MGM Springfield is 18 months into its construction process and has about another 18 months to go. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- MGM Springfield could open earlier than expected, possibly in the summer of 2018, city chief development officer Kevin Kennedy revealed on Thursday.

The  $950 million casino project was pushed back to accommodate the rebuilding of Interstate 91, Kennedy reminded the crowd at a news conference meant to mark the halfway point of the project. The most recent official word from MGM Springfield is that the casino will open in fall of 2018.

"MGM has not said this to us. But we know Interstate 91 is five or six months ahead of schedule and we know MGM is on schedule. there is a major insurance agent convention scheduled for Springfield in August 2018. So we never know what might happen."

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has said that the $183.3 million I-91 project is ahead of schedule and under budget.

Officials expect the highway reconstruction project to reach "full beneficial use" in May 2018. Full beneficial use is a highway term of art meaning work is effectively done, although punch list items will remain.

The work will rehabilitate about 2 miles of elevated highway that opened 45 years ago in December of 1970.

Kennedy and city officials hosted a news conference Thursday to release a memo from The Chicago Consultants Studio, an urban planning company helping the city hold MGM to its promises.

MGM Springfield is 18 months into its construction process and has about another 18 months to go.

MGM has promised to create no fewer than 3,000 jobs at the casino, including not less than 2,200 full-time jobs.

 

MGM Halfway point review by Jim Kinney on Scribd

Officers found 1,400 packets of heroin in their car, police said.

GREENFIELD - Two Springfield woman face drug trafficking charges after they were found with more than 1,400 packets of heroin during a routine traffic stop Wednesday night in on Pleasant Street, police said.

Driver Laurie Bonano, 24, and passenger Cyrene Blanchard, 31, were each charged with trafficking in heroin (18-36 grams), and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Blanchard also faces a charge of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Bonano was also charged with a marked lanes violation, and Blanchard was also cited for not wearing a seat belt.

According to police, Officer Felix Ramos stopped their Hyundai sedan on Pleasant Street after witnessing an a traffic infraction.  Police did not say what the infraction was.

Based on the actions of Bonano and Blanchard and the statements each made to police during the traffic stop, officers determined there was probable cause to search their car, police said.

Officers found 1,407 packets of heroin that were packaged for street sales, police said.

Bonano and Blanchard are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Greenfield District Court.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, led a group of senators Thursday in calling on Environmental Protection Agency Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt to recuse himself from pending lawsuits he brought against the EPA as Oklahoma's attorney general.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, led a group of senators Thursday in calling on Environmental Protection Agency Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt to recuse himself from pending lawsuits he brought against the EPA as Oklahoma's attorney general.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who has previously raised concerns about President Donald Trump's pick to lead the EPA, continued to question whether Pruitt could be objective when weighing in on regulations he has previously sought to repeal.

US Sen. Ed Markey defends Democrats' boycott of vote on President Donald Trump's EPA nominee

In a letter, to which 29 senators -- including Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts -- added their names, Markey asked Pruitt to pledge to step aside from any matters related to litigation he pursued against the EPA if confirmed at its administrator.

Pointing to the 19 legal challenges the Oklahoma AG filed over various regulations, including eight cases at remain pending, Markey cautioned that Pruitt could use the position of EPA administrator to accomplish the outcomes originally sought in those lawsuits.

"Federal regulations require a federal official to recuse himself from matters where 'the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question his impartiality in the matter,'" he wrote in the letter. "It is simply impossible for you to meet that test if you switch from plaintiff in your current capacity (in which you were a principal decision-maker on the part of litigating against EPA,) to defend as EPA administrator (in which you would be the principal decision-maker on the responses to the lawsuits you filed.)"

It will further be impossible to view any efforts Pruitt makes as EPA administrator to repeal or weaken regulations, which he previously targeted in litigation, as impartial, the Massachusetts Democrat added.

The senator, who sits on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee which moved the nomination forward earlier this month, argued that Americans should have "the utmost confidence that members of the Trump administration are exclusively serving our national interests.

"Until you agree to recuse yourself from all matters (including regulations) related to your litigation against the EPA for the duration of your time in office, they will lack that confidence," he concluded in the letter.

The full Senate could vote on Pruitt's confirmation as early as Friday, according to reports.

Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, said a delivery truck hit a line at the rear of Family Dollar, 575 Main St. It was reported about 11:42 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD -- Firefighters responded to a natural gas leak in the South End shortly before noon on Thursday.

Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, said a delivery truck hit a line at the rear of Family Dollar, 575 Main St. It was reported about 11:42 a.m.

Leger said Columbia Gas personnel have been summoned to the scene. It's not clear if the store has been evacuated.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

A New Hampshire man suspected of trafficking fentanyl in Tewksbury was arrested last week after driving in reverse and striking a detective with the door of his car, police said on Thursday.

A New Hampshire man suspected of trafficking fentanyl in Tewksbury was arrested last week after driving in reverse and striking a detective with the door of his car, police said on Thursday.

Tewksbury police detectives saw Howard Luke of 39 Brad Ct., Manchester, New Hampshire, acting suspiciously inside a parked car on Route 133 on Feb. 10, police said in a statement.

"When Detectives approached him they could see Luke with a syringe in his possession filled with narcotics," police said. "Once Detectives identified themselves and asked Luke to shut off his vehicle, he abruptly shifted his vehicle into reverse striking one of the Detectives with the opened door."

Tewksbury police recovered drugs when arresting Howard Luke.Tewksbury Police 

The car driven by the 22-year-old was stopped as he crashed into the cruiser parked behind him, police said.

Police got Luke out of the car and arrested him.

Luke is facing a number of charges, including trafficking fentanyl; three counts of possession with the intent to distribute a class c substance (clonazepam, diazepam and psilocybin mushrooms); assault and battery on a police officer; assault with a dangerous weapon; resisting arrest; willful and malicious destruction of property; and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Luke was arraigned on Feb. 13, 2017, at Lowell District Court.    

The Tewksbury Police Department urges any citizens who suspect criminal activity to call the Dispatch Center at 978-851-7373.  If you wish to remain anonymous please call the Tip Line at 978-851-0175 or send an email to detectives. 

Massachusetts restaurants and other businesses closing their doors as part of a national "Day Without Immigrants" strike is a "big statement," according to Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts restaurants and other businesses closing their doors as part of a national "Day Without Immigrants" strike is a "big statement," according to Gov. Charlie Baker.

"I've said many times that one of the great things about being in a democracy like ours is you have an opportunity to make your case in the public square in a whole variety of ways," Baker told reporters on Thursday, after speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

The "Day Without Immigrants" strike is aimed at pointing out the nationwide contributions of immigrants. The strike is happening days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched several raids across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio and New York City.

Janet Murguia, the president and CEO of National Council of La Raza, an advocacy group, said on Twitter, "From doctors to dishwashers, immigrants are integral to daily life in the U.S."

Massachusetts is part of a "global community" and benefits "tremendously" as a result of that, Baker said.

"I think it's important for people if they are particularly concerned about these issues, and I certainly understand why they would be, to make the statement," he said. "And people choose a lot of different ways to make statements, and I'm fine with that."

He added: "Since many of these folks, especially the folks who work in the restaurant business, make their money by being at work, it's a big statement for them to make when they choose not go to work and to participate in an event like this."

Gov. Charlie Baker, Reps. Richard Neal and others condemn President Trump's immigration orders

A number of Massachusetts newspapers owned by GateHouse Media, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and MetroWest Daily News, have been purchased by a bank based in Japan.

The parent company of GateHouse Media, which owns Massachusetts newspapers including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and MetroWest Daily News, have been purchased by a bank group based in Japan.

SoftBank Group Corp. and Fortress Investment Group LLC announced this week that they entered into a definitive merger, according to a statement.

SoftBank is acquiring Fortress for about $3.3 billion in cash, according to the statement released Tuesday.

Fortress Investment Group owns GateHouse Media. Daily newspapers published in GateHouse across the state include the Worcester Telegram & Gazette;  The Patriot Ledger of Quincy; The MetroWest Daily News of Framingham; The Enterprise of Brockton; The Herald News of Fall River; and The Milford Daily News of Milford.

GateHouse also publishes more than 100 weekly newspapers in the state.

"Fortress's excellent track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to benefitting from its leadership, broad-based expertise and world-class investment platform," said Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp.

"For SoftBank, this opportunity will immediately help expand our group capabilities, and, alongside our soon-to-be-established SoftBank Vision Fund platform, will accelerate our SoftBank 2.0 transformation strategy of bold, disciplined investment and world class execution to drive sustainable long-term growth," Son continued.

Senior investment professionals will remain in place through the merger, the statement said. Fortress will operate within SoftBank as an independent business headquartered in New York.

"SoftBank is an extraordinary company that has thrived under the visionary leadership of Masayoshi Son," said Fortress Co-Chairmen Pete Briger and Wes Edens. "We join a company with tremendous scale and resources, and a culture completely aligned with our focus on performance, service and innovation. We anticipate substantial benefits for our investors and business as a whole, and we have never been more optimistic about our prospects going forward."

A plan hatched less than a month ago to close Converse Middle School is far from perfect, but is the best financial option for the district, Superintendent Patricia Gardner told residents.

PALMER -- A plan hatched less than a month ago to close Converse Middle School is far from perfect but is the best financial option for the district, Superintendent Patricia Gardner told residents at a public forum Wednesday.

The closure, if approved by Palmer School Committee at Thursday night's meeting, would place seventh graders at the high school.

Should the committee vote to shut Converse, sixth graders would either go to the high school or be relocated to Old Mill Pond School, which currently serves kindergarten through grade five.

Many parents said they are concerned about 11- or 12-year-old girls in sixth grade being in proximity to 18-year-old high school senior boys, and urged the committee to relocate the sixth grade to Old Mill Pond should the board shut Converse.

"Older boys near younger girls is not a good mix," resident Scott Day said.

The middle school, built in 1923, was originally the town's high school and has been a middle school the past 26 years, according to district records.

Palmer Town Council President Barbara Barry addressed the school board near the end of the 1-hour, 45-minute meeting held at the high school auditorium.

While saying she would support whatever decision the board made at Thursday's meeting, Barry said the projected yearly savings of $203,000 to the school's operating budget by closing Converse "is not that much."

If "that building closes as a school, it will never open again as a school," Barry said.

She stated that school officials did not meet with the Town Council to formally discuss the recently announced capital improvement needs at Converse.

"The reality is, we need to come together as a community," Barry said.

"It is not the intention of the council to cut the school budget," she said, adding, "the reality is, Palmer is not a rich community."

In response to a question from a parent asking about whether Converse Principal David Stetkiewicz would serve in that role should the school board relocate sixth- and seventh-graders to the high school, Gardner did not disclose what would happen to him.

"As for personnel, I can't discuss," the school chief said.

Palmer High School Principal Sue North, who helped draft the closure plan, said, "It is going to be extremely crowded in this building, (but) we will make the plan work."

Tonight's school committee meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the high school library.

The Mexican eatery is joining with other restaurants and workers across the U.S. to demonstrate the importance of immigrants to the country's economy and life.

HADLEY -- Mi Tierra is closed today, joining with other restaurants and workers across the U.S. to demonstrate the importance of immigrants to the country's economy and life.

According to a Facebook post, owners of the Mexican eatery on Route 9 were moved to close after seeing the Women's March in Washington the day after Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as president.

"It was an awesome feeling seeing all this woman marching to protect our rights and protect us against a bully," the owners said on Facebook. The restaurant is owned by Jorge Sosa, who grew up in Mexico, and his wife Doria Saravia.

"I know if something is going to happen will be because (of) them. ... We understand that nothing will have any effect if we don't stay together," the owners said.

They promised to reopen Friday. Dozens of Facebook users have posted their own comments in support.

The movement was organized on social media to show how important immigrants are to this country and to protest Trump's immigration policies, which include calling for the building of a wall on the southern border with Mexico and a travel ban that is now on hold.

MGM Springfield has finalized a deal to take over exclusive management of the MassMutual Center, seven months after winning a joint bid with the Comcast-owned company Spectra.

MGM Springfield has finalized a deal to take over exclusive management of the MassMutual Center, 10 months after winning a joint management bid with the Comcast-owned company Spectra.

The arena had been operated by Spectra, formerly Global Spectrum, since 2005. Last year MGM and Spectra began joint management of the venue, and the casino company has now cemented plans to take over day-to-day operations.

"We are thrilled to enter into this agreement that leverages the best of what our company has to offer, in order to make best use of the MMC and drive downtown economic development," MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said in a statement. "We commend Spectra and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on all they have accomplished with the MMC, and we are excited about the future opportunities that will come with the opening of our $950 million casino resort across the street." 

 

The changeover is expected to start as soon as July 1, with Spectra continuing to oversee food and beverage service until a deal on those operations is reached with MGM.

MGM's takeover also means a change of employer for about 175 Spectra personnel who currently work at the MassMutual Center. MGM Springfield is holding a town hall-style meeting with the venue's employees Thursday afternoon to explain the new arrangement and field questions.

"For almost five years, MGM has had an opportunity to see MMC employees host special events, small and large-scale meetings and first- rate entertainment offerings," MGM Springfield Director of Human Resources Marikate Murren said in a statement. "Our entire company looks forward to welcoming these hard-working, proud and diverse group of professionals, and learning from their local experience, passion and knowledge." 

In an interview, Mathis said that all venue employees are expected to be kept on in comparable positions.

"Compensation and benefits will generally be commensurate with currently received compensation and benefits, subject to MGM's company-wide employee compensation and benefits policies," Mathis said in a statement.

The new arrangement will also save the state money, as MGM is waiving the venue fee the MCCA currently pays to Spectra, Mathis said.

It will also give MGM greater control over the MassMutual Center's events calendar, and facilitate efforts to attract conventions and corporate groups, Mathis said.

"The theme of this transition is to reposition the MassMutual center as part of a campus with MGM Springfield," he said.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which owns the MassMutual Center, cheered MGM Springfield's heightened role in a statement.

"The MCCA is excited about the future of the MassMutual Center and downtown Springfield. Spectra has been a great partner in the management of the center since it opened in 2005," MCCA Executive Director David Gibbons said. "And with a world-renowned entertainment and hospitality leader moving in across the street, we now have the power of MGM's extraordinary industry relationships to look forward to on our future marquees." 

MGM Springfield has already committed to bringing additional performances to the MassMutual Center as part of the broader development surrounding its downtown casino, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.

The MassMutual Center is also home to the Springfield Thunderbirds AHL franchise, whose ownership group includes Paul Picknelly, a major Springfield landowner and MGM Springfield business partner.

The 8,000 seat arena sits a block away from MGM Springfield's 14.5 acre campus, which is currently in the midst of construction. On Thursday morning city officials said that the company had reached the halfway point of construction and was meeting its commitments.

The driver in the Union Street crash that took the lives of four occupants has been identified as 18-year-old Aaron Thorne.

The driver in the Union Street crash that took the lives of four occupants has been identified as 18-year-old Aaron Thorne. 

The teen from New Haven, Connecticut was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Springfield on Jan. 17 when Massachusetts State Police troopers in an unmarked cruiser turned on their vehicle's emergency lights. The troopers approached the vehicle on foot but before they could speak with the occupants, it sped away from the scene at a "high rate of speed," according to the Hampden County district attorney's office.

What we know about the fatal Springfield crash

The vehicle is said to have been traveling as fast as 60 miles per hour -- twice the posted speed limit -- when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree on Union Street. 

He was arraigned Thursday on a dozen charges in connection with the crash - including four counts of manslaughter and four counts of homicide by reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Aaron Thorne, driver in fatal Springfield crash that killed four, arraigned from hospital bed at Baystate

The vehicle had been reported stolen from a Milford, Connecticut driveway days before the fatal crash. Footage captured of the theft shows two men rummaging through the vehicle minutes before one of the men flicks on the Jeep's headlights and drives off in it.

Owner of stolen vehicle: 'They could keep the car forever if it would bring those lives back'

There were four passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash: 20-year-old Andrew Savage, of Springfield, and three Central High School seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. 

Thorne was taken to Baystate Medical Center immediately following the crash and was categorized as in critical condition for several weeks, officials said. A month following the crash, he remains in medical care. 

Andrew Savage, victim of Springfield crash, loved politics, family

Relatives: Adrianna Hernandez made everyone smile, wanted to see the world

Springfield accident victim Katrina Maisonet Jones remembered for her spirit

Cassidy Spence, killed in Springfield car crash, was athlete, friend, volunteer

 

MGM Springfield is expected to draw 10,000 visitors a day.

SPRINGFIELD -- The MGM Springfield casino now under construction in the  South End is unique among gaming properties in that it opens out.

Visitors will be able to step into casino restaurants and stores from Main Street and they'll be able to stroll out to Main Street from the casino.

It's now the city's job to make visitors do just that.

"Our goal is be a 'park once and walk' destination," said Philip Dromey, deputy director of planning in the city of Springfield. "Because our downtown is so compact."

It takes just 15 minutes or so to walk from the city's soon-to-reopen Union Station in the north to MGM Springfield in the south, Dromey said. More than 4 million passengers a year are expected to pass through Union Station each year, and MGM is expected to draw 10,000 visitors a day.

Inside MGM's 14.5-acre footprint, the casino giant is responsible for the streetscape, all the street trees, sidewalks, crosswalks and directional signs. Dromey said the city is responsible for all that sort of thing in the other parts of downtown.

"When we walk from the MGM site to Union Station, you see things that are wrong. You see street trees that are missing. You see crosswalks that the city installed a few years ago that are in bad shape. You see problems with the sidewalk," he said.

The city and its consultants are calling the process of fixing those problems, and of meeting with the downtown business community so that it can take the best advantage of MGM, the "implementation blueprint".

Dromey spoke Thursday at a news conference assessing MGM compliance with its host community agreement at the halfway point of its 36-month construction schedule.

Overall, MGM is complying, according to a memo prepared by The Chicago Consultants Studio, a company the city hired to advise it through the casino construction process.

MGM Halfway point review by Jim Kinney on Scribd

Aaron Thorne, the driver in the fatal Union Street crash that took the lives of four young individuals, was arraigned on homicide charges Thursday.

Aaron Thorne, the driver in the fatal Union Street crash that took the lives of four young individuals, was arraigned on homicide charges Thursday. 

The 18-year-old from New Haven, Connecticut is facing a 12-count criminal complaint: four counts of manslaughter; four counts of homicide by reckless operation of a motor vehicle; speeding; receiving a stolen vehicle; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

He pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday.

The arraignment was held in Thorne's hospital room. Thorne was rushed to Baystate Medical Center immediately following the crash on Jan. 17 and was classified as in critical condition for several weeks, officials said. He has been under medical care for the past month. 

Thorne was represented at his arraignment by Springfield defense lawyer William J. O'Neil. Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Schmidt is representing the commonwealth in the case. 

Thorne was in the driver's seat of a Jeep Grand Cherokee shortly after 8 p.m. in Springfield on Jan. 17 when Massachusetts State Police troopers in an unmarked cruiser flashed their vehicle's emergency lights. 

What we know about the fatal Springfield crash

As troopers approached the vehicle on foot, Thorne -- who was operating the stolen vehicle without a valid driver's license - sped off. 

The vehicle is believed to have been traveling as fast as 60 miles per hour -- twice the posted speed limit -- when Thorne lost control. The Jeep crashed into a tree on Union Street.  

Members of the Springfield Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate the five occupants from the vehicle.

One passenger was pronounced dead at the scene and four were taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

The crash took the lives of 20-year-old Andrew Savage, of Springfield, and three Central High School seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. 

Andrew Savage, victim of Springfield crash, loved politics, family

Relatives: Adrianna Hernandez made everyone smile, wanted to see the world

Springfield accident victim Katrina Maisonet Jones remembered for her spirit

Cassidy Spence, killed in Springfield car crash, was athlete, friend, volunteer

With a rematch likely, voters might recall that the 2015 race for mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts between incumbent Mayor Alex Morse and business owner Fran O'Connell had its nasty moments, setting up another spicy election season in the Paper City.

HOLYOKE -- Business owner Fran O'Connell has taken out nomination papers for a possible rematch against Mayor Alex B. Morse in the Nov. 7 election.

O'Connell, owner of O'Connell Care at Home, couldn't immediately be reached for comment but City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee confirmed in a phone call that he took out nomination papers for a run for mayor.

O'Connell said in a text message to The Republican, "I'll be in touch tomorrow."

Morse defeated O'Connell on Nov. 3, 2015 to win a third term by vote of 5,429-4,855, or 53 percent to 47 percent.

The Morse-O'Connell race two years ago sank into negative exchanges between the campaigns over assertions about who was better to lead the city in economic development, generation of jobs, finding revenue sources, experience and leading the schools.

'Progress' vs. 'plague' just one difference in Holyoke debate between Mayor Alex Morse, Fran O'Connell

O'Connell said in December:

"Regarding a decision to run for mayor of Holyoke in 2017, I am still giving it serious consideration. I have been talking to family, friends, supporters and even folks who did not support my candidacy in 2015 asking for their advice and counsel. I have not yet reached a decision, but expect to make one early in the new year.

"Obviously, I've given a lot of thought to another mayoral run, given the direction I've seen the city take over the past two years. But, I was recently struck by the words of a great songwriter we lost this year (Leonard Cohen): 'I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean / I love the country, but I can't stand the scene.' And that pretty much summarizes my experience with the local political apparatus during the last mayoral election. I have deep love for my hometown, but not the system that governs it. In the coming months and years, I look forward to serving the city and my community in ways that I find to be meaningful and authentic, as that's all that any of us should ever do."

Asked to explain what he meant in reference to the "local political apparatus" and "I have deep love for my hometown, but not the system that governs it," O'Connell said later in an email, "With all due respect, for now , it's all in the statement."

Morse is running for a fourth term next year and said, when asked in December about a possible O'Connell rematch, that he looked forward to discussing his record with voters including "historic lows" in the crime and unemployment rates.

Candidates for mayor must file nomination papers with signatures of at least 250 signatures of registered voters by Aug. 8 to place their name on the election ballot.

Paul P. Bowes of Northampton Street was the first to take out nomination papers to run for mayor.

Jason P. Ferreira, former Ward 4 city councilor and most recently spokesman for the pro-Community Preservation Act campaign, also has said he will be a candidate for mayor.

It occurred on Jan. 25 as police pursued 55-year-old Mark A. Marauszwski, who drove his vehicle into the parking lot and playground at Springside Park.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

It occurred on Jan. 25 as police pursued 55-year-old Mark A. Marauszwski who drove his vehicle into the parking lot and playground at the park, according to a release issued by the district attorney's office.

As Marauszwski attempted to drive out of the playground, he drove at Officer Martin Streit, who was out of his cruiser and on foot.

After repeatedly ordering Marauszwski to stop, Streit fired three shots from his service weapon. Two shots hit the vehicle's windshield, the third shattered the front passenger window. Marauszwski suffered wounds to his hand, forearm and shoulder.

Capeless said that after reviewing the investigatory report, witness statements and the evidence gathered in the case, he concluded that no criminal charges are warranted against Streit.

The district attorney, citing pending criminal charges against Marauszwski, said it would be inappropriate for him to comment any further

President Trump aired his grievances against the media, intelligence community and his detractors in a sprawling, stream-of-consciousness news conference.

By ASHLEY PARKER

The Washington Post

President Donald Trump on Thursday aired his grievances against the news media, the intelligence community and his detractors generally in a sprawling, stream-of-consciousness news conference that alternated between claims that he had "inherited a mess" and the assertion that his fledgling administration "is running like a fine-tuned machine."

"To be honest, I inherited a mess," Trump said, in news conference that lasted more than an hour and was at times rambling, combative and pointed. "It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess. Jobs are pouring out of the country."

Yet moments later, the president seemed to acknowledge the widespread reports of turbulence and upheaval emanating out of his West Wing, only to claim that his White House -- which so far has been marred by staff infighting, a controversial travel ban, false statements and myriad leaks -- was operating seamlessly.

"I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos -- chaos," he said. "Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved."

Asked about recent reports that Mike Flynn, his former national security adviser who resigned Monday evening, had improperly discussed Russian sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump was sworn in, the president defended Flynn as a "fine person," saying he had done nothing wrong in engaging the Russian envoy.

But, Trump said, Flynn had erred by misleading government officials, including Vice President Pence, about his conversations, which is why the president ultimately demanded his resignation.

"He didn't tell the vice president of the United States the facts," Trump said. "And then he didn't remember. And that just wasn't acceptable to me."

Trump also pushed back on reports that members of his campaign and other associates had repeatedly been in contact with senior Russian intelligence officials during the campaign, saying "nobody that I know of," and adding, "I have nothing to do with Russia."

Women were brought from New York City to Agawam, East Longmeadow, Hadley, and Northampton and then forced to perform sex for money, officials said.

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced on Thursday that a Sunderland couple, their daughter, and a woman from West Springfield have been indicted on charges of human trafficking, prostitution and money laundering as a result of an investigation into illegal massage parlors in Hadley, Northampton, Agawam and East Longmeadow.

The four are accused of trafficking as many as 10 women from New York to Western Massachusetts and to Framingham and then forcing them into a life of sexual servitude. The women were required to perform sex in exchange for money inside the massage parlors, and were forced to turn over most of the money they made to the accused, according to officials.

The indictments were the result of a statewide operation in December targeting massage parlors that resulted in several arrests.

Indicted were Feng Ling Liu, age 50, her husband Jian Song, age 48, both of Sunderland, and her daughter, Ting Ting Yin, age 26, of New Hyde Park, N.Y., and Shuzi Li,  52, of West Springfield.

Each was indicted on a variety of charges including trafficking in persons for sexual servitude, conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual servitude, money laundering and deriving support from prostitution.

Liu, Song and Yin were accused of bringing women to work as prostitutes in parlors they owned in Hadley, East Longmeadow and Framingham. They family owned Hadley Massage Therapy in Hadley, Feng Health Center in East Longmeadow, and Massage Body Work in Framingham.

Li was accused of transporting women from New York City to work in parlor she owned, Pine Spa in Northampton and Agawam Massage Therapy in Agawam.

Song is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Hampden Superior Court.

Liu, Song and Yin are to be arraigned Friday in Hampshire Superior Court, and then again in Hampden and Middlesex counties at a later date.

According to the indictments, 10 women were identified by law enforcement during the investigation, and authorities while executing a search warrant found a significant amount of cash.

Women brought into the operation often lived in the businesses where they worked, and they were dependent on their employers for groceries, transportation and other needs. The defendants are accused of advertising their services online and setting up appointments with customers, according to officials.

Attorney General Maura Healey issued a statement that said "Far too often, we are finding that these body works establishments operate as fronts for human trafficking."

She said her office, local and state police would continue to "takedown these criminal enterprises and disrupt these business models that are based on making a profit off of the sexual exploitation of human beings." 

US lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, are pushing for an investigation into potential ties between President Donald Trump's administration and Russia. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was asked about the topic while appearing on WGBH radio.

US lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, are pushing for an investigation into potential ties between President Donald Trump's administration and Russia.

Appearing on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" show on Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, R-Swampscott, was asked by a caller about an independent investigation into any connections between Trump officials and Russia.

The renewed focus on administration officials and its connection to Russia comes after the resignation of Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who reportedly spoke to a Russian official about sanctions before Trump took office. Flynn reportedly mislead Vice President Mike Pence about the substance of the conversation.

"I think at this point there are a lot of folks in Washington, Democrats and Republicans, who are talking about some sort of Congressional review and investigation around this stuff," said Baker, who criticized Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and in November blanked the ballot. "And I think at some point just for the integrity of the process that's probably going to be a good idea."

President Donald Trump says Michael Flynn treated unfairly by the 'fake media'

American intelligence agencies have accused Russia of interfering with the 2016 presidential election, with the government directing the hacking of the Democratic National Committee.

At a news conference on Thursday, Trump called the reports of connections between his administration and Russia "fake news."

He has instead focused on slamming the media and condemning the leaks to news organizations that revealed Flynn's discussions with a top Russian official.

President Trump blasts media, detractors in combative news conference

"There's enough going on there that raises enough questions and concerns for people who basically believe in the way we do business here that that's probably a path at this point that makes sense," Baker said Thursday, before turning to the importance of cyber-security in an interconnected world.

Baker was also asked about an investigation into likely links between Trump officials and Russia after an appearance in front of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

"I think one of the advantages of a full vetting is people will get a much better understanding about what actually happened when and a big question mark for the public can be satisfied," Baker said.

President Trump targets 'low-life leakers,' House chairmen seek DOJ investigation

The Cage family joined the million or so others Feb. 7 to cheer on the New England Patriots who won the Super Bowl just two days before and thought they had a souvenir ball but lost it to another fan - until he gave it back.

AMHERST -- It's a story with a happy ending, although it took a few days.

The Cage family joined a million or so others Feb. 7 in Boston to cheer on the New England Patriots, who won the Super Bowl just two days before.

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When a duck boat moved past them in the parade, Edward Cage tossed a football to running back Dion Lewis to get it signed for his 10-year-old son Darius. But Lewis tossed it back a little too far and another fan snagged it.

"He should have been a quarterback," Cage said of Lewis.

To the family's dismay, the fan who intercepted the pass wouldn't give the football back.

In this photo from Facebook, Mark Andrew, left, returns a football to Darius Cage, 10, and his dad Edward Cage. The Cage family lives in Amherst.

Cage told him it was his son's ball, but the man said other people told him it was theirs too and he wasn't giving it back. Cage said he was getting angry but backed off.

"I didn't want this to escalate," he said, adding that he didn't want his kids to see him put his hands on someone else.

Cage's daughter Monica had recorded him tossing the ball to Lewis and then they took a picture of the signed ball.

Later, Cage told his story to a New England Cable News reporter who wrote about it. NECN then tracked down the man who caught the ball, Mark Andrew of Plymouth, who had posted about the ball on Facebook.

Three days later, Andrew contacted the Cages.

Darius' mother, Vira Douangmany Cage, wrote about what happened next on Facebook.

"Mark reached out to our family on Friday, Feb. 10, compassionately and apologetically explaining why he refused to give up the ball," she wrote. "He explained he thought he hit the lottery and was in the thrill of the moment for catching a football tossed by Super Bowl champions. There were a lot of people and Edward was just one person claiming the ball was theirs."

"Our family accepts Mark's sincere apology and regret and totally understands what may be going through his mind," Douangmany Cage said. "Our family lauds Mark for doing the right thing and returning the ball once viewing the video evidence that Darius' 13-year-old sister captured. We praise Mark for keeping the ball safe and returning it intact promptly with grace and humility."

Officials at Stop & Shop, meanwhile, read about what happened and offered Darius the choice of a Tom Brady signed shirt or a Julian Edelman signed football. He took the football.

Throne, 18, was arraigned in his hospital room at Baystate Medical Center, where he has been receiving medical care for the past month.

From his hospital bed Thursday, 18-year-old Aaron Thorne pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges in connection with a fatal crash last month that took the lives of four individuals. 

Bail was set at $100,000 cash or a million dollars surety for the 18-year-old. 

The teen from New Haven, Connecticut is facing a 12-count criminal complaint: four counts of manslaughter; four counts of homicide by reckless operation of a motor vehicle; speeding; receiving a stolen vehicle; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Aaron Thorne, driver in fatal Springfield crash that killed four, arraigned from hospital bed at Baystate

The arraignment was held in Thorne's hospital room. Thorne was rushed to Baystate Medical Center immediately following the crash on Jan. 17 and was classified as in critical condition for several weeks, officials said. He has been under medical care for the past month. 

Thorne was represented at his arraignment by Springfield defense lawyer William J. O'Neil. Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Schmidt is representing the commonwealth in the case. 

He was identified Thursday as the driver by the Hampden County District Attorney's office. 

Driver in fatal Springfield crash that killed four identified as 18-year-old Aaron Thorne

Thorne was in the driver's seat of a Jeep Grand Cherokee shortly after 8 p.m. in Springfield on Jan. 17 when Massachusetts State Police troopers in an unmarked cruiser flashed their vehicle's emergency lights. 

What we know about the fatal Springfield crash

As troopers approached the vehicle on foot, Thorne -- who was operating the stolen vehicle without a valid driver's license - sped off. 

The vehicle is believed to have been traveling as fast as 60 miles per hour -- twice the posted speed limit -- when Thorne lost control. The Jeep crashed into a tree on Union Street.  

Members of the Springfield Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate the five occupants from the vehicle.

One passenger was pronounced dead at the scene and four were taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

The crash took the lives of 20-year-old Andrew Savage, of Springfield, and three Central High School seniors -- Katrina Maisonet Jones, Adrianna Hernandez and Cassidy Spence. 

Throne is due to appear before a judge again on March 14. 

Andrew Savage, victim of Springfield crash, loved politics, family

Relatives: Adrianna Hernandez made everyone smile, wanted to see the world

Springfield accident victim Katrina Maisonet Jones remembered for her spirit

Cassidy Spence, killed in S