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Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman extradited to US

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Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most notorious cartel kingpin who twice made brazen prison escapes and spent years on the run as the country's most wanted man, was extradited to the U.S. on Thursday to face drug trafficking and other charges.

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most notorious cartel kingpin who twice made brazen prison escapes and spent years on the run as the country's most wanted man, was extradited to the U.S. on Thursday to face drug trafficking and other charges.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Department announced Guzman was handed over to U.S. authorities for transportation to the U.S. on Thursday, the last full day of President Barack Obama's administration and a day before Donald Trump is to be inaugurated.

The U.S. Justice Department issued a statement confirming that Guzman was en route to the United States and expressed gratitude to Mexico for its cooperation.

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of Guzman in Ciudad Juarez, which is across the border from El Paso, Texas, and a plane carrying him departed for New York at 5:31 p.m. EST. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and agreed to give the information only if not quoted by name.

The convicted Sinaloa cartel boss has been held most recently in a prison near Ciudad Juarez. He was recaptured a year ago after escaping from a second maximum-security prison through a tunnel dug to his cell. He had fought extradition since then.

Guzman faces the possibility of life in a U.S. prison under multiple indictments in six jurisdictions around the United States, including New York, San Diego, Chicago and Miami.Mexico probes possible money tie between accused drug lord 'El Chapo,' actress Kate del Castillo

A federal indictment in the Eastern District of New York, where Guzman is expected to be prosecuted, accuses him of overseeing a trafficking cartel with thousands of members and billions of dollars in profits laundered back to Mexico. It says Guzman and other members of the Sinaloa cartel employed hit men who carried out murders, kidnappings and acts of torture.

He was first indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury in July 2009. A superseding indictment was issued in May charging him and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada with a variety of drug, gun and money laundering charges as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise.

A Mexican Foreign Relations Department statement said a court had ruled against Guzman's appeal and found that his extradition would be constitutional.

The White House, which was down to a skeleton staff hours before Trump takes office, said it had no immediate comment.


Hadley planners greenlight 96-bed hotel; owner hopes to break ground within 6 months

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Hotel owner Shardool Parmar said it will take about 18 months to build the new Hadley hotel.

HADLEY -- With Planning Board approval, the owner of a proposed 96-bed hotel behind the Firestone tire shop on Route 9 hopes to break ground within the next six months.

Shardool Parmar, who owns several area hotels through the Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, said he can now fine-tune building details and hire a contractor. He said he expects the hotel will take about 18 months to build.

Parmar owns the Hadley Farms Meeting House, the Hampton Inn and the nearby Comfort Inn, as well as the Holiday Inn Express in Ludlow and the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Springfield.

Although there are already about 500 hotel beds in the area, Parmar believes there is a need for more. The hotel is not intended for a particular audience, although it's near the University of Massachusetts, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.

"We believe it's a very diverse clientele," he said.

Each room of the hotel will provide a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. "People don't have to rely on outside food," he said.

The plans submitted are filed under Russell Street Hospitality LLC, a corporation created in October, according to the corporations division of the secretary of state's office. The hotel, part of the Home Depot project, is also near the Aldi grocery store.

g.jpgThe crosshatched area shows the location of the proposed 96-bed hotel.  

Barnes Air National Guard 'taking all appropriate steps' to probe water contamination in Westfield

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Starting in April, groundwater and soil sampling will begin. A full report is due by October.

WESTFIELD -- Officials with the Barnes Air National Guard said this week they are taking all appropriate steps to investigate groundwater contamination that may have emanated from the Westfield air base.

"We are eager to investigate this issue and take any required actions if necessary, as we are also part of this great community," said 104th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel James Keefe.

The base has been working with the city of Westfield and the National Guard Bureau in Washington since the pollution issue was identified last May, he added.

Chemicals known as PFCs have entered two wells that provide drinking water for Westfield. The city took the wells offline last year. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, or MassDEP, suspects that firefighting foam used for decades at the air base may be to blame for the pollution.

Guard bases around the country are now dealing with similar allegations, and the issue is being addressed on the national level. Officials at Barnes said they have no authority to deviate from federal procedures, but plan to comply with state cleanup requirements.

John Richardson, environmental manager for the base, said a Jan. 20 meeting has been set between National Guard officials, Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection officials.

"Our intention is to work together to forge a path forward," Richardson said.

He said field sampling will be conducted through April and May, involving test wells and soil samples. A final site investigation report should be issued by October.

Richardson noted that the investigation will strive to determine if there is a causative link between the foam and the well contamination. So far, that link has not been scientifically proven.

Richardson said if it is determined there is a link between the contamination and the foam, the guard will take appropriate action. The foam was used widely in training exercises in the military since the 1970s.

The U.S. Air Force expects to investigate dozens of active duty, Air National Guard and closed bases where the foam may have been sprayed. They have entered into a contract with AMEC Foster-Wheeler to conduct the studies around the country.

PFCs are perfluorinated compounds. Under that category are perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA), which some researchers have linked to cancer and other health problems.

The 104th Fighter Wing sent a statement to local media outlets after recent stories appeared that suggested the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee and MassDEP were concerned about the pace of the investigation.

"The 104th Fighter Wing has had a long and standing reputation of being excellent environmental stewards. We understand the serious role we play in protecting our local environment and resource conservation," said Keefe.

Barnes on Dec. 21 sent MassDEP a letter stating that the air base must follow Air Force and Department of Defense regulations and guidelines and that they have no authority to deviate from that protocol, according to the statement.

The Air National Guard will conduct its investigation of the groundwater issue under Air Force Environmental Restoration Program guidelines, and also plans to comply with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, which governs site cleanups, said Richardson.

Springfield community remembers Central High students killed in crash during pregame ceremony at boys basketball game (video)

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The Springfield community came together Thursday evening to pay tribute to the three Central High School seniors who were fatally injured earlier this week in a car crash. Watch video

Members of the Springfield community came together Thursday evening to pay tribute to the three Central High School seniors who were fatally injured earlier this week in a car crash.

The crash took the lives of Central's Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. Jones and Hernandez were both members of the Golden Eagles' cheerleading team.

"They were great kids, seniors excited about graduating," principal says of Central students killed

A fourth occupant of the vehicle, Andrew Savage of Springfield, passed away from injuries sustained in the crash earlier in the day Thursday. The fifth occupant of the vehicle, who police suspect was the driver of the car, remains in critical condition.

What we know about fatal Springfield crash

Thursday evening, the Central boys basketball team had its first game since the crash, playing at High School of Commerce. Before the game, members of the Commerce and Central boys basketball team's embraced as those in the gym took part in a moment of silence.

Both teams, the coaches, the Central cheerleaders and family members of the deceased then huddled together at the center of the court.

Central boys basketball coach Darryl Denson spoke briefly to those gathered around him, saying, "It's all about Springfield." 

Denson then led the huddle to chant "Springfield" together before the start of the game.

No promises made about more funding as Holyoke officials, firefighters discuss truck brownouts

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Holyoke Fire Chief John Pond said on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 that his department would need another $300,000 to avoid brownouts of fire trucks through June 30.

HOLYOKE -- Fire Chief John A. Pond said Thursday his department would need an extra $300,000 to end brownouts of fire trucks through the end of the fiscal year June 30.

But while discussion touched on tapping the stabilization, or rainy day, account to provide the money to ensure all trucks are in service, no promises were made that such a transfer would occur, in the meeting of the City Council Public Safety Committee at City H all.

Mayor Alex B. Morse told the committee it "wouldn't be responsible" of him to make such a $300,000 decision on the spot, but he was committed to discussing it.

The discussion about brownouts and having trucks in service comes after a New Year's Day fire at 106 North East St. killed three people, displaced 49 tenants and prompted anger among firefighters who said lives could have been saved if all trucks were in service.

Pond has said the browning out of Engine 2 located at Fire Department headquarters at 600 High St. didn't affect firefighters' ability to fight the Jan. 1 blaze.

The meeting was absent the acrimony that preceded media statements over how the Jan. 1 fire was handled.

Committee Chairman Daniel B. Bresnahan warned the audience he would cut microphones if speakers tossed disrespectful comments at anyone.

The committee tabled the discussion of the item, which stated:

"Ordered that the Mayor adequately fund the Fire Department to keep all apparatus in service and in operation. This includes the 5 Engine companies and the 2 ladder companies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year."

Chad Cunningham, president of Holyoke Fire Fighters Association, Local 1693,International Association of Fire Fighters, said about two dozen Holyoke fighters attended the meeting.

This is a developing story and a more detailed account will be published as reporting continues.

Memorial at site of fatal Union Street crash to be removed by Springfield police

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The memorial at the site of the deadly Union Street car crash will be removed by Springfield police on Friday morning. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- The candlelit memorial on Union Street for the victims of the recent car accident will be removed on Friday morning so that city police can further investigate the fatal crash, said Capt. Robert Strempek of the Springfield Police Department on Thursday.

The deadly crash that killed three local high school seniors and a 20-year-old man has been the subject of considerable anguish for the surrounding community, and the memorial--a collection of prayer candles, teddy bears, and signs that read "I love you"--has been a means of expressing that grief.

Hundreds of local residents, many of them students at Central High School -- where victims Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence were all in their senior year and preparing to graduate --appeared at the memorial on Wednesday night to express their sorrow.

On Thursday night, too, mourners appeared to drop off gifts and candles and to stand silently next to the site where lives had been lost. 

Thursday night may have been the last opportunity for mourners to see the memorial, as police plan to remove it Friday morning so that more investigation can be conducted by the accident reconstruction team.

Sgt. John Delaney of the Springfield Police Department said that officers with the city's Traffic Bureau as well as State Police need the site of the crash to look as it did "at the time of the accident" so that the crash can be properly reconstructed. 

"It's necessary in case this goes to court," Delaney said. 

Strempek further stated that he doesn't know if the memorial will be put back after investigation is over.

The lone survivor of the crash, a male whose identity has not been made public, remains in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center. He is believed to have been the operator of the car--which may have been travelling at twice the legal speed of travel at the time of the crash.  

Additionally, police say that the vehicle involved in the crash had been reported stolen out of Connecticut last weekend--though no further details on how the victims came to be in the car have been made public at this time. 

Police have said that should he survive, the victim may be charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide. 

1 dead after being struck by truck in Palmer

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One person has been killed after a traffic incident in Palmer.

PALMER -- One person is dead after being struck by a truck in Palmer, said Monson Police Chief Stephen Kozloski in a statement on Thursday night. 

Kozloski says that the fatal incident occurred after a minor car accident that took place on Boston Road in the area of the Asylum Health and Racquet Club, at approximately 5:21 p.m.

One car struck another car, which led one of the drivers to step out of their vehicle. It was at this point that they were struck by a passing truck, Kozloski said.

The victim was subsequently transported by ambulance to Wing Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Palmer police had earlier reported that Route 20 was closed due to several traffic accidents, though further details were not given. 

Now the Monson Police Department and Palmer Police Department are working together with the State Police reconstruction team and the Hampden County District Attorney's Office to investigate the incident.

Kozloski said that the Monson Police Department will likely release more information on both the accident and the victim at some point on Friday.

 

Springfield community unites to honor Central High students killed in car crash

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SPRINGFIELD -- Darryl Denson was looking for the right words to say. It might have been a fruitless endeavor for some. After all, what words could one use to address -- if not relieve -- the hurt and loss eating away at the local community? And yet, as Denson stood in the middle of a cluster of grieving cheerleaders, basketball...

SPRINGFIELD -- Darryl Denson was looking for the right words to say.

It might have been a fruitless endeavor for some. After all, what words could one use to address -- if not relieve -- the hurt and loss eating away at the local community?

And yet, as Denson stood in the middle of a cluster of grieving cheerleaders, basketball players and coaches from both Central High and the High School of Commerce, something finally clicked.

"Springfield."

With that rallying cry, Denson broke the huddle -- an emphatic stamp in what was a heartfelt tribute held Thursday night at Commerce in memory of the three Central students killed Tuesday in a car accident on Union Street.

News of Tuesday's fatal crash is not the first time that tragedy has befallen the city, nor will it be the last. But Thursday's memorial service -- held prior to Central boys basketball's game against Commerce -- served as yet another example of the strong bond felt across the Springfield in wake of trying times.

"This tragedy brought all of us together, not only as a team, but as a school and a city," Central senior Josh Pressley said. "This made us realize that we're all we got. It really brought us together and made us come out here and do what we had to do for the friends that we lost."

For the hundreds who packed into Commerce's gym Thursday night, a local basketball game was a brief respite in a hellish stretch of developments.

The three Central seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence -- were all occupants in a single-car crash Tuesday that took their lives as well as the life of a fourth occupant, Andrew Savage of Springfield.

The fifth occupant of the vehicle, whom police suspect was the driver of the car, remains in critical condition.

"We've had so many tragedies in our city and it's been a lot of our young teenagers," Denson said. "It impacts the city because they are our future. We lost a piece of our future. Those young ladies could have been future mayors, senators, teachers, principals."

The last few days have not been easy for Central and the city of Springfield, but Central principal Thaddeus S. Tokarz acknowledged that the tight-knit camaraderie felt both within the city and region as a whole will spur the healing process.

"They're always there for each other, just like any other day," Tokarz said of Central. "To me, what's most impressive is the coming together of the city schools and even the other schools in Western Massachusetts. We've heard from probably 90 percent of the schools in Western Mass. to offer any assistance that we may need."

While the initial shock of Tuesday's news has started to sink in, Pressley admitted that he struggled to keep his mind off of his fallen classmates before taking to the court with his teammates Thursday night.

Jones, Hernandez and Spencer were often mainstays at Central sporting events, with Hernandez and Jones both participating as members of the school's cheerleading team.

"Those three meant everything to me," Pressley said. "I talked to them every day. They always had a smile on their faces. They always brought joy and laughter to a room. They were really close friends. It's sad to know that I'm not going to see them again."

Thursday's matchup might have been a road tilt for the Golden Eagles, but it hardly felt like one.

Commerce cheerleaders donned black and gold ribbons, while the posters plastered across the gym in honor of the trio were outnumbered only by the spectators relegated to watching Thursday's game from the hallway -- a byproduct of the overcapacity crowd.

Less than 48 hours after losing two of their own, 34 Central cheerleaders arrived to support their team and one another as part of the pregame ceremony.

After placing a row of roses down on the hardwood, Central's cheerleaders joined the basketball team at center court for the national anthem. Some wept. Others clenched their friends' hands. But all bowed their heads -- their waving pom-poms standing in stark contrast to the solemn mood around them.

A moment of silence was then held, while the families of both of the fallen Central cheerleaders walked out to embrace the cheerleaders and basketball team. As Commerce's coaches, cheerleaders and players joined the group in the middle of the gym, Denson remarked, "It's all about Springfield," before closing out the ceremony with one last ode to the city that has united all in attendance.

"Personally, I really wanted to cry," Pressley said of the ceremony. "I'm trying to be strong and hold it in. Everybody needs someone to look up when they're feeling bad. I wanted to stay strong, but it was very emotional for me and the team."

Thursday's tribute did not end at the pregame ceremony, as the Central cheerleaders again gathered together at the end of the night for one last cheer -- forming a circle comprised of red jerseys, gold jerseys and shirts etched with the phrase, "Golden Angels."

"I think it's just that we have to be strong as a team together and we have to keep in mind what they would have wanted for us," Central cheerleading coach Jenny MacKay said. "They would have wanted greatness and excellence, they wanted greatness and excellence for themselves. We have to carry what would have been their legacy as well."


Pittsfield police search for hit-and-run suspect who left pedestrian with life threatening injuries

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Pittsfield police are searching for a suspect who struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, leaving them with life threatening injuries.

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield police are searching for a suspect who struck a pedestrian with their car near the Wahconah Park area on Thursday evening, leaving them with "life threatening injuries."

Police responded to reports of a hit and run in the vicinity of Linden Street and Robbins Avenue at approximately 6:52 p.m., where a pedestrian had been struck by a Toyota sedan.

The sedan was further described as being either brown or gold in color, and having front end and windshield damage, police said.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the vehicle involved in the incident, which they hope will lead them to the person responsible.

Anyone with any information relevant to the incident has been encouraged to contact Pittsfield Police at 448-9700.

 

Gaelynn Lea, NPR Music's 2016 Tiny Desk Contest Winner, plays at Northampton's Parlor Room on Jan. 20th

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Gaelynn Lea is coming to Northampton.

NORTHAMPTON — Gaelynn Lea, the recent winner of NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest, and a classically trained violinist and songwriter, will perform at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Friday night.

In March of 2016, Gaelynn won NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest--a competition in which 6,000 musicians from across the country submitted their original songs.

Gaelynn plays the fiddle and her music is described as being both ambient and experimental. She has said that the goal of her music is to "create a meditative, layered sound that allows the listener's mind to drift."

After her NPR win, Gaeynn started touring nationally. In December she performed for the first time in Europe.

"I am really excited to get back on the road to play," says Gaelynn. "I had so much fun on our first national tour; we met a lot of wonderful people on the road. I am looking forward to seeing many of these folks again this time around, and meeting new people as well."

Lea's performance begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $13 at the door and are available for purchase online at https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1386336/tfly.

You can also find out more about Gaelynn Lea and view her full tour schedule at her website: www.gaelynnlea.com.

Obituaries from The Republican, Jan. 20, 2017

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Obituaries from The Republican.

Risking lives not what officials want as hard budgeting decisions made, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse says

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Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 that it wouldn't be responsible of him to pledge an extra $300,000 in funding to the Fire Department on the spot, but he was committed to discussing the issue to reach a resolution in a meeting at City Hall. Watch video

This story elaborates on an article published at 9:18 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017: No promises made about more funding as Holyoke officials, firefighters discuss truck brownouts

HOLYOKE -- No one in city government wants to endanger anyone and the preference would be to have enough funding to ensure all Fire Department trucks are in service, Mayor Alex B. Morse said Thursday as a deadly New Year's Day fire remained a topic at City Hall.

Morse also said at the meeting of the City Council Public Safety Committee that it "wouldn't be responsible" of him to make a $300,000 decision on the spot to move such additional funding to the Fire Department, but he was committed to discussing it.

"I just wanted to make it very clear that the mayor, the fire chief, any person in government here doesn't want to put anybody's life at risk," Morse said, in a meeting with two dozen firefighters looking on.

But the browning out, or temporary removal from service, of a fire truck has been a necessary budgeting step to avoid employee overtime costs on certain shifts when personnel is thin because firefighters are on vacation, sick or otherwise unavailable, he said.

Firefighters union President Chad Cunningham and others have said the browning out of Engine 2 out of Fire Department headquarters at 600 High St. hindered firefighters' abilities to battle the Jan. 1 blaze at 106 North East St. Three people died in that fire and it destroyed 25 families' homes.

3rd dead body found at Holyoke fire site as officials identify previous two victims: Maria Cartagena, 48, and Jorge Munoz, 55

Fire Chief John A. Pond and Morse have said the browning out of Engine 2 didn't affect firefighters' abilities to fight the fire at 106 North East St.

Cunningham, president of Holyoke Fire Fighters Association, Local 1693,International Association of Fire Fighters, said about 25 firefighters were at the meeting.

The committee was discussing this order, filed by Chairman Daniel B. Bresnahan days after that fire:

"Ordered that the Mayor adequately fund the Fire Department to keep all apparatus in service and in operation. This includes the 5 Engine companies and the 2 ladder companies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year."

Bresnahan said, "So who gave the order to brown out Engine 2?"

"That was my order....That's my decision" based on available funding, Pond said.

Pond told councilors repeatedly that in ordering Engine 2 browned out on some shifts he was heeding the admonitions made by councilors when the city's current spending plan was hammered out in June to work within his budget.

"You're right, we did say, work with what you have,"  Committee member Jossie M. Valentin said.

"Thank you," Pond said.

In other words, he said, his understanding has been that he shouldn't count on being able to get financial supplements, and so to avoid running up overtime costs, the brownouts occur.

"Nobody wants to shut down a piece of apparatus. There's not a fire chief in the country that wouldn't like to have more" resources, Pond said.

But, he said, "We also understand the constraints and the financial difficulties."

Standards recommended by the National Fire Protection Association state that fire departments should staff most trucks with four firefighters, Pond said. In Holyoke, that would mean having 30 firefighters on duty per shift, but instead, the department runs with 19 per shift, the chief said.

Valentin asked Pond how much money his department would need for "full staff, no brownout, everything is hunky dory?"

An additional $300,000 for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, would end the need for brownouts, he said.

Shortly after, Councilor at Large Joseph M. McGiverin said to Morse that he would fight for its passage if the mayor submitted a proposal to get the Fire Department the $300,000 by proposing a transfer from the stabilization, or rainy day, fund.

Most of the 15-member City Council has rejected proposals to tap the stabilization fund for operational expenses or uses that don't qualify as emergencies.

Firefighter Chris Butler stepped to the microphone and asked if Morse would address whether he would provide more Fire Department funding.

Bresnahan said that the choice whether to address the matter was the mayor's and that it would be understandable if he wanted to give it some consideration first.

"There's a lot to think about," Bresnahan said.

"I'm happy to hear this openness from the Council to potentially tap into the stabilization fund," Morse said. "I know there's been resistance to that in the past from a number of councilors for operating expenses in particular, and so I look forward to having conversations with councilors."

"I'm the CEO of a multi-million-dollar organization working hand-in-hand with the City Council. It would not be responsible for me tonight to make a $300,000 decision without again talking directly to the councilors, the Finance Committee, the city auditor and the city treasurer. But I am committed to doing everything we can to try to find a solution that addresses the concerns tonight," he said.

Municipal departments' budgets are monitored daily and though the city is unable to fund every department at the full amount that each department head wishes, there is an understanding that public safety is paramount, he said.

"I think what's important to note is that obviously none of us wants to see fires happen in our communities and never did the chief nor I nor any fire commissioner wake up and think that a brownout was a good idea and that this is something that we wanted to do today ...," Morse said.

Cunningham said Morse's funding of the Fire Department was insufficient (in video above).

"Our issue is within the budget and the mayor and how he has underfunded the Fire Department and continued to short our staffing," Cunningham said.

The goal of the union is that firefighters and everyone in the community get to go home safely each night, he said.

Deadly fire leads Holyoke union president Chad Cunningham to seek removal of Fire Chief John Pond

Pond made a reference to criticism aimed at him by Cunningham. The union chief had said in addressing the City Council on Jan. 3 that Pond should no longer head the Fire Department and that it was "disgusting" that Pond said enough firefighters were available to battle the deadly fire at 106 North East St.

"I fully support the firefighters in this department and I have since I became chief in 2011," Pond said. "To say that I don't support the firefighters is just ludicrous."

An official with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) said he attended the meeting based on what city officials had been saying about brownouts and staffing, "very, very emotionally charged" issue.

It was good to hear discussion about possibly increasing funding to the Holyoke Fire Department, which is "almost second to none in the state of Massachusetts," said Jay Colbert, IAFF 3rd district vice president.

Juan G. Sanchez, of Gatehouse Road, said in his turn at the microphone: "I have a real issue with pinching pennies at the cost of people's lives and safety."

Committee member Howard B. Greaney Jr. said the key now was healing.

"We want to heal the process and see if we can prevent it from happening again. Please, let's move on. We know what happened, we know what the problems are," Greaney said.

As Worcester's Union Station struggles financially, Springfield officials strive for self-sufficient project

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A tale of 2 cities: While Worcester's Union Station has needed annual subsidies from that city, including a $649,702 subsidy this fiscal year, the Springfield officials are striving to prevent any significant shortfalls. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- While Worcester's Union Station has been operating with deficits since it reopened in 2000, including a reported $649,702 city subsidy needed this fiscal year, Springfield officials say the Union Station project here is geared to avoid any such significant losses.

Both Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer, and Christopher Moskal, executive director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, said there is a concerted, ongoing effort to maximize revenues for the Springfield station and keep future operational expenses as low as possible.

The authority, which serves as the urban redevelopment agency for Springfield, owns Union Station and will operate it, similar to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority owning that city's station.

"This is not Springfield versus Worcester," Kennedy said. "They are entirely different from a transportation point of view. I'm hopeful for their success and I'm sure they are hoping for our success."

One major difference in finances: Springfield's Union Station is receiving $500,000 a year for 15 years from the MGM Springfield casino project, as guaranteed under its host community agreement. That factor, along with expected growing revenues from commercial and retail tenants, the parking garage and advertising should make Union Station self-sustaining or at least near self-sustaining with the first years being the most challenging, city officials said.

"One of the things we have strived for, and mayor made it clear when the project began, is to make the project self-sustaining," Moskal said.

Kennedy said the MGM payment is a "security blanket," but just one component of making the station viable.

"The key is to control expenses and increase, optimize revenues as best you can," Kennedy said.

The $88.6 million rehabilitation of Union Station is nearing completion, and the station is planned to be operational in April.

worcester-union-station.jpgUnion Station in Worcester. 

The Worcester Union Station reopened in 2000 after a $32 million renovation.

While the Worcester station's costs are expected to be approximately $1.16 million this year, it is only expected to generate approximately $508,212 from tenants, thus forcing that city to make up the difference, according to a Worcester Telegram story.

In Springfield, revenue figures are not yet finalized ahead of its opening, but some of its business tenants are expected to be announced next week.

Union Station will continue to build out space for new tenants, Moskal said.

Kennedy said the Springfield project is enhanced by having a large new parking garage in place, intermodal transportation companies such as passenger rail service and regional and local buses readying for the shift to the newly refurbished station.

Timothy J. Plante, the city's chief administrative and financial officer, said the goal is self-sufficiency for Union Station. If there should be a request for assistance from the city in the first few years, "we would treat them as any other department making a financial request," Plante said.

In Worcester, the city provides funds to that city's redevelopment authority in the form of notes, which are supposed to be paid back, according to the Telegram.

Moskal said the authority in Springfield will be hiring an advertising company to ensure there is "state of the art advertising" within Union Station and at the parking garage, avoiding advertising avenues such as banners and permanent signs that could take away from the beauty and history of the station.

In addition, the authority will hire a management company whose responsibilities will include the collection of tenant rent and "common area maintenance" fees to compensate the use of common areas.

 

McDonald's plans new restaurant, trimmed drive-up hours at Springfield Allen Street site

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The Springfield City Council has a hearing scheduled to consider plans to build a new McDonald's restaurant on Allen Street and limited hours at its drive-up window.

SPRINGFIELD — A developer is planning to demolish the McDonald's restaurant on Allen Street in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood and to build a new restaurant in its place, agreeing to reduce the hours of a drive-up window.

The City Council has a hearing scheduled Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall to consider the plans for the new restaurant at 1398 Allen St. and a needed special permit to allow the drive-up window.

Walter Gould, president of the Outer Belt Civic Association, praised McDonald's for agreeing to eliminate the 24-hour drive-up window. Instead, the owners are in agreement to have the window service open from 5 a.m. until midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

"I thank them for working with us and working with the neighborhood," Gould said. "I'm looking forward to a long-term relationship."

The McDonald's has been open at that location for approximately 40 years, and there have been early-morning calls for police service whether related or not related to McDonald's, Gould said. The new hours proposed, which need City Council approval, are similar to the hours of other fast food businesses in the area, including an adjacent Wendy's restaurant, he said.

By replacing the existing McDonald's with a new restaurant, the drive-up window needs a special permit rather than that 24-hour service being "grandfathered" (protected), Gould said.

The applicant for the special permit is McDonald's USA LLC.

A special permit was approved for the new building in 2013, but a new permit is needed because it had not been pursued for over two years, according to a Planning Department analysis. The new building will be 4,587 square feet at the current location of the building.

Businesses worry about Gov. Charlie Baker's proposed $2,000 fine for not offering health insurance

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Baker officials say the change is needed to make the cost of MassHealth sustainable by moving more people off of publicly subsidized insurance and onto employer-based plans.

A preliminary proposal by Gov. Charlie Baker to impose a $2,000 fee on employers who do not offer health insurance is causing concern among businesspeople, even as advocates say they are anxious for Baker to release more details.

Baker officials say the change is needed to make the cost of MassHealth sustainable by moving more people off of publicly subsidized insurance and onto employer-based plans. But business owners say the governor would hurt local small businesses because of a problem created by policymakers in Washington.

"The problem was created by bad public policy," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

When Massachusetts passed its universal health care reform under then-Gov. Mitt Romney in 2006, it included a $295-per-employee assessment on companies that did not offer adequate health insurance to their workers. That assessment was repealed in 2013 to conform with the federal Affordable Care Act, since President Barack Obama's national health insurance reform included slightly different employer fees and requirements. However, the federal employer mandate was never fully implemented, due to delays by Congress, so there is currently no penalty for businesses that do not offer insurance.

Now, Baker is trying to use his fiscal 2018 budget to reinstate an employer fee -- this time, a $2,000-per-employee assessment on businesses with more than 10 employees who do not offer health insurance. The standards would be higher than in the 2006 law for the amount of the insurance costs that businesses must pay and the percentage of workers who must use the coverage. A business would have to pick up 60 percent of premium costs, and 80 percent of its employees would have to use the coverage, according to a draft proposal first reported on by the State House News Service.

"By implementing these reforms, taxpayers would no longer pick up the cost of more and more employed individuals' health care and the commonwealth would bring back key elements of the original, bipartisan Massachusetts health law passed years ago," said Baker adviser Tim Buckley.

Baker officials say the change is necessary as part of a package of reforms meant to curb unsustainable growth in the MassHealth program. Since 2007, spending on MassHealth doubled, and MassHealth enrollment has increased by 70 percent. Much of this is due to the fact that the federal Affordable Care Act expanded the number of people eligible for subsidized health insurance.

Before the ACA, an employee who was offered health insurance by an employer would not be eligible for state-subsidized insurance. After the ACA, those employees could still choose to use state-subsidized care if they met eligibility requirements.

Since 2011, there has been a 15 percent increase -- representing around 118,000 individuals -- in the number of people working full time but not covered by employer-sponsored insurance.

Baker is also proposing other changes including payment caps for some providers, a moratorium on new insurance mandates, creating new plan options for the health insurance exchange and increasing transparency tools.

Hurst said increased eligibility under the ACA led to the problem of higher costs, and it is not fair for businesses to have to bear the burden of those costs. He worries that even if small businesses offer insurance it will be expensive, so many employees will not take it if they are insured by a spouse or eligible for subsidized coverage. Businesses will then face the penalty.

"In a typical small business, there are a lot of employees you do offer it to, yet they turn you down," Hurst said.

Chris Geehern, a spokesman for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, a business trade group, said he recognizes that state government is trying to fix a problem created by federal health care reform. Like Hurst, he does not think businesses should have to pay.

"It's not fair to scapegoat employers for a major deficiency in a public policy that was created in Washington, D.C.," Geehern said. "To consider hitting employers with an assessment like that at a time when they're already struggling with increases in health insurance costs is really pretty detrimental to economic growth."

The full plan will be unveiled next week when Baker makes his budget proposal Jan. 25. Suzanne Curry, associate director of policy and government relations for the health care advocacy group Health Care for All, which supported the ACA, said the group is still awaiting details.

"In general, we've been a longtime supporter of the employer mandate, and we understand the importance of shared responsibility in health care," Curry said.

Curry said the organization is still trying to determine whether people are moving from employer-based insurance to publicly subsidized insurance because fewer businesses are offering insurance or because employees are choosing not to take it since they can get a better deal.

Josh Archambault, senior fellow on health care policy at the Pioneer Institute, a think tank that has criticized the ACA, said the goal of increasing employer-based coverage is a good one. "The devil's in the details on these sorts of things," Archambault said.

Archambault said one problem is, even with Baker's proposal, an employee could still choose to take publicly subsidized insurance if it were cheaper than what the employer was offering -- and the employer would have to pay the fee.

State Sen. Jim Welch, D-West Springfield, co-chairman of the Legislature's Committee on Health Care Financing, called Baker's plan "a bold proposal." Welch said lawmakers are committed to addressing health care costs, but he does not know whether the final bill will look like what Baker suggested.

"We have to do something to curb the cost of MassHealth, and I think what you're seeing from the governor's proposal are steps or ideas to work towards that goal," Welch said.

Also up in the air is what the Republican-controlled Congress will do. Congress and President-elect Donald Trump are talking about repealing and replacing the ACA, but it is not clear what shape that will take and what the impact will be on the federal employer mandate.

Another part of Baker's plan likely to generate controversy is the provider price caps. Currently, a state commission is examining disparities between what different doctors and hospitals are paid for providing the same service.

It is unclear what kind of caps Baker would impose. Eric Linzer, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, said price caps "warrant serious consideration," since the prices paid to providers are a major driver of health care costs.

However, Michael Sroczynski, vice president of government and advocacy for the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, said the hospital group has "grave concerns about government-imposed regulation of commercial market provider rates."


Springfield cocaine trafficking suspects pay bail in cash: 100 $100 bills each

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During a traffic stop, Springfield and Massachusetts State Police seized one kilogram of cocaine from the men's vehicle, the police report said.

SPRINGFIELD — Two Springfield men charged with cocaine trafficking were freed within hours of their arraignment after posting bail with a bag full of $100 bills.

Juan Pagan, 34, and Jose Diaz, 36, both of Springfield, pleaded not guilty Jan. 13 in Springfield District Court to one count each of cocaine trafficking.

Judge John Payne ordered each suspect held on $10,000 bail following their morning arraignment. By early afternoon, two women appeared at the clerk's office with a stack of $100 bills — 200 in all, or 100 $100 bills for each suspect, court officials said.

Both men were released with orders to return to court next month.

The suspects might have been even released even sooner if the women had not attempted to pay their bails in $20 bills. In state courts, all bails must be paid in cash, no matter how high the amount, and court officials must count each submission by hand — at least twice.

In this case, the women were instructed to return with $100 bills.

The case began on Jan. 12 when Springfield police received a tip that a large amount of cocaine would be arriving by mail at an Edgemont Street home, according to the arrest report.

As police watched, a U.S. Postal Service truck pulled up to the house 90 minutes later and the driver left a medium-sized cardboard box in the door, the report said.

Next, Pagan and Diaz pulled up to the home in an SUV. Diaz went inside and came back out carrying a cardboard box, the report said.

Springfield and Massachusetts State Police pulled their vehicle over at Federal and Armory streets a few minutes later. With the help of Viktor, a certified narcotics K-9, a kilogram of cocaine was found inside a cardboard box on the front seat, the report said.

Both men were arrested and held for arraignment the next day.

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Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski requested $100,000 bail for both suspects, citing the volume of cocaine seized and their criminal histories.

Defense lawyers Daniel Bergin and Erin Boylan opposed the request, saying police never obtained a warrant to search the vehicle and neither suspect gave consent for a search.

Bergin, representing Pagan, asked for $10,000 bail. His client has a limited criminal record and extensive employment history, working most recently as a personal care attendant.

Boylan requested $5,000 bail for Diaz, saying the warrantless search will likely be grounds for a motion to suppress. The case "has significant weaknesses," Boylan said, while her client has a history of showing up for court dates.

In addition to setting bail at $10,000 for both men, Payne continued their cases for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 14.

Plymouth police seek help finding missing elderly couple

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The couple was last seen at their 17 Mountain Hill Road home in the Cedarville section of Plymouth.

The Plymouth Police Department is reaching out to the public for help as they search for John and Jean Bickerstaff, an elderly couple that went missing around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The couple was last seen at their 17 Mountain Hill Road home in the Cedarville section of Plymouth.

90-year-old John Bickerstaff is a white male with a full head of grey hair, stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 145 pounds. Police say he uses hearing aids, wears glasses and has early signs of dementia.

Jean Bickerstaff, 87, is a white female with white hair, stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches and weighs about 160 pounds.

Authorities said they are believed to be driving their blue 2007 Toyota Camry, bearing a Massachusetts plate reading 3666AF.

Family members told police that the elderly couple does not generally leave the Cedarville area, except for occasional doctor's appointments at the Isreal Deaconess Hospital, or to shop at the Independence Mall in Kingston and Shops at 5 in Plymouth.

Plymouth police are asking anyone with more information to call 508-746-1212.

Boston native who threatened Trump assassination being held in Miami

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Authorities have arrested a Boston native in Miami, Fla., on charges he threatened to assasinate President-elect Donald Trump, reports The Boston Herald.

Authorities have arrested a Boston native in Miami on charges he threatened to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, reports The Boston Herald.

Dominic Joseph Puopolo, 51, "made a direct threat to the President-elect Donald Trump" on Twitter, according to Miami Beach police, who arrested him on Monday. 

Puopolo is being held without bail in Miami-Dade County jail after allegedly posting a video of himself to Twitter in which he said, "This is the 16th of January 2017, I will be at the inauguration and I will kill President Trump, President-elect Trump today," according to a number of media reports. 

The Daily Mail subsequently reported on Wednesday that Puopolo has ties to the Clinton family once gave $20,000 to the Democratic National Committee.

A Navy veteran and computer consultant, Puopolo was homeless at the time of his arrest -- Tuesday, when Miami Police apprehended him while he was walking out of a Washington Avenue Subway sandwich shop, according to The Daily Mail. 

Puopolo has been arrested four times in Miami since 2006 on charges of petty theft and fraud, Daily Mail added. 


Longmeadow police K-9 Kai tracks down man suspected of stealing vehicle in Suffield

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Police K-9 Kai tracked down a man suspected of stealing a vehicle in Suffield Thursday night and then attempting to run its owner, pursuing in another vehicle, off the road.

LONGMEADOW -- Police K-9 Kai tracked down a man suspected of stealing a vehicle in Suffield Thursday night and then attempting to run its owner, pursuing in another vehicle, off the road.

Officer Amanda Van Buskirk and Kai deployed after the owner, following the suspect, reported that the vehicle had crossed into Longmeadow, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

The suspect made a U-turn on Longmeadow Street and then attempted to run the owner's vehicle off the road before turning back into Enfield.

The stolen vehicle was found unoccupied and Kai was deployed and tracked the suspect through heavy brush and over a stream.

Kai found the suspect lying down in the woods and he surrendered immediately and was taken into custody by Officer Chris Jurkowski.

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

Crash closes lane on Massachusetts Turnpike near Prudential Center

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Commuters heading into Boston Friday morning on the Massachusetts Turnpike should expect delays.

Update: All lanes have been reopened. 

Commuters heading into Boston Friday morning on the Massachusetts Turnpike should expect delays. 

Massachusetts State Police have been called to a crash near the Prudential Center, exit 22. The crash was reported shortly before 8 a.m. and a multi-mile backup into Brighton has formed. 

The left lane of eastbound traffic has been closed as emergency responders work at the scene. 

 
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