Summer Zervos, a former "Apprentice" contestant who accused Donald Trump of sexually inappropriate conduct, is filing suit against the president-elect for defamation, Attorney Gloria Allred told reporters Tuesday.

Summer Zervos, a former "Apprentice" contestant who accused Donald Trump of sexually inappropriate conduct, is filing suit against the president-elect for defamation, Attorney Gloria Allred told reporters Tuesday.

Allred, who has represented other women that have accused Trump of such behavior, said at an afternoon news conference that the incoming president denigrated Zervos in public after she came forward with her allegations in October.

The lawsuit, which has been filed in New York, accuses Trump of using his "national and international bully pulpit to make false factual statements to denigrate and verbally attack Ms. Zervos and the other women who publicly reported his sexual assaults in October 2016," Allred said.

It further contends that the president-elect "knew that his false, disparaging statements would be heard and read by people around the world and that these women, including Summer Zervos, would be subjected to threats of violence, economic harm and reputational damage."

Allred argued that Trump "knowingly, intentionally and maliciously threw each and every one of these women under the bus" in accusing them of lying for attention or to undermine his presidential bid.

At least 10 women came forward during the 2016 campaign to accuse Trump of inappropriately touching them, following the release of a 2005 "Access Hollywood" recording in which the businessman discussed groping women.

Trump rejected such allegations throughout the his Republican presidential campaign, telling supporters that "every woman lied" in an attempt to hurt his White House run.

"Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never," he said at an October rally, adding that "all of these liars will be sued after the election is over."

Democrats gain momentum as more allegations against Donald Trump surface

Trump's team did not immediately respond to Allred's news conference and the lawsuit's allegations.

Allred, a Hillary Clinton supporter who served as a delegate from California at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this summer, told reporters she has not been in contact with the former first lady or her campaign in regards to the lawsuit.

James Morales, who spent nearly a week on the run from authorities earlier this year after escaping federal custody, has been indicted.

James Morales, who spent nearly a week on the run from authorities earlier this year after escaping federal custody, has been indicted.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment Tuesday, charging Morales with escape from the custody of the attorney general, according to a statement from the office of U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha in Rhode Island. 

Morales, 35, was being held at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, on charges that he stole 16 weapons from the Lincoln W. Stoddard United States Army Reserve Center armory in Worcester in November 2015.

The former Army reservist escaped on Dec. 31 by cutting a hole through fencing and scaling down the side of the facility. Court documents state that his escape was caught on surveillance video, but that he was not reported missing until hours later.

Morales was caputed in Somerville on Jan. 5 and taken back into federal custody. He allegedly tried to rob two banks that day.

Morales is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The arraignment is in Providence. 

The charge against Morales is punishable by statutory penalties of up to five years imprisonment as well as a fine of up to $250,000, according to the statement.

Bemben has been held without the right to bail since his arrest Oct. 30

NORTHAMPTON - A 25-year-old Hadley man accused of taking part in an Oct. 30 home invasion in Amherst entered an innocent plea at his arraignment Tuesday in Hampshire Superior Court.

Patrick M. Bemben Amherst police photo 

Patrick M. Bemben has been held without bail after his arrest shortly after the Oct. 30 incident in which several people were tied up and one man was hit in the head with a hatchet, and another pistol-whipped.

Judge Mark Mason put off making a decision on granting bail for Bemben until Wednesday.

Bemben's lawyer requested bail be set at $25,000 and that he be fitted with a GBP tracking device and be required to attend a rehabilitation facility.

Prosecutors are seeking that Bemben be continued to be held without the right to bail.

He is charged with conspiracy to commit home invasion, conspiracy to commit armed robbery while masked, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon including one causing serious bodily injury, nighttime breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building, use of body armor during the commission of a felony, and and three counts of armed robbery while masked.

He is believed to be one of several people taking part in the home invasion but is so far the only one charged.

Mary Carey, communications director for Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said the investigation is ongoing.

According to Amherst police, they were called to a residence on South East Street for reports of an armed home invasion. The first officers arriving on scene spotted several people in masks running into the woods.

Bemben was the only one apprehended, and at the time of his arrest, he was wearing a ski mask, goggles, a headlamp, and a tactical bullet-proof vest. He also had binoculars and a two-way radio.

One resident of the house was treated at Baystate Medical Center for injuries suffered when hit in the arm by a hatchet, and another man suffered lacerations to his scalp from a blow from a handgun.

Bemben was treated at Cooley Dickinson from injuries sustained as residents defended themselves, according to the report.

According to the report Bemben told officers the house was targeted because they planned to rob residents of marijuana, the party drug Molly, and cash.

Members of Belchertown CAN! - the non-partisan, non-political community service organization - could be seen scrambling for more tables as more and more people arrived with more and more food to share in the cafeteria of Belchertown High School on Monday.

BELCHERTOWN - It was clear from the very beginning that organizers of the One People Potluck community feast here wouldn't have to worry about a good turnout.

They had another problem: Where would they put all the food?

Members of Belchertown CAN! - the non-partisan, non-political community service organization - could be seen scrambling for more tables as more and more people arrived with more and more food to share in the cafeteria of Belchertown High School on Monday.

Young and old alike, from every corner of town, joined together to reject hatred and bigotry.

"In seeking an appropriate response to the increased level of bigotry and hate recently, we were attracted by the idea that cooking and sharing foods have always been essential parts of the way families and communities have come together in crisis," said Gail Gramarossa, a founding member of Belchertown CAN!.

Belchertown CAN! was formed in 2009 to offer help to townspeople in obtaining food and fuel.

"There's a new energy here," said Cliff McCarthy, one of the founders, at the time. "People are coming together in the belief that they can really make a difference."

That was evident at the community feast, where the number of people easily exceeded early estimates of 100.

The potluck meal featured foods of many ethnic varieties prepared by townspeople in their own kitchens and brought to the school cafeteria.

Speakers included Christopher Pronovost, the town's new police chief; David E. Sullivan, Northwestern district attorney, and Bart Hollander, chief of the state attorney general's Western Massachusetts office.

Sponsors included Stop & Shop, Belchertown Police Department, Eileen Klockars, Jeff Pitts, BCTV, Aimee Henderson and the Belchertown Sentinel, Renzey's Spices, Bob LaChance. Elfpages Music and Jeff Elfenbein and Zndree Pages, Jeremy Donahue and Kristina's Bakery.

Dyarel Wojtowicz of Springfield is charge with involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of Kaitlyn Leonard of Ludlow on March 20, 2015.

SPRINGFIELD -- The involuntary manslaughter trial of a city man accused of supplying the drugs that led to a Ludlow woman's fatal overdose is scheduled to begin in early February.

Lawyers on Tuesday submitted their final pretrial report to Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney in the case of Dyarel Wojtowicz, charged for his alleged role in the overdose death of 32-year-old Kaitlyn Leonard.

The current trial date is Feb. 7, but the trial may or may not start that day. If it does not, it will still be sent to a specific judge's courtroom or kept in a queue awaiting assignment to a judge.

The pretrial conference report says prosecutors claim Wojtowicz -- who is also charged with possession and distribution of fentanyl, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute -- engaged in "wanton and reckless conduct," causing Leonard's death at her home on March 20, 2015. 

The report lists as potential witnesses five Ludlow police officers or supervisors, a state police trooper and a state drug analyst.

Among the eight civilian witnesses are a medical examiner, a toxicologist and two Ludlow ambulance personnel.

The trial is estimated to take three to four days, according to the pretrial report.

Wojtowicz is hearing impaired, so a Communication Access Realtime Translation interpreter types on her machine what is being said in court. Wojtowicz is able to follow along on a computer as she types.

Wojtowicz, who has been free since his arraignment after posting $15,000 cash bail, was initially arrested and charged with drug crimes. The involuntary manslaughter charge was added when he was indicted by a Hampden Superior Court grand jury last February.

Investigators allegedly tied Wojtowicz to Leonard's death by examining her cell phone. Police arrested him a short time after her death, using her phone to contact him to set a phony drug purchase.

He was taken into custody in Leonard's driveway, police said. Packets of heroin in his possession allegedly matched empty packets found in Leonard's handbag.

Brett D. Lampiasi is representing Wojtowicz in the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell.

Selectmen interviewed three finalists last week: South Hadley resident John E. Mitchell Jr., Rockland resident David B. Hutchinson, and Loving, New Mexico, resident James A. Cleveland, Jr.

GRANBY — Selectmen here have scheduled a meeting Friday where they plan to name a new fire chief.

Selectmen interviewed three finalists last week: South Hadley resident John E. Mitchell Jr., Rockland resident David B. Hutchinson, and Loving, New Mexico, resident James A. Cleveland, Jr.

Resumes of the men provided by the town on Tuesday show Mitchell serves as fire chief for the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, a position he has held since 2013.

From 2004 to 2013, Mitchell's resume states he was an airport firefighter/police officer, training officer at Worcester Regional Airport.

He graduated in 2006 with an associate's degree from Middlesex Community College in Bedford, majoring in fire protection and safety technology.

According to Cleveland's resume, he has been deputy fire services director of Eddy County Fire Service in Carlsbad, New Mexico, since 2014. He was fire chief from 2005 to 2013 in Pritchard, Idaho.

His bachelor's degree is "pending" in fire service administration at Waldorf University in Iowa.

Hutchinson's resume shows he currently holds three positions, including two in Germany and one as a paramedic based in Concord for the New Hampshire Metropolitan Medical Response System.

Hutchinson has been the CEO of International Firefighters EHH in Landstuhl, Germany, since September, and fire chief/senior consultant in Dresden "of the Oil & Gas and Municipal Fire Division of Strategic Fire Solutions." In 2015, he earned a master of science in emergency management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The Jan. 20 selectmen's meeting at the senior center, 10 West State St., is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Bruce Carpenter is Granby's acting fire chief.

As a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to hit parts of Massachusetts, the state department of transportation requests drivers take it slow on the roads.

As a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to hit parts of Massachusetts, the state department of transportation requests drivers take it slow on the roads.

"Motorists should be cautious and vigilant when driving," said Jonathan Gulliver, district 3 highway director for MassDOT.

Crews have been out Tuesday pretreating roads before a mixed batch of wintery weather is expected to hit Massachusetts this evening.

A mix of snow and ice is most likely to impact west of Interstate 495, the National Weather Service says.

Evening commute could include snow, sleet and freezing rain

Parts of Central and Western Massachusetts could see 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight. Less is expected if temperatures remain warmer than expected, then sleet and freezing rain is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

When MassDOT trucks are on the road, Gulliver asks drivers to keep a safe distance. "Don't crowd our plows," he said. How much of a distance? About five car lengths would be best. 

The victim was taken by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center and is expected to survive.

SPRINGFIELD - Police are investigating after a man was shot in the leg Tuesday afternoon on Massachusetts Avenue.

Springfield Police Lt. John Delaney told Western Mass News, media partner of The Republican/MassLive, the victim was taken by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center and is expected to survive.

The victim told police that he was walking home when an SUV pulled up and someone shot him. The SUV took off toward King Street, Delaney said.

No arrests have been reported so far.

A celebration has been scheduled regarding the reported pardoning of Oscar Lopez Rivera from federal prison by President Barack Obama for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at Salsarengue Restaurant at 392 High St., City Councilor Nelson Roman said.

Updated at 5:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 to add details from an International Business Times story about Oscar Lopez Rivera's pardon, including that he will be released from federal prison May 17, 2017.

HOLYOKE -- City Councilor Nelson R. Roman has scheduled a celebration for today at 5:30 p.m. regarding reports that President Barack Obama has pardoned Oscar Lopez Rivera, a Puerto Rican national some have called a political prisoner and others a terrorist.

"We are elated as a community," Roman said.

The celebration will be at Salsarengue Restaurant, 392 High St.

Roman, the Ward 2 councilor, has championed the release of Lopez Rivera because he said he had served 35 years of a 75-year sentence and nothing was served by requiring that the 73-year-old U.S. military veteran die in prison.

Rivera was sentenced to prison for "seditious conspiracy" related to his participation in a Puerto Rican nationalist group. He is currently in the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.

According to an International Business Times story posted at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 by Bruce Wright, Lopez Rivera was among 200 who received commuted prison sentences:

"Oscar Lopez, aka Oscar Lopez-Rivera - Chicago, IL
Offense: 1. Seditious conspiracy; interference with interstate commerce by threats or violence; possession of an unregistered firearm; carrying firearms during the commission of violent crimes; interstate transportation of firearms with the intent to commit violent crimes; interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle (four counts); Northern District of Illinois

"2. Conspiracy to escape, to transport explosives with intent to kill and injure people, and to destroy government buildings and property; aiding and abetting travel in interstate commerce to carry on arson (two counts); using a telephone to carry on arson (two counts); Northern District of Illinois

"Sentence: 1. 55 years' imprisonment (August 11, 1981)

"2. 15 years' imprisonment (consecutive) (February 26, 1988)

"Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 17, 2017."

Obama issued numerous pardons today, and Chicago media reports said Lopez Rivera was among them. Roman has been in touch for months with people in Chicago who have been communicating with Lopez Rivera in prison.

Chip Mitchell is a reporter with Chicago Public Media, 91.5 FM, according to his Twitter account.SCREEN SHOT 

This is a developing story and details will be added as reporting continues.

The 101 mayors across the U.S. are raising concerns that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act will cause "immense harm" to millions of people living with mental illness.

SPRINGFIELD -- The mayors of Springfield and Holyoke are among 101 mayors nationwide who have signed on to a letter that urges Congress against repealing the Affordable Care Act, raising concerns that a repeal will cause "immense harm" to millions of people living with mental illness.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse joined Cities Thrive, a national mental health coalition, in objecting to a threatened Congressional repeal of the health care act, also known as Obamacare.

"On behalf of 60 million Americans living with mental illness, the Cities Thrive Coalition is writing to highlight the immense harm that repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will cause for this population," the letter states. "The ACA provides the largest expansion of behavioral health services by requiring insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders."

President-elect Donald Trump and various leaders and members of the Republican-controlled Congress have called for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, with strong opposition voiced by many Democratic leaders and members of Congress.

Other mayors from Massachusetts joining the petition letter included Joseph Petty of Worcester, Marty Walsh of Boston, Denise Simmons of Cambridge, Setti Warren of Newton and Jon Mitchell of New Bedford.

Cities Thrive is described as a national mental health coalition committed to mental health reform on a local and national level.

The letter, dated Jan. 10, was addressed to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Sarno, in a news release, said he joined the Cities Thrive Coalition in informing Congress how repealing the Affordable Care Act will negatively affect the nation's behavioral health care system.

"Not having the proper resources and treatment programs to deal with mental health illness and substance abuse addiction leaves the issue at the 'doorsteps' of mayors, police departments, courts and jail systems," Sarno said. "I commend all those involved in advocating for mental health reform, which the ACA provides -- it's a step in the right direction."

Gov. Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican, recently urged Congress to avoid moving too fast on repeal efforts that might disrupt insurance markets. He said there are important provisions in the law including a ban on insurance denials for pre-existing conditions and the elimination of annual and lifetime limits.

A call has been put out to surrounding communities for mutual aid.

HOLYOKE - Firefighters are on the scene of a two-alarm fire on Main Street near Hamiliton Street.

Firefighters were dispatched to the area of 389 Main St. at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday for a reported structure fire.
A second alarm was called to bring more resources to the scene moments ago.

A call has been put out to surrounding communities for mutual aid.

Republican reporter Brian Steele is on scene. He reports fire officials are saying the fire appears to be knocked down, and firefighters are going through the building.

The fire appears to have been in the rear porch of 389 Main St. Firefighters are checking to see if it spread into the interior.

This is a developing story. More information will be added as it is known.

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo, D-Springfield, refiled the bill for Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and others.

SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced Tuesday that a legislative bil that would allow prosecutors to appeal low bail rulings by judges has been refiled for consideration in 2017.

Sarno said that state Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo, D-Springfield, has refiled the bail reform legislation on Sarno's behalf. The bill, as proposed, "puts the Commonwealth on equal footing with defendants as it relates to the ability of appealing bail set in District Court," Sarno said.

Offenders have the right to appeal bail amounts to judges in Superior Court, and the bails can further be appealed to a single justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, while the Commonwealth cannot, Sarno said.

The legislation was pursued last year, supported by Sarno and other Springfield officials, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and state Reps. Puppolo and Michael Finn, D-West Springfield.

The story will be updated

As the Massachusetts attorney general, Healey's job is to act as the consumer's lawyer in the upcoming rate-setting process.

BOSTON -- Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday that she will oppose an Eversource plan to raise the rates it charges for delivering electricity to hundreds of thousands of customers in Massachusetts.

Eversource said Tuesday that it wants to raise its delivery rate by about $11.64 on the average monthly bill for someone who uses 550 kilowatt hours of electricity a month in Western Massachusetts. In Eastern Massachusetts, Eversource's proposed rate increase would add $8.45 to the average bill.

The request is now before the state Public Utility Commission. If approved, the new rates would go into effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Under Massachusetts law, Healey as attorney general is empowered to act as an advocate on behalf of rate-paying consumers when cases like this go before the Public Utility Commission.

Healey said Eversource is seeking to profit from its customers in the former Western Massachusetts Electric Co. and NSTAR service territories.

Eversource is seeking 10.5 percent shareholder profits, while increasing WMECo customers' rates by $36 million and NSTAR customers' rates by $60 million, Healey said in a press release.

Over five years from 2010 to 2015, Eversource's shareholders of common stock received a cumulative total return of 89 percent including quarterly dividends and the change in the market price per share, Healey wrote. Yet, she said, NSTAR and WMECo ratepayers continue to pay higher distribution rates than similarly situated National Grid customers.

"As a regulated public utility, Eversource is required to justify why the state should permit it to raise electric rates on residents and business customers," Healey said. "Our initial evaluation shows that Eversource should be returning profits to customers as savings, not raising rates. We urge the DPU to reject Eversource's request for a rate hike."

In October, the Department of Public Utilities allowed a 9.9 percent shareholder profit -- called return on equity or "ROE" -- as part of National Grid's $101 million rate hike. The action prompted Healey to send a letter in December to the DPU calling on the agency to launch an investigation to explain why the allowed profits for Massachusetts utility companies are higher than the allowed profits in neighboring states.

Recent decisions elsewhere in New England limited electric companies' ROE to 9.1 percent in Connecticut  and 9 percent in Maine, according to the attorney general's office.

In its announcement, Eversource said it plans to use money from the rate hike to improve its delivery system, make outages less common and shorter in duration and increase its network of electrical vehicle charging locations.

Eversource spokeswoman Priscilla Ress said her company based its monthly bill increase estimates on 550 kilowatt-hours a month because that was the average of residential customers in the test year the utility studied.

But the federal government estimates higher: 602 kilowatt hours a month. Higher power use would mean the proposed rate hike would have a bigger impact on a family budget.

Lin-Manuel Miranda said he would play Alexander Hamilton in his acclaimed play "Hamilton" for Oscar Lopez Rivera, whose federal prison sentence was commuted, the Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

HOLYOKE -- Lin-Manuel Miranda said Tuesday he would play Alexander Hamilton in his acclaimed play "Hamilton" for Oscar Lopez Rivera, whose federal prison sentence was commuted, the Chicago Tribune reported today.

"I've got a show for him in Chicago. It'll be my honor to play Hamilton the night he goes," said Miranda, who is of Puerto Rican descent, according to a Tribune story by Tracy Swartz.

Lopez Rivera, who grew up in Chicago, was convicted of seditious conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government in 1981 while he was a leader of the Puerto Rican independence group FALN. The group bombed buildings in the 1970s, the Tribune reported.

Rivera is currently in the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is scheduled to be released May 17, the International Business Times reported.

Lopez Rivera was among 200 people given reprieves by President Barack Obama.

Celebration set today for commuted sentence of Oscar Lopez Rivera: Holyoke Councilor Nelson Roman

A celebration is underway at Salsarengue Restaurant at 392 High St. regarding the pending release of Lopez Rivera organized by City Councilor Nelson R. Roman, who has held events pushing for his release from prison.

Sgt. Donald Bates found the injured in the road making no effort to fly away. He wrapped it in a blanket and brought it to get help.

WHATLEY - Whately police on Tuesday rescued an owl that appeared to have been injured when struck by a car Long Plain Road, according to police.

Just after 3 p.m., a resident called police to report what appeared to be an injured owl, police said.

Sgt. Donald Bates responded to the scene and spotted the bird standing in the middle of the road. When he approached, the owl made no effort to fly away, police said.

Bates noticed the bird appeared to have an injured leg. He was able to wrap it in a blanket and take to a bird rehabilitation center in Conway for treatment.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University, barred owls common in the eastern part of the United States and Canada. They are large, stocky owls with rounded heads, no ear tufts, and medium length, rounded tails. They have brown and white feathers.

They roost in forests during the day and hunt small animals at night. They are known for their distictive "who cooks for you?" call.

This is the second owl that Bates has rescued in three months. In October, he found an injured owl on Haydenville Road that he was also able to bundle up and take to the rehabilitation center.

With a $35,000 stipend on top of the $62,547 in legislative base pay, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg each make around $97,000.

By ANDY METZGER

BOSTON -- The leaders of the House and Senate on Tuesday revived the often controversial topic of compensation for the state's political leaders, announcing plans for a hearing Thursday to take up a 2014 report that found the pay for legislative leaders and constitutional officers is "generally outdated and inadequate."

The study concluded the governor and other statewide elected officials receive a fraction of the pay of their peers in the private sector with similar responsibilities and recommended the Senate president and speaker of the House be paid $175,000, a steep increase.

With a $35,000 stipend on top of the $62,547 in legislative base pay, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg each make around $97,000. Lawmakers' base pay is adjusted in accordance with the a mechanism outlined in the constitution, and late last year Gov. Charlie Baker signed off on the first legislative pay increase in eight years, boosting salaries by $2,515.

Legislative base pay remains below median household income in the state, which reached $70,628 in 2015.

Talk of legislative pay hikes drew a strong reaction from Rep. Brad Hill, an Ipswich Republican and a member of the House Republican leadership team who said contemplating pay raises for lawmakers would be inappropriate given the state's lean fiscal situation.

"For us to even be looking at this, or considering this, at this time I would say is inappropriate. Yes, there was a report done. It was a very good report that took place, but when we're looking at a revenue problem for the state this is absolutely the worst and last place we should be looking to increase," Hill told the News Service. He said, "When I see a report take place and they want to have a hearing on it, certainly that could be appropriate, but for us then to take action to increase compensation with what we know is happening revenue-wise would be a mistake for the state."

Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito declined recent pay hikes authorized under the constitution. The governor makes $151,800 per year.

"The Governor and Lt. Governor have no plans to accept a pay increase and will carefully review any legislation that comes to the governor's desk," Baker press secretary Billy Pitman said in a statement.

DeLeo and Rosenberg did not reveal any larger intentions for holding the joint hearing of the House and Senate Ways and Means committees, beyond a review of the 2014 report. In a joint statement the legislative leaders said, "The Legislature has yet to hold a public hearing on either this report or an earlier 2008 report. We look forward to the hearing and testimony from experts and the general public on the 2014 report."

"I think I'll let the hearing process roll along and see what the feedback is from people," said Rep. Sarah Peake, a Provincetown Democrat and member of DeLeo's leadership team. She said, "Two years ago they thought pay increases were warranted. I think it's appropriate that we bring out that report and dust it off. So often we ask volunteers to do so much work like this and then we ignore their report, so I'm glad Ways and Means is having a hearing."

For those with gripes about the policies emerging from Beacon Hill, the pay of public officials making those decisions can be a ripe area for criticism. After the report was published in December 2014, Rep. Geoff Diehl, an outspoken Republican from Whitman, kept watch on the informal sessions of the House to ensure there were no lame-duck attempts to hike pay before the start of the 2015-2016 session.

Thursday's hearing ensures at least an early airing of compensation issues for the state's top elected leaders in the biennial 2017-2018 session, where taxes, marijuana regulation and criminal justice reform are a few of the top legislative matters slated for discussion.

The 2014 commission chaired by Ira Jackson, of UMass Boston, found that the governor, making $151,800, earned 5 percent of the $2.8 million median salary of chief executive officers with similar responsibilities. Other statewide elected officials also made far below their private-sector counterparts, the report found.

"I'd be interested to see what the committee comes out with or what they're recommending," said House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a North Reading Republican who said he hadn't given the matter much consideration. He said, "There was never a hearing on it, so they want to do a hearing. Whether that's a prelude to something else is certainly a possibility."

Rep. Patricia Haddad, a Somerset Democrat and top member of DeLeo's leadership team, said, "I don't know what the next step will be."

In addition to recommending boosting the governor's pay to $185,000 and hiking the pay of other elected officeholders, the 2014 report recommended that the Senate president, House speaker and constitutional officers "should be precluded from earning outside income, other than passive income from investments."

The commission also recommended the pay hikes be cost-neutral, arguing that the money needed to fulfill the recommendations "can be achieved through efficiencies and cost savings without impact on any state services."

Noting that Massachusetts is one of six states that does not provide an official gubernatorial residence, the report recommended the governor receive a $65,000 housing allowance, and said it recognized that "reasonable adjustments to the stipends provided to other House and Senate leadership positions are justified."

State Auditor Suzanne Bump said the report deserves "some consideration," and anticipated some additional action in the area of compensation.

"I expect that they wouldn't be moving forward unless they thought there was some agreement that something should happen. I doubt that it will embrace, though, all of the recommendations, the full schedule that was proposed by the group," Bump told the News Service. She said, "When does the Legislature accept anybody's recommendations in full? They should apply their own thinking to it."

Two years ago, when he was governor-elect, Baker said it was the wrong time to consider increases in the compensation of public officials.

"I think if the Commonwealth was in great shape financially and everything was swimming, you know, going along beautifully fiscally and operationally you didn't have to spend half a day at the registry to conduct a relatively simple transaction, then yeah, maybe that would be the right time to have this conversation. I sure don't think that's now, and it's certainly not going to be today or tomorrow," Baker said at the time.

Former Gov. Deval Patrick was sympathetic to the idea of boosting compensation for elected officials, but in 2014 he conditioned his support to legislative action on state finances, saying, "I will not approve legislation to change the compensation of public officials unless the Legislature first sends me an acceptable budget solve."

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said the flushing suggests some of the facility's 1,100 inmates were getting rid of banned items.

LUDLOW - No major contraband was found during a day-long sweep of every cell at the Hampden County Jail and House of Correction, but Sheriff Nick Cocchi said a lot of inmates began flushing their toilets when the search commenced.

Cocchi said the flushing suggests some of the facility's 1,100 inmates were getting rid of banned items.

"If they did have something and it was flushed, at least it is out of our facility and can no longer be used in any harmful or unproductive way," said Cocchi on Tuesday night.

Cocchi called for the sweep after an inmate was caught hoarding medication. The pills, said the Hampden County Sheriff's Department a few hours later, were authorized and a powdery substance in the inmate's cell turned out to be food.

"My priority is the safety and security of our staff and the inmates in our custody," said Cocchi in a statement to the media. "As such, this demands we do all in our power to prevent drugs and other contraband entering our facilities."

More than a dozen K9 units were involved in the search.

Sheriff's department spokesman Stephen O'Neil said the lack of significant contraband is a testament to the staff who are responsible for spot checks and other inspections.

The National Guard is suspected of causing the problem with its use of firefighting foam.

EASTHAMPTON -- State environmental officials continue to press the U.S. National Guard on the topic of drinking water contamination in Westfield.

The Guard is suspected of contaminating private and public wells with toxic chemicals known as polyfluorinated carbons, or PFCs. The chemicals allegedly came from firefighting foam used at Barnes Regional Airport and the Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing from the 1950s to the 1980s.

A regional waste site director with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection last week provided information to members of the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee, a regional group that meets in Easthampton.

Eva Tor told the committee that the department is not satisfied with the pace of progress, and is considering its options, reports the Westfield News. 

She said the National Guard did not respond to an order issued in October to investigate the private well contamination. MassDEP sent a second letter on Dec. 21, and the guard then promised to investigate. The Guard said it would act if a link is found between the foam and the contamination.

In the meantime, Westfield has been paying for contamination-related projects out of its own pocket, said city water systems engineer Heather Miller, also a member of the aquifer committee. 

The City Council last fall was asked to approve a $5 million bond for the installation of a water filtration system and other upgrades. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan also asked the council to appropriate $7,500 from reserve accounts to the Law Departments to finance legal assistance relating to the contamination issue.

Sullivan said at the time that the city will seek restitution. "Right now our priority is to fix the problem and clean our drinking water," he said. 

City wells #7 and #8, located near the air facility, were taken offline last May after contamination levels considered unsafe by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency were found. The chemicals were first detected in 2013, but the levels were below the EPA recommendations at that time.

PFC compounds include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

Touting population growth and initiatives like early voting as he faces re-election, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh used his "State of the City" address to efforts underway to upgrade traffic light tech and fund free pre-kindergarten for every four-year-old in Boston.

Touting population growth and initiatives like early voting as he faces re-election, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh used his "State of the City" address to efforts underway to upgrade traffic light tech and fund free pre-kindergarten for every four-year-old in Boston.

Walsh is up for re-election this year and appears likely to face several challengers, including Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, a former aide to Gov. Deval Patrick. Walsh's campaign war chest outstrips Jackson's kitty, and Boston voters rarely seek to toss incumbents.

Walsh spoke Tuesday night at Symphony Hall, with Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo in attendance. Here are some highlights.

1. Adding "cutting-edge traffic-light" tech to the city's busiest streets. The move will lead to fewer stops at red light and reduced congestion, according to Walsh.

"We've all been there: you hit one red light, it just seems like you hit them all," Walsh said. "New signals will adapt to traffic in real time and willwork together to keep it flowing."

2. Mounting new push for free pre-kindergarten for every 4-year-old in Boston.

Walsh said he is filing a bill at the Mass. State House that would fund the proposal with tourism taxes that already exist and currently create a surplus in the Convention Center Fund. The proposal received a standing ovation inside Symphony Hall.

"It's only fair that Boston's success benefits all of Boston's children," Walsh said.

He also said he plans to invest $1 billion in the city's school buildings.

But any proposal, like the pre-k plan, needing sign-off from Beacon Hill faces a lengthy trip to the governor's office, if it ever gets there.

3. Focusing on a high-tech manufacturing sector. Walsh name-checked General Electric, which is moving its headquarters from Connecticut to Boston's Seaport District and plans to put up a brightly lit sign to signify its presence.

"Our goal is more than new logos in the skyline," Walsh said, pointing to employers in the field of robotics, 3-D printing, and medical devices coming to Boston.

In an apparent reference to President-elect Donald Trump, who clashed with Walsh, a Clinton supporter, during the 2016 presidential campaign, the mayor said, "People talk about bringing back manufacturing. We're doing it, and we're doing it the right way, with the jobs of the future and the preparation our young people need to build it."

Boston 'flourishing' but Mayor Walsh sees challenges

4. Creating "Neighborhood trauma teams" in five neighborhoods, including Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, East Boston and Mattapan. Boston saw 45 murders last year, though shootings are down six percent, according to Walsh. Since 2014, arrests are down 25 percent.

"In the aftermath of violence, health centers, hospitals, and community groups will coordinate immediate response and sustained recovery for all those affected," Walsh said. "Together we will break the cycle of suffering and violence and bring healing to our city."

5. Ending chronic homelessness by 2018. "Tonight, 1,052 Bostonians who used to live on the streets are in their own homes with the services they need to succeed. We ended chronic veterans' homelessness," Walsh said before pledging to end all chronic homelessness by next year.

Tito Jackson launches mayoral run against Marty Walsh

The 5:30 p.m. fire was contained to some apartments on the right side of the building, a multi-story mixed-use structure with businesses on the ground floor.

HOLYOKE - The Red Cross is assisting 11 families after a fire at 395 Main St. on Tuesday evening.

The 5:30 p.m. fire was contained to some apartments on the right side of the building, which is a multi-story mixed-use structure with businesses on the ground floor, said Fire Capt. Anthony Cerrutti.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Holyoke police and fire departments.

The fire went to two alarms, and Chicopee and South Hadley provided mutual aid.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, said Cerruti.