Negotiations are taking place for a sports-themed restaurant in the South End with ties to Magic Johnson Enterprises, that would be across the street from the MGM Springfield casino project.

SPRINGFIELD -- Negotiations are underway to bring a new sports-themed restaurant -- with ties to a business enterprise led by Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson -- to the city's South End, according to business representatives.

The restaurant is being proposed at 1127 Main St., directly across the street from the $950 million MGM Springfield casino project. The ground floor of the five-story building is vacant, previously housing the Black Pearl Restaurant.

An official with Magic Johnson Enterprises, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that negotiations are taking place to locate a sports-themed restaurant on the building's ground floor.

The property is owned by Jhanvi Hospitality LLC, in partnership with Epiphany Development Corp., of Springfield.

Archbishop Timothy Paul Baymon, president of Epiphany Development, also said negotiations are underway.

In addition to the sports-themed restaurant, the ownership is planning market rate housing for the upper floors, Baymon said. The five-story building attaches to a four-story wing.

"We have great plans on Main Street," Baymon said.

The official for Magic Johnson Enterprises said Springfield is a 'great location," particularly with the restaurant site being so close to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame complex, along the Connecticut River in the South End.

The location of the casino is another key factor, he said.

He also cited the many professional sports venues in the Northeast, including the professional teams in Boston.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a former star player with the Los Angeles Lakers, serves as chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises.

In 2002, Johnson was inducted into the newly built Basketball Hall of Fame on West Columbus Avenue. He became a two-time inductee in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team" that won the Gold Medal in basketball at the 1992 Olympics.

Johnson also visited Springfield in 2014 for the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.

On its website, Magic Johnson Enterprises states that its mission is to serve "as a catalyst for fostering community and economic development by providing access to high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of multicultural communities."

Jhanvi Hospitality purchased the property at 1127 Main St. in 2007 for $900,000.

Jhanvi Hospitality also owns the Epiphany Tower property at 143 State St., which is under construction as a Holiday Inn Express. After years of delays, Baymon recently said he expects the hotel to open by the end of the year.

With Thursday's primary on the horizon, here are the candidates' positions on several issues that have emerged during the campaign.

The store is said to be the first woman-owned specialty clothing shop in Western Massachusetts.

SPRINGFIELD -- When partners Kal Perazzola and the late Marge Merigian opened their shop, the Clothes Tree, on Bridge Street in 1962, their customers were the young women who worked in the nearby bank buildings, accountants' offices and especially two phone companies right up the street.

Women flocked in on the lunch hour from all over downtown.

"Then in 2004 at the phone company they brought in machines and got rid of all the girls," Perazzola said.

By then, the banks had merged and downsized as well. Styles and tastes changed. Slowly, fewer and fewer women came to Perazzola for business suits, slacks and blouses, or for dresses, jewelry, handbags and winter coats.

"We had so many blouses, and tons of raincoats," she said.

Last week, Perazzola started the process of closing down after 54 years and an untold number of dresses, blouses, slacks and skirts. She'll be out of the storefront at 311 Bridge St. by Oct. 31. Everything is on sale and she's already contacted a friend from New York City who deals in vintage women's wear who is interested in scooping up what's left.

"My favorite memories are of all the customers I met," Perazzola said. "We had so many good times. So many holidays together."

The Clothes Tree hosted and open-bar buffet each Christmas so men could come in a buy gifts for their wives.

"And of course we knew what all their wives wanted, because they'd all come in here to pick things out," Perazzola said. "Then we would let the men think they found the clothes."

Perazzola said she and Merigian were the first women to own a specialty clothing shop in Western Massachusetts. Women business owners were so unusual, she said, they needed their husbands' signatures to take out the initial bank loan, even though it was their money and their fashion sense that got the store off the ground.

Over the years they moved a few doors up the street and expanded to stores in the Enfield Square and Eastfield malls. She closed the mall stores long ago.

Also, after The Clothes Tree closes, there will be no more clothing shops on Bridge Street, once the heart of the city's shopping district. Albert Steiger Co. had its flagship department store on the corner.

Perazzola can rattle off the names of the shops that once lined her block: Casual Corner, Martha's Web.

"Where the clubs are, they were all stores," she said of the neighborhood.

Main street was even busier. "From the arch all the way to State Street and back, all stores," she said.

Not top mention the men's shops: Joseph's, A.O. White.

"It was an era that can never be forgotten because it can never come back. Too many people shop online," she said.

Perazzola said she's been trying to sell off her inventory and close up for years. Only now she doesn't have much of a choice. Her biggest neighbor, an office maintained by MassHealth, is moving to Industry Avenue next month. Representatives of management company Colebrook Reality have told Perazzola that the whole building will be redeveloped for a new major tenant.

Despite having no other clothing stores, Bridge Street is going through a bit of a renaissance. United Personnel a few months ago opened its headquarters at 289 Bridge St. -- the exact spot of The Clothes Tree's first location. TSM Design has offices on the block and Develop Springfield is building the Springfield Innovation Center across the street from the old Steiger's site.

Neither Colebrook nor building owner Thomas Dennis replied to questions about the building.

Perazzola has been slowly clearing the file cabinets and office desks of five decades of paperwork. She loves showing the artwork her late husband did for the the store's ads. She shows off the giant Rolodexs loaded with a total of 329 cards. Each card represents an account a customer once held with the store.

"We did revolving credit. A woman would come in and buy things, then pay some money to keep the account current and then charge some more," she said.

In those does, not only did she have a bookkeeper to keep those accounts straight, but a team of 20 saleswomen, her "girls."

Perazzola was the fitter, seeing to it that women got a sleek, finished look. She had a seamstress who would hem and take things in a or let them out to fit.

The Clothes Tree's niche was suite separates. Women could buy a jacket in one size and a matching skirt or pair of pants in another size.

"No one is a perfect size eight or a perfect size nine on the top and the bottom," Perazzola said. "Everyone wanted something unique. They didn't want what the other girl in their office had. Today, you look at the ads and everything is the same. Jeans, T-shirts."

He plans to hold office hours twice a week where faculty, students and members of the community can come to him with ideas and concerns.

SPRINGFIELD — John B. Cook, who moved into the president's office at Springfield Technical Community College on Aug. 1, aims to build on STCC's legacy while edging it gently into the digital future.

At 40, Cook, former dean of academic affairs at Manchester Community College in New Hampshire, is the sixth and youngest president of STCC — and one of the youngest community college presidents in the nation. He replaces Ira Rubenzahl, who retired in June after 12 years at the helm of STCC.

During a recent interview in his second-floor office in Garvey Hall, Cook said he values community collaboration and will continue to build on STCC's partnerships with other institutions of higher education, as well as the public school system and leaders of local businesses.

His experience at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he earned his master's degree in community and social psychology, taught him that institutions of higher learning evolve along with the communities where they are located. With that in mind, Cook said he will build on the region's core economic legacy, particularly manufacturing and new technologies.

Springfield Technical Community College's new president is John B. Cook. 

Cook said STCC will play an important role in workforce training as new industries such as the $95 million CRRC MA USA rail car factory and the $950 million MGM Springfield resort casino become part of the region's economic diversity.

Cook, who has experience teaching online courses, will explore expanding STCC's online offerings with an eye toward enriching in-class coursework. But Cook, who grew up in a generation comfortable with mobile technology, believes "there's no substitute for interpersonal contact." He plans to hold office hours twice a week where faculty, students and members of the community can come to him with ideas and concerns.

Challenges for the new president include recruitment and retention of students, who range in age from high school graduates to midlife workers seeking career changes. The average age of a STCC student is 26.

Enrollment at the college is 6,200, down from its peak of 7,000 before the recession of 2007. Part of the decline is due to an improving economy and a drop in the high school population.

"Retention is an even bigger challenge than recruitment," Cook said. "Our tuition and fee structure has always put community colleges out front," he said, adding that it's a great investment for what students gain.

It was a busy August for Cook, who settled into a home in Springfield's Forest Park Heights Historic District and spent time getting familiar with the people, places and environment of Western Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, among items on his calendar were a "topping off" ceremony at CRRC's construction site at the former Westinghouse property, meetings with local businesses and educators, and meetings with students and faculty.

One of his first visits was to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, located on the STCC campus, with his wife, Maria Getoff, who is a government lawyer in Washington, D.C. Theirs will be a commuter marriage for now, he said.

Cook, who has two children from a previous marriage, has also introduced his son and daughter to the sights in Western Massachusetts. They live in New Hampshire with their mother.

The new president will make his public debut Friday on Founders Day, an event marking the 50th anniversary of STCC's 1967 establishment. The event will be held at 2 p.m. at Scibelli Hall gymnasium, followed by a reception.

Despite his relative youth, Cook is well prepared to lead the commonwealth's only community college dedicated to preparing students for jobs and careers, according to Manchester Community College President Susan Huard.

Huard said Cook, who spent four years in Manchester, led the development of six degree programs at the college and excelled at collaborating with colleagues to get things done. When she and members of the state-run community college board interviewed Cook for the job, Huard said, his enthusiasm for learning made him stand out from the other candidates, even though many of them had more experience.

"He will build on what's there," she said of Cook in his new role at STCC. "He values tradition but he is looking at opportunities to enrich the college with a fresh set of eyes.

Past STCC presidents:

• Ira H. Rubenzahl
• Andrew M. Scibelli
• Leonard J. Collamore
• Robert C. Geitz
• Edmond P. Garvey

The center is in the Porter Phelps Huntington House on Route 47.

HADLEY -- The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum will celebrate the opening of the Connecticut River Byway Waypoint Center Wednesday afternoon.

The center, located at the museum on Route 47, provides information for both tourists and residents, said Christopher Curtis, the commission's chief planner, who has been working on the center. It's a good location for travelers and residents, he said, and provides exposure for the museum as well.

"It's a simple stopping-off point," he said. He said the commission has a limited budget for establishing it.

The Connecticut River Scenic Byway runs the entire length of Vermont and New Hampshire down to South Hadley and Hadley in Massachusetts, a distance of 498 miles. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway.

The center, much like a chamber of commerce, will provide information about tourist destinations, parks and recreational opportunities, historical features and the unique assets of the Connecticut River Scenic Byway. 

Three panels tell the byway story.

One explains the history of the river and what shaped it and the valley. Another details the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House and the six generations who lived there. The third highlights places to visit along the river.

Curtis said the center also offers information on local farm stands and other attractions, as well as maps of bike routes. "That is something that would be of interest to local folks." He said this way people will know where they can take their families on a local ride.

This is the only such center in Massachusetts. Curtis said the location was ideal.

"We were searching for a location where we had a facility already (that was) a tourist attraction where we wouldn't have to build a new building," he said.

They also needed to find a building that already had staff.

The opening is from 1 to 4 p.m. and will feature refreshments.

The center, like the museum, will be open Saturdays through Wednesdays from 1 to 4:30 from May 15 to Oct. 15.

Beacon wants to build 130 apartments, of which 26 would be affordable.

AMHERST -- Anyone wishing to comment on the first phase of the proposed Beacon Communities housing project in North Amherst has until Sept. 21 to do so.

Beacon Communities has submitted the Project Eligibility application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for preliminary review of the project that would be part of the Mill district.

Beacon, the same housing development company that purchased Rolling Green Apartments in 2014 with the agreement to preserve at least 41 units as affordable, plans to build 130 apartments, of which 26 would be affordable.

W.D. Cowls Inc., which owns the land, signed a preliminary agreement with Beacon in the spring to build what it is calling North Square.

Boston-based Beacon would lease the land and build and manage the apartments.

Cowls would own the 22,000 square feet in first-floor commercial space so it could control the mix of businesses there.

As part of the project eligibility phase, people in town can comment on the application. and state housing officials will visit the site.

If the site is deemed eligible, people will be able to comment at the next phase as well when the company seeks a comprehensive permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Those interested in commenting and can view the form on the town website or contact Nathaniel Malloy in the Planning Department at 413-259-3322 or by email at planning@amherstma.gov.

The family restaurant in downtown Ware, located at 91 Main St., features American-style cuisine, offers gluten-free dishes, and can seat up to 99 in the spacious, newly refurbished setting.

WARE -- The newest eatery in town was hopping with customers who praised the food, service, ambience and wide selection of draught beer, wine, and liquor at Hanna Devine's Restaurant & Bar, which opened over the weekend.

The family restaurant in downtown Ware, located at 91 Main St., features American-style cuisine, offers gluten-free dishes and can seat up to 99 in the spacious, newly refurbished setting.

It is owned and operated by Dennis Craig, his wife Gail and their daughters Stephanie and Kimberly, the head chef, who convinced her family to name the restaurant after her great-grandmother, Hanna Devine.

"We're very happy Ware is receiving us so well," Dennis Craig said on Saturday night as customers continued to arrive after 8 p.m. The restaurant is open noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"I had the scallops, it was delicious. The people here are very nice," said Kenny Higney, who was enjoying a Ketel One on the rocks.

Suzanne Higney, who was sipping from a glass of cabernet sauvignon, had high praise for her steak tips. "It was fantastic," she said. She and Kenny Higney have been married 43 years.

Dylan Swistak, 24, of Ware, and Samantha Dickson, 23, of Warren, have been seeing each other for more than two years. The couple said their Saturday night date at Hanna's was enjoyable.

"I really like it here, the atmosphere's great," Swistak said between bites on a fresh lobster roll. Dickson described her bowl of French onion soup as "amazing."

"We love Ware," said April Childs, as her two children, McKenna, 10, and Aubrey, 8, and her husband Denis Childs were leaving following what the quartet said was a good meal.

"The spaghetti was really good," said Aubrey.

"I had the steak tips with onion rings and baked potato, and for dessert, I had chocolate truffles," McKenna said.

The family said they plan on coming back.

"We hope they do well," Denis Childs said.

"The food is great tonight. We will definitely come back, and we are glad to see another restaurant in Ware," said Ron Pelski, who was dining with his wife Jean, their daughter Lauren, and friends Michael and Susan Barbiasz, who are all from Ware, although Lauren now resides in Boston.

She said that her gluten-free quinona was "really good. It was very fresh and healthy."

"Our waitress, Sarah, was excellent," added Susan Barbiasz.

Jean Pelski said she is impressed by the "amazing" wine selection available at Hanna Devine's.

The executive session, which precludes public participation, is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Wilbraham Town Hall, 240 Springfield St.

WILBRAHAM — The Board of Selectmen is expected to discuss a complaint filed against a town employee during a closed-door session Wednesday. The executive session, which precludes public participation, is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Town Hall, 240 Springfield St.

"The Town of Wilbraham Board of Selectmen will meet in Executive Session ... to discuss a complaint against a Fire Department employee, including an investigative report related thereto, and to consider potential action to be taken on the report," a public notice for the meeting states.

While all meetings of public bodies must be open to the public, according to the state attorney general's office, certain topics — disciplinary, criminal or mental health matters, among other issues — may be discussed in closed executive sessions.

However, before going into an executive session, selectmen Chairwoman Susan C. Bunnell must convene the public meeting in open session, then state the reason for the executive session without compromising the purpose for which the closed-door session was called. She must also state whether the board will reconvene in open session after the executive session.

"While in executive session, the public body must keep accurate records, all votes taken must be recorded by roll call, and the public body may only discuss matters for which the executive session was called," Open Meeting Law guidelines state.

Town officials did not immediately respond to an email from The Republican seeking details of the complaint.

The Wilbraham Fire Department has over two dozen full-time employees.

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks Inc. said the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk earned by Holyoke City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee means she met "demanding education requirements" and showed a "record of significant contributions" to local government.

HOLYOKE -- City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee has earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Inc., a professional association.

"'IIMC' grants the 'CMC' designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state," institute President Vincent Buttiglieri said in an email last week.

"In light of the speed and drastic nature of change these days, lifelong learning is not only desirable, it is necessary for all in local government to keep pace with growing demands and changing needs of the citizens we serve," he said.

Murphy McGee is in her first, four-year term as city clerk, an elected position here, and is running for reelection next year.

Among the courses she took in pursuit of the certification was a week at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire in July.

"While obtaining my designation as a certified municipal clerk is definitely an important personal accomplishment and a validation of the pride that I take in serving the city of Holyoke, what I am most proud of is maintaining my commitment to the residents of Holyoke to do all that I can to continue to improve the overall operations of their city clerk's office," Murphy McGee said.

Municipal clerks are not required to obtain such certification. With the city clerk in Holyoke being elected, the support of voters ultimately is the only condition for attaining the seat. But Murphy McGee said the training will help her and the city in the areas of government finance, media relations, municipal procedures, creative thinking, time management, computers and introduction to law.

Courses she took also dealt with ethics, creating resolutions, ordinances, paperless agendas and government transparency and early voting, she said.

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) is a professional nonprofit association based in Rancho Cucamonga, California that has affiliates in Canada, England, Wales, Scotland, Portugal, Belgium, Israel, South Afrida, Hungary, Bulgaria and the Netherlands, its website said.

To achieve the Certified Municipal Clerk designation, a clerk must attain 60 points in the education category and 50 points in the experience category. Murphy McGee said she received 21 points for the week at Plymouth State, called the New England Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy Training, 20 points for having a bachelor's degree and 19 points from taking other classes.

The experience points she earned from being city clerk, the City Council, working as an aide for seven years to former state Rep. Michael F. Kane, D-Holyoke, and taking courses in areas such as archival records, accounting, public speaking and grant-writing, she said.

"On behalf of the IIMC board of directors, I am honored to endorse the conferring of CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) to Brenna Murphy McGee, CMC of city of Holyoke," Buttiglieri said.

A citizens group in Springfield is pushing for passage of the Community Preservation Act that would raise funds through a proposed tax surcharge to go toward historic preservation, open space and recreation and community housing.

SPRINGFIELD -- A citizen committee hoping to convince Springfield voters to adopt the state Community Preservation Act on the Nov. 8 ballot, that includes a tax surcharge, has its first public forum slated next Monday.

The act, if approved, would create a tax surcharge in Sprngfield to raise approximately $1 million annually to support historic preservation efforts, open space/recreation and community housing.

The Springfield CPAdvocacy, the citizen committee that is pushing for passage of the act, known as CPA, has scheduled the forum for Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m., in the Business Growth Center of the Springfield Technology Park, 1 Federal St.

"CPA offers an exciting opportunity for our city," said Robert McCarroll, president of Springfield CPAdvocacy. "It can help us improve our parks and playgrounds, create community gardens and bike trails, repair historic buildings, and increase owner occupancy. We hope folks will come and hear about CPA."

The City Council approved the ballot question, leaving voters to decide the issue.

If passed, it will create a 1.5 percent surcharge on the property tax levy, but would exempt the first $100,000 in property valuation. It would equate to approximately a $10 annual tax increase for an average homeowner whose property is assessed at $134,000, and would be assessed on homeowners and business property owners.

The Springfield CPAdvocacy web site can be seen here.

The CPA has been adopted by 161 communities in Massachusetts since 2000 including Agawam, West Springfield, Westfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden and Wilbraham.

Holyoke voters will also consider passage of the CPA on Nov. 8.

Under the act, the projects that are funded by CPA are selected by a CPA committee consisting of residents including representatives of the Historical Commission, Conservation Commission, Park Commission, Housing Authority, and Planning Board.

The City Council would need to grant final approval for any proposed expenditures, according to Springfield CPAdvocacy summary.

"We want people to understand what a great opportunity the Community Preservation Act is," McCarroll said. "Because it basically amounts to, if everyone is able to give a little amount, we will be able to raise over $1 million a year to improve parks, and housing and historical buildings in the city."

The advocacy group is registered with the state for political advocacy, and began meeting with neighborhood groups in August, continuing this fall, McCarroll said.

A man who brandished two guns at authorities responding to a suicide call has been hospitalized after a three-hour overnight standoff.

SPRINGFIELD -- A man who brandished two guns at authorities responding to a suicide call has been hospitalized after a three-hour overnight standoff.

Springfield Police Department report the standoff occurred at a home on Lamont Street between midnight and 3 a.m.

Standing on the porch holding a handgun, a man pointed the weapon at police responding to the call and later pulled out a rifle as well.

A tactical response unit then descended on the home, successfully ending the standoff peacefully when the man surrendered three hours later.

The man was taken into custody and brought to a local hospital for evaluation. Springfield Police took out a warrant for his arrest on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and breach of the peace while armed.

No one was hurt in the standoff. Springfield Police declined to release the man's identity.

Violating the proposed Holyoke City Council drone ordinance such as flying the robots over private property or videotaping someone without consent bring fines of up to $300 per offense.

HOLYOKE -- Drones, the Open Meeting Law and disrespectful dog owners are among items the City Council will consider tonight at 7 at City Hall.

The council with the 65-item agenda resumes its schedule of meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month after taking a summer break.

Drones: The City Council Ordinance Committee has recommended the full board adopt an ordinance to make it unlawful to use a drone to fly over private or city property without written consent (see below).

A drone is a flying robot that can be operated by someone on the ground by remote control or using a computer such as a smartphone and is often equipped with a camera that can take photographs or video. Council President Kevin A. Jourdain said privacy concerns prompted him to propose the regulation in February.

The proposed ordinance defines a drone as any unmanned aerial system.

The ordinance would be limited to drones that weigh less than 55 pounds and fly below 400 feet.

Operators would be required to maintain line of sight with the drone at all times, under the proposed ordinance.

Drones could be operated only during daylight and not photograph or videotape residents on their properties without consent, under the proposal.

Police would enforce the drone ordinance with the first offence bringing a written warning, the second a fine of $100, the third a fine of $200 and subsequent offenses fines of $300, under the proposal.

In February, two business owners told the City Council they opposed the proposed drone ordinance.

Erin Brunelle, a real estate agent and member of the School Committee, said she hires a photographer to shoot photos of homes she has listed for sale.

Care is taken with such use of a drone, but depending on the density of an area's houses, other properties are bound to be included in such footage, she said.

Photographer Jeffrey Byrnes uses a camera-equipped drone in his work, including shooting areas for Brunelle. The city should monitor what the FAA advises about drones, as well as what other cities and towns have done, he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration expects about 600,000 drones to be used commercially within a year, according to NPR.org. New federal rules regulating drones included the note from Amazon.com, the American Farm Bureau Federation and others that the government stay flexibile regarding such regulations "to keep pace with new and emerging technologies."

Open Meeting Law: Jourdain has filed an order prompted by a concern he said he read in meeting minutes of the Holyoke Housing Authority board of commissioners. The minutes referred to the board of commissioners having its lawyer contact the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey about the legality of having a "remote participation policy," presumably meaning that board members could "participate" in meetings by computer or telephone conference without actually being present in the meeting room.

Jourdain wants the Holyoke Law Department to review whether "remote participation" is permitted under the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law

He also wants city lawyers to determine whether the City Council can pass an ordinance requiring that all boards conduct meetings only with members who are physically present.

The law exists so that the City Council, the School Committee, the Planning Board and other municipal boards and committees conduct business in open session, available for anyone to attend if they choose, to observe debates and decision-making.

The law includes 10 exceptions boards can cite to hold closed-door, or executive, sessions. These include to conduct collective bargaining or discuss litigation or the purchase of real estate.

Dog owners: Councilor at Large James M. Leahy wants the Department of Public Works to install multiple dog waste stations at Springdale Park Main Street.

"There are multiple soccer teams that are utilizing the park and disrespectful dog owners are not picking up after their dogs," Leahy said in the order.

Proposed Holyoke City Council drone ordinance: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd

The crash occurred Monday night after the victim apparent took a wrong turn at the end of West Purinton Road and drove a half-mile down the train tracks.

Heather Adams | Hadams@masslive.com 

Buckland Fire Chief Herb Guyette told The Recorder that crash occurred after the victim apparent took a wrong turn at the end of West Purinton Road and drove a half-mile down the train tracks.

The SUV -- hit by a Pan Am train -- was heavily damaged and had to be towed from the scene, the Recorder reported. The victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Greenfield for evaluation.

Police, who have not released the man's name, continue to investigate the crash.

Police, checking a suspicious vehicle parked at a Boston Road business early Tuesday, arrested a Kentucky man early Tuesday after spotting a loaded firearm on the front floor.

WILBRAHAM -- Police, checking a suspicious vehicle parked at a Boston Road business early Tuesday, arrested a Kentucky man after spotting a loaded firearm on the front floor.

Police said they discovered three additional unsecured firearms inside the vehicle, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. when Officer Chris Rogers spotted the parked vehicle.

Robert Hamilton, 64, of Lexington, Kentucky, was arrested on numerous firearm charges, including improper storage, unlicensed possession and unlicensed possession of a loaded firearm.

Police said the 32-year-old suspect stole the equipment from Was Brothers Construction on Boston Road

George Graham / The Republican 

WILBRAHAM -- Police arrested a 32-year-old Springfield man late last month after he allegedly stole nearly $35,000 worth of equipment from his workplace at Was Brothers Construction Inc.

Officer Larry Rich began investigating the case after receiving a larceny complaint from the Boston Road company on Aug. 15 indicating that more than $19,000 worth of construction equipment had been stolen, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

Rich and Officer Mike Cygan determined that nearly $35,000 worth of equipment had been taken from the company, according to the post.

The two officers were able to recover over $25,000 worth of the stolen equipment in Massachusetts and Connecticut during the course of their investigation.

Chad Potter, 32, of Springfield, was arrested at his workplace on Aug. 26, according to the post.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.

James Tarjick and his brother Aaron were believed to have committed more than 100 housebreaks in Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley and Northampton between 2011-12

PITTSFIELD - The saga of two Berkshire County brothers accused of a three-year burglary spree that targeted hundreds of homes in Hampshire County appears to drawing closer to a conclusion.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that James Tarjick Jr., 44, of Becket, pleaded guilty Friday in Berkshire Superior Court to 127 separate charges related to burglary, larceny, breaking and entering, and receiving stolen property.

Judge John Agostini ordered him held at the Hampshire County House of Correction until Nov. 7 when sentencing is scheduled.

According to the Eagle, Tarjick is scheduled to be sentenced to 12 years in state prison.

Tarjick and his brother, Aaron Tarjick, 39, were indicted in January on 122 charges in connection with a series of house breaks in Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley and Northampton between 2011 and 2012.

Each brother at that time denied the charges at their arraignments at that time.

Aaron Tarjick, seen here in 2012 photo courtesy of Northwestern District Attorney's Officefile photo  

Aaron Tarjick's plea of innocent still stands, and his trial has not yet begun. However, he is already serving time in a federal prison on an unrelated matter.

He was convicted in June 2012 for three counts of forcible rape of a child and sentenced to 19 to 25 years.

The Tarjicks were also charged with multiple break-ins in Berkshire County over the same period.

Prior to his conviction on the rape charges, Aaron Tarjick was free on bail, but one of the conditions of his release was that he be fitted with a GPS tracking device. Data from that device was used to place him at the scene of several break-ins.

According to the Eagle, authorities learned of his involvement from a jail-house informant who reported that Aaron Tarjick was boasting about having committed burglaries while wearing the court-ordered monitoring device.

Officials used cellular data from James Tarjick's cellphone to place him with his brother at many of the homes when break-ins were reported to have occurred.

The investigation has also expanded to include both their parents being charged.

In January, James D. Tarjick Sr. 62, and Nancy A. Tarjick, 60, of Windsor, were charged with multiple counts of receiving stolen property. Each denied the charges at their arraignment in March. Each is awaiting trial.

Bonnayer will be formally introduced in her new role with the school department at Wednesday evening's school committee meeting.

WARE -- Police Officer Jeannine Bonnayer, who was hired by the town last month, has been assigned to serve as the school resource officer.

Bonnayer will be formally introduced in her new role with the School Department at Wednesday evening's School Committee meeting.

Until December of last year, the district had operated without a resource officer due to lack of funds, according to town and school officials.

Because of a grant, Officer Aaron DeSantis became the Ware school system's first school resource officer. With the appointment of Boannayer, he will return to regular duty.

The Ware School Committee meeting on Sept. 7 begins at 6:30 p.m. at the high school library.

The race for Suffolk County Register of Deeds office is the hottest contest in Boston politics. The prospect of a $124,000-a-year salary doesn't hurt.

BOSTON - Most Boston-area lawmakers are going unchallenged this year and most voters are paying attention to the November general election for the White House. The next Boston mayoral matchup, if anyone decides to challenge incumbent Marty Walsh, isn't until 2017.

That all makes the race for the Suffolk County Register of Deeds office the hottest contest in Boston politics.

"There really isn't much else on there," Massachusetts elections chief Bill Galvin said Tuesday.

The race has drawn in seven Democrats, who will be on the ballot on Thursday, Sept. 8. (You're not reading that wrong, the Massachusetts state primary this year is indeed on a Thursday.)

When it comes to Massachusetts State House races, many officials are running unopposed, leading to few primaries on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.

"People say, 'why am I going to go vote? Who am I going to go vote for? There's nothing to decide,'" Galvin said during a State House press conference with reporters, talking turnout.

For voters in deep-blue Suffolk County, which includes Boston, Revere and Chelsea, and Winthrop, it's who should advance in the primary.

The register is "responsible for recording all documents relative to real estate including deed, mortgages, releases, and liens," according to the website, which appears to be in need of an update. The office itself is a clean, well-lighted place tucked away inside the limestone and granite courthouse named for the late Sen. Edward Brooke.

The job's $124,000-a-year salary, which is set via statute, and a six-year term can't hurt as perks. Francis "Mickey" Roache, who served as Boston police commissioner nearly 30 years ago before he jumped to the Boston City Council and faded into the Suffolk register of deeds job, resigned at the end of 2015, setting off the scramble for the seat.

Mass. elections chief predicts 8-10 percent turnout for state primary

The Democratic primary candidates include Stephen Murphy, a longtime Boston city councilor who lost his seat in 2015, paralegal Katie Forde, Dorchester neighborhood activist Paul Nutting, Jr., and previous candidates for elected office Jeff Ross, Stephanie Everett, Michael Mackan and Doug Bennett.

Most of the candidates have pledged to reform the office. Forde, who is among them, in a mailing to voters, called the office the place "where political hacks collect huge taxpayer salaries and hire only political friends."

Galvin, as part of his duties as the secretary of Commonwealth, an elected statewide position, has some supervisory authority over the Suffolk register of deeds, though the register runs the office on a day-to-day basis.

The register can't make policy. "Well, there is no policy to make. I mean, it's administrative," Galvin said, before quickly adding that his office depends on the registers for their judgment on procedures.

Should the job stay an elected position? "That's up to the Legislature," Galvin said when asked by a reporter.

The winner of the Sept. 8 Democratic primary will face un-enrolled candidates Joseph Donnelly, John Keith and Margherita Ciampa-Coyne. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Last week, Puerto Rican delegates from Springfield and Holyoke visited Chicago to tour Paseo Boricua, a section of the Humboldt Park neighborhood. In the months and years ahead, artists from Chicago will travel to Western Massachusetts to collaborate with local artists.

Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series of articles about a delegation from Holyoke and Springfield who traveled to Chicago to be honored as communities with large Latino populations. The first article highlights the local delegation.

CHICAGO — Puerto Rican flags may hang from store windows and be painted on murals along High Street in Holyoke and Main Street in Springfield, but none compare to the massive steel flags that signal the entrances into Paseo Boricua, a section of Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood.

The two flags stand 59 feet tall and 56 feet across. They were made to last centuries.

"In many ways the flags celebrate the Puerto Rican presence in Chicago, but also the United States, but more importantly than that, what Puerto Ricans have contributed," said Jose E. Lopez, the executive director of Chicago's Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

"They are made out of steel because the first waves of Puerto Rican migrants to Chicago came to work in the steel mills. ... The flags are made of pipelines welded together. My father and many Puerto Ricans came to work in the pipeline factories in Chicago and many came to work in the welding industry."

Lopez showed off the flags during a walking tour of the neighborhood for delegates from Springfield and Holyoke who were in Chicago last week to be honored as "Lo Mejor de Nuestros Barrios," (the best of our communities) by the PRCC. The award is given as a way to promote collaboration between Chicago and other communities across the U.S. with large Latino populations.

Delegates from Springfield and Holyoke wasted no time in making connections with Chicago artists and inviting them to Western Massachusetts.

"This is why we came here, to make lasting connections between the people of Chicago and the people in Holyoke and Springfield who all want to promote Puerto Rican traditions and culture here in the United States," said Holyoke Ward 2 City Councilor Nelson Roman, one of a dozen Latino leaders from Western Massachusetts to travel to Chicago for the festivities.

One project that is already in the planning stages is bringing Chicago's Urban Theater Co. to Holyoke.

"I'm thinking the fliers can say, 'From Humboldt Park to Holyoke,'" said Ivan Vega, executive director of the professional community theater company, which has been active for more than 10 years. "We produce performances that bring together the urban and Latino communities of Chicago."

Currently the group is rehearsing for its latest production, "La Gringa" by Carmen Rivera, which will debut in November. The troupe will bring the show to Holyoke early next year.

"We are excited to perform in Holyoke and we hope to collaborate together often," Vega said.

Just across the street from the theater is one of several murals painted by Cristian Roldan. The young artist, who has been creating street murals for several years, was commissioned to create a piece for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's 50th anniversary. The mural is about 22 feet high and 126 feet wide.

"It's a piece that shows the history of Puerto Ricans from oppression to migration to the riots that occurred in Chicago in the 1960s," said Roldan, who learned to create murals during a summer work program with artist Alex Portalatin. "I saw how he did the process and I thought it was something I could learn to do."

After seeing his work, Roman invited Roldan to Holyoke to create a smaller mural with the help of art students in the city.

"I'm thrilled at the opportunity to do something in Holyoke and in Springfield if possible," he said. "Puerto Ricans are family no matter where we live. When you meet another Puerto Rican, it's a sense of familiarity and shared cultural experiences."

Aside from Holyoke and Springfield, the Puerto Rican town of Comerio was also honored at this year's Fiesta Boricua. Members of the Ballet Folklorico Guajana of Comerio flew to Chicago to perform traditional Puerto Rican bomba y plena dances, which feature Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

Wildredo Resto is the director of the group. He will be flying to Holyoke at the end of this month to conduct a workshop with students in El Coqui dance troupe.

"I will be showing them some classic steps of the rumba and other typical dances," said Resto, who has been to Springfield before.

During the three days spent together, members of the Western Massachusetts delegation, the Puerto Rico delegation and their Chicago hosts traded ideas, stories and business cards.

Carlos Gonzalez is a member of the Ballet Folklorico and a representative of Picaolo, an independent urban clothing line founded by Emilio "Millo" Melendez in 2007.

While eating breakfast on Friday, members of the Springfield and Holyoke delegation spotted some of the company's "Jibaro soy" T-shirts and placed an order for some to call their own. The phrase has no direct English translation; its closest comparison is "I am a countryman."

"It's a company that believes clothing and art coincide with social justice and cultural awareness," Gonzalez said.

The company releases new T-shirts and hats every year with graphics that feature Puerto Rican imagery, from coral reefs -- which are quickly becoming extinct -- to beach views, sea shells and more.

Lopez said making connections is what Fiesta Boricua is all about.

"While they are visiting our area they spend their money supporting our Puerto Rican businesses and economy, and when we are there in Holyoke and Springfield or on the island we do the same," he said. "This is an opportunity for creating partnerships and relationships with Puerto Ricans around the country and the world."

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The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St.

AGAWAM — The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing Sept. 26 to consider an application by Verizon Wireless/Cellco Partnership for a special permit to build a telecommunications facility at Six Flags, 1623 Main St.

The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. Plans for the wireless telecom facility are available for public review in the ZBA office at Agawam Town Hall, 36 Main St.

All comments or recommendations related to the application must be submitted before the public hearing, according to Doreen Prouty, ZBA chairwoman. "If no information is received prior to the opening of the public hearing, it will be deemed to be lack of opposition thereto," she said in a memo to city officials.

Cellco Partnership Inc., doing business as Verizon Wireless Inc., provides wireless, residential, and business telecommunications products and services.