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Farmers blame drought for 'worst year' for crops

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Farmers like Richard P. Wysk are calling the summer of 2016 "the worst year" that they have known for their business.

Western Massachusetts farmers like Richard P. Wysk, 51, of Hadley, are calling the summer of 2016 "the worst year" that they have known for their business.

Rainfall has averaged about an inch a month, they say, instead of the needed inch weekly. Wysk's corn has not ripened at his River Bend farm, his melons have yet to appear on their vines and some of his peppers have aborted.

A drought advisory was issued for the Connecticut River Valley by the state's energy and environmental secretary at the beginning of July as the result of "four continuous months of unusually dry weather."

Most of Massachusetts is under a moderate or severe drought.

IMG_0555.JPGRichard Wysk, of River Bend Farm in Hadley, and Betty Kopec, his aunt, at the Farmers' Market at Forest Park. Wysk, 51, a long-time vendor at the market, has been absence in recent weeks as severe drought conditions in his area of the state have impacted his harvest. 

"It's the worst year on record for dryness. You can dig down five to six inches and not find water. You can't weed and you can't pull plants up because there is nothing behind them," said Wysk as he served long-time customers, like Laura B. Joubert of East Longmeadow, Tuesday at the Farmers' Market at Forest Park in Springfield.

Wysk has been a regular participant at the market since its inception at another location nearly 20 years ago, but not so much this summer when lack of rain has meant for him, and other area farmers, "slim picking for four or five weeks."

David Paysnick has operated Rainbow Harvest Farm, in Greenfield, since 2009. The thirty-six-year-old farmer said that, since he has had "no water source on his property for irrigation," he has "years that challenged, but not like this."

"This is the worst drought I have ever seen," Paysnick said.

"It has made some crops late, some have died and others have slowed down because of the length of this drought. It has been impossible to keep everything watered. It has been a couple of months. We haven't even got an inch a month. Adequate is about an inch of rain a week. We normally average about four inches in June, a little bit less in July, and we have had a total of about two inches since May, if that."

Paysnick has built a water trailer so, when he is "not at market," he can pump two trailer loads of water a day onto his two acres. The effort has kept him supplied with an array of produce to sell at farmers' markets like Forest Park, but he added that it is far from adequate and that the lack of rain makes it hard to grow vegetables like potatoes and "to keep lettuce in good shape."

"We need a good day of long steady rain to get us into a pretty good place for going into fall. We are used to having July and August being very dry some years, but we are not used to going into that with a very dry June," Paysnick said.

Ryan Voiland, of Red Fire Farm in Granby and Montague, agreed this year's drought conditions are "causing a lot of trouble" for farmers.

IMG_0545.JPGRyan Voiland, owner of Red Fire Farm in Granby and Montague, readies his stand with corn at the Farmers' Market at Forest Park. Voiland did not supply CSA members with shares this week as drought conditions forced his farm laborers to focus on irrigating his 100 acres. Voiland said the current drought is the worst he has experienced in his more than 20 years of farming.

"It is the worst drought I can remember in my entire life," said Voiland who has farmed for more than 20 years.

Crops, ranging from blueberries to melons to corn, were plentiful inside his busy organic produce stand at the Forest Park market, but he attributed that to the result of "heroic efforts to irrigate" at least 90 percent of his 100 acres and "keep most of our crops alive." He said the effort came at a price as there was not enough produce harvested this week to distribute shares to some 1,000 CSA - community supported agriculture - members. CSA members buy shares in return for a portion of a farm's produce.

"We spent most of our effort doing pipe and irrigation equipment so we could water every day and we got very behind on our weeding and cultivating community projects that usually take a lot of our time," Voiland said.

"We took a lot of the staff that we would have devoted to CSA harvesting to catch up on weeding and trying to water and put the pipe down to save our later summer crops. It is the first time we ever had to do something like that and I hope it was the right decision."

Belle-Rita Novak, manager of the Forest Park market, said that attendance at the Tuesday market, which is open from 12:30 to 6 p.m. near Cyr Arena, has remained high, even if some produce has been less plentiful so far this season.

Customers did seem to be in evidence at the lineup of vendors, including at River Bend where Laura Joubert was looking at the selection of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and beets, and anticipating buying Wysk's corn when it was ready.

"He's my favorite stand," Joubert said. "His vegetables are affordable and good, and his corn is sweet and crisp."


DNC 2016: Elizabeth Warren dismisses idea of possible Hillary Clinton cabinet position, says she's committed to US Senate

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With the spot of running mate off the table, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continued to push back against the possibility of leaving her seat in Congress for a cabinet position if Hillary Clinton is elected president.

PHILADELPHIA - With the position of running mate off the table, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continued to push back against the possibility of leaving her seat in Congress for a cabinet spot if Hillary Clinton is elected president.

The Massachusetts senator, who has served as an important surrogate to the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign, said in a late-Wednesday interview that her focus is on pushing her issues and helping the party win back Senate seats -- not changing jobs.

"I have a great job -- and please triple underline great job," she said when asked about the potential of joining a Clinton cabinet. "The Senate is a place where I can fight for the issues I care deeply about. Where I can fight for students, for seniors, for working people, for people who want to build a strong future and that's exactly what I plan to do every day."

Although Warren would not definitively rule out taking on a cabinet position if offered, she cast doubt over the likelihood of such an event.

"I can't imagine that there is a job that's better than the one I have," she said when asked about how she would respond to such an offer. "I love my senate seat."

The senator said she sees her role in the 2016 campaign as fighting for important issues, as well as ensuring the party takes back the U.S. Senate to avoid roadblocks like those President Barack Obama currently faces.

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Warren, who delivered a keynote address during the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and spent time with Clinton's daughter Chelsea later in the week, added that she will continue to take aim at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"Donald Trump said that he has an answer for what's broken in America and he doesn't. Other than building a stupid wall that will never get built, he has no policies to advance," she said, comparing him to "a late night infomercial."

DNC 2016: Elizabeth Warren blasts Donald Trump in Democratic National Convention speech

Since officially throwing her support behind Clinton in early June, Warren has hit the campaign trail with the former first lady and blasted Trump in a series of speeches.

The senator also attended a high-profile closed door meeting with Clinton, fueling speculation that she may be tapped as the vice presidential running mate -- an idea which Warren also largely brushed off.

Democrats formally named U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, as the party's vice presidential nominee on Wednesday.

Follow along with The Republican and MassLive throughout the week for coverage and updates from the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

DNC 2016: Who's speaking? And what to expect for Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention

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After days of speeches, performances and party business, the Democratic National Convention will come to a close Thursday -- but not before Hillary Clinton takes the stage to officially accept her presidential nomination.

PHILADELPHIA ‒ After days of speeches, performances and party business, the Democratic National Convention will come to a close Thursday -- but not before Hillary Clinton takes the stage to officially accept her presidential nomination.

The former secretary of state's prime time speech will close out the four-day-long event at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, officially kicking off her general election run against Republican Donald Trump.

Under a theme of "Stronger Together," the final day of the Democratic National Convention is expected to highlight Clinton's vision for America, as well as her belief that "we are stronger together and that America is at its best when we work together to solve our problems," DNC officials said.

Aside from the presidential nominee, congressional lawmakers, activists and others will also speak at the Democratic gathering.

Here's what you need to know to follow along with Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention:

When does the convention start?

The final session of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 4 p.m., according to officials.

Who's speaking?

Similar to previous nights, Day 4 of the Democratic gathering will feature an array of lawmakers and activists, including:

- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

- U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois

- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

- U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas

- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

- Actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen

- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf

- Doug Elmets, a former Reagan Administration official

- Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez

- Family members of fallen law enforcement officers

Clinton will take the stage to end the convention's speaking program, following an introduction from her daughter, Chelsea.

Who's performing?

The final night of the Democratic National Convention will continue to present performances by high-profile musicians. Among those slated to perform Thursday include:

- Katy Perry, who has campaigned with Clinton at various events

- Carole King

- Sheila E + Family

What to expect?

With sub-themes of "support our military" and "tribute to fallen law enforcement officers," the final night of the Democratic National Convention is expected to focus on areas the party has been criticized for and accused of neglecting earlier on in its gathering.

Day four of the Democratic National Convention will also likely emphasize not just Clinton's platform and vision for America, but the historical significance of her status as the first female presidential candidate for a major political party.

Follow along with The Republican and MassLive throughout the week for coverage and updates from the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Massachusetts Parole Board grants parole to former Holyoke man sentenced for 1984 murder of Northampton man

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Tony Quinones, a former Holyoke resident, pled guilty to the 1984 shooting death of William Diaz at Florence Heights in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON -- The Massachusetts Parole Board has granted parole, with special conditions, to a former Holyoke man who received a life sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder in the 1984 shooting death of a man at the Florence Heights housing complex.

Tony Quinones, also known as Anthony Q. Core, also pled guilty to assault with intent to murder and received an 8 to 10 year sentence to be served concurrent with the life sentence.

The board held a parole hearing for Quinones, on Feb. 18 and rendered its decision on July 11, according to the decision.

Quinones, then 28, was at his mother's apartment at Florence Heights on the night of Sept. 21, 1984 when an altercation broke out in front of her home.

William Diaz, 22, who was the boyfriend of one of Quinones' sisters, physically assaulted Quinones' mother and sister.

On seeing this, Quinones, carrying a gun, went outside to confront Diaz and words were exchanged.

When Diaz and a companion began to run towards the back of the building, Quinones followed and fired a shot in their direction. Diaz was fatally shot in the back of the head and his companion fled.

After the murder. Quinones fled to Brooklyn, N.Y. and changed his appearance. He was arrested by New York police officers on Oct. 2 of that year and was returned to Massachusetts.

Quinones received a positive parole vote in May 2004 after the board noted his "positive adjustment and program involvement," according to the decision.

In April of 2013, however, Quinones was returned to custody for violating his conditions of parole. He had a criminal complaint against him for filing a false motor vehicle insurance claim, attempting to commit a crime and falsely reporting a crime.

He was sentenced to 21/2 years in the House of Correction to be served concurrent with his life sentence. He was further sentenced, for his conviction of falsely reporting a crime, to 1 year in the House of Correction to be served from and after his 21/2 year sentence.

During his February hearing, Quinones, now 60, admitted he was guilty of the offense that lead to his parole revocation and expressed his regret for "embarrassing" the board that granted his parole and for disappointing his family and friends.

Discussing the murder, Quinones said that after seeing his mother's swollen face after Diaz hit her, he wanted to fight Diaz.

Quinones said he had previously borrowed a gun from a man he knew and that he returned it to that man before his altercation with Diaz.

Quinones said, however, the owner of the gun was at the scene when the altercation occurred. That man told him that Diaz and his companion had guns and then gave Quinones his gun.

Quinones said he saw Diaz and his companion make several gestures like they were reaching for something but did not see any weapons.

Quinones told the board that he "just lost it" when he saw his mother and sister hurt. However, according to the decision, Quinones acknowledge that "there is no justification for what he did, and admits he made a terrible mistake."

Quinones maintained a positive record since he returned to prison in 2013, according to the decision.

He also "demonstrated rehabilitative progress and consequently, has acquired the tools and skills that will assist him in a successful transition from incarceration," according to the decision.

The special conditions include: board approval of a home plan before his release, a work waiver for two weeks, no drug or alcohol use with testing for compliance, no contact with the victim's family and attendance of AA meetings at least twice a week.

During the hearing, Quinones testified that he always though his last name was Quinones, but while on parole in New York, was informed that his name on his birth certificate is Antonio Core (his mother's last name). He stated his driver's license now reads Antonio Q. Core.

Massachusetts Turnpike partially closed as state police, firefighters respond to motorhome fire in Ludlow

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Massachusetts State Police were called to the westbound lanes of the pike near the 54 mile marker for the report of a car in flames in the breakdown lane.

A fire along the late Thursday morning involving a car and motorhome has partially closed the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Massachusetts State Police were called to the westbound lanes of the pike near the 54 mile marker for the report of the vehicles ablaze in the breakdown lane. Both the motorhome and the sedan hitched to it were damaged though no injuries have been reported.

All westbound lanes were closed as emergency responders sought to put out the fire. The left lane was reopened shortly after noon.

DNC 2016: What time will Hillary Clinton speak at tonight's Democratic National Convention?

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illary Clinton will formally accept her Democratic presidential nomination Thursday to culminate the party's national convention in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA -- Hillary Clinton will formally accept her Democratic presidential nomination Thursday to culminate the party's national convention in Philadelphia.

The former first lady, who is the first female to win a major party's presidential nomination, is expected to highlight her vision for America, as well as reflect on the historical significance of her title as she closes out the four-day-long event with a prime time speech.

Although DNC officials have yet to release a specific start time for Clinton's remarks, she is expected to speak during the 10 p.m. ET hour.

The former secretary of state's speech will likely come later in the hour, as her daughter, Chelsea, is scheduled to introduce Clinton at around 10 p.m. ET.

Chelsea and Hillary Clinton's remarks will come after a musical performance by singer Katy Perry, who has joined the Democratic White House hopeful on the campaign trail for various events.

Several other campaign surrogates, lawmakers and activists are also scheduled to take the stage on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

Hillary Clinton's prime time speech will come just one day after she briefly joined President Barack Obama on stage to close out day three of the Democratic gathering.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, meanwhile, addressed convention-goers on Tuesday.

DNC 2016: Bill Clinton says GOP claims about Hillary Clinton 'made up,' calls wife 'change maker'

Follow along with The Republican and MassLive throughout the week for coverage and updates from the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Officials determine Vermont home explosion due to propane leak

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The explosion at 33 Great Blue Heron Drive, shortly after 7 a.m., blew out the four walls and foundation, and brought the roof down on the pile.


This is an update of a story posted at 4:18 p.m. Wednesday.

GUILFORD, Vermont - Officials have determined the cause of an explosion that destroyed a house Wednesday morning was the result of a propane leak, according to the Vermont State Police.

The explosion at 33 Great Blue Heron Drive, shortly after 7 a.m., blew out the four walls and foundation, and brought the roof down on the pile. The home owner, Richard Holden, 64, was rescued from the basement where he was pinned under debris.

He remains hospitalized at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is being treated for injuries.

State police said a preliminary investigation found the explosion was likely due to a ruptured propane gas line in the basement of the house. Investigators have not yet found what caused the line to rupture or what was the ignition source of the gas.

Detectives with the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Arson, and Explosive Ordinance teams, and the state Division of Fire Safety are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information that may aid in the investigation is asked to call Detective Sgt. Tyson Kinney of the Vermont State Police-Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4670.

Guilford is located off Interstate 91, just north of Leydon, Massachusetts.

'What's that?' Springfield man with 37 rounds in backpack replies when asked for FID card, police say

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For more than a hour, the Montanez brothers were idling at a gas pump at the Racing Mart on St. James Avenue, prompting an employee to call police

SPRINGFIELD — After finding 37 rounds of ammunition in Alex Montanez's truck Tuesday, a city police officer asked to see his firearms identification card.

"What's that?' Montanez, 22, of Springfield, asked, according to the arrest report.

For more than a hour, Montanez and his brother, Luis, 24, had been idling at a gas pump at the Racing Mart on St. James Avenue, prompting an employee to call police. The brothers were acting strangely and were perhaps "on drugs," the employee told police.

When the officers arrived, the GMC truck was still idling at the pump. While speaking with Alex Montanez, officers spotted a container of marijuana and cocaine on his lap and a bag of PCP on the console next to him, the report said.

In the back seat, they found a backpack with 22 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 25-caliber ammunition and 3 rounds of 22-caliber ammunition, the report said.

During the search, Alex Montanez was "acting peculiar and didn't seem be quite with it,"officer Seth Barker wrote in the report.

Ten hours later in Springfield District Court, Alex Montanez pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine, marijuana and PCP, plus possession of ammunition without an FID card. Luis Montanez pleaded not guilty to possession of PCP and possession of marijuana.

Student prosecutor Nicholas Moutinho requested $1,000 bail for each brother and asked that Luis Montanez's bail be revoked in two cases from earlier this year, including one involving an alleged assault on two police officers.

Defense lawyer David Pritchard said that Alex Montanez had no defaults on his record, and asked for his release on personal recognizance or, at most, $500 cash bail.

His client was employed as a tow truck driver and currently works as a landscaper, Pritchard said.

He also challenged the police search, saying it raised "significant constitutional issues ... that will be litigated at a later time."

Defense lawyer Matthew Hutchinson said the vehicle did not belong to Luis Montanez, and neither the drugs nor ammunition could be tied to him.

"There is no admission and no evidence that he was reaching for anything," Hutchinson said.

His work history includes jobs at a lumber yard, restaurant, towing company and landscaping firm, according to Hutchinson, who said his client now serves as a caretaker for his mother and an ex-girlfriend with cancer.

Judge William Boyle set bail at $1,000 each and revoked Luis Montanez's bail in his two open cases.

The brothers are due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 16.


3 unrelated early morning shootings in Springfield send victims to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police say

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One of the victims, a pizza delivery driver who was shot in the back, drove himself to Baystate Medical Center, police said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Three people, including a pizza delivery driver, shot in three unrelated early Friday morning shootings, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Springfield police patch

Lt. Richard Labelle told WWLP the first shooting occurred about midnight when a person was shot and robbed of their cell phone on Washburn Street in the North End.

The suspects were described as two males wearing masks.

The second occurred about 12:30 p.m. when a pizza delivery driver was shot in the back on Johnson Street, not far from the X in the Forest Park neighborhood.

The victim drove himself to Baystate Medical Center.

The third shooting, which followed an argument on Belmont Avenue in the Forest Park neighborhood, sent a victim to Mercy Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the foot.

Labelle told WWLP the shootings are not related and police were still looking for at least two of the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau 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."

Erving police arrest Vermont man with loaded gun on French King Bridge

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The suspect was also found to be in possession of two loaded high-capacity magazines.

ERVING -- Police arrested a Vermont man on the French King Bridge Wednesday night after he was found to be possession of a loaded large-capacity firearm.

Brian R. Mentz of Jacksonville, Vt., was arrested by Officer Adam Paicos at about 10 p.m., according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

Mentz was also found to be in possession two loaded large-capacity magazines and a half-ounce of marijuana.

He was also charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Additional information was not immediately available.


Teen critically injured after falling from moving bus on Martha's Vineyard

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A 13-year-old is in critical condition after falling from the window of a moving bus.

A 13-year-old is in critical condition after falling from the window of a moving bus.

The Cape Cod Times reports emergency responders were called to an Edgartown road Wednesday following the incident and found the boy with serious injuries. 

The teen who was visiting the island from New York was first taken to Martha's Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Boston. 

He remains in critical condition. 

 

Seen@ Photos from the Storrowton Village Green Concert in West Springfield

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Several hundred people gathered around the Storrowton Village Green Gazebo to enjoy the music of Richie and Kathy Mitnick and The Sounds of Music Singers Thursday.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Several hundred people gathered around the Storrowton Village Green Gazebo to enjoy the music of Richie and Kathy Mitnick and The Sounds of Music Singers on Thursday.

The musical talent from the Sounds of Music group would bring a special sound to the duo as they performed music from the Jazz era, Broadway show tunes, classics from the 1950's, and more. Mitnick said this was the 30th consecutive year that he has performed at Storrowton.

The 90-minute free concert was sponsored by the Park and Recreation Department of West Springfield and co-sponsored by the Eastern States Exposition and was part of the 53rd Annual Concert Series.

Also performing were Brad Shepard, Jessie Rivers, Peter Annone, Conni Lind, Ethel Lee and Richie's brother Alan from New Jersey.

The next concert will be staged in the West Springfield senior high school auditorium, Tuesday, August 2, at 7 p.m. with Gary Landgren and the Honky Tonk Piano.

National Grid picks Itron as smart meter vendor in Massachusetts

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The utility hopes to expand a 'smart grid' pilot program launched in Worcester in 2015.

National Grid has recommended Itron, Inc. as its smart meter and grid modernization provider in Massachusetts, Itron announced this week.

If approved by state utility regulators, the extension of a pilot program launched in Worcester in 2015 would support mandated grid modernization for 1.3 million customers in the Bay State.

The publicly-traded Itron said its OpenWay platform would enhance reliability and resiliency of electricity service in the face of increasingly extreme weather, and empower consumers with opportunities to better manage and reduce electricity costs.

The platform would provide real-time data, outage and restoration notification, two-way communication and control, demand optimization, distributed resource integration, and workforce and asset management, the company said in a July 26 press release.

Itron, based in Washington state, would also design and implement a comprehensive data management and communications network and cybersecurity infrastructure for Eversource.

Eversource launched a two-year "smart grid" pilot program in Worcester in January of 2015, giving customers on-time digital information about their usage, and control tools that can be accessed via a smart phone, tablet, or computer.

The program offers varied rates to incentivize usage when there is less overall grid demand. Basically, electricity is priced higher during "peak hours" and "conservation days," and less during the day, overnight, and on weekends.

Eversource in March touted the pilot program's success, saying it led to $1.25 million in customer savings and shaved usage by 2,300 megawatt-hours during its first year.

"We are thrilled with the encouraging results from the Smart Energy Solutions program," said Ed White, National Grid's vice president of New Energy Solutions. White said the average customer using the plan saved more than $100 during 2015.

Not everyone is thrilled. A group called "Halt Smart Meters in Massachusetts" questions Eversource's numbers, and claims that smart meters may cause cancer.

National Grid's rollout must be vetted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, which ordered the company to file a 10-year grid modernization plan consistent with state policy goals. That plan has yet to be approved.

A range of options could include deploying the technology for every customer, with the ability to opt out, or only for those who specifically opt in. Costs over 10 years could range from $524 million to $1,275 billion, reports Greentech Media.

National Grid, an investor-owned utility, serves 3.4 million electricity customers and 3.6 million natural gas customers in New England and New York.

Seen@ Photos from the Fountain Park Concert Series in Wilbraham

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The Fountain Park Summer Concert Series came to an end for the season on Thursday with a performance by The Diamond Collection.

WILBRAHAM -- The Fountain Park Summer Concert Series came to an end for the season on Thursday with a performance by The Diamond Collection.

"We always enjoy performing in Wilbraham. We've played at the park before and the concert series makes good use of this beautiful venue," said Kenny LaBelle, who leads the popular Neil Diamond tribute band, in a previous interview with The Republican.

The Diamond Collection is an eight -piece tribute band dedicated to carefully recreating the songs and sounds of Neil Diamond.

LaBelle's faithful vocals and the group's devotion to maintaining accuracy and authenticity with every note they play, combined with a high-energy performance, has resulted in a fan base comprised of loyal "Diamondheads."

Boasting a repertoire of 108 Diamond songs spread across the artist's collection of more than 40 albums, the band performs a two-hour show filled with songs that LaBelle described as "all over the place, playing a lot of old stuff, some newer songs, and a great deal of deep cuts."

While the summer concert series may be over for another year, there is still plenty to do at the picturesque Fountain Park which is open year round from dawn to dusk. Visitors can enjoy the great outdoors by hiking in the park, walking their dog, and in the winter go cross-country skiing or sledding. You can even hold private functions at the park.

Check out photos from last week's Fountain Park Concert Series at the link below. 

Driver killed in fatal Route 495 crash in Franklin identified

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Massachusetts State Police were called to the northbound lanes of Route 495 near Exit 17 in Franklin at approximately 6 a.m. Thursday for a report of a single-car crash.

Massachusetts State Police were called to the northbound lanes of Route 495 near Exit 17 in Franklin at approximately 6 a.m. Thursday for a report of a single-car crash.

Zachary R. Lemir, of Warwick, Rhode Island was operating a 1997 Ford F0159 pickup when the truck went off the road and into the woods, police say.

Lemir, 23, was the vehicle's lone occupant.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Detective Unit for Norfolk County. Troopers were assisted on scene by the Franklin Fire Department, Bellingham Fire and Police Departments, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

 



Mass. motorist drives up utility pole after following GPS directions in Vermont

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A Massachusetts motorist drove partway up a utility pole in Vermont while trying to follow directions from her GPS.

A Massachusetts motorist drove partway up a utility pole in Vermont while trying to follow directions from her GPS.

WMUR reports that Nabila Altahan, 30, of Dorchester, Mass., passed her destination in Mendon, Vt., prompting her GPS to direct her to turn around.

She reportedly followed that instruction too aggressively, speeding off the road while turning and climbing part-way up a set of wires attached to a utility pole.

No injuries were reported, according to WMUR.

Westfield School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski schedules informal community meeting

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WESTFIELD - Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski has scheduled a community wide 'Meet & Greet' for Wednesday at Park Square Green. Czaporowski, who officially began his duties as superintendent of schools July 1, will meet with parents, residents and community members at the newly completed gazebo at the square. The event is scheduled for 8 - 10 a.m.. Light refreshments...

WESTFIELD - Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski has scheduled a community wide 'Meet & Greet' for Wednesday at Park Square Green.

Czaporowski, who officially began his duties as superintendent of schools July 1, will meet with parents, residents and community members at the newly completed gazebo at the square. The event is scheduled for 8 - 10 a.m.. Light refreshments will be served.

The gazebo was built by students involved in several programs at Westfield Technical Academy where Czaporowski served as principal until his appointment as superintendent.

Six Northampton establishments sanctioned for serving alcohol to minors

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Six establishments in Northampton had their liquor licenses placed on probation after city compliance checks found they served alcohol to minors. Six establishments in Northampton had their liquor licenses placed on probation after city compliance checks found they served alcohol to minors.

Six establishments in Northampton had their liquor licenses placed on probation after city compliance checks found they served alcohol to minors.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that all six businesses -- The Roost, Veracruzana, Taipei & Tokyo, Fairfield Inn & Suites, ConVino Wine Bar and Sakura Buffet and Vegan Palate-- admitted to the violations at a license commission hearing yesterday.

All except Sakura Buffet had their licenses placed under probation for six months, with a two-day suspension to be imposed if there are any violations during that time. Sakura's probation period was two years, the Gazette reported.

Adam Dunetz, the owner of the Roost, said at the hearing that it was the coffee shop's first violation in five and a half years, and that the employee who served the minor no longer worked there, according to the Gazette.

Restaurants across the city have occasionally felt the sting of the city's liquor compliance checks. In February 2015, India House, Bistro Les Gras, Viva Fresh Pasta Company, Siam Square and the Sierra Grill all had their licenses placed on probation following a day-after-Christmas compliance sweep.

Sunderland police charge Deerfield man with drunken driving (2nd offense) following crash

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Christopher E. Santana initially fled the scene on foot but then returned, police said. Police determined that Santana failed to stop at the stop sign on Silver Lane, causing the crash.

SUNDERLAND -- A 27-year-old Amherst man was charged with drunken driving (2nd offense) and driving without a license Saturday night after a two-vehicle crash on Old Amherst Road at Old Silver Lane, police said.

The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Both airbags deployed and no injuries were reported, according to a post on the Sunderland Police Department Facebook page.

Christopher E. Santana initially fled the scene on foot but then returned, police said.
Police determined that Santana failed to stop at the stop sign on Silver Lane, causing the crash.

Santana was also charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and the civil infractions of failure to stop at stop sign and marked lanes violation, police said.

Deerfield police assisted with the investigation.

Springfield police on scene of Bay Street stabbing

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Several Springfield and state police officers and Springfield detectives are on the scene near 297 Bay St, which is near Marion Street in the city's McKnight neighborhood.

Update - Bay Street has reopened to traffic.


SPRINGFIELD - Police are on the scene of a reported stabbing Friday morning on Bay Street.

Several Springfield and state police officers and Springfield detectives are on the scene near 297 Bay St, which is near Marion Street in the city's McKnight neighborhood.

The stabbing was reported shortly after 11 a.m.

An ambulance with the victim just pulled out to head to the hospital.

Bay Street was briefly closed to all traffic at Bowles Street and Brown Street as police search the scene for evidence. It has since reopened.

No information was available on the condition of the victim, or on any possible suspects.

Bay and Marion is the location of a recent city homicide. Twenty-six year old Jhamal Cruz was shot to death there on May 8.

This is a developing story. More information will be added as it is known.

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