While Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts has a moratorium on area resettlement of refugees as a result of President Donald Trump's executive order.

SPRINGFIELD - While Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts has a moratorium on area resettlement of refugees as a result of President Donald Trump's executive order of Jan. 20 barring such resettlement for three months, the agency is continuing plans to expand its program to the Berkshires.

"We may have a moratorium on resettlement, but we have a moral and ethical commitment to the refugees, including our recent arrivals, and will continue to work to meet their needs," said Maxine J. Stein, president and chief executive officer of JFS.

 JFS was able to settle refugee families from Iraq and the Congo in Springfield, just days before the order barring refugees from entering the United States was signed, as well as a family from Somalia earlier in the month, she said.

She said plans to welcome other refugee families expected to arrive at the end of this month from Syria and the Congo were halted by the order, but that JFS will be "ready and waiting" to continue resettlement "by the time the moratorium is lifted."

Trump's executive order, which has resulted in nationwide protests and legal challenges, blocks refugees from entering the nation's borders for 120 days, refugees from Syrian indefinitely, and entry by citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.

Stein said JFS was not surprised by Trump's executive order, given his campaign promises, but called it "very aggressive, very un-Jewish, un-American and un-welcoming." She said this was particularly so in that it was signed on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"The Holocaust should serve as a reminder of what happens when a country is unwelcoming of refugees. Jews were sent back to their deaths in concentration camps as a result of this," Stein said.

In its year-round resettlement of refugees, Stein's agency works with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency in the country that was initially established to help Jews escaping persecution and now rescues refugees from around the world, including from countries that do not recognize the state of Israel.

The day before the order was signed, JFS, which settles more than 240 refugees annually through its Springfield office, announced that it was expanding its resettlement work to Pittsfield, which the agency said had been approved earlier this month by the U.S. State Department as a sub-site early this month.

Stein said the expansion was in response to the Obama Administration's intent to allow more refugees into the country, and for JFS to meet that request by accepting approximately 50 more refugees. She said the Berkshires had responded favorably to the resettlement of refugees in that county from the 1970s through the 1990s.

In an earlier statement, both Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer and State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, expressed support for expansion of the JFS program to the Berkshires.

Stein said community meetings will be held Feb. 6 at Morningside Community School, and Feb. 13 at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield.

Last year, some 1,734 refugees were resettled in Massachusetts, according to the state Office of Refugees and Immigrants.

A fugitive named William Shakespeare, accused of a June 2016 killing in Mattapan, was captured this morning in the Bronx.

A fugitive named William Shakespeare, accused of a June 2016 killing in Mattapan, was captured this morning in the Bronx.

Shakespeare, 29, was indicted by a grand jury last September after the June 14 fatal shooting of Marcus Hall inside a Mattapan barber shop.

Boston Police Commissioner Williams EvansAP Photo 

"Boston Police Homicide detectives and prosecutors from Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley's office worked tirelessly investigating and ultimately identifying Shakespeare as the suspect responsible for this brazen daytime murder," Boston Police said in a statement. "The investigation led authorities to believe that Shakespeare fled the state shortly after the murder to avoid capture."

A lengthy investigation ensued, until the Boston Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit, US Marshals and NYPD located and arrested Shakespeare Tuesday morning in the Bronx, New York.

Shakespeare will be extradited to Boston, where he will face charges of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm.

"This arrest illustrates the commitment and extraordinary work of my investigators and officers. It sends a strong message that no matter where you run to, we will find you and we will arrest you," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said in a statement. "I pray that the news of this arrest brings some level of peace to the family of the victim, and I wish to thank my officers and all who helped locate and arrest this dangerous criminal."

The leaders of the University of Massachusetts and Boston University, along with immigrant advocates, joined Attorney General Maura Healey as she called President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration "illegal" and announced efforts to challenge the order. Watch video

BOSTON - The leaders of the University of Massachusetts and Boston University, along with immigrant advocates, joined Attorney General Maura Healey as she called President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration "illegal" and announced efforts to challenge the order.

Healey also referred to Trump's action as "harmful" and "unconstitutional," because it forces Massachusetts to discriminate against one group of people based on their religion. Healey called the order a ban on Muslims.

Trump released the order late last week, leading to chaos chaos and protests inside the nation's airports. The Trump administration has given varying descriptions and explanations for the order. The order seeks to limit travel to the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries and suspends the refugee program.

"By filing this suit today we are fighting for the principles that made America a beacon of hope and freedom for the world," Healey said.

Boston federal judges also block President Donald Trump's immigration order

The order seeks to prevent travel into the U.S. for 90 days by non-U.S. citizens from seven countries that are predominantly Muslim. They are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.

UMass President Martin Meehan, Boston University President Robert Brown, immigrant advocate Eva Millona, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts President Carol Rose, and the attorneys who worked to free people detained at Logan Airport over the weekend stood behind Healey as she announced the lawsuit.

"We have 166 faculty, scholars and staff who are from these seven countries. We have over 300 students that are from these countries," Meehan said. "We're a university of 75,000 students, 25,000 employees and those students and those faculty members who come to us from other parts of the world are critically important to our mission."

"This order undermines the mission of the University of Massachusetts," he added.    

Gov. Charlie Baker's office said in a statement posted to Twitter they back Healey's move. Healey said she and Baker are "in solidarity" on her move to intervene and block the executive order.

Our administration has worked with @MassAGO's office and supports her challenging this action. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/TqJ5wVv4oZ

-- Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) January 31, 2017

An affiliate of Better Homes Inc. bought the complex in December for a total of $4.2 million, according to documents on file with the Hampden Registry of Deeds.

SPRINGFIELD -- MassDevelopment has issued a $12.3 million tax-exempt bond to finance the purchase and rehabilitation of 75 units of affordable housing and a community center in Springfield's Mason Square neighborhood.

BH EHT I LLC, an affiliate of Better Homes Inc., is updating electrical wiring, HVAC systems and plumbing, installing new windows, doors, roofs, flooring and exterior wall insulation and making kitchen improvements, according to a press release from MassDevelopment.

BH EHT I LLC will also buy and renovate a vacant commercial building at 437 Bay St. for community and office space serving the housing complex.

The new neighborhood will be renamed E. Henry Twiggs Estates after the Ward 4 city councilor and longtime civil rights activist.

According to papers on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, BH EHT I LLC purchased the real estate in December for a total of $4.22 million from two companies known as Kenyon College Estates and Neighborhood Homes.

Better Homes, which also does business as Home City Housing, is a nonprofit housing organization that owns housing in Northampton and Springfield totaling 423 units, MassDevelopment said.

E. Henry Twiggs 

TD Bank purchased the bond. MassDevelopment said it also assisted the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development with the approval of federal low income housing tax credits that will provide approximately $9.8 million in equity for the project.

"The E. Henry Twiggs development builds upon the momentum of other transformative projects in this important Gateway City and will preserve much-needed housing for years to come," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones in a press release. "Increasing and improving the Commonwealth's stock of housing is one of MassDevelopment's key priorities, and we're pleased to support Better Homes Inc. on this project."

MassDevelopment is the state's finance and development agency. During fiscal 2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. The projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.

"The E. Henry Twiggs development represents a significant investment in one of Springfield's oldest neighborhoods and the people who live there," said Tom Kegelman, executive director of Home City Housing, in a press release. "We are excited by the physical improvements this project brings, but more excited by the personal success we see every day with residents who establish a home, find work, grow healthy and successful children, and go on to buy homes of their own. We are most proud of their contribution to the City of Homes."

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation took aim at President Donald Trump Tuesday following reports that he fired the acting attorney general for refusing to back a contentious executive order that bars refugees and immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation took aim at President Donald Trump Tuesday following reports that he fired the acting attorney general for refusing to back a contentious executive order that bars refugees and immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries.

The new president, whose order sparked weekend protests and legal action, removed Sally Yates as the top law enforcement officer late Monday, contending that the deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama had "betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States."

Trump fires acting attorney general after she discourages enforcement of immigration order

Calling Yates "weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration," Trump named Dana Boente, the U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, to serve as acting attorney general until nominee Jeff Sessions' Senate confirmation -- a move which drew pushback from Democrats.

Contending that the new president's executive order "is indefensible," U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, argued that the country needs "patriots like Sally Yates with the courage to stand up to Trump."

"Americans who put our country first and reject dangerous policies like Trump's #MuslimBan should be saluted," he wrote in a series of tweets.

We need patriots like Sally Yates with the courage to stand up to Trump. His #MuslimBan is indefensible. Thank you. https://t.co/DZL8TOTyIt

-- Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 31, 2017

Americans who put our country first and reject dangerous policies like Trump's #MuslimBan should be saluted. Retweet to thank Sally Yates. https://t.co/psWFzwVAYZ

-- Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 31, 2017

McGovern further argued that the new president's executive order should be rescinded.

"Turning our backs on the innocent women, children and families desperate to escape violence is not only callous and wrong, it is deeply un-American," he said in a statement. "A policy that stigmatizes and isolates Americas of any faith makes us weaker, not stronger. We are better than this."

Congressman Richard Neal, D-Springfield, also spoke out against the so-called travel ban, which barred Syrian refugees from entering the U.S., suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days and blocked citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days.

Anti-Trump protest at Bradley Airport after president bans refugees, restricts immigration

"Turning our back on refugees fleeing conflict and persecution will only damage our reputation around the globe. It will energize those bad actors who seek to do us harm," he said in a statement. "And judging by the chaos and confusion at our nation's airports, the controversial executive order was not thoroughly vetted with the appropriate federal authorities."

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, called Trump's decision to fire Yates "dangerous" and raised concerns that it could have a chilling effect on other federal workers.

".@realDonaldTrump's firing of Deputy AG Yates for refusing to defend his unconstitutional #MuslimBan is dangerous & sends chilling effect," he tweeted Tuesday.

.@realdonaldtrump's firing of Deputy AG Yates for refusing to defend his unconstitutional #MuslimBan is dangerous & sends chilling effect.

-- Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 31, 2017

Pointing to Trump's firing of Yates, meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, urged fellow senators to oppose Sessions' confirmation. 

"The president of the United States just fired the nation's top law enforcement officer for refusing to defend an illegal, unconstitutional and deeply immoral order," she said in a statement. "Now, the president expects the Senate to replace her with Sen. Jeff Sessions - a man whose career has been defined by open hostility to civil rights, immigrants and the rule of law ... It's time for the Senate to stand up for the Constitution and exert moral leadership."

Congresswoman Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, praised Yates for "having the moral courage to stand up for what's right, no matter the consequences."

Thank you @SallyQYates for having the moral courage to stand up for what's right, no matter the consequences #NoBanNoWall https://t.co/8euWRoRcX9

-- Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 31, 2017

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, also lauded Yates for "standing up for justice."

"History will remember where you stood," he tweeted late Monday.

Thank you for standing up for justice, @SallyQYates. History will remember where you stood.

-- Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 31, 2017

Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, argued that anyone considering taking on the role of attorney general should follow Yates' example.

"In case there's anyone out there applying for #AttorneyGeneral, #SallyYates just showed how the job is supposed to be done," he wrote in a Monday evening Twitter post.

In case there's anyone out there applying for #AttorneyGeneral, #SallyYates just showed how the job is supposed to be done.

-- Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) January 31, 2017

U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, meanwhile, pointed to Yates' 2015 confirmation, contending that her statement about following the law and Constitution "were clearly not hollow words."

"Thank you @SallyQYates for defending US's core values, justice & law - these were clearly not hollow words in 2015," she tweeted Tuesday.

Thank you @SallyQYates for defending US's core values, justice & law - these were clearly not hollow words in 2015. https://t.co/jxMDm325bG

-- Niki Tsongas (@nikiinthehouse) January 31, 2017

Yates, in a Monday letter to Justice Department lawyers, questioned the legality of Trump's executive order, the New York Times reported. 

Boente, upon his appointment, rescinded Yates' guidance and directed DOJ employees to "do our sworn duty and to defend the lawful orders of our president."

Prosecutors said Daniel Saad owed $2.5 million to creditors and vendors.

WARE -- The Snow's Restaurant owner who was convicted on Friday of torching a Rhode Island pub he owns in an insurance scam turned down a plea deal that would have allowed him to serve five years in federal prison.

Defense attorney William Dimitri said his client, Daniel Saad, is now facing a minimum sentence of 15 years.

Saad "chose to go to trial because he was adamant he did not do it," the Providence lawyer said in a telephone interview this week.

Saad was indicted in Rhode Island last March on one count of arson, which carries a 20-year maximum sentence and $250,000 fine, one count of use of fire to commit wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud involving his Glocester, Rhode Island restaurant and pub.

"I am disappointed, Danny was very upset" with the verdict, Dimitri said.

The three-week trial concluded last week when a jury at Federal District Court in Providence found him guilty on all four counts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland told the court Saad owed $2.5 million to creditors and vendors and was "regularly delinquent" in making payments.

The prosecutor said the U.S. attorney's office review of Saad's finances in the five years prior to the Nov. 30, 2014 fire showed he had paid nearly $200,000 in bank overdraft fees, and that employee paychecks routinely bounced.

The prosecutor said Saad had insured the Glocester pub with a policy that "provided for $700,000 in coverage for the building, another $150,00 for its contents, and $140,000 for lost income," court records show.

Saad is currently being held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, located in Central Falls, Rhode Island.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 27.

The lawyer said Saad at one time was operating seven restaurants.

As of shortly after 1 p.m., only the northbound breakdown lane is open to traffic, state police said.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

LONGMEADOW -- State police have responded to a tractor trailer crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 91 at the Longmeadow Curve.

As of shortly after 1 p.m., only the northbound breakdown lane is open to due to the jack-knifed tractor trailer, state police said. All southbound lanes are open.

Minor injuries have been reported. The crash occurred at the 1.6 mile marker.

The crash occurred as snow falls in the region. Police in Springfield and West Springfield report a flurry of accidents, according to scanner reports.

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

The armory will mark the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I on April 6 with a new exhibit: "Springfield Armory Goes to War."

SPRINGFIELD -- More programs, better signage and a resurgent Springfield drove a 5 percent increase in visitor traffic to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in 2016, according to James Woolsey, superintendent of the museum dedicated to the region's industrial and military heritage.

The armory drew 23,000 visitors last year, up from 22,000 the year before.

"We continue to see an approximately 5 percent  annual increase in visitation at the site. Over the last five years, it has increased by a cumulative total of 25 percent," Woolsey said.

The Armory has added more educational programs, hosted a citizenship ceremony  and plans to mark the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I on April 6 with a new exhibit: "Springfield Armory Goes to War."

In 2016, the Armory celebrated both the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 100th anniversary of the Big E.

Woolsey also said economic development efforts in Springfield are bringing energy and money to downtown, and some of those folks visit the armory. The Park Service has added better highway and street signs in recent years to direct motorists.

For 174 years, the  men and women working at the Springfield Armory designed, developed and manufactured firearms and other weapons for the U.S. military. Today, the Armory Historic Site has one of the largest collections of small arms in the world.

The Springfield Armory Alliance, a volunteer friends group, is in the process of raising $30,000 for its "The Armory in Bloom" campaign. The goal is to restore the historic gardens and surrounding landscape, including a historic rose arbor, to its heyday of a half-century ago.

Springfield Armory 2016 year in review by Jim Kinney on Scribd

A two-day job fair will be held at Six Flags New England on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at the Human Resources Building across Main Street from the park. Friday's hiring session is from 3 to 8 p.m., while Saturday's session runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AGAWAM -- Looking for a summer job? Six Flags New England, the region's largest theme park, is hiring over 3,000 seasonal employees for the 2017 season beginning April 1.

The Agawam amusement park is holding a two-day job fair on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at the Human Resources Building across Main Street from the park. Friday's hiring session is from 3 to 8 p.m., while Saturday's session runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Six Flags is hiring for all positions, including admissions, culinary services, games, lifeguards, loss prevention, park services, EMT, security, entertainment, retail and rides. Hourly wages start at $11 and include flexible schedules and free park admission for employees.

Six Flags is encouraging job applicants to arrive early for the job fair. Interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available by calling the park's human resources division at 413-786-9300, ext. 3100.

Applicants must be at least 16 and can apply online at sixflagsjobs.com.

Six Flags is also holding auditions for actors, dancers, characters, superheroes, drummers and technical staff for the park's spring and summer entertainment series. The auditions will will take place at the Human Resources Building on Sunday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, the National Association for Business Resources has named Six Flags Entertainment Corporation to its list of the "Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For."

John Duffey, president and CEO of Six Flags, said he was delighted to make the list.

"Our employees are our most valuable asset and the company's success is directly attributable to their hard work and dedication," he said. "We are thrilled and humbled to be included among this esteemed category of best companies to work for."

State police, reporting slippery road conditions, reduced the speed to 40 mph as of about 1:30 p.m.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

LUDLOW -- Slippery road conditions have prompted Massachusetts state police to reduce the speed limit on the Mass Pike to 40 mph from here to the New York line.

Other restrictions on turnpike travel not yet been imposed, according to state police.

The F-15 Eagle fighters based at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield are responsible for protecting a quarter of the nation's population.

WESTFIELD -- The Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing received the highest rating of "Mission ready" following a snap inspection last week.

The unit, based at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, is tasked with protecting Northeast airspace. Aircraft regularly depart Westfield to meet threats up and down the East Coast.

The F-15 Eagle fighters based at Barnes are responsible for protecting a quarter of the nation's population and one-third of the Gross Domestic Product.

Without notice, members of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Inspector General Team arrived at Barnes on Friday to test the wing's ability to defend Northeast airspace, according to a Facebook post from the 104th.

"I am very happy to report that we received the highest rating of 'Mission Ready' for our NORAD IG Alert Force Evaluation here at the 104th Fighter Wing," said Col. James J. Keefe, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, in a press release.

"If you have ever been through an Air Force evaluation, you know this is not the normal ratings," Keefe said. "Even more amazing is we have a skeleton force at our home station Operations and Maintenance Groups due to our Weapons Systems Evaluations occurring at Tyndall Air Force Base. This was a no-notice evaluation moved by IG from a different date at the end of last year."

The Inspector General Team from NORAD's headquarters evaluated all supporting elements of the region's mission such as the ability to maintain and generate alert aircraft and performance of security forces.

The 104th said the NORAD inspectors general recognized two members of the unit  during the inspection.

Staff Sgt. Rachel Morin of the 104th Security Forces along with Chief Master Sgt. Robert Roy, chief enlisted manager of the aerospace control alert's aircraft maintenance operations, received Superior Performer recognition.

Although U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren voted against confirming President Donald Trump's pick of Betsy DeVos for education secretary on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Democrat jokingly offered to put her full chamber vote on the line as part of a Super Bowl bet.

Although U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren voted against confirming President Donald Trump's pick of Betsy DeVos for education secretary on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Democrat jokingly offered to put her full chamber vote on the line as part of a Super Bowl bet.

With the New England Patriots set to square-off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Warren told U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, that they should bet over the outcome of the championship game, The Hill reported.

"How about we put a vote for Betsy DeVos on the line?" Warren reportedly asked Isakson, drawing laughter during Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing break.

"That's more than a gamble," Isakson responded, according to the news outlet.

Warren has been an outspoken opponent of Trump's pick to head the Department of Education, saying recently that "it is hard to imagine a less qualified or more dangerous person to be entrusted both with our country's education policy and with a trillion-dollar student loan program."

The Massachusetts senator has also argued that DeVos' nomination "is not in the best interests of the young people of America."

Elizabeth Warren: Betsy DeVos education secretary nomination 'not in the best interests of the young people of America'

Despite Warren's and other Democrats' opposition, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee along party lines to confirm DeVos during its Tuesday hearing, the Washington Post reported.

Trump's pick for education secretary must now be confirmed by the full Senate.

The crash was reported at about 1:45 p.m. in the area of Zoar Outdoor at 7 Main Street. A minor injury was reported.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

The crash was reported at about 1:45 p.m. in the area of Zoar Outdoor at 7 Main Street. A minor injury was reported.

Snow started falling in Western Massachusetts late Tuesday morning and state and local police have since reported a flurry of accidents.

The feds are looking into allegations of police misconduct and excessive force by Agawam police officers. Watch video

AGAWAM -- The FBI is investigating a use-of-force incident that led to the termination of three Agawam police officers on Oct. 16, 2016.

The former officers, all veterans of the department, have appealed to the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission. They claim they were unjustly fired by Mayor Richard Cohen and are seeking reinstatement and back pay.

Harold H. Shaw, the agent in charge of the FBI's Boston bureau, sent a letter to Agawam Police Chief Eric Gillis requesting all investigatory materials related to the case, which stems from the arrest of a man at Six Flags New England on June 19, 2016.

"The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, at the request of the US Department of Justice, has initiated a Preliminary Civil Rights of Color of Law investigation into allegations of excessive use of force, police misconduct, and obstruction of justice allegations against officers of the Agawam Police Department," Shaw wrote in the Jan. 30 letter, copies of which were sent to Cohen and Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

Cohen forwarded the results of the city's investigation, which included hiring an outside firm to examine the incident, to Gulluni's office, which declined to file charges in the case. On Monday, however, the FBI announced it was launching its own civil rights probe into the matter.

The man who was arrested, 27-year-old David Desjardins of Connecticut, was highly intoxicated and combative when police arrested him at the Agawam amusement park, said John Connor, the attorney representing the fired officers. Desjardins continued to struggle with officers at police headquarters, according to the lawyer, who said the use of force was justified under the department's own policies.

A video of the episode shows Desjardins tussling with officers, one of whom strikes him multiple times with a baton.

The former officers seeking reinstatement are Edward Connor, Anthony Grasso and John Moccio. They were first placed on administrative leave by Gillis in July, then fired by Cohen in October. Officer O'Connor is not related to his attorney.

The firings sparked an outcry among many town residents, leading to lawn signs, a petition, and a Facebook page supporting the officers.

Organizers pledge the rally on Main Street would be a weekly occurance. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Approximately 80 people from around the Pioneer Valley, concerned with the opening days of the Donald Trump administration, took the streets of downtown Springfield to voice their continued opposition to the direction of the new administration.

The demonstrators, many bearing signs critical of Trump, his controversial top aide Steve Bannon, and his nominees for cabinet positions, urged Massachusetts senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey to stay strong in their opposition to what they called White House overreach.

"No wall! No fear! Hear our voices loud and clear!" the group chanted at one point.

"Democracy is under attack! What do we do? Fight back!" they chanted a little later.

It was the second such demonstration on Main Street in a week, and organizers pledged it would continue each week. Both were sponsored by the local chapter of MoveOn, the progressive activist organization.

Organizer Jane Myers said the rally was intended to show Markey and Warren that they are in their corner when it comes to opposing Trump.

"We're here to tell our wonderful senators that we support them and want them to be very bold and do everything in their toolbox to resist Donald Trump's agenda," Myers said.

Warren regional director Everett L. Handford came out to speak to the crowd for around 10 minutes. He said he would relay their concerns to Warren. Afterward, he met privately with Myers and a few other demontrators in his office.

He declined to speak to the press.

Where the demonstration last week focused on opposing Trump's choices for cabinet positions, news out of Washington, specifically executive orders calling for construction of a wall on the Mexican border and restrictions on refugees and immigrants from Syria and other Muslim countries, added more fuel to the resistance fire.

Jeanne Kaiser of Springfield said she took part because she feels people need to be vigilant about what the Trump administration may be planning.

"I feel we need to have our eyes on the current administration every single minute," she said.

She was not present for the demonstration last week, and said she may attend if there is one next week.

She said she attended last week's women's march in Washington.

She said that in the short term, she'd like to see Trump have to "walk back" his travel ban, but in the long term, she said she is genuinely afraid for the direction of the country.

"The first 11 days of this administration have been much worse than I thought it would be - and I thought it would be very very bad," she said. "It took Nixon years to fire his attorney general."

Jane Fleishman from Northampton drove down in the snow because she wanted to be a part of a visible resistance to the Trump administration.

"I'm outraged and I wanted to put my voice out there in terms of the dissent that needs to happen in this country," she said.

Such public demonstrations allow like-minded bystanders to learn that there are others speaking out. It also lets local representatives know that they will have support if they take a stand in opposition to the White House, she said.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday her office is signing onto a legal challenge to President Trump's controversial executive order on immigration.

BOSTON - Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday her office is signing onto a legal challenge to President Trump's controversial executive order on immigration.

The order bans individuals traveling to the United States if they are from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Healey, who has emerged as a top Trump critic, said she expects the courts to act quickly. Healey said Trump was making good on a campaign call for a "complete shutdown on Muslims entering the United States."

Trump also suspended the federal refugee program. Healey said the executive order is a "dangerous" measure that discriminates on the basis of religion and nation of origin.

Two UMass Dartmouth professors were detained on Saturday afternoon at Logan Airport, according to Healey. They are Iranian nationals who earned degrees at Johns Hopkins and are lawful permanent U.S. residents.

Asked if she had a message for Trump, Healey said, "My message is simply this: That no one is above the law. That our job in government and here in the attorney general's office is to make sure that we uphold the rule of law, that we uphold the tenets and the principles set forth in our state constitution and our United States Constitution."

"The executive order is unconstitutional and must be struck down," she added.

Wade Davis, a cornerback who played four preseasons with three NFL teams and in NFL Europe, come out as gay more than four years ago. He will be speaking at the University of Massachusetts Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

AMHERST -- Wade Davis, a cornerback who played four preseasons with three NFL teams and in NFL Europe, who came out as gay more than four years ago will speak at the University of Massachusetts about the state of gender discrimination and sexual violence and what can be done stop it. 

The talk is Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Student Union ballroom.

Davis is a writer, educator and speaker dedicated to eradicating homophobia and sexism in athletics and engaging men in conversations around feminism and masculinity, according to the website promoting his talk. He also serves as the NFL's first Diversity and Inclusion consultant and teaches at New York and Rutgers universities.

His talk, "Protecting Me & We: Ending Gender Discrimination & Sexual Violence," is sponsored by the Men & Masculinities Center and is part of Black Heritage Month events at UMass.

On Feb. 7, Kelly Morgan, Winston and Carolyn Lowe Curatorial Fellow at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts and Ph.D. candidate at UMass, will speak at 4:30 p.m. at the Commonwealth Honors College Events Hall on the art of Kara Walker.

"Emancipating the Past: Kara Walker's Tales of Slavery and Power" opens at the UMass Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursday night with collector Jordan Schnizter speaking about the work.

The reception is at 5 p.m. in the gallery.

Marc Lamont Hill will speak Feb. 15 on "The War on Youth" at 7 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center. Hill is a scholar, activist, television personality and distinguished professor of African American Studies at Morehouse College.

For more events, visit the Black Heritage Month website. 

A majority supported the school at the meeting Monday night but not the two-thirds needed. Watch video

AMHERST -- Acting Superintendent Michael Morris says he is disappointed that a plan to replace two aging elementary schools will not move forward after a special Town Meeting vote brought the proposal to a halt Monday night.

Parent Astrid David was also disappointed that Town Meeting again rejected the plan to construct a "twin schools" building at the current Wildwood Elementary School site to serve students in grades two through six. 

She says her son, who has vision and auditory issues, has difficulty as a kindergartner at the Fort River School and would have benefited from the new facility.

The new school would have replaced the two of the town's elementary schools, and the Crocker Farm School would have become an early childhood center for prekindergarten through first grade.

It's unclear what happens next.

A majority supported the construction project at the meeting Monday night, but not the two-thirds needed. The vote was 123 to 92, with 57 percent supporting the proposal. Approval would have required 20 more votes. Nine voters abstained.

Town Meeting in November rejected the plan, 108 to 106, after the town at large had narrowly supported it via a Nov. 8 ballot question.

Parent Rebekah Demling led the petition drive to bring the request back because supporters said they had new information indicating that a majority of teachers supported the project -- something Town Meeting members didn't understand when they rejected it in November, she said.  

At the meeting Monday night, Demling  said 187 teachers had signed on in support of the building's design as well as the education plan. She told the meeting that state funding would be lost if the town rejected the proposal.

"Renovation is not an option," she said. And "there is no backup plan; there is no plan B."

The state School Building Authority agreed to pay about $34.4 million, leaving the town to pay the remaining $32.8 million. 

The Select Board, School Committee and Finance Committee all urged support.

 Finance Committee member Tim Neale said "should the town not approve article there would most likely be significant additional costs."

He said the cost of borrowing is expected to increase, and argued that there is no guarantee of state funding in the future. 

He said if the two current schools were renovated, the cost would be $69 million or $77 million each.   

But Town Meeting members again raised concerns again about the proposed reconfiguration, as well as costs.

Russell Vernon Jones, former Fort River School principal, argued against the plan. He said described the proposal as "a big mistake."

Town Meeting member Bonnie MacCracken urged a no vote because she said people can't afford the increase in taxes. She said about 100 neighbors are experiencing difficulty trying to keep their homes.     

School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Appy, though, wrote in an email, "I can't begin to understand why some members of Town Meeting chose not to listen to our educational community last night."

"When every town committee, board and a majority of community members supports this plan both educationally and fiscally it seems something other than facts and the best interests of the school community must be at work for the vote to end in this way," she wrote. 

Her message continued: "To cite the teachers' lack of support in November as a reason not to vote for this plan and then ignore them last night seems disingenuous."

Dozens of teachers, staff, parents and others packed the second tier of the Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium and wanted to speak, but debate was cut off after about 90 minutes and they never had the chance.

David was upset about that. She was prepared to speak and felt Town Meeting members didn't have the courtesy to spend the additional time listening.

One Town Meeting member who opposed the project had asked early on when the meeting could call the question to shut off debate.

Town Moderator Jim Pistrang pointed out it was early, but said the question could be called at any time.

In an email, Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer said rebuilding or renovating the elementary schools separately would be more expensive to taxpayers and more disruptive for students. That approach, she wrote, would also "still require periodic redistricting to support all students because decades of experience has taught us that we cannot replicate services in each separate school." 

"I look forward to hearing the strategies the opponents will employ to ensure the next property tax override can succeed after turning down $34 million dollars in taxpayer funds for co-located 2-6 schools that addressed every student's needs," she wrote.

Maria Kopicki, a member of Save Amherst Small Schools, an opponent of the project wrote in an email, "Those of us who opposed this building project are looking forward to working with our neighbors to develop solutions to our schools' problems that will be broadly supported." 

She said her group has already begun outreach to "many thoughtful and motivated people with a variety of perspectives."

Morris said that the town could again apply for state funds, but that would likely take several years because the town would have to start the process all over again.

The town could chose to build the schools without state aid -- however, the costs would be greater than the town cost for the failed "twin schools" proposal.

The Amherst School Committee voted in January 2016 to reconfigure the schools in part to increase teacher collaboration, equalize and maintain small class size, eliminate redistricting as well as to save money in operational costs.  

The committee said the most compelling reason was educational fairness.

The schools also don't comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Amherst voting record by ledermand on Scribd

Fernando Bost of Springfield is accused of using a knife in an armed robbery Nov. 20.

SPRINGFIELD — Bail was set Tuesday at $50,000 cash for Fernando Bost, charged with armed robbery and four counts each of assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney set the bail after Bost, 25, of Springfield, denied the nine charges against him.

According to the indictments, the incident happened Nov. 20 in Springfield and the weapon used by Bost was a knife.

The four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping name four victims, two men and two women. One of the four people is the victim listed in the armed robbery.

Dale E. Bass was appointed to represent Bost in the case prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mary A. Sandstrom.

Massachusetts religious leaders on Tuesday denounced President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees from Syria and travel from Muslim-majority countries. Watch video

BOSTON - Massachusetts religious leaders on Tuesday denounced President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees from Syria and travel from Muslim-majority countries.

They also urged Gov. Charlie Baker to take a stronger stance and support a bill called the "Safe Communities Act," which calls for "no state support" for a Muslim registry and bans agreements with federal officials to "deputize" local law enforcement officials as immigration agents.

"In the face of fear-mongering, dehumanization and outright lies, we will resist and we will rise," Rev. Dorothella Littlepage said.

Laura Wagner, executive director of the Unitarian Universalist Mass Action called the executive order a "threat to our democracy."

"As you see here today, the faith community will not remain silent and passively allow this to happen," she said.

The Rev. Cody Sanders of Cambridge told the crowd gathered inside Cathedral Church of St. Paul that they are seeking to stop Massachusetts from becoming a "Trump state." Trump, a Republican, lost Massachusetts in the 2016 presidential election to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

"We call on Governor Charlie Baker to stand with us," Sanders said to applause.

Baker this week said he supported Attorney General Maura Healey challenging the executive order in court.

"Massachusetts is a global community and we all benefit from the shared experiences of our partners from around the world to support our economy and educational institutions to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family," Baker said in a statement Tuesday.

"The recent executive order puts this at risk, will not improve our security, and the lack of guidance associated with such an abrupt and overwhelming decision is problematic for all involved," he added. "Our administration has worked with the Attorney General's office and supports her challenging this action. We look forward to the courts resolving this matter expeditiously."

Seventeen church officials - Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical and Historic Black church leaders - also released a joint letter responding to the aspect of the executive order affecting refugees.

"We grieve this decision to limit refugees, as it will cause further suffering, not just to our fellow Christians escaping persecution, but all refugees fleeing violence," they wrote.

"As Christians we try to live our lives in accordance with Jesus' Great Commandment - to love our neighbors as ourselves," the letter said. "We want safe homes, the freedom to worship, stable governments, and opportunities to thrive. Refugees desire the same."

Signers of the letter included Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar of the United Methodist Church;, the Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, Eastern Diocese of Armenian Church of America; Rev. Laura Everett, executive director of the Mass. Council of Churches; the Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts; and Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, among others.

University leaders join Maura Healey in challenging Trump order