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State Senate plans listening tour, with stop in Western Massachusetts

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The tour, which will be focused on transportation, comes to Western Massachusetts on March 28.

Leaders of the Massachusetts State Senate will be coming to Western Massachusetts in March as part of a statewide listening tour.

Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, announced that this year's "Commonwealth Conversations" tour will be focused on transportation.

Rosenberg and other Senate leaders launched a similar tour two years ago at the start of the previous legislative session. They billed it as a way to hear from state residents about what people would like to see the Senate take up this session.

The new tour, which begins Jan. 31 in Boston, will include stops in nine parts of the state. Each of the nine days will feature four different sessions with residents, businesses and interest groups, one of which will be focused on transportation issues. Each day will end with a public town hall.

Each member of the Senate has committed to attending two sessions in a region that is not their own.

The tour dates are scheduled to run between January and April, with a Western Massachusetts stop scheduled for March 28.


Chicopee to offer classes in Korean martial arts

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The classes are open to children and adults.

CHICOPEE - The Parks and Recreation Department is offering classes in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art. in February.

Classes are designed for children through adults. Students will learn self-defense, confidence and physical fitness.

All classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesday evenings from Feb. 1 through Feb. 27 at the Chicopee Parks and Recreation Department, 687 Front St. Classes for children ages 5 to 7 will be at 6 p.m.; classes for children ages 8 to 15 will be at 6:30 p.m. and adults 16 and older will meet at 7:30 p.m.

Each session will have eight classes. The cost is $40 for children ages 5 to 7 and $50 for the other sessions.

People should register at the Parks and Recreation office, 687 Front St.

UMass student banned from Hampshire County after alleged threats to commit shooting

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Geoffrey Small, 22 of Newbury, was charged Tuesday with threatening to commit a shooting.

AMHERST -- A University of Massachusetts student has been banned from Hampshire County after being charged in connection with threats he allegedly made toward the University of Massachusetts.

Geoffrey Small, 22 of Newbury, was charged with threatening to commit a shooting. He denied the charges Tuesday in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Small was released on his personal recognizance with the conditions that he stay out of Hampshire County and away from UMass, not take drugs, submit to random drug testing and undergo an anger evaluation and recommended follow-through, according to Mary Cary, spokeswoman for the Northwestern district attorney's office.  

UMass Police are continuing to investigate, according to spokesman Edward F. Blaguszewski.

He said there was no police report. Court records have been impounded.

"Mr. Small was arrested yesterday without incident in his residence hall room, and no weapons were found in his room or his motor vehicle," Blaguszewski wrote in an email.

He continued: "UMPD said it is investigating a report of a previous alleged threat, which it first learned about yesterday shortly before Mr. Small was arrested."

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that someone overheard Small yelling during a phone conversation about the school needing to be "shot up."

The Dean of Students Office has declined comment on Small's enrollment status, he wrote in an email. But he pointed out that Small has been banned from being present in the county, which includes UMass.

Small's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 28 in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown.

2 Holyoke men deny drug, illegal weapon charges in Berkshire court

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Henri Caudle and Kevin Smith were arrested during a Dec. 6 drug raid in North Adams.


PITTSFIELD - Two Holyoke men who were found with a large amount of cocaine and heroin, thousands in cash, and a rifle and boxes of ammunition during a North Adams drug raid in December pleaded innocent in their arraignments Tuesday in Berkshire Superior Court.

Henri Caudle, 21, and Kevin M. Smith, 20, each of South Canal Street, were arrested with two other people during a warrant search on Dec. 6 at 144 Brayton Hill Terrace in North Adams. The raid was conducted by the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, state police, and North Adams and Dalton police.

Caudle and Smith are charged with illegal possession of a large-capacity weapon and an illegal large-capacity feeding device, possession of a large-capacity weapon in the commission of a felony, possession of heroin and cocaine, each with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card.

Smith is also known by the aliases of Terrel Williams and Terrell Davis.

Judge John Agostini ordered each to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction in lieu of $15,000 bail.

The raid uncovered a large amount of heroin and crack cocaine, thousands of dollars in cash and distribution materials, according to police.

They also found a loaded semi-automatic rifle and multiple boxes of ammunition.

Owner of stolen Jeep involved in Springfield fatal crash: 'They could keep the car forever if it would bring those lives back'

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The Milford, Conn., owner of a stolen Jeep Cherokee captured the theft on surveillance camera three days before the car -- a state away and being driven by a young stranger -- careened into a tree in Springfield, killing four of the five youths inside. Watch video

The owner of a stolen Jeep Cherokee that careened into a tree in Springfield on Jan. 17, killing four of five young adults inside, recorded the theft of the vehicle days earlier from her driveway in Milford, Connecticut. The theft was captured by a home security camera.

There is still no known connection between the five people involved in the Springfield crash and the individuals who stole the vehicle on Jan. 14 in Milford. The police investigation is ongoing, and the fifth victim involved in the accident, who has yet to be identified, remains in critical condition.

Speaking to MassLive on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity, the Jeep's owner said she and her family have been left "devastated and speechless" by the loss of life.

Surprised by the initial theft, which was captured by security camera footage around 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 14, she said the shocking accident that followed -- which occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Union Street in Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 17 -- was the stuff of nightmares.

"There's been tears in the house for the past week," the owner said. "I have kids of my own. I cannot even imagine."

She added, "In light of everything that happened, I don't care about the car. They could keep the car forever if it would bring those lives back."

The Jan. 17 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.

The security camera footage obtained by MassLive and is of a camera trained on the driveway of the owner's Welles Drive home captured two individuals rummaging through two vehicles within the shot -- the Jeep and a second truck parked at the home. In the surveillance video a car can be seen in the background parked on the street.

Minutes later, one of the individuals returns to the driveway, enters the Jeep, flicks on the Jeep's headlights and drives off in it.

Several hours later, upon waking, the vehicle's owner noticed the car missing and immediately reported the theft to Milford police and consulted the security camera, where she saw the overnight visitors.

Milford police came and took the vehicle's information, entering it into a database of stolen vehicles and promising that most stolen cars turn up eventually.

The video was posted to a Facebook group just before 6 p.m. on the 14th, requesting, "Any and all information regarding the whereabouts of the Jeep and/or the men who stole it."

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The owner said she has insurance.

Referencing offers from various MassLive commenters to start a Gofundme page to help her defray the cost of the stolen Jeep, the owner said she would "rather the money go to the families of the kids."

The owner also responded to rumors that the thieves or one of the youths killed in the crash knew or were a relative of hers, saying neither the thieves nor anyone involved in the crash were "a family member or anyone I know."

Springfield police said the vehicle may have been traveling as fast as 60 miles per hour -- twice the posted speed limit -- when the operator lost control and slammed into a tree.

The owner told MassLive that Milford police called around midnight Wednesday to say her Jeep had been located and was involved in an accident in Massachusetts. She read about the accident the following morning on social media and various news websites.

Welles Drive is located in northern Milford. The New Haven County coastal city is about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Springfield and is home to a population of roughly 52,000.

Gallery preview 

Exclusive video shows Jan. 14 theft of Jeep involved in Springfield quadruple fatality

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The Milford, Conn., owner of the stolen Jeep Cherokee involved in last Tuesday's quadruple fatal accident in Springfield captured the theft on video, MassLive learned. Watch video

The Milford, Conn., owner of the stolen Jeep Cherokee involved in last Tuesday's quadruple fatal accident in Springfield captured the theft on video, MassLive learned.

A security camera trained on the driveway of the owner's Welles Drive home recorded the crime around 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 14.

The footage shows two men rummaging through two vehicles within the shot -- the Jeep and a second truck parked at the home. In the surveillance video a car can be seen in the background parked on the street.

Minutes later, one of the men flicks on the Jeep's headlights and drives off in it.

MassLive obtained the footage and interviewed the owner of the vehicle, who wished to remain anonymous.

Gallery preview 

Enviros hope judge will reject eminent domain deal for pipeline through Otis State Forest

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The $640,000 consent decree will be reviewed in Berkshire Superior Court on Feb. 6.

PITTSFIELD -- Not everybody is board with an eminent domain agreement that would give Tennessee Gas Pipeline a two-mile easement through the Otis State Forest in exchange for $640,000.

The Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Pipe Line Awareness Network of the Northeast on Monday bitterly criticized the proposed consent decree, negotiated between state officials and the pipeline company, saying they have "grave concerns" about the level of compensation that the state would receive for conveying its land.

After failing on Monday in an attempt to deliver a letter to Berkshire Superior Court judge John Agostini, the two emailed their message to Attorney General Maura Healey and Energy and Environment secretary Matthew Beaton instead.

They listed a number of potential issues with implementation, and said the deal was brokered without public involvement. They charged that the Department of Conservation and Recreation has a "conflict of interest" because the agency will benefit from timber profits when trees are cut for the pipeline. And despite a court ruling to the contrary, they continue to assert that the land-taking would violate the state's constitution.

Kinder Morgan sued the state in March after members of the state legislature buried a bill that would have voluntarily conveyed the natural gas pipeline easement in exchange for negotiated compensation.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ireland argued in April before Agostini that Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which requires legislative approval for the conveyance of conservation land, trumps the U.S. Natural Gas Act, and that the state didn't have to convey the land.

Agostini ruled for Kinder Morgan in May, saying the federal statute preempts the state Constitution and gives the pipeline company power to take the land.

The consent decree, announced in December, was heralded as a mutually-beneficial means to cap the fractious legal battle. Healey at the time said the agreement "sets a very high bar" for the value of conservation land takings in Massachusetts.

Beaton said the deal "represents the tireless work of the state" and will allow for the purchase of conservation land "that will truly benefit generations of people within the Berkshire County region and beyond."

Rep. Garrett Bradley files bill to push pipeline through state forest

Under the agreement, $300,000 would let the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation acquire additional conservation land of an "equal value" so as to ensure "no net loss." Another $300,000 would go toward environmental mitigation and facilities improvements at Otis State Forest. The remaining $40,000 represents the fair market value of pipeline easements.

The deal must still be approved by Agostini, and a Feb. 6 court hearing is scheduled in Pittsfield.

Activists, after trying to reach judge, send letter to Healey and Beaton

Berkshire Environmental Action Team leader Jane Winn tried to deliver a letter to Agostini asking him to reject the deal, but was told by officials at Berkshire Superior Court she could not do so because BEAT was not a party to the eminent domain lawsuit, according to Pipe Line Awareness Network president Kathryn Eiseman.

Winn and Eiseman then emailed their letter to Healey, Beaton, DCR chief Leo Roy, and to Ireland, Eiseman said.

Besides its central objection, the letter asks for more involvement from the state's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, asserts that the Narragansett Indian Tribe has an interest in protecting ceremonial stone landscapes, and asks that an environmental monitor be selected to oversee construction.

Eiseman and Winn are among those who say the Otis State Forest is ecologically significant, and can not be replaced. They note that Tennessee plans to withdraw one million gallons from the pristine Spectacle Pond to test the pipeline, and say the environmental damage will be profound.

Beacon Hill hearing on Berkshire County pipeline draws crowd

A large portion of the 3,800-acre forest, with its 400-year-old hemlocks and 62-acre pond, was preserved in 2007 in a collaboration between the state and Mass Audubon at a cost of $5.2 million, one of the biggest conservation land deals in Massachusetts history.

Kinder Morgan points out that there is an existing pipeline easement through the land, and that the new pipeline would widen an already-cleared corridor and parallel existing infrastructure.

"For more than 30 years, Tennessee Gas has safely and responsibly operated two underground natural gas pipelines that traverse a section of the Tolland/Otis State Forest," wrote Richard Wheatley, Kinder Morgan's public affairs director, in an email.

Wheatley said part of the money will refurbish a boat ramp at the state-owned Lower Spectacle Pond, and make other recreational improvements at the Tolland and Otis State Forests.

If approved, the agreement would pave the way for the Connecticut Expansion, with its 14 miles in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, including the portion through the state forest. The pipeline project is designed to serve three natural gas utilities in Connecticut.

The project gained major state and federal approvals in 2016, including a certificate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Wilbraham Fire Chief Fran Nothe retires after 40 years on the job

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"I just hope I can fill those big shoes," said Deputy Chief David Bourcier, who's been tapped to serve as acting chief.

WILBRAHAM -- After 40 years as a firefighter, Wilbraham Fire Chief Francis W. Nothe has finally hung up his helmet.

Nothe, who spent the last 14 years of his career as chief, officially retired Jan. 20, leaving the department in the hands of David Bourcier, who was appointed acting chief in December.

"I just hope I can fill those big shoes," Bourcier posted on Facebook, praising Nothe, a Monson resident, for his years of service to the Town of Wilbraham.

"You have done so much for this department and the community. Congratulations on 40 years. You deserve it!" he said.

Fellow firefighters and laypeople alike thanked Nothe for his dedication and leadership.

"Chief, enjoy your well-earned retirement. It was always a pleasure to work with you," posted Ray Kallaugher of Wilbraham.

"We waded thru (sic) a few good storms together, and you were always the epitome of class, professionalism and dedication. Best of luck, sir," Kallaugher said.

"Thank you for your many years of service," posted Kristie Merrigan.

Nothe's wife, Pat, was among the social media well-wishers, writing, "I'm so happy for you and for me!!"

The Board of Selectmen accepted Nothe's resignation letter in November.

That's when the board began considering whether to conduct an internal or external search to hire a new chief. The board favored an internal job posting, which gives current Wilbraham firefighters a shot at running the department.



President Donald Trump preparing to end ban on CIA black site prisons: report

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President Donald Trump's administration has prepared a draft executive order that would allow the reopening of CIA "black site" prisons where terror suspects were held and tortured overseas.

President Donald Trump's administration has prepared a draft executive order that would allow the reopening of CIA "black site" prisons where terror suspects were held and tortured overseas and facilitate the detention of new prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The New York Times reports that it obtained a copy of the draft order, which would lift limits on detention and interrogation instituted by former President Barack Obama following controversies over the treatment of prisoners captured during the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The order would not immediately reopen overseas CIA prisons, but would establish policy reviews to recommend further action to Trump and clear the path for detention and interrogation policies banned during the Obama administration.

The proposal would also end an Obama-era order giving the International Red Cross access to all war detainees in U.S. custody, the Times reported.

U.S. interrogators would still be prohibited from using waterboarding and other interrogation techniques prohibited by the Army Field Manual due to U.S. statute, the Times reported, though the order includes a review of whether to change the guidelines in the field manual.

The existence of the CIA's "black site" prisons were widely publicized in 2005 following the publication of an investigative report in the Washington Post, which reported that the CIA had operated a network of secret prisons in Afghanistan, Thailand and several Eastern European countries.

During his presidential campaign, Trump indicated he supported bringing back water boarding and said in February that "torture works." After his election, Trump said that conversations with his new Secretary of Defense James Mattis led him to rethink his position, though added that he had not necessarily changed his mind.

Free valet parking in Springfield's South End draws early demand near MGM casino project

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A free valet parking program in the South End of Springfield has generated interest from patrons of the Caring Health Center and others, serving to east parking hardships near the MGM Springfield casino project.


SPRINGFIELD - A free valet parking program, now in its second week in the South End, is showing expanded use as it works to ease parking hardships felt by patrons of the Caring Health Center and surrounding businesses impacted by the MGM Springfield casino project.

Employees of Valet Park of America of Springfield, hired by the Springfield Parking Authority, provided the valet service to 31 patrons on Tuesday, the one-week anniversary of the program, as compared to between 23 and 26 cars a day last week, officials said.

"We are pretty happy with that demand," said Thomas Moore, interim executive director of the Parking Authority. "Hopefully we will see the numbers rise. The number for mid-January, the first week of the program, it's a healthy number."

The three-month pilot program was approved and funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, using casino revenues from the Community Mitigation Fund. The cost for the 90-day program, including administrative and marketing costs, is approximately $48,275.

The free valet parking is provided directly outside the Caring Health Center at 1049 Main St., aiding those patients and patrons, and business customers between State Street and Union Street. The service is offered Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Timothy P. Graney, vice-president of operations for Valet Park of America, said the company is pleased with the initial results and expects volume will continue to increase as the word spreads and people see the results.

"I want to encourage other businesses to have their patrons utilize the service," Graney said. "A lot of people are walking by, asking questions of staff on what's going on. There is a lot of positive feedback when they hear (of the service). They say that's great."

Moore said the service could attract 35-45 cars a day. Some patients are dropped off, and then learn of the service, he said.

The Gaming Commission has authorized up to $200,000 a year for the program, if expanded, and Graney said his firm is interested and knows the need is there with tight parking options available to patients and patrons. The cars are brought to designated parking areas by the valet employees, and then returned when the patrons are ready to leave, he said.

MGM Springfield is constructing a $950 million casino project in the South End, slated to open in September of 2018.

Former Springfield City Councilor reaches plea agreement, avoids jail time in indecent assault case

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John Lysak was accused of inappropriately touching a girl while camping in Goshen,

NORTHAMPTON -- Former Springfield City Councilor John A. Lysak has admitted in Hampshire Superior Court to committing an "unnatural lascivious act" with a child under 16, in a plea agreement that results in no jail time.

Lysak, 37, of Springfield, was charged in 2015 with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 after he was accused of inappropriately touching a girl while camping in Goshen, according to court records.

Judge Mark Mason continued the case without a finding of guilt for two years, during which time Lysak will be on probation, according to a spokeswoman for the Northwestern district attorney's office.

"Lysak cannot have contact, work or live with anyone younger than 18, excluding his own children, and may not contact the victim," according to the district attorney's office.

The agreement terminates the trial that was scheduled to begin this week in Hampshire Superior Court.

"I'm very proud of the victim for being willing to come forward with this matter and to follow through with it," said Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Linda Pisano, who prosecuted the case.

Lysak initially pleaded not guilty to a single count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Lysak was elected to two consecutive two-year terms on the City Council in 2009 and 2011 as the city's Ward 8 representative, but lost to the current seat holder, Orlando Ramos, in 2013.

He was arrested in June of 2015, just a month after he had announced his plans to run for the City Council again. He dropped his bid for re-election.

Berkshire man driving truck with missing front tire sentenced for 2nd OUI conviction

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David Forrest told police he had just dropped his front tire off for repairs at a tire shop in Pittsfield. The shop had been closed for years, police said.

GREAT BARRINGTON - A man who in December was found in Becket driving a truck with just three wheels has been sentenced to 127 days in jail after admitting to his second drunken driving offence in three years.

The Berkshire Eagle is reporting that David M. Forrest, 62, of Peru, admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty plea last week in Southern Berkshire District Court to charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. He was convicted of the same offence in 2015.

Judge Paul Vrabel ordered him to serve 127 days at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

Accoring to the Eagle, when Forrest was stopped by Becket police on Dec. 20, his truck was missing the front tire on the passenger side. In the police report, the officer noted when he spotted the truck sounded like "a snow plow coming down the road."

When the officer asked Forrest if he knew he was missing a tire, he replied he had just dropped it off a tire shop in Pittsfield for repairs. The officer noted the tire shop he named had been closed for years.

Police found several beer cans and bottles of vodka in the truck, and Forrest was unable to stand for a roadside sobriety test.

Massachusetts House to take up legislative pay raises Wednesday

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The proposal is the result of a 2014 study, which recommended raising the pay of top legislative officials.

The Massachusetts House is planning to take up legislative pay raises Wednesday afternoon.

The vote will be on raising the stipends given to the House speaker, Senate president, committee chairmen and vice-chairmen, and party leaders. The bill would also raise the pay of the governor, constitutional officers, judges and judicial clerks.

The proposal is the result of a 2014 study, which recommended raising the pay of top legislative officials.

The bill would not change the $62,500 base pay that lawmakers get, which is adjusted every two years based on a formula set out in state law.

But it would award lawmakers a higher stipend for office and travel expenses, while eliminating an existing system that requires lawmakers to apply for reimbursement for travel.

"This has been a subject of discussion for many years," House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, said Tuesday.

The cost could be anywhere from $12 million to $18 million in fiscal year 2018, according to the State House News Service.

A group of conservative lawmakers oppose the idea.

Republican State Reps. James Lyons, Geoff Diehl, Shaunna O'Connell and Marc Lombardo wrote a letter to DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, calling the raises to top leaders "indefensible."

In particular, the lawmakers wrote that DeLeo and Rosenberg's salaries would increase by 70 percent each -- and they already earn more than House speakers and Senate presidents in every other state with a full-time legislature, once adjusted for cost of living.

"At a time when revenues have not delivered against predictions and 9C cuts have been implemented, a proposal to increase the pay of legislative leadership would signal an attitude of indifference to the hard working families of the Commonwealth," the lawmakers wrote.

The reference to 9C cuts refers to mid-year budget cuts made by Gov. Charlie Baker.

If the House passes the bill, the Senate is expected to vote on it Thursday. Baker has not said whether he would sign it, although he has said that he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will not accept pay raises.

Greenpeace activists hang 'resist' banner from crane near White House

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Activists with Greenpeace USA protested newly sworn-in President Donald Trump Wednesday by hanging a giant "Resist" banner from a crane at a construction site near the White House.

Activists with Greenpeace USA protested newly sworn-in President Donald Trump Wednesday by hanging a giant "Resist" banner from a crane at a construction site near the White House.

Protesters from the environmental advocacy group scaled a nearly 300-foot tower crane and unfurled the 70-foot-by-35-foot banner from the top in an effort to send a message to the Trump Administration, Greenpeace announced.

The banner, which came one day after Trump issued memoranda regarding construction of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines, was visible from the West Wing of the White House, according to reporters.

Pearl Robinson, one of the activists who unfurled the banner, raised concerns about new president's policies, as well as his potential impacts on American discourse.

Contending that "now is the time to resist," Robinson argued in a statement that Greenpeace "won't stand rollbacks on all the progress the people have made on women's reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, the heightened awareness of state-sanctioned violence on black and brown folks and the progress we have made on access to clean and renewable energy."

Greenpeace Inc. Board Chairwoman Karen Topakian added that Americans are "ready to resist and rise up in ways they have never done before."

"While Trump's disdain and disrespect for our democratic institutions scare me, I am so inspired by the multigenerational movement of progress that is growing in every state," she said in a statement. "Greenpeace has used nonviolence to resist tyrannical bullies since 1971, and we're not going to stop now."

Washington D.C. Police blasted the stunt as "dangerous and unlawful," noting that streets had to be blocked off as first responders attempted to address the situation.

Greenpeace's protest came just days after hundreds of thousands of marchers took to the streets in Washington D.C. and cities across the country and world Saturday in efforts to bring attention to women's rights, social justice, environmental and other issues in the wake of Trump's inauguration.

archers flood Washington D.C. in protest of President Donald Trump

Photo reveals face of thief who stole Jeep involved in Springfield quadruple fatal

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A still frame image taken from security video obtained by MassLive, though grainy, shows the face of the person who stole the Jeep Cherokee involved in last Tuesday's quadruple fatality accident in Springfield. Watch video

Though grainy, a still frame image taken from security video obtained by MassLive shows the face of the person who stole the Jeep Cherokee involved in last Tuesday's quadruple fatality accident in Springfield.

The suspect appears to be a young, hooded male wearing a heavier coat over a sweatshirt.

The footage -- captured early morning on Jan. 14 -- shows two men rummaging through two vehicles within the shot, the Jeep and a second truck parked at the home.

A car can be seen in the background parked on the street -- Welles Drive in Milford, Conn.

There is still no known connection between the five people involved in crash on Union Street in Springfield and the individuals who stole the vehicle. The police investigation is ongoing, and the fifth victim involved in the accident, who has yet to be identified, remains in critical condition.

The Jan. 17 wreck killed 20-year-old Andrew Savage, of Springfield, and three Central High School seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence.

In an interview Wednesday, Milford Police Spokesman Mike DeVito told MassLive the city experiences a "moderate" level of car thefts from residences.

"We don't have an issue with carjacking," DeVito added. "We have an issue with unoccupied thefts."

Thieves rely not on the ability to hotwire but on entering a large number of unlocked cars in search of keys, DeVito said.

The Cherokee theft was such a case, according to DeVito. The thieves found the car unlocked in the middle of the night and, locating a key inside, drove it off, he said.


Person suffers minor injuries after attempting to take knife from relative with mental health issues, Holyoke police say

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The incident at 475 Maple St. was relative about 11:15 a.m.

HOLYOKE -- A person suffered minor injuries at a Maple Street apartment building late Wednesday morning after attempting to take a knife away from a relative with mental health issues, police said.

The incident at 475 Maple St. was relative about 11:15 a.m.

Lt. Michael McCoy said both people were taken to a hospital for evaluation. Police cleared the scene shortly before noon.


Springfield man arrested for drug trafficking; 'Al Bruno' heroin confiscated in raid

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Police found more than 3,000 packets of heroin, many bearing the name and photo of the late Springfield crime boss.


SPRINGFIELD - A narcotics raid Wednesday morning on Marion Street resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old man and the seizure of more than 3,000 packets of heroin, many of which were stamped with a logo and name of the deceased Springfield crime boss Al Bruno, police said.

Police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney said the raid at 8:10 a.m. at 138 Marion St. also recovered $2,100 in cash and a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver.

Arrested was 18-year-old resident Jose Mendez. He was charged with trafficking heroin, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a ammunition without a firearms identification card, and improper storage of a firearm.

Delaney said  the raid was conducted by Springfield police and the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police. 

Police obtained a search warrant for the address based on a lengthy investigation into drug activity there by Springfield Narcotics Detective Thomas Kakley, Delaney said. 

Many of the packets of heroin were stamped with Bruno's name and likeness, while others bore the name Louis Vuitton, which is the name of a brand name for a line of designer handbags and luggage.

Police found the gun hidden in a baby crib, Delaney said.

There was also various drug paraphernalia throughout the residence.

Delaney said it was a very good arrest for police and that it "got an armed drug dealer off the street."

Hamden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni issued a statement thanking the various units for their work.

"The resulting arrest removes a dangerous individual from our community along with an appreciable amount of narcotics off our streets," he said. "We continue to focus on investigating, arresting, and aggressively prosecuting drug dealers and traffickers. It is they who profit from the scourge of addiction, which destroys lives, families, and communities."

Mendez is due to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Springfield District Court.

Bruno, a leader of the Springfield mob, was shot to death in the city's South End on Nov. 23, 2003.

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Is this your pet? Found animals at the Thomas J. O'Connor shelter since Jan. 22

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The Thomas J. O'Connor animal shelter is trying to reunite lost pets with their owners.

Bradley International Airport adds Spirit Airlines flights to South Carolina, Florida

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Spirit Airlines says it offers fares nearly 40 percent lower than competitors.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. -- Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines announced Wednesday that it will begin nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to three locations in the South Atlantic states.

Starting April 27, Spirit Airlines will offer nonstop service between Bradley and Orlando International Airport in Florida and Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina. Spirit will also commence daily nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport June 15.

The Hartford-Springfield area is the 60th major market to join the Spirit network, according to a news release.

Fare costs are not yet available on the Spirit website. But the site does advertise specials, including a $9 fare club. Spirit Airlines says it offers fares nearly 40 percent lower than competitors.

"Bradley International Airport is a major economic driver for Connecticut, and it continues to be a player in our efforts to grow our economy, boost tourism, and improve our transportation system," Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a news release. "The addition of Spirit Airlines gives residents and businesses in our region another option in a growing, diversified selection of airlines that are servicing our region's largest airport, and we welcome them to our state."

Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which runs Bradley, said: "Myrtle Beach service is an important enhancement to Bradley's route structure, and it is a location that has been frequently requested by our travelers. The additional frequencies between Bradley, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale will provide our passengers with more options, while also helping spur competition and lower fares amongst the airlines."

The Spirit announcement follows a number of new routes and destinations for Bradley. Those include the return of nonstop flights to Europe in the form of Aer Lingus service to Dublin.

Also, Bradley added United Airlines service to Denver, American Airlines flights to Los Angeles and OneJet flights to Pittsburgh in the last year.

Family plans to reopen Westfield Home & Garden, Plamer Agway locations

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Contents of the Palmer Agway and the Westfield Home & Garden were auctioned off Tuesday and Wednesday.

WESTFIELD -- Auctioneers sold off the contents of the former Agway stores in Palmer and Westfield this week, even as the daughter and son-in-law of the former owner plan to get the stores open again.

"Yes it's a good business," said prospective new owner Brian Kelly of Southampton. "If it wasn't, we wouldn't be making this investment."

His wife, Stacey Kelly, said a team from Agway will come and help the couple get things set up.

"We've been meeting up with all of our regular customers here at the auction," she said.

Her father, Francis E. Hartnett of Enfield, Connecticut, is the former owner of the two stores and a third in Athol. Hartnett's creditors ordered the auctions to settle the company's debts, auction house Aaron Posnik & Co. said earlier this month.

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The Westfield location will become part of a new retail development, complete with a traffic light on Route 20, planned by businessman Nabil Hannoush.

Brian Kelly predicted that the Westfield location at 81 Springfield Road and the one at 1515 Park St. (Route 20) in Palmer would be open in the middle of February. They plan to accept gift certificates issued by the old stores.

The Athol location at 1 Exchnage St. will not reopen, Kelly said. The real estate will be sold at a separate upcoming auction.

Kelly wouldn't get into what precipitated the auction, other than to say his father-in-law retired and he and his wife, who worked at the stores, wanted to take over.

"We had a decision to make whether to take a new direction with our lives or continue to do the work we've been doing for more than 20 years," he said.

According to records on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Hartnett sold the Westfield location to Hannoush in February 2016 for $1.4 million.

Hannoush, a Westfield resident, already owned a 10-acre parcel next door that is home to the family-run Shortstop Bar and Grill, Extra Innings batting cages and fitness center.

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Last year, the state granted Westfield $1.93 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program funding to upgrade Route 20 from Union Street to East Mountain Road to include a new surface, turning lanes and a fourth traffic light serving the Shortstop building.

On Wednesday, Hannoush said the Westfield Home & Garden parcel will be tied into Extra Innings with an internal road network. That means Westfield Home & Garden customers will be able to come and go on busy Route 20 with the new traffic light.

"We had offers from national retailers that wanted to come in here," Hannoush said. "But we wanted to keep it with a local business."

Kelly said his goal at the auction was to buy as many of the fixtures, like shelves and furniture, as he can so it's easier to reopen the store. He plans to restock with new inventory.

Many of the buyers Wednesday were focused on inventory, which ran from hand tools to bird seed, lawnmowers and snowblowers and garden statues.

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