The Damaged and the Remones, a Ramones cover band, will play a show on Wednesday, April 13, at 8 p.m. at the Bing Arts Center, 716 Sumner Ave., Springfield. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — The back lanes of Derry influenced The Undertones. The streets of Queens inspired The Ramones. London was the playground for the Clash and Sex Pistols. And the fields and woods of Adams, Massachusetts, were the incubator for The Damaged, a punk rock quartet born in the Berkshires – and damn proud of it.

"I've always loved Western Massachusetts; it's where I grew up," said Colin Moran, the band's lead singer.

Moran and his bandmates, including brother Kevin, are so proud of the 413, in fact, that they'll be celebrating "413 Day" on 4/13 (Wednesday, April 13) in Springfield. That's when The Damaged will headline the "Celebrate Western Mass Concert" at the Bing Arts Center, 716 Sumner Ave., in the Forest Park section of Springfield.

Admission to the show, which also features the Ramones cover band the Remones, is $5. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the music begins at 8 p.m.

If 3/14 is Pi Day, why not turn 4/13 into "413 Day," a celebration of "all things Western Mass," said Colin, who came up with the idea of honoring the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire.

(Facebook) 

Last year, he created a 413 pride page on Facebook for people to post photos of their favorite places and things to do in Western Mass. This year, he and his band will spend 4/13 in Springfield, the heart of Western Mass, for a night pulsing with 413 pride.

"I come from a part of the state where you have to sort of fight to get people to realize how good it is to live here," Colin said. "It's nice to accentuate the pride every once in a while, because attitude is everything. To have success you have to be positive."

Kevin Moran would like to see 4/13 become a recognized holiday for citizens of the area code, who play second fiddle to residents of the more populated 617 and 508 area codes. "If Suffolk County can get off Evacuation Day, 4/13 should be ours," said Kevin, the band's guitarist.

"We're a self-deprecating bunch here in Western Mass," said Colin. "But we're also a part of the state that's just so forgotten about when it comes to politics."

For anyone who thinks you have to be born in an urban setting to be a punk rocker, you're dead wrong. The Moran brothers grew up in the shadow of Mount Greylock. Literally. No matter where you go in Adams, there's Greylock staring down at you. Instead of alleyways and housing projects, though, the brothers grew up in the fields and woods near Greylock, the state's tallest peak at nearly 3,500 feet. Still, they're as punk rock as any skinhead on the Bowery, circa 1977.

"It almost exists more here," Colin said, referring to rural America's affection for punk, a genre whose anti-sentimentalism and antiestablishmentarianism lends itself to raucous shows and anarchic lyrics. "You'd find more (fans) in all rural areas than the cities," he said.

More information about Wednesday night's show is available at bingartscenter.org.

The Damaged are: Colin Moran, vocals; Kevin Moran, guitar and backing vocals; Jay Williams, bass and backing vocals; and Mark Jagiello, drums.

The Remones are: Mike Mansfield, vocals; Rob Allen, drums; Craig Chapman, bass; and Val Brown, guitar.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 165 points to close at 17,721.

By KEN SWEET

NEW YORK -- Stocks posted solid gains on Tuesday, led by energy companies after news reports said Saudi Arabia and Russia were working toward an agreement to cut oil production. Investors also worked through the initial batch of earnings from the first quarter of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 164.84 points, or 0.9 percent, to 17,721.25. The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 19.73 points, or 1 percent, to 2,061.72 and the Nasdaq composite increased 38.69 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4,872.09.

Corporate earnings got underway on a weak note after Alcoa, the aluminum mining giant, reported a 15 percent decline in revenue late Monday. Alcoa also had a huge drop in first-quarter profit from a year earlier as aluminum prices fell. Alcoa's stock fell 26 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $9.48.

Later this week big U.S. banks will start releasing their results, including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Investors will be watching the banks to see how well they've weathered the market's recent volatility and low oil prices earlier this year. Banks are often seen as a proxy for how the U.S. economy is doing.

"It's not going to be a clean earnings season for financials at all," said Peter Stournaras, a portfolio manager at BlackRock. "The banks have suffered from fears about oil loans, but those fears are overblown."

Expectations for earnings are low this quarter. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expect corporate profits to be down 9.1 percent from a year ago, hurt primarily by the steep drop in oil prices and other commodities. The entire energy sector is expected to report a loss this quarter, according to FactSet.

"Earnings will paint an important picture over the next few weeks, but the more important story is the continued improvement in the macroeconomic environment here in the U.S. and globally," said Ryan Larson, head of U.S. equity trading at RBC Global Asset Management in Chicago.

Oil prices moved sharply higher after Russian officials told Interfax, the Russian news agency, that they planned to reach a deal with Saudi Arabia to cut oil production. OPEC ministers meet this Sunday in Doha, Qatar.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil climbed $1.81, or 4.5 percent, at $42.17 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the international standard, rose $1.86 to $44.69 a barrel in London.

Energy stocks, which have been beaten down in recent months, followed the price of crude oil higher. The energy component of the S&P 500 jumped almost 3 percent.

U.S. government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.77 percent from 1.73 percent late Monday. The euro fell to $1.1397 from $1.1412 while the dollar rose to 108.53 yen from 107.94 yen.

In other energy commodities, heating oil rose 6 cents to $1.276 a gallon, wholesale gasoline rose 3 cents to $1.534 a gallon and natural gas rose 9 cents to $2.004 per thousand cubic feet.

Precious and industrial metals prices closed broadly higher. Gold gained $2.90 to $1,260.90 an ounce, silver rose 25 cents to $16.22 an ounce and copper climbed six cents to $2.15 a pound.

Springfield Assessor Richard Allen said the city valued the new Springfield Rescue Mission property at approximately $6.2 million based on the purchase price by the prior owner, and "millions" of dollars in renovations.

(This story updates an article posted earlier Tuesday, seen here.)

SPRINGFIELD - Board of Assessors Chairman Richard J. Allen said Tuesday that the city's valuation of the new Springfield Rescue Mission property on Mill Street of $6.2 million, being contested by the mission, was based on the purchase price by the prior owner, MGM Springfield and "millions" of dollars in renovations.

The city's response came late Tuesday afternoon after it was learned that the Rescue Mission was pleading for donations and prayers from the public after getting a property tax bill of $151,140 for its new location on Mill Street. The mission is at the site of the former Orr Cadillac dealership in the South End..

The mission has filed for an abatement that challenges the value of the property. The 124-year mission was tax-exempt at its prior site, but must wait until next fiscal year to seek renewal of its tax exemption at its new location, as required by state law, mission officials said.

City officials explained that under state law, a nonprofit purchasing taxable property during a tax year must pay the taxes for that final part of the year, and then can seek tax-exempt status for future years, mission officials said.

Allen, in his statement, spoke of just the property valuation.

Allen said the owner of the mission property at 10 Mill St., as on July 1, 2015, the date for determining whether a property qualified for exemption from Fiscal year 2016 taxes, was Blue Tarp Redevelopment LLC, the development arm for MGM Springfield.

"Blue Tarp paid $2.3 million to acquire 10 Mill Street in December 2014, and subsequently spent millions in renovating and expanding the building," Allen said in a prepared response. "Blue Tarp then transferred the property to the Springfield Rescue Mission on October 30, 2015."

"The assessors established an assessed value of $6,181,700 for 10 Mill Street based on the purchase price and renovation and construction costs," Allen said. "The City issued the tax bill in late December."

The mission has paid $44,421.44 in taxes thus far, but the balance of $106,718.19, is due on May 1. The total tax bill for the year was $238,613.62, with MGM paying the balance for its ownership during the first four months of the fiscal year, July 1, 2015 through Oct. 30, 2015.

MGM bought the property, renovated it, and gave it to the Rescue Mission in exchange for taking the mission's Bliss Street site as part of MGM's $950 million casino project in the South End.

Bradford Martin, a lawyer for the Rescue Mission, said the mission is aware that it is responsible for paying a share of the taxes but was surprised by the amount of the bill, filing for the abatement on the property value.

"We are proceeding with the normal abatement procedures and we are anticipating that the city will be open-minded and fair as they deal with the mission on the valuation," Martin said.

A federal magistrate judge in Worcester ruled that Camille Cosby must sit for another day of questioning from the women's lawyers.

WORCESTER -- Bill Cosby's wife was ordered on Tuesday to continue her deposition in a civil defamation lawsuit in Massachusetts filed by seven women who allege the comedian sexually assaulted them decades ago.

A federal magistrate judge ruled that Camille Cosby must sit for another day of questioning from the women's lawyers. The 72-year-old Cosby, who was not present in court, had sought to terminate the proceedings, or at least limit it.

She sat for the first part of the deposition in February in Springfield, near where the family has a home in rural Massachusetts. The second session is now scheduled for April 19.

Joe Cammarata, a lawyer for the women, called it a "good day" in court because his team will be able to continue their questioning. He said Camille Cosby is to be deposed in Boston at a location to be determined for no more than 5 hours and 45 minutes, based on the judge's order.

Bill Cosby's camp also claimed victory.

Spokesman Andrew Wyatt said the judge denied the request to end the proceedings but also granted Camille Cosby's request to limit the types of questions asked going forward, prohibiting plaintiffs from asking "improper questions," including those involving protected communications between husband and wife.

Massachusetts' marital disqualification rule says a spouse doesn't have to testify about private marital conversations.

Cosby's lawyers complained in court filings of "a litany of improper and offensive questions" asked during the first session.

They said Cammarata questioned Camille Cosby about her sexual relations and her opinion of the honesty and integrity of her husband -- questions they argued were "designed to annoy, embarrass, and oppress the witness."

Cammarata countered in court filings that Camille Cosby refused to answer dozens of questions based on an overly broad interpretation of the marital disqualification rule, attorney-client privilege and a "non-existent" privilege of privacy.

Camille Cosby's deposition in the civil lawsuit comes as her husband, who starred in The Cosby Show, faces criminal charges in Pennsylvania.

The 78-year-old comedian is charged with sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Cosby, who is out on bail, has pleaded not guilty.

The women in the defamation case claim Cosby tainted their reputations when he allowed his representatives to brand them as liars after they went public with their allegations of sexual assault.

They are among about 50 women who have come forward to claim that Cosby forced unwanted sexual contact on them decades ago. Cosby denies their allegations.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has squared off against Marine Corps leaders who resisted recruiting women for all combat jobs. On Tuesday, he takes his case to a broader audience at Camp Pendleton, California.

SAN DIEGO -- Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has squared off against Marine Corps leaders who resisted recruiting women for all combat jobs. On Tuesday, he takes his case to a broader audience at Camp Pendleton, California.

Marine Corps leaders had sought to keep certain infantry and combat jobs closed to women, citing studies showing combined-gender units are not as effective as male-only units. Defense Secretary Ash Carter overruled them in December, ordering all positions open to women.

Since then, the military services have put together plans outlining how they will integrate women into male-only units

Mabus, who sided with the defense secretary against Marine Corps brass, will address about 300 leaders from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force to "discuss his intent and expectations for gender integration," according to a Marines press release that describes the forum as a town hall setting. He has already visited Marines installations at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Quantico, Virginia, to tackle the topic.

Mabus, a former Democratic governor of Mississippi, faces a potentially skeptical audience. Marine Gen. Robert Neller made clear his reservations in February even as the Marine Corps began to lay out recruitment plans.

"We have a decision and we're in the process of moving out," Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, told senators. "We will see where the chips fall. And, again, our hope is that everyone will be successful. But hope is not a course of action on the battlefield."

Neller told senators that that Marine Corps testing revealed two significant differences between all-male units and those with men and women. He said all-male units were able to better march long distances carrying heavy loads and also were able to fire their weapons more accurately after marching over distance.

Being big and strong and having a "certain body mass give you an advantage," said Neller.

Asked to list his concerns, Neller said he worried about retention, injury rates and unit effectiveness.

The defense sectary has said moving women into combat jobs will present challenges but that the armed forces can no longer afford to exclude half of the population from grueling jobs. He said that any man or woman who meets the standards should be able to serve.

The theft happened at about at the Dunkin' Donuts on the corner of West and Center Streets.

CHICOPEE - Police are trying to identify a man suspected in stealing a wallet from the Dunkin' Donuts on Monday.

The theft happened around 5 p.m. in the store at 95 West St. The suspect was caught on the store's video camera, said Michael Wilk, Chicopee Police public information officer.

Anyone who can identify the man on the video or has any information about the theft should call the detective bureau at 594-1730 or send a message through Facebook.

Maxey has led the city's arts revitalization since 2011 as director of Easthampton City Arts+.

EASTHAMPTON -- It's hard to visit this former mill town -- now a top destination for the arts in Western Massachusetts -- without seeing the influence of Burns Maxey, the city's full-time arts coordinator since 2011.

As director of the nonprofit Easthampton City Arts+, Burns led the creation of the Cottage Street Cultural District, implemented a Mills Arts Program, boosted the profile of the city's monthly Art Walk, established the annual BookFest, procured money for public art, and forged countless partnerships in the arts community, creating "buzz" and excitement that put the city on the map.

Under Maxey's watch, the annual Cultural Chaos street festival was established, drawing thousands of visitors to the city every summer for music, food, art and performance.

Now Maxey is leaving for a job as Web master and graphic designer with New England Public Radio, and her last day with the city will be April 28.

"I feel honored to have been a part of the arts revitalization here," said Maxey. "But it wasn't just me. There are so many volunteers with Easthampton City Arts; so many hands."

"We are thrilled to have Burns on board," said New England Public Radio marketing and communications director Vanessa Cerillo. "She is a talented Web developer and graphic designer, and has done a lot of work in that area. She wanted to narrow her focus. We're well aware of the amazing work she's done in Easthampton."

Mayor Karen Cadieux, in an email to The Republican, had words of praise for Maxey: "Burns has been an exemplary employee since August 2011. I have complimented Burns many times in her role as City Arts Coordinator. We are very happy for her in this new exciting career move but we will miss her here. I wish her all the best and continued success."

Maxey said she will remain on the board of directors of CitySpace, the nonprofit that manages the Old Town Hall at 43 Main St., which serves as a center for the arts in Easthampton. Easthampton City Arts+ is one tenant of the building. In 2013, CitySpace raised money to renovate the historic building's lobby. 

"I am devoted to seeing the second story of Old Town Hall developed into a flexible arts and performance space for the community," she said. "I will continue to be involved in the arts community here, just in a different role."

While performance artist Seth Lepore, in an online tribute posted Tuesday, said "Don't even try to replace Burns Maxey -- it's impossible," the job was posted to the city website on Monday, with applications due April 22. 

Maxey said she's confident a new, dynamic leader can be found. "I'm sure there will be many strong applicants. Easthampton is poised to continue on a great trajectory," she said.

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

NECN reports the video was shot by Ricky Hart on the Nahant Causeway in Essex County. The TV station quotes Hart as saying the wrong-way driver was also putting on makeup and texting behind the wheel.

NAHANT — Cellphone video obtained by NECN appears to show a Massachusetts State Police trooper not pulling over a motorist who drove into oncoming traffic Tuesday morning.

NECN reports the video was shot by Ricky Hart on the Nahant Causeway in Essex County. The TV station quotes Hart as saying the wrong-way driver was also putting on makeup and texting behind the wheel.

Eventually, the video shows the driver getting on the right side of the road after approaching a trooper vehicle at an intersection. The trooper pulls behind and follows the driver, but for the remaining two minutes of the video, never initiates a traffic stop.

>>Click here to view the video

David Procopio, spokesman for the state police, told The Republican that a complaint has not been filed, but an investigation is underway.

"First we will conduct an investigation to determine if criminal or civil traffic charges are warranted against the wrong-way operator," said Procopio. "Second, we will review the trooper's response during the incident."

Procopio urged anyone who witnesses wrong-way driving or other dangerous behavior to call 911 immediately rather than shooting a video.

Gangs have long been at the heart of violence and the drug trade; now they are getting involved in human traffickig, officials said.

SPRINGFIELD - The Pioneer Valley has a drug problem, a gang problem, and now is beginning to see a human trafficking problem.

And it starts with children as young as age 13.

"Every year they are getting younger and younger," said Nicolas Cotto, a Western Massachusetts gang intelligence expert.

Cotto and Springfield Police detective Jamie Bruno spoke Tuesday before the Springfield Violence Prevention Task Force to inform group members of what they are seeing on the streets of Springfield and beyond.

Beyond is an applicable description, they each said, because the gangs, drugs and human trafficking are not solely problems in Springfield but are expanding out farther and farther into the suburbs and even rural parts of the state.

"We absolutely have a problem in Springfield," Bruno said about the supply of heroin, crack and other illegal drugs. But it's also becoming more common in Ludlow, Wilbraham, Westfield and elsewhere. He noted that Chicopee recently saw four overdoses in four days.

It's a problem that cuts across racial and ethnic lines, and across all social and economic strata, he said.

"Let's not hear anymore from those who say, 'It couldn't happen to me,'" he said.

He noted a Springfield woman who was arrested twice in 10 days for dealing heroin. She had a degree from an area college and had gotten a job as a nurse before venturing, allegedly, into drug dealing.

The Mayor's City-Wide Violence Prevention Task Force is a collection of more than 60 groups and organizations that work together to develop ideas for increasing public safety. The group regularly meets to discuss social trends and their effect on crime.

Cotto, who is also an instructor at the Massachusetts police academy, for years has been keeping track of gang activity in Springfield.

Gangs have continually been a source of much of the city's gun violence and drug activity. In recent years, gangs have gotten into human trafficking, he said.

Human trafficking is term used by the FBI in relation to someone who is exploited, either by threats of violence, fraud or coercion, to perform labor or service against his or her will. Quite often that service is sex for money.

The problem is serious enough in Massachusetts that the state police and Department of Children and Families recently formed a statewide human trafficking enforcement unit.

"I'm not talking about California, the West Coast or Chicago," Cotto said. "I'm talking about right here."

When someone in the crowd asked if the trafficking involved young woman who are immigrants from other countries, he said no. In the cases he has identified, none of the women were foreign-born, Cotto said.

"It is happening in our state. This is not happening in third-world country; I'm talking about the commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Springfield gangs have typically recruited members as young as 13, Cotto said. Now they are also actively recruiting girls the same age to get involved with sex for money, he said.

Quite often the girls who are recruited are already on the fringes, runaways, from broken families or abandoned by their parents and out on the street. The gangs recruit them by lavishing attention on them and giving them drugs, new clothes and cellphones, Cotto said.

Once recruited, they can be required to raise as much as $5,000 a week through sex, he said.

"And if they don't raise the quota, they're going to get beat bad," Cotto said.

The girls can be shuttled from place to place and be forced to have sex, he said. He has recently learned of one girl who was trafficked to Florida for sex work.

Bruno said a confluence of supply and demand has resulted in the cost of drugs on the street being ridiculously low. When he started 20 years ago, he said, heroin was $20 a packet. Now, a packet of heroin sells on the streets of Springfield for around $2.50, and people are buying them in amounts of 100 or more. Crack cocaine sells for between $5 and $25, and cocaine powder sells for between $5 and $30.

Batches of heroin on the street are laced with other substances, like fentanyl, to increase their potency, which has resulted in a number of overdoses. Even supplies of marijuana are being mixed with fentanyl, acid and in some cases embalming fluid, he said.

Bruno said parents need to know what their children are doing. That is the most important thing.

"If you're paying for their cellphone, you should go into it to see who they are talking to," he said. "And if you're not paying for it, where are they getting the money for it?"

Cotto said it is inexcusable for any parent not to know who their children are hanging out with or where they are going. He said he commonly talks with parents who do not have the slightest idea of what their children are doing.

"You need to perform your own (background) check on your kid's friends," he said. "Don't say 'I don't know.'"

Holyoke Mount Tom patrons should be prepared to do "moderately vigorous work outside" in removing invasive weeds on "Little Tom Workday."

HOLYOKE -- Mount Tom fans are invited to join others in weeding invasive plants Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the "Little Tom Workday."

"This is a good way to give back and take care of the land," Josh B. Knox, superintendent of the west management unit of the nonprofit Trustees of Reservations, said in a brief interview Tuesday.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the yellow gate on the Mountain Park Access Road and be prepared for a three-hour commitment, he said.

Bring water bottle, snacks and dress for the weather, the event's Facebook listing said.

Those who want to participate should be able to do "moderately vigorous work outside," handle tools for weeding, work safety in spring conditions like mud, enjoy walking on the property, be conservation-minded and be able to walk the tails and do physical work, the listing said.

Little Tom Reservation lies within "one of the state's most ecologically significant landscape," the Mount Tom Range, the Trustees' website said.

"'Little Tom's' intimate forests and open fields are part of 2,500 acres of contiguous, conserved open space that protect rare species and community types and provide opportunities for outdoor fun, learning and exploration for all," the website said.

The nonprofit Trustees of Reservations was founded in 1891. It is supported by donations from members, endowments and others.

The Trustees owns and cares for over 100 areas in 73 cities and towns, including a dozen in this area.

For information call (413) 522-5770 or email jknox@thetrustees.org

The 8-part series is hosted by WGBY's Veronica Garcia and Zydalis Bauer, and captures the stories of the Latino community with a local focus, featuring conversations specifically about Latino history, diversity and traditions in the region. It will also showcase inspiring true stories, highlight rich cultural heritage and spotlight local talent. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD — The first episode of WGBY-TV's new bilingual television show "Presencia" is scheduled to air Thursday, but show creators, sponsors and supporters got a sneak peak during a launch party Tuesday night.

"I have to say, with only two months of production time, long days, and sleepless nights we were able to pull it off because we had an amazing, small, team," said Vanessa Pabon-Hernandez, executive producer of "Presencia."

"Everyday we are faced with new challenges and are exploring new ways of doing things. I am thankful for the learning experience and support from our station, sponsors, media partners, the Latino Advisory Board and most importantly my familia," Pabon-Hernandez said. 

The launch party, held at the International Biergarten in Springfield, featured food by local restaurants as well as a performance by the Mariachi Mexico Antiguo. Guest were able to see bits and pieces of interviews and musical performances thta will air on the show Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m.

The 8-part series is hosted by WGBY's Veronica Garcia and Zydalis Bauer, and captures the stories of the Latino community with a local focus, featuring conversations specifically about Latino history, diversity and traditions in the region. It will also showcase inspiring true stories, highlight rich cultural heritage and spotlight local talent.

Tune-in to "Presencia" on WGBY, Channel 57, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Nearly 60 percent of voters opted for the new town charter, in a town election marked by high voter turnout.

This is an updated version of a story posted at 5:30 this evening.

EAST LONGMEADOW — In an election that saw greater voter participation than any in recent memory, East Longmeadow residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new town charter Tuesday.

With the approval of nearly 60 percent of those who voted, the town charter was ratified by a vote of 2,406 'yes' votes to 1,621 'no.' Twenty-one ballots were left blank.

"I'm really pleased that our message got through, I'm thrilled that the electorate got engaged for the first time in a long time," East Longmeadow Town Charter Review Commission Chairman Dawn Starks said minutes after results were reported Tuesday night.

A total of 4,048 or 36 percent of those eligible to vote turned out to the polls on Tuesday, according to town records.

Although his term will be short lived, Kevin M. Manley, beat competitor William R. Arment for a seat on the Board of Selectmen by 754 votes. Manley replaces former selectmen chairman Angela Thorpe.

With approval of the charter, the Board of Selectmen will be replaced by a seven-member Town Council in July.

Town Clerk Thomas Florence on Tuesday guessed voter turnout, which is higher than he has ever seen in East Longmeadow, was tied with interest in the town charter question.

"For a local election, going back in my 14 years here, this has been the most (voters)," Florence said.

Under the charter, the town will switch to a town manager and town council form of government, and eliminate Town Meeting as the community's legislative body. The council will replace Town Meeting. It also includes provisions for residents to bring town council votes to a ballot referendum and recalls of elected officials.

East Longmeadow residents may now take out papers to run for a town council election, which will take place June 7, Starks said. The council will hold its first meeting on July 1, with its first order of business to choose an interim town manager -w ho can be any current town employee.

The Board of Selectmen will continue to meet until the end of June, but with reduced authority, Starks said.

Manley, who expressed gratitude toward residents who voted for him, said he wants to begin investigating the legitimacy of certain decisions made by the Board of Selectmen.

Many residents have complained about perceived hasty appointments of Jeffrey Dalessio as police chief - following a tumultuous police chief search process marked by bribery allegations- and interim town administrator Gregory Neffinger as permanent town administrator, and the removal of Paul Federici from the chairman's seat last month.

Dalessio was sworn in as police chief in a small ceremony on Monday. Neffinger is still in the process of negotiating his contract, he said Tuesday.

"The first meeting I think that we should look at what was done at previous meetings that were questionable," Manley said.

A board meeting scheduled for Wednesday will, in part, focus on redistributing liaison positions and other aspects of the board's makeup, Selectman William Gorman said.

A steady flow of people filed in and out of Birchland Park Middle School's gymnasium in the mid-afternoon, casting ballots.

By 3 p.m., about 20 percent of East Longmeadow's more than 11,100 registered voters cast ballots.

Several people voting at mid-afternoon said alleged corruption on the Board of Selectmen drove them to the voting booths to support the new town charter.

"I don't think what we have now is working well for the town, and I think we need to change to bring us into the current century," Dorothy Mencaroni said.

Gregory Garnes, 67, came out for a combination of the two issues, he said. Possible mishandling of town business on the board must change, he said. A new charter is a way to make that transition.

"I think that the representation that we've had in the past year has been corrupted," Garnes said. "I think that the power was in the hands of too few, who had their own agendas."

Out of 10,595 registered voters, 1,552, or 14.7 percent cast ballots at South Hadley's annual town election on April 12

 

SOUTH HADLEY -- By a narrow margin, voters rejected adoption of the Community Preservation Act during Tuesday's annual town election, despite a vigorous campaign by supporters who staged a number of community events to discuss the proposal.

The CPA, if enacted, would have placed a property tax surcharge of 1.5 percent on homeowners to fund recreational, open space, community housing, and historic preservation initiatives.

The margin of defeat was less than one percent, with 727 opposed versus 713 who voted in favor of the CPA, unofficial results provide by the town clerk show.

Seven candidates sought four seats on the newly expanded South Hadley Electric Light Department Board of Commissioners; previously, it was a three-person panel.

Four ran for two three-year terms; two ran for a two-year term; and selectman John Hine was unopposed for a one-year term, winning 954 votes. He will now wear a SHELD commissioner's hat in addition to carrying out his duties on the Selectboard.

Vernon L. Blodgett Jr., with 805 votes, and incumbent SHELD commissioner Kurt C. Schenker, with 583 votes, won the three year terms. Diane V. Supczak-Mulvaney came up short with 565 votes. Dale H. Johnston received 419 votes.

Gregory R. Dubreuil, with 669 votes, won the two-year seat, defeating Jeffrey A. Millard, who finished a close second with 656.

Four sought three seats on the South Hadley Public Library Board of Trustees.

The winners were Barbara J. Merchant with 869 votes; Robert S. Berwick with 756 votes; and Maxine Cechvala with 735 votes. Richard S. Matteson finished out of the running with 549 votes.

More than 50 students gathered outside the campus police department for several hours, holding signs and chanting their support for those were taken into custody.

AMHERST - Students at UMass Amherst say 15 protesters were arrested during a sit-in to protest the endowment fund's investment in fossil fuel companies.

The sit-in was in its second day Tuesday when the arrests were made.

More than 50 students gathered outside the Whitmore Administration Building, holding signs and chanting their support for those who were taken into custody inside.

UMass Amherst police did not answer a call seeking confirmation of the number of arrests and the charges each will face.

Dozens of students organized by the campus group UMass Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign have been calling for divestment from the top 200 fossil fuel companies in order to fight climate change and free up funds for other investments, like sustainable energy. They're urging the Board of Trustees to publicly support divestment.

The $770 million endowment, run by the private University of Massachusetts Foundation, divested from coal companies last year.

The group says they will continue to protest until their demands are met.

"Time's up. It's time to lead with us and stand on the right side of history," said Filipe Carvalho, a senior majoring in finance and economics. He promised an "escalation" in demonstrations until the fund is divested.

"We're going to have more people, we're going to have more support, we're going to have more press to build on the momentum that we have here," said Carvalho.

A conference call between students, UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Woolridge and President Martin Meehan was held Tuesday afternoon. Officials did not make the commitment the students were seeking, namely full divestment by 2021.

Protesters Tuesday night chanted slogans like "climate change is class war" and "racial justice cannot wait." The group believes climate change is disproportionately affecting lower-class people and people of color around the world, and is responsible for millions of deaths every year.

Numerous protesters declined to be interviewed by The Republican. Many referred questions to the group's media contacts.

Westfield police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to call or email Detective Todd Edwards at 413-642-9389 or t.edwards@cityofwestfield.org.

WESTFIELD — Recognize the man in these photos? If so, the Westfield Police Department would like to hear from you.

The man is a suspect in a recent larceny at a city convenience store / gas station, where he allegedly stole a cellphone.

Based on store surveillance images, the suspect appears to be a white man with short hair who was driving a white car.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to call or email Detective Todd Edwards at 413-642-9389 or t.edwards@cityofwestfield.org.

Ioanis Dimitriou, 48, of Montague, pleaded guilty to five charges in federal court on Monday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30.

SPRINGFIELD - A former Greenfield restaurant owner has admitted to filing false tax returns for five years in a row.

Ioanis Dimitriou, 48, of Montague, pleaded guilty to five charges in Springfield federal court on Monday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30.

"Dimitriou systematically deleted records from his computer system and kept two sets of books which depicted the actual sales of the business and the sales disclosed on his tax returns," said the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz in a news release.

From 2008 to 2012, he paid just five percent of the $232,000 in taxes he owed, Ortiz' office said.

Dimitriou faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000 and restitution.

Prosecutors did not immediately confirm which restaurant was involved.

A Middletown Springs resident was killed during a fire Wednesday morning.

A resident of Middletown Springs, Vermont, was killed in a fire early Wednesday morning.

Vermont State Police responded to reports of the fire at 35 West St. at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. After arriving at the scene, the troopers discovered the residence ablaze and the house's sole occupant dead.

Leslie Caceres, 69, was later identified by family members as the deceased. She is said to have lived alone in the house, which was totally destroyed by the fire.

Officials said that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and that the investigation is ongoing.

The budget proposal released by the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday adds more funding for education than Gov. Charlie Baker had proposed and eliminates some proposed eligibility changes to state welfare programs.

BOSTON — The budget proposal released by the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday adds more funding for education than Gov. Charlie Baker had proposed and eliminates some proposed eligibility changes to state welfare programs.

The House's $39.48 billion budget bill for fiscal year 2017 would increase spending by $1.34 billion, or 3.5 percent, over fiscal 2016.

"This is a fiscally responsible proposal that at the same time prioritizes those services that are very important to the citizens of the commonwealth," said state Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"Overall, it's a relatively tight budget," said state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

During the state budget process, the three branches of government each release separate budget proposals: first the governor, then the House, then the Senate. The legislative budgets are amended and voted on, then sent to a team of House-Senate negotiators to hammer out a final version.

The House version is slightly lower than the $39.56 billion budget proposed by Baker. But lawmakers are likely to add more spending through amendments. The biggest differences are on education and welfare.

The House is proposing spending $33.7 million more on local education aid, referred to as Chapter 70, than Baker proposed, for a total of $4.6 billion. Additional money will be spent on special education, charter school reimbursements and regional school transportation.

Education advocates complained that Baker's proposal, although it represents a $72 million increase from last year, is not enough to fund education needs.

Kulik said state representatives and advocates had said Baker's education funding "was inadequate to even keep up with inflation costs that face our local school districts and cities and towns."

"We viewed that as a priority to try to address that as best we could within the constraints of the revenue we had," Kulik said.

"Members of the House feel strongly about the need to continue to invest in education," Dempsey added. "It's one of the single most important issues we deal with every single day."

The House budget would give a 1 percent funding increase to the University of Massachusetts, as well as to other state universities and community colleges. The $508.3 million that UMass would get is similar to what Baker proposed.

Dempsey noted that the state's public higher education institutions, particularly UMass, have been getting increased state funding over the last several years.

On welfare, Baker proposed cutting $39.5 million from Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, which is cash assistance for poor families. He would do that by counting Supplemental Security Income benefits — federal benefits paid to people who are elderly, blind or disabled — in determining eligibility for the state program. Around 6,900 families with a disabled parent would become ineligible for cash assistance, according to the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. Another 1,600 would see their benefits reduced.

Baker wanted to redirect the savings to childcare, job training and transportation for poor families.

The House Ways and Means budget eliminated Baker's proposed eligibility changes.

"We respect the governor's efforts relative to redirecting those funds to workforce training, but we believe direct assistance is most important," Dempsey said.

The House also adds back $15 million, half of what Baker proposed cutting from the Health Safety Net, which reimburses hospitals for care provided to poor, uninsured or underinsured patients.

Like the governor's proposal, the House budget would not raise fees or taxes and would not take money from the state's rainy day fund, a reserve held in case of economic downturn.

The House proposal includes new investment in substance abuse treatment, including money for 46 new transitional support services beds, 45 substance abuse treatment beds at Taunton State Hospital and a pilot program for providing medication assisted therapy in emergency rooms.

It includes a new $250 million fee on health care providers that would be used to incentivize providers to move toward new models of care — specifically, Accountable Care Organizations. Baker proposed this, and the House added a provision keeping the fee in place for only five years.

Two areas where the House spends less than Baker are in payments for public defenders and emergency homeless shelters. Both of these are areas that the Legislature typically underfunds, then appropriates more money for in mid-year budget bills.

There are also some human services that will see cuts, such as $4.8 million for home care.

"Overall, this budget is much more like the governor's budget than it is different from the governor's budget," said Noah Berger, president of the liberal-leaning Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. "On the positive side, it provides a little more funding for local schools.... On the bigger picture, though ... it doesn't really take on some of the big challenges, like making public higher education affordable again, expanding access to early education, fixing our roads and bridges and public transit system."

Eileen McAnneny, president of the fiscally conservative Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, called the House budget a "solid" proposal that is "fiscally sound," because it grows spending at a lower rate than revenue growth, reduces the use of one-time money and will deposit some money into the rainy day fund.

House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, said the proposal "contains good news for cities and towns, as it builds on the local aid increases offered in Gov. Baker's budget, particularly in the area of education."

"The Republican Caucus looks forward to reviewing the budget in more detail over the next two days and having the opportunity to offer targeted amendments that will further protect the interests of the state's taxpayers and our cities and towns," Jones said.

State Rep. Jose Tosado, D-Springfield, called the proposal a "great budget" because of its emphasis on funding for local government and education and its increases in funding for mental health and substance abuse services and the Department of Children and Families.

The Massachusetts Judiciary is unhappy with the budget. In a joint statement, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey and Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence said the courts would have to cut 300 employees and slow down efforts to modernize under the budget proposal. The courts asked for $654 million and received $640 million.

"The House Ways and Means Committee Budget recommendation does not adequately support the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system," they wrote.

Interest groups that are dissatisfied with the budget will now lobby for funding to be increased on the House floor. Matt Wilson, executive director of the arts organization MASSCreative criticized lawmakers for proposing a cut from this year's $14 million Massachusetts Cultural Council budget to $10 million. Wilson is asking for an increase to $17 million "to ensure that arts institutions and local cultural councils across the commonwealth can provide the diverse array of cultural activities that make the downtowns of our cities more attractive to residents and visitors alike; promotes educational programming that helps students of all abilities to excel across all academic disciplines; and builds more vibrant, healthy and equitable communities."

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation will ask for a $10 million increase in funding, rather than the $1 million increase it received from the House. In a statement, the organization cited reports showing that many of those who are eligible for civil legal aid are turned away because of a lack of funding.

The House is scheduled to debate the budget two weeks from now.

Last week, Bruce Springsteen called off a show in protest of House Bill 2.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr called off a June 18 concert at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, North Carolina in protest over passage of House Bill 2.

The bill, which restricts protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, was passed during a Republican-led special session on March 23. Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill into law.

Last week, Bruce Springsteen canceled his planned April 10 show at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina for the same reason.

Starr's management said that, like Springsteen, the former Beatles drummer stands with those fighting against the bigotry of the new law.

"I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love," Starr, 75, said in a statement. "How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended."

HB2 has been criticized for ordering transgender people to use restrooms designated "male" or "female" based on the gender listed on their birth certificates instead of their current sexual identity.  The legislation also makes it more difficult for transgenders to sue employers if they feel their civil rights have been violated.

Bruce Springsteen cancels North Carolina show

 Earlier this week, Bryan Adams called off an April 14 show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., in protest of a similar law in that state.

"I cannot in good conscience perform in a state where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation," Adams wrote on his website.

The largest bank in the U.S. led a rally in financial stocks after its first-quarter results came in better than analysts expected.

MARLEY JAY, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks climbed again Wednesday as quarterly results from JPMorgan Chase gave banks a big lift. Economic news from China powered industrial and technology companies in the U.S. and stock exchanges overseas.

JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., led a rally in financial stocks after its first-quarter results came in better than analysts expected. Railroad operators and auto parts suppliers also gained ground, while consumer goods makers struggled. Gains over the last two days have brought stocks to their highest levels of 2016.

Julian Emanuel, U.S. equities and derivatives strategist for UBS, said it didn't take much to send banks, the worst-performing sector in the market this year, higher.

"Bank stocks have been so beaten up that any good news, either on better credit conditions driven by higher energy prices or news on cost-cutting, is likely to underpin those stocks," he said.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 187.03 points, or 1.1 percent, to 17,908.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 20.70 points, or 1 percent, to 2,082.42. The Nasdaq composite index advanced 75.33 points, or 1.6 percent, to 4,947.42.

JPMorgan, the first to report its earnings, said its first-quarter profit fell because of weak results in its investment banking business. Its profit and revenue were bigger than analysts expected, however, and the stock rose $2.51, or 4.2 percent, to $61.79. Bank of America picked up 52 cents, or 3.9 percent, to $13.79 and Wells Fargo rose $1.26, or 2.6 percent, to $49.03. Citigroup jumped $2.35, or 5.6 percent, to $44.25.

Banks have slumped this year because investors are worried they will take big losses on loans to energy companies, which did hurt JPMorgan's results. Low interest rates are also affecting bank stocks because they reduce the profits banks can make on loans.

Railroad operator CSX gained $1.04, or 4.2 percent, to $26.03. The company's profit fell as demand for coal got weaker and CSX hauled less freight, but expenses fell, partly because fuel costs dropped. CSX said it plans to cut more spending.

Other railroad stocks surged. Union Pacific added $2.08, or 2.6 percent, to $81.72 and Norfolk Southern rose $2.42, or 3.1 percent, to $81.14.

Industrial stocks and tech stocks rose on reports that exports from China grew 11.5 percent in March compared with a year earlier. That was the first annual gain since June, and it's a sign of life from China's slowing economy. Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar rose $3.03, or 4 percent, to $79.13 and engine maker Cummins climbed $5.90, or 5.5 percent, to $113.70.

While the long-beleaguered banking sector traded higher on Wednesday, the best-performing parts of the market so far this year, utilities and telecommunications companies, traded lower. Emanuel said that's a sign the recent rally is running out of steam.

"The market's run, in our view, too far, too fast," he said.

Consumer goods makers also fell. The Commerce Department said retail sales fell a little in March, although the Federal Reserve said overall consumer spending grew a bit in February and March. Americans have been cautious about their spending this year even though gas prices are low and jobs are growing. Tobacco company Reynolds American lost $2.11, or 4.1 percent, to $49.15 and Altria fell $1.75, or 2.7 percent, to $62.07.

Tyson Foods gave up $2.74, or 4 percent, to $65.63 and Clorox declined $2.03, or 1.6 percent, to $126.14. Campbell Soup shed $1.17, or 1.8 percent, to $62.81.

Delphi Automotive rose $4.07, or 5.6 percent, to $76.42. Two years ago the IRS argued that some of Delphi's businesses were based in the U.S. and should be taxed accordingly. Delphi said Wednesday that the agency agrees that's not the case.

Verizon Communications slipped after around 39,000 landline and cable workers walked off the job Wednesday morning. Verizon's contracts with its unions expired about eight months ago and little progress has been made in negotiations. The stock declined 65 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $51.29.

France's CAC 40 rose 3.3 percent and Germany's DAX added 2.7 percent. The FTSE 100 in Britain rose 1.9 percent. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 2.8 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 3.2 percent.

U.S. crude slipped 41 cents, or 1 percent, to $41.76 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil pricing, fell 51 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $44.18 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline was little changed at $1.53 a gallon. Heating oil fell 1 cent to $1.27 a gallon. Natural gas rose 3 cents to $2.04 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note slipped to 1.76 percent from 1.78 percent. The dollar rose to 109.25 yen from 108.53 yen and the euro fell to $1.1285 from $1.1397.

Precious and industrial metals futures ended mixed. Gold lost $12.60 to $1,248.30 an ounce, silver edged up 10 cents to $16.33 an ounce and copper rose two cents to $2.17 a pound.