As city police attempted to recover drugs taken during a pharmacy robbery, police say the suspect swallowed several of the stolen pills.

CHICOPEE -- As city police attempted to recover drugs taken during a pharmacy robbery, police say the suspect swallowed several of the stolen pills.

Chicopee police were called to the Walgreens on James Street at approximately 9:40 p.m. Thursday evening.  

A caller reported a man at the pharmacy, telling employees that he would set off a bomb he allegedly had on his person unless he was given what he demanded. 

Chicopee officer Mark Page, who was working an extra duty detail at the Knights of Columbus, was the first to arrive on scene. 

Concerned the man was armed, Page drew his service weapon upon entering the store. After arriving at the in-store pharmacy, Page saw a man wearing a black hoodie standing at the counter, according to Chicopee police. 

Noticing the officer, the man reportedly turned around with numerous pill bottles in hand. After being ordered to stop, put his hands up, the man fled the store with the prescription pills. 

Chicopee officer Sean Livingstone arrived at the parking lot as the man ran out of the store. Following a short foot chase, 38-year-old David Kremensky was handcuffed. No explosive device was found on him. 

The Northampton resident was arrested on the charges of armed robbery while mashed, larceny of a drug, furnishing a false name to police officers and resisting arrest. 

After determining Kremensky had swallows some of the stolen pills, he was transported to a nearby hospital before being taken to Chicopee police headquarters to be held overnight. 

He will be arraigned in Chicopee District Court on Friday.   

Green-Rainbow Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein will address Western Massachusetts voters this weekend.

NORTHAMPTON -- Green-Rainbow Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein will address Western Massachusetts voters this weekend.

Stein is scheduled to speak at First Churches of Northampton, 129 Main St., from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 18.

She will speak on multiple platform points, from her plan to forgive student debt to outlining her "Green New Deal," a plan to boost job growth through investing in renewable energy.

The event is co-sponsored by the Green-Rainbow Party and the International Socialist Organization of UMASS Amherst.

David Kremensky was held overnight on $25,000 bail.

CHICOPEE - A Northampton man was arrested Thursday night after he allegedly robbed a pharmacy of drugs by threatening a clerk with a bomb.

David Kremensky, 38, of 22 Edwards St., was arrested around 9:40 p.m. and charged with armed robbery while masked, larceny of a drug, furnishing a false name to police officers and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Chicopee District Court Friday, said Michael Wilk, Chicopee Police public information officer.

The arrest was made after Officer Mark Page chased the man through the store and was able to apprehend him with the help of another officer in the parking lot.

Page was working and extra duty job nearby when he heard an employee at Walgreens, 583 James St. called 911 but did not say anything. When he arrived, he saw no employees or customers in the front of the store, Wilk said.

Suspecting there was a robbery in progress, Page drew his service weapon and walked to the pharmacy area, he said.

"He observed a party, wearing a black hoodie with the hood over his head, standing at the counter...He was wearing sunglasses and holding pill bottles," Wilk said.

Page also noticed the store employee looked frightened, he said.

The man turned around and Page ordered him to stop. The man instead started running and Page chased him through the store and into the parking lot. Officer Sean Livingston arrived and joined the chase. The two officers were able to quickly apprehend the suspect, Wilk said.

"After a struggle, where he resisted officers, he was handcuffed and transported to the Police Department," he said. Once at the police station Kremensky allegedly lied about his name.

After being booked, Kremensky was taken to the hospital after police learned he had swallowed some of the allegedly stolen pills. He was returned to the station where he was held overnight on $25,000, Wilk said.

There are 43 units for low-income men who once served in the military. Watch video

CHICOPEE - After two years of crashing on a lumpy couch at a friend's house, disabled Marine veteran Ferris Shelton finally has a home of his own.

"It is a slice of heaven," he told Chicopee Mayor Richard J. Kos, who shook his hand and welcomed him to the city. "I'm sleeping on a mattress."

It isn't only having a real bed, a bathroom , a kitchen and a spot to teach himself how to play the keyboard that is special. Moving into the new Soldier On complex at the old Chapin School is giving Shelton and other down-on-their-luck veterans a chance to get back on their feet.

Thursday, Soldier On held an open house to show off the nearly 120-year-old building that has been converted from a vacant elementary school to a 43-apartment home for homeless veterans.

Construction was completed in late summer and the first 16 men have moved in over the past two weeks.

Each apartment is a little different and Shelton had his choice of units. He selected a corner apartment because he figured he could open the windows and get a cross breeze. His is one of the apartments that still has one of the original blackboards hanging on the wall.

Life wasn't always so hard for Shelton. He served active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years and after being honorably discharged he married, had children and worked at Milton Bradley for 16 years. But after a divorce, his life went into a tailspin.

"I lost my way with drinking and debauchery," he said.

Eventually he found Soldier On, which started him on a road to recovery. He attends Alcohol Anonymous meetings, reads a lot and is teaching himself to play piano. Once he settles in more, Shelton said he hopes to start looking for a job and also talked to Kos about volunteer opportunities with veterans groups.

"It's tough when you get shot at and then you have to live your life," he said, declining to give many details about his military service. "Now I have to be persistent and consistent with my recovery."

Even in the short period of time he said he has found that the residents are becoming friends and supporting each other.

"We have one thing in common. We took an oath to protect the country and not everyone did that," he said.

The $7.3 million rehabilitation was done in a partnership with O'Connell Development Group of Holyoke and was funded with a variety of different sources including affordable housing grants and historic tax credits and City of Chicopee contributions. Western Builders renovated the building, said Bruce Buckley, chief financial officer for Soldier On.

"It was a great partnership. It was a pleasure to work with everyone," he said.

The complex is set up as a housing cooperative. The residents must be veterans and earn no more than the federal low-income requirements of about $28,000 a year. Each first pays $2,500 for a share in the cooperative, and then pays a monthly rent that is 30 percent of their income. Every tenant is different, some have veterans' benefits, others have social security and some work, he said.

The most any resident pays is $883 a month, but rarely does a veteran pay the full amount. Some residents pay as little as $50 a month, Buckley said.

While the $2,500 seems like an insurmountable amount for the veterans, who were either homeless or at risk of being homeless, local banks and other organizations have donated money to Soldier On, to be gifted to anyone who cannot come up with the money to pay the initial fee, Buckley said.

To manage the building, residents and Soldier On employees form a board, similar to a condominium association. They oversee finances and set rules for the tenants, he said.

Soldier On also continues to provide services to tenants including counseling, transportation, job help and anything else they may need. Counselors will come to Chapin Housing to meet residents in their own homes and there are also a few small offices in the building where they can talk, Buckley said.

"We bring the services to them," he said.

Currently about 55 people have applied for the 43 apartments. Soldier On officials are still sorting through the applications to select the remaining residents of the Chapin project.

Those who are not selected may have a chance to be placed in Agawam, since Soldier On is renovating the former Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy and building 52 apartments there.

Kos toured the old school and said he was mayor and School Committee chairman when the board made the difficult decision to close Chapin in 2003 as an elementary school because of budget cuts. For two years it was used as an alternative school before it was shuttered in 2005.

"This is a positive use of a former school," he said, thanking the City Council, local veterans agencies and department heads for their support for the project.

Among those who toured the school were a number of former teachers and the retired principal John Coach and his wife, Joanne Coach, who worked as vice principal at nearby Gen. John Stefanik School.

"I can't believe how bright it is. We did not realize how dark it was at the time," said Donna Dinsbach Valliere , who taught kindergarten at Chapin.

She and Linda Low, also a kindergarten teacher, pointed out the hallway in the basement saying that is where children had physical education classes.

"What a great idea for veterans. What would we do without veterans?" Lowe said.

As a condition of receiving historic tax credits, some of the school features had to remain, including the wide hallways. Some apartments also have the original blackboards, Casey DiCicco, communications director for Soldier On, said.

Each unit, which measures about 500 square feet, has a bedroom, a bathroom and a living area and kitchenette complete with stovetop and microwave oven. Each is furnished with a new double bed, a recliner, a dresser and small table with two chairs, she said.

James Baer, a case manager at Soldier On, is one of the veterans who has applied for an apartment at Chapin. Baer, who currently rents an apartment in Haydenville, said he was living in a homeless shelter in Worcester and was such a desperate alcoholic that he drank mouthwash when he couldn't buy liquor.

A veterans' shelter in Worcester connected him with Soldier On in 2007 and it saved him. Baer said he eventually found a job with the organization.

Baer said he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a teenager in 1975 and spent four years in active duty.

"I got out of the military at 21 - I was an alcoholic at that time," he said.

For most of his 20s Baer said he went through a cycle of being hired and losing jobs because he was drinking. By the time he reached 30 he stopped drinking, married and started a family. When he divorced at the age of 42 he started drinking again and ended up homeless and desperate.

Soldier On helped him out of the cycle. Baer said he relapsed a few times but staff offered him a helping hand to get back on track. He has not had a drink since February 2010 and the former metal worker also found a new career with the organization.

He was first hired as an intake counselor and then studied at Westfield State University to become certified as a substance abuse counselor. At 58, Baer said he is now enrolled at Holyoke Community College and eventually hopes to earn his bachelor's degree in social work.

Not all Soldier On clients have substance abuse problems. Some suffer from post traumatic stress and others have other problems which make it difficult for them to function without help, he said.

Soldier On does like to have a staff member or two living in Chapin School to help support their fellow veterans in case someone does need help. Baer said he meets the income guidelines and other qualifications so he hopes his application is selected.

"I like working with the veterans. They are in the same position I was and I can see they are making the same mistakes I did," he said.

Two people were brought to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries

CHICOPEE - Two people were injured and a martial arts school was damaged in a Thursday night accident at the intersection of East and Carew streets.

The driver and a passenger of one car were brought to the hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. One driver was also cited for failing to stop for a red light, said Michael Wilk, public information officer for Chicopee Police.

The accident happened around 9:20 p.m. when the operator of a Chevrolet Trailblazer failed to stop at a red light and collided with a Toyota Corolla. The impact sent both vehicles careening into the Kung Fu Academy building, 551 East St., he said.

"The building did sustain some damage," he said.

Participants in Springfield rally will urge President Obama to release Oscar Lopez Rivera's from federal prision, having served 35 years of a 75-year sentence.

SPRINGFIELD - A rally is planned Friday, Sept. 16, on the steps of City Hall to urge President Barack Obama to release Oscar Lopez Rivera from federal prison, having been imprisoned for 35 years.

The rally outside City Hall, 36 Court St., begins at 4:45 p.m.

Lopez Rivera, 73, is a Puerto Rican national who has served 35 years of a 75-year sentence for "seditious conspiracy" related to his participation in a paramilitary group that advocated for Puerto Rican independence, according to reports.

The "Free Oscar Lopez, Free Puerto Rico Rally" in Springfield will also address Puerto Rico's financial crisis, according to organizers.

Lopez Rivera was never accused of harming anyone or taking anyone's life and is a decorated Vietnam War Veteran, according to the news release.

U.S Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez is scheduled to speak at the rally, known for being active on Latino issues. Melisssa Vargas Echevarria, recently featured on the national TV show, Democracy now, is also slated to speak.

Locally, Springfield City Councilors Adam Gomez and Orlando Ramos, and Holyoke Councilor Nelson Roman brought forward resolutions in support of Lopez Rivera's release, and in support of aiding Puerto Rico in its financial crisis. The resolutions passed unanimously.

Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Padilla, the Puerto Rican Senate, House of Representatives, and many national and international organizations support Lopez Rivera's release, rally organizers said.

The New England-based Spirit emporium opened their newest location Friday in the North Quincy Big Y, 475 Hancock St.

SPRINGFIELD -- Thousands of bottles of beer, wine and spirits have been delivered to the Boston area for the opening of a new Table & Vine.

Big Y Foods Inc. opened its newest Table & Vine Fine Wines, Spirits and Beer location in the Big Y supermarket at 475 Hancock St. in Quincy.

This is Table & Vine's seventh store. The company has other locations inside Big Y markets in Franklin, Greenfield, Holden, Northampton and Wilbraham.

Table & Vine's flagship 38,000-square-foot location is on Riverdale Street in West Springfield. Team members from the West Springfield store traveled to Quincy this week to build and stock shelves for the opening.

The Arno Maris Gallery is located on the second floor of the Ely Campus Center.

WESTFIELD - Westfield State University and its Arno Maris Art Gallery will host an opening reception for two Latino artists as part of its 'Hispanic/Latin X Heritage' exhibit Sept. 21 in the Ely Campus Center.

The reception is in honor of artists Carlos Alvarez and Lyle Kleinhans and will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.. The artwork by Alvarez and Kleinhans is on exhibit at the Arno Maris Gallery through Oct. 22.

Alvarez was born in Medellin, Colombia and his artwork has been displayed in many prominent galleries across the country. His collection "Protecting the Wounds" was inspired by two memories: exhumation of human remains from a mausoleum, and then tragedy struck his hometown in Colombia.

"Those memories likened my perception of the value of a human body to that of an artifact. I thought that bodies were organic discarded materials and thus, I saw a connection to similar objects such as decayed logs and rotten trees. These organic forms become unfamiliar cavities that are adapted as spaces, as portals," he said of this works.

Kleinhans focuses on abstract figurative representations. "I like to think that my paintings ae another picture of reality viewed through the skewed or jaundiced filter of m y mind and in such a way as to possibly deepen the mystery of life or maybe cast light of the existence of life," he said of his work.

The Hispanic/Latin X Heritage exhibit is on display until Oct. 22 and is open to the public free of charge. The gallery is located on the second level of the Ely Campus Center and its regular hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nat Falk, a family run downtown clothing store for men is still going strong after 80 years in business, and on Saturday owner Charlie Lask will perform some Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash tunes to celebrate the occasion

WARE - Nat Falk, a family run downtown clothing store for men is still going strong after 80 years in business, and on Saturday owner Charlie Lask will perform some Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash tunes to celebrate the occasion.

Nat Falk owner Charlie Lask at his men's clothing store, located at 64 Main St., WareJim Russell photo 

The September 17 event, at Veteran's Memorial Park, across from Nat Falk's 64 Main St. location, will benefit a local charity, Jubilee Cupboard, the social welfare arm at Trinity Church of Ware.

From 12 noon to 2 p.m., while Lask and his "Western Mass. All Star Band" perform cover tunes, the church will be accepting non-perishable food, and money donations.

Anyone making a donation will receive a discount coupon for use at Nat Falk's. In addition, every item in the store will be marked 10 percent off on Saturday.

Lask, a 1978 graduate of Ware High School, began working at the store in 1983 after graduating from Bentley College.

The men's store was founded in 1936 by Nat Falk.

Lask's father, Joe Lask, who passed away 12 years ago, began working for Falk in 1949.

"My father, who was a Holocaust survivor, came to the country in 1948, and went to work for Nat Falk," his son said in between answering telephone calls and waiting on customers during a busy Friday afternoon.

"He became a partner with Nat in the mid-1960's, and owner, after Nat's death. I bought the business from my father in 1989," Charlie Lask recounted.

"We're here because we offer service that is second to none. We have low overhead. We can compete, price-wise, with anyone," he said.

"We sell a ton of Carhartt and Levis, and (operate) a huge tuxedo rental business."

One person was rescued from the second floor of a house at 294 Walnut Street Saturday morning. The elderly woman was carried from the building and treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

SPRINGFIELD— Firefighters carried an elderly woman from the second floor of a home at 293-295 Walnut Street as fire gutted an addition attached to the house Saturday morning.

Dennis Leger, executive aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the fire was contained to the addition, but smoke made its way into the two-story house.

While some firefighters set up to battle the blaze, others entered the house and carried the woman to the street, where she was treated for smoke inhalation. Leger said the woman refused transport to the hospital.

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames quickly, then surveyed the area of the addition for possible extension of the fire into the structure of the building.

The addition appeared to have been a one-time storefront that had later been converted to another use.

Leger estimated damages at approximately $40,000. He said the cause, while unknown, is not considered suspicious. The Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad is investigating.

Billy "Demolition" Norris is a big dude who's been using his big mouth to call out a challenger in Saturday's first-ever White Hut World Cheeseburg Eating Championship at The Big E.

Below are Friday's most-read local news stories on MassLive.com. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now.

1) The Big E 2016: Map of the fairgrounds, and quick guide on where everything is at the fair [Nick O'Malley] Photo gallery above

2) War of words escalates as big mouths prepare for White Hut World Cheeseburg Eating Championship at Big E [Conor Berry]

3) Thomas Hogan held without bail for conspiracy to commit murder with Marie Martin, woman whose body was discovered in burned out car last year [Melissa Hanson]

4) Victim in Springfield triple stabbing was 'screaming angry' after seeing suspect at hospital, police officer testifies [Jack Flynn]

5) Prosecutors say Angelo Gonzalez was involved in Kilby Street gang prostitution ring; preyed on women addicted to heroin [Melissa Hanson]

The Select Board and School Committee meet to jointly elect a new member.

AMHERST -- The earliest the School Committee could have a full complement of members would be October, when a joint meeting with the Select Board could be held to appoint a new member to replace Laura Kent.

In an email, Amherst School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Appy said it is important to fill the slot by the middle of October. Appy said the committee needs to bring a new member aboard particularly because it is facing the fall tasks of setting goals and dealing with the district's budget.

Kent, elected to the committee in March, resigned Wednesday. She had been serving as the chairwoman of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee as well during the months the committee was negotiating a controversial separation agreement with former Superintendent Maria Geryk.

In an Aug. 7 email obtained by The Republican through a public records request, district Human Resources Director Kathryn Mazur expressed sympathy for the stress she believed Kent was facing as chairwoman.

"Frankly, I've never seen anything like this in my 28 years in the district," Mazur wrote. "You are juggling many challenging decisions and personalities, and you are doing so with respect, patience and commitment. It is not going unnoticed. Thank you."

Filling the vacancy

According to state law, the Select Board and School Committee must meet jointly to vote on a new member, who would serve until the March 28 town election. Whoever was elected to the seat would then serve the last two years on Kent's term, according to Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer.

Once the vacancy created by Kent's resignation becomes official -- the Town Clerk must receive a signed letter, which Brewer said she had not yet received -- the Select Board will announce the opening and anyone interested would submit a letter of interest to the board by email or regular mail.

Candidates would be required to submit their letters by 4 p.m. on the Thursday before the joint meeting to select the new member.

The regional committee, meanwhile, is down two members, from nine to seven.

Sarah Dolven, the vice chairwoman of the regional committee and a Leverett School Committee member, resigned in August, and Darius Modestow, a member of the Pelham School Committee, resigned earlier this month.

The committee comprises the five Amherst committee members, two from Pelham, and one each from Leverett and Shutesbury.

Legal costs

The resignations follow the Aug. 9 vote of Union 26 and the Amherst-Pelham Regional school committees to approve an agreement that will pay Geryk $309,515 over two years. Her contract wasn't due to expire until June 30, 2018.

The committees reached the agreement with Geryk after her attorney, Michael Long, sent a letter demanding she be released from her contract. Some committee members have said the settlement was in the district's best interest because it avoided a potential lawsuit.

Committee members spent more than 14 hours trying to figure out how best to respond to Geryk's request to leave the district. And, the effort to craft the agreement also came at a cost in terms of legal fees.

Sean Mangano, director of finance for the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, said that, for the month of July, the district's total legal costs stood at $11,773.13.

Of that amount, $10,477.13 was for "general ongoing" matters, including work on the separation agreement and other unrelated business, according to Mangano. The rest, $1,296, was spent preparing the separation agreement. He has not yet received the August legal costs.

According to executive session minutes released earlier this month, district lawyer Thomas Colomb advised the committee that a legal case involving Geryk would be "very messy" and that she had strong contractual claims to make her case.

He also said "there is no cause to terminate her so that were the committee to do so it would strengthen her legal position against the committee," according to the minutes.

The threat of the lawsuit was enough to convince the majority of the committee members to settle. Geryk initially asked for a three-year payout.

Trevor Baptiste, one of three committee members who opposed the settlement, said he did not want to agree to a separation package and instead believed the committee had cause to fire Geryk.

Officials said the money paid in the settlement would not come from instructional spending. Mangano said payments for the initial $295,000 were split across the three districts -- Amherst, Pelham and the region.

Mazur, in an email to the committee obtained by The Republican through a public records request, stated that the regional budget in fiscal 2018 was looking at a minimum deficit of $400,000 to $500,000 next year.

Mangano said with contract negotiations and unknown state aid the district could see no deficit or a deficit up to $1 million.

A police officer in Winooski, Vermont shot and killed a man Friday afternoon, Vermont State Police said. The circumstances of the shooting are being investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

State Police Major Glenn Hall said in a statement that the shooting took place behind a community center on Mallets Bay Avenue just before 5 p.m. Hall did not describe the circumstances of the shooting but did say the male subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

Winooski is a small town just south of Burlington.

Detectives from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation were called to the scene as was the Crime Scene Search Team.

Hall estimated that technicians would remain at the shooting scene throughout the night and that by morning the body of the deceased subject would be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for autopsy.

Once the State Police investigation is completed the results will be submitted for review to the Chittenden County State's Attorney and the state Attorney General's Office. Hall said these steps are customary in an officer-involved shooting death.

Authorities are not releasing the name of the deceased nor the officer involved in the shooting at this time.

The Springfield License Commission imposed one-day suspensions against the Mardi Gras and Center Stage strip clubs related to incidents where patrons claimed they were pummeled. The suspensions will be held in abeyance for a year.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city's License Commission on Thursday issued one-day suspensions against two downtown strip clubs as a result of disturbances, but the penalties will be delayed for one year and then canceled if there is no further trouble.

The separate suspensions were issued against Mardi Gras, 759 Chestnut St., and Center Stage, 265 Dwight St., with each incident alleged to involve a pummeled patron.

According to a police report, a customer of Mardi Gras told police he was assaulted by bouncers at the club on May 3, thrown out and pepper sprayed. He was treated for injuries at a hospital, police said.

The commission ruled that Mardi Gras was in violation of its liquor license on three counts: failure to call the police, permitting an assault and battery and failure to aid a patron.

Commission Chairman Peter Sygnator said the commission determined that a one-day delayed suspension was justified. The suspension would kick in automatically if there is any further violation at the bar in the coming year, along with any penalties imposed for a new incident, he said.

"I believe the thinking of the commission regarding Mardi Gras is that they have not had a violation in which we issued a penalty in several years," Sygnator said. "So the commission took that into consideration."

A city man was killed in a shooting outside Mardi Gras on Sept. 2, but there has been no allegation of wrongdoing by the bar. Daniel Kelly, a lawyer for Mardi Gras, said that neither the shooter nor the victim had spent time in the club that night prior to the 2 a.m. shooting. The victim of the shooting was Luis Reyes, 30, of Harrison Avenue in Springfield.

Kelly represented both Mardi Gras and Center Stage at Thursday's License Commission meeting.

The commission gave Center State the one-day suspended suspension in connection with an incident June 20 in which customer claimed he was knocked to the ground, kicked and beaten at the bar by a group of men.

The commission, as recommended by the Police Department, ruled that Center Stage was in violation of its liquor license because it could not provide a video of the incident to police from a bar camera system, which is required under the bar's formal security plan. Bar personnel reported that the video camera on that side of the bar was not working, according to the police report.

"The commission is growing inpatient with licensees whose video camera systems fail to work when necessary," Sygnator said. "So now we will start issuing suspensions."

The work is expected to begin in the third week in September.

CHICOPEE -- The city plans to seal cracks in as many as 25 major roads to help preserve the asphalt and prevent the streets from eroding.

The City Council recently approved spending $98,000 to rent equipment, purchase the sealant material and pay for the labor. The money is coming from the city's stabilization account, but can be reimbursed by state Chapter 90 funds, which all communities receive annually to fund a variety of road improvements.

Jeffrey Neece, Department of Public Works superintendent, said he has a list of 25 roads that will be the first to get attention. The cost of the sealant will determine if workers will be able to complete the list or if any extra roads can be finished.

"Crack sealing preserves the roads and prolongs their lifespans," he said. "It's important that we do this type of routine maintenance because it saves us money in the long run."

The work is expected to begin in the third week of September and be finished within 60 days, Neece said. The work will be done at night because it will cool down more quickly. Police officers will be hired to direct traffic around the construction, Neece said.

The City Council approved the funding 13-0 and had few comments about the plan.

City Councilor Gerard Roy asked if it would be more cost-effective for the city to purchase its own machine instead of renting. Neece agreed to look at the financial benefits of buying instead of renting.

"If this is a preventative program maybe we will get a better price with our own machines," he said.

The streets that will be treated with a sealant are, in order of priority:

• Front Street between the intersection of Springfield Street and Bonneville Avenue
• Granby Road between the Davitt Bridge to Champagne Avenue
• Center Street from Exchange Street to the Springfield line
• The entire length of Newbury Street
• Abbey Memorial Drive between Broadway and Academy Street
• Broadway between Alvord Avenue and Grove Street
• Irene Street between Ingham Street and Irene Court
• McKinstry Avenue between Chicopee and Meadow streets
• Burnett Road from New Lombard Road to the Ludlow line
• Springfield Street between Olmstead Avenue to Hampden Street
• Montgomery Street between Neill Avenue and Dale Street
• Prospect Street between Ingham Street to Montcalm Street
• Sheridan Street from the Massachusetts Turnpike entrance to Padgette Street
• Westover Road between Memorial Drive and Padgette Street
• Fairview Avenue at the intersection of Springfield Street
• Exchange Street between Cabot and Center streets
• James Street from Montcalm Street to Dowds Lane
• Carew Street between East and East Main streets
• Grattan Street between Granby Road and McKinstry Avenue
• McKinstry Avenue between Boylston and Grattan streets
• East Main Street from Belcher to Crestwood streets
• Prospect Street from Ingham Street to Buckley Boulevard
• Shawinigan Drive from Veterans' Bridge to the Ludlow line
• Meadow Street between Chicopee and Elizabeth streets

One bullet appears to have struck both victims, according to lawyers on both sides of the case.

SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield man charged with shooting two people outside his home earlier this month had his bail cut from $100,000 to $10,000 Friday in Hampden Superior Court.

The reduction, approved by Judge Richard Carey, came after the defendant, Israel Lopez, 45, appealed the high cash bail set Sept. 6 during a raucous court hearing.

More than 10 court officers were required to keep supporters of Lopez and the shooting victims under control during Lopez's arraignment in Springfield District Court.

By contrast, the courtroom was nearly empty Friday as defense lawyer Jeremy Powers urged the judge to cut his client's bail to $5,000.

In addition to having no criminal record, Lopez has a permit for the .38-caliber handgun used in the shooting, according to Powers, who said his client acted in self-defense as a hostile crowd gathered outside his Melha Avenue home.

The shooting took place around 9 p.m. Sept. 3. The two victims were taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries, police said.

At Lopez's arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said a dispute broke out between Lopez and people attending a family reunion nearby. As a crowd gathered on Lopez's lawn, he opened fire, striking an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, Szafranski said.

But defense lawyer Frank Flannery said several people in the crowd rushed the porch, and one forced his way into the house. Lopez, fearing he was about to be struck by a baseball bat, got his gun and fired while still in the house, the lawyer said.

One bullet apparently struck both victims, Powers and Assistant District Attorney Eileen Sears told the judge during Friday's hearing.

Powers also submitted letters from neighbors and others attesting to Lopez's character. Lopez works full time as a van driver and was scheduled to start a second, part-time job as a custodian at a Springfield school, Powers said. Lopez's wife, meanwhile, works as an assistant to a Springfield elementary school principal, he said.

The judge agreed to reduce the bail to $10,000, with the condition that Lopez, if released, be fitted with a GPS monitoring bracelet.

A family member clapped several times after the ruling, but stopped on orders from a court officer. Outside the courtroom, family members said they would post Lopez's bail Friday afternoon to assure his release for the weekend.

He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 6.

Six people were shot before the gunman was killed by police.

PHILADELPHIA -- A man with an apparent grudge against cops shot two police officers and killed a civilian Friday night, according to 6ABC.

A total of six people were shot before the gunman died in an exchange of fire with police.

The shooter, who has not been identified, walked up to a patrol car parked on Sansom Street shortly before 11:30 p.m. and fired on a sergeant as she sat in her vehicle. Sgt. Sylvia Young was hit eight times, but her bulletproof vest saved her life, police said.

The gunman then fired shots into a nearby lounge, wounding a security guard, the station reported.

He wounded another woman nearby, before firing on two people in a vehicle, killing one.

A University of Pennsylvania police officer Eddie Miller was also shot.

A note found at the scene indicated the shooter hated police and probation officers, according to the report.

Young and Miller are both listed in stable condition.

Other victims have not been identified.

This was the second case this year of a gunman ambushing a Philadelphia police officer sitting in patrol car.

In January, a man pledging allegiance to ISIS opened fire on Officer Jess Hartnett, striking him three times.

Hartnett returned fire, wounding the gunman.

Following Friday's shooting, officials announced that Philly officers would ride two to a car.

1 @PhillyPolice Sgt, 1 Penn Officer, 4 innocent civilians shot by an individual driven by hatred. #senseless
Pray for them & their families

-- John Stanford (@PPDJohnStanford) September 17, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go out to the @PhillyPolice & @Penn police officers- in Philadelphia. https://t.co/eyC3W1mweY

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go out to the @PhillyPolice & @Penn police officers- in Philadelphia. https://t.co/eyC3W1mweY

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2016

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Doherty Memorial High School student Mike Oppong again mixed politics with sports this week during his school football game.

Doherty Memorial High School student Mike Oppong again mixed politics with sports this week during his school football game.

The junior defensive back kneeled for the second game in a row during the national anthem, this time joined by three of his teammates. Senior Devaughn Mitchell, senior Joseph Nyuane and junior Devon Taylor also following the lead of national athletes like Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers, and took a knee before the start of the game.

Following his protest last game, Oppong said he received a one-game suspension.

Superintendent of Schools Maureen Binienda said in a statement Monday morning that the high school junior did not violate any school rules and later that day Oppong said his suspension was lifted.

Prior to Friday's game, Binienda addressed the matter.

"I'd like to welcome everyone," The Telegram & Gazette reports Binienda saying, "to the game tonight. I want everyone to know that for the national anthem tonight I would like everyone to stand, but if you choose not to, you must do so peacefully. We invite everyone to stay for the game to enjoy the excitement of high school competition."

When asked of students who kneeled in protest, Binienda told the Telegram she thought it was great. "Everybody was peaceful. Those kids who decided not to stand, kneeled, but it was peaceful. The people in the stands were respectful. It was great."

#Doherty Anthem protester Mike Oppong w/support, Nyuane, Mitchell, Taylor @worcesterpublic @tgsports @telegramdotcom pic.twitter.com/ThT5O6PBwo

-- Steve Lanava (@SteveLanava) September 17, 2016

Thousands of visitors could be seen walking along the Memorial Avenue area as the gates opened for the 100th anniversary of the Eastern States Exposition Friday.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Thousands of visitors were seen walking along the Memorial Avenue area as the gates opened for the 100th anniversary of the Eastern States Exposition Friday.

The combination of perfect weather and special events filled the midway with children and adults looking for that thrilling ride and games of chance and skill.

Under the new Court of Honor Stage tent, VIP guests were treated to the Big-E Bash and Centennial Party where a large decorated cake and ice sculpture were on display. Tasty morsels were served to the partygoers as a magician roamed from table-to-table with his illusions.

The Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra took to the stage, attracting a standing-room only crowd under the tent area while earlier in the evening the stunning Budweiser Clydesdales and Mardi Gras theme floats and entertainers circled the Big-E grounds for all to see.

Wandering entertainers including the Mechanical Man, look alike celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito and Robert De Niro can be seen walking the fairgrounds signing autographs and posing for photos daily.

Be sure to use the hashtag #BigEMoments and #BigE100 when visiting the fair and sharing your experiences on social media. The 17-day celebration is open through October 2.

"Large amounts of money (began) floating down through the air" as alleged bank robber Travis Feliciano flung bundles of cash from a 19th story balcony, according to the arrest report.

SPRINGFIELD -- Three months after allegedly robbing two downtown Springfield banks in one morning and then flinging bundles of cash from a 19th-story balcony, Travis Feliciano has been indicted by a Hampden County grand jury.

Feliciano, 23, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty to five charges, including armed robbery, larceny and assault with a dangerous weapon, during his arraignment Thursday in Hampden Superior Court.

Travis Feliciano, 23, of Springfield(Springfield Police Department) 

Judge Mark D. Mason set bail at $100,000, the same figure imposed in Springfield District Court after Feliciano was charged with robbing TD Bank and Bank of America branches on June 1.

During the TD Bank robbery, Feliciano handed a teller a note reading, "Give me the money ASAP $$," according to the arrest report. The teller -- fearing that Feliciano had a gun -- turned over the money and Feliciano fled on a mountain bike, police said.

At the Bank of America, his mission statement was less clear. Approaching a teller, he announced "I want all you have," the report said. The teller "gave him a quizzical look," forcing him to clarify his intentions, before handing over bundles of $1 bills, the report said.

An hour later, after police tracked him to the Chestnut Towers apartments, Feliciano began throwing handfuls of cash from the 19th-story balcony, police said.

"Large amounts of money (were) floating down through the air," the report stated.

Few details of the back-to-back robberies -- including how much Feliciano allegedly stole, and how much he threw from the balcony -- were disclosed during the district court arraignment.

With the grand jury indictment last week, the case has been transferred to Superior Court, where Feliciano faces potentially much longer sentences if convicted.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Schmidt is prosecuting the case, with defense lawyer Matthew Fleischner representing Feliciano. The defendant has been held at the Hampden County Correctional Center since June 2.

Feliciano is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 30.