Eversource Energy released a statement on Wednesday warning customers of people who claim to be selling "discounted power."

SPRINGFIELD — Eversource Energy released a statement Wednesday warning Springfield area customers of scam artists making unsolicited home visits and phone calls claiming to offer "discounted power."

"If you're receiving phone calls from someone saying they're a 'representative' of Eversource and offering to sell you discounted power, this is not us," said Penni Conner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Eversource.

The company confirmed that anyone using either of these tactics are either "scammers" or third-party suppliers who may be "choosing to use deceptive marketing tactics."

The company added several precautions that they believe will help customers protect themselves from scam artists, including calling Eversource to verify that the person they are speaking to is a real representative.

Additionally, the company warned against customers showing their account information or utility bill to anyone that has not been verified as an Eversource representative.

Eversource encouraged anybody that may feel they have been solicited improperly to report the incident at 1-877-659-6326 in Western Massachusetts.

For more information, the company suggests that consumers can go to Eversource.com to learn about how to "avoid becoming a victim of utility scams."

While some cheered, the Baker administration warned that more natural gas pipeline capacity is needed in New England.

BOSTON -- Fossil fuel foes, a liquefied natural gas company and a trade association representing power generators celebrated Wednesday's news that natural gas pipeline growth in New England will not be financed by electrical ratepayers in Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker cautioned that new natural gas capacity is needed to meet the region's power demands without raising costs. Similar sentiments were expressed by electrical utilities and a major pipeline developer.

In a closely watched case, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday struck down a mechanism where electric utilities would be allowed to forge 20-year contracts for natural gas pipeline capacity, sell that capacity to power plants and pass the costs to their retail customers.

State energy officials had said the plan would provide stable financing to expand natural gas capacity to the region, thereby driving down the cost of wholesale electricity. Foes countered that ratepayers should not shoulder the risk associated with major pipeline development, and said there is no guarantee the scheme would benefit consumers.

Massachusetts high court strikes down 'pipeline tax,' ruling electric utilities may not finance major natural gas projects

Letting electric companies purchase natural gas on behalf of power plants would violate the state's 1997 utility restructuring law, wrote Justice Robert Cordy in his Aug. 17 opinion.

Last year, the Conservation Law Foundation sued the Department of Public Utilities over its adoption of the mechanism, and the case was heard in May by the state's highest court. Filing a separate complaint was Engie Gas & LNG, which imports liquefied natural gas, a competing fuel. The office of Attorney General Maura Healey filed an amicus brief opposing the DPU mechanism.

Electrical utilities under Eversource Energy and National Grid since last fall have been seeking DPU approval for capacity on Access Northeast, an interstate line that would serve a cluster of New England power plants. The DPU has suspended evidentiary hearings on those contracts until the department's review of the court's decision is complete, said a Baker administration spokesman. 

Access Northeast, proposed by Algonquin Gas Transmission, is a project of Spectra Energy, Eversource Energy and National Grid.

While fully half of Massachusetts' power generation depends upon natural gas, plant owners have been unwilling to enter into contracts for pipeline capacity, preferring to buy fuel on the spot market. The conundrum is that pipeline developers need to have such contracts lined up when seeking federal approval. The idea was that electric utilities could commit to the pipelines on behalf of the generators.

An amendment to this year's state energy bill that would have banned the pipeline funding mechanism did not make it into the final version signed by Baker this month.

The following represents a range of reactions to Wednesday's court ruling:

Peter Lorenz, spokesman for Gov. Baker's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs:

"Massachusetts has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, and without additional gas capacities and a diverse energy portfolio, the trends will continue to rise over time. The Department of Public Utilities respects the Supreme Judicial Court's decision, and while the federal government remains the deciding authority on pipeline siting decisions, the Baker-Polito Administration believes meeting the region's energy demands without raising costs for consumers requires additional natural gas along with the wind and hydroelectric power provisions recently signed into law."

Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst

"The SJC got it right. Existing law prohibits passing the cost of building new pipelines onto ratepayers. When the Massachusetts Senate debated the energy bill this session, the Senate voted 39-0 to prohibit utility companies from passing the cost of building new infrastructure on to ratepayers. To do otherwise would have been unprecedented and contrary to the best interests of the Commonwealth. Ratepayers deserve to have confidence that the matter is settled, and now they do."

 Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC spokesman Arthur C. Diestel:

"Algonquin, as the sponsor of the Access Northeast Project, is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.  This leaves Massachusetts and New England in a precarious position without sufficient gas capacity for electric generation during cold winters.  The lack of gas infrastructure cost electric consumers $2.5 billion dollars during the Polar Vortex winter of 2013 and 2014.  While the Court's decision is certainly a setback, we will reevaluate our path forward and remain committed to working with the New England states to provide the infrastructure so urgently needed for electric consumers." 

Eversource Energy spokeswoman Caroline Pretyman:

"Although we respect the Court's decision, it leaves the region in a precarious position without sufficient gas capacity for electric generation during cold winters -- which drives electricity prices up for our customers. We've been working with Spectra and National Grid to address this issue. Access Northeast is a solution that could save New Englanders approximately $1 Billion a year -- savings that help consumers and businesses stay competitive. The project would also displace oil and coal-fired generation with cleaner-burning natural gas -- reducing regional emissions and improving the environment.  

While the Court's decision is certainly a setback, we will re-evaluate our path forward and remain committed to working with the New England states to provide the infrastructure so urgently needed to ensure reliable and lower-cost electricity for customers."

National Grid spokeswoman Danielle Williamson:

"This is a disappointing setback for (Access Northeast), which is designed to help secure New England's clean energy future, ensure the reliability of the electricity system, and most importantly, save customers more than $1 billion annually on their electricity bills. We will explore our options for a potential path forward with Access Northeast and pursue a balanced portfolio of solutions to provide the clean, reliable, and secure energy our customers deserve. While natural gas remains a key component in helping to secure New England's long-term energy future, the recently passed clean energy bill also presents a welcomed opportunity to support the development of large-scale clean energy, such as hydro and wind."

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey:

"Today's SJC decision confirms our longstanding position that existing law bars electric distribution companies from using ratepayer money to foot the bill for natural gas pipelines. Requiring electric ratepayers to pay for new natural gas pipeline capacity effectively shifts the risks associated with building these projects to ratepayers, contrary to the state's policies of the past two decades. We know from our 2015 electric reliability study that there are cleaner and more affordable options for meeting our energy needs. The Court's decision makes clear that if pipeline developers want to build new projects in this state, they will need to find a source of financing other than electric ratepayers' wallets."

The Conservation Law Foundation:

"This is an incredibly important and timely decision," said David Ismay, CLF's lead attorney on the case. "Today our highest court affirmed Massachusetts' commitment to an open energy future by rejecting the Baker Administration's attempt to subsidize to the dying fossil fuel industry. The course of our economy and our energy markets runs counter to the will of multi-billion dollar pipeline companies, and thanks to today's decision, the government will no longer be able to unfairly and unlawfully tip the scales in their favor."

ENGIE Gas & LNG spokeswoman Carol Churchill:

"In an important decision today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the MA Department of Public Utilities does not have the authority to review and approve ratepayer-subsidized long-term contracts by electric utility companies for natural gas pipeline capacity. The decision means electric ratepayers should not be required to bear the risk of these multi-billion dollar contracts.

 We continue to believe that Massachusetts and New England's natural gas capacity needs can be met most efficiently by existing (liquefied natural gas) infrastructure available to the region, diversifying the region's portfolio into renewables, and continuing to encourage and reward energy efficiency and energy storage. The state and region are clearly headed in the right direction, and this decision will allow us to continue on this path."

The power generators association previously said the mechanism would interfere with competitive power markets, giving an unfair advantage to certain players.

The state's highest court heard oral arguments in the case in May.

Justice Cordy wrote that the mechanism would expose ratepayers to financial risks lawmakers sought to mitigate with the 1997 law, which broke up integrated energy monopolies and forced electric utilities to sell their power-generating assets, creating a competitive market for electricity.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

A 19-year-old girl told Vermont police that she was sexually assaulted by a man who was formerly an instructional assistant at a high school, according to Vermont State Police.

DUXBURY, VT — A former high school instructional assistant from Vermont was arrested last week after being accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old girl, according to Vermont State Police.

John "Jake" Petrasch Jr., 39, who formerly worked at Harwood High School, was taken into custody on Aug. 9, after an investigation into sexual assault allegations by a teen girl from Barre, according to police.

The girl claims that Petrasch, who is currently employed as a teacher for the Department of Corrections – and who was in charge of working with the girl's boyfriend – sexually assaulted and strangled her at his residence in Duxbury, according to police.

Petrasch's work with the victim's boyfriend had been taking place at the Community High School of Vermont, located in Barre.

Police say that Petrasch has been issued a citation for arraignment in the Criminal Division of Washington County Superior Court on Thursday.

Gov. Charlie Baker joined a crowd of about 150 people Wednesday evening at Ludlow's Iron Duke brewery for a fundraiser for Chip Harrington. Watch video

Baker, who officially endorsed Harrington in May, praised Harrington's history of local government service, saying his roots in his district would keep him accountable to voters.

"In this guy you have somebody who's been on the streets and in the town and grew up here and went to school here, got married, lives here, raises a family here," Baker said. "It's exactly the kind of life history and professional history you want in the people who serve and represent this district on Beacon Hill.

The appearance culminated a day of political appearances in Western Mass. for Baker, who attended Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe's annual clambake and held a press conference in Springfield announcing a $5 million grant to the University of Massachusetts Amherst for data science and cybersecurity research.

Harrington said the governor's appearance was arranged quickly after the campaign learned last Thursday of Baker's plans to spend the day in Western Massachusetts, and that he was glad to support the owners of Iron Duke Brewing.

"It doesn't matter what your party affiliation is. There's Democrats, Republicans, independents in here," Harrington said. "They all feel the same thing -- that Springfield, the whole Western Mass. region, appreciates a guy like Charlie Baker who's out here quite a bit and understands some of the struggles that we have."

 

Former Springfield mayor, current Governor's Council member and aspiring Hampden County Sheriff Michael Albano (D-Longmeadow) was also in attendance -- at what he described as the first Republican event he had attended since 1978.

Albano would not say whether he would be voting for Lesser or Harrington in November, but did not rule out donating to Harrington's campaign.

"Why not?" Albano joked. "I'm buying a beer. Does that count?"

Harrington announced plans on Feb. 24 to challenge Lesser, a Longmeadow Democrat, as a Republican candidate. The race will be a rematch of the 2014 state Senate primary, when Harrington -- then a Democrat -- lost to Lesser, who went on to win the seat.

Harrington and Lesser are competing for the state's First Hampden and Hampshire Senate District, which includes Harrington's hometown of Ludlow as well as Belchertown, Granby, Hampden, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow and parts of Springfield and Chicopee. 

The Ludlow Republican has leveled a series of criticisms at Lesser, attacking his efforts to build higher-speed rail from Boston to Springfield, saying Lesser does not support businesses and accusing him of using the state senate as a stepping-stone to a future career in Washington, D.C.

Harrington announced his switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP in January, saying his fiscally conservative and pro-gun views made him unwelcome among the Democratic establishment.

Harrington is a graduate of Ludlow High School and studied at Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University. He worked as a corrections officer at the now-closed York Street jail in Springfield, as a legislative assistant in the Massachusetts State House and again as a corrections officer before opening Our Town Variety store on Fuller St. in Ludlow.

Harrington is also a part-time police officer in Ludlow. He has experience with local public service, having served on Ludlow's Board of Selectmen from 1993 to 1997 and a on the town's School Committee for the past 11 years.

Affordable housing units in Palmer will receive extensive renovations as the result of receiving $19.2 million in financing from MassHousing.

PALMER — Palmer Green Estates, an 156-unit affordable housing complex, will receive renovations after collecting significant financing from the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing).

MassHousing is a semi-public institution that provides financial support for affordable housing units across the state.

Palmer Green Estates, which is covered by the federal Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Contract, will receive $19.2 million in financing from MassHousing.

The company that owns Palmer Green Estates – Beacon Communities LLC – plans to use the money from MassHousing to renovate the units' bathrooms and kitchens, upgrade boilers, and replace all of the existing windows, roofing, siding, and exterior doors.

The Executive Director of MassHousing, Timothy C. Sullivan, said that Palmer Green Estates is "in need of a significant makeover."

"We were pleased to partner with them to ensure that happened," said Sullivan.

The complex consists of 156 units, including 88 one-bedroom apartments, 58 two-bedroom apartments, and 10 three-bedroom apartments. 88 of the units are reserved for senior residents.

"We are thrilled to work with MassHousing to preserve and improve this critical affordable housing resource,'' said Beacon Communities Development Director Josh Cohen.

Construction on the units is already underway and is expected to be finished by September 2017.

Fiesta Cafe at 305 Main St. in Holyoke, Massachusetts celebrated the opening of its 50-seat patio while the first of three "Holyoke Visible" events took place around the corner in a project to highlight Holyoke food, language and cultural assets.

HOLYOKE -- Chatter and music filled the air Wednesday night at Cabot Street between Main and Race streets with two events drawing crowds.

Fiesta Cafe at 305 Main St. celebrated the opening of its 50-seat patio and around the corner, the first of three "Holyoke Visible" gatherings to highlight the area's food, language and cultural assets took place on Race Street.

"My philosophy is, bring the family together," said Fiesta Cafe owner Juan Montano, 36. "When we were growing up, we always had dinner together."

The Fiesta Cafe has been in business since early 2015 with Montano offering traditional Puerto Rican dishes along with a liquor license. The restaurant employs eight people, he said.

Montano was born in Puerto Rico but has lived in Holyoke for 25 years.

"We're trying to bring a part of the island here, so the coffee is from Puerto Rico, the bread is from Puerto Rico," Montano said.

A few steps away on Race Street, people were gathered in the closed-off street eating food prepared by Nuestras Raices and talking at the "Holyoke Visible" event. The three-part project is a collaboration between the city, various departments at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club, Nuestras Raices and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

"The theme of 'Holyoke Visible,' we started out by asking people, what should be more visible in Holyoke? And that's how the three themes emerged: food, language and culture," said Joseph Krupczynski, who is with the Center for Design Engagement in Amherst and faculty member in the UMass Architecture Department.

Food was the theme of the first "Holyoke Visible" event. Next will be language on Aug. 24 in an event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dwight and Main streets at the train platform and culture on Aug. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bowers and Mosher streets.

A story with additional details about the Fiesta Cafe and Holyoke Visible events will be published later this week.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Morris was named acting superintendent on Tuesday. A subcommittee has been formed to find a permanent replacement.

AMHERST - A week after former Superintendent Maria Geryk said she had "no choice" but to leave the Amherst Pelham Regional School District, the school committee has appointed an interim replacement and released new details about plans to pay her severance.

The committee on Tuesday tabled a vote to approve minutes from 14 hours worth of executive sessions, lengthy closed-door conversations about Geryk that took place over four nights and led to a $309,515 severance. The vote was tabled after an executive session that lasted more than three hours. Chairwoman Laura Kent said some matters were still unresolved.

On Aug. 9, the Union 26 and regional school committees agreed to pay Geryk 18 months of salary, 69 vacation days and health insurance through 2018. The money will come from the budget, not from insurance.

The school district owes Geryk $159,429. Amherst owes $124,000 and Pelham will give her $11,809, according to a presentation of the funding plan. None of the money will be redirected away from instruction.

About $100,000 of the district's obligation is expected to come from natural gas cost savings at the high school and middle school.

Under a plan that may change over the two-year span, much of the total severance will be covered by contingency funding for staff and health insurance, as well as School Choice reserve funds.

In a statement, Geryk did not explain her desire to leave. Instead, she wrote:

I believe that education is the most important mission-related work there is. I have also always believed it is important to work and live in the way that makes you personally happy and professionally fulfilled. While the decision to leave was extremely difficult, it was clear to me that I had no choice but to take this step so that I could live true to this belief.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Morris was named acting superintendent on Tuesday.

Because of the length of the executive session, several matters on the agenda were tabled until later meetings.

Touting Donald Trump as "a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers," Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence stressed Thursday that the GOP White House hopeful is "ready" to bring needed change to Washington D.C.

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Touting Donald Trump as "a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers," Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence stressed Thursday that the GOP White House hopeful is "ready" to bring needed change to Washington D.C.

Pence touted his Republican running mate and took shots at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, as he fielded voter questions and discussed the campaign's platform during a town hall-style event at the Executive Court Banquet Facility in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The Indiana governor, who was officially nominated as the Republican VP candidate at the party's national convention in Cleveland last month, further called on New Hampshire voters to once again turn out in support of Trump this fall.

Contending that the billionaire businessman "gets it" and is "a genuine article," Pence told supporters that he believes Trump "has made a connection to the American people, he's given voice to the frustrations and the aspirations of the American people more effectively than any American leader since (his) hero, Ronald Reagan."

"I truly believe that...He's a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers and when Donald Trump does his talking, he doesn't go tiptoeing around those thousands of rules of political correctness that the media and the elites impose," he said. "He tells it like it is an the American people hear him loud and clear."

Pence argued that while Trump offers a new vision and new ideas, the Democrats have rolled out a "stale agenda" and a candidate with "the most predictable of names."

The vice presidential hopeful added that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton "literally represents everything this county's tired of."

The Indiana governor, pointing to recently released emails, further blasted the former secretary of state's trustworthiness in the wake of what he called a "cascade of questionable conduct."

"The choice in this election couldn't be more clear: it's a choice between change and the status quo," he said. "I mean, the American people can elect someone who literally personifies the failed establishment in Washington D.C. and or we can -- and I know we will -- choose a leader who will fight every day to rebuild America's strength at home and abroad and that man is Donald Trump."

GOP vice presidential candidate Mike Pence draws curious voters, Donald Trump supporters in New Hampshire

Pence touted the GOP White House hopeful's commitment to the law enforcement community and the military, as well as promoted his immigration and foreign policy proposals. He urged event attendees to promote Trump's policies to their friends, relatives and neighbors.

"We have a choice to make, men and women in New Hampshire," he said. "I know you all made a great choice in your primary, now we just need to do it one more time this November in New Hampshire."

Trump won big in the state's first-in-the-nation GOP primary, claiming 35 percent of the vote.

Although Clinton lost to Bernie Sanders in the Democratic New Hampshire primary, recent polls give the former first lady an 8-point edge over the billionaire businessman in the battleground state, according to RealClearPolitics' polling averages.

Pence's stop came less than a week after his vice presidential rival Tim Kaine attended a New Hampshire Democratic Party organizing event at Saint Anselm College in Manchester.

Approximately 400 Morgan horses are competing in over 200 events during the four day run in West Springfield.

WEST SPRINGFIELD- On the Internet, Thursdays are often denoted as "Throwback Thursday."

For the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show kicking off in West Springfield today, "Throwback-Back to the Future" is the theme and the show will last until Saturday in the coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition.

The show committee is bringing back their favorite center ring from the past and participants are invited to decorate their stalls and box seats with their favorite theme.

Approximately 400 Morgan horses are competing in over 200 events during the four day run in West Springfield.

For more information, visit the group's website.

A man from Connecticut was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Wednesday for distributing heroin and cocaine.

BOSTON — A man from Connecticut was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Springfield on Wednesday for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Tyvonne Gooden, 25, of Manchester, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, as well as three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin in February.

On March 20, 2014, State Police and Greenfield law enforcement found Gooden in possession of 190 bags of heroin, as well as two bags of cocaine.

Gooden reportedly took police on a car pursuit that lasted hours, after he refused to stop for a Massachusetts State Police trooper who had tried to pull him over on I-91.

After he and his accomplice – Cayle E. Jones, 20, also of Manchester – were finally stopped, law enforcement found large quantities of narcotics on Gooden's person, as well as inside the vehicle.

Another 200 bags of heroin were reportedly found inside of the car Gooden was in, as well as large quantities of crack cocaine.

A kitten named "Flint" was stolen from the Dakin Society in Springfield on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD — A kitten named "Flint" was stolen from the Dakin Humane Society – a nonprofit animal shelter based in Springfield.

The organization has reported that two women entered the organization's Adoption Center at approximately noon on Thursday and grabbed "Flint," before hiding him under a shirt and fleeing the scene.

The organization says that the theft was captured on footage from the building's security cameras.

Dakin's Executive Director, Carmine DiCenso, said that employees at the organization were "surprised and dismayed that someone would do this."

"We are so grateful to everyone who helps animals by adopting, volunteering and supporting Dakin," DiCenso said. "The majority of people entering Dakin are kind, caring and compassionate people. This isolated event is not representative of our community," he said.

Dakin has asked that anybody with any information about the perpetrators contact both the Springfield Police Department and the Dakin Humane Society.

New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch was suspended, according to a report from NESN's Doug Kyed.

FOXBOROUGH -- The New England Patriots' defensive line took a hit Thursday, as defensive tackle Alan Branch was suspended, according to a report from NESN's Doug Kyed.

Patriots DT Alan Branch has notified teammates he's been suspended, according to sources informed of the situation. Awaiting more details.

-- Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 18, 2016

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the suspension is a "team-based issue," and not a suspension from the league. The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reports that Branch's suspension will last, "a few days," and that it is for violating team rules.

Branch, 31, has played 24 games for New England since arriving in 2014, collecting 22 tackles and one sack over that span. He has been a strong presence in the interior, and was set to begin the season as a starter alongside Malcom Brown.

Branch was released by the Buffalo Bills in August 2014 after being arrested for a DUI.

With Branch suspended, summer signing Terrance Knighton could see an increase in reps Thursday night, while Vincent Valentine and Markus Kuhn could each benefit from more playing time.

The state will offer grants to struggling farms and ensure that plans are in place to provide enough water for firefighting and public safety.

State officials are urging the public to conserve water in light of the ongoing drought conditions in Massachusetts.

The state is also planning to offer grants to struggling farms. And state officials are ensuring that plans are in place to provide enough water for firefighting and public safety purposes.

"Our Administration continues to support communities across the Commonwealth to work in unison as we prepare for the very serious ramifications that a prolonged drought can have on our economy and public safety," said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in a statement. 

Massachusetts has now seen five months of unusually dry conditions. There is a drought warning in much of central and northeastern Massachusetts. The rest of the state is under varying levels of watches and advisories. A small part of the state, in the northeast, is classified as being in "extreme drought" conditions, while more than half of the state is classified as being in a "severe drought," according to national standards.

How do drought conditions affect Quabbin's water supply?

State officials are urging residents to: limit outdoor water use, cover swimming pools when not in use, sweep outdoor areas rather than hosing them off, reduce shower times, wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, turn off the tap when brushing teeth or shaving and fix water leaks.

There are no statewide bans in place on any type of water usage. State-owned facilities are being instructed to take measures to conserve water.

State fire officials are working with local fire departments and municipal water suppliers to ensure that there are plans for mutual aid if there is not enough local water supply to fight a major fire.

"We have not reached the point where demand for water exceeds supply, but we are planning and developing the capacity to provide large volumes of bottled water to multiple communities and to provide tankers of potable water to replenish municipal tanks," said Public Safety Secretary Dan Bennett. 

Some grants for technical assistance for small businesses are being redirected to an emergency loan fund, which will provide loans to family farms and small businesses affected by drought and will bridge the gap until agricultural businesses can get federal assistance.

Boston having driest summer on record

Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris will not initiate site assignment proceedings against the proposed East Springfield biomass plant.

SPRINGFIELD -- Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris will not initiate site assignment proceedings against the proposed East Springfield biomass plant, clearing a path for a project that has survived court challenges, city council opposition and protest from neighborhood organizers who describe the plant as a menace to public health.

Caulton-Harris wrote that opponents did not present convincing evidence that the plant would fail to meet EPA and MassDEP standards, and also that those standards are sufficient to protect residents.

"It is therefore decided that a site assignment hearing shall not be ordered for the project at this time," Caulton-Harris wrote.

And though the city's advisory Public Health Council had recommended site assignment by a six to one margin, Caulton-Harris' decision said their vote did not count. Eight votes are needed for a legal quorum on the 15-seat board, she wrote -- a tall order, given that the council only had nine active members as of its May 2016 meeting, including Caulton-Harris herself.

Jesse Lederman, a spokesman for the coalition of community groups that opposed the plant, said opponents were considering their legal options and could file suit against the city.

"It is extremely disappointing that the Commissioner has chosen not to act in the best interest of the residents of the City of Springfield and simply hold this hearing despite the many calls by immediate abutters of the proposed incinerator, the Springfield City Council, and the decision issued by the Springfield Public Health Council, which recommended a Site Assignment Hearing in June," Lederman said in a statement.

"We stand by the opinion that a Site Assignment Hearing is required for this type of project both by state law and Springfield's own local ordinances," he continued. "We must ask why the Health Commissioner for the City of Springfield is refusing to move forward and follow the recommendation of her own Public Health Council and give consideration to the fact that Springfield continues to receiving failing grades for our air quality from the American Lung Association and experiences one of the highest asthma rates in the state. "

Proposed biomass plant in East Springfield.THE REPUBLICAN FILE 

Attorneys for biomass developer Palmer Renewable Energy had warned that it could sue the city for $200 million if the health council votes to recommend site assignment proceedings, a measure that allows health boards to force the relocation of "noisome trades" and facilities "dangerous to the public health."

"There is simply no legal or factual basis for the Public Health Council to pursue a site assignment," Palmer Renewable Energy said in a statement. "PRE has adhered to every legal and environmental requirement needed to bring this project to fruition."

Opponents, including local residents, environmental activists and City Council Vice President Orlando Ramos, have said the plant could endanger the health of city residents.

"It should be clear at this point that the citizens of Springfield do not want a biomass incinerator," Ramos said in a June press conference.

Mayor Domenic Sarno did not taken a position on whether the site assignment hearing should take place.

Courts have ruled that local health board's authority does not apply when specific state laws address the same subject matter, the decision said, citing a case wherein a board of health was successfully sued for $3 million after it wrongfully invoked site assignment authority.

Mass DEP has "broad power" to regulate air pollution, and Caulton-Harris wrote she could not find any previous use of site assignment proceedings to regulate a biomass power plant.

The decision cited the testimony of experts called by PRE, who argued in the January hearing that the project would not increase the risk of asthma. Caulton-Harris also noted the testimony of opponents, who said that the plant could expose a high-risk population that already had elevated rates of respiratory problems.

Mass DEP sent Caulton-Harris a letter defending its standards, saying they protect public health and are rigorously enforced. And at a July meeting, MassDEP officials threw cold water on opponents' arguments for site assignment, according to the decision.

"According to MassDEP, it has been determined through the permitting process that the Project is not a noisome or noxious trade so as to constitute a public nuisance, that permitting for the Project includes strict limits, controls and monitoring relative to air quality, and that these controls are appropriate to address the concems raised by project opponents," the decision said. "MassDEP representatives stated that incorrect assumptions appear to have been made by project opponents relative to the correlation between asthma and particulate matter."

Julie Rochette was charged with vehicular homicide by negligent operation of an automobile at her Aug. 10 arraignment.

HARDWICK -- A 44-year-old woman that police say caused a deadly motor vehicle collision in 2015 was arraigned last week in East Brookfield District Court on charges related to the death.

Julie Rochette of Hardwick was charged with vehicular homicide by negligent operation of an automobile and negligent operation of a motor vehicle at her Aug. 10 arraignment, according to the court. She is due back for a pretrial hearing Oct. 4.

Police were called to Route 49 near the Spencer-East Brookfield line on June 16, 2015, where they found four seriously injured people in two heavily damaged vehicles, the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester reported.

Rochette's passenger, Jason Cranston, 30, of Barre, received CPR but died at the scene, according to a police report cited by the Telegram.

Investigators determined Rochette was driving at least 75 mph in a 55 mph zone. Rochette told police she was trying to pass a line of vehicles, and realized too late she could not avoid an oncoming Jeep, the Telegram reported.

The occupants of the Jeep were identified as Kayla Mannila, 23, and Danny Lloyd, 31, both of Southbridge.

A member of the Springfield Latin Kings gang known as the "Enforcer" was sentenced on Thursday for distribution of cocaine as well as a firearm charge.

BOSTON — The former "enforcer," or head of security, of the Massachusetts chapter of the Latin Kings gang was sentenced on Thursday in U.S. district court, for cocaine distribution and illegal firearm possession.

After pleading guilty to both charges in May, Bienvenido Nunez, 38, of Springfield, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, as well as three years of supervised release.

Nunez was arrested in 2015, after an effort was made by law enforcement to disrupt the Latin Kings' criminal enterprises – including drug distribution – in both Holyoke and Springfield.

Over the course of the operation, 12 alleged Latin Kings members were arrested, including Nunez – who was taken into custody in November 2015.

Earlier this year, Nunez pleaded guilty to selling 300 bags of heroin to a government informant, as well as to being the owner of a .40 caliber Beretta pistol that was discovered in his backpack by law enforcement at the time of his arrest.

Court documents allege that at the time Nunez was taken into custody, he was the "enforcer" for the gang's local chapter. This meant he was in charge of security.

The multi-featured, $10 million Gary Rome Hyundai dealership will open on Whiting Farms Road in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Aug. 29, 2016 with 75 employees.

HOLYOKE -- Opening day for the new $10 million Gary Rome Hyundai dealership on Whiting Farms Road is Aug. 29, Rome said during a tour today.

"We have a few things left, so it's 99 percent complete....I'm very excited. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time," Rome said.

The business occupies nearly 19 acres on Whiting Farms Road across from Autumn and Lynch drives and will employ 75 people, he said.

The existing Gary Rome Hyundai at 1000 Main St. will stay open, he said.

Features of the new dealership include, Rome said:

Also, Rome said, employees will have dining and locker-room areas.

"We value our employees and want to treat them well," he said.

A colorful playroom for children in the waiting area has a wall-sized window that will show mechanics working on cars, he said.

"So here not only can they play with their toys, but they can look through the window at their car being worked on. What kid is not interested in seeing their car being worked on?" Rome said.

Rome has been working in car sales since 1983, opened his first dealership in 1997 and estimated he has sold more than 25,000 cars.

"I especially want to thank all of my staff, in particular Tim Ferreira," Rome said.

Ferreira, operations manager and parts director, and Rome have worked together for 14 years, Rome said.

The City Council voted 14-0 on May 19, 2015 to grant a zone change Rome needed to build the dealership.

The City Council's approval came after a multi-night public hearing process that included some residents saying an auto dealership would be intrusive to the neighborhood. Councilors wound up agreeing with Rome's pitch that the project would add jobs, thousands of dollars a years in property tax revenue and an increase in his employee payroll to more than $7 million from the current $4.6 million.

A man from Wilmington was indicted Thursday in connection to threats he made to a Boston mosque, as well as for being a convict in possession of a firearm ammunition.

BOSTON — A man from Wilmington was indicted Thursday after he threatened to burn down a Boston mosque over Facebook, and after being found to be a convict in possession of firearm ammunition.

Patrick Keogan, 44, was indicted on two counts in relation to threats he made to several mosques over Facebook, as well as on one count for being a convict in possession of ammunition.

The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), an organization based in Roxbury that offers social, educational, and spiritual services, was threatened by Keogan over Facebook in November, 2015.

Keogan posted an image of a burning mosque on the ISBCC's Facebook page that read "Burn your local mosque." In his post, Keogan also said "Hello scumbags."

Keogan allegedly posted the same picture on a page for the Islamic Society of Northeastern University (ISNU).

After Keogan posted these images, law enforcement acquired a search warrant that allowed them to gain access to Keogan's Facebook account, after which they discovered a number of posts that he had made that referenced mosque burning.

In one post made in 2013, Keogan shared a post about a mosque burning incident that took place in Joplin, Missouri, after which he wrote: "Somewhere out there is an unknown hero. The people's champion. A true God amongst mortal men. May your days be many & troubles be few my good man."

In a post from November, 2015, Keogan made more references to mosque burning. "Canada enters the Mosque Burning Winter Olympics of 2016 early! Who will take the Gold? Who will take the Silver? and WHO will take the Bronze???," Keogan said. "We'll have to wait til the snow clears to find out folks but lets keep our fingers crossed for some fierce competition! And remember- you (yes you) are a qualified competitor of your own nation- so get out there and help your Country be number one in this winter's Mosque Burning Olympics," Keogan said.

Court documents allege that even though Keogan was prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition as a result of his status as a felon, his Facebook account also showed him to be in possession of both.

Federal agents subsequently obtained a warrant that enabled them to attach a GPS tracking device to Keogan's vehicle. Agents then proceeded to follow Keogan to a New Hampshire gun store, where they witnessed him buy several bags of loose 8mm rifle ammunition and two boxes of 8mm rifle ammunition.

For his charges, Keogan could receive up to 10 years in prison, as well as three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of $250,000.

Tom Brady did not play Thursday night's game against the Bears because he sliced his thumb with scissors, according to a report from CSNNE's Tom E. Curran.

FOXBOROUGH -- The mystery of why Tom Brady did not play in Thursday night's preseason game against the Chicago Bears appears to be solved.

According to CSNNE's Tom E. Curran, Brady sliced his thumb with scissors before the game while prying something from his cleat.

BREAKING: Brady misses start after slicing thumb with scissors prior to Thursday's preseason game https://t.co/38inBngO8y

-- Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) August 19, 2016

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had said earlier in the day that Brady would start Thursday night's game. But when Brady did not come out for warmups and was seen leaving the stadium and heading to the parking lot, it became clear that Jimmy Garropolo would start the contest.

It is normal for players who do not play in preseason games to leave the stadium while the game is going on. The severity of Brady's cut is not currently known.

 

Springfield College sponsored the annual Block Party on the Hill on Thursday at the William N. DeBerry School.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College sponsored the annual Block Party on the Hill on Thursday at the William N. DeBerry School on Union Street in Springfield.

Springfield College Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement Calvin Hill, Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, State Representative Ben Swan and Springfield City Councilor Bud Williams were among those who helped launch the festivities greeting neighbors from both the Upper Hill and Old Hill neighborhoods who were in attendance.

The large crowd was treated to free food while also being encouraged to join their local neighborhood councils. Music for the afternoon came from a variety of sources including terrific soft jazz from the Billy Arnold band, music from WTCC DJ KLS, who broadcast live from the event, and a special performance by Springfield-based rap group Tha Legacy.

Information about housing, health, education and community services was also distributed by the representatives from the sponsoring organizations and community services. Springfield College partnered with the Old Hill and Upper Hill Neighborhood Councils, HAPHousing and the Partnership for the Renewal of Old Hill in hosting the community event.