SOUTHWICK - Most people attending a public hearing Monday night voiced opposition to a proposed medical marijuana dispensary in Southwick. About 30 residents attended the hearing at Town Hall which was cal,led by the Select Board to provide a public information hearing on the dispensary proposal sponsored by Health Wise Foundation Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit. Southwick resident and former police...

SOUTHWICK - Most people attending a public hearing Monday night voiced opposition to a proposed medical marijuana dispensary in Southwick.

About 30 residents attended the hearing at Town Hall which was cal,led by the Select Board to provide a public information hearing on the dispensary proposal sponsored by Health Wise Foundation Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit.

Southwick resident and former police officer Rose Hannah was the most vocal in the audience expressing concerns over potential "robberies and carjackings" because of the location of a marijuana facility. Hannah cited criminal activities in other areas of the country that, she said, are related to such facilities.

Also, Hannah argued the location of a medical marijuana dispensary will "bring no revenue to the town of Southwick since prescription drugs are non-taxable."

Other residents questioned the impact the facility will have on property taxes, especially for homeowners who live in the 185 College Highway neighborhood were the business will be located.

Other residents questioned if medical marijuana is a first step towards offering recreational marijuana for sale at the former Berkshire Bank building should an election ballot on the subject gain approval in the Nov. 2 elections.

But, Health Wise representatives James A. McMahon and Christopher Acosta said there is not interest in recreational marijuana by their company regardless on next month's election ballot question.

McMahon and Acosta provided the public a review of the proposal they presented the Select Board last month at that start of Monday's hearing.

They explained the dispensary is expected to be one of three Health Wise will establish in the state along with its plan to create a production and processing facility in North Brookfield.

They explained the difference between medical and recreational marijuana, noting that medical marijuana provides no euphoric effect on individuals.

Medical marijuana has been proven to provide therapeutic benefit to people suffering from cancer, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, Parkinson's Disease and other debilitating conditions.

Following the hearing, the Select Board, during its regular meeting, tabled action on the Health Wise proposal.

Health Wise, which will be permitted by the state through the Department of Public Health , has asked town officials to submit either a letter of support or a letter of no opposition to DPH.

Selectmen have indicated they may consider a host agreement with Health Wise.

Also, Southwick has no zoning or other restrictions governing the location of medical marijuana facilities but town officials are looking into creating one or more bylaws that will restrict where such facilities can be created.

Currently medical marijuana facilities are controlled by the DPH with little or no action required by municipalities.

The MGM Springfield casino project has a new, 205-foot construction crane on site, touted as another milestone for the $950 million project.

SPRINGFIELD -- The MGM Springfield casino project reached another milestone Tuesday as officials hailed the arrival of a 205-foot construction crane described as a skyline fixture that signifies "Springfield Is open for business."

Representatives of MGM Springfield and the general contractor, Tishman Construction, gathered on the grounds of the casino project to discuss ongoing progress and the start of steel work. MGM is approaching having 1,000 construction workers on the job and will ultimately have 2,000, said Michael Mathis, president of MGM Springfield.

"We're going to celebrate a moment like this," Mathis said. "Because, for us, it means Springfield is open for business."

The crane will be the centerpiece of the site in coming months at least through May of 2017, officials said.

The last time a crane of this size was in downtown Springfield was 30 years ago when with the construction of Monarch Place in 1986, Mathis said.

The crane when fully erected, will be able to lift a maximum of 22.5 tons of steel, with that work scheduled to begin on Monday. MGM Springfield is constructing a $950 million project on a three-block footprint in the South End and downtown.

The horizontal jib crane has a maximum reach of 264 feet. That horizontal jib can lift the 22.5 ton maximum for a distance of 110 feet, and still lift a little more than five tons at full stretch, said Randy Pitts, vice-president of field operations for Tishman Construction.

9/27/16-Springfield-Randy Pitts of Tishman Construction, Michael Mathis of MGM-Springfield and Jason Rosewell of MGM Springfield talk about the new cranes going up on site on Tuesday.Dave Roback / The Republican 

'We're meeting our milestones and we're charging on," Pitts said..

Mathis said that as he drove on Interstate 91 en route to the press conference, he felt "an incredible sense of pride" seeing the crane on site. There will be up to four cranes on site with this one being the largest, officials said.

"This is an invitation to the rest of the businesses in the region and in the country, and we're starting to recognize it that this is the place for economic development," Mathis said. "We believe we are just at the beginning of that, an important first step."

Mathis was joined on site by Pitts and Jason Rosewell, MGM Springfield executive director of design and construction, who joined in explaining the crane details and other progress. Construction of a seven story parking garage has reached four levels in height.

The very mild weather last winter keeps plans well on track for a casino opening in September of 2018, Mathis said. That progress to date helps minimize the impact of weather over the next few months and sets the stage for interior work to commence this coming winter, he said.

"Our window of risk goes further down with each week that passes by," Mathis said.

A first pack of steel is just south of the crane, and a second delivery of steel is scheduled to arrive Oct. 10, for the hotel construction.

The recent start of construction of the parking garage followed months of site preparation and demolition work and the relocation of First Spiritualist Church on site. Upcoming work includes the casino podium (super structure) and hotel, Pitts said.

Work is occurring six days a week, sometimes 10 to 12 hours a day, Pitts said.

The centerpiece crane is used to set steel and heating, ventilation, air conditioning equipment and some concrete work, Rosewell said.

There's just more than a month until voters fill out their ballots for the state and presidential election, and you have until Oct. 19 to get registered in Massachusetts if you want to cast your vote.

There's just more than a month until voters fill out their ballots for the state and presidential election, and you have until Oct. 19 to get registered in Massachusetts if you want to cast your vote.

Luckily, you can register to vote online. To register on the web, you need a valid driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, and need to have a signature on file with the RMV. 

If you don't have an ID with the RMV, you can fill out the form and mail or bring it to your local election official.

The online system can also be used to change your name or address, or to enroll or unenroll in a party.

Not sure if you're registered? Find out here.

You don't even need to be on the computer to register to vote. If you have Snapchat on your phone, you can now use the app to register or fill out an absentee ballot.

The American Bar Association is also trying to make sure voters are registered. On its website, the ABA has a map of the U.S. with each state's registration and absentee ballot request deadlines.

Looking to build momentum for their respective campaigns ahead of the November election, the White House rivals offered their takes on the country's direction, plans to achieve prosperity and how they will secure America during their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

A similar program was offered three years ago that attracted business participation.

WESTFIELD - City officials are offering grants to downtown property owners to help update and improve storefronts and facades within the Elm, Franklin and Main streets neighborhoods.

The grants, up to $20,000, are being offered from the city's federal Community Development Block Grant funding and require business or property owners to invest at least $10,000 to qualify.

Community Development Director Peter J. Miller explained the grants are based on a 65-35 percent investment from the city and property owner.

The 'ReStore Westfield Program' was created to provide an incentive to downtown business and/or property owners to continue the rehabilitation of Downtown Westfield, officials said.

Miller and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan explained that public improvements to the downtown like Park Square and the Gaslight District public works projects are complete the ReStore Westfield grant project is designed to help property owners upgrade their properties.

"We want to entice business and property owners to invest in their properties and hopefully increase business and other opportunities in the downtown area," Miller said.

Sullivan said "we are offering to assist our downtown property and business owners improve their buildings, especially the facades of buildings and storefronts."

The program's objective is to improve the physical appearance of downtown storefront buildings in an effort to enhance business development, increase pedestrian and customer traffic and overall improve quality of life issues for our residents, Sullivan and Miller said.

An informational hearing on ReStore Westfield Program has been scheduled at City Hall for Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m.. The hearing will be held in Room 315.

Applications for the grant program are available on the city's website at www.cityofwestfield.org or by calling the Community Development Office at 413-572-8246.

Business and property owners must file completed applications with Community Development by 4 p.m. Nov. 1 to be eligible.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, criticized Donald Trump's presidential debate performance late-Monday, saying the Republican nominee demonstrated he is not prepared to take over the White House.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, criticized Donald Trump's presidential debate performance late-Monday, saying the Republican nominee demonstrated he is not prepared to take over the White House.

Warren, who has been an vocal opponent of the businessman throughout the 2016 campaign cycle, once again slammed Trump as "a thin-skinned bully" following the debate.

She also accused the businessman of "ranting and raving on stage" and being unprepared in a series of post-debate tweets.

The senator further praised Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's handling of the candidates' first head-to-head matchup, arguing that the former secretary of state was prepared not just for the debate, but also the presidency.

Presidential debate: The top 10 moments from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's first matchup

Echoing previous criticism she has made of the GOP presidential nominee, the Massachusetts Democrat and Clinton campaign surrogate argued that Trump proved in the debate that "he's a thin-skinned bully who doesn't care about anyone but himself."

.@realDonaldTrump proved once again tonight: He's a thin-skinned bully who doesn't care about anyone but himself. #debatenight

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 27, 2016

Warren, who has made financial industry oversight the cornerstone of her political career, also blasted Trump's economic plan, which she argued would "cut taxes for billionaires and the rules on Wall Street, and leave working families behind."

.@realDonaldTrump's economic plan? Cut taxes for billionaires & the rules on Wall Street, & leave working families behind. #debatenight

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 27, 2016

The Massachusetts senator further took issue with Trump's on-stage behavior, contending that the American people do not want such a person making important decisions for the country.

The man who was ranting & raving on stage tonight has no business controlling our economy OR our nuclear codes. #debatenight

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 27, 2016

Finally, Warren wrapped up her debate-related tweets, by lauding Clinton's preparation for the debate and presidency and questioning Trump's.

.@HillaryClinton was prepared for the debate & she's prepared for the presidency. @realDonaldTrump only prepared lies & conspiracy theories.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 27, 2016

Warren's tweets marked the latest example of the Massachusetts Democrat taking aim at the businessman on social media.

In early August Warren took to Twitter to call the billionaire businessman a "coward" and accuse him of making death threats against his opponent.

She also recently accused the GOP nominee of inciting violence against Clinton by suggesting that his Democratic rival's secret service detail disarm.

City public school officials are happy though not satisfied with the latest news of academic progress in Holyoke Public Schools.

HOLYOKE -- City public school officials are happy though not satisfied with the latest news of academic progress in Holyoke Public Schools.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released assessment results and accountability data for Massachusetts schools and districts Monday.

The results showed Holyoke Public Schools, as a whole, made measured gains.

The most notable progress was in English. The district saw a seven percent increase in proficiency in English Language Arts on Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exams taken this past spring. English Language Learners - a quarter of the district - made the most significant increases in proficiency scores on the test.

Holyoke Public Schools saw a four percent increase in math scores and a slight drop in science.

Of the nine Holyoke schools measured by state testing - Metcalf and Lawrence are excluded due to the grade levels taught - six showed improvements, with Morgan, McMahon and Sullivan schools seeing the largest gains.

Morgan - a Level 5 full service school that was placed in state receivership prior to Holyoke Public Schools as a whole - is seeing the benefits of a longer school day.

The South Holyoke school went from the 2nd percentile in the state to the 14th, results Holyoke Public Schools Receiver Stephen Zrike called "simply extraordinary."

With more time in the classroom, Zrike says teachers and school staff are able to target areas where students are struggling earlier on, increasing the likelihood of a child testing proficient for their grade.

Students at McMahon "made significant gains across the board," Zrike said. The school exceeded its goals in math for students with disabilities and English for the entire student body.

Sullivan School rose in the rankings of schools across the state. The Level 2 school went from the 27 percentile to 31st this year, making a Level 1 designation - the state's highest tier of student achievement - a realistic goal.

With all city public schools in the midst of the turnaround effort, Zrike said he expects Sullivan to soon achieve Level 1 status and other Holyoke schools to follow.

Parentela and the town have agreed to a three-year contract with a starting salary of $130,000.

SOUTH HADLEY -- There will be a swearing-in ceremony for the new chief of police on Friday at the department's headquarters.

The public is invited to attend the event, when Lt. Steven Parentela will be officially promoted to chief.

The brief ceremony begins at 10 a.m. The police station, adjacent to Town Hall, is located at 41 Bridge St. The swearing-in will occur in the Community Room.

Parentela and the town have agreed to a three-year contract with a starting salary of $130,000. The Selectboard unanimously approved Town Administrator Michael Sullivan's appointment of Parentela at a meeting earlier this month.

The new chief joined the South Hadley police force in 1988 and has been a lieutenant for the past decade. Parentela has been serving as the interim chief following the July 1 retirement of Chief David Labrie.

In the span of 6 minutes, the 3 suspects all made minor purchases and paid for them with $100 bills.

SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police are seeking the public's help in identifying three suspects accused of passing counterfeit money at a Boston Road drug store earlier this month, police said.

According to Springfield police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney, the Walgreens at 1440 Boston Road reported to police that they found three counterfeit $100 bill that were used by customers to make small purchases. Cashiers accepted the fake money for purchases and then paid out real money when making change.

Delaney said the transactions occurred on Sept. 6 between 8:39 and 8:46 p.m.

Surveillance video from the store shows three people, two of them going through the cashier line in succession, making purchases of small items with counterfeit bills. Each is shown carrying their change as they head out the door.

The first woman purchased a bottle of water and paid for it with a $100 bill. A second woman purchased a cell phone charger and also paid with a $100 bill, Delaney said.

Six minutes later, a man purchased an energy drink with a $100 bill, he said.

The case is being investigated by Gifford Jenkins of the Major Crime Unit. Anyone who recognizes any of the people pictured is asked to call police at (413) 787-6355.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to "CRIMES," or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."

Rintala, 49, is accused of strangling her wife, Cochrane Rintala, then 37, on March 29, 2010, at the couple's Granby home.

NORTHAMPTON -- The prosecution's case in the Cara Rintala murder trial has turned back to the question of when Annamarie Cochrane Rintala was killed.

Dr. Thomas Andrew, chief medical examiner in New Hampshire and a private consultant, is on the witness stand, called by the prosecution Tuesday morning as an expert to testify about time of death.

Rintala, 49, is accused of strangling Cochrane Rintala, her wife, on March 29, 2010, at the couple's Granby home.

Andrew said he first estimated time of death between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. But after hearing there was no activity on Cochrane Rintala's phone after about 12:30 p.m. on the day of her death, he estimated the time of death at between about 12:30 and 1 p.m.

Defense lawyer David Hoose will continue to cross-examine Andrew after the lunch break.

Rintala told police Cochrane Rintala was alive when she left the house about 3:30 p.m. with the couple's 2-year-old daughter to do errands.

The prosecution will not call state Trooper Jamie Magarian, lead investigator of the case, who testified extensively at the first two trials. No reason has been given in open court about why he isn't being called at this trial. Many witnesses have testified about Magarian being at the crime scene.

This is Rintala's third murder trial, following mistrials in 2013 and 2014 resulting from deadlocked juries. She has been free on $150,000 bail since March 2014.

Tuesday is the eighth day of testimony in the trial, which is expected to last at least four weeks before Hampshire Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup.

Andrew didn't examine the body and was not involved in the investigation. He read reports from a medical examiner who performed the autopsy, as well as reports and photos from police and EMTs who responded to the crime scene.

He said in November 2014 he was contacted by the prosecution to look at case material to specifically address the time of death question. That was after the first two trials.

Hoose asked Andrew if going to sleep isn't a reason phone activity could stop. Andrew said Rintala didn't say Cochrane Rintala was asleep.

The first witness Tuesday was Trooper Christopher Dolan, who said he found a large volume of blood in one spot near the kitchen table.

Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Luke Ryan, Dolan said he was aware Rintala was brought to sit at the table while she had bloody feet.

Dolan said two fingerprints on a paint bucket were matched to Bill Cochrane, the victim's father. The bucket was tipped over near Cochrane Rintala's body and paint was all over the scene.

The trooper said a palm print on the lid of the paint bucket matched Rintala's palm print. Dolan said he couldn't testify to that at the last two trials because no one had given him Rintala's palm print.

Follow Buffy Spencer's updates from the trial on Twitter:

Tweets by @buffyspencer1

The murder trial against Peter Jasper began on Sept. 27, 2016 in Worcester Superior Court. Jasper is accused of killing his cousin, Paul Milluzzo, outside Smitty's Tavern in Worcester in December 2014.

New developments are being announced in the unsolved murder of Lisa Ziegert, who is among the victims of unsolved killings in Massachusetts.

The Baystate Health Foundation celebrated the generosity of hundreds of donors recently at the annual President's Society Reception, an event which recognizes the impact philanthropic support has on the health system.

The Baystate Health Foundation celebrated the generosity of hundreds of donors recently at the annual President's Society Reception, an event which recognizes the impact philanthropic support has on the health system.

The event included presentations from Mark A. Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health and Jane Albert, vice president of philanthropy as well as a question-and-answer forum with members of the Baystate Health President's Cabinet.

This year's event also included a special celebration honoring longtime donors of the Baystate Health Foundation and Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Rob and Mary Cohn, of Greenfield, as the inaugural recipients of the Baystate Health Foundation Impact Award.

To allow critical medical care to stay local for the residents of Franklin County, community members spent years helping the Baystate Health Foundation fundraise a large portion of the $26 million it cost to build a brand new, state-of-the-art surgery center.

The new facility opened to patients summer. The 55,000 square foot building was constructed mostly by local builders and features four state-of-the-art surgical suites. The new building also includes 20 pre/post-op patient bays, separated by walls rather than curtains, for more patient comfort and privacy.

The pig was found Tuesday on Mountain Road.

HADLEY -  It's not the typical stray pet that gets posted to the Hadley Police Facebook page looking for its owner.

Instead of a beagle or lab, this post is for a potbellied pig police found roaming on Mountain Road at the base of Skinner Park Tuesday.

Police are looking for its owner or anyone who knows about the pig to contact them.

In an email, Sgt. Mitchell Kuc said the pig had no tags but they are still working to determine if it has a microchip.

"Loose livestock is normal, but not usually a pig," Kuc said. 

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (413) 584-0883.

The $500,000 grant announced last week will provide new equipment in manufacturing technology and aviation technology classes.

WESTFIELD - The School Department will use a $500,000 state grant to enhance training of students enrolled in manufacturing technology and aviation technology at Westfield Technical Academy.

Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski said Wednesday the Massachusetts Workforce Training grant announced last week will be equally divided among the two vocational programs. Funding will enhance the training of at least 16 students enrolled in each program.

"This is a sizeable grant from the state and it will allow us to upgrade and add new equipment in each program," Czaporowski said. "Funding applied to manufacturing technology will benefit both our regular students as well as the evening program offered to adults," the superintendent said.

Czaporowski and School Grants Coordinator Shannon Barry explained the was applied for at the request of the state since Westfield did not qualify for similar funding last year.

"We applied last spring but was not awarded funding. We welcomed the opportunity to apply again this year and this grant will allow the purchase of additional equipment to ensure all students have access to the tools they need," Czaporowski said.

School officials are now preparing bid specifications for the equipment that will be purchased. Bids are expected to be advertised next week and new equipment is expected later this year.

New equipment for manufacturing technology will include such as mills and lathes. New equipment for the aviation program will include aircraft engines.

The $250,000 allocated to aviation is in addition to a total of $300,000 in grant commitments to the program from Gulfstream Inc.

The program was launched last year and Gulfstream committed $50,000 a year for four years. The program gained its Federal Aviation Administration certification last month and Gulfstream announced it will provide an additional $100,000 to support it.

Michael Walsh, who once served as an altar boy coordinator at St. Brendan’s Church in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of raping a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.

BOSTON - Michael Walsh, who once served as an altar boy coordinator at St. Brendan's Church in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of raping a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.

Just days away from turning 80 years old, Walsh pleaded not guilty to the charges in Suffolk Superior Court.

The clerk magistrate, Anne Kaczmarek, imposed conditions that included GPS monitoring, staying away from the victim and witnesses, no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, and surrendering his passport and remaining in Massachusetts.

A Suffolk County grand jury indicted Walsh on Sept. 16.

In a statement filed by prosecutors on Wednesday, Walsh allegedly used his position as an altar boy coordinator, as well as a coach with Cedar Grove Baseball, from Sept. 1988 through June 1991 to "gain access to, groom, and ultimately sexually abuse the alleged victim" when the victim was in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

"The alleged victim recalled the sexual abuse escalated over time from indecent groping and touching on multiple occasions to the defendant repeatedly raping him," the statement said.

"The defendant frequently took the alleged victim and other neighborhood boys out to eat and to the movies," the statement continued. "The defendant would drive the children around town in his car and drive them home to their individual houses."

The victim was also sexually abused in a New York hotel room during a baseball team field trip to Cooperstown, NY, according to the statement.

"The alleged victim first disclosed he was sexually abused to a close friend during his freshman year in college in 1997," the statement said. "Years later, on or about June 24, 2016, the alleged victim reported the sexual abuse to law enforcement."

Walsh went on to become a priest, but he was relieved of duties in 2002.

According to Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley's office, prosecutions involving child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child "based on a victim's testimony must be brought within 27 years of the offense."

But because Walsh left Massachusetts and lived outside the state, including in Florida and Michigan, the "proverbial clock was stopped" on statute of limitations, Conley's office said.

Baker plans to vote against allowing another slots parlor. He is undecided but "sympathetic" to animal rights activists who want to ban the confinement of animals for food.

BOSTON - Gov. Charlie Baker has been a strong advocate on two of this year's ballot questions, opposing marijuana legalization and supporting an expansion of charter schools.

But where does the Republican governor stand on the other two questions that will appear on November's ballot, allowing a second slots parlor in Massachusetts and restricting the sale of meat or eggs from caged animals?

Baker said this week that he plans to vote against allowing another slots parlor, which is Question 1. The ballot question was filed by developer Eugene McCain, who wants to build a slots parlor at the Suffolk Downs racetrack. Under current state law, only one slots parlor - at Plainridge Park Casino - is allowed in Massachusetts. The state will also allow up to three resort-style casinos, two of which are already under construction.

Baker, speaking to reporters Monday, noted that the Plainridge Park Casino is already open while MGM in Springfield and Wynn in Everett are under construction.

"I've always thought we should be mindful of the fact that we don't exactly know what the consequences and the impact of all this is going to be when the dust settles, on the Lottery and on a whole bunch other things," Baker said. "Let's wait and see what happens before raising the possibility of yet another facility in Massachusetts."

The farm animal question, Question 3, would ban the sale of meat or eggs from confined animals in Massachusetts and ban the confinement of certain animals at Massachusetts farms. Currently, only one farm in Massachusetts raises hens that are not cage-free, and no farms confine calves or pigs for meat. So the biggest impact would be in not allowing the sale of meat or eggs from confined animals from out-of-state companies, which could raise the price of food in Massachusetts.

Baker said he has not yet made up his mind on this question, but he is "very sympathetic" to the point of view of the animal rights activists who support the question. He said he does want to know more about how much it will cost.

"While I worry a little bit about what that might mean to the cost of eggs for people here in the commonwealth, I'm quite sympathetic to the perspective that's being offered by the yes on Question 3 people," Baker said.

The case is being prosecuted by Healey's office and was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Special Services section.

NORTHAMPTON -- Rex W. Cunningham and his co-defendant in a notorious 1990s loan-sharking and extortion case in Greater Springfield were indicted on similar charges Wednesday morning by a statewide grand jury.

Cunningham, 65, and Brian Hoyle, 58, face nine criminal counts including money laundering, loan sharking, conspiracy to run an illegal gaming operation and registering bets, according to Chloe Gotsis, spokeswoman for state Attorney General Maura Healey's office.

In a statement, Healey said the men preyed on compulsive gamblers, and were owed thousands of dollars from bettors at any given time while the investigation unfolded.

"This illegal sports betting operation took advantage of compulsive gamblers by charging extremely high interest rates and aggressively pursuing debts in order to turn a profit," Healey said.

The men ran the illegal rackets out of a bar and had "secret meetings" in the bar's parking lot, according to Healey's office. Officials haven't named the bar, but state police in April raided two Springfield bars with ties to Cunningham and Hoyle. Those were the New O'Brien's Corner at 1082 Page Blvd. and The Blarney Stone at 885 Carew St.

Though the case was generated out of Hampden County, the charges were presented to a statewide grand jury in Hampshire County in an effort to slow the rumor mill in Greater Springfield. It is being prosecuted by Healey's office and was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit and Special Services Section.

Among the nine indictments are allegations of witness intimidation, for which Cunningham and Hoyle were arrested on Aug. 12.

This is a developing story; more details to come.

The $200,000 state fund will help provide a bilingual literacy exhibit at the new Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD -- Local and state officials and museum advocates on Wednesday praised a $200,000 state budget appropriation that will help provide a bilingual exhibit for the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum set to open in 2017.

State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, who was the lead Senate sponsor, said the $200,000 further enhances the Dr. Seuss Museum as an attraction for millions of visitors. Lesser is chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

"This funding will allow even more people to enjoy and learn from this iconic new museum, magnifying the Dr. Seuss Museum's impact both as an educational center and a region-wide driver of tourism and economic development," Lesser said.

State Sen. James Welch, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Massachusetts Cultural Council representative Greg Liakos and Springfield Museums officials joined in applauding the state contribution.

"It's exciting. We have a lot of momentum," said Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson. "We will celebrate hometown hero Ted Geisel, and will also get kids excited about reading."

The new museum is scheduled to open in June 2017 at the William Pynchon Memorial Building at the Quadrangle.

Officials including Sarno and Lesser said the state investment results in an economic payback to the city and the region by attracting more visitors to the Quadrangle who spend their money in Springfield and the surrounding area.

The museums are fortunate to have a board of directors that is "leading the charge" in a capital campaign and appreciates the continued support from the state Legislature, Simpson said.

Lyman Wood, a member of the museums board of directors, said the additional funds greatly help with the project and with ongoing capital fundraising efforts.

"It's critical to make sure the Seuss Museum opens with all of the items it should have," Wood said.

The museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a Springfield native and writer of the world-famous Dr. Seuss children's books.

Liakos said the Massachusetts Cultural Council is the state agency that supports the arts in Massachusetts and faced serious budget cuts this year, with the Legislature overriding those funding cuts.

The bilingual exhibit helps reach more people, particularly with the Latino population being the fastest growing population in the state, he said.

Gonzalez was a lead sponsor of the bill in the House, and said the Suess Museum is an exciting project that "opens doors for a community willing and able to embrace" Dr. Seuss and his legacy.

Diane Ziegert said that for the first time in years, she has hope that her daughter's killer will be brought to justice.

SPRINGFIELD - The first time she looked at a drawing of what could be the face of her daughter's killer, Diane Ziegert said she felt shock and a shortness of breath.

Once that subsided, Ziegert said what she was left with was a feeling of hope.

The hope comes from the belief that police are close to finding, arresting and prosecuting the man responsible for the 1992 abduction, rape and brutal murder of her daughter, Lisa Ziegert, in Agawam.

"This is more hope than we've had in many years. We always knew they were working on it. But this is huge," she said.

"Huge, huge, huge," she said.

"It's one thing to know (someone) killed her, but it's another to have a face."

Diane Ziegert and her husband, George, attended the announcement by Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni of a new development in the 24-year-old murder investigation.

Lisa Ziegert, 24, an Agawam middle school teacher, had been reported missing on the evening of April 15, 1992, from Brittany's Card and Gift Shop on Walnut Street Extension, where she worked part-time.

Her body was found in a wooded section of Suffield Street on Easter Sunday four days after she went missing.

An autopsy determined she had been raped and died from a vicious stab wound to the neck.

The crime, one of the most notorious in recent Western Massachusetts history, has remained unsolved, although as Gulluni reminded the press on Tuesday, the investigation has never concluded.

At the Tuesday press briefing, Gulluni unveiled two composite sketches, one of a white man with brown hair at age 25, and another age adjusted to approximately to age 50.

Lisa Ziegert unsolved homicide: DA releases DNA generated image of suspect

The composites were not derived from witnesses recollections, but from a relatively new procedure called DNA Phenotyping.

Traditionally DNA has been used as a kind of fingerprint. A DNA sample is compared with existing samples on file to identify a suspect. Gulluni said none of the DNA in the Ziegert case matched any record on file locally or nationally.

Under DNA phenotyping, physical characteristics in the DNA sample are used to calculate what the source looks like, and a computer uses that to make a best-guess sketch of the information.

In this case, the suspect has a 90 percent chance of being of European origin with fair skin. There's a 88.5 percent chance he has brown or hazel eyes, and a 98.7 percent chance he has brown or black hair. There is also a 41.7 percent chance he has some freckles.

Gulluni made both composites available to the press for dissemination to the public. They've also set up a Lisa Ziegert telephone tip line at 413 333-9148.

Gulluni said the Ziegert investigation has remained active, and he and his staff have met frequently about it. When he learned of the DNA Phenotyping procedure, they reached out to Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia a few months ago.

The DA's office supplied a single-source DNA sample found at the scene where Lisa Ziegert's body was discovered in 1992. Last week, the company notified his office, the composite was complete.

Slideshow: Cold case homicides in Mass.

Gulluni said the composite cannot be used as evidence in court. But it can be used to narrow down the investigation and exclude people who may have been suspects, he said. And it can be used to direct people toward other suspects, he said.

As far as he knows, it is the first time DNA Phenotyping has been used in Massachusetts.

Agawam Police Chief Eric Gillis said he is hopeful the drawings will "open the floodgates" in terms of new information coming forward.

"We're really really hoping this is justice for Lisa," Gillis said.

"For so long we were searching for a haystack - not even the needle in a haystack. Now we have the needle in a haystack and we know what we're looking for."

Diane Ziegert said Gulluni's office arranged for her and her husband to see the sketches prior to the media briefing. And for that they were grateful.

"They were kind enough to show this to us before we walked into the room, because we never would be able to stand here and handle ourselves," she said.

"It was shocking," she said of the first time she saw the drawings. "That's not the right word but it's the closest I can come."

She said in the days and months after Lisa's murder, it felt as if a huge weight was placed on her chest. "Gradually it goes away, but suddenly (upon seeing the sketch) it's sitting right there again," she said.

"It takes your breath away and not in a good way," she said.

The first thing she did was notify her children of new developments. That sent off a flurry of phone calls, texts and e-mails to the point where Ziegert said her husband threatened to throw away her cellphone because "it kept going 'You got mail.'"

She noted she referrs to her children as "the kids," as if, like Lisa, their ages were frozen in time. Instead they are all in the 40s and 50s.

"That's the reality. Lisa would be 48 right now."

Ziegert said she and her family have always been and forever will be grateful to the Agawam police and the DA's staff for their dedication to the case and their refusal to let it go. She called this "stick-to-it-ness" but confessed there's probably a better word for their tenacity.

"There have been three DAs, three police chiefs, and numerous heads of the detective bureau, and they have all be dedicated to Lisa," she said.

"Do you notice when they talk of Lisa, they never say the Ziegert case, or Lisa Ziegert?" she said. "They say 'Lisa.' Because that is who she is to them."

If the new developments in the case lead one day to another phone call from the DA, one informing her that they found her daughter's killer - and Diane Ziegert said she is hopeful that call will be coming soon - she already know what she will do.

"After you pick me up off the floor, I will be shouting from the rooftops. And I will be at every single event and the trial -- even if they have to push me in in a wheelchair," she said.

"We think this is going to do it."

Agawam Police detective always thought DNA would be key to finding Lisa Ziegert killer