An Agawam woman has been sentenced to 30 months in jail after admitting she was drunk when her car slammed into a pedestrian in 2014.

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) Agawam woman sentenced to 2-plus years in drunken driving crash that injured pedestrian [Jack Flynn]

2) Man shot twice in front of Family Dollar on Main Street in Springfield [George Graham]

3) Man no longer welcome at Springfield beauty salon [Jack Flynn]

4) Parking lot opiate dealers busted at Springfield Racing Mart; over 600 pills confiscated by police [Phil Demers]

5) Taj McDonald choked 3-year-old nephew, pushed him down stairs, tried to drown him, police say [Melissa Hanson] Photo gallery above

The Springfield License Commission gave one-day and two-day liquor license suspensions to four businesses due to sales to police cadets under the legal age of 21 who succeeding in buying alcohol during compliance checks.

SPRINGFIELD -- The sale of alcohol to minors has led to one-day or two-day liquor license suspensions at four local businesses in Springfield following compliance checks in recent months conducted by young police cadets.

The city's License Commission issued the suspensions during a meeting Thursday night at City Hall, following the sting operations in August and September.

"The commission takes service to minors very seriously," Chairman Peter Sygnator said Friday. "I am very disappointed to see so many of our licensees failing simple compliance checks."

Under the compliance check program, police cadets under the age of 21 attempt to buy alcohol from establishments such as bars, restaurants and package stores.

Sygnator said it takes "two seconds to simply ask for a driver's license." If the cadets posing as customers are asked to produce their driver's license, the cadets are instructed to immediately end the compliance check, and the business passes the test, he said.

"If they (the businesses) had asked, they would have passed the compliance checks," Sygnator said. "We thought that the licensees had received this message years ago. Apparently that is not the case."

The four businesses that received liquor license suspensions were as follows:

• Casa de Nana restaurant, 995 Boston Road, received a two-day license suspension, and cannot sell alcohol on Oct. 7 and 8, for selling to two underage cadets, Sygnator said. An additional three-day suspension will be held in abeyance for one year, and dismissed then if there are no further violations, he said.
• Kappy's Liquors, 1755 Boston Road, received a two-day suspension effective Oct. 7 and 8, for providing alcohol to a minor. The incident involved a sale by an employee who did not have commission-required training to avoid sales to minors, Sygnator said.
• The Limelight bar, 357 Cottage St., received a one-day suspension effective today for serving alcohol to a cadet, and four additional days held in abeyance for one year.
• Market Liquors, 459 Main St., Indian Orchard, received a one-day suspension effective Oct. 8 for selling alcohol to a minor, and four additional days held in abeyance for one year.

The handgun, which was loaded, had been reported stolen from Southwick last year, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said.

SPRINGFIELD -- A judge has set bail at $25,000 for two Springfield men arrested on gun and drug charges Thursday.

At a prosecutor's request, Judge Robert Murphy ordered Michael Dionne, 24, and Rafael Hernandez, 35, held on cash bail during their arraignment Friday.

Springfield narcotics detectives arrested the men and two other suspects after conducting surveillance on a parking lot at 798 Carew St., Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said.

Detectives seized 69 bags of heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone pills and a loaded handgun reportedly stolen in Southwick in 2015, Szafranski said.

After watching a suspected drug deal in the parking lot, detectives followed the defendants to 998 Liberty St. In addition to making arrests, the officers found a 3-year-old boy inside amid trash, clutter and the smell of urine and feces, the prosecutor said.

City inspectors later condemned the home as unlivable, and the state Department of Children and Families took custody of the boy, Szafrasnski said.

Held overnight for their appearance in Springfield District Court, Dionne and Hernandez pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, carrying a loaded firearm, receiving a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

A third suspect, Victor Street, 47, of Chicopee, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone, all with intent to distribute.

Michelle Goodrow, 34, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin. She was also wanted on default warrants for failing to appear in court to face heroin and cocaine possession charges.

Street's bail was set at $500, while Goodrow was held without right to bail on the default warrants.

All four defendants are due back in court for pretrial hearings on Oct. 26.

As part of their ongoing work to raise awareness of domestic violence, Womanshelter/Compañeras and Jane Doe, Inc., are presenting a two-week exhibit at Tower Square titled "Displays of Character: Men Reimagining Manhood."

SPRINGFIELD -- As part of their ongoing work to raise awareness of domestic violence, Womanshelter/Companeras and Jane Doe, Inc., are presenting a two-week exhibit at Tower Square titled "Displays of Character: Men Reimagining Manhood."

On Tuesday, the groups will present a program on that topic at Tower Square's ground level at 1500 Main St. in Springfield, starting at 12:30 p.m.

"The event will feature guest speaker State Representative Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke) and a special presentation of recognition to the Ware Public School District," the Holyoke-based Womanshelter/Companeras stated in a press release.

"This museum-quality exhibit features powerful portraits and interviews with thirteen Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign Ambassadors who represent thousands of men and boys across the Commonwealth who have taken the White Ribbon Day Pledge to be part of the solution."

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"We know that domestic violence/intimate partner violence, teen dating violence and sexual violence will never end without the engagement of men and boys in the work that we do," Karen B. Cavanaugh, Executive Director of Womanshelter/Companeras, said.

"That engagement is happening, and we are proud to be showcasing this display and hope it will encourage more men to get involved," she said.

Womanshelter/Companeras, operating since 1980, has provided emergency shelter to more than 3,000 women and children, and has assisted more than 10 times that number who have been victims of domestic violence.

"Womanshelter/Companeras' philosophy is based on the understanding that victims and survivors of domestic violence deserve respect and can make their own choices. Staff present options and offer a high level of emotional support for independent decision-making. Confidentiality is held in highest regard," the nonprofit community group states on its website.

The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 14 on Tower Square's ground floor.

The Ware High School Domestic Violence Task Force is coordinated by faculty member Dan Orzulak.

Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan recognized the Ware school's effort in 2014, inviting the students to his office for an award in recognition of a video the high school's DVTF produced.

District attorneys across the state have specialized units to address domestic violence.

The clinic will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Oct. 12.

CHICOPEE - Members of the Chicopee High School girls and boys soccer teams with the Parks and Recreation Department will hold a free soccer clinic for city children.

The clinic is designed for children ages 5 to 14. It is open to all residents and children of city employees. Children do not need any playing experience to attend.

A donation of $1 to $5 is suggested. Any money collected will be put toward youth soccer programs in the city.

The clinic will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Oct. 12 in Szot Park.

People can register and fill out waiver forms at the Chicopee Parks and Recreation Department on Front Street before the event or on site just before the soccer night begins.

The state troopers gave Stephon Welfare two chances to identify the object in his pants.

These were the top stories out of Springfield District Court this week, plus two from last week. If you missed any, click on the links below to read them now.

Man arrested at Big E gets big break in court: 'I'm unwilling to make you a felon today,' judge says

Springfield teenager shot answering door; suspect held on $250K bail

Man no longer welcome at Springfield beauty salon

From Springfield to Holyoke to jail: bail set at $25K following multicity police chase

An awkward search reveals concealed handgun

Springfield man arrested after breaking up fight involving 6 women, lawyer claims

Judge sets $10,000 bail for repeat offender, calling it 'a matter of public safety'

Lawyer: Woman charged with breaking into Sixteen Acres home was fleeing boyfriend

A Springfield woman crashed her car into a tree on St. James Avenue late Friday after reportedly hearing gunshots nearby, according to local police.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ A Springfield woman crashed her car into a tree on St. James Avenue late Friday after reportedly hearing gunshots nearby, according to local police.

The woman told Springfield Police officers that she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a tree across from 1250 St. James Ave. after gunshots allegedly went off near her car.

Officers, who responded to reports of a single vehicle crash around 11:50 p.m., said the unidentified woman initially left the scene out of fear, but later returned to the vehicle.

She was transported to Baystate Medical Center to be treated for injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening, police said.

The accident report for the crash does not indicate that gunfire hit the vehicle, according to Springfield Police.

Neither speed nor alcohol are not indicated as contributing the crash, police said.

All but one westbound lane have been closed on Interstate 90 near Auburn following a vehicle crash and fire, according to Massachusetts State Police.

UPDATED AT 11:20 A.M.: All westbound lanes have been reopened, according to state police.

AUBURN ‒ All but one westbound lane have been closed on Interstate 90 near Auburn following a vehicle crash and fire, according to Massachusetts State Police.

State troopers reported the crash and car fire, which occurred near mile marker 89 on the westbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike, around 10:20 a.m. Saturday.

Officers reopened the left lane shortly after 10:30 a.m. All other lanes remain closed.

Traffic is backed from from the Greenwood Street bridge in Millbury to Auburn.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history weakened a little on Saturday as it drenched coastal Colombia and roared across the Caribbean.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history weakened a little on Saturday as it drenched coastal Colombia and roared across the Caribbean on a course that still puts Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba in the path of potentially devastating winds and rain.

Matthew briefly reached the top hurricane classification, Category 5, and was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Felix in 2007.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said its winds had slipped from a peak of 160 mph to a still-devastating 145 mph and it was expected to reach the eastern part of Jamaica on Monday. The forecast track would carry it across Cuba and into the Bahamas, with an outside chance of a brush with Florida.

As Matthew skimmed past the northern tip of South America there were reports of heavy flooding and at least one death -- the second attributed to the storm.

Authorities said at least 18 houses were damaged along the La Guajira peninsula of Colombia, which has been suffering from a multi-year drought. They said a 67-year-old man was swept away to his death by a flash flood in an area where it hadn't rained for four years.

Local TV broadcast images of cars and tree trunks surging though flooded streets in coastal areas.

Colombian authorities closed access to beaches and urged residents living near the ocean to move inland in preparation for storm surges that they said would be most intense on Saturday.

There was also concern that heavy rain across much of the country could dampen turnout for Sunday's nationwide referendum on a historic peace accord between the government and leftist rebels.

The GOES East satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at 2:45 p.m. EDT, shows Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean Sea. (NOAA via AP) 

Jamaicans, meanwhile, began stocking up on emergency supplies and Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Friday called an urgent meeting of Parliament to discuss preparations for the storm.

"I left work to pick up a few items, candles, tin stuff, bread," 41-year-old Angella Wage said at a crowded store in the Half Way Tree area of the capital, Kingston. "We can never be too careful."

Jamaicans are accustomed to intense tropical weather but Hurricane Matthew looked particularly threatening. At its peak, it was more powerful than Hurricane Gilbert, which made landfall on the island in September 1988 and was the most destructive storm in the country's modern history.

"Hurricane Matthew could rival or possibly exceed Gilbert if the core of the strongest winds does actually move over Jamaica," said Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist and spokesman for the hurricane center in Miami. "There is no certainty of that at this point."

Forecasters said rainfall totals could reach 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches in Jamaica and southwestern Haiti.

Kingston, in the southeastern corner of Jamaica, is expected to experience flooding. The government issued a hurricane watch on Friday, and a tropical storm watch was issued for Haiti's southwest coast form the southern border it shares with the Dominican Republic to the capital of Port-au-Prince.

In Haiti, civil protection officials broadcast warnings of a coming storm surge and big waves, saying the country would be "highly threatened" from the approaching system over the next 72 hours. They urged families to prepare emergency food and water kits.

Emergency management authorities banned boating starting Saturday, particularly along the impoverished country's southern coastline, but numerous fishing skiffs could still be seen off the south coast.

As of 11 a.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 390 miles southeast of Kingston. It was moving west at 6 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

Matthew caused at least one death when it entered the Caribbean on Wednesday. Officials in St. Vincent reported a 16-year-old boy was crushed by a boulder as he tried to clear a blocked drain.

An interfaith forum on climate change will be held Oct. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at First Church of Christ of Longmeadow.

LONGMEADOW -- An interfaith forum on climate change will be held Oct. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at First Church of Christ of Longmeadow.

The meeting is being sponsored by the recently formed Springfield Area Interfaith Climate Action Network, or SAICAN. Besides the host church at 763 Longmeadow St. (Route 5), other congregational members of the network are St. Andrew's Episcopal , and St. Mary's Roman Catholic churches, both in Longmeadow, and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield, and Sinai Temple, both in Springfield.

Presenters at the upcoming Greater Springfield Interfaith Climate Justice Meeting include the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas of Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Recent recipient of the 2016 "Steward of God's Creation Award" from the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care, she will talk about climate change as a moral issue.Submitted 

Members have worked during the last several years to present events, including a Going Green Expo this spring at Sinai Temple, together with Longmeadow Transition Group, a group devoted to local efforts to reduce global warming whose founding members include Dr. Mark H. Pohlman, a member of First Church of Christ.

The Greater Springfield Interfaith Climate Justice Meeting is designed to build on their collaborative work in a community-wide format that is open to the public, including those not affiliated with a faith organization, to further explore ways "to address concerns of global warming and climate change," share available resources and discuss the network's future work.

"Our objectives in holding a climate justice meeting and in organizing an interfaith network are to inspire people of faith to do what they can as individuals and congregations, to educate them about possible actions they can take, to provide information about available resources to help them do this, and to mobilize them to support local and state initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing alternative energy sources such as solar and wind, and halting clear-cutting in our state forests," said Joelle Million, of the Unitarian Universalist Society, who is organizing the event along with Michele Marantz of Sinai Temple.

She said she felt members of the network "have come to see climate activism as an essential part of how we fulfill our responsibility to protect creation for ourselves, for the world's populations, and for future generations."

"Recognizing that the populations of some undeveloped countries will bear the brunt of climate change's worst effects in terms of extreme weather and rising sea level, even though they have contributed least to the crisis and are often unable to fund infrastructure to mitigate the damage of disasters, people of faith, like the Good Samaritan, accept responsibility for the injured and needy and refuse to pass by expecting someone else to fix the problem," Million said.

Marantz added: Despite our denominational differences, one of the principles that unites the theologies of all major religions is a concern for our planet. It is, therefore, very appropriate that we activate this fundamental tenet. In the process, we will create a sense of community among all of the varying groups and maximize our effectiveness at addressing the climate crisis."

"We hope that the climate justice forum will educate attendees about the proliferation of climate issues that face us on a local, state, and national basis. Having alerted them to these climate crises, we will also provide our audience with information about the means with which they can immediately begin combating these issues by introducing them to organizations that are currently active in doing so." Marantz said.

Participants in the forum include:

• The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, missioner for creation care for both the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Bullitt-Jonas, the recent recipient of the 2016 "Steward of God's Creation Award" from the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care, will talk about climate change as a moral issue and the role faith communities are playing in the climate movement


• Dr. Marty Nathan of Climate Action Now and Jesse Lederman of Springfield Climate Justice Coalition will talk about state and local issues in which people of faith can become involved.


• Vincent Maraventano, executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of Interfaith Power & Light, and Elaine Ulman of the Massachusetts Interfaith Coalition for Climate Action. Maraventano will present IP&L's congregational programs; Ulman will talk about what congregations are doing in Massachusetts and across the nation.

SAICAN is affiliated with the Massachusetts Interfaith Coalition for Climate Action. SAICAN's mission statement notes the following: "We envision a climate movement in which interfaith communities take an active role, so that in the process of shifting to clean, safe, renewable energy, we also build a more just society in which no one is left out."

For more information contact Million at jmillion46@gmail.com.

Presenters at the upcoming Greater Springfield Interfaith Climate Justice Meeting including the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, missioner for creation care for both the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Bullitt-Jonas, the recent recipient of the 2016 "Steward of God's Creation Award" from the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care, will talk about climate change as a moral issue and the role faith communities are playing in the climate movement.

Hours after Donald Trump took aim at a former "Miss Universe" contestant in an early morning Twitter rant, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., condemned the Republican presidential nominee in her own social media tirade.

Hours after Donald Trump took aim at a former "Miss Universe" contestant in an early morning Twitter rant, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., condemned the Republican presidential nominee in her own social media tirade.

Warren, who has repeatedly exchanged barbs with the businessman throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, accused Trump of criticizing women on social media instead of focusing on issues like college affordability, Wall Street oversight and Social Security.

Referencing the GOP nominee's early morning tweets directed at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and campaign surrogate Alicia Machado, a former "Miss Universe" winner, the Massachusetts Democrat asked if "thinking of new (and) interesting ways to call women fat or ugly or sluts?" is what keeps Trump up at night.

Warren, who has campaigned for Clinton, contended that the businessman doesn't "tweet at 3 a.m. with ways to help students getting crushed by debt or seniors struggling on Social Security" or about how to create new jobs for workers and to enhance Wall Street accountability.

You never tweet at 3am with ways to help students getting crushed by debt or seniors struggling on Social Security, @realDonaldTrump.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016

You never tweet at 3am with ways to help students getting crushed by debt or seniors struggling on Social Security, @realDonaldTrump.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016

Calling Trump a "thin-skinned bully," who is unfit to lead, Warren accused him of being kept up at night by his "next racist, sexist tweets (and) disgusting lies."

Nope, @realDonaldTrump: the only things that keep your mind racing at night are your next racist, sexist tweets & disgusting lies.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016

A thin-skinned bully who thinks humiliating women at 3am qualifies him to be President does not understand America & is not fit to lead.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016

Trump, in a series of early Friday morning tweets, slammed Machado, alleging that she has made a sex tape and has a "terrible" past.

Donald Trump calls 'Miss Universe' winner 'disgusting,' questions Hillary Clinton's judgment

He further questioned Clinton's judgment for bringing up the former "Miss Universe" winner in the first presidential debate, as well as speculated that his Democratic rival helped Machado become a U.S. citizen.

Aside from Warren, Trump's tirade drew a series of tweets from Clinton, who called at her GOP opponent's tweets "unhinged," and asked, "What kind of man stays up all night to smear a woman with lies and conspiracy theories?"

Days after Donald Trump attributed his alleged "sniffling" during the first presidential debate to a bad microphone, the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed that the Republican presidential nominee did face audio issues.

Days after Donald Trump attributed his alleged "sniffling" during the first presidential debate to a bad microphone, the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed that the Republican presidential nominee did face audio issues.

The commission, in a one-sentence statement released Friday, announced that problems plagued the businessman's sound level in the debate hall.

"Regarding the first debate, there were issues regarding Donald Trump's audio that affected the sound level in the debate hall," the CPD stated without further elaboration.

The GOP nominee denied claims Tuesday that he "sniffled" during the prime time forum and attributed the noise, which drew attention on social media, to a bad microphone.

Trump further questioned whether he was purposefully given a microphone that was lower than his opponent's and "crackling."

"I had a problem with a microphone that didn't work -- I don't know if you saw that in the room, but my microphone was terrible," he told "Fox & Friends" Tuesday. "I think I wonder if it was set up that way on purpose, but my microphone -- in the room they couldn't hear me, it was going on and off."

Donald Trump denies debate 'sniffles,' blames noise on bad microphone

The festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine.

SUNDERLAND - Spud lovers of all ages are invited to Smiarowski Farmstand & Creamery this weekend for the second annual potato festival, a celebration of one of the Pioneer Valley's most important crops.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, at 320 River Rd.

Ted Smiarowski, the stand's owner, said the festival is meant to be fun for the whole family, and inform people about the importance, and quality, of local potatoes.

"Our table stock potatoes are dug, washed, graded and shipped out, could be the same day," he said. "Somewhere like Idaho ... they have to dig their crop out and store it right away in big storage barns, and they sit all winter."

The freshness is just one selling point, though. Buying from local farms is its own reward: it puts nutritious food on the table while supporting the regional economy, Smiarowski said.

Wander around the festival and you'll find homemade Polish food, kids' activities like potato painting and potato tic-tac-throw, and handmade woodcrafts from Westhampton-based Tree Creations. You can even get a photo with Mr. Potato Head, played adorably by Maddy Smiarowski.

Saturday featured a sauerkraut-making demonstration from Zesty Zim's in Southampton.

"Tomorrow is hopefully going to be a little bit better" in terms of turnout and weather, said Smiarowski, standing in a light rain blown by consistent wind. "The fields are a little bit wet. We want to do some wagon rides and stuff."

Smiarowski Farmstand is actually better known for its mums, a big seller in the fall, along with its cabbage and squash. As the winter approaches, they turn the stand into a Christmas shop.

For more information about this free two-day event, click here.

After months of tough campaigning, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton finally squared-off in their first debate of the 2016 election this week.

After months of tough campaigning, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton finally squared-off in their first debate of the 2016 election this week.

The long-anticipated event, which was punctuated by interruptions and personal attacks, sparked further bad blood between the major party candidates -- setting the stage for the final weeks before the November general election.

Attacks between the Democratic and Republican nominees remained largely personal in the days following the first debate, with Clinton blasting the businessman's record on women -- particularly his remarks regarding a former "Miss Universe" winner -- and Trump criticizing the former first lady's treatment of women tied to her husband through alleged sex scandals.

While the major party candidates sparred on and off of the debate stage, Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson faced pushback after blanking on the name of a world leader.

Green Party nominee Jill Stein, meanwhile, took to Twitter after failing to win enough support to participate in the debate.

Here's what happened in presidential politics this week:

Clinton and Trump went head-to-head in their first debate.

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.

Responding to allegations that she has supported job-killing trade policies, Clinton joked that her opponent may blame her "for everything that's ever happened."

"You know, just join the debate by saying more crazy things," she said to her Republican rival.

Trump, meanwhile, said he would release his tax returns against his attorney's wishes if Clinton releases her deleted emails, as well as continued to accuse his rival of being behind the so-called "birther movement."

Although both candidates further criticized each others' judgment and temperament to serve as commander-in-chief, both said they would accept the outcome of the November election if they lose.

Stein took to Twitter after being escorted out of the presidential debate.

Clinton helped lead the charge into Libya + Iraq. Trump supported the Iraq War. Neither has the judgment. #debates pic.twitter.com/AMhjYNCrG8

— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) September 27, 2016

Although the Green Party nominee did not qualify to make the debate stage, she made her presence known at the Monday evening forum.

Stein was reportedly escorted from the Hofstra University campus after conducting media interviews ahead of the debate, according to USA Today.

She later offered answers to debate questions in videos posted on Twitter.

Both Trump and Clinton claimed victories in the first presidential debate.

Thank you! Four new #DebateNight polls with the MOVEMENT winning. Together, we will MAKE AMERICA SAFE & GREAT AGAIN!https://t.co/3KWOl2ibaW pic.twitter.com/Yl2XShopEv

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2016

Although a CNN/ORC poll of 521 registered voters conducted Monday named Clinton the debate winner by a 62 to 27 percent margin, Trump pointed to reader surveys from Breitbart, the Drudge Report, CNBC and others that proclaimed him the winner.

He further noted that the hashtag "#TrumpWon" was trending on Twitter following the first presidential debate.

Clinton's campaign, meanwhile, claimed that the Democratic nominee "was the clear winner" in the first presidential debate.

"Only one candidate came prepared for the debate - and that candidate was Clinton. She put forth concrete, detailed ideas for how she will grow the middle class and create an economy that works for everyone - not just those at the top," officials said in a Tuesday statement. "It is clearer than ever that Clinton has a strong command of the issues and has the knowledge, judgment and temperament to be commander-in-chief."

Trump blamed his alleged debate "sniffles" to a bad microphone.

The GOP presidential nominee denied claims Tuesday that he "sniffled" during the first presidential debate, attributing the noise, which drew attention and drug use questions on social media, to a bad microphone.

Trump told "Fox & Friends" that he was not sick during the widely viewed prime time forum.

"No, no sniffles. No. You know, the mic was very bad, but maybe it was good enough to hear breathing, but there was no sniffles," he reportedly said in a phone interview. "I don't have -- I have no allergy...No cold. Every once in a while, but no -- no cold."

President Barack Obama said Trump lacks the temperament, preparation to take over White House.

Obama, in a Tuesday morning radio interview with "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," criticized the GOP nominee's stances on nuclear weapons and climate change, questioning the impacts they could have on future generations.

"I spent a lot of time working to make sure that, for example, Iran doesn't get nuclear weapons. That's why I get worried when somebody like Donald Trump start saying, 'Well, I don't necessarily know whether Japan or Korea should be protected by us. Maybe they should get their own nuclear weapon,'" he said. "That shows somebody who doesn't pay attention to these issues, and you don't necessarily want close to the nuclear button."

The outgoing president further contended that Trump "doesn't have the preparation, the temperament or the core values of inclusion and making everybody have opportunities that would take our country forward."

Clinton campaigned with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, on college affordability in New Hampshire.

The former first lady, who has focused on building support in the important battleground state in recent weeks, joined the Vermont senator in promoting her college affordability plan during a rally at the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday.

The afternoon event marked Clinton and Sanders' second joint campaign appearance in the Granite State, which Sanders won by a decisive margin in the Democratic primary.

Clinton, in addressing New Hampshire voters, stressed that she's committed to ending her presidential campaign the same way she started it: fighting for children and families.

Underscoring that commitment, the Democratic nominee touted her plan to address college affordability, which would provide free in-state tuition at public universities and colleges for families earning less than $125,000; create opportunities to refinance current student debt; and allow entrepreneurs to defer loans for up to three years, among other things.

Although Sanders acknowledged critics' concerns that Clinton's plan to make higher education more affordable is expensive, he further contended that doing nothing will be more costly.

John had another "Aleppo moment."

The former New Mexico governor, in response to a question posed at a Wednesday MSNBC town hall forum, struggled to name any foreign world leader he respects.

Johnson told host Chris Matthews he was "having an Aleppo moment" and couldn't remember a former Mexican president's name.

Despite several prompts from Matthews, including being asked which Mexican president he was referring to, Johnson remained unable to name any world leader he respects.

"The former president of Mexico...I'm having a brain thing," he said, before his vice presidential running mate Bill Weld interjected by naming Vicente Fox.

The exchange, which drew criticism from some, marked Johnson's second campaign trail flub.

The Libertarian Party nominee previously drew pushback after asking "What is Aleppo?" when questioned about how he'd address conflict in the besieged Syrian city.

The Arizona Republic endorsed Clinton, received death threats, subscription cancellations.

The newspaper's unprecedented decision to endorse the Democratic presidential nominee sparked outrage from some, drawing subscription cancellations and even death threats.

Breaking from its 126-year tradition of backing Republican White House candidates to endorse Clinton over Donald Trump, the Arizona Republic told 12News that the move garnered both local and national attention.

Arizona Republic Editorial Page Director Phil Boas, in an interview with the television station, said although the newspaper has received countless subscription cancellations and death threats in wake of the endorsement, its decision to back Clinton should not have come as a surprise.

Boas, however, noted that while the newspaper has endorsed Clinton's White House run, it still has concerns about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

The U.S. State Department agreed to process 3,000 of Clinton's email pages for public release by Election Day.

Under the agreement, which the State Department and Vice News reporter Jason Leopold submitted to federal judges Wednesday, 1,850 new email pages recovered in the FBI's closed investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server as secretary of state will be scheduled for processing.

They will come in addition to the 1,000-plus pages a federal judge previously ordered the agency to review, Politico reported.

The new agreement looks to make the releasable portion of the additional 1,850 pages public on the State Department's website on Nov. 3 -- just days before voters hit the polls, according to the news outlet. Under the existing schedule in a case brought by Judicial Watch, sets of 350 email pages are to be posted on Oct. 7, Oct. 21 and Nov. 4.

Although the agency has agreed to process 2,900 pages of FBI-recovered emails by the November election, fewer may be released by then, Politico reported.

Clinton's campaign pushed "Miss Universe" controversy, Trump fired back with sex scandal remarks.

While the Democratic nominee's campaign sought to shore up support among women voters this week by criticizing Trump's treatment of a beauty contest winner, surrogates for her Republican rival raised their own questions about Clinton's own record with women.

The former first lady, who accused her Trump of calling former Miss Universe Alicia Machado "Miss Piggy" and "Miss Housekeeping" during the first presidential debate on Monday, continued to take aim at her opponent's reported 1997 remarks throughout the week.

Although Trump refrained from making what he described as a harsh attack on Clinton's husband's infidelities during the debate, the GOP nominee and his surrogates repeatedly raised the issue and his Democratic rival's alleged response to these women.

Trump called Machado "disgusting," questioned Clinton's judgment in a Twitter tirade.

Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2016

The GOP nominee, in a series of early morning tweets, slammed the former "Miss Universe" winner, alleging that she has made a sex tape and has a "terrible" past.

The businessman further questioned Clinton's judgment for bringing up Machado in the first presidential debate and speculated that the former secretary of state helped Machado, who hails from Venezuela, become a U.S. citizen.

Machado fired back at Trump, calling his attacks "cheap lies and slander," in her own social media post Friday.

Clinton, meanwhile, called her GOP rival's tweets "unhinged," and asked, "What kind of man stays up all night to smear a woman with lies and conspiracy theories?"

USA Today's editorial board urged against Trump in an unprecedented move.

After more than three decades of not weighing-in on presidential contests, the newspaper's editorial board ended its long-standing practice Friday and published a scathing rebuke of the Republican nominee.

The board, which had not taken sides in presidential contests in its 34-year history, said although it has never seen a reason in the past to endorse in a White House race, the 2016 election is different.

"This year, the choice isn't between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences," it wrote. "This year, one of the candidates -- Republican nominee Donald Trump -- is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency."

USA Today, however, noted that it's editorial does not represent "unqualified support" for Clinton, saying the editorial board doesn't have a consensus when it comes to formally endorsing her bid.

While some board members believe the former secretary of state would serve the nation ably, others have reservations about her sense of entitlement and "extreme carelessness in handling classified information," it wrote.

The new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Farmington, Connecticut, will also serve residents of Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.

FARMINGTON, Conn. -- In a room with a 9,500-piece Austrian Swarovski crystal chandelier, the most noticeable thing is the silence.

"This is the most important room and the most beautiful room in the temple," said Larry Y. Wilson, the executive director of the Temple Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- the Mormons. "It is a place for quiet meditation, a place where you can experience beauty and peace."

Wilson last week gave members of the media a tour of the church's new temple, which is located on an 11.3-acre parcel along Route 4 in Farmington right past the Farmington River. The temple, officially called The Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Hartford, will serve about 27,000 members of the church living in Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island and New York.

Robert Bazyk, who lives in Granby, Connecticut, is excited to have a temple near him.

"This is halfway between New York and Boston, and as a result those members like myself who live in this area won't have to travel as far to visit a temple," he said. "Being closer means we can go to the temple more often and going to the temple makes us better people and helps us."

While anyone can attend a Mormon meetinghouse where regular church services are held, it is rare for the general public to enter a temple, which is considered the house of God and is used by Mormons for the most special and serious ceremonies in their faith, from baptism of ancestors to sealing marriages and making covenants with God.

Before the temple is dedicated on Nov. 20, Wilson said the public is welcome to come and view the 32,246-square-foot building.

"We were welcomed so graciously by the community and we want people to see this beautiful and important space which is now part of the community as well," he said.

The public open house will be held through Oct. 22 with the exception of Oct. 9 and 16. To reserve free tickets to view the temple, visit www.ldschurchtemples.com/hartford/.

While the temple is large and prominent, Wilson said architects paid special attention to the architecture of surrounding buildings in the area and incorporated many of those elements into the design both outside and inside the temple, which was built in a traditional American Georgian style.

From a three-tier bowl bronze fountain to 200 newly planted trees and a gleaming granite building, the exterior of the temple is just as impressive as the interior, which features Calacatta Gold marble floors, broadloom carpets, new Hepplewhite and Chippendale furniture and original artwork.

The temple will have about 10 paid employees including the temple president and nearly 800 "workers" -- Mormon volunteers who are assigned particular duties within the temple.

"The LDS (Latter-Day Saints) church is a big volunteer army, everyone is expected to pitch in and do their part," Wilson said.

Although the church will not release the cost for the building, Wilson pointed out that funds for every temple come from the tithing of LDS members.

"You've got somebody in Cambodia who contributed a dollar of tithing last year and that was a lot bigger sacrifice than somebody here who contributed $10,000, and that $1 of tithing or a portion of it is used toward this building," he said.

Wilson said while the temples are expensive, the church is also known for giving back.

"Even though a tremendous amount of money was spent on this building, the church worldwide is doing tremendous things when it comes to our humanitarian efforts and welfare programs," he said.

The temple tour also included an explanation of each room and the purpose it serves.

The baptismal room with Italian marble floors and 12 fiberglass oxen treated with a French technique to look like marble, hold up a baptismal pool used by members of the church to be baptized in honor of their dead ancestors. Mormons believe that when a person dies they leave their body, but retain all of the knowledge, experiences and lessons they learned in this life.

"This is a place where members of the church can be baptized on behalf of an ancestor who died without being able to learn about Jesus Christ, " Wilson explained. "We believe that the ancestor can then accept or decline the baptism."

A common theme in all of the rooms, including the celestial room and instruction rooms, is the Mormon belief in the importance of family.

In the sealing room, which is decorated in soft greens, white and beige colors with a chandelier and an alter, a man and woman have their marriage sealed.

Sealing is a process by which a husband and wife are united together not only for this lifetime, but for eternity. Any children that come from that union or are adopted are also sealed into the family.

"We believe that while a civil marriage binds you together until death, a sealing binds you together for eternity," Wilson said. "This changes your perspective on marriage. When you face difficult things, you realize this is temporary and ... this relationship will endure. So I want to treat my marriage partner and family in a way that enables this relationship to be what I want it to be not only here, but hereafter."

Wilson said only about 10 percent of Mormon marriages end in divorce, in large part because of the significance of the sealing ceremonies.

"When you have an eternal marriage you see your spouse and your children in a different way than you might otherwise," he said.

There are currently 155 operating temples across the world, and each one is kept in pristine condition due to the church's belief in the Millennium, a thousand-year period of peace.

"You can go into a temple that was built a hundred years ago and it will still look as if it was just built. These buildings are made to withstand earthquakes and survive a thousand years," he said.

Wilson said he hopes the public will take the opportunity to visit the Farmington temple.

"This temple stands for our belief in Christ, our belief in the immortality of the human soul, our belief in eternal families, our belief in the connections we have to our ancestors and the desire to offer the same thing to them that we have available to us, and to offer that to everyone ultimately," he said.

SPRINGFIELD— Three people were transported from a two-car crash at the X in Springfield Saturday night. Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said members of the Rescue Unit had to use hydraulic extrication tools to remove one woman from the wreckage of her car. Leger said a 2001 Malibu and a 2014 Honda Pilot SUV collided near...

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Courtesy Springfield Fire Department 

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said members of the Rescue Unit had to use hydraulic extrication tools to remove one woman from the wreckage of her car.

Leger said a 2001 Malibu and a 2014 Honda Pilot SUV collided near 568 Belmont Ave. just after 11 p.m. The force of the collision and the damage to the Malibu prevented rescuers gaining access to the injured woman inside.

Using the hydraulic tools, the victim was removed and transported to the Baystate Medical Center.

Two people from the larger Pilot were also transported.

Leger said the conditions of the injured are no known at this time.

To get a free light bulb from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7, customers of the Holyoke, Massachusetts Gas and Electric Department should bring a copy of their most recent bill to the office at 99 Suffolk St. during Public Power Week.

HOLYOKE -- Customers of the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department can get a free light bulb from Monday to Friday by bringing in their most recent bill during Public Power Week.

"Public Power Week honors the community ownership of 'HG&E,' which results in competitive rates, reliable service and excellent customer service for citizens and businesses. It also recognizes the economic, social and environmental contributions of a public power system," HGE Manager James M. Lavelle said Friday in a press release.

Present a recent bill at the cashier's counter at the HGE office at 99 Suffolk St. during business hours Monday to Friday to get a light emitting diode (LED) light bulb. The 10 watt bulb will last longer than a comparable 60 watt incandescent bulb and save money over time. The offer ends Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m., the press release said.

Public Power Week -- "an opportunity for public power utilities to remind customers and stakeholders about the distinct advantages that public power offers" -- is marked during the first full week in October, which this year is Oct. 2 to 8, said the website of the American Public Power Association ("An American tradition that works.")

The association consists of over 2,000 community-owned electric utilities that provide service to over 48 million people or about 14 percent of the nation's electricity consumers, the website said.

HGE is a municipally-owned utility formed in 1902. Today it provides electricity, natural gas and telecommunications services to over 18,000 customers.

With their running mates having already squared-off in a prime time forum, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and his Democratic rival Tim Kaine will meet in their own debate on Tuesday.

With their running mates having already squared-off in a prime time forum, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and Democratic VP rival Tim Kaine will meet in their own debate on Tuesday.

The event, which is set to take place at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, will mark the first and only time the vice presidential candidates will go head-to-head in the 2016 presidential cycle.

Although Pence and Kaine have hit the campaign trail to promote their presidential tickets since addressing the American people at their respective Republican and Democratic conventions in July, both remain largely unknown to many voters.

The candidates are expected to use the prime time forum to improve that recognition by touting their experience, making cases for their respective running mates and doubling down on policy proposals being pushed by their campaigns.

Here's what you need to know to tune in to the first vice presidential debate:

WHAT TIME WILL IT START?

The forum will begin at 9 p.m. EST and run through 10:30 p.m. EST without commercial breaks, according to the Commission on Presidential Debates.

WHERE CAN I WATCH IT?

The debate will be broadcast live on major TV networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. It will also be shown on C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.

WILL IT STREAM ONLINE?

ABC News and Facebook are partnering to broadcast the debate, as well as commentary before and after, live on the social media platform.

Other livestreams of the debate will be available on ABC News, Buzzfeed News, CBS News, CNN, C-SPAN, The Daily Caller, Fox News, Hulu, Huffington Post, NBC, PBS, Politico, Telemundo, The Wall Street Journal, Twitter, Univision, Yahoo and YouTube.

WILL THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES PARTICIPATE?

No. Green Party nominee Jill Stein's vice presidential running mate Ajamu Baraka and Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson's VP nominee Bill Weld were not invited to partake in the forum as their campaigns failed to receive enough poll support to qualify for the debate stage.

WHO WILL MODERATE THE DEBATE?

CBSN Anchor and CBS News Correspondent Elaine Quijano will oversee the first and only vice presidential debate.

HOW WILL IT BE STRUCTURED?

According to the CPD, the forum will be divided into nine 10-minute segments.

Following the moderator's opening question, each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Leftover time will be used for candidates to respond to each other and for a deeper discussion on the topic.

WHEN IS THE NEXT DEBATE?

There will not be another vice presidential debate.

Presidential candidates, however, are scheduled to participate in their next debate on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Washington University in St. Louis.

MASHANTUCKET, CT - Queen of RnB, singer Mary J. Blige took the stage at Foxwoods Resort Casino for the finale in her two-day back to back sold out performances on Saturday, October 1st.

MASHANTUCKET, CT - Queen of RnB, singer Mary J. Blige took the stage at Foxwoods Resort Casino for the finale in her two-day back to back sold out performances on Saturday, October 1st.

Blige is a nine time grammy award winner, releasing over 12 studio albums and becoming one of the few entertainers in history to have over eight of her albums reach multi-platinum status.

If you don't know her from her music, you may remember her starring amongst Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin in the film adaptation of the hit musical from the 80's Rock of Ages. She is also well known for her portrayal of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West from NBC's The Wiz Live.

After making a grand entrance through massive amounts of fog and a halo of lighting, Blige performed a solid one-and-a-half hour set of hits and material off of her latest album The London Sessions.

A core principle of her live performance is reaching out to other women who may be in need through her music. Addressing the crowd multiple times to share experience from her life, and empathize with everyday struggles that may arise in theirs, she was met with a very enthusiastic response from show-goers, who were on their feet from the first song to the last.

By far the most amazing aspect of the performance was Blige's voice, which seems to have the same beautiful bellowing clarity as it did just under 25 years ago when she released her debut album What's the 411 in 1992.

Supporting her was Philadelphia based singer-songwriter Julian King, who released his debut EP Sing For You in 2015.

Blige will take a short hiatus from performing before setting off on her King and Queen of Hearts World Tour with international recording artist Maxwell. The tour kicks off on October 13 in Zurich, Switzerland with performances nearly every night through December 14 where it ends in Chicago, Illinois.

Check out photos from the show above, and for more information about Mary J Blige, or Julian King visit their official websites.

Two people died Saturday night in Yarmouth after two cars crashed near a condominium complex, according to reports.

UPDATE: Charlton man identified as victim in fatal Yarmouth crash

YARMOUTH -- Two people died Saturday night in Yarmouth after two cars crashed near a condominium complex, according to Fox25 News.

The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on Buck Island Road, according to Yarmouth Police. Firefighters and police rushed to the scene after the accident.

Police told Fox25 News that a third person was seriously injured in the crash. The victim was taken to Cape Cod Hospital.

Authorities have not released the names of the two people who died in the crash. The road was closed for several hours after the accident.