Officer Gregg Bigda was ordered by a Palmer District Court judge to stay away from and refrain from abusing the alleged victim, and to surrender his firearms to police.

SPRINGFIELD -- Full-time Springfield police officer Gregg Bigda, 45, is being investigated by the department here following an incident last month when an individual filed a restraining order against him, the city's police commissioner has confirmed.

The victim's abuse-prevention order was heard at Palmer District Court March 14, when Bigda was ordered to stay away from and refrain from abusing the alleged victim, and to surrender his firearms to police.

Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri said Bigda has been assigned to desk duty and will remain in that role during an internal investigation of the matter. Once that process is complete, a decision would be made based on facts.

"We take all officer misconduct allegations seriously and hold personnel to the highest standards," Barbieri said.

He added that the investigation is part of the agency's duty "to maintain public trust, and department credibility."

Court records show Bigda, who resides in Wilbraham, allegedly entered an East Longmeadow residence without permission.

The court file shows that Bigda allegedly threatened the life of the victim and a second individual, not identified, who was with the victim.

The records say Bigda then left the house but returned about 10 minutes later and refused to leave. A physical altercation allegedly transpired, the victim's affidavit says.

"On March 12, 2016, at 2 a.m. Gregg Bigda came into my home un-welcomed and broke into my home," the victim's affidavit states.

"After first entering he threatened he was going to destroy me and my current boy friend ... I'm going to kill you ... Bigda finally left my house. Approximately ten minutes later returned and entered my house again. I demanded he leave. He refused.... We then got into a physical altercation," the affidavit states.

Contacted on Friday, Bigda declined to comment.

Attorney Thomas Rooke represents him. The lawyer said his client "never put a hand on her and Gregg testified at the hearing that he never touched her."

Rooke said that Bigda, until "14 months ago ... was involved in a long-term intimate relationship with his former girlfriend."

Rooke said "this unfortunate incident arose immediately after Gregg Bigda learned that his partner on the police department" was seeing the victim.

"Greg made the mistake," Rooke said, of driving to "the house and sees his partner's private vehicle in her driveway. A verbal argument ensued."

At a second hearing on March 23, Judge Michael Mulcahy wrote: "This order will not be extended. It appears the March 12 (matter) was isolated and no harm occurred."

However, the abuse prevention order was reinstated on March 30 – by a joint petition by Bigda and the victim, court records show, when the order commanding Bigda to surrender his firearms was vacated.

According to Rooke, it made more sense to go with the joint petition, rather than object to the plaintiff's decision to have the order reinstated.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 10 in Palmer District Court.

There was Oprah, and Rocco, and Jagger and Ted. Not Television or rock stars, but stars of the New England Spring Classic Cluster dog show running through the weekend on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield. Watch video

WEST SPRINGFIELD — There was Oprah, and Rocco, and Jagger and Ted. Not television or rock stars, but stars of the New England Spring Classic Cluster dog show running through the weekend on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

Hundreds of dogs will strut their stuff before judges in the Mallory Building before the weekend is over. The Springfield Kennel Club started the weekend on Friday and will be followed by the Pioneer Kennel Club on Saturday and the South Windsor Kennel Club on Sunday.

For Roberta Corbett of Chatham, New Jersey, just her daily routine of grooming her Old English Sheepdog "Jagger" would be enough to persuade some to stick with a cat. Jagger takes hours each day, including one hour of washing and drying and two hours of brushing. Preparing for a show takes about an hour and a half once at the show.

Admission to the shows are free, but there is a $5 fee to park on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

Andrews spent the night at Six Flags with a large bottle of vodka and a 16-year-old girl, the prosecutor said.

Updates a story posted Thursday at 10:30 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — A Webster man who allegedly spent the day swilling vodka at Six Flags New England before jumping from a car on Interstate 91 is being held on $2,500 bail.

Cameron Andrews, 22, pleaded not guilty to domestic assault and battery, witness intimidation, procuring liquor for a person under 21 and three other charges during his arraignment Friday in Springfield District Court.

He spent Thursday at Six Flags with a large bottle of vodka and a 16-year-old girl before becoming belligerent and assaulting her in the backseat on the way home, a prosecutor said.

A front seat passenger attempted to call 911, but Andrews grabbed the phone. When the Massachusetts State Police 911 center returned the call, the passenger reported that Andrews was drunk and fighting with the girl in the back seat, a prosecutor said.

By the time state police tracked down the car in Longmeadow, Andrews – who was wanted on a default warrant from Dudley District Court – had jumped out a window and landed in the breakdown lane, the prosecutor said.

The car, a 2004 Mercury Sable, was stopped a short distance away. The troopers stabilized Andrews until an ambulance arrived to take him to Baystate Medical Center, police said.

The girl, who refused to seek an emergency restraining order against Andrews, was not injured and was released to the custody of her father, police said. The other passengers were a 19-year-old girl, who was driving, and a 16-year-old girl, police said.

While the group was at the park, Andrews was drinking from a large bottle of vodka and sharing it with the victim, police said.

He suffered only minor injuries after jumping from the car around 9 p.m. in the highway's southbound lane, police said.

He was arrested and held overnight for arraignment on Friday. In court, Andrews wore green hospital pajamas and had bandages wrapped around both elbows.

A prosecutor asked for $2,500 bail, saying Andrews had a criminal record and was named in restraining orders issued to three women.

Judge William Boyle ordered him held on $2,500 bail and revoked his release in the case in Webster District Court.

A rebound in the price of oil and natural gas helped drive sharp gains for energy and financial companies, nudging U.S. stocks mostly higher Friday.

By ALEX VEIGA
AP Business Writer

A rebound in the price of oil and natural gas helped drive sharp gains for energy and financial companies, nudging U.S. stocks mostly higher Friday.

That offset a slide in the technology sector following disappointing earnings from Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet and other big names.

The Dow Jones industrial average eked out a tiny gain, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed essentially flat. Both ended the week higher. But the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell short on both counts.

"The Nasdaq took a hit today," said Erik Davidson, chief investment officer at Wells Fargo Private Bank.

The Dow rose 21.23 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,003.75. The S&P 500 index added 0.10 points to 2,091. The Nasdaq composite index lost 39.66 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4,906.23.

Trading was listless for much of the day, with the Dow and S&P 500 wavering between small gains and losses as the Nasdaq stayed in the red.

As was the case much of the week, investors were mostly focused on company earnings and energy prices.

The latter helped lift several oil and gas companies.

Southwestern Energy notched the biggest gain in the S&P 500. The stock vaulted $1.60, or 15 percent, to $12.27. Range Resources jumped $2.58, or about 7 percent, to $39.75, while Chesapeake Energy climbed 36 cents, or 5.8 percent, to $6.55.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose 55 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $43.73 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained 58 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $45.11 a barrel in London. Natural gas gained 7 cents, or 3.5 percent, to close at $2.14 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Investors cheered earnings from Norfolk Southern, which jumped 10.5 percent after the railroad operator slashed costs during its latest quarter. The stock rose $8.70 to $91.33.

Quarterly results from several big-name companies failed to impress traders, however.

American Airlines Group fell 4.5 percent after the company said weaker fares and labor costs cut into its revenue in the first quarter. The stock shed $1.80 to $38.21.

Investors sold shares in Starbucks after the coffee chain reported disappointing sales growth for the first three months of the year. The stock lost $2.96, or about 5 percent, to $57.68.

Microsoft fell 7.2 percent, making it the biggest decliner in the S&P 500. The stock lost $4 to $51.78, while Alphabet slid $42.23, or 5.4 percent, to $737.77. Overall, the technology sector was off about 2 percent.

Despite the declines, investors seemed to conclude that the issues driving lackluster results at Alphabet and Microsoft were largely confined to those companies, Davidson said.

"The broader market doing better," he said. "Energy has to be part of that."

Major stock indexes in Europe ended lower.

Germany's DAX fell 0.6 percent, while France's CAC 40 slipped 0.3 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 declined 1.1 percent. In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.7 percent. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rose 1.2 percent. Seoul's Kospi slid 0.3 percent and Sydney's S&P ASX 200 lost 0.7 percent.

In other energy futures trading, wholesale gasoline added about a penny to close at $1.53 a gallon. Heating oil also rose a penny to close at $1.31 a gallon.

Precious and industrial metals futures were mixed. Gold fell $20.30, or 1.6 percent, to $1,230 an ounce, silver slid 19 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $16.90 an ounce and copper rose about a penny to $2.26 a pound.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.89 percent from 1.86 late Thursday.

In currency markets, the dollar gained to 111.67 yen from Thursday's 109.53 yen. The euro fell to $1.1245 from $1.1295.

More rain is ahead before clear, sunny weather this weekend.

SPRINGFIELD -- More rain is ahead before clear, sunny weather this weekend. 

Much of Massachusetts was hit with heavy downpours Friday afternoon. Western Massachusetts communities saw up to a half-inch of rain, Western Mass News meteorologist Jacob Wycoff said. 

Showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday evening until around midnight in Springfield, the National Weather Service reports. Some storms could produce small hail and gusty winds around Central and Eastern Massachusetts late Friday evening. 

The low Friday will be around 54 degrees in Springfield and Worcester, 57 in Boston. 

Clouds and a few showers may linger into Saturday morning though clear skies are expected by the afternoon, Wycoff said. Patchy fog may be visible after 5 and until 9 a.m. in Boston and Worcester Saturday morning. 

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high in the mid-60s across the state. 

Temperatures will drop into the 30s on Saturday night and rise back into the 60s on Sunday, with clear skies in the forecast again. 

Western Massachusetts forecast: 

Friday: Scattered showers, damp and mild. Some patchy fog late. Lows: 50-54.

Saturday: Morning clouds and fog giving way to afternoon sunshine, becoming breezy and much drier. Highs: 62-66.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant. Highs: 60-64.

The budget routinely increases about $2 million annually.

WESTFIELD - School officials will outline the School Department's financial needs for Fiscal 2017 Monday at a public hearing scheduled at South Middle School.

The hearing will be held in the school's auditorium at 6:30 p.m..

The School Committee's Finance Committee has scheduled its first review of the financial package for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the city Council Chambers at City Hall.

School administration was busy this past week finalizing the financial request that will be presented at the annual public hearing by Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion and School Business Manager Ronald R. Rix.

The current school budget totaled $57.8 million. That budget resulted in the elimination of about 30 school staff and teacher positions. Sixteen people were not rehired and 14 left the system through retirement and other reasons.

"We are in the final stages of our budget preparation," Rix said earlier this week. "We anticipate a slight increase to keep programs and services now offered," he explained.

The budget will also include funding for the operation of the Russell Elementary School under a lease arrangement between Russell and Westfield now entering its second year.

Despite facing a steep uphill battle to winning the Republican Party's presidential nomination, Ohio Gov. John Kasich made his case to Connecticut voters Friday.

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — Despite facing a steep uphill battle to winning the Republican Party's presidential nomination, Ohio Gov. John Kasich made his case to Connecticut voters Friday.

Days ahead of the state's primary election, Kasich defended his path to winning the GOP nomination, telling more than 1,000 supporters who crowded Glastonbury High School that no Republican candidate will win enough delegates to be named the nominee outright.

Contending that a contested Republican nominating convention is imminent, Kasich said delegates will consider two things: Who can beat Hillary Clinton in a general election match-up and who can be president.

"Regardless of what these other two people have to say, when you win 15 separate polls over Hillary and they lose 15 separate polls, that will be a big consideration when we get to Cleveland," he said, referencing GOP rivals Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Touting his experience in Congress and as the governor or Ohio, as well as New Hampshire polling data suggesting that voters are having "buyer's remorse" when it comes to Trump, Kasich argued that he's the best candidate suited for presidency.

"If you want to go on an airplane flight, it's best to go with somebody's who's flown a bunch – I don't want to get in an airplane with somebody that says, 'Well I've never really done this before, but I think I can do it because I'm really great,'" he said in an apparent swipe at Trump.

The Ohio governor further argued that the Republican Party's history when it comes to contested conventions is on his side.

"We have had 10 contested Republican conventions throughout our history, and seven out of 10 times the person who was selected was behind when they went in, they were not the leader," he said. "And only three times out of 10 – not a bad batting average, but not an all-star – did the leader get selected, so this is going to be very interesting because no one's going to have enough delegates and we're all going to learn about how we pick a president."

Kasich, who fielded voter questions on foreign policy, business growth and pay equity, urged Connecticut voters to support him on Tuesday's primary.

"What can you do for me? Make sure that you get out and vote and allow me to win delegates in the district in which you live so I can go to the convention in a strong position," he said.

Allison Arnista, 20, of Harwinton, Connecticut, said she's a "big fan" of Kasich's foreign policy proposals and enrolled as a Republican to support him in Tuesday's primary.

"I just think he's the best candidate for the job," she said in an interview.

Arnista acknowledged that the governor has not been as popular as other GOP candidates, but said she thinks he has a good shot at the nomination if the party heads to a contested convention.

Jim Lacroix, 38, of Glastonbury, agreed that "it's probably going to be an uphill battle" for Kasich to represent the Republican Party come November. Despite this, Lacroix said it was important for him and his 6-year-old son, Logan, to come out and show their support for the Ohio governor.

"He seems like the only adult on the stage at times, which is good. The fact that he's a governor versus some of the other backgrounds is important – he just seems like somebody you can trust," Lacroix said.

Susan Dzialo, 64, of Glastonbury, who urged support for Trump outside the town hall, meanwhile, expressed concerns about Kasich's potential impact at a possible contested GOP convention.

"In my opinion, I think the risk is that if it is a contested convention he's the neutral candidate that the Republican Party might get behind," she said.

The governor, who has won only his home state's primary election, is looking to do well in Connecticut in order to prevent Trump from winning the party's nomination outright and force a contested convention.

Polls give Trump, who has won a total of 845 delegates, a 22-point advantage over Kasich in the Nutmeg State's April 26 primary, according to RealClearPolitics poll average data.

The Ohio governor's stop came just one day after Clinton campaigned in Hartford and a week after Trump rallied support in the Connecticut capital.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich took a break from campaigning Friday to reflect on reports of shootings that killed eight people in his home state. Watch video

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — Ohio Gov. John Kasich took a break from campaigning Friday to reflect on reports of shootings that killed eight people in his home state.

Speaking to reporters following a town hall event in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Kasich pledged to bring to justice the person responsible for the reported shootings in Piketon, Ohio.

"There's eight people dead execution-style, what can you say? What is there to say other than when people like that die and people bleed we all do, all over the country," he said. "It's a terrible, terrible thing. We've just got to find out who did this and, again, bring them to justice."

The Ohio governor would not say for sure whether he will return home in response to the event.

"If I needed to be back home for some reason I would go, but we've handled a lot of crises and you handle them in the way in which you get the best resolution," he said. "If I'm needed I'll be there. But, I don't want to go running into something where I'm not going to add anything of great significance."

According to the Associated Press, eight members of a family were fatally shot in the head Friday, leading to a manhunt in the state.

 

Authorities say that 3 children survived the horrific shooting that took place on Friday morning in Pike County, Ohio.

Authorities say that three children who were present during the Pike County, Ohio spree shooting that left eight people dead on Friday morning, have survived, according to CNN.

A 3-year-old, a 6-month-old, and a 4-day-old all somehow survived the horrific events of the day. All of them were uninjured.

One of the children – the 4-day-old – was reportedly in bed with their mother when she was shot.

Authorities have confirmed that the eight people who were murdered "execution style" were all members of the Rhoden family of Pike County, Ohio. Seven adults and one 16-year-old are among the dead.

Authorities are still trying to determine if the killer was among those who died Friday, or if there is one, or possibly more than one murderer still on the loose.

"I am still actively looking for a shooter," Pike County Sheriff Reader said, according to CNN. "I cannot confirm that there is no one on the loose who is not involved with this. If he is, he's armed and dangerous."

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine commented on the horrific nature of the episode, saying "What makes this particularly grisly is you have three children involved who were there when the executions took place," according to CNN.

The Obama administration will honor Leonard Campanello, the Police Chief of Gloucester, Massachusetts next week for his work to combat drug addiction.

GLOUCESTER — Leonard Campanello, the Police Chief of Gloucester, Massachusetts, will be recognized by the Obama administration at a ceremony at the White House next week, for his influential work to combat drug addiction.

Campanello launched an innovative drug-treatment program called ANGEL that allows addicts to surrender their drugs to the police and seek assistance through detox and rehabilitation. Through the program – which was launched in the spring of 2015 – addicts are guided to detox facilities by volunteers – which the program has dubbed its "Angels."

As an alternative to incarceration, the program has been widely lauded. The Boston Globe reported that by August of 2015 ANGEL had sent nearly 100 people into treatment for their addiction.

As a result of ANGEL, the White House has dubbed Campanello a "Champion of Change."

"Chief Campanello's compassionate leadership has helped thousands in Massachusetts' North Shore," said White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. "His work is a model for our police stations and neighborhoods. We look forward to honoring Leonard as a Champion of Change."

The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area – the group that nominated Campanello – released a statement saying that "recent figures suggest that more than 260 addicts have been treated since June 1st" as a result of ANGEL, and that "Gloucester has experienced a 23 percent drop in quality of life crimes," which tend to be drug-related.

On the subject of his award, Campanello has been modest – putting the emphasize on his community instead of his own accomplishments.

"To have the President of the United States and the White House recognize Gloucester for taking a small role in combating addiction through de-stigmatization, awareness, humanity and treatment, is a testament to the City, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, and our residents, whom I am so proud and humbled to serve," said Campanello in a statement. "This is a very proud moment to be a part of the Gloucester Community."

The event will take place on Friday, April 29, at 1 p.m., and will feature remarks by White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.

As Earth Day 2016 winds down (it continues until 8 a.m. EDT on Saturday, which marks the end of April 22 on the other side of the international date line at Baker Island), it might be worth taking a minute to take a look at the day's honoree: Earth.

As Earth Day 2016 winds down (it continues until 8 a.m. EDT on Saturday, which marks the end of April 22 on the other side of the international date line at Baker Island), it might be worth taking a minute to take a look at the day's honoree: Earth.

NASA, through astronauts on the International Space Station and scientists working on data from satellites in orbit around the planet, compiled a set of spectacular images of Earth to coincide with its big day.

Including in the gallery above are two photos of the entire planet taken from a million miles away by the Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite. They're EPIC photos — taken by NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera.

There's also dazzling, colorful photos of specific Earth features such as:

• A photo of yardangs – "elongated landforms sculpted by erosion and similar to sand dunes , but instead comprised of sandstone or siltstone," according to NASA.
• Astronaut Scott Kelly's photo of Australia that he included in a series of tweets with the hashtag #EarthArt during his year aboard the International Space Station.
• A photo by NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren taken from the ISS of Oman, about which Lindgren wrote, "The delicate fingerprints of water imprinted on the sand. The #StoryOfWater."

Western Mass News is reporting that the body found on the shore of the Connecticut River in Agawam Thursday is that of South Hadley teen Brianna Cuoco,missing since January. However, the Hampden District Attorney's Office has yet to confirm the identification.

SPRINGFIELD-- Chicopee Police have confirmed that the body found on the shore of the Connecticut River Thursday is Brianna Cuoco, an 18-year-old South Hadley woman missing since January.

Brianna Cuoco

In a Facebook post, Chicopee police extended condolences to the family and said, "We were notified by Brianna's mother earlier confirming Brianna's recovery and identification in Agawam."

Late Friday evening, Western Mass News, television partner to The Republican and Masslive, quoted a Mississippi-based volunteer investigative group which stated on its Facebook page that the family has been notified by state Medical Examiner's Office that the body found Thursday was, in fact, Brianna.

Halos Investigations LLC told the TV station that the family is asking for privacy.

Agawam authorities retrieved a body found on the west shore of the Connecticut River Thursday afternoon after a kayaker reported the discovery. The state Chief Medical Examiner's Office took custody of the body for autopsy and positive identification.

Cuoco was last seen at about 1 a.m. January 18, when she left her boyfriend's house. He later reported her missing to authorities.

Numerous searches were launched after the girl went missing in January. Searchers appeared to concentrate their attention along the Connecticut River only because she was last seen in that area.

Chicopee Police spokesman Officer Michael Wilk said Cuoco was last seen on River Road in South Hadley. Searchers from South Hadley, Chicopee and Holyoke police combed the dense undergrowth along the river's shores, as well as the waters closest to the shore.

Later, however, tips from citizens and statements Brianna made to family members led authorities to conduct at least three searches along the Holyoke shoreline in the weeks after the girl's disappearance.

Cuoco attended Chicopee Comprehensive High School, but lived in South Hadley.

The event, May 6 and 7, takes place in a former 19th century textile mill complex at 34 Front Street in Indian Orchard. The 300,000-square-foot industrial complex is today home to some 50 visual artists.

SPRINGFIELD - You can go on Jack Devlin's Instagram account and glimpse artistic creations that playfully and purposely play with nature's colors, shapes and patterns.

Or, you can visit his studio to see how one contemporary artist works in plastic, vinyl and ink to create dramatic and beautiful pieces.

"It's great to get the exposure and talk to people face-to-face," said Devlin, one of the dozens of artists who is participating in the Indian Orchard Mills Open Studios and 2016 Spring Art Show and Sale.

The event, May 6 and 7, takes place in a former 19th century textile mill complex, which sits between a canal and the Chicopee River, at 34 Front Street in Indian Orchard. The 300,000-square-foot industrial campus is today home to some 50 visual artists who rent 300- to 1,000-square-foot studios, as well as another 70 tenants, many of them engaged in art-related fields like marketing, cabinet making and museum exhibit manufacturing.

"We've been doing this for some 20 plus years," said mill owner Charles Brush of the open studios that were initiated by former mill owner Muriel Dane after whom the mills' exhibition gallery is named.

The open studio and sale event is held twice a year, and last fall's attracted some 1,000 visitors, Brush said. He added participants range from artists who paint in watercolor, to those who sculpt in stone to those who do photography.

"We put a lot of effort into it. Art is not an after thought here. It is a primary focus," Brush said.

"People in the area look forward to it. It is a good chance to see friends, to see what artists are up to and to buy original art. In the fall, people shop for the holidays. This time of the year, with the longer days, it is a chance for people to come out."

He added some 40 volunteers work with his assistant Judy Webber to coordinate the two-day event

Visitors to the studio of retired veterinarian Barbara June Gordon will be able to try their skill at hand weaving. Gordon, 58, is in a multi-year-program to become certified as a master weaver. None of her work will be for sale, but her looms will be operational.

Visitors to the Indian Orchard Mills studio of retired veterinarian Barbara June Gordon will be able to try their skill at hand weaving. Gordon, 58, is in a multi-year-program to become certified as a master weaver. SUBMITTTED 

"I have always enjoyed handwork, especially knitting, crocheting, embroidery and even the good old gimp at camp. Weaving, producing cloth from thread, is like the next level. It involves design, color and texture and there is a lot of science involved. It is a nice intersection of engineering, math and art," Gordon said.

Gordon, who works with extremely fine threads like silk and bamboo, said she was introduced to the medium when she took a weaving course to fill requirements outside the pre-veterinary program as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire. However, she did not get to return to it until about eight years ago as her career in small animal medicine, raising a family, and taking care of sick father, meant "there was no time, money or space for weaving."

"I just moved in at the end of January and I am loving it," said Gordon of her studio space.

"I design and weave original fabric for sewing original garments, so I not only need space for my looms, I also need a good sewing area and room for a cutting table. I finally have space in which to do all those things. Everything can stay set up. It is much more efficient."

Devlin began as a tattoo artist. His interest in vinyl and plastic is an outgrowth of his job in the automobile industry where he applies vinyl wrapping to cars among other tasks. His move into his studio, in February, has enabled him to do what he calls his acrylic sculptures. These are small, amorphous forms created from infusing colored ink into melting clear plastic. They pop with color and their harden shapes seem fluid.

"They kind of make themselves as the cooling happens quickly. I'm excited at first, but then I don't know where it is going. This finishing up is the most stressful part. I have to roll with it and see what happens," Devlin said.

"I do like to see what I can do with it. I like to create work that is surreal to look at. It takes you out of your normal state of mind."

His drawings and abstract paintings in plastic and vinyl will also be on display.

Some 40 studios will be open May 6 from 6 to 10 p.m., and May 7 from 12 to 4 p.m. There will be an opening night reception in the Dane Gallery where participating artists will have work on exhibit. Refreshments will be served at the reception, including sample tastings from Lazy Valley Winery and Cooper Moon Distillery, both based in the mill complex, and music students from the Springfield Conservatory of the Arts will perform.

A $2 donation is suggested. For more information, call (413) 543-3321, or visit www.indianorchardmills.com

Two men were arrested in Holyoke on Friday for possession of heroin and reckless endangerment of a child.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke detectives arrested two men on Friday afternoon after discovering the men were in possession of large amounts of heroin, and had stashed it in a minivan where one man's 5-month-old son was seated.

Christopher Petelle, 35, from Westfield, and Joseph Rollins, 40, from Chicopee, were both arrested by police in a CVS parking lot at 400 Beech Street in Holyoke on Friday afternoon, April 22.

Upon looking inside the men's vehicle, detectives noticed the baby, and also observed a large bundle of heroin lying between its feet. They also saw a container full of dozens of syringes sitting adjacent to the infant's safety seat.

After making sure that the baby was comfortable and safe, the detectives contacted the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and also confiscated the narcotics, needles, and other materials used to take drugs. The DCF is also reportedly investigating this case.

Both Petelle and Rollins were arrested and charged with Possession of Class A Heroin and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws, while Petelle was charged additionally with Reckless Endangerment of a Child.

The two men are expected to be arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Monday, April 25, 2016.

The body of an unidentified male was pulled from the Holyoke Dam near Gatehouse Road Thursday morning, city police have reported.

HOLYOKE ‒ The body of an unidentified male was pulled from the Holyoke Dam near Gatehouse Road Thursday morning, city police have reported.

Holyoke Gas and Electric employees spotted the body in the Holyoke Dam by the fish lift around 8:30 a.m., according to Police Sgt. David O'Connell.

First responders recovered the body and transported it to the Medical Examiner's Office, he said.

O'Connell confirmed the body was that of a "white male," but did not provide details about the man's age or how long he appeared to have been in the water.

The Holyoke Detective Bureau is investigating the case.

State agents have started executing search warrants as the investigation into the targeted "execution-style killings" of eight family members in rural Ohio.

PIKETON, Ohio -- Authorities have started executing search warrants as the investigation into the targeted killings of eight family members in this rural Ohio community continues.

Agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations worked "throughout the night" interviewing people, gathering information and executing search warrants, but have made no arrests, the Ohio Attorney General's Office said Saturday.

The Office did not say what agents were searching for or where the warrants were being executed. A spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment.

DeWine's office also announced a Cincinnati-area businessman has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the case.

The new information was released in an emailed a statement sent to reporters Saturday, after the office initially signaled it would hold a news conference.

The bodies of seven adults and a 16-year-old boy were discovered Friday morning at four homes in Pike County, just off Ohio 32 about 80 miles east of Cincinnati.

Update: 911 calls in rural Ohio shootings released

Officials have not formally identified the victims, but DeWine said Friday that they were all members of the Rhoden family. It appears the shooter or shooters targeted the family, DeWina said.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said authorities have found "no specific threat to the community," but urged residents to lock their doors until authorities make an arrest.

More than 30 agents in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations are working with Pike County sheriff's deputies and other local agencies to investigate the killings.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

The Rhoden family released a statement through a victim's advocate thanking the public and law enforcement, and pleading for anyone with any information to come forward, according to WHIO.

Emergency crews pulled the body of a man from the Charles River in Waltham Friday afternoon, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan's office has announced.

WALTHAM, MASS. ‒ Emergency crews pulled the body of a man from the Charles River in Waltham Friday afternoon, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan's office has announced.

The body was spotted around 3:30 p.m. near the Charles River Canoe and Kayak shop, the Boston Globe reported.

Authorities did not identify the deceased man or indicate whether foul play is suspected, according to the newspaper.

No details were provided on the man's age or how long he likely had been in the water.

Ryan's office is investigating the case in conjunction with the Waltham and Massachusetts State Police.

The "Freedom" T-shirt that Martinez wore in his mugshot appeared mud-free as he stood, handcuffed and shackled, before the judge

These were the top stories out of Springfield District Court this week. If you missed any, click on the links below to read them now.

Ludlow murder suspect eulogized victim, vowed to solve case on Facebook before arrest

Third teenager charged in drug-related killing in Springfield's North End

Webster man who jumped out of car on I-91 in Longmeadow held on $2,500 bail

Springfield mother posts $25,000 bail to win son's freedom before latest larceny trial

Springfield shooting suspect in 'Crooks and Castles' sweatshirt held on $500,000 bail

New hearing set for Springfield woman charged with burning, battering 5-year-old stepson

West Springfield man in fatal love triangle denies 9 drug charges

Members of the Gardening the Community Organization broke ground at 200 Walnut St. Saturday on a newly developed three-quarter-acre piece of land that will be transformed into a fresh vegetable garden.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Members of the Gardening the Community Organization broke ground at 200 Walnut St. Saturday on a newly developed three-quarter-acre piece of land that will be transformed into a fresh vegetable garden.

The youth-based urban agricultural group was founded in 2002 with five local youths who learned how to grow and cultivate fresh food on a city-owned quarter-acre lot. It has transformed into a one-and-a-half acres of land, on which 30 youths work.

The organization sold or distributed 21,500 pounds of fresh food to Springfield families in 2015.

A mere day after the spree-shootings in Pike County, Ohio, five people were killed in a spree-shooting in a small town in Georgia.

GEORGIA — Five people have been killed in two related shootings in Georgia, reports the New York Times.

The suspect is Wayne Hawes, 51, of Appling, Georgia, who reportedly shot five people on Friday night, before killing himself with the same weapon.

The shootings took place at two separate houses in Appling – 3162 Johnson Drive, where one man and two women were killed, and 5581 Washington Road, where a man and a woman were killed. The two residences were about a half-mile apart, according to the Times.

Authorities believe Hawes attempted unsucessfully to light his house on fire before killing himself with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The victims have been identified as Trequila Clark, 31; Lizzy Williams, 59; Shelly Williams, 62; Roosevelt Burns, 75, and Rheba Mae Dent, 85. All of the victims died at the scenes of the crime, except for one, who died at the hospital where they were being treated. Many of them appear to be related to the former wife of Hawes.

A woman named Lauren Hawes, 26, who is the daughter of the suspected killer, said that she hid in a neighbor's house while her father went on the shooting spree that claimed the lives of five people, including her cousin and grandmother, according to the Associate Press. Hawes also said that her father was a "ticking time bomb" and that the killings were probably the result of a "domestic dispute" between her father and mother.

The shootings took place a mere day after the series of shootings in Pike County, Ohio, that claimed the lives of eight people.