The new year is in full swing and plenty of people have set out on their journey to get back into shape and live healthier lives. While this is one of the most popular resolutions, getting healthy is also one of the toughest goals to follow through on. To help all you readers with your goals this year here are some professionals that have some tips and tricks for you

Jose D. Olan drove at nearly double the speed limit on city streets, and more than 100 mph on the highway to Connecticut, the prosecutor said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Defense lawyer Bruce Colton wasn't trying to be tactful.

Standing next to his client, Colton said he spent seven days in the hospital recovering from injuries from a police chase and crash last week that caused an hours-long traffic backup on Interstate 91 in Enfield.

"He looks like hell," the lawyer said, adding, "He could easily have been killed in the crash."

His client, Jose D. Olan, 29, stood expressionless, his face so swollen that his eyes appeared closed.

One week after allegedly fleeing police at more than 100 mph, Olan pleaded not guilty Thursday in Springfield District Court to a litany of traffic offenses, plus possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said the defendant's reckless driving placed police, the public and himself in danger during the chase, which began in Springfield and ended in Enfield after Olan's car crashed into a highway barrier and caught fire. He spent the last week recovering from his injuries at Hartford Hospital, police said.

At one point, two police officers had to jump out of the way as Olan's car skidded across a street as it approached the highway, the prosecutor said. He drove at nearly double the speed limit on city streets, and more than 100 mph while fleeing south on the highway to Connecticut, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor asked Judge William Boyle to impose $10,000 bail on the new charges and revoke Olan's bail in two open traffic cases.

Colton said his client had nothing to do with gunshots reported around 9:30 a.m. on Pine Street that sparked the chase on Jan. 19.

A self-employed mechanic, Olan was working on a customer's car before the gunshots were reported. He decided to use the customer's car to take his wife to an appointment, and was near Pine Street when the police pursuit began, Colton said.

He disputed the cocaine charge, saying the powder was from a prescription drug. Olan also had a prescription for marijuana, the lawyer said.

He asked for $2,500 bail, and opposed revoking his client's release in the two open cases.

Boyle set bail at $10,000 and revoked Olan's bail in the open cases, effectively jailing him for 90 days.

He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 15.

Bretton Woods in New Hampshire is holding a military appreciation day complete with free passes for active military and veterans.

Barnstable police have shut down a major Fentanyl distribution operation that used the home of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John F. Kennedy's sister, as a headquarters.

Barnstable police have shut down what they called a major Fentanyl distribution operation that used the home of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John F. Kennedy's sister, as a headquarters.

Police said Troy Monteiro and Trevor Rose, both 29, had been traveling to Cape Cod daily, allegedly to distribute large quantities of Fentanyl to dealers and users in the area. Many of their alleged deals occurred in the area of Fortes Beach in Hyannisport.

Authorities say the duo operated out of a home nearby the Kennedy family compound. The property's caretaker is responsible for allowing the Rose and Monteiro to use the house.

The Barnstable Police Department coordinated several undercover purchases of Fentanyl from the dealers, leading them to discover their various hiding places for drugs. Officers recovered more than 200 grams of Fentanyl, worth approximately $40,000, from locations on Fortes Beach.

On Thursday, officers engaged in a brief foot chase with Monteiro and his girlfriend, Ariel Price-Perry, from their New Bedford apartment to Hyannisport. Monteiro was allegedly trying to retrieve drugs he had hidden on the beach.

Rose was arrested a short time later as he arrived at the Shriver House with the property's caretaker. Detectives obtained several search warrants for the Shiver House and Monteiro's New Bedford apartment.

They discovered a substantial amount of Fentanyl processing equipment, including scales, packaging materials and diluting equipment at the Shriver House. More than $20,000 in cash and more Fentanyl was discovered at the New Bedford apartment.

Monteiro was charged with two counts of trafficking Fentanyl and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act. His girlfriend faces charges for impeding a police investigation, as she allegedly attempted to destroy evidence as Monteiro was being arrested.

Rose faces one count of trafficking Fentanyl and possession of cocaine. All three are being held on $100,000 bail.

A federal report released Friday details 14 mysterious cases of sudden, severe amnesia encountered by medical researchers in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2016.

Image of an MRI brain scan.Jon Olav Eikenes/Flickr 

A federal report released Friday details 14 mysterious cases of sudden, severe amnesia encountered by medical researchers in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2016.

The report, produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, places the patients' mean age at 35 -- young for such a diagnosis -- and said they all tested positive for drugs, but different drugs. 

Eight tested positive for opioids, two for cocaine and two for benzodiazepines, the report states. Some had also been exposed to toxic substances, like carbon monoxide.

"The apparent temporospatial clustering, relatively young age at onset, and associated substance use among these patients should stimulate further case identification to determine whether these observations represent an emerging syndrome related to substance use or other causes," according to a summary of the report. 

Thirteen of the 14 were concluded to have had a history of substance abuse. 

Apart from identifying these commonalities, researchers remain stumped as to what caused the amnesia in these 14 patients.

Citing brain scan data, the writers of the report note an unusual finding in that all the patients showed significantly reduced bloodflow to the hippocampus -- the part of the brain that controls memory. 

A Boston-area neurologist researching cases of unusual amnesia identified the "cluster" of cases in November 2015, according to the report. 

"MRI of the head, toxicology screening, and neurologic consultation should be considered in all adults aged (over 18 years) with sudden-onset amnesia, particularly in patients with altered consciousness," the report concludes. 

Researchers at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington and Massachusetts Department of Public Health contributed to the report. 

The cost of tickets is $10.

CHICOPEE - The Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 will hold an indoor concert to raise money for its 2017 scholarship fund in the main hall at 460 Granby Road hall.

The live entertainment is country music cover band Trailer Trash. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and music will begin at 8 p.m. on Jan. 28. The cost is $10.

Tickets can be purchased in advance in the public lounge of the Elder Council #69 Lounge on Granby Road. For more information and tickets and table reservations contact Bobby Liswell 478-6867 or Brain Houghton 657-0270.

The attempted scam started with an email from "the tax crime investigation unit of (the) IRS."

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

ERVING -- Police warn of a recent scam attempt on a resident that started with an email from "the tax crime investigation unit of (the) IRS."

The message, according to a post on the department's Facebook page, claimed that the IRS had issued an arrest warrant for the recipient of the email and provided the following number to call: 646-844-6171.

A call to that number Friday morning elicited a recorded message stating that the number had been suspended "because of suspected or actual fraudulent activity."

Police urged residents not to respond to such messages. "This is a fraudulent attempt at stealing money. The IRS does not contact people in this manner, and do not issue arrest warrants for money owed."

An engineer has recommended the emergency demolition of the closed, 116-year-old Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke, Massachusetts, according to a Jan. 24, 2017 report obtained by The Republican.

HOLYOKE -- An engineer has recommended the emergency demolition of the closed, 116-year-old Mater Dolorosa Church at Lyman and Maple streets because pieces of the steeple have broken off and fallen to the ground.

"It is our professional opinion that time is of the essence and full demolition of the church and steeple is the only option to create a safe condition," said the Jan. 24 report from Barry Engineers and Constructors Inc. of Pittsfield.

The fate of the church has been a point of battle between Polish and other longtime parishioners and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.

Parishioners fought the Diocese's 2011 decision to close the church and occupied its premises round-the-clock for a year in a conflict that only grew in bitterness.

Parishioners warned that the Diocese has long wanted to tear down the church Polish immigrants built and paid for and appealed its closing to the Vatican's highest court in Rome, which ultimately determined in a ruling issued in May 2015 that the church could be officially closed.

An effort to save the church by including it in a proposed Polish Heritage Historic District failed when the City Council rejected that plan on April 7, 2015 with an 8-7 vote.

The report by Barry Engineers and Constructors Inc. of Pittsfield obtained by The Republican appears to be the church's final doom, but the date of demolition remained unclear.

The report was addressed to Russell A. Sprague, director of buildings and grounds for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.

Diocese spokesman Mark E. Dupont confirmed the report.

Diocese officials have said there were never plans to take down the church, until the recent instances of structural problems.

One of the teens managed to avoid police and is currently on the run.

Methuen police have arrested one teenager and are on the lookout for a second after the pair allegedly stole two cars and led police on a multi-town chase.

According to a press release, Methuen police were notified by Dracut police that they had to terminate a pursuit of two motor vehicles at the the Methuen-Dracut line.

Officers were informed that a white Toyota Sienna minivan and a white Lexus IS-250 had been stolen out of Lowell around 2:10 p.m. Thursday.

Methuen police located the vehicles, which were traveling together, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The drivers refused to pull over.

According to the release, police pursued the duo for about two minutes before deploying Stop Stick tire deflation devices, ending the chase.

A 17-year-old male, of Lowell, exited the Lexus and attempted to run away, but police quickly took him into custody.

According to the release, the driver of the Toyota, a young female, managed to flee the area. Police are now on the search for her.

The male is expected to be arraigned in Essex County Juvenile Court on charges of operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to stop for police, stealing a motor vehicle and resisting arrest, in addition to other motor vehicle infractions.

The arrests range from drug charges to outstanding warrants.

WILBRAHAM -- The Wilbraham Police Department has released information about some recent crimes committed in town, including multiple warrant arrests and an incident involving a Wilbraham woman who allegedly stole checks from another woman.

Victoria Takorian-Griffin, 21, was charged with larceny under $250, larceny over $250, and uttering a false, forged or altered check after she allegedly deposited a stolen check for $300 into her own bank account and later withdrew $280 from that account.

The alleged victim called police Jan. 2 to report that checks were stolen from her purse while she was visiting a family member in town. The case was investigated by Officer Michael Cygan, who found probable cause to charge Takorian-Griffin after interviewing potential witnesses and bank personnel, reviewing bank surveillance footage, and finding a signature on a stolen check.

On Jan. 7, Officer Christopher Arventos stopped a Lexus on Boston Road at 5:22 p.m. after a check showed the registered vehicle owner had an active arrest warrant. Diane Valliere, 34, a resident of the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, was taken into custody and transferred to the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee.

About three hours later, Arventos ran another vehicle's plate and learned that the registered owner had an active arrest warrant in Connecticut. Treleasa Johnson, 28, of Indian Orchard, was taken into custody in the Big Y parking lot and charged with being a fugitive from justice.

Earlier on Jan. 7, Officers Aderico Florindo and Thomas Korzec responded to a car crash on Stony Hill Road at 7:32 a.m. A guardrail was damaged and the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage, police said. Two men were circling the car as officers arrived on scene.

The person who identified himself as the passenger, 39-year-old Tendai Foya of Springfield, had an active arrest warrant and was taken into custody. The driver, 31-year-old Dywand Jackson of Springfield, was charged with disorderly conduct "after creating a scene" as officers tried to investigate, police said.

A few days later, the owner of the vehicle told authorities she didn't give permission to Jackson to use her car, leading to an additional charge "use of a motor vehicle without authority," police said.

On Jan. 8, Officer Thomas Motyka stopped a Lexus with no rear license plate on Old Boston Road around 9 p.m. The driver, 18-year-old Anthony Espinosa of Springfield, had a warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody, police said.

On Jan, 10, Officer Motyka and Officer Daniel Ryan responded to Home Depot for a shoplifting call shortly before 3 p.m. Already detained was 28-year-old Nicolas Bryant, a resident of the Three Rivers section of Palmer. Bryant attempted to steal a drill by hiding it in a bucket with a lid, police said.

Shortly after noon on Jan. 11, Officers Harold Swift and Lawrence Rich responded to a domestic disturbance on a side street off Main Street, where a 34-year-old man assaulted his mother, according to police, who don't identify people involved in domestic disputes.

The man was later found in Palmer and arrested by town police, who transported him to Wilbraham to be booked on a charge of domestic assault and battery on a family member.

Later that day, Officers Joseph Brewer, Sean Casella and Daniel Ryan responded to a 3:48 p.m. report of a domestic disturbance on a side street off Boston Road in North Wilbraham, where a 41-year-old father was charged with domestic assault and battery for assaulting his 15-year-old son, police said.

Also on Jan. 11, Officer Daniel Ryan responded to the Life Care Center of Wilbraham on Boston Road for a 4:40 p.m. report of a "repeated trespasser that was on the property again," police said. Palmer resident Paul Camyre was leaving as Ryan arrived on scene.

The officer stopped Camyre's vehicle and reminded the man that he's been told several times to stay off the property. As a result, Camyre will be summoned to court to answer a charge of trespassing, police said.

On Jan. 21, Officer Casella stopped a vehicle on Old Boston Road for an alleged marked-lanes violation shortly after 6 p.m. The driver, 32-year-old Justin Seveney from Three Rivers, was driving under the influence of drugs with a child in his car, according to police, who didn't indicate what type of drugs.

Seveney was charged with OUI-drugs, negligent operation, child endangerment while operating under the influence, and possession to distribute drugs.

An adult passenger, 29-year-old Joe Renaud from the Thorndike section of Palmer, was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant, police said.

Later that evening, Officer Brent Noyes stopped a vehicle on River Road for an alleged marked-lanes violation around 11:46 p.m. While speaking with the driver, 54-year-old Ekrem Koljenovic, Noyes determined that the Ludlow man was impaired by alcohol. As a result, Koljenovic was charged with OUI-liquor, second offense, police said.

On Jan. 22, Officer Steven Glenn stopped a vehicle with an expired registration on Main Street around 2:19 a.m. While speaking to the driver, 27-year-old Amanda Tromza, Glenn determined that the Palmer woman was driving while impaired and placed her under arrest.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

New unit, for which there will be a gala fund-raiser March 11, will add 21 beds, 20 staff.

HOLYOKE - Mercy Behavioral Health Care is adding an in-patient "step-down" unit at its Providence Behavioral Health Hospital to help individuals fighting substance abuse disorders transition in post-detoxification treatment to outpatient services.

The 21-bed unit, in renovated space on the hospital's third floor, is being described as a "bridge" between acute in-patient addiction treatment services and outpatient services by Dr. Robert J. Roose, chief medical officer and vice president of addiction and recovery services for the parent Sisters of Providence Health System, which is part of Trinity Health-New England, and also includes Mercy Medical Center in Springfield.

"It will add 21 beds to start, with potential for additional to come, and more than 20 full-time employees," Roose said.

"We hope to open in February and we are opening the unit with some funds that were obtained through a grant from the state Department of Public Health, as well funds received to date."

A Mercy Medical Center inaugural gala will also help raise funds for the unit as part of a multi-million dollar project launched in January to expand Mercy's opioid treatment and addiction recovery services.

"It is exciting to have the Caritas Gala be dedicated to developing funds for our 'Pathway to Care: Addressing the Opioid Crisis' campaign," said Roose of the gala, scheduled March 11 at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

John Sjoberg and Brenda Garton-Sjoberg are the Caritas Gala honorary chairpersons.Republican file 

Honorary gala chairs are John E. Sjoberg, president of New England Business Machine, and Brenda E. Garton-Sjoberg. Sjoberg chairs SPHS and Mercy Medical's board of trustees and is vice chair of Trinity Health-New England's board. Garton-Sjoberg, who is on the faculty at Western New England University, has served as honorary chairperson of Mercy Gift of Light.

Roose described the planned step-down unit as "one piece" of the "Pathway to Care" campaign to expand area access to addiction services. He said it would add a needed level to the continuum of support Mercy offers to those with substance abuse disorders before they become outpatients.

"It is a bridge to improve that hopefully seamless continuation of care for the patient," Roose said.

"The key to successful recovery is the seamless transition at the appropriate level of care. Too often patients have left acute treatment without connections to further treatment."

Roose said the services provided in the new unit to help patients further stabilize after being medically treated and monitored for withdrawal will include group as well as individual therapy designed to "improve coping skills, reduce anxiety and depression, prevent relapse and connect with other aspects of wellness like exercise, good nutrition as well as co-ordination and management of care."

Mercy Behavioral Care is the largest provider of behavioral health services in Western Massachusetts. Its 104-bed Providence Hospital, which includes a 30-bed detoxification unit for adults with addictive disorders, is the only dedicated psychiatric hospital in the region. Roose said behavioral care outpatient services treat some 1,000 patients daily, mainly for opioid addiction, and 1,000 patients annually, representing some 10,000 patient days, in acute treatment recovery services.

Roose has long advocated for more addiction treatment and recovery services even before his 2015 appointment to Gov. Charlie Baker's Opioid Addiction Working Group to help address the commonwealth's growing number of unintentional opioid overdose deaths (pdf).

"Addiction is a chronic disease that needs to be addressed like any disease," said Roose of his desire to see facilities for those with substance abuse disorders match "any other facility treating diseases like cancer."

The Caritas Gala, with the theme of "All You Need is Love," will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, live entertainment from the band Beantown, and a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 8 p.m., followed by a live auction and dancing until midnight. Registration is required by Feb. 17. Further information, including the purchase of tickets, is available on the gala website.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the number of confirmed
cases of unintentional opioid overdose deaths for 2015, some 1,574, represents a 20 percent increase in the state over 2014, which had 1,316 such deaths, and the 2014 represents a 43 percent increase over the 918 cases in 2013. The number of deaths in 2016 is expected show a marked increase as well.

Unintended deaths from the use of opioids have greatly increased in recent years across the United States. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids, including prescription opioids and heroin, killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. Nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid, according to the CDC.

A sewer rehabilitation project is slated Jan. 30-31, on Mill Street between Main and Locust streets, with traffic delays expected.

SPRINGFIELD -- A sewer rehabilitation project is scheduled Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 30-31, on a section of Mill Street, expected to trigger some traffic delays and detours, according to the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.

Private contractors hired by the commission will conduct the work within Mill Street between Main Street and Locust Street in the South End, as part of the Main Interceptor Rehabilitation project, the commission said.

This phase of construction consists of inserting a liner into the interior of the existing sewer pipe to rehabilitate the pipe, commission spokeswoman Joyce Mulvaney said.

The lining is scheduled to take place beginning at 7 a.m., on Monday and continuing through Tuesday. Because the lining process can take 12-24 hours to complete, crews will be onsite outside of typical construction hours.

In addition, the lining process is highly weather dependent, so these dates may need to shift based on updated forecasts, Mulvaney said.

Motorists should expect changes in traffic patterns and traffic delays, according to the commission.

Traffic traveling westbound on Mill Street will be detoured onto Locust Street and Main Street. Eastbound through-traffic will be maintained. Traffic will be managed with posted signs and police details.

Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes when possible.

In addition to 5 years in jail, Timothy Welch will be on probation for 5 years after his release and will have to wear a GPS device.

Patrick Johnson | pjohnson@repub.com 

PITTSFIELD - A 48-year-old Pittsfield man with a long history of arrests for breaking and entering was sentenced this week to 5 years in jail after admitting to breaking into the Colonial Theater and stealing $100.

Timothy Welch was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 2 1/2 years, or 5 years total, in the Berkshire County House of Correction by Judge John Agostini, according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless.

Welch was also ordered to serve 5 years on probation after his release, and during that time he is to be fitted with a GPS device that will track his movement, and to remain drug- and alcohol-free.

Welch pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at night with the intention to commit a felony, possession of burglary tools, larceny from a building and being a common and notorious thief.

Of that last charge, the Berkshire Eagle reported prosecutors told the courts that Welch's arrest record totaled 22 printed pages. Welch's lawyer argues that in many of those arrests, the charges were either dropped or Welch was not convicted.

Less than a week ago, a jury found Welch innocent to charges that he broke into Ken's Bowl and Koto Restaurant in October, 2014.

Welch was arrested most recently in connection with a May 12 break-in at the Colonial Theater on South Street in Pittsfield. According to the Eagle, a door to the theater was forced open with a tire iron and about $100 in cash was taken.

The blaze at 37-39 Clantoy St. was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Twelve residents were displaced and one was taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

SPRINGFIELD -- The cause of the blaze that destroyed a two-family home on Clantoy Street early Tuesday will likely remain undetermined, Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, said.

"It's officially undetermined at this time until further evidence or testimony becomes available," Leger said.

Heavy fire damage on the third floor was a factor in the Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad's determination.

The blaze at 37-39 Clantoy St. was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Twelve residents were displaced and one was taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

The accident occurred shortly before 9:45 a.m.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

NORTHAMPTON - A child, hit by a vehicle in a crosswalk on Main Street Friday morning was taken to a hospital as a precaution, police said.

Police Capt. John Cartledege told WWLP the accident occurred at the crosswalk in front of Thornes Marketplace shortly before 9:45 a.m.

Cartledge said that the child had no visible injuries.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield did try to market the closed Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which an engineer's report says should be demolished for safety reasons, a spokesman said on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017.

HOLYOKE -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is awaiting a response from the city building commissioner on the "sad turn of events" of an engineer's report recommending emergency demolition of the closed Mater Dolorosa Church, a spokesman said today.

"In that report, based on a structural review conducted last year as well as a more recent inspection by structural engineer Bernie Hunt, evidence was discovered that indicates the steeple was now in critical condition requiring action as soon as possible," spokesman Mark E. Dupont said (see full text below).

"In addition, engineers have recommended that the city close the sidewalks adjacent to the church. The building inspector agreed to review the report, we are awaiting a response," he said.

The Jan. 24 report from Barry Engineers and Constructors Inc. of Pittsfield said pieces of the steeple of the 116-year-old church at Lyman and Maple streets recently have broken off and fallen to the ground. The report included photographs showing separation of bricks and rotted wood.

Emergency demolition of Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke recommended: engineer

"It is our professional opinion that time is of the essence and full demolition of the church and steeple is the only option to create a safe condition," said the Barry Engineers and Constructors report.

The Diocese closed the church in 2011.

But Building Commissioner Damian J. Cote said demolition of Mater Dolorosa Church wasn't necessarily inevitable.

"The final determination of the structure being unsafe comes from our office. They may be required to repair any and all areas of concern," Cote said.

Dupont also told The Republican the Diocese attempted to market Mater Dolorosa Church in the hope that a sale could result in its redevelopment. That process was slowed by the round-the-clock occupation parishioners staged for a year after the church closed, appeals to the Vatican to keep the church open and a proposal by the city to include the church in a historic district, he said.

"Absent serious structural concerns, the diocesan policy has always been to seek reuse or redevelopment of surplus property first and foremost. Often, again absent serious structural limitations, we have been generally successful," Dupont said.

Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi asked why the Diocese didn't devote resources to saving Mater Dolorosa Church instead of to reports about its demise.

"The Diocese has been threatening that the building needs to come down for some time now. It seems that they found and paid for a structural report that corroborates this claim. All while that same money could have been used in preserving and marketing that building to bring it up alongside the Holyoke Catholic project," said Lisi, one of the councilors who supported the historic district proposal.

Dupont said in response, "As for Councilor Lisi's concern, you need to do a thorough structural analysis before undertaking these types of repairs. It would be like a patient going to surgery without any preliminary tests or X-rays that would determine a course of treatment."

If demolition is the next step, it would come against the wishes of parishioners who have fought the Diocese's closing of Mater Dolorosa Church with a year-long vigil inside the church and with an appeal to the Vatican's highest court. That court ruled in 2015 the church officially could close.

Polish immigrants built and paid for the church.

The Rev. Albert Scherer, pastor of Our Lady of the Cross Church at 23 Sycamore St., will address the issue of Mater Dolorosa Church at all Masses this weekend, Dupont said.

"This is indeed a sad turn of events; it had long been the goal to find a new purpose for this beloved church, with much of the last year exploring possible options," he said.

The Diocese closed Mater Dolorosa Church because parishioner numbers had declined and out of concerns about the structure's steeple. But while an engineer for the Diocese said the steeple was unsound, an engineer for Friends of Mater Dolorosa said the steeple would last for a long time.

The Diocese combined Mater Dolorosa with the former Holy Cross Church to form Our Lady of the Cross.

A bid to save Mater Dolorosa Church in a proposal to establish a Polish Heritage Historic District on Lyman Street failed in April 2015. The City Council rejected the plan by a vote of 8-7.

Holyoke Council rejects Polish historic district, 8 no, 7 yes

Here is the statement from Mark E. Dupont, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield:

On Thursday January 27, 2017 engineers representing the Diocese of Springfield and Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke met with Holyoke Building Inspector Damian Cote to share a report on structural issues related to the former Mater Dolorosa Church. In that report, based on a structural review conducted last year as well as a more recent inspection by structural engineer Bernie Hunt, evidence was discovered that indicates the steeple was now in critical condition requiring action as soon as possible. In addition, engineers have recommended that the city close the sidewalks adjacent to the church.

The Building Inspector agreed to review the report, we are awaiting a response.
Fr. Albert Scherer, the pastor, will address this issue at all Masses this weekend.
This is indeed a sad turn of events; it had long been the goal to find a new purpose for this beloved church, with much of the last year exploring possible options. But as is the case with so many of our beautiful structures the passing of time takes its toll and the costs of restoration in many instances far exceeds a parish's financial resources, circumstances that would not have changed even if the building had been placed in an historic district. In fact the former St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Adams was in an historic district when the city there ordered its immediate demolition under similar circumstances last year.

Absent serious structural concerns, the diocesan policy has always been to seek reuse or redevelopment of surplus property first and foremost. Often, again absent serious structural limitations, we have been generally successful. And perhaps in this case we would have been more successful had we not been dealing with the initial occupation, Vatican appeals process and historic district debate, all which kept us from actively marketing the property.

Finally, in the last year we did begin discussions with the parish on possible re-uses which required the initial structural review to understand what the parish might have to undertake. When any parish reuse was deemed infeasible then we began the process of putting the property up for sale. Late last year Colebrook Realty met with parish representatives to discuss placing the property for sale this very month.

As for interest, there was a very preliminary inquiry early on but we could not engage because of the Vatican appeal that was then underway. In recent months a group of former parishioners did meet with us to discuss turning over the church to them. We shared our building analysis with them. However they lacked resources to make any meaningful offer much less take on the needed repairs. In consultation with the parish it was decided to test the real estate market first as to a sale which might net the parish some financial return to offset the real estate taxes they have had to pay since the church became inactive as a place of worship.

As for Councilor Lisi's concern, you need to do a thorough structural analysis before undertaking these types of repairs. It would be like a patient going to surgery without any preliminary tests or X-rays that would determine a course of treatment.

In the end, sadly the parish simply doesn't have the financial resources to undertake extensive repairs on a building for which it has no future use and that they would be unlikely to gain through any future sale.

The Massachusetts economy grew by just a half a percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2016.

AMHERST -- A shortage of well-trained workers for in-demand jobs is slowing growth in the Massachusetts economy, according to a report out Friday from MassBenchmarks.

Massachusetts' real gross domestic product grew at an estimated annual rate of 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the MassBenchmarks Current Economic Index. That is contrasted with an estimated 1.9 percent during the same period nationally.

MassBenchmarks is a quarterly study of the state economy prepared by economists working with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released the national GDP estimates Friday.

Looking back over the past year, the state's economy grew at a 3.1 percent rate in the third quarter, said MassBenchmarks, which bases its work on the federal estimates. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the state grew by 1.7 percent in the second quarter and contracted by 1.9 percent in the first quarter, while the U.S. economy grew by 3.5 percent in the third quarter, 1.4 percent in the second quarter and 0.8 percent in the first quarter.

"While wage and salary income declined at a 7.6 percent rate in the fourth quarter, this is surprising but doesn't necessarily indicate falling labor incomes," said Alan Clayton-Matthews, MassBenchmarks Senior Contributing Editor and associate professor of economics and public policy at Northeastern University who compiles and analyzes the Current and Leading Indexes.  "One reason for the slowdown in income growth may be strong income growth in the third quarter (11.8 percent) which, according to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, was affected by one-time business tax events that effectively shifted some income receipts into the third quarter from the fourth quarter."

Clayton-Matthews estimates wage and salary income from withholding tax revenues, which can fluctuate from quarter to quarter for many reasons. 

Other highlights from the MassBenchmarks report:

• The broadest definition of state unemployment stood at 7.4 percent, close to the pre-recession low of 7.1 percent in September 2007.
• The  state's broader U-6 measure, which includes involuntary part-time workers who would rather work full-time and those who want a job but haven't searched in the last four weeks is near pre-recession levels.
• Payroll employment in Massachusetts grew at a 0.9 percent rate in the fourth quarter after expanding at a 2.4 percent pace in the third.
• MassBenchmarks estimates that that the state economy will continue to grow at this subdued pace over the next six months, at 0.9 percent in the first quarter of this year and 1.0 percent in the second quarter. Economists fear that polices from the White House may hurt international trade and medical research the Massachusetts economy depends on.

Fox Business Network has postponed an interview with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno regarding immigration and sanctuary cities issues.

SPRINGFIELD - Fox Business Network has postponed a Friday afternoon interview with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, that was slated to deal with issues regarding immigration and sanctuary cities.

Sarno had been scheduled to be interviewed by Neil Cavuto of the "Cavuto: Coast to Coast" program. A spokeswoman for Fox said the interview was bumped due to breaking news. 

Sarno on Thursday was quoted by The Republican and on MassLive as saying there was no truth to reports that Springfield is a "sanctuary city," referring to communities where police departments do not assist federal agencies in detaining and deporting some immigrants living here illegally.

"We are not a sanctuary city, period," Sarno said Thursday. "And I'm not going to become a sanctuary city."

Cavuto had reached out to Sarno for his take on President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration and sanctuary cities. A new date for the interview has not yet been determined.

On Wednesday, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh sharply criticized President Donald J. Trump for threatening to strip federal funds from sanctuary cities. Walsh said City Hall itself would be used for such immigrants as a last resort.

Other local mayors, including Holyoke's Alex Morse also chimed into the debate, expressing support for immigrants residing in their cities. 

J. Crew Mercantile opened on Tuesday, making it the first store to open in the newly-expanded Longmeadow Shops.

LONGMEADOW — J.Crew Mercantile officially opened its doors in the Longmeadow Shops this week, becoming the first retail store to start business in the newly-expanded complex.

The store's grand opening came Tuesday, almost a year after construction officially began, according to a statement from Grove Property Fund LLC, which owns the property. The expansion project encompasses a 21,000-square-foot addition to the plaza.

"The Longmeadow Shops have long been a fixture in the heart of the Longmeadow community, with a history that dates back to the early 1960's," the statement says. Grove Property Fund purchased the property in 1994 and has worked tirelessly to enhance customer experience in a competitive retail market.

According to a statement, J.Crew Mercantile stores feature" a collection of value-driven merchandise with classic J.Crew style for women, men and children."

The expansion was a result of the community's support for a zoning modification voted on in February of 2015, allowing for a 20 percent increase in shared retail space along with parking and pedestrian safety improvements. Construction officially broke ground in March of 2016.

In an interview last month, Grove Property Fund regional property manager Steve Walker said he expects Verizon will open its new store at the Longmeadow Shops on Feb. 1, with CVS commencing business at its larger, 13,100-square-foot store on March 24.

"It's been a fun journey," Walker said in a statement. "There has been a lot of support and hard work along the way, and it's really rewarding to see our improved shopping center taking shape."

Dozens of anti-abortion advocates hoisted signs and marched down city streets Friday in solidarity with the thousands who turned out in Washington for the 44th annual March for Life. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Standing in solidarity with the 44th March for Life in Washington, about 100 Western Massachusetts abortion opponents took to the streets Friday for their own sister rally in downtown Springfield. 

The second annual Springfield Mini March for Life, sponsored by Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley, took marchers from St. Michael's Cathedral on State Street to City Hall, where Pope Francis High School students led a brief anti-abortion rally.

The event, which ended with a mass at the Holy Spirit Chapel, came as thousands of advocates from Massachusetts and across the country descended on the nation's capital for the official March for Life, which marks the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.

Tony Moran, the Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley treasurer, said he organized the Springfield march in order to allow those unable to travel to Washington to bring public awareness "to the plight of the unborn."

"It's an issue that's been sort of just under the surface of society," he said in an interview. "It's amazing that the debate has really not been framed as to when does life begin. And if that question can be answered, then abortion will be seen as killing."

Kristine Jackson, a 66-year-old Springfield resident and longtime member of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said she hopes the march inspires more abortion opponents to speak out.

"A lot of people are pro-life but they would never come out and do this," she said. "In the beginning I was a little embarrassed when I first started years ago, but you're supporting one another and the cause."

For 36-year-old Chicopee resident Jessica Wisniewski and her husband William Wisniewski, 49, the decision to march was more personal. 

"I was pregnant with both these children and the hospital ... wanted us to abort them," she said, pointing to 2-year-old Wes and 4-year-old Mila, who also joined the march. 

The Wisniewskis said that although the hospital had expressed health concerns about the pregnancies, both children now lead happy and healthy lives.

"We just want to be a voice for those women and even the men out there ... to stand up and don't be afraid," Jessica Wisniewski said. 

While nearly 100 Western Massachusetts abortion opponents marched in Springfield, more than 300 people from across the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires took to the streets in Washington.

Peggy Bradford, the director of field operations for Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said hundreds of Bay Staters were expected to travel to the national march and rally.

Buses picked up marchers at St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee, as well as in Greenfield, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield and Great Barrington late Thursday, as well as several other locations in eastern Massachusetts.

The 44th March for Life began with a late-morning rally on the National Mall featuring speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, Senior Counselor to the President Trump Kellyanne Conway, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson and others.

It was followed by a 1 p.m. march to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The March for Life came less than one week after 500,000-plus people took to the streets in Washington to protest Trump and several issues -- including those involving women's health.

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