Through investigations into fraud within public assistance programs in Massachusetts, more than $80 million was recovered for the state's Medicaid program last year, the office of Attorney General Maura Healey announced this week.

Through investigations into fraud within public assistance programs in Massachusetts, more than $80 million was recovered for the state's Medicaid program last year, the office of Attorney General Maura Healey announced this week.

"Medicaid is 40 percent of the state's budget and it must be protected," Healey said. "Each year our office recovers millions of dollars for MassHealth to ensure that taxpayer funds are used properly to benefit our residents."

The state attorney general's office has a division dedicated to investigating Medicaid fraud. For every dollar allocated during the 2016 fiscal year, nearly $20 was recovered as the result of 29 settlements - including multi-state agreements.

In May, Pfizer agreed to pay $784.6 million to resolve allegations that subsidiary Wyeth overcharged the federal government for prescription drugs in a multi-state settlement.

Pfizer to pay $784 million after Massachusetts whistleblower reported alleged Medicaid pricing scheme

Seeking to incentivize the purchase of certain drugs, Wyeth gave hospitals across the nation steep discounts on their medication, according to the government's complaint. After patients were prescribed the medication in hospitals, the discounted price was not made available to individual patients, including those on Medicaid.

The allegations were brought to federal prosecutors by two employees.

Of that agreement, nearly $68 million was paid to MassHealth.

Four months later, the attorney general's office also reached a $795,000 settlement with CVS Pharmacy regarding the pharmacy staff working in Massachusetts locations filling prescriptions for opioids. Employees are mandated to check the state's Prescription Monitoring Program before filling such prescriptions, in an effort to prevent drug misuse. 

Other settlements include a Boston dentist paying $700,000 to settle claims of improper billing in her three offices, a psychiatrist practicing in Attleboro and Sharon paying more than $300,000 after patients with MassHealth were required to pay out-of-pocket for a drug that should have been free. 

Organ transplant donations have hit an all-time high with the spike in donations attributable to an increase in deadly overdoses.

Organ transplant donations have hit an all-time high with the spike in donations attributable to an increase in deadly overdoses. 

Since 2010, there has been a 900 percent increase in donations across New England and one in four of those donations are from people who died after a drug overdose, according to NPR. Nationally, drug-overdose victims are one out of every 11 organ donors.

"It's remarkable and it's also tragic," Alexandra Glazier, president and CEO of the New England Organ Bank told NPR. "We see this tragedy of the opioid epidemic as having an unexpected life-saving legacy."

Northampton in midst of 'terrible epidemic' as heroin overdoses spike in 2016

At Tufts Medical Center, they are performing a record number of heart transplants, according to WBUR. They reported that as of August, doctors had performed the hospitals 38th heart transplant. In 2011, eight percent of heart transplants involved donors who died of drugs overdose, now that number is up to 30 percent, according to The New England Organ Bank.

Drug users have been deemed acceptable for decades but they are considered high risk because they often carry diseases like H.I.V. or hepatitis C, according to The New York Times. But due to a shortage of organ donors, more transplant centers are using them instead of throwing them away, saying that treating or managing the diseases is more preferable to death, according to the Times.

Additionally, the opioid epidemic is causing more younger people or first-time drug users to overdoes, NPR reported.

"Truthfully, people who are dying of drug overdoses are young and tend to be otherwise healthy," David Klassen, chief medical officer for the United Network for Organ Sharing, told The Washington Post. "In many ways, they are ... potentially excellent donors, from an organ quality standpoint."

But what health experts are calling a "silver lining" to the crisis, might not be enough.

Every ten minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list and on average, 22 people die each day while waiting for one, according to UNOS.

"The number of people on the waiting list is increasing faster than the number of donors, even with the increases related to overdoses," Klassen told NPR.

Churches prepare for the worst as opioid deaths continue to rise

The Thomas J. O'Connor shelter is trying to find the owners of these animals found in Springfield and Holyoke

Ruben Santiago was charged with larceny of a home video security system from the Boston Road Walmart.

SPRINGFIELD - A 24-year-old city man was arrested on Wednesday on a larceny charge after the Walmart video-security system spotted him shoplifting a home video-security system, police said.

Ruben SantiagoSpringfield Police photo 

"Ironic, I know, "said Springfield police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney.

Ruben Santiago of Fort Pleasant St. was arrested just before noon and charged with larceny of more than $250.

Delaney said Detective Gifford Jenkins was in the Walmart at 1105 Boston Road on an unrelated matter when store security approached to say they had spotted someone shoplifting. They showed him security footage of a man trying to steal a Night Owl Video Home Security DVR / Camera System.

Gifford watched Santiago leave through a fire exit, and radioed his description to another detective in the area, Eric Ganley, who began to follow him. Santiago apparently realized he was being followed and started to run through yards in the area of Contessa Street and Grayson Drive, Delaney said.

Police K-9 team of office George Flanagan and his dog Riko were called into track him. Santiago was quickly found him in a back yard and recovered the surveillance system.

Santiago is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court.

Fungi Ally sells a variety of mushroom products and offers cultivation workshops.

HADLEY -- A group of "beginning farmers" -- that is, those in business for less than five years -- have been awarded state grants to expand their operations.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will provide $55,550 through a matching grant enterprise program, the Baker administration announced Tuesday. Several of the farms are local.

Fungi Ally is a wholesale and retail mushroom-growing outfit at 311 River Drive in Hadley. The group sells fresh mushrooms, dried mushrooms, and mushroom extract. Its members teach people how to grow mushrooms, and they sell starter kits. Fungi Ally received $5,500 to expand its cultivation operation.

Sage Farm in Montague will use $10,000 for grain storage, a livestock trailer, and animal housing. Teddy Smiarowski III in Sunderland will invest in farm equipment with the help of $10,000. Yellow Stonehouse Farm in Westfield will devote $10,000 to barn repairs.

The grants require a financial investment from the farmers themselves, and come packaged with technical and business assistance.

The program has provided nearly a half-million dollars to five dozen farms across Massachusetts since 2010, according to state agriculture commissioner John LeBeaux, who said new farmers make valuable contributions to state and regional food systems.

"New farmers bring innovative ideas and enthusiasm to the agricultural industry, and this program helps ensure a sustainable future for Massachusetts farms," said Gov. Charlie Baker.

The AARP and the Springfield Department of Elder Affairs is providing free tax preparation for low-income senior citizens.

SPRINGFIELD -- The AARP, in partnership with the city's Department of Elder Affairs, will once again provide free tax preparation and electronic tax filing to low- and moderate-income seniors who live in the city this year.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, in announcing the program, said the free service will begin Feb. 9, and continue through April 13.

"Whether young or 'wise in years of wisdom,' filing our taxes can be complicated," Sarno said in a news release. "I thank and commend Director Jan Denney, Elder Affairs and AARP for their continued and dedicated efforts towards our senior citizen population."

The AARP free tax preparation program is for residents who are 55 or older. The seniors will be provided help at the Hungry Hill Senior Center on Liberty Street.

Due to limited space and time, only persons with appointments can be seen. To make an appointment, residents should call 413-784-4769 on Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Calls outside of the above hours will go directly to voicemail and the call will be returned during hours of normal business operations. Any calls received after 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays will not be called back until Monday morning.

Those leaving a voicemail are asked to speak slowly and clearly and repeat their name and phone number twice.

The Hampden County Superior Courthouse in Springfield has been renamed after the first African-American justice on the state's highest court, Roderick Ireland. A Springfield native, Ireland served on the Supreme Judicial Court from 1997 to 2014.

The Hampden County Superior Courthouse in Springfield has been renamed after the first African-American justice on the state's highest court, Roderick Ireland.

A Springfield native, Ireland served on the Supreme Judicial Court from 1997 to 2014, rising to become chief justice. He stepped down from the court just before he turned 70, the mandatory retirement age for Massachusetts judges.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed into law the bill authorizing the re-naming of the Hampden County Superior Court house. The law aims to honor Ireland for "his many contributions to the judiciary, the bar and the people of the city of Springfield."

A distinct honor to sign into law the naming of the Hampden County Superior Court after retired #SJC Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland. pic.twitter.com/8hN3d9yEOv

-- Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) January 12, 2017

The law directs state officials to set up "suitable markers" noting the courthouse's new name.

Former state Rep. Benjamin Swan of Springfield filed the bill.

Ireland worked as a public defender and chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance before he was appointed to the Juvenile Court in 1977.

Gov. Michael Dukakis appointed him to the Appeals Court in 1990, and Gov. William Weld appointed him to the Supreme Judicial Court in 1997.

He is one of the four judges who voted for the constitutionality of same-sex marriage in the 2003 case, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.

Gov. Deval Patrick tapped him as chief justice in 2010.

Firefighters remain at the scene of the 1400 Center Street blaze that claimed a home overnight Thursday in Ludlow. A state fire marshal was en route to the home around 10 a.m. to help determine the cause, unknown as yet. Watch video

Firefighters remain at the scene of the 1400 Center Street blaze that claimed a home overnight Thursday in Ludlow. A state fire marshal was en route to the home around 10 a.m. to help determine the cause, unknown as yet.

Ludlow fire destroys home, LFD deems house total loss after early morning blaze

Malik Reed-Lewis at one point ditched the motorcycle, returned to retrieve it, and sped off again, police said.

SPRINGFIELD - It's usually just TV police dramas where the suspect returns to the scene of the crime - but not always.

Malik Reed-LewisSpringfield Police photo 

Springfield police on Wednesday arrested a 21-year-old man on variety of motor vehicle charges after leading police on a pursuit through Indian Orchard on an unregistered dirt bike, said police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney.

At one point, the man abandoned his motorcycle, hopped on the back of another motorcycle driven by someone else, and the two sped off. They returned several moments later to retrieve the abandoned bike, Delany said.

Police eventually apprehended Malik Reed-Lewis of Center Street on Hobson Street.

He was charged with operating a recreational vehicle on a public way, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, reckless driving and refusing to submit to police, Delaney said.

Police began chasing Reed-Lewis when Detective Matt Lee spotted him riding a dirt bike on Page Boulevard at a high rate of speed and without a helmet.

Reed-Lewis refused to stop for police, and Lee tailed him to Smallwood Street where he watched him ditch the bike, jump onto the back of the second bike and speed off. The operator of the second bike also did not have a helmet, Delaney said.

Delaney said additional officers joined in pursuit of this second motorcycle.

At some point, the second motorcycle returned to Smallwood Street where the first motorcycle had been abandoned, Delaney said. Before police could stop them. Reed-Lewis was able to kick-start his bike and speed off.

Reed-Lewis made it a little more than mile down Berkshire Avenue to Hobson Street where his bike stalled out again. As police arrived on the scene, officers could see him 'trying frantically to kick-start it back to life," Delaney said.

He abandoned it a second time, this time on foot, and he was soon apprehended by police, Delaney said.

The second motorcycle operator was not apprehended.

Delaney said the police Auto Theft Squad is looking to see if the Reed-Lewis is the owner of the motorcycle. If not, additional charges could be filed, he said.

Reed-Lewis had been arrested previously for breaking into a car in Indian Orchard in 2014.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court.

Approximate locations of places mentioned in this story

Congressman Richard Neal challenged Republicans Thursday to work with Democrats to fix issues with the Affordable Care Act, contending that they will be hard-pressed to come up with a more successful alternative to the health care law known as Obamacare.

Congressman Richard Neal challenged Republicans Thursday to work with Democrats to fix issues with the Affordable Care Act, contending that they will be hard-pressed to come up with a more successful alternative to the health care law known as Obamacare.

Neal, the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee, questioned GOP-backed plans to repeal and replace the ACA during morning remarks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The Springfield Democrat, who touted the contentious law's successes, argued that although Republicans repeatedly voted to dismantle the ACA under President Barack Obama, they have yet to offer a better alternative.

"When I hear the other side talk about replacement, they have had seven years to offer a competing plan for replacement ... their plan has not caught up with their rhetoric," he said. "So they're very good at pointing out what they believe to be the shortcomings of the ACA, but they have not offered a prescriptive manner in which to replace it."

Neal acknowledged that Obamacare is not perfect, but cautioned Republicans that repealing it without offering a proper replacement plan could jeopardize millions of Americans' health coverage and negatively impact the U.S. economy.

"Repeal of the ACA, on a standalone basis, would have a ripple effect across the nation for hospitals, doctors, businesses and local economies," he said. "Even Republican governors recently have said: 'Be careful with what you are about to do.' And, chaos awaits the private insurance market if this is not done carefully."

The congressman added that a recent study from the non-partisan Urban Institute concluded that repealing the law without putting a replacement plan in place would put about 30 million Americans at risk of losing their health insurance.

Neal, who said he's waiting for Republicans to offer a plan to equal the success of the ACA, contended that anything less than what the country has now in terms of coverage, cost controls and consumer protections is a step backwards.

The congressman further argued that although Republicans say they want to do away with the individual mandate, they have not said how they're going to keep benefits extended under the ACA, like allowing 26-year-olds to stay on their parents' health insurance or banning insurers' use of pre-existing conditions.

Calling the mandate "the glue that holds the ACA together," Neal argued that the GOP-backed effort is "short-sighted." Republicans, he stressed, need to work with Democrats to fix areas of concern, particularly given the interplay between Obamacare and Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs.

"When you look at where we find ourselves on the health care front with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the ACA, here's what I would challenge Republicans to do today: Why don't you work with us to finish the job? That should be the challenge," he said. "Let's finish the job. We knew that there were bumps in the ACA, we knew there we going to have to be changes as we go forward, but work with us to try to figure (them) out."

The congressman's speech, which also touched on tax overhaul proposals, came just hours after the U.S. Senate voted to approve a budget resolution that instructs House and Senate committees to begin efforts to repeal major portions of Obamacare.

Republican-led Senate takes 1st step to repeal 'Obamacare' on 51-48 vote

A accident Thursday morning prompted police to close Old Amherst Road from New England Health Center to South Main Street.

Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

SUNDERLAND -- A accident Thursday morning prompted police to close Old Amherst Road from New England Health Center to South Main Street.

The Sunderland Fire Department posted information about the accident on its Facebook page at about 11:15 a.m. t's not clear when the roadway will be reopened.

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

Hosted by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, the first-time event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Carriage House on The Big E grounds at 1305 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Western MA Slider Slam Challenge, hosted by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, is coming to the Carriage House at the Eastern States Exposition on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The first-time event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Carriage House banquet facility at Storrowton Village, located on the grounds of The Big E at 1305 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield.

MassLive's own Nick "I ate it" O'Malley, author of the website's popular "I Ate it So You Don't Have To" column, will serve as a judge at Slider Slam.

Restaurants from across the region have been invited to prepare creative sliders, ranging from traditional mini-burgers to BBQ-themed tasters.

Restaurants slated to participate include The Wherehouse, Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue, Plan B Burger, Hadley Farms Meeting House, Murphy's Pub, Muphy's Pub Foodtruck, 7B's Bar & Grill, The Mick, and Storrowton Tavern.

Patrons are invited to visit the stations of the participating restaurants to vote for the slider they like best by placing a ticket in a mason jar. The restaurant that receives the most tickets will win the People's Choice Award.

 

Judges, including area foodies and tourism pros, will then choose their favorite sliders based on the following categories: best taste, best presentation and most creative.

And because nobody can have a slider without washing it down with a cold beer, Samuel Adams, a sponsor of the event, will be providing free craft beer tastings.

Tickets are $20 and available by contacting Ashley Sadowsky at Ashley@valleyvisitor.com or 413-755-1303.

"We are excited to host such a fun and unique event this year," said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, a nonprofit affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

"The creative energy that surrounds an event like this allows for great collaboration and truly speaks to our mission of promoting Western Massachusetts as a year-round destination for conventions, meetings, sports, group tour and leisure travel," Wydra said.

"By displaying distinctive dining options for our guests, it generates a great buzz about all of the wonderful things our area has to offer visitors and the local community alike," she said.

More information is available online at www.visitwesternma.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/valleyvisitor, and on Twitter at @PValleyvisitor. 

Opponents of the measure said South Hadley should not emulate Northampton and Amherst, which have enacted rules that prohibit retail stores from allowing their customers to use plastic bags for such things as carrying out their groceries

SOUTH HADLEY -- Town Meeting on Wednesday struck down a controversial proposal that would have banned stores from using plastic bags.

Opponents of the measure said South Hadley should not emulate Northampton and Amherst, which have enacted rules that prohibit retail stores from providing single-use plastic bags for such things as groceries.

Other speakers said the matter should be decided by a town-wide referendum -- and that it would be unfair for elected Town Meeting representatives to make a decision that would impact those who are not Town Meeting members.

Article 21 on the Town Meeting warrant proposed banning the use of plastic bags, including "common retail plastic bags with die-cut handles. The proposal did not ban biodegradable bags, re-usable bags or "small item bags."

An attachment to the warrant states: "The Town seeks to reduce the number of plastic bags that are being used, discarded and littered, and to promote the use of reusable checkout bags by retail establishments" operating in South Hadley.

The proposal failed by a vote of 52 to 39 vote.

Proponents said something needs to be done about the proliferation of discarded plastic bags littering the town, and that the pollution is harmful to humans and wildlife.

Those supporting the measure said plastic bags are bad for the environment, while opponents said reusable bags are filled with germs and once discarded, create a higher level of pollution than reusable cotton bags.

"We should not vote to support this tonight," Selectman Ira Brezinsky said at the Jan. 11 meeting. "This is a perfect example of something that should go to the voters."

The second annual Champagne & Music Reception of Gratitude was held at the Community Music School of Springfield for friends and donors of the school on Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD - The second annual Champagne & Music Reception of Gratitude was held at the Community Music School of Springfield for friends and donors of the school on Wednesday.

Nearly 100 guests attended the 90-minute reception that included performances by the Community Music School of Springfield Merit Scholars and the Charles Majid Greenlee Scholarship Jazz Ensemble.

The school honored the "Fab Four," Gregory Farmer, Tim Cotz, John Ernst and Bill Leonard.

Cotz joined the board in 2009 and has served as Board President from 2011 to 2013. Farmer joined the board in 1995 and is a Historic Preservation Specialist and assisted in helping to secure a significant amount of Historic Tax Credits for the school. Ernst joined the board in 1996 and served as Board President from 2006 to 2008. Leonard joined the board in 2009 and is a general contractor.

The Wednesday night reception honored the "Fab Four" who have previously served as outstanding board members and continue to support the school. Special musical performances were provided by students Davian McDonald, Kacper Kisala, Sophia Tomko and Charmaine Liu.

Catering was provided by The Federal Restaurant. The Community Music School of Springfield is located at 127 State St. For more information log into www.communitymusicschool.com or call 413-732-8428

Massachusetts State Police have released the identity of the man who died in a crash on Route 495 in Raynham Wednesday.

Massachusetts State Police have released the identity of the man who died in a crash on Route 495 in Raynham Wednesday.

Kevin V. Lopes of New Bedford was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash. He was 37 years old.

Lopes was driving north in the right lane 495 near exit 8 when his Honda Accord veered across all lanes of travel and struck a bridge abutment off the left side of the roadway.

A pair of off-duty firefighters from Wareham and Attleboro fire departments who were driving by were the first to respond to the scene and extricated Lopes from his vehicle. They performed first aid and resuscitation efforts while awaiting emergency medical services.

When EMS arrived, Lopes was transported to Morton Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The cause of this crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. State Police were also assisted on scene by Raynham Fire and EMS.

Council President William Dwight and Vice President Ryan O'Donnell issued a statement Monday saying the body's Finance Committee needs to do more "to increase citizen participation in this year's municipal budget process."

NORTHAMPTON -- Lack of public input in recent years involving formulation of the municipal budget is a problem, according to the president and vice president of the City Council.

President William Dwight and Vice President Ryan O'Donnell issued a statement Monday saying the council's Finance Committee needs to do more "to increase citizen participation in this year's municipal budget process."

Councilors David A. Murphy, Maureen T. Carney, Marianne L. LaBarge and James Nash serve on the Finance Committee, which is chaired by Murphy.

"The city charter requires the council to hold public hearings and to vote on both the city budget and the capital improvement program as part of the annual budget process," the Dwight-O'Donnell statement says. "Unfortunately, for the last two years, these hearings and votes have garnered little to no attendance by the public."

In urging the finance committee to formulate a plan to increase public input, the men said: "because the budget is a document of central importance that the community should consider and understand, the City Council should be active in its outreach to the public as part of its responsibilities in the budget process."

Murphy said it is a challenge finding ways to motivate residents to attend budget hearings.

"I'm in my 12th year on the council; the public just doesn't show up at these things," he said.

Murphy said Northampton's government charter only permits the council to cut items from the mayor's proposed budget, and that the council has no authority to add to it.

"All we can do is cut; it's the mayor's budget," he said.

Northampton's fiscal 2017 operating budget proposed by Mayor David Narkewicz is $89.9 million.

The Old Amherst Road accident was reported about 10:40 a.m.

Update: Police reported about 1:25 p.m. that the accident scene has been cleared and the roadway has been completely reopened.

Updates story posted at 11:46 a.m.

SUNDERLAND -- One person was hospitalized Thursday morning after a van rolled over on Old Amherst Road.

The accident was reported about 10:40 a.m.

Police initially closed Old Amherst Road from New England Health Center to South Main Street. Police, reporting at about 1:15 p.m., said one lane of the roadway has since been reopened.

The South Deerfield Fire District posted about the crash on its Facebook page.

Additional information, including the nature of the victim's injuries, was not immediately available.

A "cash mob" organized by 93.9 The River delivered a boost on Wednesday to Serio's Market, a generations-old Northampton grocery store currently facing debt and financial struggles.

A "cash mob" organized by 93.9 The River delivered a boost on Wednesday to Serio's Market, a generations-old Northampton grocery store currently facing debt and financial struggles.

The cash mob, an event designed to help local businesses by organizing a wave of customers, roughly doubled Serio's usual daily sales, general manager Jaimie Golec told MassLive.

"It was offered to us very generously from The River," Golec said. "We're hoping that it brought us attention in a way that would bring people back here each week."

Serio's has operated out of its State Street storefront for 66 years, and got its start after Joseph Serio emigrated from Sicily in 1902 and began selling fruits and vegetables out of a cart shortly after his arrival in Northampton.

But the business has run into financial troubles in recent years, including lawsuits over unpaid bills, high electrical costs, competition from big box stores and poor record keeping uncovered after the 2014 death of owner Christina A. Cavallari.

Serio's is facing a lawsuit for $32,000 in unpaid bills to supplier Bozzuto's Inc., -- part of what general manager Jamie Golec said in November is $60,000 in outstanding debt that could lead the business to declare bankruptcy. Rent costs have also spiked, Golec said.

Despite the business' troubles, Golec said in the November interview that Serio's is still a community centerpiece that deserves to be saved. Serio's donates to the Northampton Survival Center, participates in community service, and employs 19 local residents, she said.

"This is their livelihood. Their hearts are in this business. We give people their first jobs. We employ the disabled," Golec said in November. "It's important for us to be there for the community, but it's really important for the community to show us in return that we matter and come spend some money here."

The cash mob was a welcome gesture of support, Golec said Thursday, but what the store really needs are regular customers.

"When we're in people's' sights via the media, it does bring it to people's attention," she said. "We really need people to make it a consistent thing."

The cash mob, which took place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, featured local vendors and led to a boost in business all week, according to Golec.

Serio's is still negotiating with its suppliers over its debt, Golec said.

A regular customer has also set up an internet fundraising page for the store, which has raised over $3,100 to help pay the business' electrical bill.

Agawam's police chief said he was "shocked" by the footage when he saw it, but an attorney for the officers says the suspect was the primary agressor in the incident. Watch video

AGAWAM -- Police Chief Eric Gillis has released controversial video footage of a violent encounter between three officers and a man in police custody that prompted the firings of two veteran patrolmen and a sergeant in October.

The June 19, 2016 footage depicts ousted officers John P. Moccio, Edward B. Connor and Anthony Grasso struggling David Desjardins Jr., 27, who had been arrested at the Wahoo Tiki Bar at Six Flags New England.

Police were called by park security after Desjardins became belligerent when a bartender shut him off, according to a report. The police narrative states Desjardins became combative with officers at the park and was pepper-sprayed several times.

A lawyer for the officers has argued Desjardins was the aggressor and police used appropriate force to subdue him. However, Gillis contends the three used excessive force and violated other departmental policies during the clash.

The Republican filed a public records request for the video and other materials, and Gillis released the footage and an internal investigation report after Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni informed him he did not intend to pursue criminal charges against any of the officers.

Additionally, John D. Connor, an attorney for the officers, released still images of the video late Wednesday along with a statement calling for the release of the video.

Gulluni confirmed he met with Gillis on Friday.

"I did inform him verbally that the office, based on an investigation and review of the evidence, would not be pursuing criminal charges against any of the three officers," Gulluni said in an interview Thursday afternoon. "Any further detail will come in the way of a formal written decision that will come in the near term."

Gillis said that although his decision to fire the officers triggered considerable backlash, he is confident the terminations were justified.

"When I saw the video I was shocked by it. I knew that it was very serious and as the investigation proceeded it became more and more clear to me how serious it really was," he said.

He added: "As chief of police it's my job to make sure that our officers conduct themselves appropriately at all times and deal with the people we come into contact with appropriately at all times."

The video depicts a struggle in a holding cell with an apparently intoxicated Desjardins after officers led him from the booking area.

John Connor has argued Desjardins threw "a vicious elbow strike" to one Grasso's face and later put Grasso in a headlock.

Edward Connor and Grasso wrestle Desjardins to a bench in the cell and Moccio strikes him several times with a baton.

This is a developing story that will be updated after further reporting.

 

The public is invited to attend the annual flag-raising ceremony at Springfield City Hall that celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

SPRINGFIELD -- The public, representatives of the Springfield NAACP, and local dignitaries will gather at City Hall on Friday for the annual flag-raising ceremony celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in Room 220 at City Hall, presented by the office of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in conjunction with the Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and its president, Bishop Talbert Swan.

The ceremony honors faith, family, community and black history and will include poetry and youth speakers.