In the wake of recent terror attacks in Europe and San Bernardino, about two-thirds of Americans said they believe torture can be justified to get information from suspected terrorists, a new poll has found.

In the wake of recent terror attacks in Europe and San Bernardino, about two-thirds of Americans said they believe torture can be justified to get information from suspected terrorists, a new poll has found.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday, 63 percent of Americans surveyed believe the practice is often or sometimes justified -- a level which the survey noted is similar to that seen in places like Nigeria where militant attacks are common.

Just 15 percent said torture should never be used.

U.S. support for torture against suspected terrorists, meanwhile, is even higher among Republicans with 8 in 10 saying it's justified, compared to about half of Democrats, the poll found.

Surveys conducted in recent years, meanwhile, put U.S. support for the use of torture at around 50 percent, Reuters noted.

The findings appear to bolster Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump's pledge to bring back waterboarding, an interrogation technique which some contend is illegal under the Geneva Conventions, as well as "a hell of a lot worse," if sent to the White House.

Elizabeth Zechmeister, a Vanderbilt University professor who has studied the link between terrorist threats and public opinion, told Reuters that the American public is coping with various negative emotions.

"Fear, anger, general anxiety: (Trump) gives a certain credibility to these feelings," she said.

The poll also found that about two-thirds of Americans surveyed believe a U.S. terror attack will occur in the next six months, compared to just 20 percent who said it's not very or not likely at all.

More than half of respondents said they are very or somewhat concerned about their safety at airports and train stations, while half expressed safety concerns about attending public rallies.

The poll surveyed more than 1,900 adults via the Internet from March 22 to 28. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent for all respondents, plus or minus 3.9 percent for Democrats and plus or minus 4.3 percent for Republicans.

What do you think? Vote in the poll below and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

An estimated 700 guests filled the MassMutual Grand Ballroom for the Outlook 2016 luncheon presented by the Springfield Regional Chamber in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce. Gov. Charlie Baker was keynote speaker.

SPRINGFIELD -- An estimated 700 guests filled the MassMutual Grand Ballroom for the Outlook 2016 luncheon presented by the Springfield Regional Chamber in partnership with the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of business and social leaders gathered to listen to guest speaker U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and the keynote speaker, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. Neal provided his insight into issues on the federal level as well as issues facing Congress and the next president of the United States. Baker provided an overview of the state's economic and social issues and spoke of his administration and cabinet members.

Outlook 2016 was sponsored by Health New England, the Eastern States Exposition, United Personnel, MassMutual Financial Group, MGM Springfield, Comcast, the Sisters of Providence Health System, The Republican, MassLive, Eversource, Chicopee Savings and BusinessWest.

The Springfield Regional Chamber provides informational programs to help members connect with new businesses through social networking. For more information on the Springfield Regional Chamber log into springfieldregionalchamber.com.

The female suffered non-lire-threatening injuries, Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said.

SPRINGFIELD -- A female driver who rolled her car during an accident that involved two other vehicles in the Upper Hill neighborhood Wednesday morning was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency personnel responded to the accident on Carlisle Street near Wilbraham Road shortly after 9 a.m., Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

The vehicle that rolled was a Kia Sportage, Leger said.

Additional information was not immediately available.

The ferry will depart daily from Portland at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Nova Scotia at 9 p.m. The ship will then embark from Canada at 8 a.m. each morning.

High-speed ferry service between Portland, Maine and Nova Scotia will return to New England as soon as this summer.

Last week, Canada-based Bay Ferries announced that it signed a lease for a former U.S. Navy vessel known as the USNS Puerto Rico, according to the Associated Press. It's now being called the CAT.

The ship replaces the Nova Star, which stopped its financially troubled service in October. Prior to that the Portland to Nova Scotia route was serviced by the Scotia Prince Cruises, which ran the Scotia Prince on that route until the end of 2004. 

The CAT can make the 212-mile journey between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 5 1/2 hours. It took Nova Star 11 hours to make the same trip.

The CAT's season is scheduled to start June 15 and end in September. Ticket sales will begin April 11, around which time pricing plans will be released.

Bay Ferries last ran the route from 2006 to 2009, the Bangor Daily News said. That ship was also known as the CAT.

The ferry will be able to carry between 700 and 750 passengers and 280 cars, the Associated Press said.

Bay Ferries said on-board perks will include a gift shop, food service, movie lounges and a play area for kids. Dogs and cats are welcome on the ferry.

The ferry will depart daily from Portland at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Nova Scotia at 9 p.m. The ship will then embark from Canada at 8 a.m. each morning, Boston.com said.

More than 60 percent of the voters supported the creation of the charter commission

AMHERST - Those that brought the charter commission to the voters feel they have a mandate to bring a new form of government back to the town and want to do that sooner than later

More than 60 percent of those who cast ballots Tuesday supported the charter creation with a vote of 2039 to 1340. And of those, six that Amherst for All supported won seats.

Amherst for All collected the signatures that brought the proposal to the town.

With the vote and the turnout, Jerry Guidera sees that this as a mandate for the commission.

"What voters are calling for is a substantive change," he said, and that means an end to town meeting.

"The bottom line is, town meeting loyalists who turned this into a fight over town meeting. It was not our intention." But he sees the vote as that mandate.

"We've seen a precipitous drop in participation, for a town like Amherst that engagement level is really appalling. This is the first step to reengage the community."

The voter turnout for Tuesday night's annual town election was 17.74 percent the highest since 2010 when 32.22 percent turned out to vote on a Proposition 2 1/2 override question.

In 2015, just 7.35 percent voted, according to town records.

In 2012, with contested library trustee and school committee seats, 15 percent voted, but that was nothing compared to the 44 percent who voted in the primary earlier this month.

"I'm disappointed our efforts failed. We were wanting to work within the context of the present charter," said Maurianne Adams, who was part of the Town Meeting Works group that supported a no vote on the charter.

"We could make very significant changes," she said, such as having the meeting convene six times a year instead of twice and perhaps cutting the number of members from 240 to 120.

She also feels that the Planning Board should be elected not appointed.

Their group was not as organized as Amherst for All and there was some confusion about the proposal.

Still she says of the commission she plans to keep an open mind to see what they might come up with.

She ran for a seat but finished 11^th for one of the nine seats.

She wishes more candidates who favored keeping the meeting won seats still she's happy that Gerald Weiss, Diana Stein and Meg Cage won in addition to those supported by Amherst for All.

She believes they will "be able to articulate a point of view" that might be different than the others.

Those six are Andy Churchill, Thomas Fricke, Nick Grabbe, Mandi Jo Hanneke, Irv Rhodes, and Julie Rueschemeyer.

Phil Jackson, Bernie Kubiak and Maureen Raab who Amherst for All also supported did not win seats.

Churchill, a former School Committee member, received the most votes 1,657.

"I think we all share what's the best for Amherst. There's no question. We may have different visions for what's best," Adams said.

"I have confidence in most if not all of the members will be open minded and listen to each other."

She too will keep an open mind but believes that any change still needs to include a legislative branch of government along with an executive and that means some kind of town meeting.

She hasn't felt the executive represents the people and in the past feels it has been "much more of the voice of developers."

While the commission has up until 18 months to deliver its final report, Guidera doesn't think it will take that long.

He hopes to come up with "a good new system as soon as possible." This way voters will stay engaged.

Ideally they'd like to hold the vote on whatever the proposal is when voter turnout would be at its highest. While the November Presidential election would be ideal, the timing would be difficult.

Adams, meanwhile said, they learned from theirs mistakes this time around when it comes to reaching voters.

"We need to see what the commission comes up with.

"I'm hoping for the best form, my bottom lime is some representative legislative balance of power to the executive. That I think I would support. "

The commission meets Tuesday for its first organizational meeting.

The ceremony marks the end of a 24 weeks of training at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree.

WORCESTER - Gov. Charlie Baker and State Police Col. Richard D. McKeon will be present Friday as 158 recruits will complete their training with the state police academy and be sworn in as state troopers.

The graduation ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. at the DCU Center.

In addition to Baker and McKeon, other officials scheduled to attend are Lt. Gov. Karen Polito, and Public Safety and Security Secretary Daniel Bennett.

The ceremony marks the end of a 24 weeks of training at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree. The class originally had 212 members.

The members of the 82nd recruit training troop received intensive and rigorous training that included academic work, physical fitness, defensive tactics, patrol and traffic safety procedures, the use of firearms and less-lethal weapons, and basic first aid, according to state police officials.

Recruits lived at the academy during the week, returning to their families only for the weekend, officials said.

One half of the graduating class are military veterans, and many others have prior police experience in local departments. The class also has several members with no prior police or law enforcement experience.

"The graduation will be a ceremonial event to reflect the tremendous sacrifice made by these young men and women to fulfill their wish to serve and protect the citizens of our state," police said.

This is the third batch of new state troopers to complete the state police training academy since 2008. In 2014, it graduated 174 troopers, and in 2012 there were 208.

The inspections, which are done in the spring and fall, check to see if lines are in danger of failing or are being encroached upon by tree limbs or vegetation.

Eversource has begun using a helicopter to conduct aerial inspections of high-voltage lines around Western Massachusetts, the company announced on Wednesday.

The inspections, which are done in the spring and fall, check to see if lines are in danger of failing or are being encroached upon by tree limbs or vegetation. It involves a helicopter occasionally flying low and hovering over power lines and transmission towers.

Because many power lines are in remote areas, a helicopter is seen as the most efficient way to conduct the inspections, officials said.

"The helicopter inspections of our transmission lines are a crucial and effective part of our commitment to reducing the frequency and duration of power outages," said Craig Hallstrom, President of Massachusetts Electric Operations at Eversource.

"Well over a million customers in the commonwealth depend on us for their electric service and that's why we're always working proactively to keep the system operating safely and reliably," he said.

The aerial inspections began Wednesday and will continue until 3 p.m. They are set to resume on Friday from 8 a.m.. to 3 p.m., depending on the weather, and may continue on into next week if the inspections are not completed, said spokeswoman Priscilla Ress.

Communities were flights are planned are: Northfield, Erving, Wendell, Warwick, Montague, Greenfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham, Amherst, Granby, Chicopee, West Springfield, Springfield, Belchertown, Ludlow, Wibraham, Hampden, Agawam, Westfield, Shelburne, Conway, Ashfield, Plainfield, Windsor, Peru, Hinsdale, Dalton, Cheshire, Lanesborough, Hancock, Pittsfield, Lenox, Lee, Easthampton, Southampton, Granville, Russell

According to Eversource, the helicopter is blue and silver and has a tail number of N1431W

Residents lambasted the Board of Selectmen and the interim town administrator at the board's meeting. Watch video

EAST LONGMEADOW -- During the last scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting before next month's election, townspeople called for resignations and questioned the validity of decisions selectmen made at their last meeting, as the interim town administrator insisted that he cannot be publicly criticized.

About 150 people attended the two-hour meeting at East Longmeadow's Council on Aging on Wednesday, waiting for a public comment period that Chairman Angela Thorpe said the board would hold at the end of the meeting.

Many who attended the March 16 Board of Selectmen meeting complained that the board refused to hear any public comment from people wanting to address the board about their appointments of East Longmeadow Police Sgt. Jeffrey Dalessio as police chief, interim town administrator Gregory Neffinger as permanent town administrator, and the removal of Paul Federici from the chairman's seat.

Before public comment began Wednesday night, Interim Town Administrator Gregory Neffinger used a portion of the meeting dedicated to interim town administrator updates to claim that any criticism of him must be made in a private session.

"I have rights as an employee of the town- there's due process, no one can say things publicly about me," Neffinger told the crowd. "You have to do it in executive session, and I have the right to be there, and I have the right to have an attorney there also."

Neffinger also took the opportunity to deny any involvement with corruption alleged in the police chief search process.

Earlier this month, Federici publicly said that he was approached by former Springfield city councilor and convicted felon Francis Keough III, who offered him a yet-to-be-determined finance job if he went along with a plan to appoint former West Springfield Police Capt. Daniel O'Brien as police chief, and extend Interim Town Administrator Greg Neffinger's position to a permanent role. 

"I just found out a few days ago that there was a third person in that meeting, that person is willing to testify that during that meeting was about real estate and my name never came up," Neffinger said. "I never asked anybody to lobby for me."

Federici did not immediately respond to a voicemail requesting comment on Wednesday.

During a public comment period at the meeting Tuesday, residents called out Neffinger and the board for what they said amounted to acting against the will of the people for personal agendas.

"I left your last meeting just about in tears, because I couldn't believe what I was seeing," said Marilyn Richards, a former selectman. "It's the elected officials that set the standard and I hope to see change."

When Mark Sullivan asked Selectman William Gorman, who has insisted the importance of a requirement that East Longmeadow's new police chief live in town, if he would make a motion for a residency requirement for the town administrator, Gorman said he would, and made the motion.

But shortly after Thorpe seconded the motion for discussion, Town Attorney James Donahue stood up and told selectmen they could not move forward, because action related to a residency requirement for the town administrator had not been placed on the agenda. When later asked why selectmen could appoint a new chairman without including it on the agenda on March 16, Donahue said that residents have legitimate reason to complain to the Attorney General's office about that matter.

In a meeting where a resident called for his resignation, Gorman pointed out that only Federici was allegedly approached by Keough with an alleged bribe, and suggested that this is because Federici is a "weak link" on the board. Gorman declined a request that he resign.

"If anyone thinks they can do a better job, then step up," Gorman said.

Construction workers at a job in Dover, N.H. found apparent human bone fragments in a shipment of sand delivered to the work site, WCVB reported.

Construction workers at a job in Dover, N.H. found apparent human bone fragments in a shipment of sand delivered to the work site, WCVB reported.

Police confirmed to WCVB that bone fragments were found in the sand, which came from another construction site in Dover.

The age of the bones was unknown and they did not appear to be linked to any ongoing investigations, according to WCVB.

Weeks after reaffirming that they would support whomever is crowned the Republican Party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich all shied away from the pledge late-Tuesday.

Weeks after reaffirming that they would support whomever is crowned the Republican Party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich all shied away from the pledge late-Tuesday.

Despite most candidates initially vowing to support the eventual Republican nominee at the party's first debate in August 2015 and reiterating that support during a March 3 debate, the three remaining GOP contenders offered much different responses during a CNN town hall event in Wisconsin.

Kasich, whose presidential dreams hinge on a contested nominating convention, told CNN's Anderson Cooper that he's waiting to see how things play out before deciding whether to stick to the pledge.

"I'm not being political here, I've got to see what happens," he said. "If the nominee is somebody that I think is really hurting the country and dividing the country, I can't stand behind them. But, we have a ways to go, let's see how this all folds out."

Candidates, the Ohio governor further said, probably shouldn't have even vowed to support the eventual nominee so early in the race.

"Frankly, all of us shouldn't have even answered that question, but it was the first debate and you know, what the heck," he said. "Sometimes you answer questions you ought not to, you ought to just say, 'I'm not answering it.'"

Cruz offered a more nuanced answer when asked if he would stick to his pledge to support the Republican Party's eventual presidential nominee.

The Texas senator said he's "not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks (his) wife" or family -- a reference to Trump, who he has accused of planting a National Enquirer story alleging extramarital affairs and sparred with over pictures posted of his wife of Twitter.

Cruz, who trails Trump in the delegate count, further dismissed the idea of the businessman being named the party's nominee.

"Donald is not going to be the GOP nominee, we're going to beat him...I think nominating Donald Trump would be an absolute trainwreck," he said.

Trump, who was the only candidate to not rule out a possible third-party run at the August debate before eventually taking the party's loyalty pledge in September, meanwhile, was firm in his decision to no longer stand by the pledge.

"No, I don't anymore...we'll see who it is," he told Cooper when asked if he still vows to support the eventual GOP nominee.

The businessman, who leads in delegates and primary wins despite efforts by some Republican leaders to undermine his campaign, attributed his change of heart to how he said the Republican National Committee has treated his candidacy.

"I have been treated very unfairly...I think by basically the RNC, the Republican Party, the establishment," he said.

Trump added that he doesn't need Cruz's backing, saying he only wants that of the American people.

"He doesn't have to support me, I have tremendous support right now from the people. I'm way over two million votes more than him," he said.

Republican Party leaders and delegates will select the GOP presidential nominee during a July convention in Cleveland.

The winning word in last year's event -- which raised $12,500 -- was daguerreotype, the first commercially successful photographic process.

NORTHAMPTON -- For yet another year, local grown-ups will compete in a timeworn event known to render even the most capable young scholars knock-kneed and tongue-tied.

That's right: It's time for a spelling bee.

The Northampton Education Foundation will host its 16th annual Adult Spelling Bee Wednesday night at John F. Kennedy Middle School, where dozens of three-person teams will compete for the winning title.

The event, organized by the Northampton Education Foundation, begins at 6 p.m and is sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank and Peoples Bank.

The bee is free and open to the public, but the foundation encourages donations. All proceeds will go to the foundation, a nonprofit created in 1991 to fund projects and programs in Northampton's public schools.

The winning word in last year's event -- which raised $12,500 -- was daguerreotype, the first commercially successful photographic process. 

Some high school students form teams for the bee, but most are of the above-18 crowd.

The bee usually attracts upward of 500 spectators. Small prizes are given to the teams with the best spellers and best costumes.

The city is seeking proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of two large industrial sites and

SPRINGFIELD - The city is seeking offers for the purchase and redevelopment of three city-owned properties in Indian Orchard, including two large industrial sites and a historic former neighborhood fire station.

The city announced the release of the three separate Requests for Proposals on Wednesday including a 16-acre property on the east side of Pinevale Street, that was part of the former Chapman Valve site.

"We've made good progress in Indian Orchard with both infrastructure improvements and in development projects," Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said. "We hope these opportunities will attract the interest of the private market to invest in this great neighborhood."

The properties being offered for sale and redevelopment are as follows:

"We, here in Indian Orchard, have been waiting a long time for some of these properties to be redeveloped," said Ward 8 City Councilor Orlando Ramos. "The old Chapman Valve site has been not just an eyesore to the neighborhood; but also a magnet for illegal dumping."

The Oak Street site has great visibility, and there's a lot of potential for development, Ramos said.

"I'm hopeful that this is only the beginning of many more economic development opportunities in Indian Orchard," Ramos said.

Proposals for the Indian Orchard fire station and the former Chapman Valve site on Pinevale Street properties are due by April 28, by 2 p.m., at the city's Office of Procurement.

Proposals are due by April 19, for the 22-acre property on Oak Street, also by 2 p.m., at the Office of Procurement.

Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer, said all three sites offer "different, but interesting opportunities to the private market depending on the developer."

The story will be updated with additional details.

 

MGM Springfield is bidding to become the exclusive manager of the MassMutual Center after a six-month transition phase

MGM Springfield will partner with Spectra by Comcast Spectacor in the casino company's bid to take on a role in managing the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

Spectra, then Global Spectrum, was chosen to run the state-owned facility at the time of its reopening in September 2005, replacing state employees who had been managing the former Springfield Civic Center.

MGM Springfield is set to open a $950 million casino in downtown Springfield in fall 2018. The project is currently under construction a block away.

Under the planned state bid announced on Thursday, MGM Springfield would serve as the venue management company, while Spectra would provide food and beverage services through its Food Services & Hospitality division. Both MGM and Spectra have agreed to a collaborative approach to operate the facility, commencing July 1.

MGM Springfield wants to become the exclusive manager of the MassMutual Center after a six-month transition phase. During this transition period, Spectra will continue the day-to-day operations through Dec. 31, 2016. Spectra will work with MGM Springfield to take part in event planning, strategic marketing initiatives, capital improvement planning and other aspects of both the short and long term operation of the center.

The MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. (Republican File Photo)Staff-Shot 

"We are proud to participate in this unique opportunity to further our engagement and contributions to the Springfield community," said Michael Mathis, president and chief operating officer for MGM Springfield, in a statement. "This market has unique offerings for convention goers and local residents alike, and the MassMutual Center should continue to be an integral part of what attracts visitors to downtown. With two world-class industry leaders joining forces on a bid proposal, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) has a prime opportunity to select the best of the best to operate this great facility."

If awarded the contract, MGM Springfield and Spectra said they will be able to deliver both short and long-term savings to the operating budget of the MassMutual Center, allowing for capital reinvestment in order to raise the quality of the building. The joint proposal creates cross-marketing opportunities for events; the coordination of job and customer service training; better purchasing of goods and services; and a broader, more-coordinated presence at upcoming trade shows and conventions.

MGM Springfield will manage the long-term event calendar, with an eye toward leveraging its expertise in high quality entertainment programming to attract even more visitors to the center.

MGM previously signed agreements with the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall and CityStage to book at least four shows at each venue a year as part of its commitment to the city to not be a fortress of financial solitude.

This development, however, would take its entertainment pitch a step further.

Tina D'Agostino, who oversees management of the nearby Symphony Hall and CityStage, applauded the plan.

"I think it is exciting. It's good news for Springfield. Clearly MGM is an entertainment giant who can bring in the big acts," D'Agostino said. "A vibrant MassMutual Center means more people downtown and increased business for its neighbors. As they say, 'The rising tide lifts all boats.'"

Glen Brandeburg, president and chief operating officer of Spectra Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality, added, "Spectra and MGM combining its efforts at the MassMutual Center will provide tremendous unique advantages to the MCCA. This combined proposal will more effectively coordinate benefits to the Center with MGM's long-term goals and operational commitments for its resort casino complex."

In addition to Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality, Spectra also includes a Ticketing & Fan Engagement Services. The Ticketing & Fan Engagement Services division submitted a separate bid to the MCCA in response to the ticketing RFP for MassMutual Center.

Several residents were evacuated from an assisted living home at 314 Laurelton St. in Springfield Thursday morning. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Several residents were evacuated from an assisted living home at 314 Laurelton St. in Springfield Thursday morning.

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the fire reported at 8 a.m. caused about $5,000 in damage. 

No one was injured and the residence is still habitable despite the fire damage to the kitchen and rear exterior wall, Leger said.

The house is for residents who need care taking, he said, though he did not know who ran the facility. 

Staff members who were helping residents in wheelchairs into a van said before they left that they could not comment or name their employer.

The man remains in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield

AMHERST - A 19-year-old Sheffield man is in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after the car he was driving crashed into a tree early Thursday morning on Route 116 near the Sunderland line, according to police.

The man was ejected from the vehicle, which sustained heavy damage in the 12:17 a.m. accident, Lt. Ronald Young wrote in a press release.

A preliminary investigation reveals that speed may have been a factor, Young said. The accident remains under investigation.

The Professional Women's Chamber event will be held at and hosted by Carol K's Added Attractions, a women's clothing boutique on Shaker Road.

EAST LONGMEADOW — An East Longmeadow boutique will host a gathering of area businesswomen as part of a bi-monthly "ladies night."

The event, scheduled for April 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., is part of a series of networking nights put on by the Professional Women's Chamber. It will be held at and hosted by Carol K's Added Attractions, a women's clothing boutique at180 Shaker Road.

"Ladies nights provide members with opportunities to meet socially with other PWC members after hours," the chamber announced in a prepared statement. "Themed nights are incorporated adding another element to the event."

Reservations are preferred and include complimentary beverages and refreshments, the statement says. Those seeking reservations may contact Debra Chamberland at smdchamberland@yahoo.com.

Former Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino and Academy Award Winning Actor Forest Whitaker will join Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton at two separate campaign fundraisers in Boston Thursday.

BOSTON ‒ Former Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino and Academy Award Winning Actor Forest Whitaker will join Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton at two separate campaign fundraisers in Boston Thursday.

The former secretary of state, who won Massachusetts' March 1 primary, will look to build up her campaign's war chest during events at the State Room and Lucchino's Chestnut Hill home.

Tickets to attend the Boston fundraiser with Clinton and Whitaker, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., range from $45 for young professionals to $2,700 for "champions."

Those raising $5,000 to serve as event hosts or $10,000 to serve as event chairs will also attend a reception with the former first lady, according to the event's details.

Clinton will then head to Chestnut Hill for an evening fundraiser at the home of Lucchino, the Red Sox president/CEO emeritus, and his wife Stacey. Tickets to attend the event cost $2,700 or $5,400 per couple and include a photo with the Democratic presidential hopeful, according to the event's details.

Clinton's campaign has already raised more than $4.8 million in Massachusetts, including at least $500,000 of which came during an early October fundraising blitz.

Timothy Cotz, president and chief executive of Glenmeadow retirement community will retire in October.

LONGMEADOW — The president and chief executive of a Longmeadow retirement community is retiring from his post at the community he has served for 22 years.

Glenmeadow Inc.'s board of directors announced that Timothy Cotz, 64, will be leaving Oct. 5. Announcing his intention to retire now should provide Glenmeadow with ample time to hire a new chief executive, Cotz said.

"That is, after all, the way we operate at Glenmeadow," Cotz said in a prepared statement. "So, it's natural that the board and I want to ensure we can provide the smoothest possible transition for those whose lives we touch."

Before announcing Cotz' retirement to residents, members of Glenmeadow's board of directors began planning for the transition, chairman Paul Nicholson said in a prepared statement.

Cotz will participate in the search for his replacement, Nicholson said.

"We are working with an executive search firm and will seek input from all the organization's constituencies... staff," Nicholson said. "It is extremely important that this process be handled in a thorough and professional way in order to deliver the best possible outcome for the organization and all the people Glenmeadow serves."

During Cotz' tenure, he oversaw the construction of the 23 acre development in Longmeadow, which now encompasses Glenmeadow. The community was previously located in a building in Springfield.

Cotz previously served in leadership positions with Berkshire Health Systems, the Geriatric Authority of Holyoke and the National Lutheran Home for the Aged, according to Glenmeadow. He has also served on the boards of the AIDS Action Committee, the Community Music School of Springfield, Girls Inc. of Holyoke, Hawthorne Services, the Mt. Tom Institute, United Way of Pioneer Valley and the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

"We are extremely grateful to Tim for his leadership, financial oversight and genuine caring and compassion for those served," Nicholson said.

The emergency room doctor who treated both Kevin Regan and Lynda Cavanaugh after they were struck by a van in Yarmouth testified that both patients were intoxicated.

BARNSTABLE -- Dr. Peter Bosco, the emergency room doctor who treated both Kevin Regan and Lynda Cavanaugh after they were struck by a van in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, testified that both patients were intoxicated at the time of the accident, during trial Thursday morning.

Bosco's testimony came on the third day of the motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence trial of Paul Dennehy, the Nantucket realtor who struck Regan and Cavanaugh on Dec. 27, 2014. Regan died following the crash and Cavanaugh was severely injured.

Under questioning from defense attorney Peter Lloyd, Bosco testified that test results showed that Cavanaugh had alcohol levels of 260 mg/dl -- the rough equivalent of rapidly drinking five and a half beers before taking the test a half-hour later.

He also reviewed a post-mortem toxicology report on Regan, and said that it showed Regan had a .210 blood alcohol concentration.

"For most people, this would signify significant alcohol intoxication," Bosco said.

Bosco also said that Cavanaugh had a number of injuries to her femur, ribs and head, and appeared mentally disconnected from the severity of her situation -- whether from intoxication or trauma, he could not be sure.

He quickly identified Regan's injuries as not survivable and pronounced him dead shortly after he arrived at Cape Cod Hospital.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Donovan cross-examined Bosco, and had the doctor confirm that alcohol can affect people in different ways, and that its effects can be magnified when performing complex tasks.

Dennehy's sobriety, or lack thereof, is a key point in the trial. Police officers have testified that Dennehy appeared intoxicated at the crash scene and failed field sobriety tests. Other witnesses at the scene and Dennehy's companions that evening said he appeared sober throughout the night.

Regan, Cavanaugh and Dennehy were at the Sons of Erin social club before the crash. The precise amounts they drank there has not been made clear in previous testimony.

Follow live coverage of the trial here

The training includes partners from all over Western Massachusetts and the Five Colleges.

AMHERST - From 2013 to 2016, five college campuses experienced meningitis outbreaks, according to the National Meningitis Association.

If such an outbreak of this or any other disease happens on the University of Massachusetts campus, the university wants to be ready.

On April 7, the UMass Amherst's Medical Reserve Corps, University Health Services and the Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management Office are hosting an emergency exercise and workshop to test plans for a mass inoculation.

More than 325 volunteers and emergency response partners are expected to participate in the event, which will simulate a large-scale vaccination clinic for a meningitis outbreak, said Ann Becker, public health nurse at UMass and reserve corps. coordinator.

She said the last time they did a similar training was 2006 to 2007. But in 2010, they inoculated about 10,000 against the H1N1 flu so they got to test the process in real life.

She said now their training has been updated and they are testing out such a plan in the Curry Hicks Cage.  

"We'll try it out to see if it's a viable option in an emergency, we'll try out the space," she said.

The previous training was at the Mullins Center.

This time they are also working with Jeffrey Hescock, director of the University Emergency Management and Business Continuity, and the other four campuses in the Five College Consortium.

"We're not isolated here at UMass alone," she said.

"We also have a medical reserve corps. on campus we like to work with them."

The plan will focus on the entire dispensing process, as well as testing new plans to distribute medication to other area colleges, Becker said.

The volunteers will receive specialized training from nursing student leaders, after which they will provide the simulated clinic to volunteer victims.

Robin Izzo from Princeton University will focus on the real life efforts there to vaccinate their student population during a meningitis outbreak in 2014.

Nine cases occurred there or were associated with Princeton, according to the meningitis association website.

She said the best way "to make sure it doesn't happen (at UMass) is to be ready for it."  

University Health Services; Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management; College of Nursing; Disability Services, ROTC along with the Western Massachusetts and Hampshire County MRC units, state Department of Public Health, Community Emergency Response teams, Hope Therapy Animals, Amherst and Hadley health departments, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Hampshire Emergency Planning Committee will also take part in the drill, according to a press release.