Adamopoulos’ death stunned and saddened his Ludlow and the area’s basketball community, where he was known as a precocious player.

File photo by Manon MirabelliThese warning signs were posted at Norwich Lake in Huntington last year where a 10-year-old Gus Adamopoulos, of Ludlow, was killed in a boating accident.

NORTHAMPTON – A Westfield man who is already facing manslaughter and homicide charges in connection with the boating death of a 10-year-old Ludlow boy has been indicted by a Hampshire County grand jury on new charges related to the incident.

According to prosecutors, Steven J. Morse, 37, of 65 Deborah Lane rammed his speedboat into a kayak on Norwich Lake in Huntington on Aug. 17, 2010, killing Augustus Adamopoulos, 10, and injuring the boy’s father, James Adamopoulos. Bystanders brought the father and son ashore immediately and attempted to administer first aid, but “Gus” Adamopoulos could not be revived.

Although prosecutors say they have evidence that Morse ingested alcohol and marijuana prior to operating the boat, his lawyer has cited police reports that indicate Morse did not appear intoxicated. Morse has pleaded innocent to manslaughter, homicide by vessel and homicide by vessel while under the influrence of alcohol.

Augustus Adamopoulos

This week, a grand jury indicted Morse on the additional counts of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, intimidation of a witness and three counts of child endangerment while operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. The indictment names three boys under the age of 14 who were apparently the passenger’s in Morse’s boat. According to Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne, one of the boys is the son of the boat’s owner, who was being towed on water skies by Morse at the time of the crash. The other two boys are family friends.

The new indictments come seven months after the original ones brought during the tenure of Elizabeth D. Scheibel, the previous Northwestern District Attorney. Gagne said David E. Sullivan, her successor, sought the additional charges after a review of the case.

“We reviewed the entire case as we have done with every other prosecution that we assumed control of in January and we determined that the evidence supported these additional charges,” Gagne said.

Adamopoulos’ death stunned and saddened his Ludlow and the area’s basketball community, where he was known as a precocious player. He was also an avid golfer, winning an age-division champion at golf tournaments sponsored by The Republican - The Republican Junior and its Hole-in-One Contest. He won an age 10-12 division tournament at Ledges Golf Course on the morning of his passing.

Veterans Park Elementary School in Ludlow, which Adamopoulos attended, raised money to dedicate a bench in his honor at the school’s outdoor basketball court.

From Springfield and its neighboring communities, Massachusetts received 320 applications from people seeking emergency unemployment benefits as a result of the June 1 tornadoes.

Associated PressIn this photo taken on on Thursday , Feb. 3, 2011, an unidentified job seeker looks for an auto mechanic job opportunity at the Verdugo Job Center in Glendale, Calif. Fewer laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits, marking third drop in four weeks. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Massachusetts added 10,400 jobs in June, but the unemployment rate remained unchanged from May at 7.6 percent.

The rate was 7.8 percent in April, according to statistics released Thursday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Joanne F. Goldstein

Both the number of unemployed people in the state and the unemployment rate are the lowest since February 2009.

From Springfield and its neighboring communities, the state received 320 applications from people seeking emergency unemployment benefits as a result of the June 1 tornadoes, state Labor Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein said Thursday in a phone interview. That’s fewer than were expected, Goldstein said.

City-by-city unemployment statistics for June won’t be available until Tuesday.

Karl J. Petrick, an assistant professor of economics at Western New England University, said the June numbers were unimpressive.

Karl Petrick

“We created just enough jobs to not decrease the unemployment rate,” said Petrick said.

What’s more, national statistics show that companies are not increasing overtime for existing workers or hiring temporary workers in high numbers.

“Those are all the things companies do before they hire,” Petrick said. “They are not hiring because they are worried about demand.”

Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor said that new claims for unemployment benefits rose 10,000 across the country to a seasonally adjusted 418,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, dipped to 421,250. Applications have topped 400,000 for 15 weeks, a sign of sluggish hiring.

On Wednesday, Baystate Health announced that was eliminating 354 jobs. Of those, 185 are open positions that will not be filled. There will be 169 layoffs.

“Clearly, we don’t want to see any job cuts, especially in Springfield,” Goldstein said.

The state’s Rapid Response Team will help laid-off workers find new jobs, Goldstein said. But she didn’t yet know what professions and job descriptions were cut.

Ellis S. “Bud” Delphin, director of programs and services at CareerPoint career center in Holyoke said demand is high for skilled health-care workers, including nurses and technicians. He’s also seeing high demand for skilled machinists who can operate computer-controlled machines in a precision-manufacturing environment.

Goldstein said the statewide jobs numbers show growth across multiple sectors of the economy. Manufacturing jobs were up 2,900 in June. The construction sector gained 2,500 jobs. Professional, scientific and business services gained 2,300 jobs. Leisure and hospitality gained 1,400 jobs. Financial activities gained 1,200 and health and human services gained 1,100 jobs.

Government added just 100 jobs.

There were job losses in trade, transportation and utilities and various miscellaneous categories.

The euro rose against the dollar, U.S. government bonds fell and oil crossed above $100 for the 1st time since June.

Associated PressIn this photo provided by the German government, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, is seen after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, center, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, prior to the summit on the European financial crisis in Brussels, Thursday, July 21, 2011. Greece would avoid paying back some of its billions in loans and a Europe-wide rescue fund would gain new powers to swiftly aid other debt-stricken countries under a sweeping deal being negotiated by European Union leaders in a last-ditch attempt to contain the continent's potentially devastating debt crisis. (AP Photo/Bundesregierung, Steffen Kugler)

By MATTHEW CRAFT
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK — What's good for Europe is good for markets.

News that European leaders were drawing up a new rescue plan for Greece and taking a broader approach to dealing with Europe's debt troubles drove markets higher Thursday.

The Dow rose 152 points. Oil crossed above $100 for the first time since June. The euro rose against the dollar, and U.S. government bonds fell.

At an emergency meeting in Brussels, European officials agreed to give Greece a rescue package worth 109 billion euros ($155 billion). They also plan to lower interest rates and lengthen payback terms for loans to Greece, as well as those made to Ireland and Portugal.

European officials gave new powers to the region's bailout fund, allowing it to provide credit to struggling countries before a crisis flares up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European officials want to tackle the "root" of the debt crisis.

Worries about Europe's debt crisis have been hanging over financial markets for months. A default by Greece or another deeply indebted country could freeze debt markets and cause other damage to Europe's banking system.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 152.50 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 12,724.41.

The S&P 500 index rose 17.96 points, or 1.4 percent, to 1,343.80. The Nasdaq composite index rose 20.20 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,834.43.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury jumped to 3.00 percent, up from 2.93 percent late Wednesday. The euro rose two cents to $1.44.

Europe's debt crisis and the debate over raising the U.S. government's borrowing limit have kept investors on edge over the past two weeks. The Dow and S&P have flip-flopped between gains and losses over the past eight trading days.

Markets have overreacted to signs of progress in the European debt crisis before.

In late June, stocks soared when French banks agreed to accept slower repayment of loans to Greece. Markets rose again two days later after Greek lawmakers passed an austerity bill, a necessary step before the country could receive a loan installment. Each rally has been short-lived.

But this deal is more comprehensive. "This is the first serious effort to address Greece's problems," said Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott. LeBas said the 110 billion euro loan package arranged last year by the European Union and International Monetary Fund just piled more loans on top of the debt Greece already owed.

Bank stocks were broadly higher. A fix for Europe's debt trouble would remove a threat to banks. Morgan Stanley jumped 11 percent. The investment bank's quarterly loss was much smaller than analysts expected, thanks to an increase in trading revenues.

Of the 30 banks that have reported earnings so far, 24 have surpassed analysts' estimates, according to research by Keefe Bruyette & Woods.

Technology stocks trailed the rest of the market. Intel Corp. slipped 1 percent, the only company in the Dow average that dropped. The chip maker said it expects weaker PC sales for the rest of the year as people and companies choose to buy tablet computers instead.

Express Scripts said it would buy Medco Health Solutions for $29.1 billion. The merger would combine the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits managers. Medco's stock rose 14 percent and Express Scripts gained 5 percent.

Stronger earnings pushed the stocks of Union Pacific Corp. and Philip Morris International up more than 4 percent. The cigarette maker also increased its full-year earnings forecast. Union Pacific's profit increased 10 percent thanks to higher shipping prices and a pickup in the number of carloads it carries.

Four stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was higher than average at 4.4 billion shares.

Brunelle lost the Ward 5 City Council seat in the 2009 election.

John P. Brunelle

HOLYOKE – Former city councilor John P. Brunelle said Thursday that while he took out nomination papers to run for mayor, he has decided against a bid for the seat in the fall election.

“I took out papers for myself to decide and to talk with people to see if I wanted to run. I’m not running for mayor. I never announced I was running for mayor,” Brunelle said.

“I was investigating the possibility of running, but I decided not to,” he said.

Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon defeated Brunelle, who had been the Ward 5 councilor since 2001, in the 2009 election.

The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers to be eligible to run for city offices is Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Registrar of Voters at City Hall.

Mayoral candidates must file papers bearing signatures of at least 250 registered voters.

Mayor Elaine A. Pluta has said she will run for a second-term.

Challenging Pluta are Alex B. Morse, who works as a youth counselor and job developer at CareerPoint here, business consultant Daniel C. Boyle and former city councilor Daniel C. Burns.

John Brunelle

AFL-CIO Policy Director Damon Silvers said Brown watered down key portions of the bill that overhauled U.S. financial laws.

Associated PressU.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Democrats are using the anniversary of a sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial laws to fault U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's role in the debate.

AFL-CIO Policy Director Damon Silvers said Brown watered down key portions of the bill including a provision that would have levied a $19 billion assessment on financial institutions. He said Brown instead pushed to use taxpayer dollars to cover the assessment.

Massachusetts state Democratic Party chairman John Walsh said Wall Street has responded by pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into Brown's reelection campaign.

A Brown spokesman said he worked to improve the financial overhaul and cast a key vote in favor of the bill which he believes will protect consumers and help avoid another economic meltdown.

One of the sponsors of the bill was Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

Some homeowners may be surprised to learn that what they thought was theirs actually belongs to the town.

Associated Press

GRANBY – In the next few weeks the Highway Department in this town will be trimming back foliage that’s a danger to drivers because it obstructs their view.

In these cases, “right of way” doesn’t mean what it means in a drivers’ instruction manual. It means the town can do what’s necessary with town property.

Some homeowners may be surprised to learn that what they thought was theirs actually belongs to the town, said Granby Highway Department Superintendent David Desrosiers.

David Desrosiers

“People tend to think that because they mow grass right up to the curb line, it’s their property,” said Desrosiers, “but that’s not the case.

“A good rule of thumb is 15 feet beyond the edge of the asphalt,” he said. That’s what belongs to the town. “We need room to put up signs and room for snow,” he explained.

If necessary, the Highway Department can show up with a metal detector to locate “pins” in the ground that mark off the town’s property.

The pins are installed when the road is laid out, and they remain in place as lawns and gardens expand over the years.

When it comes to foliage, “typically it’s not a problem unless it’s at an intersection," said Desrosiers.

The band of grass that adorns some sidewalks also belongs to the town, even if residents take on the responsibility of mowing it. “With our staff and manpower, we can only do so many things,” said Desrosiers.

One of those things is public safety.

“We get complaints regularly about line-of-sight problems,” said Desrosiers, referring to situations in which visibility is hampered. Most homeowners are cooperative when the situation is explained, said Desrosiers, whose office keeps an eye on 25 intersections in Granby with “sign distance limitations.”

A small number of residents are contentious, he said. “A few years back, we were able to trim back significantly,” he said, “with a police officer.”

The council, in a non-binding resolution, proposed that the city tax the rental income from the rooftop antennae.

SPRINGFIELD – The City Council this week asked the Board of Assessors, in setting new property values, to assess income from rooftop cell phone antennae to the maximum amount allowed under state law.

The council, in a non-binding resolution, proposed that the city tax the rental income from the rooftop antennae “to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the commonwealth and the directives of the Department of Revenue.”

Councilors said the hope is to generate additional tax revenue.

City Assessor Richard J. Allen said the board considers all approaches in assessing such properties and generally prefers the income approach for commercial, industrial and apartment buildings. Other approaches include cost and sales comparison, under law.

Allen did not disclose the specific approach used regarding antennae income.

Russell Seelig, a Forest Park resident, said the city is missing out on significant tax revenue by not pursuing the income approach to its fullest extent. Seelig raised his concerns during two recent meetings with the council’s General Government Committee.

Various buildings, including some shopping centers, office and apartment buildings and industrial buildings, have the antennae and collect rent, Seelig said. He cited Tower Square on Main Street and the Springfield Plaza on Liberty Street as two examples.

Allen said assessors do gather information from commercial property owners, including rental income. That information is “privileged and confidential” under state statute.

The council, as part of the resolution, is also asking the Department of Revenue to issue an advisory on the tax approach.

Councilor James J. Ferrera III, chairman of the government subcommittee, praised Seelig for his personal research. Property managers for Tower Square and the Springfield Plaza were not immediately available for comment.

Seelig said the income approach, while not required, is “normally the best approach to get the fair market value.”

The Department of Revenue Division of Local Services, in a 2005 publication, stated that assessors must use two methods when assessing commercial and industrial properties.

The division further stated that the income approach “is generally reserved for investment properties, where the income stream can be measured and calculated into a value estimate.” Commercial, industrial and apartment buildings fit into that category, the division stated.

The group says it wants one Mass per week in Polish and one in English.

07.18.2011 | HOLYOKE - From Maple Street, an early morning view of the steeple at Mater Dolorosa Church.

SPRINGFIELD – About 60 members of the Friends of Mater Dolorosa in Holyoke conducted a vigil in front of the Chancery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield on Elliot Street Thursday night, seeking a meeting with the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop of the diocese.

“We want to talk to the bishop about reopening Mater Dolorosa,” spokesman Victor Anop said. “If he has one Mass a week in Polish and one in English we’ll stop our vigil.”

The Friends of Mater Dolorosa have been holding a continuous vigil in the Holyoke church since June 30 in protest of the bishop’s decision to close the building.

Mater Dolorosa merged with Holy Cross to create a new parish, Our Lady of the Cross. It is located in the former Holy Cross Church in Holyoke.

Mark Dupont, spokesman for the bishop, said Thursday in a statement, “While we can appreciate the continuing sorrow over the decision to close the former Mater Dolorosa Parish church, the time has come for those occupying that church without permission and in defiance of their bishop, pastor and parish community to end these divisive actions.”

The initiative is a way to showcase regional artists while promoting an appreciation of the arts, Southwick Cultural Council vice president Patricia McMahon said.

Manon Mirabelli photoPatricia A. McMahon, vice president of the Southwick Cultural Committee, stands behind a pioneer chair on display at the Diane Mason Insurance Agency at 504 College Highway.

SOUTHWICK – Organizers of a cultural project are hoping to spur a greater, town-wide appreciation of the arts when the year-long venture culminates next summer with a colorful display of vividly painted pioneer chairs to be auctioned at a gala celebration.

The Cultural Council is sponsoring a project that is beginning with a call to regional artists to share their talents by turning 15 pioneer chairs into works of art.

The initiative is a way to showcase regional artists while promoting an appreciation of the arts and fostering a deeper sense of community, said Patricia A. McMahon, vice president of the cultural council.

“This is a way to dip our toes in the water of public arts,” she said. “The project provides another opportunity for area residents to enjoy the visual arts and to promote the regional artisans of Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.”

All 15 chairs, which Cultural Council members discovered at a camping show at the Eastern States Exposition, were purchased with council funds raised from other events, McMahon said. The pioneer chair was chosen because of its unusual design and the fact that it folds neatly, making it easy to move from one location to another.

“We were looking for something different,” she noted.

In addition to being provided with the chair, each artist will receive a $50 stipend for materials and supplies, she added. So far, seven artists have expressed an interest in participating in the project.

Once the 15 artists have been selected and the chairs are transformed into works of art, they will be displayed in the spring at various locations throughout town, including Town Hall and businesses along College Highway, which is in the midst of a major facelift.

In addition to putting the spotlight on the arts and beautifying the town with the finished product, the chairs will highlight local merchants when they are displayed in front of town businesses.

“We have a small business community, and we are hoping to bring attention to them with the chairs,” McMahon said.

The Cultural Council is accepting applications from all regional artists. The chair can be viewed at the Diane Mason Insurance Agency, 504 College Highway weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Interested artisans may pick up an application and guideline packet at Town Hall, or download it from the town website, www.southwickma.org/cultural. Deadline for the application is July 31.

Any questions regarding the application or guideline may be directed to McMahon by email to southwickpat@comcast.net or by calling (413) 569-6531.

Manon Mirabelli photoPatricia A. McMahon, vice president of the Southwick Cultural Committee, stands behind a pioneer chair on display at the Diane Mason Insurance Agency at 504 College Highway.

Sen. Patricia Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, is pushing an amendment to ban simulcasting greyhound races.

Associated PressIn this image released by Benoit Photo, jockey Mike Smith rides Mr. Commons to win the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes horse race, Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo)

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers have approved a bill that will allow the state's racetracks to continue simulcasting greyhound and horse races from other states for another six months.

The bill is now on Gov. Deval Patrick's desk. Without the extension the racetracks will have to stop simulcasting the races at the end of the month.

Simulcasting is a key source of revenue for the tracks, especially after Massachusetts voters decided in 2008 to outlaw live greyhound racing.

Track owners are also keeping a close eye on a planned debate on casino gambling that lawmakers have said will take place in September.

Sen. Patricia Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, is pushing an amendment to ban simulcasting greyhound races, which she said goes against the spirit of the voter approved law.

Carlos Edwards pleaded not guilty in Malden District Court to a charge of assault and battery on an infant.

Associated PressCarlos Edwards pleaded not guilty Thursday in Malden District Court to a charge of assault and battery on an infant.

MALDEN — A Malden man accused of severely injuring his 7-week-old son when he threw him to the concrete sidewalk during an argument with the infant's mother has been ordered held without bail.

Carlos Edwards pleaded not guilty Thursday in Malden District Court to a charge of assault and battery on an infant. A dangerousness hearing was scheduled next week.

Police say Edwards met the baby's mother just after noon Wednesday in front of her home and the two argued over money. Edwards doesn't live with the mother.

The baby was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with traumatic injuries to his brain and leg.

Edwards' lawyer says he doesn't have much experience with the court system and she isn't certain he understands the seriousness of the charges.

Associated PressCarlos Edwards pleaded not guilty Thursday in Malden District Court to a charge of assault and battery on an infant.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Paul Brendan Bagge

Paul Brendan Bagge, 45, of Springfield, died July 13. He was born in Springfield, grew up in East Springfield and attended local schools. He worked at a number of local companies over the years, including FedEx and Microtek. Bagge loved attending rock concerts and was a huge Rush fan, as well as an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Dallas Cowboys and the Boston Bruins.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• Ackley, Natalie F.
  




• 
  Albert, Alvin J.
  



• 
  Allder, Gertrude E. (Rollock)




• 
  Anton, Evelyn (Boron)
  



• 
  Appleyard, Joyce A.
  




• Arsenault, Irene M.
  




• 
  Bagge, Paul Brendan
  



• 
  Belliveau, Lisa




• 
  Bielski Sr., John A.
  



• 
  Bourbeau, Lucien L.
  




• Bourdeau, Marlene (Brown)
  




• 
  Brinkmann, Marie (Nanck)
  



• 
  Carpluk, Stephan B.




• 
  Chadwell, Ruth A. (Manning)
  



• 
  Cote, Doris M. (Brown)
  




• Croisetiere, Ismenia Perez
  




• 
  Dancy, Cammia Ysatis
  



• 
  Dlugosz, Edward




• 
  Edoff, Nelson V.
  



• 
  Haas, Keith
  




• Hall Jr., Russell A. "RJ"
  




• 
  Hoffman, Annunziata "Nancy" (Daniele)
  



• 
  Leger, Alderic L.




• 
  Lobo, RuthAnn
  



• 
  McLean, Dr. Eldon G.
  




• Metaxas, Pamela
  




• 
  Miller, Thelma J. (Waite)
  



• 
  Nichols, Annette G. "Ann" (Bilodeau)




• 
  Peacor, C. Norman
  



• 
  Royland, Susan M. (Kenary)
  




• Samuels, Belfier V.
  




• 
  Santiago, Marcelina
  



• 
  Sheehan, Dylan M.




• 
  Simpson, Robert F.
  



• 
  Szabo, Dorothea (Droesch)
  




• Taylor, Kathleen M.
  




• 
  Tetrault, Kelly A.
  



• 
  Voyik, Arlene E.




• 
  Willemain, Dorothy T. (Hinds)
  

The temperature is expected to reach 98 degrees Friday and several communities have opened cooling centers for people to escape the heat. Watch video

Republican staff photo by Mark M. MurrayBruce Durocher, manager of the Manny's TV & Appliance Store at 1872 Boston Road, Wilbraham, organizes the air conditioner stock which has seen an uptick due to the recent hot weather.

SPRINGFIELD – Bad luck happens in threes. And so do heat waves.

Barring the possibility that every meteorologist in the Northeast has today’s forecast wrong, temperatures will easily exceed 90 degrees for the third day in a row.

Thus, by midday, Western Massachusetts residents can grumble Irving Berlin’s lyrics (“We’re having a heat wave/ A tropical heat wave”) and be meteorologically accurate, because three days of 90-degree temperatures is the minimum heat wave threshold.

The temperature is expected to reach 98 degrees, which would tie the record high for the date, said abc40/FOX 6 meteorologist Ed Carroll.

Thursday’s high was 98 degrees; Wednesday’s temperature reached 91 degrees.

Friday is expected to be a near duplicate of Thursday with high temperatures and humidity, hazy skies and just all-around discomfort.

Carroll said the humidity today is supposed to be a tick lower than on Thursday, but any relief will be marginal.

“It won’t come down far enough for people to notice.”

Saturday is expected to be more of the same with temperatures in the mid-90s and high humidity.

Relief will not arrive until Sunday in the form of sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s, he said.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as high temperatures and humidity will combine for oppressive conditions.

An advisory is called when temperatures are between 95 and 100, and when the heat indices reach about 104 degrees.

The conditions are ripe for heat-related illnesses, especially for children, the elderly and those who perform strenuous physical labor outside during the day.

People are advised to refrain from staying outside for long periods, to wear loose-fitting clothing and to drink plenty of water. Several communities took steps to aid residents in escaping the heat.

Up and down the Pioneer Valley, cooling centers, or places where people could come for air conditioning and cold drinks, were in operation, including centers in Springfield, Agawam, Holyoke, and Greenfield.

In Holyoke, extra water was made available in the various activity rooms at the designated cooling place, the Council on Aging in the air-conditioned basement of the War Memorial, 310 Appleton St. It will be open again today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Things are going fine. We always have people coming in here. We’re making sure people are staying well-hydrated,” said Kathleen A. Bowler, executive director of the Council on Aging.

Holyoke’s senior citizens are an active bunch, and a few hundred visit the Council on Aging on an average day. On Thursday, there weren’t many more people than normal despite the heat, she said.

The Council on Aging will remain the designated cooling place, and probably also will be open Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. or 1 to 8 p.m. , Health Director Brian D. Fitzgerald said.

Cooling centers in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties
View Pioneer Valley cooling centers, July 21-23 in a larger map

In Amherst, Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education is allowing all residents to swim for free at the Amherst Regional Middle School pool though Sunday. On Friday, open swim hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. and lap swim from 7- 8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, open swim hours are 1-6 p.m.

The pool is supervised by American Red Cross certified lifeguards.

In Monson, Fire Chief George L. Robichaud said the Senior Center on Main Street will open Friday as a cooling center if necessary.

“With the heat wave upon us we do have the potential for perhaps some of our seniors to be in need of a cooler environment other than what they can provide for themselves,” Robichaud said. The Senior Center will be open today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Holland, the Senior Center on Brimfield Road will be open Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In East Longmeadow, the Council on Aging, 328 North Main St., will be open for use as a cooling shelter from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. today. People who are susceptible to difficulties caused by the extreme heat expected during this time, particularly those who have respiratory conditions, are disabled, and the elderly, are especially encouraged to go to the facility to cool off, officials said.

Residents are advised to bring any medication they will need, and that no meals will be available. For more information call the Council on Aging at (413) 525-5436.

The heat and efforts by people to beat the heat through air conditioners and fans has increased demand for electrical power across the region.

Marcia Blomberg, spokeswoman for ISO New England, said the projection is that demand could approach record highs across the region.

ISO New England has initiated an abnormal conditions alert for the region due to the heat.

The alert is a protocol that requires all electrical suppliers have all their generators and transmission equipment ready to go if needed. No systems may be taken off line for routine maintenance during the length of the alert, she said.

The projected demand for Thursday and Friday was 26,800 megawatts and 27,350 megawatts, respectively, levels that would be among the highest in New England history.

The all-time high was 28,130 megawatts set in 2006, she said.

She said she did not anticipate any problems, despite the increase in demand. If an emergency arose, large companies throughout the region would be asked to reduce usage to ease demand, and additional electricity could be requested from Canada and New York state, she said.

In Wilbraham, the Department of Public Works advised water customers Thursday that a section of a 16-inch water main was shut down on Main Street near Minnechaug Regional High School when two leaks were discovered.

The shutdown, as well as high volume usage, has caused a reduction in water pressure, systemwide. No one is without water.

Repairs on the water main are scheduled for July 27 with the work to be completed by July 29. At that time system pressure will be restored to normal levels.

Republican reporters John Appleton, Jeanette DeForge, Diane Lederman, Mike Plaisance, Elizabeth Roman and Lori Stabile contributed to this story.

The pool is supervised by American Red Cross-certified lifeguards.

Associated Press

AMHERST – To help residents stay cool, Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education is allowing all residents to swim for free at the Amherst Regional Middle School pool though Sunday.

Open swim hours are Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and lap swim from 7- 8 p.m. Open swim Saturday and Sunday is from 1 to 6 p.m. The pool is supervised by American Red Cross-certified lifeguards.

» Map of Pioneer Valley cooling centers

Investigators are working to determine what sparked a blaze that damaged several apartments inside 75 Oswego St. in Springfield Friday morning.

View full size(Republican Photo/ Robert Rizzuto)The fire started somewhere in the blackened third floor apartment seen on the left.

SPRINGFIELD - Investigators are working to determine what sparked a blaze that damaged several apartments inside 75 Oswego St. in Springfield Friday morning.

Around 1 a.m., an apartment fire was reported in a third floor apartment inside the four-story brick structure. When firefighters arrived, there were flames and smoke showing.

Crews entered the building and quickly knocked down the fire, checking for extension into other apartments about 15 minutes later.

Crowds of people gathered in front of the 87-year-old building in the city's South End as firefighters worked inside while American Medical Response EMTs and Springfield police stood by.

By 1:30 a.m., several fire engines left the scene and returned to service.

The 17-apartment building is owned and managed by Hollywood Associates Limited Partnership, which has an office in the adjacent building 79 Oswego St.

It wasn't immediately clear how many people were displaced by the fire.

More information about this incident will be published as it becomes available.

Around 5:30 p.m., a flat-bed tow truck was driving east on East Silver Street when a 53-year-old man walking along the tree belt fell into the road

Republican file photo

WESTFIELD - Authorities are still piecing together the details surrounding an incident Thursday evening where a pedestrian was seriously injured after he was run over by a tow truck in Westfield.

Around 5:30 p.m., a flat-bed tow truck was driving east on East Silver Street when a 53-year-old man walking along the tree belt fell into the road, according to Westfield police Lt. Michael Ugolik.

"The man fell into the road, mid-way under the tow truck, and was run over by the rear dual wheels on the passenger side," Ugolik said. "He sustained serious trauma and injuries and was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield."

The area was closed to traffic for several hours Thursday evening as the Westfield Police Department's traffic bureau and the accident reconstruction team with the Massachusetts State Police investigated.

Ugolik said that the investigation is ongoing and the victim was still in serious condition at the hospital last he heard.

The spike in the numbers of people deported for traffic offenses as well as a 78 percent increase in people deported for immigration-related offenses renewed skepticism about the Obama administration's claims that it is focusing on the most dangerous criminals.

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Huge increases in deportations of people after they were arrested for breaking traffic or immigration laws or driving drunk helped the Obama administration set a record last year for the number of criminal immigrants forced to leave the country, documents show.

The U.S. deported nearly 393,000 people in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, half of whom were considered criminals. Of those, 27,635 had been arrested for drunken driving, more than double the 10,851 deported after drunken driving arrests in 2008, the last full year of the Bush administration, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data provided to The Associated Press.

An additional 13,028 were deported last year after being arrested on less serious traffic law violations, nearly three times the 4,527 traffic offenders deported two years earlier, according to the data.

The spike in the numbers of people deported for traffic offenses as well as a 78 percent increase in people deported for immigration-related offenses renewed skepticism about the administration's claims that it is focusing on the most dangerous criminals.

President Barack Obama regularly says his administration is enforcing immigration laws more wisely than his predecessor by focusing on arresting the "worst of the worst." He promised in his 2008 presidential campaign to focus immigration enforcement on dangerous criminals. As recently as May 10, Obama said in a speech in El Paso, Texas, that his administration was focused on violent offenders and not families or "folks who are looking to scrape together an income."

Most of the immigrants deported last year had committed drug-related crimes. They totaled 45,003, compared with 36,053 in 2008. Drug-related crime — described as the manufacture, distribution, possession or sale of drugs — has been the No. 1 crime among immigration for years. Drunken driving was third in the number of offenses last year.

An illegal immigrant from Bolivia, Carlos Montano, is awaiting trial in Virginia on charges of involuntary manslaughter in a drunken driving incident that killed Benedictine nun Denise Mosier and injured two other nuns. The case fueled national debate over deportations of criminal immigrants because Montano had two previous drunken driving arrests, in 2007 and 2008. He was not held by ICE or deported after the arrests. An ICE report concluded that new federal immigration policies would have prevented Montano's release.

But the rise in traffic offenders in the deportation statistics and in some other categories worries immigration advocates, particularly because traffic stops are largely made by police, sheriff's deputies and state highway patrol officers. Local law enforcement has become more involved in immigration enforcement because of new programs that encourage it.

Officers "are using their new authority to remove as many unauthorized people from their jurisdictions as they can, and that frequently means going after traffic violators instead of serious criminals," said Muzaffar Chishti, director of the Migration Policy Institute's office at New York University Law School. The institute is a Washington-based think tank on migration.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano noted that most people in the United States are arrested for misdemeanor offenses. But she told the AP that the percentage of felons deported will change over time.

"The more serious offenders are still in prison," she said in an interview Thursday. "We're not going to see them reflected in the numbers until we can begin to remove them."

The issue is one Obama is trying to carefully navigate in his bid for a second term as he relies on the record deportations numbers to bolster his tough-on-enforcement stance while trying to convince immigrant and Latino voters he deserves more time to get a comprehensive immigration bill through Congress.

Marshall Fitz, immigration policy director at the liberal Center for American Progress think tank, said some of the people being counted as criminals have committed traffic violations that would usually draw a traffic ticket. But when the driver can't produce a valid license, the officer pursues questions about immigration status.

Illegal immigrants caught in traffic stops often are pressured into signing an agreement to leave the United States and to pay a fine or somehow acknowledge responsibility for the traffic offense and thereby end up in the statistics as criminals even though they never went to court, Fitz said.

Kumar Kibble, Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy of immigration, said in some cases people picked up on traffic offenses are found to have committed other crimes. But ICE attempts to categorize each deported immigrant in its statistics based on the worst crime in the person's record. ICE says the statistics involve only people who have been convicted of a crime.

Darrel Stephens, executive director of Major Cities Chiefs Association, an organization of sheriffs and police chiefs, said the data show ICE is deporting criminals. He noted that even though traffic offenses have more than doubled, they are just 7 percent of the total criminal deportations. Meanwhile, dangerous drugs and drunken driving deportations comprised 23 percent and 14 percent of the criminal deportations, respectively.

The drunken driving deportations are particularly important, he said. Fatal drunken driving accidents involving illegal immigrants often cause outrage in communities where they occur.

"That's a crime that people look at in a very serious way right now," Stephens said.

There are an estimated 11 million people in the country illegally, 7 million to 8 million of whom are believed to be adults.

Kibble said the numbers show his agency's system of giving priority for deportation to people who pose a public threat is working. Last year, 36,178 criminals were deported as a result of the Secure Communities program, now in place in more than 1,400 jurisdictions, up from 14 in 2008. It's expected to be in more than 3,000 jurisdictions nationally by 2013.

Secure Communities is the Homeland Security Department's system of identifying immigrants for deportation through fingerprints taken by local officers when booking people on criminal charges. The local law enforcement agencies routinely send the prints to the FBI for criminal background checks. The FBI shares the fingerprints with Homeland Security to look for potentially deportable immigrants, who can be in the country illegally or legally.

"The numbers are going in the right direction," Kibble said.

The fire was reported around 5:45 a.m. Friday.

The Republican | Greg Saulmon07.22.2011 | HOLYOKE - Fire Inspector Jordan M. Lemieux, left, and officers from the city's police department investigate a car fire on Elm St. early Friday morning.

HOLYOKE - Arson investigators and city police officers are investigating a suspicious car fire on Elm Street.

The fire was reported around 5:45 a.m. Friday at the 100 block of Elm Street, which lies between Dwight and Hampden streets.

Fire Inspector Jordan M. Lemieux said that, based on his preliminary investigation, it appeared an accelerant had been used to set the car's rear bumper ablaze. The fire blew out the car's windows and rear tires and caused heavy damage to the trunk area. A tow truck arrived to remove the vehicle shortly after 6:30 a.m.

A young man at the scene said that the car -- a two-door Toyota sedan -- was registered to his aunt, but that he had been the most recent driver.

Following the initial 911 call from the car's owner, police were looking for a Hispanic man with a black shirt the owner saw running from the area down Elm Street toward Appleton Street.

Poison resistant mice are showing up around the world; Hacker Group gets thousands of documents from NATO's servers; and more of the morning's headlines.

Vanity Mendez, 11, left, Isaiah Rivera, 6, center, and Jonathan Medina, 11, cool off at an open fire hydrant in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, Thursday, July 21, 2011. A heatwave that has enveloped much of the central part of the country for the past couple of weeks is moving east and temperatures are expected to top the 100-degree. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

• James Murdoch's phone-hacking denials contradicted by former employee statements [BBC.uk]


• Hacker group Anonymous downloads restricted data from NATO servers [CBS.com]


• No Gaddafi role in proposed Libya transition [Reuters.com]


• Sony Insurers Claim Non-Liability For PSN Hack Damages [IBT.com]


• Mice with poison immunity showing up around the world [DiscoveryNews.com)]


• Everything you should know about Captain America before seeing the movie [MTV.com]






• Twitter posts tagged #westernma in Western Mass. [MassLive.com]


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The carnival provides fun activities for while raising funds to support Southwick's volunteer Fire Department, local charities and student scholarships.

Manon Mirabelli photoMeghan Carroll, 7, of Southington, Conn., takes a ride on the Fun Slide at the Southwick Firemen's Carnival on Thursday.

SOUTHWICK – The purpose of the annual Firemen’s Carnival continues to be providing fun activities for the public while raising funds to support the volunteer Fire Department, local charities and student scholarships.

Firefighter Dennis E. Day, a 23-year veteran volunteer and co-chair of this year’s carnival which opened Thursday night, said a main attraction will be a fireworks display Friday night by the town’s Park and Recreation Commission.

That will be followed Saturday with the return of helicopter rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the popular Firemen’s Parade featuring antique and modern firefighting apparatus and equipment and various community groups.

The carnival is at least 60 years old and in 2006 the association reached the $1 million mark in its donations to the town in the form of training and equipment for the department, other charities and scholarships to graduating seniors at Southwick-Tolland Regional High School.

The carnival is open today from 6 to 11 p.m. and Saturday immediately after the scheduled 6 p.m. parade until 11 p.m.

New this year will be the sale of pie slices by the newly formed Southwick Firefighters’ Auxiliary.

Admission is free and Day said proceeds are received from food sales, ride tickets, games of chance and a raffle supported by local businesses.

The carnival is held on School Department grounds located off Powder Mill Road between Powder Mill Middle School and Woodland Elementary School.