This upcoming week skiers should see some better conditions with the most recent storm dumping between 6 and 8 inches of snow over most New England ski areas.

At least 30 people were missing, including at least two children.

MILAN (AP) -- Rescue workers were met with an eerie silence Thursday when they reached a four-star spa hotel struck by an avalanche in a mountainous earthquake-stricken region of central Italy. At least 30 people were missing, including at least two children, authorities said.

Guests at the three-story Hotel Rigopiano in the central Abruzzo region alerted emergency workers of the disaster on Wednesday, following a series of quakes in the region.

"Help, we're dying of cold," one couple wrote rescuers, according to the ANSA news agency. Another man, identified by news reports as Fabio Salzetta, sent a SMS message saying he had escaped with a maintenance worker, but that others were trapped inside.

Corriere della Sera quoted the text message as saying: "Some walls were knocked down." And: "I'm outside with a maintenance worker but you can't see anything of the hotel, there's only a wall of snow in front of me."

When rescuers on skis arrived in the early morning hours of Thursday, they found just two people alive, according to news reports. Civil protection authorities said that 30 people were missing. The ANSA news agency quoted a rescuer as saying that there were fatalities, but details weren't immediately available. Just one body was reported removed from the hotel by late morning Thursday.

One of those saved was 38-year-old Giampaolo Parete, who told rescuers he had gone outside to get something from the car, which was untouched by the avalanche, but that his wife and two children were buried inside, the news agency ANSA reported.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the large snowfall in recent days, making it difficult to clear roads for heavy vehicles and ambulances to get through.

The buried hotel was just one of several rescues underway in an area that has been pummeled by more than a meter (three feet) of snow in recent days -- storms that have knocked out power and phone lines and blocked roads, isolating towns and hamlets.

Video footage from Italian financial police force GDF showed a gray-haired man being led to safety by rescuers through a path dug out of deep snow from another rescue in the region.

Snow continued to fall throughout the region, with reports of people being isolated in many places. A resident of a town in the province of Teramo, Daiana Nguyen, told SKY TG24 that three meters (about 10 feet) of snow had fallen and that people "were completely isolated."

The timing of the avalanche Wednesday and the messages remained unclear, but the hotel posted a notice on its Facebook page that its phones were down around 9 a.m. following the first of Wednesday's quakes, including one with a 5.7 magnitude. It wasn't immediately clear if the temblors triggered the avalanche.

Video shot by rescue teams showed huge piles of filthy snow and debris piled up inside corridors, stairwells and an indoor pool area, having slammed through the outer walls of the building. The audio is silent. The largest wall of snow shown was in the pool area, where plastic lounge chairs were flipped on their sides and Christmas decorations still dangled from the ceiling.

The bar area appeared flooded, with nearby cracked skylights covered with snow outside.

Aerial video shot by helicopter crews showed rescue workers on top of the snow-covered hotel, digging holes down to try to get in.

The civil protection agency said that they were working to get rescue vehicles to Hotel Rigopiano through roads covered in snow, joining initial rescue efforts overnight by alpine rescue teams who went in on skis.

The hotel is about 45 kilometers (30 miles) from the coastal city of Pescara, at an altitude of about 1,200 meters (3,940 feet).

An ambulance was blocked about nine kilometers (5 1/2 miles) from the hotel, according to SKY, which also said that snowfall was so heavy that snow plows have had trouble clearing the road to the hotel.

The mountainous region of central Italy has been struck by a series of quakes since August that destroyed historic centers in dozens of towns and hamlets. A deadly quake in August killed nearly 300, while no one died in the strong aftershocks in October largely because population centers had already been evacuated. In the meantime, the entire region has been hit by freezing weather and buffeted by snowstorms, piling more suffering on to the hard-hit population.

People left homeless by the earlier quakes had been moved to hotels in the region, but it wasn't immediately clear if any of them were staying at Hotel Rigopiano, which is located in the Gran Sasso National Park.

On Tuesday, the hotel posted photos of the recent snowfall, calling it "a dream Tuesday. Snow is giving us spectacular scenes." It advised guests that roads were still passable but snow tires were required with chains for cars. In the hours since the report of the avalanche, Facebook users have been posting messages on the hotel's page seeking information about the hotel.

A 19-year-old Marblehead woman will serve four years in prison followed by three years probation after admitting to biting off a piece of a cop's ear, reports The Boston Herald.

A 19-year-old Marblehead woman will serve four years in jail and the next three years on probation after admitting to biting off a piece of a Salem cop's ear, reports The Boston Herald.

Salem Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley on Wednesday handed out the sentence to Emma Wiley, explaining his decision as "an attempt to reflect the seriousness of the injuries inflicted" and "also an attempt to reflect and take into some account your age," according to The Herald's report. 

The victim, Salem Police Officer Jessica Rondinelli, underwent two surgeries and still suffers ear pain as a result of the Aug. 7 incident.

On that night, Wiley took part in a brawl around 12:45 a.m. outside the Tavern in the Square on Washington Street in Salem.

Wiley bit down hard on Rondinelli's ear while the latter attempted to load her into a cruiser, refusing to let go and shaking her head back and forth, according to a police report on the incident. She did not break grip until Rondinelli poked fingers into her eyes. 

19-year-old accused of biting Salem officer's ear off during arrest

A piece of Rondinelli's ear was later found in the back of the cruiser, but doctors failed to reattach it. Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio said in court the "chunk" was the roughly the size of a nickel or quarter, according to The Herald.

At the time of the incident, Rondinelli was a new hire, having only been a part of the Salem Police Department force for six weeks. 

Wiley's attorneys attempted to explain the teenager's actions by pointing to her mental health issues and ongoing treatment. She has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, The Herald reports.

Feeley appeared unmoved, referencing the many social media images of Wiley intoxicated at parties and saying, "Laws appear to be nothing other than a hindrance to be overcome in her search for fun," according to the Salem News.

Wiley pleaded guilty to mayhem and assault and battery on a police officer in Salem Superior Court on Wednesday.

In giving out the four-year sentence Wednesday, Feeley rejected a request by Wiley's attorney, Michael Callanan, that she be given 2 1/2 years in jail and three years of probation.

Rondinelli appeared in the courtroom on Wednesday but did not offer any commentary on the sentence, according to The Herald. 

Police have arrested a man they believe sent bomb threats half a dozen schools and institutions in Massachusett.

Justin HagenbuchFacebook 

Police have arrested a man they believe sent bomb threats to half a dozen schools and institutions in Massachusetts, The Landmark has reported.

Former West Boylston Middle/High School teacher Justin Hagenbuch, 37, was arrested after touching down from a Berlin flight landing at Logan Airport, following a trip through South America and Europe. Hagenbuch was previously listed as a physical education teacher at the school 

Hagenbuch became a suspect during a months-long investigation into bomb threats that had been called at Chocksett Middle School, Mountview Middle School, Mayo Elementary, Dawson Elementary, Wachusett Regional High School and the ArchDiocese of Worcester. Authorities are confident that Hagenbuch is behind the Chocksett and Mountview bomb threats, made in early December.

While Hagenbuch was in Europe, dozens of law enforcement officers, representatives from the Massachusetts Fusion Center and the superintendent from the Wachusett Regional School District worked together to develop a strategy to keep Hagenbuch from returning to the United States, The Landmark reported. 

On Jan. 11, authorities were notified that Hagenbuch was planning to return from his Euro-trip after he booked a flight from Berlin to Logan Airport.

He was taken into custody by Holden police.

Hagenbuch was arraigned in Leominster District Court last Friday, The Landmark reported. 

Members of the Central High School community are in mourning after three students were fatally injured this week in a car crash. Watch video

Members of the Central High School community are in mourning after three students were fatally injured this week in a car crash. 

"We're doing the best we can," said Principal Thaddeus S. Tokarz, of how students and staff are handling the news. 

The crash on Union Street took the lives of three seniors: Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. 

"They were great kids, seniors excited about graduating," Tokarz said. 

Jones and Spence had plans to attend college next fall. Hernandez had already enlisted in the Army.

All three were excellent students, Tokarz said, enrolled in advanced placement courses.

Tokarz said the three were a constant presence at school sporting events, either as participants or there to support their school. 

Jones and Hernandez were often seen cheering on their fellow students as members of the Central cheerleading squad. 

Spence was an athlete as well. 

School officials will meet with members of the senior class this week to discuss the crash and plan a tribute to the killed students. 

Tokarz said the discussion will be student-driven, allowing teens to decide how they'd like to honor their classmates. 

Hundreds attended a vigil to mourn the victims of the fatal crash Wednesday evening. 

 

Hundreds turn out to mourn teens killed in Union Street crash in Springfield

There were five in the Jeep Grand Cherokee when the vehicle hit a tree. The other two occupants were reported by Springfield police Wednesday to be in critical condition. Police say high speeds were a factor in the crash. 

Police: Stolen SUV may have been going twice posted speed limit at time of crash

Most registered voters in Massachusetts find President-elect Donald Trump's constant use of Twitter inappropriate and they're not optimistic the next four years as his administration takes over the White House, according to a new poll from WBUR/MassINC Polling Group.

Most registered voters in Massachusetts find President-elect Donald Trump's constant use of Twitter inappropriate and they're not optimistic the next four years as his administration takes over the White House, according to a new poll from WBUR/MassINC Polling Group.

The blue state voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016, handing her 60 percent and 11 Electoral College votes.

So it's not a shocker that just about the same amount - 60 percent - view Trump unfavorably as he gets ready to take the oath of office on Friday, the poll released Thursday shows.

Trump had just a 28 percent favorable rating among Mass. registered voters, while 12 percent said they're undecided.

Trump is still doing better than Vladimir Putin: The poll shows the Russian dictator with a 68 percent unfavorable rating, and a 5 percent favorable rating, which MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela called a "new record" on Twitter.

The poll, which took place Jan. 15-17, surveyed 508 registered Massachusetts voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.4 percent.

Asked about Trump's Twitter use, 78 percent said it was inappropriate, while 14 percent called it "appropriate."

Trump frequently takes to the social networking site to castigate perceived enemies and criticize accurate reporting.

Poll respondents were also asked about their confidence in his ability to serve as president, based on what Trump has said and done since he was elected in November.

Twenty-eight percent said they were more confident, 59 percent they were less confident, 8 percent said they didn't know or refused to answer, and 4 percent didn't know.

Twenty percent said the Trump presidency would be good for Massachusetts, and 41 percent disagreed.

Massachusetts is home to a Congressional delegation made up entirely of Democrats who frequently criticize Trump. The party also largely dominates the Massachusetts State House.

Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, was a Trump critic during the 2016 presidential campaign, repeatedly questioning Trump's temperament. Baker left the presidential ballot blank in November.

Just 20% of MA residents think Trump presidency will be good for the state, 41% bad. https://t.co/GpqKqRR5Gh pic.twitter.com/ktrXuCsUiu

-- Steve Koczela (@skoczela) January 19, 2017

The shooting was reported shortly after 9:40 a.m. It's not clear if any injuries were reported.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

SPRINGFIELD - At least one suspect, who fled police following a shooting on Pine Street Thursday morning, is in police custody following a crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 91 in Enfield.

The shooting was reported shortly after 9:40 a.m. It's not clear if any injuries were reported.

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

The six scientists enter their new home Thursday on the Big Island's Mauna Loa volcano for an eight-month stay.

By CALEB JONES ,  Associated Press

LeAnn Thompson, former Blandford tax collector, is accused of stealing more than $150,000 from taxpayers.

SPRINGFIELD - Former Blandford tax collector LeeAnn Thompson on Thursday denied charges in connection with her alleged theft of more than $150,000 from taxpayers.

Thompson, 47, now a resident of North Chelmsford, was indicted by a Hampden Superior Court grand jury on one count of embezzlement by a public officer, one count of larceny over $250 and one count of use of an official position to secure an unwarranted privilege.

The case is being prosecuted by the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. Healey is represented by attorney David Hoose.

Judge Edward J. McDonough ordered Thompson released on her own recognizance with conditions that she turn in her passport and have no contact with three individuals from Blanford. Additional information on the three people wasn't immediately available. 

The Attorney General's Office began an investigation in 2014, with the state Inspector General's Office joining that investigation in 2016, according to a press release from Healey's office.

Thompson was the tax collector for the town of Blandford from 2002 to 2011, according to the release. Investigators allege that from 2006 to 2011, Thompson stole more than $150,000 from taxpayers and the town.

She is accused of taking taxpayer cash payments without depositing those payments into the town bank account. Officials say Thompson would cover up the thefts by using money from other taxpayers to cover for the stolen funds.

Further investigation revealed that Thompson allegedly took cash payments, used escrow checks to pay off stolen funds, gave credit to taxpayers without having money to back up the credit, and took payments from town taxpayers without applying monies to their taxes, according to the release.

The town discovered the scheme when Blandford's new tax collector requested a report to account for missing money. Later, the town employed a forensic auditor, who further uncovered more suspicious activity, according to Healey's office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades of Healey's Criminal Bureau and Assistant Attorney General Jim O'Brien of Healey's White Collar and Public Integrity Division. The investigation was handled by State Police assigned to the AG's Office and investigators in the Inspector General's Office.

The suspect, Mark Privette, 27, of 117 Dawes St., was arrested Wednesday night.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

The incident occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m. When officers John Ruyffelaert and Spencer O'Quinn saw an older red BMW speeding on Massachusetts Avenue, Sgt. John Delaney said.

The officers got behind the speeding car, ran the Pennsylvania plate number and determined it was not attached to the right car, Delaney, public information officer for the department, said,

When police attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver ditched the car on Andrews Street and fled on foot.

Members of the department's street crime unit were on the scene "within seconds" and assisted O'Quinn and Ruyffelaert with capturing the suspect and securing the BMW.

Police knew the suspect from his criminal past, Delaney said. Officer recovered a fully-loaded Smith & Wesson .38 special from the driver-side floor.

Arrested was Mark Privette, 27, of 117 Dawes St. He was charged with failure to stop for police, speeding, attached plates, uninsured motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle, carrying loaded firearm.

At a press conference earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump claimed only reporters care about the release of his tax returns. Polling shows otherwise.

At a press conference earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump claimed only reporters care about the release of his tax returns.

Trump has repeatedly refused to release his tax returns. "You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters," he said.

But Massachusetts voters - Democrats and Republicans -- appear to largely disagree with that, as do some national polls.

A new poll from WBUR/MassINC Polling Group shows 75 percent of Massachusetts registered voters believe Trump should release the tax returns. Twenty percent said he should not, and 6 percent said they didn't know or refused to answer the question.

Among the number who said he should release them, according to WBUR, 47 percent of Republican respondents agreed.

The margin of error for the poll was plus or minus 4.4 percent. The poll included 508 registered Massachusetts voters and took place Jan. 15-17.

Our @wbur poll: 75% of Massachusetts voters think Trump should release tax returns, on par with national figures. https://t.co/GpqKqRR5Gh

-- Steve Koczela (@skoczela) January 19, 2017

Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee. Clinton received 60 percent of the vote in November.

Released Thursday, the WBUR poll showed 56 percent of respondents believe when Trump will make decisions as president, he will take his business interests into account. Thirty-seven percent said he would "only focus on the nation's best interest."

Trump's sons, Don and Eric, will be running the company during his presidency, Trump said at the January press conference.

The WBUR poll asked voters whether they believe the plan goes far enough in separating Trump from his businesses. Fifty-five percent said it does not go far enough, 39 percent said it does.

New WBUR poll shows what Mass. voters are saying about Trump

Following a battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia, Xavier Pereria of Ludlow, was welcomed as an honorary team member of the American International College's Division I men's hockey team.

SPRINGFIELD – Xavier Pereria may be short in stature, but to the members of American International College's Division I men's hockey team, he stands tall.

So much so that the team invited the 5-year-old Ludlow boy to become one of them. And on Wednesday night, Xavier officially joined the team during a special ceremony at the AIC Henry A. Butova Gymnasium's Hall of Fame Room.

"Xavier, we're so lucky to have you as part of our team," said Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Eric Lang, as Xavier's beaming parents, Michelle and Paul Pereira, of Ludlow, looked on.

"If our players can be half as tough as this guy, we'll be all right," Lang added.

Xavier was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia just two months shy of his third birthday. The illness was caught early and Xavier is doing very well.

While he has been in remission for almost two years, Xavier follows a three-year treatment protocol that requires him to have spinal injections on a regular basis. His family hopes that by December they will be able to announce that Xavier is cancer-free.

Earlier this year, Xavier learned to skate and is really enjoying it. Around the same time, he started attending AIC Yellow Jackets hockey games at the MassMutual Center. During the first home game, Xavier was introduced to Lang and all of the players.

"You are the heart and soul of our team. You remind us on a daily basis to count our blessings," Bryant Christian, one of the men's hockey team captains, said last night. " ... It just takes one of your smiles to remind us how lucky we really are."

The team presented Xavier with an official jersey, hockey stick and puck, preceded by his signing a National Letter of Intent, making him an official member of the AIC hockey family and team.

At next Saturday's home game vs. Canisius College, Xavier will be added to the team roster and will lead the team out of their locker room. He will stand with the team during the National Anthem and will be on the starting lineup.

Xavier's family became affiliated with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Team IMPACT children are drafted into local college athletic teams and, to the greatest extent possible, become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond.

AIC is the first college in Springfield to participate.

The crash occurred after the motorist fled Springfield police on the interstate shortly after 9:40 a.m.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Updates story posted at 10:05 a.m.

ENFIELD -- Southbound traffic on Interstate 91 has been impacted Thursday morning after a motorist, suspected in a Springfield shooting and fleeing police, crashed shortly over the Massachusetts line.

The crash occurred after the motorist fled Springfield police on the interstate shortly after 9:40 a.m. The suspect crashed into a guardrail and was arrested.

Connecticut State Police, as of about two hours later, reported two southbound lanes were closed.

A 20-year-old Springfield man involved in Tuesday's violent Union Street crash died Thursday, becoming the fourth life lost after a stolen Jeep Cherokee collided head-on into a tree.

SPRINGFIELD -- A 20-year-old Springfield man involved in Tuesday's violent Union Street crash has died, yet another life lost after a stolen Jeep Cherokee collided head-on into a tree.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney identified the fourth dead victim as 20-year-old Andrew Savage of Springfield, and told MassLive that police believe the fifth person in the vehicle is believed to have been the driver.

Young women killed in Springfield crash identified as seniors at Central High

Delaney could not confirm the final detail. He said the department continues to wait for forensics -- involving the positioning of the bodies and analysis of blood found in the crashed vehicle -- to determine it beyond doubt. 

The residents of an Oak Street apartment building will be displaced up to three days after the morning saw them evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels, according to Holyoke Fire Capt. Anthony Cerruti.

The residents of an Oak Street apartment building will be displaced up to three days after they were evacuated Thursday morning due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels.

Holyoke Fire Capt. Anthony Cerruti could not confirm how many residents were being displaced or where they would be relocated to, but attributed the incident to "a crack in the oil fired boiler."

Members of Holyoke Fire Department arrived at the apartment complex, 274 Oak St., at 5:15 a.m. Thursday.

Responders found elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the air inside, according to Cerruti.

"The building was immediacy evacuated and the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department was called to the scene to assist," he said in a statement. "As a precaution, the residents were checked for carbon monoxide poisoning. All checked out fine."

He added, "The boiler was shut down."

The residents were relocated by the owners of the apartment, who said they planned to replace the boiler. The process will require a little extra time because the boiler was covered in asbestos, Cerruti said.

"This incidents is a great example to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in residents at all times," he added.

A crash on Union Street in Springfield has taken the lives of four young people. Another remains in critical condition this is what we know so far.

Two weeks after he was captured in Somerville after near a week on the run from authorities, James Morales has pleaded not guilty in federal court to escaping from the Wyatt Detention Facility.

Two weeks after he was captured in Somerville after nearly a week on the run from authorities, James Morales has pleaded not guilty in federal court to escaping from the Wyatt Detention Facility.

Morales, 35, appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on Thursday morning after being indicted earlier this week on a charge of escape from the custody of the attorney general, according to a statement from the office of Rhode Island Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Morales, a former Army reservist was in federal custody for the theft of 16 weapons from the Lincoln W. Stoddard United States Army Reserve Center armory in Worcester in November 2015.

He is accused of escaping from the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, on Dec. 31. Morales was on the run until Jan. 5, when he was captured in Somerville after authorities said he attempted to rob two banks.

Morales could face five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 for the escape charge.

Police suspect the only survivor in a Springfield quadruple fatality on Union Street was operating the vehicle.

Police suspect the only survivor in a Springfield quadruple fatality on Union Street was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Sgt. John Delaney told MassLive that the department cannot yet confirm the detail, but believe it "more than likely."

Investigators continue to wait on forensics -- analysis of the positioning of bodies and types and location of blood found in the crashed vehicle -- to determine beyond any doubt which of the vehicle's five occupants was behind the wheel.

The survivor, a male, remains in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Delaney said if the department's suspicion turns out to be true, then Hampden County District Attorney's Office will charge the man with four counts of vehicular homicide, among other crimes.

The crash on Union Street took the lives of 20-year-old Andrew Savage, of Springfield, and three Central High School seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. 

Police responded to the scene of the crash -- 159 Union St. -- at roughly 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Slideshow: What we know so far about the fatal Springfield crash

An Allied Security officer contracted by TD Garden allegedly bashed a homeless man over the head with his own cane in December and on Wednesday appeared in court to face assault charges, The Boston Globe reports.

An Allied Security officer contracted by TD Garden allegedly bashed a homeless man over the head with his own cane in December and on Wednesday appeared in court to face assault charges, The Boston Globe reports.

The alleged assault, which Boston Police Department and other investigating authorities deemed unprovoked, occurred in North Station just after 9 a.m. on Dec. 22.

That morning, the guard in question, Rene Norestant Jr., found a disabled homeless man Michael Hathaway, 52, lying on a bench and told him to move on. 

Hathaway gathered his possessions and headed for the exit, when Norestant allegedly "gripped Hathaway's cane with both fists and smashed it across his face," according to The Globe, which cited security footage of the incident described by MBTA Transit Police.

Norestant, contracted by TD Garden through Allied Universal, was not fired until The Globe inquired about the incident this week. Transit Police arrested Norestant late Tuesday on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to The Globe. 

Norestant pleaded not guilty to the charges in Boston Municipal Court on Wednesday. 

After conducting additional interviews with homeless people and digging through police reports, The Globe concluded the attack may have been part of a pattern of abuse by TD Garden security against the homeless. 

Three other homeless people have filed police reports alleging similar incidents occurred, at least one of them also involving Norestant. 

A TD Garden spokesperson responded to The Globe, saying "providing a safe and secure environment throughout the building and North Station is our top priority."

Preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts added 6,600 jobs in December.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped to 2.8 percent in December, marking the sixth consecutive month the rate has declined.

The last time the state's unemployment rate was at 2.8 percent was in December 2000, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Over the year, Massachusetts added 75,000 jobs.

Local unemployment numbers are not yet available for December. But as of November, unemployment in Springfield fell to 4.8 percent, its lowest point since October 2001.

Preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Massachusetts added 6,600 jobs in December. The November job gain had an upward revision, with the state adding 7,000 jobs compared to the previously published 5,800 job gain estimate.

Statewide jobs numbers are adjusted for seasonal changes in the economy. That means these job gains are in addition to regular seasonal hiring in December by stores and delivery companies.

If statisticians take into account those who have stopped looking for work and those who are working part-time but would rather work full-time, the Massachusetts unemployment rate is higher at 8.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Other statistics from the statewide report

• Unemployment rate down in 2016: At 2.8 percent, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is down 2.1 percent over the year from 4.9 percent in December 2015.
• Fewer unemployed: There were 73,300 fewer unemployed residents and 112,900 more employed residents over the year.
• More people working or looking for work: The state's labor force participation rate - the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks -- is 64.7 percent. Over the year, the labor force participation rate has increased two-tenths of a percentage point compared to December 2015.
• Massachusetts versus the nation: Massachusetts' unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate since April 2008. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the December national rate at 4.7 percent.
• Improved since the Great Recession: Since the statewide rate peaked at 8.8 percent in September 2009, there are now 335,600 more Massachusetts residents employed and 202,700 fewer residents unemployed. The labor force increased by 133,000.
• Number of Massachusetts workers: The December estimates show just over 3.5 million Massachusetts residents were employed and 101,300 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,601,400.

Job gains and losses by sector of the economy

• Education and Health Services added 4,600 (+0.6%) jobs in the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 26,800 (+3.5%) jobs.
• Construction gained 3,700 (+2.5%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Construction added 8,800 (+6.1%) jobs.
• Professional, Scientific and Business Services gained 1,200 (+0.2%) jobs during the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 18,800 (+3.5%) jobs.
• Information gained 1,000 (+1.1%) jobs in December. For the year, Information added 700 (+0.8%) jobs.
• Leisure and Hospitality gained 900 (+0.3%) jobs over the month. In 2016, Leisure and Hospitality added 8,900 (+2.5%) jobs.
• Financial Activities added 800 (+0.4%) jobs in the month. Over the year, Financial Activities gained 4,400 (+2.0%) jobs.
• Other Services added 800 (+0.6%) jobs in December. For the year, Other Services lost 100 (-0.1%) jobs.
• Manufacturing added 300 (+0.1%) jobs over the month. During the year, Manufacturing gained 900 (+0.4%) jobs.
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 2,000 (-0.4%) jobs over the month. For the year, Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 3,000 (+0.5%) jobs.
• Government lost 4,700 (-1.0%) jobs in December. For the year, Government gained 2,800 (+0.6%) jobs.