Here are the winning Powerball numbers in Wednesday's drawing.

Good news and bad news if you had a ticket for Wednesday's Powerball drawing. The bad news is that you didn't win the jackpot. Good news is that no one else did either.

Because no ticket matched the winning numbers, Saturday's estimated jackpot climbs to $251 million. The lump sum payment before taxes will be more than $166.8 million.

Inform

Here are Wedneday's winning numbers:

12-25-30-52-62, Powerball: 08, PowerPlay: 3X

Powerball is held in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

A $2 ticket gives you a one in 292.2 million chance at joining the hall of Powerball champions.

The jackpot has been creeping up since March 2, when there was one winning ticket for the $292 million jackpot. In January, Powerball gave away a $1.58 billion jackpot, the largest lottery prize ever.

The drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Deadline to purchase tickets is 9:45 p.m.

"Presencia" host Veronica Garcia will explore Latin America's influential presence in the world today. Guests include Freddy Chapelliquen, musical artist from Peru and Lucila Sanchez, a local community leader originally from from Puerto Rico.

Editor's note: "Presencia" is the first bilingual TV show produced by WGBY for the Latino community. It is also geared toward anyone wanting to learn more about the many Latin American countries represented in the region. The 8-part series airs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. from April 14-June 2, 2016]

Episode 102
Date: April 21, 2016
Time:7:30 p.m.

"Latin America's distinct and varied cultures produce rich celebrations"

This week on 'Presencia,' host Veronica Garcia will explore Latin America's influential presence in the world today. Guests include Freddy Chapelliquen, musical artist from Peru, and Lucila Sanchez, a local community leader originally from Puerto Rico, who will talk about celebrations and expressions of culture from their respective countries.

Zydalis Bauer, host of the digital story segments, will be joined by Chelsey Mattis as she shares her personal story about a recent trip to visit distant family members in the Dominican Republican and reflects on her experiences as both an intern at the Latino Youth Media Institute and as a production assistant for "Presencia."

Also enjoy performances by local dance ensemble "Star Dancer Unity," of Holyoke.

Watch it live on:

WGBY-DT: Comcast Channel 2; Charter Channel 7; Time Warner Channel 12

WGBY-HD: Comcast Channel 857; Charter Channel 782; Time Warner Channel 1221

In case you missed it:

Episode 101 of "Presencia" — "Being Bilingual: Spanish, English and Spanglish. How language impacts the Latino community"

Full Episode: Watch here

Two women were arrested in Palmer for possession of nearly 1,200 bags of heroin, on Wednesday, April 20.

PALMER — Palmer Police seized nearly 1,200 bags of heroin and arrested two women for drug trafficking on Wednesday night, according to 22News.

After investigating a car that was parked "suspiciously" in the back of a cemetery in Thorndike, Palmer police said they saw bags of heroin inside the vehicle.

Upon closer inspection, officers discovered 1,193 bags of heroin, along with 3.7 grams of cocaine, some hash oil, and $144 in the car.

Ann-Marie DeJesus, 28, and Angela Wheatley, 29 – both reportedly from Maine – were arrested at approximately 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, and charged with Trafficking Heroin, as well as a charge for Drug Violation near a School.

They are scheduled to be arraigned in Palmer District Court on Thursday.

Mayor David Narkewicz has scaled back proposed municipal rate hikes to the city's water users after Coca-Cola's wrote him and the city council last month -- saying it would cost the company nearly $500,000 more a year

NORTHAMPTON — Mayor David Narkewicz has scaled back proposed municipal rate hikes to the city's water users after Coca-Cola wrote him and the city council last month, saying it would cost the company nearly $500,000 more a year.

The City Council is scheduled to review the mayor's amended increase on Thursday (see agenda below). The new rate structure proposes a two-tiered billing rate – one for residences with water pipes up to an inch wide and one for businesses whose intake requires larger piping to meet their needs.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Walter J. Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main St.

Coca-Cola's Northampton Plant Manager, Elijah Finister, told the city officials that the spike in their municipal water and sewer rates, if enacted by the council, would "disproportionately and unfairly" affect the company, saying the large increase was not something they had budgeted for.

"Our estimated cost of the proposed rate change is nearly a half million dollars annually, which represents a significant, immediate and unbudgeted increase," Finister wrote to Narkewicz on March 29. He also sent the letter to the council and the chamber of commerce.

"I would like to extend an open invitation for you to visit our facility," Finister wrote to Narkewicz.

"I truly hope we can work together ... I look forward to discussing more fair and reasonable water rates for commercial users in Northampton," the plant manager said.

Three days after the Coca-Cola letter, Narkewicz informed the City Council that he would recommend less of an increase to the water rate. The council is authorized to approve water and sewer rates.

"This revised recommendation is made in response to the valuable feedback received from residents, multi-family property owners, and members of the business community – including the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce – following multiple public presentations and hearings held over the last several weeks," the mayor wrote in the April 1 memorandum. (see the memorandum at end of article)

"The revisions, which pertain only to the proposed volumetric rates for water, are shown alongside my original recommendation," Narkewicz wrote.

A report issued this month by the mayor and department of public works includes data gleaned from 14 businesses operating in the city, and states the impact on them. (see the report at the end of this article)

The chart does not include data on the impact to Coca-Cola.

Data from the chart show the proposed increases to those 14 businesses range from a low of $1.37 per quarter, affecting Florence Hardware, for water and sewer, to a high of a $335.81 per quarter increase, to Fairfield Inn.

The data show Stop and Shop grocers would pay $125.56 more per quarter; Thornes Marketplace $121.58 more; Northampton Brewery $99.39; and Joe's Cafe, $26.90 more per quarter for public water and sewer service.

In a statement provided on Thursday, Coca-Cola commented on the rate adjustments the city administration is now proposing.

"Coca-Cola is committed to our conservation and water stewardship efforts. As a proud member of the Northampton community, we were encouraged by Mayor Narkewicz's willingness to revisit the proposed volumetric water rate changes. We look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and City Council to ensure Northampton businesses are not disproportionately impacted by these combined water and sewer rate changes."

The Republican has asked the company what the financial impact would be, given the mayor's amended increase to the water rates, and is awaiting a response.

Data provided by the city show the initial increase for large water users was 9 percent and was scaled back to 2.5 percent.

The proposed sewer rate would be calculated differently for fiscal 2017.

"Sewer users will be charged for 80 percent of water usage, which is different than what is currently done. Right now users are charged for sewer based on 100 percent of water consumption," the mayor's office said in a statement on Thursday.

The current sewer rate is $6.08 per billable, metered unit based on full water consumption.

The proposed rate of $7.52 per unit would be offset by using an 80 percent charge towards water used to calculate the bill.

At the Council's April 7 session, there was disagreement between Narkewicz and some of the councilors on whether the process had been adequately transparent related to the proposed water and sewer rate changes, the meeting minutes show.

"Mayor Narkewicz indicated the impacts were transparent from the beginning," the minutes state.

"(Ward 2) Councilor (Dennis) Bidwell is still concerned about when in the process the end-user became involved. There is a difference between announcement of a change in the rate structure and affirmatively reaching out to stakeholders," the minutes state.

"(At-Large) Councilor (Jesse) Adams notes that the money to conduct the study (on water and sewer rates) was not in the FY16 budget but the consultants have been working on this since last August. There have been no updates, no preliminary reports, no community outreach," the meeting minutes state.

"(Ward 5 ) Councilor (David) Murphy spoke about the relationship that the City Council has with businesses," the minutes say. "(Murphy) does not believe that the Council has worked to nurture a good relationship with businesses."

The mayor has said that among the public works challenges is $30 million that is needed to upgrade the 40-year old wastewater treatment plant.

04212016 Northampton City Council Agenda

FY2017WaterSewerRateRevisions Memo and Order

Water Sewer Rate Presentation for April 13, 2016

The Internet was largely happy to hear the news that Harriet Tubman is replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. You can include Gov. Charlie Baker among the folks pleased with the U.S. Treasury's decision.

BOSTON - The Internet was largely happy to hear the news that Harriet Tubman is replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.

You can include Gov. Charlie Baker among the folks pleased with the U.S. Treasury's decision.

The governor appeared on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" show on Thursday.

Tubman taking Jackson's place is a "major league upgrade" to the $20 note, Baker said as he wrapped up the appearance.

Tubman, a Civil War spy and leader in the Underground Railroad, will appear on the front of the $20, while former President Jackson will appear on the back, along with the White House. A statue of Jackson on horseback is located outside the White House.

The U.S. Treasury Department said they are keeping Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, on the front of the $10.

Hamilton, who briefly looked like he was in danger of losing his slot, had drawn intense interest due to the popular Broadway play depicting his life, and fans lobbied for keeping him on the $10. The Treasury Department had said they were looking to replace Hamilton with a woman.

But the $10 will have a new reverse side: Leaders of the suffrage movement, including Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. They will replace an image of the Treasury building.

Mott and Anthony were Quakers from Massachusetts.

"We anticipate that final concept designs for the new $20, $10, and $5 notes will all be unveiled in 2020 in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote," Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in an announcement.

President Abraham Lincoln is staying on the $5 bill, but the reverse, which currently has the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., will feature opera singer Marian Anderson, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr.

Memorial Drive was named to honor those who served in the armed forces.

CHICOPEE -- The Department of Veterans' Services and other city officials will honor those who served in the armed forces by placing 170 American flags along Memorial Drive.

A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday near 2017 Memorial Drive to honor the tradition, which was started in 2002 by American Legion Post 438 and funded with donations.

After the effort became too expensive and time-consuming, the Department of Veterans' Services took it over but is still assisted by members of the American Legion. Chicopee Electric Light also assists in placing the flags up and down the route.

The flags will fly through the month of May in honor of Memorial Day.

On Friday, Department of Veterans' Services officials will join Mayor Richard J. Kos, members of the American Legion, Chicopee Electric Light and other city officials and veterans' groups.

"With two rows of 170 flags now adorning the 3.8-mile state highway, it is a great way to promote Americanism and an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of living and deceased veterans of Chicopee," said Kimberly Babin, director of Veterans' Services. "Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance and we all have one thing in common -- love of and loyalty to country."

Veterans groups selected the highway for the flag display because it was named Memorial Drive in 1957 to honor those who served in the armed forces. The two main entrances to Westover Air Reserve Base are also located off the street.

The earmark is a way for UMass to request more state money through the budget process.

Springfield area lawmakers are asking for an additional $1.5 million in state money to fund the UMass Center at Springfield.

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan said the money would fill a budget deficit at the Springfield branch of UMass.

"We're looking for it so we're able to close the deficit that the Springfield campus is running," Meehan said. "When we're losing $1.5 million, that money comes from students."

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, and four other Democratic state representatives - Jose Tosado, Angelo Puppolo and Ben Swan of Springfield and John Velis of Westfield - introduced an amendment to the House's version of the state budget that would give the UMass Center at Springfield $1.5 million as a separate state budget line item.

Gonzalez said UMass asked for the additional money to allow the Springfield campus "to continue operations and expand on the services they provide to the community."

"They've expanded threefold already with the amount of participants, and now they have to have the funding to continue to operate," Gonzalez said. "The downtown campus is critical to the economic development and resurgence going on in the city of Springfield."

Swan said there is value in the Springfield campus having its own budget line item. "What we are doing is separating or attempting to separate that budget from the rest of the UMass budget," Swan said. "I give you money directly, you know what to use it for. I give it to someone else to give to you, you might not get the entire amount. We want to lessen the confusion and make that money available for operation of the center."

UMass Center at Springfield launches 2nd year

Practically, the earmark is a way for UMass to request more state money.

Both Gov. Charlie Baker and the House Ways and Means Committee proposed giving UMass around $508 million, a funding increase of 1 percent over last year. In addition, UMass typically gets money earmarked for particular institutions, such as a visual and performing arts college at UMass Dartmouth and an institute for advanced technology and manufacturing in Fall River. Some of those earmarks were also cut in Baker's and the House Ways and Means Committee's budget proposals.

The Springfield campus received $5.2 million in state capital money from former Gov. Deval Patrick when it opened in 2014. Since then, it has not gotten its own earmark from the state. Rather, it has been funded by a mix of student fees, corporate donations and the main UMass budget.

Since the fall of 2014, the school has grown from 250 to 830 students. It offers 44 courses in a variety of fields. The Springfield center has hosted more than 400 community events in its 26,000-square foot facility.

If Springfield area lawmakers are able to secure additional funding in the state budget, UMass would not have to take the $1.5 million from its overall budget - money that Meehan says would come from students and their families.

Meehan said in the long term, the university hopes to increase enrollment and expand the building in Springfield to raise more money. "But at this point, this was always meant to be something that would take some time to develop," Meehan said. "We're hopeful that more students will enroll and we're able to increase the revenue that's created, but we're not there."

The $1.5 million would be enough to operate the campus for a year, when combined with student fees and private funding.

The earmark has a long way to go before becoming law. First, the House has to vote to include the amendment in its budget proposal - which typically means that the Springfield lawmakers will have to convince House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill, to support it. It would then have to be passed by the Senate as part of the Senate budget proposal. It would then go to Baker.

Baker's Education Secretary Jim Peyser said it is premature to talk about how the administration will view an amendment that is still working its way through the budget process. "We submitted just a single line item for UMass," Peyser said. "In the context of not just the higher education part but the entire budget, we're still sticking by our (budget) proposal. We'll see what the House proposes and what the Senate will ultimately agree to."

Bank robbers held up a bank in Indian Orchard on Thursday morning.

INDIAN ORCHARD — Police officers have reported that two men armed with guns robbed the patron of a Springfield bank before robbing the bank itself, according to 22News.

The suspects allegedly entered a United Bank in Indian Orchard shortly after 10 a.m. on Thursday morning and pointed a silver gun at the head of a man who was in line.

After robbing the patron, the suspects proceeded to jump over the counter and to rob the bank. The two then escaped on foot, running along a path behind the building.

The suspects were described as "two African-American men" who are said to have been wearing masks at the time of the robbery.

The sale was recorded last month at a purchase price of $600,000.

SPRINGFIELD -- MGM Springfield has completed its purchase of the former Springfield School Department headquarters at 195 State St. and has plans to convert it to market-rate apartments in a deal with the city.

The transaction, besides giving the building a chance at a new life, was also part of a three-way settlement in the city's lawsuit with David Nyberg of 195 State Street Real Estate, the developer who bought the building from the city in 2011 for $1 as part of a redevelopment plan that eventually stalled.

MGM Springfield has bought more than $42.6 million in Springfield real estate as part of its plans for a $900 million casino resort in the city's South End.

MGM bought the property from Nyberg's company for $600,000, according to documents filed last month at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds and recently made public (pdf).

Thomas Moore, the associate solicitor who handled the case for the city, said the $600,000 covers the debts on the property, including city taxes, a mortgage and liens placed by contractors. Nyberg was not  enriched in the transaction, Moore said.

Also, the agreement between the city, Nyberg's company and MGM Springfield means the city will not be on the hook for debts on the property.

"It was underwater," Moore said. "We were not the only entity looking to collect. This deal is good for the city."

MGM announced in November its intentions to buy the building.

But Moore said straightening everything out, including the city's claim on Nyberg, has taken months of negotiating.

Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer, said Thursday that the transaction gives MGM 18 months to redevelop the property under its agreement with the city of Springfield.

Designs are not final, but the building could contain 20 to 30 apartments. MGM is negotiating with the Springfield Museums, owners of an adjacent parking lot, in order to provide parking for residents, Kennedy said.

Built in 1905, 195 State St. was the headquarters of the Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Co., which moved out in 1966. The building went on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The School Department left the building July 2010, relocating to the former federal courthouse building at 1550 Main St.

At the time, the city owned the building but was unable to do the extensive asbestos remediation and other work needed to redevelop the building. So the city struck a deal with Nyberg: take it for $1 then invest in the cleanup.

"No one else wanted it," city solicitor Edward M. Pikula said Thursday. "We're lucky the market has improved."

When Nyberg's plans for redevelopment stalled, the city sued to get the property back, Moore said. But the hangup was always the debts. Had the city been successful in its suit against Nyberg's company, the city would have had to deal with the mortgage and the liens, Moore said.

From the $600,000 Nyberg pays the city $55,263 in back taxes and satisfies a $200,000 mortgage and the liens, according to an engagement on file at the Hampden Registry of Deeds (pdf).

If MGM doesn't come through on its plans to build the market-rate housing, the city has a reverter clause in its agreement with MGM that would allow the city to take the property back again.

"We just want it on the tax rolls with a responsible owner," Piklula said.

While Kinder Morgan's 420-mile NED pipeline may be off the table, advocates said there is still work that needs to be done to ensure a clean energy future for Massachusetts.

Land conservationists, climate activists and elected officials responded with jubilation and caution to Wednesday's unexpected news that the Houston-based Kinder Morgan had abandoned plans to build its 420-mile Northeast Energy Direct pipeline through New England.

Many residents of rural western Massachusetts have been fighting a byzantine battle against the pipeline company for about two years, joining like-minded protesters in New Hampshire, New York and the Merrimack Valley.

"It's a great victory for the people," said attorney Thomas Lesser, who represents landowners who have refused to let the company survey their properties for the project. "There is no need for the pipeline, let alone one which would destroy some of the Commonwealth's most beautiful land. It's a true testament to what ordinary people who band together can accomplish."

The line proposed by Kinder Morgan's Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. would have carried 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the shale fields of Pennsylvania through New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to connect with a major gas transmission hub in Dracut. The corporation in a statement said the project was shelved in part because of inadequate commitments for its capacity from New England gas utilities and power generators.

The Athol-based Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust holds preserved land that would be crossed by the pipeline. Director Leigh Youngblood said she is relieved "not to have the specter of blasting and bulldozers looming." She praised landowners who stood for "upholding property rights against access for pipeline surveys," while cautioning pipeline foes to "remain vigilant."

Rosemary Wessell, director of No Fracked Gas in Mass, said while the suspension of the NED pipeline represents a "hard-won victory and tremendous relief" for property owners and communities, Massachusetts and the Northeast "are still not out of the woods."

"We've said all along that this massive pipeline project didn't make economic sense, and sends us in the wrong direction as far as where our energy system needs to be heading," said Katy Eiseman, director of Pipeline Awareness Network for the Northeast. "But there is still work to do."

State Sen. Ben Downing, D-Pittsfield, said Kinder Morgan's decision is "good news, but only if followed by leadership at the state level to meet our energy needs in a manner consistent with our climate goals."

State Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, said he felt "privileged to stand with so many brave people who have opposed this project since its inception, including landowners, environmentalists, and courageous local officials in small towns who chose to take a stand."

Kulik said that Berkshire Gas, a local firm whose parent company, Avangrid, has a financial stake in the pipeline, should "immediately lift its moratorium on new hookups." Berkshire, which halted new service in eight Pioneer Valley towns last year citing pipeline constraints, can meet the region's needs by "increasing liquefied natural gas supplies, fixing the leaks and improving its delivery system," he said.

A Berkshire Gas spokesman said Wednesday it would not lift its moratorium until a "permanent solution" is found and rejected calls from Kulik and Senate President Rosenberg to find a "Plan B."

A lawyer for the coalition Northeast Energy Solutions said Berkshire Gas has a conflict of interest as both an investor and customer of the now-defunct pipeline. "Berkshire Gas must now return to its customers, and explain that in fact, enough capacity exists in the region to provide for their energy needs," said Vincent DeVito, of Bowditch & Dewey.

DeVito said the pipeline's economic failure came as no surprise. "We sent a three-page letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission more than a year ago questioning the financial viability of the proposed project," said Vincent DeVito, a partner with Bowditch & Dewey.

Kulik said the project failed for economic reasons, and that Kinder Morgan "made the only wise decision they could."

Caution expressed by pipeline foes

Leaders of the anti-pipeline movement said Thursday that consumers and property owners should stay engaged.

Eiseman said Eversource Energy and National Grid still think Massachusetts electric ratepayers should foot the bill for new natural gas pipelines. The funding mechanism, approved by state utility regulators in October, has been appealed by the Conservation Law Foundation, and the state's Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments in the matter May 5.

Eiseman and others remarked that Spectra Energy still plans its Access Northeast pipeline in the eastern part of the state.

Wessell noted that Kinder Morgan's Connecticut Expansion, a 14-mile Tennessee Gas pipeline in three states that would cut through the Otis State Forest in Sandisfield, has been approved by federal regulators and is still on the table. She said a landmark court case related to that project "will set an important precedent."

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. in March sued Massachusetts for an easement through the forest, and competing arguments were heard in Berkshire Superior Court last week. The conflict hinges upon whether Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which requires legislative approval for the transfer of conservation land, can trump the U.S. Natural Gas Act, which grants eminent domain powers to companies building interstate natural gas pipelines.

"We'll continue engaging in the fight not only for the sake of Otis State Forest, the people of Sandisfield, but also for the sovereignty of our state constitution," Wessell said.

"One down, one to go," said Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox. Pignatelli was also referring to Kinder Morgan's Connecticut Expansion and its potential threat to the state forest, which is in his district.

Mass Power Forward, a coalition of environmental groups including 350 Massachusetts, Toxics Action Center, and StopNED issued a joint statement Wednesday. "The death knell of the disastrous and irresponsible Kinder Morgan gas pipeline gives Bay State communities an opportunity to choose a clean energy future," said Joel Wool of Clean Water Action.

Jack Clarke, director of public policy for Mass Audubon, said the land conservation organization is "thrilled Kinder Morgan decided to suspend its Northeast Energy Direct pipeline project through Massachusetts and over 100 parcels of protected conservation land."

"This pipeline was the wrong infrastructure, carrying the wrong fuel, through the wrong state, at the wrong time," said Clarke. "The days of dependence on fossil fuels are closing as Massachusetts turns its attention to clean renewable sources of energy such as wind, hydro and solar."

Mass Audubon in 2007 acted quickly to help the state preserve 900 acres of the Otis State Forest, including the pristine Lower Spectacle Pond. The organization filed a legal brief supporting the office of Attorney General Maura Healey in the Berkshire Superior Court case.

Others who commented on the demise of Northeast Energy Direct include U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. James McGovern; U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Attorney General Maura Healey; and state Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who referred to the news as a "game changer" and called upon Berkshire Gas to enact "Plan B" and lift its moratorium.

Governor Charlie Baker told The Republican on Thursday that Kinder Morgan's suspension of the major pipeline project makes it more urgent to pass an energy bill that increases the use of new hydroelectric power and new wind power in Massachusetts.

"If we pass no bill, we are going to be creating an enormous problem for the people of Massachusetts and the people of New England," Baker said.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

The National Weather Service said dry conditions and wind levels made conditions ripe for brush fires.

SUNDERLAND -- A brush fire along some railroad tracks near Cranberry Pond consumed acres of land and tied up firefighters Thursday afternoon.

Sunderland police said the fire may have been started by sparks from a freight train that had stopped on the tracks.

The fire was along a section of railroad tracks between Cranberry Pond and Route 63, according to police. The train on the tracks blocked the access road to the water supply at the pond.

The National Weather Service sent out a regional advisory that conditions were right Thursday for the potential for elevated risk of brush fires. A combination of wind and dry conditions resulted in the risk of brush fire being high.

Calm skies are ahead this evening before a chance of thunderstorms on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD -- Calm skies are ahead this evening before a chance of thunderstorms on Friday. 

The National Weather Service reports Thursday evening will be cloudy with a low around 50 degrees in Springfield, 52 in Worcester and 54 in Boston. 

Temperatures will rise into the 70s Friday. The high will be near 77 degrees in Springfield, 76 in Worcester and Boston. 

Patchy fog may be visible Friday morning in parts of Western Massachusetts, until around 9 a.m. in Springfield. 

There will be a chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible, starting in the afternoon. Rain may begin falling as early as 3 p.m. in Boston, 4 p.m. in Springfield and 5 p.m. in Worcester. 

"Most of the day, it will not be raining but certainly keep the umbrella on stand by, especially for the afternoon and evening," Western Mass News Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff said. 

The superseding indictment alleges that David Wright, 26, of Everett, and Nicholas Rovinski, 25, of Warwick, Rhode Island, conspired to to commit acts of terrorism "transcending national boundaries," among other offenses.

BOSTON — Two New England men accused of aiding the Islamic State and plotting to behead anti-Islam activist Pamela Geller are now facing additional charges, according to U.S. Atttorney Carmen Ortiz.

David D. Wright, 26, of Everett, and Nicholas A. Rovinski, 25, of Warwick, Rhode Island, were charged Thursday in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism "transcending national boundaries" and other charges, federal prosecutors said. Arraignment dates have not been set, said Christina Sterling, a spokeswoman for Ortiz.

Wright and Rovinski, both of whom used various aliases, were previously indicted by a grand jury in June 2015 for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. The indictment also charged Wright with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Wright and Rovinski conspired with Usaamah Abdullah Rahim, Wright's uncle, who was shot and killed after attacking law enforcement officers in the Roslindale section of Boston on June 2, 2015, prosecutors said. On the morning of his death, Rahim told Wright that he could not wait to go after Geller – identified in the indictment as "Intended Victim-1" – and the "boys in blue" in Massachusetts, a slang reference to law enforcement officials, according to authorities.

Beginning around February 2015, Wright began holding discussions with Rahim and Rovinski about ISIL's call to kill "non-believers" in the U.S., prosecutors said. The trio then began plotting and recruiting members for their "martyrdom" operation, authorities allege.

In March 2015, Wright drafted organizational documents for a "martyrdom operations cell" and conducted Internet searches about weapons, the effectiveness of tranquilizers on people, and the establishment of secret militias in the U.S., the indictment alleges. His Internet searches included "which tranquilizer puts humans to sleep instantly," "what is the most flammable chemical," and "how to start a secret militia in (the) US," according to the indictment, which was unsealed Thursday.

Simultaneously, Rahim communicated with ISIL members overseas, including Junaid Hussain, who was killed in an airstrike in Raqqah, Syria, on Aug. 24, 2015. Beginning around May 2015, the indictment alleges, Hussain communicated directly with Rahim, who in turn communicated Hussain's instructions to Wright about killing an individual living in New York, later identified as Geller.

Geller is a Long Island, New York, political blogger and activist known for her criticism of Islam and sponsorship of the "Draw the Prophet" cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, which ended with an armed attack by two men on May 3, 2015. Both assailants were shot and killed by police. Two days later, the Islamic State publicly condemned Geller and called for her "slaughter."

Wright, Rovinski and Rahim each allegedly conspired to commit attacks and kill people inside the U.S. on behalf of ISIL. In preparation for their attack, Rovinski conducted research on weapons that could be used to behead their victims, prosecutors said. Since being arrested, Rovinski has sought to continue planned attacks and has written letters to Wright from prison discussing ways to take down the U.S. government and decapitate non-believers, authorities said.

The charge of "conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries" is punishable by life imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and obstruction of justice come with maximum 20-year sentences and $250,000 fines, while conspiracy to obstruct justice is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The investigation was led by the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force and its counterpart in Rhode Island. More than a dozen other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including State Police and authorities in Boston, Everett and Warwick, assisted with the probe.

The restaurant served minors in two separate incidents, one in April and one March.

AMHERST -- The Select Board has revoked the liquor license of Panda East for 50 days after finding the restaurant served alcohol to two minors in two incidents in March and April.

In January, the board suspended the restaurant's license for seven days, five of which were held in abeyance for two years, provided no further violations occurred.

The restaurant violated liquor laws when it served alcohol to 17 minors in November.

Those days were put in place during the University of Massachusetts commencement from May 4 through May 8.

The board imposed 15 days for a March violation, with suspension to be served from May 9 to May to 23, and 35 more days for an April 8 incident, to be served from May 24 through June 27.

On March 26 a 17-year-old was served a scorpion bowl along with her underage friends, and on April 8 when one woman used a fake identification when buying a scorpion bowl as well.

Police were conducting a sting that night.

The board, after imposing the five-day suspension, then deliberated for more than an hour about the additional penalty for the two recent violations.

Select Board member Douglas Slaughter proposed suspending the license until the end of the year, but that was rejected.

Select Board member Connie Kruger suggested that the restaurant could hire a police officer.

Board chairwoman Alisa Brewer it is not unreasonable to think a restaurant might have to close for violating liquor laws.

She said with the violations, the contract between the board and the license holder had been broken.

There has been some improvement, members said. The restaurant has spent $5,000 on a new scanning machine and is scanning all licenses, said interim manager Amy Wu.

Select Board member Jim Wald said there should be a very stiff penalty.

Member Andy Steinberg recognized the restaurant made significant steps, but that there are limitations with training. "The scanner came late in the game."

The Select Board asked temporary Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner for any suggestions since he's had experience with this before. "I never saw so many violations of liquor law in such a short period of time."

He said usually its three strikes and you're out.

The penalty can be appealed, said Town Counsel Brian Riley from Kopelman & Paige, who ran the hearing.

A panel of conservative academics and entertainers will discuss the topic of "political correctness" at UMass next Monday, April 25.

AMHERST — The UMass Republican Club will present "The Triggering: Has Political Correctness Gone Too Far?", on Monday, April 25 in the Bowker Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The event will include a conversation with notable conservative figures Christina Hoff Sommers, Milo Yiannopoulos, and Steven Crowder. They will discuss a wide array of topics that are usually championed by the political left in the U.S. – including feminism, micro-aggressions, and trigger warnings, among other topics.

Yiannopoulos is a well-known British journalist and also the senior editor at Breitbart.com – a conservative news site. He has been outspoken about such liberal bastions as Black Lives Matter, feminism, and what he deems to be "progressive overreach" on college campuses.

Sommers is an academic and the host of a web series called the "The Factual Feminist." She has written a number of books, including "The War Against Boys." While Sommers describes herself as an "equity feminist," she has been critical of many types of modern feminism.

Crowder is a conservative comedian. He is the host of the radio show/podcast "Louder With Crowder," and is also known for his viral YouTube videos.

While the event will be free for students and staff with ID, the entrance fee is $5 per person for the general public. Advance ticketing is available through https://thetriggering.eventbrite.com/.

Responding on Thursday to Donald Trump's comments about a North Carolina transgender law, Gov. Charlie Baker sent signals about how he might react to a bill, should it reach his desk, extending protections to transgender individuals in public places, including restaurants and bathrooms.

By MATT MURPHY

Responding on Thursday to Donald Trump's comments about a North Carolina transgender law, Gov. Charlie Baker sent signals about how he might react to a bill, should it reach his desk, extending protections to transgender individuals in public places, including restaurants and bathrooms.

Trump, appearing at a town hall event on NBC's "Today" show, said North Carolina should "leave it the way it is right now" and let people use the bathroom in which they feel most comfortable.

The new law in North Carolina requires transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender at birth in state government buildings, public schools and universities.

Baker has already expressed his opposition to the North Carolina law, which also prohibits municipalities from enacting their own bylaws.

But when asked about the Republican presidential frontrunner's comments on one of the country's most hot-button issues, Baker's office released a lengthy statement that went further than he has in the past on the specific issue of bathroom access.

"Governor Baker is pleased Massachusetts public schools adhere to policies that accommodate transgender students' needs and believes employers should also accommodate transgender individuals' needs. The governor supports 2011 transgender protections and believes no one should be discriminated against based on their gender identity, and looks forward to reviewing a bill should the legislature act. Lastly, Governor Baker believes people should use the restroom facility they feel comfortable using," spokeswoman Lizzy Guyton said in a statement.

While the administration stressed that the governor was simply responding to Trump and not declaring support for the public accommodations bill, his comments are sure to be parsed by advocates and lawmakers as House and Senate leaders weigh when or if to bring the bill to a vote on Beacon Hill.

Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has said the Senate will debate the bill in May, while House Speaker Robert DeLeo has said he wants to be sure he has the votes to override a Baker veto, if one might be in the offing, before calling for a vote.

Last week, one of the bill's sponsors Rep. Denise Provost suggested DeLeo was waiting until after the deadline for candidates to declare their intention to run for legislative seats in November to put some members at ease over taking a controversial vote.

Not all transgender rights advocates saw Baker's comment as a positive sign.

Kevin Franck, a former Democratic Party spokesperson and columnist for the LGBT outlet Bay Windows who has been critical of Baker over this issue, read Baker's comments as "damage control" after he was booed last week at a Boston Spirit Magazine networking event.

"He's playing games now to avoid facing the kind of backlash his fellow Republican governors have seen elsewhere, but we know where his heart is. He continues the play the leaders of the LGBT community for fools," Franck said in an email. "The only strategy that will guarantee passage of this important civil rights legislation is to work with Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Rosenberg to win over a veto-proof majority in the legislature. For Freedom Mass or any other group to waste time on Baker is folly, bordering on political malpractice."

Earlier in the day during a radio appearance on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio," Baker did not go as far as his statement issued later in the day on access to public bathrooms, but he was pressed by host Jim Braude who told the governor that he could not see the moderate Republican vetoing a transgender rights bill.

Baker, who supports gay marriage, repeated that he looked forward to reviewing whatever the Legislature might send to him, but added, "I take tremendous pride in the fact that on many of these issues I've been on what I would describe as the right side of history."

Andrew Beckwith, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, could not be reached Thursday night for comment on Baker's statement about Trump, but earlier in the day told the News Service his group does not want anyone to be harassed or kicked out of public places.

"The reason why this bill is referred as the bathroom bill is because that's focused in on where there are real concerns about privacy and safety for an overwhelming majority of residents, especially women and children," Beckwith said. "No one is arguing that individuals with gender identity issues should be prevented from using a movie theater or a hospital, but there are some facilities that are lawfully sex-segregated for what should be very obvious reasons. That's where the rubber hits the road."

Police are investigating how a man fell out of a moving vehicle onto the southbound side of I-91.

LONGMEADOW — Massachusetts State Police are currently investigating how a man somehow fell out of a moving vehicle onto the highway on Thursday evening, according to 22News.

The man was found on the southbound side of I-91, and it is unclear whether he had jumped, somehow fallen, or was perhaps pushed from the vehicle he was in.

State Police Sgt. Brian Gladu stated that another person will be brought in for questioning at the Springfield State Police Barracks, reports 22News.

There is currently no word on the victim's condition, and I-91 is still open.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as new information is released.

A tractor trailer caught fire on Page Boulevard in Springfield on Thursday evening.

SPRINGFIELD — A tractor trailer caught fire Thursday night on Page Boulevard in Springfield, causing Exit 5A off 291 to be blocked and Page to be reduced to one lane, according to WesternMassNews.

The driver of the vehicle allegedly leaped out of it while it was still moving after seeing it had caught fire.

The driver did not sustain any injuries, however, according to Dennis Leger, Springfield Fire Department spokesman.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Customers of the Wilbraham institution are invited to stop by and enjoy bounce house, free samples and other activities.

WILBRAHAM - It's already been a year since Rice Fruit Farm on Main Street reopened.

On Saturday, Rice's will give a thank you to the town and surrounding communities by celebrating, beginning at 11 a.m. with a D.J., bounce house, free samples, maybe a few goats, long hot dogs for a dollar and a free Red Sox tickets raffle.

The Rice family owned Rice Fruit Farm for more than 100 years. The farm stand had been closed since 2009, when the Maloni family renovated the farm stand and reopened it.

Since then, the farm stand has received a lot of support from the community. The Maloni family hired back the Rice's baker, Georgia Klitsas, known for her muffin tops and pies and built a new indoor ice cream stand. The farm stand enjoys traffic at many hours of the day.

It is now possible to order pies on line during the holidays at www.ricefruitfarm.com.

Also available at the farm stand is a selection of hot and iced coffee and tea, lattes and cappuccinos and seasonal produce.

Rice Fruit Farm is open year round.

Two people were spotted setting fires that grew to burn more than 100 acres in southeast New Hampshire.

A digest of news stories from around New England.