The day-long philanthropy event returns after a hiatus of more than a year.

SPRINGFIELD -- Valley Gives, the Pioneer Valley's one-day online philanthropy event, has raised more than $517,000 through the first 10 of its 24 hours, according to its website.

A list of charities is available at valleygives.wordpress.com. The fundraising site for those who want to give is valleygives.razoo.com.

There are 459 charities participating.

Thus far, there are more than 5,000 donations from more than 3,500 unique donors.

Valley Gives brought in a record $2.7 million in donations on Dec. 10, 2014, with the help of 14,000 donors making more than 28,000 individual gifts. There were 436 participating charities in Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire counties.

Since Valley Gives began in 2012, $5.8 million has been raised from more than 24,000 donors in support of a total of 559 nonprofits over the years.

Organizers at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts pushed valley Gives back from December to May in order to avoid the busy holiday time and to have better weather for outdoors events.

All the while, charities have a chance to ear or to win additional prizes or matching funds.

Congrats to our 9:00 golden ticket winners! More next hour! #ValleyGives pic.twitter.com/JbRcBqz7E9

-- ValleyGives (@ValleyGives) May 3, 2016

Troopers at Northampton barracks said injuries were reported, and that ambulances were on the scene of the crash that occurred around 10:20 a.m.

NORTHAMPTON -- A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 near exit 18 in Northampton slowed southbound traffic Tuesday morning, according to state police.

Troopers at Northampton barracks said injuries were reported, and that ambulances were at the scene of the accident that occurred around 10:20 a.m. Police did not say how many people were involved.

Traffic was moving slowly near mile marker 22 as officers directed drivers to use the break-down lane, troopers said. The accident caused about a four-minute delay, Google Maps shows.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

As the Senate crafts its budget proposal, Rosenberg, the Senate president, supports levying higher taxes to fund state operations.

BOSTON - As the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee works on crafting its version of the fiscal year 2017 state budget, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, is warning that the state needs more money.

"There is a serious revenue issue here that has to be reckoned with," Rosenberg said in an interview with The Republican/MassLive.com in his office on Monday.

It is a long-held position for the progressive Democrat from Amherst, and one that puts Rosenberg at odds with the two other most powerful Beacon Hill politicians: Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop. Baker is opposed to any tax increases and DeLeo has generally been reluctant to consider them. But Rosenberg has advocated for a graduated income tax system, where wealthier people pay a higher tax rate.

Today, Rosenberg supports a constitutional amendment, which labor and liberal organizing groups are trying to put on the ballot in 2018, that would increase the tax rate on people with an income over $1 million.

In the interview, Rosenberg said there are too many competing needs in the state, and not enough money to fund them.

Rosenberg has been a long-time advocate for the University of Massachusetts, whose flagship campus is in his district. The House, in its budget proposal, would give all of the state's public colleges and universities a 1 percent funding increase. Asked whether that is enough, Rosenberg said public higher education generally has not been adequately funded - which has led to an increase in student debt.

"I don't think public higher education has been treated well enough," Rosenberg said. "If we want to bring student debt down for higher education, we have to provide increased funding."

"Our students are coming out with $30,000, $40,000 in debt," Rosenberg said. "It really compromises their establishing their families and their businesses and their careers. It also affects our economy, because they don't have disposable income to spend on goods and services that would sustain and feed the economy."

But while Rosenberg said he will advocate for more funding for higher education, he acknowledged that it will be difficult to find the money. "We have the same number of dollars that the House and the governor had to spend, so it's not going to be easy to increase anything that came over from the House lower than we would like," Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg said his priority issues when it comes to the state budget include education, local aid and transportation, which he called "the foundations for a strong economy." But, he added, other needs - people in need, the environment and public safety - are competing for the same dollars. "It's very challenging these days to write a balanced budget that actually meets our fundamental needs," Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg has made no secret of his support for a graduated income tax and for raising the income tax rate in ways that will primarily affect the wealthy.

Rosenberg said he recognizes that there is no way to raise more revenue this year, since bills relating to money must start in the House and all bills must be signed into law by the governor. Both DeLeo and Baker oppose using the budget to raise fees or taxes.

Rosenberg does plan to advocate for the so-called Fair Share proposal, a constitutional amendment to raise taxes on income over $1 million. He also suggested that the state look at eliminating some tax expenditures, which are the tax breaks it gives certain industries.

Specifically, Rosenberg said Massachusetts could raise $140 million by levying the existing hotel tax on rooms rented through Airbnb, an online site that lets people rent rooms. That is the same amount of money required to enroll all income-eligible children into publicly subsidized early education.

"The choice is maintain an inequitable tax system with regard to the occupancy tax or put $140 million, the same amount of dollars, into early education so that every eligible child gets a jump start on education," Rosenberg said.

Baystate Health, the Springfield-based hospital system, is hoping to use the 2017 state budget to get an additional $10 million to compensate it for inadequate Medicaid reimbursements. The House budget would give Baystate an additional $1 million.

Rosenberg said the Senate supported requests for extra money for Baystate in previous budget bills, but the House did not pass those requests. Rosenberg said the Senate must now figure out how much money Baystate will get from the Baker administration's proposal to restructure Medicaid before lawmakers decide how much extra money they should give the hospital system.

Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Avenue will hold a Blessing of the Animals service on Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD — Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave., will host its ninth annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday at 4 p.m. on the church lawn.

Also participating in the event are Cloa's Ark, an animal sanctuary in Greenfield, which rehabilitates injured, abandoned and mistreated farm animals and pet birds and gives them a permanent home, and Wingmasters of Leverett, which rehabilitates birds of prey, and returns some to the wild while providing lifelong care for others.

"The event is free and open to the public, and people are invited to bring their pets for a special blessing," a Trinity United statement says.

Artwork and other items will be offered for purchase to assist the organizations in their fundraising efforts, the statement says. Those with questions about the event may contact Rev. John Mueller at (413) 737-5311, ext. 205.

Although Indiana voters will weigh in on both the Democratic and Republican presidential contests Tuesday, much of the attention will focus on the GOP race where U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is looking to keep his White House dreams alive by beating out front-runner Donald Trump.

Although Indiana voters will weigh in on both the Democratic and Republican presidential contests Tuesday, much of the attention will focus on the GOP race where U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is looking to keep his White House dreams alive by beating out front-runner Donald Trump.

Trailing the billionaire businessman by several hundred delegates heading into the Indiana primary, Cruz has hit the ground hard in the Hoosier State -- with help from Ohio Gov. John Kasich -- to stop Trump from winning the Republican Party's nomination outright.

On the Democratic side of the race, meanwhile, front-runner Hillary Clinton is looking to solidify her path to winning the party's nomination over rival U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Here's what you need to know about Indiana's primary elections:

How many delegates are at stake?

GOP White House hopefuls will compete for a total of 57 delegates, which will be allocated on a winner-take-all basis at the district level, as well as statewide.

Trump led the Republican field heading into Indiana's primary, with 996 of the 1,237 delegates needed to win the party's nomination outright.

Cruz and Kasich trailed with a respective 565 and 153 delegates.

Clinton and Sanders, meanwhile, will go head-to-head for 83 pledged delegates, which will be allocated proportionally, as well as nine unpledged, or so-called "superdelegates."

Heading into Indiana's primary elections, Clinton had won 2,165 of the 2,382 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination, including 1,645 of which are pledged.

Sanders trailed with 1,357 delegates -- all of but 39 of which are pledged.

When do polls close?

Indiana law requires counties to start counting primary election votes immediately after polls close at 6 p.m., according to the secretary of state's website.

In a dozen counties located in the Central Time zone, polls will close at 7 p.m. ET, while the remaining 80 will close at 6 p.m. ET.

Where will results be reported?

Presidential primary results will be published here on the Indiana secretary of state's website as they become available.

Who's ahead in the polls?

Despite Cruz's campaigning in the Hoosier State, recent polls gave Trump a double-digit lead heading into the state's Republican primary election.

According to RealClearPolitics' polling average data, the billionaire businessman leads Cruz 43 to 32 percent in Indiana. Kasich, meanwhile, trails with 15 percent.

Polls further gave Clinton a seven-point lead over Sanders in Indiana's Democratic primary, with 50 percent of the vote to his 43 percent, according to RCP data.

What it could mean for the GOP race:

Indiana's primary election represents possibly the last chance for the "Stop Trump" movement to block the billionaire businessman from winning the GOP nomination outright.

Kasich, who is resting his presidential hopes on a contested GOP convention, ceded his Indiana campaign efforts to Cruz as part of a joint effort to block Trump's path to the 1,237 delegates needed for the nomination.

Cruz, meanwhile, has campaigned hard with his newly announced vice presidential running mate pick, Carly Fiorina, across the state in what some have characterized as a last ditch effort to build momentum and support for his presidential campaign.

For Trump, who is less than 300 delegates shy of being named the Republican nominee, claiming victory in Indiana's winner-take-all primary could potentially end the GOP presidential contest.

What it could mean for the Democratic race:

Although Clinton is just over 200 delegates shy of being named the Democratic nominee -- when including superdelegates -- Sanders has stressed that he will remain in the race in hopes of forcing a contested convention.

Facing a narrow path to winning the nomination outright or to blocking Clinton from doing so, the Vermont senator has further called on superdelegates, who are un-pledged, to switch their support to his campaign.

The outcome of Tuesday's Indiana Democratic primary should provide clarity as to whether Sanders will continue his fight to overtake the former secretary of state in upcoming states' primaries.

Nationally, a gallon of regular gas averages $2.22 -- a six-month high.

SPRINGFIELD -- Gas prices in Greater Springfield have climbed to nearly $2.20 a gallon, according to survey data compiled by AAA and updated Monday as Memorial Day and the summer vacation season loom on the horizon.

Nationally, prices average $2.22 a gallon and are at their highest levels in more than six months, AAA said. The national average has remained above $2 per gallon for 40 consecutive days. Prices statewide and in Greater Springfield have not been this high since September 2015.

The average price at the pump for the month of April was $2.10 per gallon -- the lowest April average since 2009.

Locally, a gallon of regular is up from $2.13 a week ago and from $2.09 a month ago. A gallon of regular averaged $2.59 a year ago.

The record high price for a gallon of gas in Greater Springfield was $4.08 a gallon, recorded in July of 2008.

The cheapest station Monday afternoon was a Sunoco at 467 Main St. in Wilbraham, selling gas for $1.97 a gallon, according to Gasbuddy.com

Nationally, gas is 39 cents a gallon cheaper now than it was in May of 2015.

AAA paints the situation as a study in macroeconomics. Low prices are encouraging people to drive more, and that increases demand -- leading to higher prices.

Also, the price of crude oil is up, having nearly reached a new high for 2016. A $1 change in the price of a barrel can increase gas prices by as much as 2.4 cents per gallon. The cost of crude has increased by approximately $10 per barrel since the beginning of April, AA said.

But stocks of crude oil remain high despite a falling number of producing oil rigs, according to AAA.

AAA still describes national gasoline supplies as "ample."

Consumer reactions

Drivers are not happy about the increasing price, according to AAA. The organization offered the following:

• Half of U.S. drivers now believe the price of gas would be "too high" if it were priced at $2.50 per gallon. That figure has dropped significantly in relationship to the price of gas. As recently as 2014, half of Americans believed gas was "too high" at $3.30 per gallon, while last year half of Americans believed it was "too high" at $3 per gallon. Only nine percent of U.S. stations are selling gas for more than $2.50 per gallon today.
• More than 35 percent of Americans believe the price of gas is "too high" based on today's average price, even though gas prices are at the lowest levels since 2009. The vast majority of Americans also do not believe gas is "cheap" today.

Gas prices in neighboring areas

• Pittsfield: $2.19
• Boston: $2.23
• Barnstable-Yarmouth: $2.23
• Albany, New York: $2.28
• Hartford, Connecticut: $2.32
• Burlington, Vermont: $2.62

Gas prices around the country

• The nation's top five most expensive states in which to buy gas are: California ($2.80), Hawaii ($2.58), Nevada ($2.48), Alaska ($2.42) and Washington ($2.42).
• The nation's top five least expensive places to buy gas are : Oklahoma ($1.96), Texas ($1.98), Missouri ($1.99), Kansas ($1.99) and Mississippi ($2.00).

The Mfg4 trade show is a sister event to the Eastec trade show held on odd-numbered years at the Big E.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Manufacturing vocational students from Westfield Technical Academy and from Worcester Technical Academy will get a chance to show off their skills today when they take a featured role at the mammoth Mfg4 manufacturing trade show.

The Mfg4 show returns this week, Tuesday through Thursday at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The show, expected to draw 200 exhibitors, is a sister show to the Eastec manufacturing show at the Eastern States Exhibition Grounds in West Springfield.

SME, an organization once known as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, hosts the Eastec show in May of the odd-numbered years and Mfg4 in Hartford on even-numbered years like 2016.

Eastec features huge room-sized manufacturing equipment displayed for purchasers on the sprawling Big E grounds.

The Hartford show focuses on educational seminars with smaller, often tabletop, displays.

Kimberly Farrugia, the senior event manager, said Mfg4 focuses on three growing industries: defense, aerospace and medical devices.

The high school students from Westfield and Worcester will be at the SME booth in Hartford from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Both schools participate in the SME Education Foundation's PRIME or Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education program.

Since 2012, more than 140 PRIME students from around the country have received nearly $400,000 in cumulative scholarships from the SME Education Foundation. Prime has also provided d $35,000, over three years for Westifeld Technical Academy to upgrade its equipment and has highlighted the school on its website.

Exhibitors at the trade show include Advance Welding in Springfield, Hayden Corp. in West Springfield, Peerless Precision of Westfield and Machine Metrics of Northampton.

The Basketball Hall of Fame was transported back to the 1950s this past Friday, as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts held its annual A Recipe to End Hunger fundraiser.

SPRINGFIELD-- The Basketball Hall of Fame was transported back to the 1950s this past Friday, as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts held its annual A Recipe to End Hunger fundraiser.

All proceeds from the event benefited The Food Bank and the more than 211,000 people in the region experiencing or at risk of hunger.

In recognition of Big Y's commitment to the community and in honor of its 80th anniversary, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Donald D'Amour served as honorary chairman of the event. The family-owned and operated company is the leader in donated food at The Food Bank as 635,353 pounds of food or 52 percent of all the locally donated food received at The Food Bank comes from Big Y.

Participating restaurants and food vendors included Blue Heron Restaurant, Chandler's Restaurant, Elegant Affairs, The Log Cabin / Delaney House, Luxe Burger, Pengyew Catering, Randall's Farm, Red Lion Inn and Storrowton Tavern.

Beverages were provided by Berkshire Brewing Company, Martignetti Companies, Williams Distributing and Artisan Beverage Cooperative.

The Hampden County Sheriff's Department provides more than 75,000 hours of labor under the community service restitution program.

CHICOPEE - Work crews made up of minimum-security inmates from the Hampden County Sheriff's Department will be cleaning the Burnett Road area of trash every week this spring and summer.

The supervised crews will be picking up trash every Friday. In the first day, held on April 29, the inmates filled 12 bags with trash from the roadside, said Joel McAuliffe, communications director for Mayor Richard J. Kos.

"I want to thank (Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.) and his department for assisting us in keeping the Burnett Road area and the Exit 6 interchange cleaner. As major thru-ways to the Ludlow facility, it is a logical partnership that benefits all involved," Kos said.

Kos said this is not the first time he has worked with Ashe, adding the two cooperated when the sherrif proposed locating the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center on Center Street in the city.

Inmates put in more than 75,000 hours of labor in Western Massachusetts a year. They do jobs such as picking up trash under the community service restitution program with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, Ashe said.

"For our community service restitution program to be most successful, you need visionary leaders who care passionately about their communities like Mayor Kos," he said.

"Most importantly it involves offenders building some sweat equity in a positive, productive, law abiding community life," Ashe said.

The city also hires work crews from Roca, a transitional job training program for people aged 17 to 24 who have limited education and no job experience to do tasks laborers cannot get to such as cleaning up graffiti and picking up trash. The program teaches the employees, who earn minimum wage, basic job skills such as showing up to work on time and following directions.

A Constitution State resident who leapt over the White House fence in November is challenging his arrest as free speech.

A Constitution State resident who leapt over the White House fence in November is challenging his arrest as free speech.

Joseph Caputo, of Stamford, was arrested last Thanksgiving after he sought to give President Barack Obama a revised copy of the Constitution. He was arrested by members of the Secret Service on the White House lawn and charged with a misdemeanor count of unlawful entry onto restricted grounds.

Caputo has declined the offer of a plea deal for the charge and claims his actions are protected by the First Amendment.

"Mr. Caputo's entry onto White House property was not motivated by violence and it was not something that involved carrying a weapon," Stephan Seeger, Caputo's attorney told the Connecticut Law Tribune.

He added, "Because he sought to deliver a message of change, we feel it is part of his First Amendment rights to be able to do so. Simply because it's the White House property doesn't mean the First Amendment cannot be exercised in or around the property."

Caputo faces up to one year in jail and a $250,000 fine. 

Court records show that Rakeem E. Nelson Jr. had warrants at the time of his death related to court fines, and Springfield police had described him last year as a member of the city's Sycamore Street Gang. But his mother, Lakeitha S. Watson, said her son was trying to leave his past behind and lead a better life.

SPRINGFIELD -- Law enforcement officials have said that Rakeem E. Nelson Jr., 21, died in a car crash while he was fleeing a traffic stop in Westfield. Court records show that he had warrants at the time related to court fines, and Springfield police had described him last year as a member of the city's Sycamore Street Gang.

Rakeem E. Nelson Jr.(Submitted photo) 

But his mother, Lakeitha S. Watson, said her son was trying to leave his past behind and lead a better life.

"Like many young men, he did have his share of difficulties but overall, he was a kind man who loved his family and wanted to do what he thought best for them," Watson said in an emailed statement. "He was in search of employment prior to this incident as he was working on changing his life for the sake of his family, which was most important to him."

Nelson, of Springfield, had three children and a fourth on the way, his mother said. He was engaged to be married to Tiffany Gonzalez.

He converted to Islam in 2015, Watson said, and changed his name to Sadi Jihad Nelson. He was remembered at a service Saturday and buried at the Islamic Center Cemetery in Connecticut, according to his obituary.

According to the Hampden district attorney's office and Westfield police, Nelson's vehicle was stopped on Route 20, or Springfield Road, shortly before 1 a.m. April 26 for speeding. When police tried to confirm the identification information he gave them, he drove away and turned onto Union Street, police said.

Police pursued him and found his vehicle had overturned, the district attorney's office said. The initial investigation found he failed to negotiate a curve near 96 Union St. and his car struck tree.

He was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center.

Probe continues into fatal Westfield crash; dispatch audio recording of chase released

Rakeem "Rahrah" Nelson

Watson said Nelson loved playing sports as a child, especially basketball, which he started playing as a toddling 1-year-old. He taught his younger brother to play.

He graduated in June 2012 from Commerce High School, where he had played varsity basketball.

Watson described her son as a caring, giving young man who was known for his sense of humor. His nickname was Rahrah, his favorite food was Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and fashion was his passion, she said.

"It was not unusual for him to change his clothes three times a day," she said.

He was "in love with rap music," Watson said, and was pursuing it as a career.

She said that during 2014, he was employed by ROCA. The Springfield organization tries to break cycles of incarceration and poverty by reaching at-risk young people and helping them transform their lives.

But Nelson's arrests started when he was a teenager and continued after his time with Roca.

He had six criminal cases against him in Springfield District Court from the age of 18, three of which were indicted in Hampden Superior Court.

Two cases in superior court, on charges of assault with a handgun and armed robbery, were dismissed by request of the prosecutor with no explanation in court documents.

In the third case, Nelson pleaded guilty to two counts of unlicensed possession of a firearm as part of a plea deal after being arrested with a friend for spraying gunfire at several apartments on St. James Avenue on Jan. 22, 2014.

He was sentenced May 19, 2015 to 18 months in the Hampden County House of Correction. With credit for 483 days he had served while being held on bail, that left just under four months of the sentence to be served.

According to court documents, his probation officer told court officials he violated probation related to that plea on March 24, 2016 and the court issued a probation warrant on April 22, four days before his death.

He had another active warrant at the time of his death, court records show, for failing to pay court fines and fees in connection with a Sept. 8, 2015 arrest.

He had been found responsible in Springfield District Court Feb. 4, 2016 for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and speeding, but the charges would have been dismissed if he had paid $550 within two months.

In an interview with The Republican, Westfield Police Capt. William McCabe said Nelson also had a suspended license at the time of the traffic stop last week.

"I can infer he ran because of the warrant status and his suspended license, but who knows what he was really thinking about," McCabe said.

The woman paid for a $3.49 item with a fake $50 bill, and received $46.51 in real money as change.

SPRINGFIELD - Police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a woman suspected of circulating counterfeit $50 dollar bills at a West Street convenience store.

The woman entered the Pride convenience store on April 18 at 7 a.m. and purchased an item for $3.49 with a $50 bill. The clerk gave her $46.51 in change and she left.

It wasn't until later that the store determined the bill was fake.

Surveillance footage of the transaction shows a woman in her 20s with dark hair.

The incident is being investigated by Det. Gifford Jenkins of the Major Crimes Unit. He is requesting that anyone who knows the woman or who has any information about the case to call him at (413) 787-6355.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to "CRIMES," or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."

Sean Kennedy and Michael Mazzuca, both of Wilbraham, are in a race for a three-year term on the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee.

WILBRAHAM - Democratic Caucus nominee Sean Kennedy has announced his candidacy for Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee in the May 21 town election.

Kennedy is a certified project management professional through the Project Management Institute. He has worked in public safety communications for the last eight years. Presently, he works for Ayacht Technology Solutions in Lancaster, providing custom I.T. solutions to public safety and commercial customers.

He was recently appointed as a Justice of the Peace for Wilbraham.

Kennedy studied political science and psychology at Boston College. He moved to Moscow, Russia, in 1992 as part of the democratization movement that Russia experienced in the 1990s.

During his time in Russia, Kennedy volunteered as a teacher at Moscow Pedagogical College and the Moscow Diplomat Academy and educated students on political issues, though primarily focusing teaching about a free and democratic society.

"I think the Regional School Committee could use a new member who will be engaged, clear headed and puts the needs of the students, the interests of the town of Wilbraham and the goals of the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District ahead of politics and political indoctrination," Kennedy said.

He added, "We have a responsibility to the kids of both communities to give them the same kind of experience that we had growing up."

Kennedy is challenging Republican incumbent Michael Mazzuca for the seat in the May 21 town election.

Kennedy has an 18-year-old daughter, Alexandra, who will study Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fall.

He said the birth of his son, Nicholas, was the reason he and his wife, Liliya, a registered nurse at the Emergency Department of Baystate Medical Center, moved to Wilbraham.

"When our son Nicholas was on the way, one of the main factors in our decision to move to Wilbraham was the fantastic schools in the district," Kennedy said. He added, "We live across the street from my sister, who is a special education teacher in Ludlow, in a great home, in an amazing neighborhood."

Joseph Wiggins, who previously serviced time for drug distribution, was found with three boxes of ammunition but no gun in a May 8 search by police.

Patrick Johnson | pjohnson@repub.com 

PITTSFIELD - A Pittsfield man with a prior criminal conviction for drug distribution was sentenced to up to 5 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless.

Joseph N. Wiggins Jr., 39, was sentenced by Judge John Agostini to serve 4 to 5 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction in Walpole.

Wiggins pleaded guilty to single count of possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, and with being an armed career felon.

The charges stem from a police warrant search at his home on May 8. The search was part of joint investigation by Pittsfield police, the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, members of the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force, and state troopers assigned to Capeless' office.

According to the Berkshire Eagle, Wiggins was suspected of using his residence as a base for drug distribution. No drugs were found but the search yielded three boxes of ammunition but no gun.

Wiggins had previously pleaded guilty in 2005 to a charge of distribution of cocaine.

American Family Association is speaking out against a bathroom policy Target made public last month, which encourages transgender people to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

A fundamentalist Christian organization opposed to Target's transgender-inclusive policy said it has sent men into the retail giant's women's restrooms. 

The group, American Family Association, launched a petition in April that asks supporters to boycott Target stores. More than 1.17 million people had signed the petition as of Wednesday morning.

The organization is speaking out against a bathroom policy Target made public last month, which encourages transgender people to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

"We believe that everyone -- every team member, every guest, and every community -- deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally," a statement on Target's website read. "Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination."

In its petition, American Family Association says that the policy "poses a danger to wives and daughters."

Sandy Rios, director of government affairs for the American Family Association, said the group has sent men to Target to see if they could gain entry into women's bathrooms. The gender identity of these men was not made clear in the Rios interview, which broadcast on conservative radio show "Breitbart News Daily." 

"I think there's no question that when you say that there are no barriers in the bathroom and that if men or women feel like they are men or women, the [opposite] of however they are equipped, and you have no restrictions, the net effect will be that people will not be stopped," Rios said in the interview. "We've already had people testing this, going into Targets and men trying to go into bathrooms. There is absolutely no barrier."

According to the Washington Post, there's no proof that the organization has carried out such acts. But men who oppose the policy have posted videos on YouTube of their attempts to get into women's restroom.

In the video below, a man questions a Target store clerk about the policy.

Federal immigration officials are attempting to deport Diaby, who has eight children and cases pending in Fall River and Quincy district courts, police said.

SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield man with eight children is being held on $10,000 bail after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend after she discovered a cellphone video of him having sex with a minor.

Hadyetou Diaby, 31, pleaded not guilty to assault and battery on a family member, witness intimidation and resisting arrest during his arraignment Monday in Springfield District Court.

Assistant District Attorney Jill O'Connor said Diaby's girlfriend confronted him early Monday after finding a video on his cellphone showing him having sex with a minor.

Diaby grabbed the phone and then assaulted the victim, according to O'Connor, who said police eventually arrived and arrested him.

At police headquarters, investigators noticed the sweatshirt Diaby was wearing resembled the one he wore in the cellphone video, O'Connor said.

Diaby agreed to surrender the shirt only after being pepper sprayed, O'Connor said.

She asked for $10,000 bail on the new charges, and requested that the defendant's bail be revoked in pending cases in Fall River and Quincy district courts. In addition, Springfield police are investigating the video and could bring additional charges, O'Connor said.

Federal immigration officials have also filed a detainer against Diaby in an attempt to deport him, according to O'Connor, who offered no details about the defendant's homeland or how long he has been in this country.

Defense lawyer Dennis Powers opposed the bail request, asking that his client be released to attend a pretrial hearing the next day in Fall River. The defendant has a bachelor's degree and a steady work history that includes a recent job as a security guard, Powers said.

Diaby also has eight children "and does everything he can to support them," Powers added.

At the prosecutor's request, Judge William Boyle set bail at $10,000 on the new charges and revoked Diaby's release in the open cases. Under the judge's order, Diaby will be held for 90 days for violating his bail conditions.

Boyle continued the new case to May 24 for a pretrial hearing.

First place winner was Nicholas Gregore and second place winner was Kerm Sotomayor. The annual challenge is inspired by the life of Sgt. Desforges, a 2004 Ludlow High School graduate and United States Marine, killed in combat in Afghanistan in May, 2010.

LUDLOW - The first and second place finishers of the 6th annual Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges Walk/Run Challenge held April 30 at Ludlow High School were both freshmen.

Nicholas Gregoire finished first with a time of 29.59 and Kerm Sotomayor finished second with a time of 29:59, according to the Ludlow public schools Facebook page.

The annual challenge was inspired by the life of Sgt. Desforges, a 2004 Ludlow High School graduate and United States Marine, killed in combat in Afghanistan in May, 2010.

At the time of his death on May 10, 2010, Sgt. Desforges was 23 yars old and a six-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Arlene Desforges, his mother and a special education teacher at Baird Middle School, said, "Josh chased his dream to become a Marine and everyday, he lived life full throttle."

She said all the proceeds of the challenge will benefit the scholarship/award fund in her son's name which is presented annually to Ludlow High School graduating seniors who will be pursuing their dreams of attending a trade/technical school, a two or four-year college, enlisting in the military etc.

Since 2011, the annual challenge has been able to award a total of $50,000 to worthy recipients.

This year's event was described by Thomas Cote, a United States Marine, Vietnam veteran and mentor and friend of Sgt. Desforges, as a "5K road and trail run with a taste of Marine Corps obstacles and challenges."

The race began at the memorial built to honor Sgt. Desforges to the rear of Ludlow High School.

The route then took runners into the woods where they were challenged for three plus miles, with the finish line bringing the runners back to the monument.

Jabriel Nabulsi, 22, was arrested Sunday night in Connecticut after police found a small amount of drugs and a large amount of cash in his car.

PUTNAM, Conn. - A Worcester man who was stopped Sunday night for speeding was arrested after troopers searched the car and found a small amount of drugs and a large amount of cash, police said.

Jabriel Nabulsi, 22, is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and possession of less than a half ounce of cannabis, according Connecticut State Police.

What makes the arrest interesting that in addition to the drugs, Connecticut troopers found $11,400 in cash inside the car.

What makes it even more interesting is that Nabulsi is the same person was arrested by Massachusetts State Police on April 21, 2013 after fleeing a car crash carrying two shopping bags containing $148,000 in cash.

Nabulsi was a passenger in car that failed to stop after a state police trooper saw it speeding on Interstate 290.

Nabulsi told arresting officers then that he had stolen the money from a parked car. He was charged with disorderly conduct.

It has never been disclosed where that money came from.

Connecticut State Police spokeswoman Kelly Grant said Wednesday that state police are investigating where the money came from but for now it is not known. It is in the custody of the state police.

He was pulled over just after 11:30 p.m. Monday on Interstate 395 in Putnam near exit 95. A trooper clocked him driving 88 mph in a 65 mph zone.

He was being held on $10,000 bail pending his arraignment in Donaldson Superior Court.

The backup was linked to two crashes, police said Wednesday -- including a cyclist who was hit by a driver attempting to beat the backup. There were no injuries.

Police from Hadley and Northampton have already registered their concerns with the traffic jam caused by Extravaganja's first appearance at Northampton's Three County Fairgrounds.

The backup, which turned the drive from Northampton Center to Route 9 into a crawl for hours in Saturday, was also linked to two crashes, police said Wednesday -- including a cyclist who was hit by a driver attempting to beat the traffic.

Northampton Police Lt. Alan Borowski said a driver tried to pull a U-turn on Bridge Street on Saturday afternoon and struck a cyclist, who was thrown to the ground. The cyclist was uninjured and the driver was issued a citation for failure to use care in turning, Borowski said.

"The vehicle was making a U-turn to get out of the traffic and there was a cyclist going westbound," Borowski said. "The car hit the back tire, causing the bicyclist to fall over."

A car also backed into another car at the fairgrounds on Saturday with no injuries, Borowski said.

The University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition's annual Extravaganja, which featured musical performances, vendors and copious marijuana consumption, moved from the Amherst Town Common to the Three County Fairgrounds this year due to overcrowding.

The vent drew about 12,000 people, and for the most part proceeded smoothly; one person was arrested for robbing a man waiting in line for a hotdog, and no drug citations were issued. At least 13 medical calls were received by Northampton authorities and five people were taken to the hospital.

But the event's popularity caused a backup on much of Bridge Street through Northampton Center, and sparked calls from both Hadley and Northampton Police for more traffic management if the event returns next year, the Republican reported.

"We expect to ask the planners of the event to hire traffic officers for the Hadley side, if the event is again in Northampton," Hadley Police Sgt. Mitchell Kuc told the Republican in an email.

And this Sunday, Chef Dika and his staff will roll out Felix's a speciat brunch menu in honor of Mother's Day.

SPRINGFIELD -- Felix's Family Ristorante, which closed last summer to the dismay of a robust following of loyal customers, is open for business again with the former owner of a Simsbury Italian restaurant stirring the pot with old favorites, a few new ones &#8211 and adding a Sunday brunch that will debut on Mother's Day.

Sefer "Sam" Dika, who recently sold his "Mama Mia" restaurant in Connecticut, learned about the opportunity to take over Felix's last summer after the DeCesare family, citing family health issues, made the bittersweet decision to close the 214 Dickinson St. establishment after eight years in business.

The DeCesares, who continue to own the building in the heart of the Forest Park neighborhood, is thrilled that Felix's will enjoy a resurgence, according to Nicola "Nick" DeCesare.

"We're very happy," said DeCesare, who also owns and operates nearby Frank's Liquor Store.

Dika said he's honoring the restaurant's legacy by keeping the name and the decor as well as many of the dishes made with love and fresh ingredients by DeCesare's sister and chef Delores Terriaca.

Like Terriaca, Dika said he uses only the freshest ingredients and makes every dish from scratch.

"I cook in the old Italian tradition," he said. "When I saw Felix's menu, it looked a lot like mine at Mama Mia's."

Dika said some of his dishes will have what he calls "an Albanian twist," adding that the menu will continue to reflect and honor the past. "That's what counts, making people happy," he said.

Most of the staff has returned to help Dika continue in the tradition begun by the DeCesares.

Cook Yaritza "Big Mama" Garcia, who worked for the DeCesare family, is a gregarious hostess who loves making the restaurant's signature Big Mama's pasta &#8211 a whole wheat linguine.

Garcia, a graduate of the culinary arts program at Holyoke Community College, is Dika's right-hand woman. "I'm lucky to have her," he said.

The restaurant quietly reopened in March, Dika said. But it didn't take long for fans of the restaurant to begin spreading the word that Felix's, which encourages customers to bring their own wine, beer or spirits, was back in business.

During a lunchtime interview with Dika on Tuesday, a former patron, Neil Downey of Chicopee, popped in the side door and asked "Are you open?"

When the answer came back affirmative, the patron said, "I'm so glad you guys are open again!"

Another customer stopped by to order as take-out antipasto plate. The restaurant also has pizza and a large array of grab-and-go fare.

Dika, an Albanian immigrant, came to the United States in 2000 and worked for a while as a chef in Austin, Texas for a Sicilian family restaurant where he learned his trade.

He later moved to Connecticut where his Mama Mia's Restaurant drew the same kind of loyal customers that Felix has enjoyed. During the interview, Dika received a text message from a Connecticut customer asking if he was still making his meatballs and Chicken Parmigiana, two of his specialties.

Seafood linguine pescatore, five different salmon dishes and other made-to-order specialties are also popular, he said.

Dika said he looks forward to continuing Felix's fine reputation and is eager for old customers to come back to the cozy dining room with a mural and other artwork left by the DeCesare family.

On Friday nights, the restaurant will feature an accordion player who entertained guests under the DeCesares.

And this Sunday, Chef Dika and his staff will roll out Felix's first brunch menu in honor of Mother's Day. The a la carte menu will feature an appetizer of crisp fried calamari with roasted pepper aioli, a salad of field greens with dried cranberries, candied pecans and champagne vinaigrette.

Brunch entrees will include Chicken Chardonnay, lasagna with smoked chicken and spinach, Chilean seabass or Atlantic salmon and a rib eye steak.

For dessert, customers can choose from creme brulee and New York cheesecake with berries and Riesling coulis.

Dika said the 120-seat restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Mother's Day brunch will begin at noon and continue throughout the day. Reservations are being accepted now.

The phone number for the Felix's is still the same- (413) 739-7300.

Carolyn Robbins can be reached at crobbins163@gmail.com.