The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has completed the South Transmission Main project, that may create some temporary water discoloration in some areas.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission announced Tuesday that it has completed the South Transmission Main project, which carries drinking water from Provin Mountain Storage Tanks in Agawam to the city of Springfield and some surrounding communities.

The water line will be returned to service on Wednesday, June 29, according to the commission.

Due to flow increases and changes in flow direction, some customers may temporarily experience discolored water, commission spokeswoman Joyce Mulvaney said. This is most likely to be localized to the southern portion of Springfield as well as Longmeadow and East Longmeadow, she said.

If customers experience discolored water, they run all cold-water faucets for two to three minutes, shut the water off, allow the water to settle for about 15 minutes, and run the water again for two to three minutes. Mulvaney said. If the water does not run clear, repeat this process, she said, adding that customers should not run the hot water faucets until the cold water runs clear.

If, after three attempts, the water does not run clear, customers can contact the commission at (413) 310-3501. Residents of other communities should contact their local water authority, Longmeadow: 413-567-3400, and East Longmeadow: 413-525-5400 ext. 1200

The commission launched the $24 million construction project in September of 2014, to replace a 6-mile long water transmission pipeline from the Provin Mountain Reservoir in Agawam to the Route 5 rotary.

Deerfield police charged Crispin Mathieu with his seventh drunken driving offense after he crashed his vehicle on North Main Street and fled the scene.

DEERFIELD -- A Holyoke man, arrested by police for his seventh drunken driving offense Saturday night, was ordered held without right to bail for 120 days following a dangerousness hearing on Monday.

Greenfield District Court Judge Laurie McCleod also ordered that the suspect, Crispin E. Mathieu, be ordered held in lieu of $15,000 cash bail, according to court documents.

Mathieu lives at 24 Fairfield Ave., 1st floor, Holyoke. His next court appearance is set for Aug. 1.

Police charged Mathieu with his seventh drunken driving offense after he crashed his vehicle on North Main Street and fled the scene.

The incident occurred about 10 p.m., when police were alerted by a 911 caller of a driver that had just left the Whately Diner and was "all over the road," according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

Police were then notified of a crash on North Main Street in which the driver fled in his vehicle.

Officers found the vehicle a short time later and Mathieu charged when he was confronted by the officers, police said. After deploying a taser, police arrested the suspect without incident. He was found to be in possession of three knives, police said.

Mathieu showed signs of intoxication and beer was found inside the vehicle, including some in a cooler, police said.

Charges against Mathieu include operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (fifth or subsequent offense) and operating after revocation of license as a habitual traffic offender.

The fifth or subsequent offense is the highest as enumerated by state law. Mathieu, however, has more than five convictions for drunken driving in Massachusetts and another from out-of-state, police said.

Mathieu had two outstanding arrest warrants: one related to a charge of leaving the scene of an injury crash in Holyoke and one related to operating after suspension.

The Holyoke hit and run occurred on shortly after 6 p.m. on May 7 on Lower Westfield Road, according to that department's police log.

Holyoke police charged Mathieu with operating after license or right to operate revoked, operating to endanger/negligently, marked lanes violation, two counts of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and an outstanding warrant.

Obituaries from The Republican for June 29, 2016.

Laura Dulude 

Laura Dulude, 51, of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam, passed away on Monday. She was born in Holyoke. She worked as a test inspector in the aerospace industry for Overhaul Support Services in East Granby, Connecticut. After graduating from Chicopee High School, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and worked as a civilian employee at Westover Air Reserve Base in aircraft maintenance. She was very artistic, which showed in her favorite hobbies, gardening and cooking. She honed her cooking skills as a young woman in several area restaurants in the Chicopee area.

Full obituary and funeral arrangements for Laura Dulude »

The defense lawyer for Dennis Rosa-Roman on Wednesday continued to focus on a man named Ryan Coggins, suggesting by his questioning police did not investigate Coggins as a possible suspect in the fatal stabbing of Amanda Plasse in Chicopee.

SPRINGFIELD — The defense lawyer for Dennis Rosa-Roman on Wednesday continued to focus on a man named Ryan Coggins, suggesting by his questioning police did not investigate Coggins as a possible suspect in the fatal stabbing of Amanda Plasse in Chicopee.

Donald W. Frank, lawyer for the 24-year-old Rosa-Roman, who is on trial in Hampden Superior Court for Plasse's murder, said in his opening statement Rosa-Roman saw Plasse being killed.

Rosa-Roman, in videotaped police interviews that have been played for the jury, said he was afraid to give police the killer's name because he or his family may be hurt.

Rosa-Roman was arrested Nov. 5, 2013, and charged with murder in Plasse's death. She was found stabbed to death on Aug. 26, 2011, in her third-floor apartment at 73 School St. in Chicopee. Wednesday was the fifth day of testimony in the trial before Judge Mark D. Mason.

On the stand for the fourth day was Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Ronald Gibbons. He had previously testified Korey Los told police in 2012 Coggins confessed to him he murdered Plasse.

Gibbons acknowledged Coggins had been giving information to police in 2011, but rejected Frank's use of the word informant to describe Coggins. Gibbons said Coggins had a particular contact officer at the Chicopee Police Department.

After Los told police in 2012 Coggins confessed to him while the two were in jail, no actual statement was taken from Los, Gibbons said. There was only a short summation by a police officer of what Los said.

Gibbons, lead State Police investigator in the case, said he did not go to speak to Coggins after Los said Coggins confessed.

Gibbons said Coggins was asked to speak with him and Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell three weeks ago ahead of the start of Rosa-Roman's trial. He said Coggins gave them an alibi for the day Plasse was killed.

Coggins told Gibbons and Bell he worked until mid-afternoon then went to Walmart then to visit his mother, who was staying at the Days Inn in Chicopee. He gave them the name of the friend he was with subsequently.

Gibbons said they tried to find the friend to check the alibi, but the friend he wasn't home when they went to his address, so they never talked to him.

In October 2011, Coggins, 26, told police he was at a party in Chicopee and a man named Gio confessed to killing Plasse. Police spoke with a number of people who had been at the party and found no such conversation took place, Gibbons said.

Coggins was then charged with misleading police. He later pleaded guilty to that charge and served a sentence of 208 days for it.

Tom Ashe has continued to pick up endorsements for his Hampden County sheriff bid in recent weeks, with state environmental police officers and local firefighters throwing their support behind the Democrat, campaign officials announced.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Tom Ashe has continued to pick up endorsements for his Hampden County sheriff bid in recent weeks, with state environmental police officers and local firefighters throwing their support behind the Democrat, campaign officials \announced.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers Association, the Springfield Association of Firefighters, Local 648 and Springfield Fire Chiefs Association marked the latest groups to back the Springfield city councilor, according to his campaign.

Drew Piemonte, the Springfield Association of Firefighters Local 648 president, said his group decided to endorse Ashe because "he is the only candidate with the right experience in corrections and government to effectively fight to bring dollars from Boston back to Hampden County."

Vincent Neffinger, the Springfield Fire Chiefs Association president, added that his organization's endorsement comes after a history of working with Ashe on public safety initiatives, as well as on contractual disputes and state funding concerns.

"Tom has always done right by us and the people of Springfield - he has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead as the next sheriff of Hampden County," he said in a statement released by Ashe's campaign.

Ashe thanked the associations for their backing, adding that although being responsible for an agency's budget or contracts can lead to unhealthy divides, he's proud that hasn't happened to his relationship with Springfield fire officials.

"Despite the challenges we have faced here in Springfield, I have always faced them shoulder to shoulder with the fire," he said in a statement. "I've spent my career bringing people together, and I'll continue to do that as your sheriff."

MEPOA, which represents environmental police officers from across six state bureaus, meanwhile, formally endorsed the Springfield city councilor in a late-May letter that praised his experience and desire to support the association's members.

"Tom has had an impressive career in law enforcement over the last 18 years and has shown a level of commitment to public safety which is second to none," wrote Arthur O'Connell, the association's president. "Tom continues to show his support for our agency by opening dialog and displaying his desire to support the members of the MEPOA."

O'Connell further praised Ashe's plan for regional lockup in the endorsement letter.

Ashe said he was honored to receive the group's support, adding that as sheriff he will "continue to work with community partners on implementing policies such as (his) plan for a regional lock-up."

The city councilor is one of four Democrats vying to replace unrelated longtime Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.

He will square off against Mike Albano, a governor's councilor and former Springfield mayor; Nick Cocchi, a Hampden County Sheriff's Department deputy superintendent; and Jack Griffin, a retired addiction specialist with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, in a September primary.

The winner of that contest will then face nonparty candidate James Gill, an assistant deputy superintendent at the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, and Republican John M. Comerford, director of the Eastern Hampden County Veterans' Service District, in the November general election.

As Trump visited Boston for a noon fundraiser at the Langham Hotel, a group of around 75 protestors chanted outside. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Massachusetts, briefly joined the group. Watch video

They chanted, "Donald Trump is a fraud, he sends his jobs abroad" and waved signs reading "Boston says dump Trump."

As Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump visited Boston for a noon fundraiser at the Langham Hotel, a group of around 75 protestors chanted outside. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Massachusetts, briefly joined the group.

"I don't think you could get elected dogcatcher in Boston with the politics he's espoused," Capuano said. "The hate and divisiveness across the board, that's not what the people of the greater Boston or Massachusetts have ever elected."

Massachusetts' top elected Republican, Gov. Charlie Baker, has said he is not voting for Trump, and few of the state's elected Republicans have come out strongly for the presidential candidate.

"It's telling there are no major Republican figures here today supporting him," Capuano said.

Capuano said he once owned a Trump tie, which someone gave him as a gift. "It would be a good visual to burn it today, but I couldn't find it," Capuano said.

The protesters included an eclectic mix of faith-based groups, environmentalists, unions, progressives and a couple of self-described communists waiving a Soviet Union flag.

Jordan Braunig, a rabbi who works at Tufts University, said Trump's views on building a wall on the Mexican border and temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country "runs counter to the America that I want to be a part of."

"In the Jewish tradition we learn that in every generation there are voices of fascism and hatred," Braunig said. "It's our responsibility to stand up and raise our voices against them."

"We've seen this before, people who call on the worst in people, who try to raise people's fears," Braunig said. "It may not be Jews this time, but as people who have seen this in the past, we have to raise our voice to say we won't stand idly."

Michael Murphy, of Dorchester, works in marketing and is a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who lost the nomination to Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton. "(Trump) is a xenophobic bigot, and I don't support that," Murphy said. "I think he scapegoats immigrants, he scapegoats Muslims, he scapegoats everyone who falls outside the mainstream for America's problems, and that's not the way to achieve what we want to achieve."

Joe Salterio, who works for the SEIU, said he came to protest "everything he stands for... hate, bigotry, his lack of foreign policy experience, the crazy things he says."

Chuck Rivers, a Vietnam veteran involved with the Boston Homeless Solidarity Committee, said Trump's positions scare him. "His country isn't the one that I went to war for, because the whole point of it is free, equal rights," Rivers said.

Watch MassLive.com for more coverage of Trump's fundraiser.

The ShowBar strip club suspension involves violations related to a fight between two strippers in March, in which one of the dancers was stabbed and hit by a chair, according to the police report on the incident.

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced Wednesday that he is suspending the ShowBar strip club's entertainment license for 60 days, with a 15-day suspension beginning July 1 and the balance served only if there are any new violations in the next year.

The suspension involves violations related to a fight between two strippers in March at the downtown bar on Chestnut Street in which one of the dancers was stabbed and hit by a chair, according to the police reports on the incident.

There is still a pending hearing related to the bar allegedly employing a 17-year-old dancer in an unrelated February complaint.

In addition, Sarno ruled that the ShowBar must submit an application for a new manager of record and for a new security plan, that will be subject to approval from the Springfield License Commission prior to reopening on July 16.

Under the suspension, after serving the 15 day suspension, the remaining 45 days is held in abeyance for one year. If there are additional violations committed by ShowBar during the period of abeyance, the 45 days would be served in addition to any penalty imposed as a result of any new violation, Sarno said.

In addition, the ShowBar's regular closing hour of 2 a.m. is being moved up to 1 a.m., for a 30-day period, Sarno said.

Daniel Kelly, who serves as ShowBar's lawyer, said the bar will abide by the mayor's ruling.

"We will not appeal it," Kelly said. "We'll live with it."

Separately, the License Commission has a hearing scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at City Hall, to consider alleged violations of the bar's liquor license related to the stripper fight.

Kelly said that based on the mayor's ruling, he will ask the License Commission to impose "the same or similar penalty" on the liquor license,

The ShowBar continues to await a hearing on an unrelated police complaint that it employed a 17-year-old stripper in February. The employment of the girl was learned when the girl's mother learned of her daughter's job and went to the bar to take her daughter away. Police were called to assist.

A hearing date is not yet finalized.

Sarno's suspension is on the entertainment license only that controls activity including music, adult entertainment, dancers, and television sets.

According to the police report, one dancer suffered a stab wound to her left ribcage, a small cut to her left ear, and a small puncture to the left side of her neck in the altercation with the other dancer. She was treated at Baystate Medical Center for her injuries.

The bar agreed to violations as follows: absence of a manager of record; having an intoxicated employee; impermissable use of a basement; failure to call police in a timely manner,; and failure to use metal detectors or have three security staff on duty, in violation of its security plan.

To avoid smashing into car, the motorcycle operator tried to tip the bike over and slide it to the ground. But the motorcyclist ended up sliding against the back of the vehicle.

NORTHAMPTON -- A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital after hitting the back of a car on Bridge Road Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

Officers responded to the 700 block of Bridge Road at about 1:10 p.m. for reports of a crash, according to Northampton Police Capt. John Cartledge.

Laura Newberry | laura.newberry@masslive.com 

A Honda Fit traveling west stopped quickly, Cartledge said, and the motorcyclist behind the car also attempted to stop. To avoid smashing into car, the motorcycle operator tried to tip the bike over and slide it to the ground. But the motorcyclist ended up sliding against the back of the vehicle, Cartledge said.

The motorcyclist was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital for minor lacerations to the legs, according to police. The driver of the car, which suffered little damage, was not hurt.

Sparky has a price tag of nearly $12,000. MassMutual Financial Group donated nearly 90 percent of the cost.

Sparky 2.0 made his debut Wednesday at Springfield Fire Department Headquarters.

In a brief ceremony before fire officials, Mayor Domenic Sarno and representatives from MassMutual Financial Group, the department's four-wheeled, wise-cracking, music-playing, fire-prevention tool had its official roll out.

"We're very excited today," said Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

For the last dozen years, Sparky the Fire Dog, a remote-controlled robot dog, has been a key part in the fire department's fire prevention efforts.

The original Sparky the Fire Dog was deployed by the fire department in 2003. But more than 10 years of service and hundreds of appearances before thousands of children took its toll and the original Sparky was finally retired, Conant said.

And everyone one knows 10 people-years are equal to 70 robot-dog years.

Sparky is able to reach children about the importance of fire safety in ways that an adult cannot.

"I've seen Sparky out there. The kids love it," said Sarno. The children not only listen to Sparky, but they remember his lessons for fire safety too, he said.

"Many a time the kids will go home and tell their parents what they need to do," he said.
"And Sparky the Fire Dog does have some good one-liners too," Sarno said.

Though the size of a child's wagon, Sparky is not a toy.

He is a remote control , interactive robot with flashing lights, sirens, speakers and a microphone and, for the unsuspecting, a water sprayer. He can drive in any direction, and his head moves from side to side, the mouth up and down, and the eyes blink, roll and move around.

His handler, firefighter Willie Spears of the Fire Prevention Office, said "He talks, he has lights and sirens. That's all children need when it comes to attention. "

And when the children are paying attention they remember Sparky's main safety messages - stop, drop & roll, get out of the house as fast as you can, and have a planned meeting location for your family in the event of an emergency.

All those bells and whistles contribute to a sticker price that rivals that of a modest used car. The total cost was $11,942.

MassMutual Financial Group donated the lion's share of Sparky's price tag though a grant for $10,727. The Fire Department contributed the remaining $1,215.
Sarno, Conant and Springfield Fire Marshal David Rivera each thanked MassMutual for their donation.

Alison Mathias, the MassMutual director of charitable giving and vice president of the MassMutual Foundation, said she was delighted to support the fire department and its fire prevention education programs

"(Sparky) is going to make education for kids about fire safety fun and exciting and engaging , and something they can bring back to their families," she said.

"We are deeply grateful for the service and the safety provided by the fire department of Springfield where many of our employees live," she said.

Police said they found the suspect sleeping behind the wheel at Hancock and Orange streets early Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police arrested a New Jersey man on cocaine and other charges early Wednesday after they spotted him sleeping in his car at the Intersection of Hancock and Orange Streets.

Officers Dean Fay, Christian Cicero and Christopher Gentry-Mitchell, in the area for another matter shortly before 3 a.m., spotted the man sleeping behind the wheel at the intersection. His Audi was in drive and his foot was on the brake, Sgt. John Delaney said.

The officers attempted to wake the driver, when they did he became startled and attempted to drive forward only to see a police car with the overhead lights on blocking his path, said Delaney, public information officer for the department.

The driver put the car in park and the officers could observe a glass bottle of Remy Martin cognac open next to the driver.

The officers then observed the driver take a large back of packaged crack cocaine from his pocket and try to place this item in his mouth.

Police retrieved the bag, which contained 16 grams of crack cocaine, Delaney said.

Christopher M. Jenkins, 44, of 684 Jefferson Ave, Elizabeth, N.J., was charged with: possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, operating a motor vehicle after suspension, open container of alcohol and resisting arrest (he attempted to fight police while he was handcuffed, Delaney said).

All spray pads will be open from noon to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

CHICOPEE - The Nash Field wading pool will be closed for an extra week because of unexpected repairs needed.

It is expected to open on July 7 and will operate from10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Parks and Recreation officials said.

In April, the City Council voted 12-0 to spend about $50,000 to repair concrete, caulk and replace filters and skimmers at the wading pool. The repairs have taken longer than expected.

The city has opened the Rivers Park outdoor pool and will also have the indoor pools at Chicopee High and Comprehensive High opened for summer swimming. Spray pads at a variety of parks will be open from noon to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

The Champions Parade, in honor of the West Springfield Terriers and Independence Day, begins at Veterans Field at 10:30 a.m. on July 4.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — What's more patriotic than Independence Day and baseball? The answer: absolutely nothing.

OK, so add in apple pie and you have the perfecta trifecta.

West Springfield will be holding a double celebration this July 4, honoring the birth of our democracy on July 4, 1776, and West Springfield High School's championship baseball team.

The Terriers, who defeated Lincoln-Sudbury to win the state's Division I championship earlier this month, will be treated like World Series champions as they board an open-top Peter Pan bus for a Champions Parade and ceremony at the Town Common.

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Field. From there, the procession will make its way along City View Avenue, Kings Highway, Elm Street and Park Street, where it will end near the gazebo.

Brief public remarks are scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Town Green, followed by live music and a chicken barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets for the barbecue, organized by UNICO, are $11 a person and may be purchased in advance at the Park & Recreation Office, 26 Central St., weekdays from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

"It's FUN for the whole family!" town officials said in a news release.

The Terriers were honored by Mayor Will Reichelt and The Town Council on June 20, when coach Garrett Kendziera and his players were presented with official town commendations for a job well done.

"You conducted yourselves in such a great manner," said Brian Griffin, the Town Council's vice president.

"They played awesome baseball," Reichelt said of the team, which brought home ts first state title in over a decade.

Several groups worked together to organize the Champions Parade, including the mayor's office, the School Department, the Marketing and Communications Department, the Veterans Services Department, as well as other town departments. UNICO and Farmington Bank, the latter of which is sponsoring the live music, are also involved in the effort.

WATCH a West Side sendoff for the Terriers as they prepare to travel to the state championships:

Home sales in the Pioneer Valley rose 19.4 percent in May compared with a year ago, and the median price is up 2 percent, according to data shared Tuesday by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

SPRINGFIELD -- Home sales in the Pioneer Valley rose 19.4 percent in May compared with a year ago, and the median price is up 2 percent, according to data shared Tuesday by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

The number of homes sold rose from 444 in May 2015 to 530. The median price rose from $200,939 in May 2015 to $205,000.

Nationally, home sales grew 1.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.53 million in May from a downwardly revised 5.43 million in April. That was the fastest pace of home sales in a decade, according to the National Association or Realtors.

Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors chief economist, said:

Local numbers by county:

• Hampden County: Sales are up 16.8 percent from 310 homes sold in May 2015 to 362 homes sold last month. The median price is up 1.5 percent from $182,250 to $185,000.
• Hampshire County: Sales are up 10.6 percent from 104 in May 2015 to 115 last month. The median price is down 3.7 percent from $272,000 to $262,000.
• Franklin County: Sales are up 90.3 percent from 31 in May 2015 to 59 last month. The median price is up 5.6 percent from $180,000 to $190,000.

Other numbers from the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley:

May 2016 Combined by Jim Kinney

Money from the grant will be used for projects that will save Amherst between 2 and 4 percent in energy consumption, said Stephanie Ciccarello, sustainability coordinator.

AMHERST -- Town officials have received $175,971 for a number of energy conservation measures as part of $9.5 million Green Communities Act award.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton announced funding for 47 communities Wednesday.

Money from the grant will be used for projects that will save the town between 2 and 4 percent in energy consumption, said Stephanie Ciccarello, Amherst's sustainability coordinator.

Part of the funding will be used to help cut the town's share of the cost of the electric vehicle the town will purchase next month. The town received more than $18,000 in funding from other sources and was using money from the capital budget for the rest, Ciccarello said.

Money in the grant will also help pay for the installation of a another Level II EV charging station to be built near Amherst Regional Middle School.

This would be the second electric vehicle for the town.

Other projects funded with the grant will be less noticeable, Ciccarello said, but include a number of energy conservation improvements in Town Hall, the town's police station and at the Cherry Hill Golf Course clubhouse  and maintenance building, according to a press release.

Amherst became a Green Community in 2012.

Puerto Rico is in a decade-long recession and has $70 billion in debt. A $2 billion payment to creditors is due Friday. Thousands have fled the island and moved to the U.S. mainland as businesses have closed, schools have struggled with limited electricity and hospitals have asked for cash payment in advance for some medication.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON -- Congress edged closer to delivering relief to debt-stricken Puerto Rico as the Senate on Wednesday cleared the way for passage of a last-minute financial rescue package for the territory of 3.5 million Americans.

Puerto Rico is in a decade-long recession and has $70 billion in debt. A $2 billion payment to creditors is due Friday. Thousands have fled the island and moved to the U.S. mainland as businesses have closed, schools have struggled with limited electricity and hospitals have asked for cash payment in advance for some medication.

The White House and Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress have warned that without help from Washington, Puerto Rico will descend into economic chaos, with signs already pointing to a humanitarian crisis.

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 68-32 to move forward on a rescue package that would create a control board to oversee the U.S. territory's finances and supervise some debt restructuring. The legislation would not provide any direct financial aid to the territory, but leaders warned that a bailout could eventually become necessary if Congress doesn't take this step.

"If we don't act before the island misses a critical debt payment deadline this Friday, matters will only get worse -- for Puerto Rico and for taxpayers," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

A final vote could come as soon as Wednesday, if opponents of the measure agree to allow a vote quickly. The House passed the bill earlier this month, so Senate passage would send the bill to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The control board would be similar to one that oversaw the District of Columbia in the late 1990s. Its seven members would oversee negotiations with creditors and the courts over reducing some debt.

In addition to creating the board, the bill would require the territory to create a fiscal plan and fund public pensions, which the Puerto Rico government has shorted by more than $40 billion.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday in a bid to persuade some reluctant Democrats concerned that the board would be too powerful. Democrats have also opposed a provision that would allow the island's government to lower the minimum wage for some younger workers.

Lew urged senators to vote for the bill even though it isn't perfect, saying that if the island defaults, the government may be forced to shut public transit, close a hospital or send police officers home.

He and other supporters warned that if the measure fails to pass before the July 1 payment deadline, the island will face multiple lawsuits from unpaid creditors and could be forced to cut essential services further. The legislation would block creditor lawsuits.

In a rare case of bipartisanship in an election year, the package had the support of Obama and top Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate.

"This economic crisis is a humanitarian disaster," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who backed the bill despite frustration that Democrats were blocked from making changes. "Medical services have diminished. Hospitals are unable to pay their bills. Puerto Rico's largest hospital has closed two of its wings, reduced the number of beds by nearly 25 percent, and cut pay for all employees."

Some Democrats backed the bill unenthusiastically.

"I'm not going to let the adequate be the enemy of the barely sufficient," said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.

Others voted against it. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey monopolized the Senate floor for more than four hours Tuesday evening, arguing that the bill adopts a colonial approach over the territory's 3.5 million U.S. citizens. He said ordinary Puerto Ricans would have little say over the control board and the package favors hedge-fund creditors over island pensioners.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., opposed the legislation for similar reasons, calling it "disastrous."

Republicans were split. Some said the control board wouldn't be powerful enough. Others said it was the best path forward.

"We're not going to let Puerto Rico go off a cliff here, it's too important," said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

The legislation is needed because Puerto Rico cannot declare bankruptcy under federal law. Mainland municipalities and their utilities can, while municipalities and utilities in Puerto Rico cannot.

In the days before the vote, some bondholder groups worked to turn senators against the bill, arguing it doesn't sufficiently protect creditors and is tantamount to a bailout for the territory. Several labor unions also lobbied against the measure, arguing that a lower minimum wage could take money out of the Puerto Rican economy.

Like Lew, Puerto Rican Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla made an 11th-hour visit to Capitol Hill to lobby for votes.

"It's not perfect, but we need it," Garcia said Tuesday.

Planners envision new life at the 10-building complex, and plan to remove asbestos and upgrade water, sewer and electrical service to attract development.

MONTAGUE -- A 10-building vacant paper mill complex along the Connecticut River and power canal in the village of Turners Falls is on its way to productive redevelopment after voters approved funding to jump-start cleanup at the site.

A tax override of around $385,000, which passed 361-242 on Monday, will help fund the removal of asbestos at the former Strathmore Paper Mill, a 270,000-square-foot complex on 1.9 acres.

"We plan to use the local commitment to leverage state and federal grants," said Montague Town Planner Walter Ramsey. "We'll be removing a significant barrier to redevelopment."

In addition, Montague this year won a MassWorks infrastructure grant to build public parking across the canal from the project and plans to reapply next year to upgrade water, sewer and electrical service to the complex. A single-lane bridge, now out of use, connects the island-bound mill complex to the village.

Town officials have wanted to see redevelopment at the site for nearly two decades, and progress finally appears to be on the horizon.

The Strathmore Mill has been vacant since 1994, when International Paper left and abandoned the complex, taking 123 jobs. After a private proposal to transform the mill into a film production company fell through, the town took the property for nonpayment of taxes. A request for proposals, seeking potential developers, was issued in 2011. In March, selectmen voted to accept a proposal from Obear Construction of Montague for 16 to 20 condominiums in one of the buildings, a $2.24 million investment.

Even though the seven-story brick structure comprises only 15 percent of the mill complex, officials hope the project will serve as a catalyst. Obear promises to preserve the architectural integrity of the building, which was built around 1906, according to the Greenfield Recorder. The project is expected to bring in up to $90,000 per year in property taxes.

The condo plan is dependent upon the town's success in extending utilities to the site, Ramsey said. There are challenges because they must be connected over the canal by way of a footbridge that is currently closed. Montague is currently working with MassDevelopment and making use of a $20,000 Community Compact grant from the Baker administration to assess options and solve the problem.

"I'm confident that the investments we're making now now will lead to significant economic benefit for the town and region," said Ramsey. "Our goal is to get this property back on the tax rolls."

Ramsey said the time is ripe for developing housing and work space for artists. "We can't keep up with the demand," he said. "The time is ripe." Members of the creative economy, many priced out of Northampton, are attracted to Turners Falls because of its well-preserved urban architecture and close proximity to nature, he said.

The recent re-opening of the downtown Shea Theater under the leadership of WRSI radio personality Monte Belmonte has been a huge boost to Turners Falls, said Ramsey. "Monte's filling that theater on a regular basis. There are so many great things happening here now."

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

Christopher J. Kennedy, 33, used to be a state trooper. Now, he has been fired and is a convicted felon who will have to register as a sex offender.

Christopher J. Kennedy, 33, used to be a state trooper. Now, he has been fired and is a convicted felon who will have to register as a sex offender.

Kennedy, of West Springfield, was  convicted May 27 of sexually assaulting a woman he met online. He was sentenced earlier this month to serve six months in the House of Correction starting in August.

Also earlier this month, the Massachusetts State Police fired Kennedy as a result of his conviction, according to police spokesman Dave Procopio. He had previously been on unpaid leave from his job at the Northampton barracks since a few days after he was charged in July of 2014.

Hampshire Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ford on Tuesday denied a motion from Kennedy's attorney requesting that Kennedy be exempt from a requirement to register as a sex offender.

Attorney David P. Hoose argued at his sentencing that what happened between Kennedy and the Worthington woman on July 1, 2014 was a misunderstanding and that Kennedy is not a sexually dangerous person.

Ford denied that motion, noting the "brazenness" of Kennedy's crime. He was convicted of indecent assault and battery on an adult, assault and battery and indecent exposure after he entered the woman's home with her on their first date, exposed himself and forced himself on her while she struggled and repeatedly told him to stop.

Ford said some of the facts of the case were favorable to Kennedy's request, but he should register with the Sex Offender Registry Board if he is even at a low risk to reoffend:

"I believe that the circumstances of the offense, including the brazenness of the sexual assault (i.e., it was committed while the defendant was wearing his state police uniform and carrying his department issued sidearm, and it occurred in the victim's own home after the victim told the defendant 'no means no'), together with the defendant's history of substance abuse, render him, at the very least, a low risk to reoffend. That is sufficient to require registration as a sex offender."

'He used his uniform,' woman testifies in Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Kennedy's sexual assault trial

Kennedy has not started his six-month stay in the Hampshire County House of Correction because Ford on June 13 granted a stay for 60 days to allow Hoose to ask a higher court for a new trial.

Hoose has argued that Ford erred in not instructing the jury in Kennedy's case to consider whether Kennedy may have mistaken about the facts - believing the woman wanted to have sex with him - when he forced himself on her in 2014.

The two had flirted and exchanged sexually explicit texts and messages on the dating website Plenty of Fish starting June 25, 2014, according to the victim's testimony at trial. She said that at her home he backed her up against a wall, kissed her against her will and forced her hand onto his penis.

Hoose argued that Kennedy's behavior at her home was a result of his belief because of the messages that she wanted to have sex with him, and he stopped as soon as she said "no."

The actual sentence is six months to the Hampshire County House of Correction on the count of indecent exposure, one year to the House of Correction with six months to be served concurrently and the rest suspended for two years on the assault and battery charge, and two years probation on the indecent assault and battery charge.

While on probation, Kennedy must submit to a sex offender treatment evaluation and complete any recommended treatment, possess no firearms, surrender any and all firearms licenses, submit to GPS monitoring, and stay away and have no contact with the victim.

Massachusetts State Police call actions of suspended trooper 'deplorable'

Consultants with Nelson\Nygaard were in Amherst this week to present findings of a study.

AMHERST -- For now, there seems to be enough parking in and around downtown Amherst -- at least most of the time.

That is, if some private lots are used in off hours.

Although ... it's a little trickier finding a space during peak hours like weekend nights or lunchtime, said town Senior Planner Nathaniel Malloy.

Consultants with Nelson\Nygaard were in Amherst this week to present findings of a $40,000 study they conducted this spring to address the question of actual parking need versus the perception of real need.

Consultants presented their findings to various groups including town staff, business owners and others.

The study involved a parking survey as well as looking at where people parked on three different days. That meant walking throughout town and counting the parked vehicles.

"They had a pretty big study," Malloy said.

Consultants believe that the town could make some management changes to help make parking easier, but don't seem to think the town needs to build a new garage now.

They suggested the town review a change in pricing. Currently, all parking is 50 cents an hour regardless of whether it's a meter or a lot. 

They also suggested having agreements with more property owners to allow parking in their lots when businesses are closed. For example, people can park in nearby PeoplesBank and Bank of America lots. 

The town could consider a garage as it looks at future parking needs, the consultants said.

Parking needs could grow downtown as a new shared office space called AmherstWorks opens and new housing is built.

The proposed One East Pleasant Street to be built at the site of the former Carriage Shops could provide homes for 143.

As its part of the town's Municipal District, the developer is not required to provide parking but will provide 36 spaces. 

Acting Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Jerry Guidera in an email wrote the study confirms "the main concern of downtown businesses: there's a perception of parking difficulties in town that effectively discourages visitors. Our downtown economy is largely visitor-driven, so it's our responsibility as a community to help establish the infrastructure that will drive visitors downtown."

He also questions the study and some of the counts consultants based their findings on. "I was surprised that it was limited to three days of parking counts this past spring. That's a very small sample," he wrote.

"At the same time, the inclusion of private parking spaces in the overall parking counts just doesn't make sense. Visitors to downtown will only consider publicly accessible and available parking lots -- not someone's private property," Guidera wrote.

Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director Sarah la Cour said her biggest concern, too, is counting private and reserved spaces as part of the overall parking inventory. "Private parking should be categorized different than public," she wrote in an email.

"(Building a new) parking garage should form part of our long-term strategy to draw visitors and workers to downtown Amherst," Guidera said. "The last time we built a half-garage, the discussion took over a decade. That's why the discussion should begin now -- so that we're not caught flat-footed by a surge in demand, as we anticipate through the in-fill projects planned for downtown."

No new parking has been offered since the 188-space Boltwood Walk Parking Garage opened in 2002.

The Parking Study Working Group will meet and discuss priorities, Malloy said. "The business community will be part of the conversation. (Having a need for more parking) is a good problem to have. People want to come here," he said.

"We don't want to make it too difficult for people (to find parking)," he said.

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Torey Krug to a four-year, $5.25 million contract.

The Boston Bruins have signed Torey Krug to a four-year contract worth $5.25 million, the team confirmed on Thursday.

According to Alex Prewitt of Sports Illustrated, Krug will make $5 million in the first two years of the deal and $5.5 million in the latter two. He'll have a no-trade clause that kicks in during the final two seasons.

The deal will keep Krug in Boston through the 2019-20 season. The 25-year-old defenseman recorded four goals and 40 assists for a career-high 44 points last year, playing in 81 games.

That career high in points came despite some bad luck, as Krug's shooting percentage was just 1.6, well off his career average.

For the last two years, Krug had played on one-year deals, making $3.4 million in 2015-16 and $1.4 million the year before.

Krug had right shoulder surgery on April 21, and the recovery might keep him out for the first few games of the 2016-17 season. At the time of the surgery, his recovery time was expected to be six months.

With the Bruins preparing to buy out Dennis Seidenberg on Thursday and save themselves $2.8 million in cap space next year, they had more room to retain Krug, who had been set to become a restricted free agent.

That gives Boston four defensemen under contract for the 2016-17 season: Krug, Zdeno Chara, Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller. Joe Morrow and Colin Miller are restricted free agents who will need new contracts.

According to GeneralFanager.com, the Bruins have just over $19 million in cap space available. In addition to those Morrow and Miller, they'll also need to pay a backup goalie, and they currently have nine forwards under contract for the upcoming season.

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan announced Thursday that he will close his congressional campaign committee, transfer its funds to an educational foundation and make a $1 million scholarship donation to the Lowell campus.

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan announced Thursday that he will close his congressional campaign committee, transfer its funds to an educational foundation and make a $1 million scholarship donation to the Lowell campus.

Meehan, who became president of the five-campus UMass system in July 2015, said it was the right time for such a move, as his "priorities and passions so clearly are here at the University of Massachusetts and with its mission of excellence and transformation."

He called the decision "an expression of gratitude as well as a statement of commitment" to the college system.

"The real significance of the gift will be seen in the opportunities it provides for students and in the impact they will have on the commonwealth and the world," Meehan said in a statement.

According to UMass officials, Meehan, who served in the U.S House of Representatives from 1993 to 2007, will close his federal campaign account -- a move signaling the end of his political career.

He will transfer the campaign account's $4.35 million to an education foundation he established in 2001, which will donate the funds over time to education programs that "provide high-quality, transformative opportunities."

Of the money transferred to the foundation, $1 million will go to UMass Lowell for scholarships. Meehan intends to have the foundation subsequently make gifts to the other four UMass campuses in short order, said spokesman Robert Connolly.

The grant will follow Federal Election Commission guidelines set forth in similar circumstances, school officials said.

Meehan, who graduated from UMass Lowell and served as the campus' chancellor from 2007 to 2015, said the endowed fund will be directed at the university that transformed his life "and continues to play a major role in the lives of citizens and in the life of the commonwealth."

Gov. Charlie Baker praised Meehan's announcement, saying it makes clear his commitment to serving as the UMass president.

"I appreciate President Meehan's generosity for directing this million-dollar donation to a scholarship fund where it will change the lives of UMass students for generations to come," he said in a statement.

Victor Woolridge, chairman of the UMass board of trustees, also lauded the move.

"This is a dramatic step and it truly does reflect the Marty Meehan many of us have come to know, respect and deeply appreciate," he said. "To know Marty is to recognize the depths of his feelings for UMass and how driven he is to express his gratitude for the education he received at UMass."

Jacquie Moloney, who succeeded Meehan as chancellor in August 2015, said the gift, while moving, doesn't come as a surprise.

"I witnessed his dedication to improving our students' lives on a daily basis. He is determined to make a lasting difference and he knows that investing in a UMass Lowell education is the best way to do so."