San Juan will be JetBlue's third nonstop destination from Bradley in addition to its twice-daily service to both Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla

The Republican file photoJetBlue aircraft line up at an airport gate. The carrier will be making non-stop flights from Bradley to San Juan

By HARLAN LEVY
Special to The Republican

WINDSOR LOCKS – JetBlue Airways has announced that it will begin daily nonstop flights between Bradley International Airport and San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning in January 2012.

JetBlue will offer one trip to San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and one trip back daily, including weekends.

San Juan will be JetBlue’s third nonstop destination from Bradley in addition to its twice-daily service to both Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.

JetBlue’s flights between San Juan and Hartford will be on the Airbus A320 fleet and will feature a first-checked bag free, complimentary and unlimited snacks and drinks, and more leg room than any other carrier in coach, the airline said.

“Thanks to the support we have received from both Puerto Rican and Connecticut travelers, JetBlue is able to add more options and destinations to the places our customers want to go,” said Dave Clark, JetBlue’s director of network planning. “We look forward to expanding our network in both cities and earning each new loyal customer one flight at a time.”

In addition to the new service to San Juan, Hartford customers can also connect from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando to Aguadilla and Ponce, Puerto Rico; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Bogota, Colombia; and Cancun, Mexico. Starting Nov. 17, the carrier will also add nonstop flights from San Juan to St. Maarten. Twice-daily flights to St. Thomas and a daily flight to St. Croix from San Juan begin Dec. 15.

“JetBlue has quickly become a key player in the Connecticut market,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said, “and today’s announcement strengthens that bond. When we expand travel options for our customers, everyone benefits, and the region’s economy improves.”

Johnson, the part-time police chief in Worthington, is a former Marine and securities forces manager for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield.

View full sizeThe Republican | John SuchockiAir National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey C. Johnson, of Worthington, was awarded the Bronze Star for "distinguished and meritorious achievement as security forces manager." during service in Iraq.

WESTFIELD – Combat duty is nothing new for Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey C. Johnson, but a Bronze Star for his most recent service makes him “uncomfortable.”

The former Marine and securities forces manager for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Regional Airport here saw combat in Vietnam, in the early 1970s, and twice in Iraq in 2008 and 2010.

“All the new attention makes me feel a bit uncomfortable,” the 59-year-old veteran said recently. His Bronze Star was presented in ceremonies on June 5 at the Air Guard base.

“I was surprised,” said Johnson, who is also the part-time police chief in Worthington, where he and his family live. “It is humbling, an honor to have someone believe in you that strongly.”

“I led some of the finest airmen I ever met,” he said of his security unit during his most recent Iraq duty tour from last July through December.

Johnson was the only National Guard member in the 650-person unit of regular Air Force and Iraqi military, while stationed at Balad, the Iraq Air Force base.

Their responsibility was to conduct patrols and investigations and to interact with Iraqi civilians. Their patrol zone measured some 60,000 acres, and they worked six days of 12 to 14 hour shifts. It was slightly different than his first Iraq assignment in 2008. The, he spent seven months assisting in internal security at Baghdad International Airport.

Johnson was awarded the Bronze Star for “distinguished and meritorious achievement as security forces manager.” As a leader, he oversaw more than 280 combat patrols and personally led 40 counter-indirect fire missions and responded to 40 direct fire attacks, resulting in the capture of 12 “high-value” individuals. He also led the last combat patrol for Operation Iraqi Freedom, secured a residence that sheltered six suspected insurgents and worked with the Iraqi Army senior enlisted leaders to establish the first joint United States Air Force and Iraqi Army entry point at Base Balad.

Also, under his leadership, security forces searched more than 300,000 personnel and 80,000 vehicles without incident, the citation states.

“The fun part of being there was being in the community and building a friendship with the Iraqi people,” Johnson said. “The civilian population there in general is supportive of us being there,” he added.

But, during most of his last Iraq tour, there were “continuous mortar attacks on the base and in one situation I guess we were in the ‘right place and the right time,’” Johnson said. “That was one mission where, had we been 30 minutes earlier, we could have been hit by an improvised explosive device.”

Johnson and his wife Kathleen have daughters Jennifer, 18, and Jaycie, 15.

He said his second Iraq tour was more difficult on his family than his first.

“During the first tour, they were in school and had school and other routines and they were younger. The second tour, Jennifer and Jaycie were older, more aware of news accounts of the mission and I left in the summer time when school was out,” he explained.

He kept in constant communication with wife and daughters through email and Sunday telephone calls.

Johnson will celebrate his 60th birthday in January and with that, will retire from the Air National Guard.

“It will take a long time for me to drive by the base here and not want to stop. But, I will have hobbies and will look for other employment,” he said, noting the family has four horses and five German shepherd dogs.

“I would go back tomorrow,” he said concerning Iraq. “But, I must retire at age 60.”

Police had been conducting surveillance of Byers Street early Monday morning when they moved in to arrest two drug suspects, who led officers on a brief foot pursuit. Police said they recovered a fully loaded .40-caliber handgun, around $1,500 cash and an unspecified amount of drugs.

SPRINGFIELD -- When undercover police officers moved in to arrest a pair of alleged drug dealers working from a Byers Street address early Monday, the duo led authorities on a brief foot chase before they were quickly captured and handcuffed, according to Springfield Police Capt. Cheryl C. Clapprood.

The suspects were carrying drugs, a large wad of cash and a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic handgun, Clapprood said, praising the plainclothes and uniformed officers who made the arrests.

"They took a fully loaded .40-caliber gun off the street," she said. "They got both of them without anybody getting injured."

Undercover officers working an anti-gang detail had been conducting surveillance of Byers Street, which is located across from police headquarters on Pearl Street, when they moved in to arrest the suspects.

Springfield residents Daniel Caldwell, 20, and Michael Harris, 33, are expected to be arraigned on drug and weapons charges on Tuesday in Springfield District Court, according to police.

Caldwell's charges include illegal possession of ammunition and a handgun with a defaced serial number, among others. Harris faces several drug charges including possession with intent to sell crack cocaine and marijuana and resisting arrest.

Clapprood said Caldwell was carrying the gun while Harris was holding around $1,500 cash.

Byers Street, despite its proximity to the police station, is a known trouble spot.

"We've had a problem there on Byerst Street," Clapprood said.

Shanice Smithers, 23, of Porter Street was arrested around 12:30 a.m. Monday for allegedly stabbing the father of her child and his girlfriend at a Pendleton Avenue address shortly after midnight.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police arrested a woman for allegedly stabbing her child's father and his girlfriend at a Pendleton Avenue home shortly after midnight Monday in the city's Old Hill neighborhood.

Police said Shanice Smithers, 23, was arrested around 12:30 a.m. at her Porter Street home in the Liberty Heights section of the city. She's charged with assaulting her baby's father, Alberto Correa, 23, and his girlfriend, according to Springfield Police Capt. Cheryl C. Clapprood.

Police didn't identify the girlfriend.

The alleged victims' were take to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, said Clapprood, who was unsure of the location of the stab wounds.

Smithers drove to the Pendleton Avenue address with her baby, whom she left inside the vehicle while she went inside to confront Correa. An argument ensued and Smithers stabbed both Correa and his girlfriend, Clapprood said.

Smithers is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Springfield District Court.

Police launched a large-scale search for a man suspected in a gunpoint robbery in the city's South End early Monday morning.

Republican file photo

SPRINGFIELD -- Police flooded northern sections of the Forest Park neighborhood in search of a man responsible for a gunpoint robbery around 4:27 a.m. Monday in the city's South End.

The incident happened at or near 487 East Columbus Ave., which is a gas station/convenience store, according to property records. Authorities didn't identify whether an individual or business was targeted in the crime.

Police units from all over the city searched Leete Street, Fort Pleasant Avenue, Longhill Street and other sections of Forest Park for the suspect, who allegedly jumped into a gray Dodge Neon that was last seen eastbound on Leete Street toward Fort Pleasant Avenue.

As the chaotic scene unfolded, officers on foot searched streets near the robbery site while others went further afield to homes on Daviston Street and Pendleton Avenue. It wasn't immediately clear why those addresses were checked, but at least one location is believed to be the suspect's last known address, according to police reports.

The suspect -- a known subject to police -- remained at large as of 6 a.m., and authorities were still attempting to identify the driver of the presumed getaway vehicle. That car -- a Dodge Neon matching the description of the suspect vehicle -- was later recovered on Longview Street, triggering a K-9 search of the area.

Police reported finding a gun at around 4:40 a.m. on Edgeland Street, near the corner of Longview Street. Investigators said they believe it's the same weapon used in the holdup.

It remains unclear if the suspect got away with money or merchandise.

Detectives were interviewing a person of interest around 7 a.m., but a law enforcement official contacted by The Republican was unable to provide more details.

The robbery suspect is believed to have ties to a Longhill Street address, according to police, who focused their search in that area and surrounding streets.

Meanwhile, officers secured the recovered vehicle so it could be removed from the scene and processed for fingerprints and other evidence.

More information will be posted on MassLive.com as it becomes available.

THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of a gunpoint robbery in the city's South End early Monday morning:


View Larger Map

Police reported a large brawl that led to a stabbing in the parking lot of the Boston Road IHOP restaurant around 4:47 a.m. Monday. The victim's identity and condition were not immediately available.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are investigating a large brawl that led to a stabbing in the parking lot of the IHOP restaurant on Boston Road shortly before 5 a.m. Monday.

Details are still sketchy, but a 4:47 a.m. Springfield police report indicated that up to 15 men were fighting in the restaurant's lot before officers arrived.

Police said they spotted blood on the ground but couldn't initially locate a victim. Area hospitals were alerted to be on the lookout for a stabbing victim, the extent of whose injuries were not reported.

Later, however, a victim reportedly showed up at Baystate Medical Center with an unspecified number of stab wounds.

No further information was available.

More details will be posted on MassLive.com as information becomes available.

People across the U.S. are marking the 4th of July with parades, fireworks, barbecues — and competitive eating.

NEW YORK — People across the U.S. are marking the 4th of July with parades, fireworks, barbecues — and competitive eating.

President Barack Obama plans to host a barbecue at the White House to celebrate the nation's 235th Independence Day. Thousands of revelers are preparing to camp out near the Washington Monument to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.

In New York City, more than 40,000 fireworks will be ignited on floating barges. The gigantic Macy's fireworks show boasts it's the largest in the country. This year, Beyonce and Brad Paisley are slated to perform.

Earlier in the day, Coney Island will host the annual Nathan's July Fourth hot dog eating contest. Champion Joey Chestnut is looking to win his fifth title.

Treasurer/Collector Thomas Sullivan's new title will be assistant to the town administrator for budget and finance.

WILBRAHAM – The Board of Selectmen has approved a recommendation of Town Administrator Robert A. Weitz to have Treasurer/Collector Thomas P. Sullivan serve as assistant town administrator as well.

Selectmen Chairman Patrick J. Brady said that Sullivan will do both jobs. The creation of a new position would result in a combined position, and no additional personnel will be hired, he said.

“Sullivan will be able to step in in the town administrator’s absence,” Brady said. He said Sullivan also will serve as finance director and will work with the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committees in developing town budgets.

Weitz said Sullivan already is involved in bonding and capital issues. Selectman James E. Thompson said Sullivan will serve as a long-term financial planner for the town.

Town Accountant Joanne DeGray asked whether having Sullivan supervise her would result in a conflict of interest between the accounting and treasurer/collector departments. The state auditor has to approve the accounting, she said.

DeGray said, “I answer to the public.”

Weitz said he will supervise the Accounting Department, and there will be no conflict of interest.

Selectmen said Sullivan’s new title will be assistant to the town administrator for budget and finance.

The priest "seemed fine" when he was last publicly seen Saturday night, said a diocesan spokesman.

Michael Beswick / The RepublicanSpringfield police respond to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart rectory where the body of the Rev. Paul Archambault was found in a closet Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD – Police have yet to release any new information on their investigation into the death of a 42-year-old priest whose body was found Sunday in a closet at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart rectory.

Capt. Peter J. Dillon declined to comment on the death of the Rev. Paul Archambault Monday morning.

Mark E. Dupont, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, said Archambault was last publicly seen early Saturday night when, in his duties as chaplain at Baystate Medical Center, he ministered to a family in the emergency department.

“Obviously, he was doing exactly what he was known to do and that is respond to these emergencies regardless of the day or the time of day,” Dupont said.

The Rev. Paul Archambault is shown here at his 2005 ordination.

Six people are shot in bloody Boston weekend, LA freeway construction takes Jewish religious traditions into account, and more of this morning's headlines.

AP PhotoA couple watches the 16th Annual "3rd of July" fireworks show at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange, Calif., on Sunday July 3, 2011. The City of Orange likes to kick off Independence Day early each year.

• Bay State toddler, man killed in Pennsylvania shooting [Boston.com]


• Boston ready for Independence Day bash (photo gallery) [Boston.com]


• Massachusetts lawyers who are legislators face conflicts [Boston.com]


• Boy who drowned in Vermont tubing accident is from West Hartford [Courant.com]


• Six wounded in Boston shootings over the weekend [Boston.com]


• Frenchwoman accuses Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape [Google.com]


• President Obama reported dead on Fox News' Twitter account after hacker attack [Google.com]


• Massive Los Angeles freeway project respects boundaries of a Jewish tradition [LATimes.com]



VIDEO of Independence Day weekend snow skiing in Washington state:




• Twitter posts tagged #westernma in Western Mass. [MassLive.com]


• Read more News Links »


• Do you have News Links? Send them our way or tweet them to @masslivenews

NOTE: Users of modern browsers can open each link in a new tab by holding 'control' ('command' on a Mac) and clicking each link.

As part of the ceremony, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will naturalize 26 candidates for citizenship on board the USS Constitution.

File photo / Associated PressMembers of the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corp from Lexington, march in front of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned war ship in the U.S. Navy, as part of Independence Day weekend events in Boston, Friday. The Constitution is being used as part of Boston's Fourth of July celebration Monday.

BOSTON – The USS Constitution is getting under way from the ship’s berth to honor America’s birthday.

Monday’s trip of the historic vessel is part of Boston Harborfest celebrations and includes nearly 700 guests and lottery winners.

The USO Liberty Bells will kick off the trip by singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and recognizing the 70th anniversary of the USO. Sailors will also perform a final 17-gun salute to Boston near the Coast Guard Station as part of the 4th of July celebrations.

After returning, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will naturalize 26 candidates for citizenship on board the USS Constitution.

The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship and attracts 500,000 visits a year.

More Fourth of July coverage coming on MassLive and in The Republican.

Authorities say someone fired shots at two men driving in a car, and that their vehicle swerved into a car parked in a driveway and sparked a fire.

BROCKTON – Police say one man has died and another was injured in a fiery crash that followed an early-morning shooting in Brockton.

Authorities say someone fired shots at two men driving in a car on Elm Street early Monday, and that their vehicle swerved into a car parked in a driveway and sparked a fire.

A local man told WCVB-TV, Channel 5 in Boston that the dead man was his 24-year-old son, a Brockton resident, and that police say he was shot several times. Information was not available on the second man in the vehicle.

The incident remained under investigation later Monday and no names or other details were immediately released.

The hearings are designed to explain the project and address any public concers.

WESTFIELD – The School Building Committee has scheduled three public information meetings to outline on-going plans for construction of a new elementary school.

The first is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at South Middle School on West Silver Street. A second session will also be held at South Middle School on July 12 at 6 p.m.. The third session is scheduled for July 19 at School Department offices on Ashley Street.

School and city officials are working with the state’s School Building Administration to complete design plans and funding for the estimated $25 million project. City officials have identified the former Ashley Street School, closed to instruction, in 1981, as the building site for the new school.

Abner Gibbs principal Margaret M. Adams said the public hearings will address design and building plans, outline the proposed location, review potential consolidation of two or more schools into the new building and “address any concerns the public may have about the project.”

The committee has completed its needs study and educational planning for the new building and has hired architect Margo Jones of Greenfield and Skanska USA of Boston as the project manager. The city appropriated $600,000 for those phases of the project earlier this year.

The committee has started circulating informational flyers on the project to neighborhoods that will be impacted by the construction project. Those flyers will also be available at each of the three hearings for distribution to all city residents.

The committee agreed last week to update the brochures, if necessary, between each of the three public information sessions.

The brochure explains the state’s ‘model school’ program which Westfield has accepted, an explanation on why Ashley Street was selected as the site, financing and responsibility of the Building Committee.

It also addresses consolidation of Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue elementary schools into the new school.

SBA has expedited Westfield’s construction project and local officials anticipate construction will begin by March 2012. Westfield is eligible for 62-percent state reimbursement of construction, furniture and equipment costs for the new school.

Springfield police continue to probe the shooting.

Republican staff photo by Michael BeswickSpringfield Police search for bullet casings in the killing of a 38-year-old man on Lincoln Street.

SPRINGFIELD – Police have identified the man fatally shot Sunday night in the McKnight neighborhood as 38-year-old Raul E. Vera.

Police were sent to the area of 66 Lincoln St. shortly before 7:15 p.m. for a reported shooting.

Vera, shot once in the neck, was taken to Baystate Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly before 7:40 p.m. He lived at 75 King St.

According to a release issued by Springfield police, Vera has a lengthy record with the department, has gang ties and was released from prison three months ago. He was last arrested on May 14 for breaking and entering.

Neighbors gathered for a short time around the scene. The shooting happened while people were outside celebrating the holiday weekend.

“We heard three shots and we thought they were M-80’s (fireworks),“ said Darwin Dawkins, who lives one street over.

This is the ninth murder in Springfield this year.

The eighth happened on May 21 when Carlos Gonzalez Beslanga, 32, of Connecticut, was stabbed to death during an argument with a relative’s neighbor. Suspect Luis Cintron turned himself into police on June 20.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Thomas P. Bresnahan

SPRINGFIELD - Thomas Patrick Bresnahan, 84, of Springfield, passed away on Friday at Mercy Medical Center, Springfield. Dr. Bresnahan, a son of the late David W. and Marie (Griffin) Bresnahan, was born in Westfield on Aug. 25, 1926. Raised in Westfield, he graduated from Westfield High School in 1944. He received a bachelor of arts degree 1951 from Marquette University in Milwaukee. After his graduation, he attended seminary for two years. In 1958, he graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a doctorate in podiatric medicine. He served the Greater Springfield areas with his practice of podiatric medicine for more than 40 years. He served his country during World War II with the United States Navy on the NTS Sampson and received the American area medal and the Asiatic-Pacific area medal. Dr. Bresnahan served on the board of directors and as a member of the Pioneer Valley Diabetic Association. He was a member of the Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Association, the Western Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Association, the Western Massachusetts Heart Association, Marquette University Alumni Association, the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, the Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus in East Longmeadow, and the Springfield Elks Lodge 61 where he was named Irish Elk of the Year in 1986 and Honored Old Timer in 1989. He served as president of the Massachusetts Podiatry Association from 1972 to 1973 and the Pioneer Valley Diabetic Association from 1984 to 1985. He resided in Springfield most of his life and was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church where he served as director of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church baseball association, served on the church's parish council and was a member of the men's club.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• Bourbeau Jr., Joseph H. "Joe"
  




• 
  Bresnahan, Dr. Thomas P.
  



• 
  COTE, ROBERT S. "Steve"




• 
  Godek Sr., Frank J.
  



• 
  Hembdt, Phillips H.
  




• Howard Jr., John J.
  




• 
  Lonczak, Alexandra T. "Alice" (Stadnicki)
  

The deer was fatally injured.

Republican file photo

GREENFIELD – Two motorists escaped injury late Monday morning after striking a deer in the southbound lanes of Interstate 91.

State Trooper Kyle T. Gleick said the accident occurred shortly before 11:15 a.m. near Exit 27 which serves Route 2. The deer was fatally injured and one of the vehicles sustained some front end damage, Gleick said.

A body was put into a medical examiner's van near Water Row Road in Wayland after police launched a search for a missing teenage girl there.

Associated Press photoA police officer walks near vehicles on Renninger Road in Douglass Township, Pa., as he arrives near the scene of a fatal shooting Sunday. Click on the link, above left, for a report from the New York Daily News that says a suspect in the shootings was shot as police stormed a suburban Philadelphia home.

• Suspect in shooting of Massachusetts man, toddler killed as police swarm Pennsylvania house [New York Daily News]


• Crime boss James 'Whitey' Bulger's influence felt on Beacon Hill years ago [Boston Globe]


• Body found in pond as police search for missing Wayland teen [TheBostonChannel.com]


• High speed rail: Feds sign $73 million contract to upgrade tracks in Western Massachusetts [NorthamptonMedia.com]


• Exxon Mobil oil spill into Yellowstone River outrages Montana residents [Los Angeles Times]


• Longmeadow students upset by school system's decision not to rehire chemistry teacher Anthony Shrout [WGGB-TV, abc40.com]


• Crowds set up camp on Esplanade in anticipation of big Fourth of July Boston Pops concert, fireworks [New England Cable News]


• Connecticut uses Twitter to update residents on parking status at 3 state beaches [Hartford Courant]


• How well do you know the Declaration of Independence? Pop quiz [Christian Science Monitor]


• Twitter posts tagged #westernma in Western Mass. [MassLive.com]


• Read more News Links »


• Do you have News Links? Send them our way or tweet them to @masslivenews

NOTE: Users of modern browsers can open each link in a new tab by holding 'control' ('command' on a Mac) and clicking each link.

Police said the gun-wielding suspect forced the clerk to open the register and safe at gunpoint.

Julio Viruet

SPRINGFIELD – Police, responding to a distress alarm call for an armed robbery at the East Columbus Avenue Sunoco station early Monday, spotted the suspect on foot as they drove to the scene.

The officers got out of their cruiser and chased the suspect, who was carrying a silver handgun, from Main to Leete streets, according to a release issued by Springfield police. The suspect dropped a plastic bag shortly before jumping into a 2002 Dodge Neon that pulled up alongside him.

The Neon fled and police found cash inside the bag.

The Sunoco clerk told police that the suspect approached her near the rear entrance outside the store at about 4:20 a.m. and forced his way in. The suspect then threatened the clerk at gunpoint and forced her to take money out of both the register and the safe.

After further investigation, police went to 69 Longhill St. where they met with the suspect and then brought him to the station and arrested him.

Julio Viruet, 26, of 69 Longhill, was charged with armed robbery, according to the release. Viruet is slated to be arraigned Tuesday in District Court.

As usual, folks from Chesterfield and surrounding towns set their lawn chairs in the generous shade and clapped heartily for the participants.

CHESTERFIELD – Whether real live nieces and nephews of Uncle Sam or distant admirers of the guy, everyone along Main Road in Chesterfield has a little Yankee Doodle Dandy in them Monday as the classic small-town July 4 parade rolled on by.

As usual, the town’s 64th annual Independence Day Parade was replete with classic cars, fire trucks and tricked-out bikes, as in bicycles and tricycles. As usual, folks from Chesterfield and surrounding towns set their lawn chairs in the generous shade and clapped heartily for the participants. And in what has come to be another Chesterfield tradition in recent years, visitors from foreign countries stood among the locals, beaming and shaking their heads in wonder at this slice of America they never imagined.

As the holiday crowd settled in, singer Susan Angeletti and guitarist Bruce Korona warmed them up with some hot blues. Sisters Sarah and Alyssa Labrie of Goshen then literally brought everyone to their feet with a moving a cappella rendition of “The National Anthem.” Then, preceded by a couple of state police cruisers, the parade was under way.

Color guards. Marching bands. Waving politicians. Home-made floats. The Disney sweetness of it was a far cry from the turmoil in Iraq and Pakistan, where many of the exchange students staying at the University of Massachusetts for part of the summer hail from. UMass student Timothy Shea, a mentor in the Civic Initiative program, said the group has been touring the eastern seaboard from Washington, D.C., to Amherst. As in past years, they took a ride up to Chesterfield to take in America’s Independence Day festivities hilltown style.

“It’s amazing how Americans celebrate the victory that won their freedom,” said Taher Abdair, 21, an Iraqi who is studying to be a doctor. He stood elbow to elbow with fellow Iraqi exchange student Mohammed Ibrahim to take snapshots of the classic cars and fire trucks. Ibrahim, 27, a law student in the U.S. for the first time, said he didn’t expect anything like the Chesterfield parade as he was preparing for his visit.

“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “If you want to talk about the difference between this and Iraq there is a lot to talk about.”

Their reaction was not unlike that of Jessie Krug, a Westhampton resident who has been coming to Chesterfield for the Fourth of July since 1962.

“It’s country at it’s best,” said Krug, 83. “We just love it. It says, ‘This is the way it really ought to be.’”

Wilson Tamfuh, a professor from Camaroon who is also staying at UMass for the summer, was inspired by the event.

“It reminds me of the need for many nations to seek independence when
oppressed,” he said. “That’s what July Fourth is all about.”

Monica Valiton of Cummington moved to the hilltowns from the Worcester area two years ago and deemed the parade more low-key than the bigger one in Fitchburg.

“This is one of the smaller ones I’ve been to, but that’s what you get here,” she said. “Everything is more countryish here.”

Solin Ahmad, another Iraqi student, was simply amazed that people in the U.S. still drive cars from the 1930s.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “This is the most amazing country ever.”

The idea behind the program is that people will be less wasteful and will recycle more when they pay by the bag.

SOUTH HADLEY – People had questions and comments right up to the last minute, but the first day of the new “Green Bag” trash collection program on Friday went very smoothly in South Hadley, said Veronique “V” Blanchard-Smith, Solid Waste Coordinator at the town’s DPW.

“It was great,” said Blanchard-Smith. “Roughly 70 percent of people had it down pat and perfect.”

One of the things that had worried her was that some people expressed confusion over whether the recycling program for cardboard and containers was part of the Green Bag program.

It’s not. Cardboard and container pickup will go on as before, independent of the Green Bag program.

The new program is for household trash. It will continue to be picked up every two weeks by a hauling company hired by the town.

But instead of getting a bill from the town, residents will be paying by the bag. It’s sometimes called a “pay-as-you-throw” system.

Standard-sized green bags are selling in selected South Hadley stores for $1 (for a large bag) and 50 cents (for a small bag). As long as the trash fits in a green bag, that’s all the household is paying for the service. No bills.

The idea behind the program is that people will be less wasteful and will recycle more when they pay by the bag.

If a household puts out eight large bags, for example, the service will cost $8. If they figure out ways to reduce their waste, they might wind up fitting it all in three bags for $3 or two bags for $2.

“The only thing that matters is that it has to be in the green bag,” said Blanchard-Smith.

In the days leading up to the debut of the system, people were frustrated for a number of reasons, but Blanchard-Smith said she can’t think of any caller who didn’t calm down once she explained how the system worked.

Some calls came from people who weren’t able to get green bags because the stores that were supposed to carry them had run out. Blanchard-Smith said it’s been hard for stores to gauge at first how many bags they need.

Also, some customers bought up a lot of bags initially so they wouldn’t get left out, she said.

On Friday, some households had not caught on to the Green Bag system, even after all the publicity, including a public workshop by Blanchard-Smith. They left out their barrels as usual.

In these cases, residents got a warning. “For people who didn’t follow the rules, we put a letter from the town on the barrel,” said Blanchard-Smith.

Did the town make an exception and take away the trash anyway?

It did, said Blanchard-Smith.

But don’t count on that in the future.