stained glass windows, some of which are falling out.

While the boilers for City Hall are new and the chillers are in good condition, the air handler is 40 years old, which is about four times the typical lifespan of an air handler and could fail at any time. At the same time the temperature controllers do not work together making it difficult for maintenance employees to identify a problem with the furnace and to control the temperature evenly in all parts of the building, Butzke said.

One of the biggest problems was found in Chicopee High School, one of the newer buildings in the city, he said.

"There are five boilers and three of them have failed," Butzke said.

The city has had problems with the heating and air conditioning system in the school since it opened in 2004. Butzke said multiple problems have been reported with the same make of boilers in other places.

"At Chicopee High we have to get new furnaces," Kos said. "We don't have a choice."

Because the weather has been mild this winter, the school has been able to operate with just the two boilers, but if temperatures were below zero as they were last year the city would have likely had to close the school because it could not keep it warm enough, he said.

Siemens also found aging boilers at three other elementary schools. Kos said that work will be put off so the city can apply to the state School Building Authority for funding assistance. The program is already funding about 79 percent of the cost of replacing roofs at Fairview Elementary and Belcher schools.

During the discussion, City Councilor James K. Tillotson said there are also ongoing concerns about the heating system at the new RiverMills Senior Center. Some rooms are way too cold while others are overheated.

"I'm very skeptical of all this high-tech stuff. It's great if it works, but for us 95 percent of the time it hasn't worked," he said.

He asked Butzke if Siemens can look at the system to see if it can be adjusted.

Some of the other recommendations were:

  • Replace the heating and air conditioning system at the Public Safety complex, which has "significant challenges," Butzke said.
  • To add a more-efficient heating system to the garage of the Department of Public Works building on Baskin Drive that is better designed for a building where the doors are constantly opened and closed.
  • Replace the aging furnace at the former Chicopee Falls Library Branch, which is now being used by the Parks and Recreation Department. The plan also calls for adding more-efficient lighting and weather stripping.

Pittsfield police: Alert resident recovers handgun and ammunition that juveniles buried in woods

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A resident saw a group of juveniles bury an object in a wooded area on the west side of the city Thursday afternoon, police said.


PITTSFIELD
-- An alert resident on the west side of the city recovered a handgun with ammunition that a group of juveniles had apparently just buried in the woods Wednesday afternoon.

The resident saw the juveniles bury an object. After they left, the resident went to the area and found a .25 caliber pistol with ammunition that had placed in a bag and buried, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

The resident alerted police and officers confiscated the handgun and ammunition. Additional information, including the origin of the handgun, was not immediately available.

Holyoke long-time Procurement Officer David Martins retiring

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David Martins as chief procurement officer has guided most building projects in Holyoke in the past two or three decades, from schools and the new Senior Center to the renovated Holyoke Public Library.

HOLYOKE -- David A. Martins will retire July 15 after more than 45 years working for the city and most of which as chief procurement officer.

"I am excited about my impending retirement but wanted to take this opportunity to thank the city for all of the opportunities that I have experienced while working for the city of Holyoke," Martins said in a letter Wednesday to Mayor Alex B. Morse (see below).

"I have genuinely enjoyed my employment and will miss my coworkers when my retirement comes," he said.

The mayor is authorized to appointment the procurement officer, to a five-year term subject to City Council confirmation, Council President Kevin A. Jourdain said. Martins offered to help Morse with the transition to his replacement.

For as long as many who follow City Hall can remember, Martins has been the official synonomous with the phrase "out to bid." The Purchasing Department, which he has headed, is responsible for acquiring services such as when a construction company is needed to demolish a building or a solid waste company or auction service must be hired. The chief procurement officer is the one who must follow the state regulations that govern the process of seeking bids from companies to do such work for the city.

That means Martins has guided most building projects in Holyoke in the past two or three decades, from schools and the new Senior Center to the renovated Holyoke Public Library and parking garages.

The Purchasing Department also disposes of surplus city property or equipment through public sales.

"Again, I have truly enjoyed working for the city a great deal. I leave behind a capable staff which should provide a great deal of knowledge for the new person," Martins said.

Morse said in a text message, "I thank him for his many years of service and his lifelong dedication to Holyoke. He has served under many mayors and has been involved in countless projects over the years. I wish him well in his much earned retirement."

Jourdain said Martins' departure means Holyoke will be losing a municipal employee who cared about the city in a job that got more complicated over the years.

"Dave Martins is a character, a man of character, and a good friend. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the last two decades," Jourdain said in an email.

"He has always taken great pride in his work, and has a deep love of Holyoke. He has always been a strong professional managing extremely complex work. He will be missed. I wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement and thank him again for a lifetime of commitment to the city," Jourdain said.

David A. Martins' retirement letter:

Alas, poor Yorick! British archaeologists find William Shakespeare's skull missing from grave

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The scans would appear to support folklore that has been around since the late 1870s that grave robbers broke into the grave and made off with his head.

American high school students who believe themselves to have no head for Shakespeare can take comfort knowing he apparently doesn't have one either.

A documentary set to air this weekend on British television purports that William Shakespeare's skull is missing from his grave at Stratford-on-Avon.

Reports out of England are that the BBC documentary, made in conjunction with the observance of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, will present images of sonar scans of the grave showing that his skull had been removed from his body and taken from his grave at Holy Trinity Church.

"It's very, very convincing to me that his skull isn't at Holy Trinity at all," Staffordshire University archaeologist Kevin Colls told the Guardian.

olivier hamlet.jpgLaurence Olivier addresses the skull of Yorick in the 1948 production of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." A British archaeological study of the playwright's grave has determined that his skull is not with the body.  

Where the skull could be or for how long has it been missing are questions that for now remain unanswered.

The scans would appear to support folklore that has been around since the late 1870s that grave robbers broke into the grave 100 years earlier and made off with his head.

"Grave-robbing was a big thing in the 17th and 18th century," said Colls. "People wanted the skull of famous people so they could potentially analyse it and see what made them a genius. It is no surprise to me that Shakespeare's remains were a target."

Researchers used ground-penetrating sonar in order to examine his grave without disturbing it. Ironically, the images the scan produced seem to indicate the grave had been disturbed a long time ago.

"We came across this very odd, strange thing at the head end. It was very obvious, within all the data we were getting, that there was something different going on at that particular spot. We have concluded it is signs of disturbance, of material being dug out and put back again."

The finding was not without its critics.

The UK Daily Mail quotes the local vicar for Holy Trinity, Patrick Taylor, as saying he's unconvinced about the team's findings.

"Holy Trinity Church were pleased to be able to cooperate with this non-intrusive research into Shakespeare's grave. We now know much more about how Shakespeare was buried and the structure that lies underneath his ledger stone.

"We are not convinced, however, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that his skull has been taken," Taylor said.

Ultimately, he said, the world will never know for sure because the church does not intend to allow anyone to exhume the grave.

"We shall have to live with the mystery of not knowing fully what lies beneath the stone," he told the Daily Mail.

Former snowboarder Kevin Pearce to speak about traumatic brain injury at Springfield College

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Pearce is the co-founder of LoveYourBrain, LLC.

SPRINGFIELD - Former professional snowboarder who now runs a foundation to support traumatic brain injury will speak at Springfield College.

Kevin Pearce, co-founder of LoveYourBrain LLC, will speak at 7 p.m., March 29 at Blake Arena at Springfield College. The event is free and open to the public and will be presented by multiple college departments.

Pearce was training for the 2010 Olympic trials when he crashed doing a trick on his snowboard, suffering a severe brain injury. It took him months of rehabilitation to recover from the injury.

Before the injury cut short his career, Pearce won a silver medal in the 2009 Winter X Games as well as other awards and medals. He is the subject of the HBO documentary "The Crash Reel."

Pearce and his brother, who has Down Syndrome, founded Love Your Brain, which supports brain injury survivors and their caregivers. He is also a sports ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Foundation.

Pearce, who grew up in Vermont, is the son of international glass artist Simon Pearce.

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