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The vandalism occurred overnight last Wednesday into Thursday. Damage is estimated at $1,000

NORTHFIELD -- Police are seeking the public's help as they investigate the smashing of a window last week at the front of Pioneer Valley Regional High School.

Repair of the damage is estimated at approximately $1,000, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

The incident occurred some time between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 5 a.m. Thursday. Evidence was collected at the scene.

Those with information are asked to call Northfield police at 413-625-8200.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is urging its supporters to call Massachusetts lawmakers and push for passage of bills that would roll back Attorney General Maura Healey's crackdown on copycat assault weapons and strip her of the ability to regulate firearms.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is urging its supporters to call Massachusetts lawmakers and push for passage of bills that would roll back Attorney General Maura Healey's crackdown on "copycat" assault weapons and strip her of the ability to regulate firearms.

Opponents of Healey's crackdown, announced last summer, say she overstepped her authority and have filed lawsuits challenging her move.

Healey has said she is enforcing a statewide assault weapons ban and closing a long-exploited loophole. Sales of illegal assault weapons have ended in Massachusetts since she issued its enforcement notice to gun dealers and manufacturers last July, according to her office.

Her office has also slammed the "gun lobby" for seeking to overturn state law.

Healey seeks dismissal of federal lawsuit over 'copycat' crackdown

The two bills backed by the NRA were filed by state Sen. Don Humason (R-Westfield) and state Sen. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer).

Humason's bill, which is the same one as filed last session after Healey's crackdown, seeks to remove her authority regulate firearms. The bill has nine co-sponsors.

Gobi's bill, according to the NRA, "would eliminate the term 'copy' from the statute, thereby eliminating the premise behind the Attorney General's actions." The bill has 13 co-sponsors.

Both bills will likely face resistance in the Massachusetts House, led by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, a gun control advocate, as well as the Senate, which is led by Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who has also backed gun control legislation.

Humason files bill stripping Healey's authority on firearms sales in Massachusetts

The U.S. video game industry is expanding and Massachusetts is at the top.

The U.S. video game industry is growing and Massachusetts is at the top. 

About 85% of game software publishing industry employees in the U.S. are located in either California, Washington, Texas, New York, Illinois, Florida or Massachusetts, according to Entertainment Software Association (ESA). 

In 2016, the video game industry generated $30.4 billion in revenue. 

Some of the growth included, virtual reality, mobile, including the massive interest in Pokemon Go and portable console platforms. 

 "Consumers have more options to purchase and enjoy entertainment software than ever before, while developers have more and easier ways of delivering that content," said Mat Piscatella, industry analyst with the NPD Group. "No matter the delivery platform, entertainment software has never been more engaging, diverse or accessible."

Specifically in Massachusetts, there are 128 companies and 15 college programs, according to ESA.

Some of the most well-known game development companies are in Massachusetts, including Harmonix and Turbine Inc. of Needham, maker of adventure games Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, according to the Boston Globe. 

There are also smaller companies across the state, such as HitPoint Studios, in Springfield.

"For individual artists, engineers and designers, having other people in your field to talk to about the industry, get support, trade best practices etc. is very valuable," said Paul Hake, CEO of HitPoint Studio.

He said there are also a lot of Meetup groups where everyone can get together, share ideas and listen to monthly speakers. 

"As someone that runs a studio, it's beneficial to have other studios and executives around for input on a problem, discuss strategy and even to commiserate with," Hake said.

While the economy continues to grow, there is an increased pressure coming from Montreal, Hake said. 

He said Canada's gaming economy is growing because "millions of dollars in government funding is being made available to software companies, specifically game studios." 

There are MassTLC internship grants, which HitPoint Studies has taken advantage of. But Hake said hopes for something more in Massachusetts, although he understands there might be limitations. 

Related video:

Attorneys for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis denied that he was in TMZ video claiming to have knocked two men unconscious.

Attorneys for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who was charged with four counts of felony assault last week, refuted claims that a TMZ video showed Revis bragging about knocking two men unconscious.

In the TMZ video, two men are seen lying motionless on the ground while the person behind the camera says he knocked both of them out.

"Shut up before I knock your ass out next," the person behind the camera shouted. 

At no point in the video is the person bragging about the alleged assault visible.

Revis' attorneys released a statement shortly after the video surfaced, denying that the man behind the camera was the Jets' cornerback.

"Darrelle Revis absolutely, categorically and positively did not knock out anyone, did not conspire with anyone to commit an assault, did not say 'shut up before I knock your ass out next,' and surely did not 'rob' another of a cell phone," Robert G. Del Greco Jr. and Mark Fiorilli said in a statement. "The voice and admissions made on the video are NOT that of Darrelle Revis. We have no doubt but that further investigation relative to the clothing and voice verification will corroborate the above assertions."

In its story, however, TMZ said that a representative for the Pittsburgh police department confirmed that the incident was from Feb. 12 and was part of the investigation against Revis.

Revis will appear in court on Thursday to face charges of robbery, terroristic threats, conspiracy and aggravated assault. According to the Pittsburgh Department of Safety, a man approached Revis recording him with his cell phone. Revis allegedly grabbed the phone and attempted to delete the video, which led to the altercation.

The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near Exit 4. The left and center lanes have been closed.

UPDATE: State police have since reopened the lanes.

SPRINGFIELD -- A motor vehicle crash has prompted state police to close two eastbound lanes of Interstate 291

The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. near Exit 4. The left and center lanes have been closed.

It's not clear if any injuries have been reported.

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

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

Kevin Latraverse allegedly hid in a river to avoid arrest.

The Bedford police department arrested a man Friday night after pulling him from a local river he hid in to evade authorities.

Police said Kevin Latraverse, 33, of Gloucester was speeding down 54 Middlesex Turnpike towards Burlington when he was flagged down by an officer.

The officer tried to pull Latraverse over, but he failed to stop and a brief chase occurred.

Authorities said Latraverse was weaving through traffic and he ran a red light. At some point during the chase, Latraverse ditched his vehicle in the parking lot of Pure Hockey, on 240 Middlesex Turnpike, and ran into the nearby woods.

Police set up a perimeter around the woods and, with assistance from Burlington police, began to scour the area for Latraverse.

Eventually, police located Latraverse about 200 feet away in a river behind Pure Hockey.

With help from Burlington's K-9 unit, authorities convinced Latraverse to leave the water. He was evaluated by the Burlington Fire Department and arrested.

"I want to commend the work of Bedford and Burlington Police Officers who worked diligently to find and pull this man from the frigid waters," Chief Robert Bongiorno said. "Their quick work likely prevented this man from getting hypothermia."

Latraverse is accused of driving while under the influence of liquor, police said. He was charged with OUI liquor, reckless driving, failure to stop for a police officer and speeding.

He was booked at the Bedford Police Department and released on bail.

If scientists have their way, the simple microphone and other standard smartphone components soon will deliver potentially lifesaving medical testing functions.

By Mark Marchand | Special to The Republican

BOSTON -- If scientists have their way, the simple microphone and other standard smartphone components soon will deliver potentially lifesaving medical testing functions.

Smartphone use in the U.S. has become commonplace, with more than 70 percent of the population owning one, according to the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C. The nearly doubling of smartphone ownership since 2010 has sparked a tidal wave of app development in areas ranging from entertainment to information to social media/communication.

A group of scientists is developing applications that would repurpose some of the physical components of smartphones for clinical uses away from the doctor's office or a hospital.

The scientists, led by University of Washington Computer Science Professor Shwetak Patel, unveiled some of their work here during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"We've seen a lot of advances in small devices, such as Fitbits, designed to measure physical parameters," said Patel. "We wanted to build on that with an existing device that everyone has: a smartphone. We wanted to find out what we could do with gathering data that could help screen for some diseases.

"At the same time, many components of smartphones are a lot better than they used to be. Take cameras. Many smartphone cameras are as good as digital, single-lens reflex cameras."

One application Patel is developing involves helping patients diagnose pulmonary disorders, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.

"Smartphone microphones, like most microphones, are simple pressure sensors," Patel explained. Pressure changes from sound waves are translated into electrical impulses that flow to another location where they are changed back into sound.

"Using our app, an asthma patient could blow into a smartphone microphone from a set distance and, after the phone uses an algorithm we designed, receive instant feedback on lung capacity. They can either store that information on their phone, or transmit it to their doctor.

"We're basically finding a way to use the microphone as a flow meter," Patel said. "This is especially critical for those who are suddenly struggling and need to determine if they should see a doctor."

Two other applications Patel and his team are working on use a smartphone camera and flash, and an internal component called an accelerometer.

"Using another app and software we developed, a person could place a finger over the camera while the flash is on, generating a reading on hemoglobin levels, or overall red blood cell count -- helping to determine if the person is anemic."

A final example presented by Patel could be useful for early signals about osteoporosis, or loss of bone density. The internal accelerometers that all smart phones use to flip the screen when the phone is moved can be linked with software to read vibrations.

"A person could hold the smartphone in his or her hand, and then tap their elbow on a table," Patel said. "The accelerometers are sensitive enough to pick up vibrations of varying frequencies after the tap. This is similar to using a tuning fork. If done correctly, this test could detect some hollowing of bone, prompting a person to reach out and discuss the issue with a doctor.

"I need to be clear that this test and the others would not replace any formal bone scan or other exam," he cautioned. "They could serve as some sort of early warning system."

Patel said work on these and other apps is proceeding quickly, and early commercialization efforts could begin by the end of this year.

Springfield Education Association President Timothy Collins has announced he is retiring after 45 years including as a mathematics teacher and as leader of the president's union.

SPRINGFIELD -- After decades of advocating for teachers and students, Springfield Education Association President Timothy Collins has announced his plans to retire at the end of the school year, capping a 45-year school career.

"I spent my entire career both as a teacher and as union president, fighting to improve the working conditions of the teachers which are the learning conditions of the students that we're in charge," Collins said Monday.

Collins, 68, of Springfield, worked for 45 years for the School Department including 25 years as a mathematics teacher at John F. Kennedy Junior High School and then Middle School, and then for 20 years as president of the teachers union known as the Springfield Education Association.

Collins pledged to continue being ready to advocate for the union and teachers after he leaves.

"I am not going to go away," Collins said. "My voice will be active in the fight to serve and defend public education."

Collins said he has been "extremely proud to have represented the teachers of Springfield."

"I think it's one of the best group of teachers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," he said.

Collins said he could have retired 12 years ago, but could not leave in "good conscience" because of challenges faced by the union under a state-imposed Springfield Finance Control Board, and losses in active union members and leadership. The control board oversaw city finances for five years beginning in 2004 in response to the city's budget crisis.

"We lost so many excellent teachers and union leaders during the Romney control board era, I didn't feel I could leave the union and the teaching staff in those conditions," he added.

During last week's meeting with union legislative members, Collins said he is "very comfortable now with people who have stepped up" as active union members, as school building representatives and as members of the bargaining team.

"I couldn't be prouder of you and the work that you do," Collins said.

Collins's brother, Christopher Collins, is a long-term member of the School Committee. Another brother, Edward W. Collins, is a longtime representative of the Intenational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and their father, Edward W. "Bud" Collins was a former School Committee member and chairman. and also served as Springfield City Treasurer.

The suspects, whose names or nicknames may be Heather and Princess, entered the computer room at 70 Chestnut Street last month., Sgt. John Delaney said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are searching for two females -- with the possible names or nicknames of Heather and Princess -- suspected of stealing two computers last month from an office area at Musuem Park Apartments on Chestnut Street.

The suspects entered the the computer room at 70 Chestnut St. on Jan. 15 at about 11:45 a.m., Sgt. John Delaney said.

Residents told police they saw two females, known only as Heather and Princess, in the area at the time of the break-in, Delaney, public information officer for the department, said.

The suspects carried the computers -- valued at over $2,000 - out a side door. Detective Mark Bacon is investigating.

Those with information are asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 413-787-6355.

City and state authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and woman, whose bodies were found in a Peabody home late Saturday night.

Massachusetts saw its deadliest year ever in opioid overdoses in 2016, with nearly 2,000 people succumbing -- a 13 percent increase over 2015.

Massachusetts saw its deadliest year for opioid overdoses in 2016. 

Opioid overdoses were confirmed to have killed 1,465 people and suspected to have killed another 514 over the course of the year, according to an annual report on the crisis released by the state Department of Public Health. This represents a roughly 13 percent increase over 2015. 

Fentanyl - a synthetic opioid often mixed with or sold as a substitute for heroin, contributed to 75 percent of these deaths - making it the prime suspect in the ballooning death toll, especially considering heroin-deaths dipped. 

Fentanyl can be 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. Fifty percent of those who died tested positive for heroin, indicating the two drugs are often mixed. 

The development comes even as more and more treatment organizations add beds to live-in facilities in an attempt to combat addiction and first responders across the Bay State have equipped themselves with drugs like Narcan, which quickly halt overdoses by blocking the body's opioid receptors. 

In 2015, opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts hit 1,751, with 1,597 confirmed by the medical examiner. 

Gov. Charlie Baker has made fighting opiate addiction a signature issue, upping state spending on abuse prevention and treatment from $120 to $180 million since taking office in 2015.

Heroin deaths outpaced gun deaths nationwide for the first time since 1999.

12,989 Americans died from heroin-related causes in 2015, and 12,979 died from firearms. Overall opioid deaths topped 33,000.

Heroin deaths outpace gun deaths nationwide for the first time since at least 1999 

Children taken from Massachusetts homes spiked 56 percent since 2012, driven by the opioid crisis

The crash was reported about 9:50 a.m.in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 291, near Exit 4.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

Updates story posted at 10:22 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD -- One person was taken to a city hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 291 in Springfield Monday morning.

The crash was reported at about 9:50 a.m.in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 291, near Exit 4.

Trooper Kenneth Belden said one person was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. He had no information on the nature or severity of the injuries.

State police closed the left and center lanes for a short time after the crash.

While people continue to express their shock at the death of Amherst blogger Larry J. Kelley, funeral services have been scheduled for later this week.

AMHERST- While people continue to express their shock at the death of local blogger Larry J. Kelley, funeral services have been scheduled for later this week.

Kelley was killed in a head-on crash on Federal Street near a curve Belchertown at about 2:45 p.m. Friday. Kelley, as he often pointed out, was a fifth-generation Amherst resident and blogger. He created the "Only in The Republic of Amherst" blog.

Kelley was traveling east when the collision occurred with a westbound vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Belchertown man, according to the district attorney's office. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle were taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. Mary Carey, spokeswoman in the Northwestern District Attorney's office, said in an email Monday that the investigation could take some time.

Kelley's wake has been scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. The funeral service will be on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid's, 122 N. Pleasant St.

Kelley had his opinions which he expressed on his blog and elsewhere.

He posted a "DUI Dishonor Roll," frequently filed open meeting violation complaints against town officials as well as boards and committees. He would cover issues as well as speak on them.

He supported a change in the town's charter currently being explored and opposed the building of a new $66.7 million twin-elementary school.

Voters at large will again vote on the proposal but that meant the school district would not withdraw the current plan, which delays the town from applying for new state funding.

Kelley posted that if acting Superintendent Michael Morris "wastes an entire year on this impossible dream gamble, an irresponsible lack of judgement (sic), he should be fired."

Kelley repeatedly lobbied the town to put up the commemorative flags on Sept. 11 to honor the victims of the attack and to ensure it was remembered.

The town had a policy of flying the 29 commemorative flags on six holidays and in 2015, agreed to add Sept. 11 to that list.

Carey, a former reporter and University of Massachusetts adjunct professor, reflected on Kelley's passing on Facebook.

"Amherst lost its most colorful character and most dedicated, passionate chronicler in Larry Kelley. I don't know if anyone else even comes close," she wrote. "Someone posed the question on his blog once of whether he was a Don Quixote or a Bob Woodward. Neither of them had it on Larry. 

"I don't think he received many -- or any -- civic awards or even deference, but as far as reporting goes, he was the real deal. I don't think we know what we had until it's gone. God bless to his family."

Former School Committee member Catherine Sanderson posted this: "Amherst has lost a truly special member of our community today. And I am reminded in this tumultuous time - when the President of the United States calls the media 'Fake News' - that Larry always, always worked hard to let the truth come out.

"As he said repeatedly on his blog, 'Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.' RIP Larry Kelley. You will be missed by so many."

In an email, Cinda Jones, president of W.D. Cowls, wrote that Kelley "was a relentless crusader in order to make our world a more just place. He sought accountability for drunks on the road, civil servants in Town Hall, and landlords of unruly tenant. He loved the flag and wanted progress for our town.

"He dared to say the truth when newspapers couldn't dare and he usually was the first to report real and important news. I admired and respected - and even at times feared -  him a lot!" 

Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson said, "Because he was just a regular guy with two kids, he saw things a differently than most news folks. He saw things as an ordinary citizen. He was passionate about Amherst and he cared about public safety.

"He could be a 'be a pain in the ass' but he had a great heart. He was passionate about his hometown. And he loved his two daughters."

The Local 1764 firefighters union added that it is "deeply saddened by the loss of activist, local reporter, and friend Larry Kelley in a tragic accident on Friday afternoon. Larry was well known around town for his direct approach to reporting on local issues he felt were important to our community.

"He was an advocate for public safety, transparency in local government, and numerous other local issues. While he was always willing to ask difficult questions and share his own opinions, there was never any doubt he genuinely wanted the best for his home town."

Select Board chairwoman Alisa Brewer in an email, wrote that "A sudden death of someone we interacted with just days before is always hard to understand. 

"Larry enjoyed asking hard questions and following up on stories over time in ways the brick and mortar media seem hard pressed to do these days.  His tragic passing leaves a serious gap in local news coverage. 

"Larry's great devotion to his daughters was always clear. Our hearts go out to his family."

Police seized 49 bags of heroin and what Sgt. John Delaney described as components of a "heroin factory" -- a powder grinder, strainers, cutting agent, stamped bags and other paraphernalia.

SPRINGFIELD -- Narcotics detectives raided a Stockman Street home Friday afternoon and arrested a man on heroin, cocaine and fentanyl charges.

Police seized 49 bags of heroin and what Sgt. John Delaney described as components of a "heroin factory" -- a powder grinder, strainers, cutting agent, stamped bags and other paraphernalia.

They also seized a large bag of powder cocaine, two vials of liquid fentanyl, 15 bags of marijuana and $1,624 in cash, Delaney, public information officer for the department, said.

Detectives were poised to execute their search warrant when they saw the suspect leave the property in a silver-colored Honda. Police detained the suspect and then entered the apartment on the third floor.

K-9 Officer Raul Gonzalez and his four-legged partner, Hades, went through the car and found the heroin and cocaine hidden behind the radio plate. Police found the fentanyl inside the apartment.

.Police arrested Ernesto P. Lopez, 24, of 50 Stockman St., Springfield. He was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Lopez is slated to be arraigned Tuesday in District Court.

A civil rights group pushing for more diversity within police forces says Boston remains one incident away from tumbling into a situation like Ferguson, where an unarmed black teen was fatally shot by a white cop, prompting weeks of protests and a Justice Department investigation.

A civil rights group pushing for more diversity within police forces says Boston remains one incident away from tumbling into a situation like Ferguson, where an unarmed black teen was fatally shot by a white cop, prompting weeks of protests and a Justice Department investigation.

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice called for city officials and the Boston Police Department to "recommit" to transparency and diversity, pointing to police-involved shootings of black men outside of Massachusetts. The group said their proposed solutions have been ignored by the city.

"We, therefore, renew our call for the City to reverse course and to affirmatively embrace straightforward measures that will help diversify its police force," the group said in an open letter released Monday. "The problems associated with lack of diversity in BPD will only get worse the longer the City delays in acting."

The letter comes three days after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Police Commissioner William Evans announced they had tapped Michael Gaskins as BPD's diversity officer.

The formal title is diversity recruitment officer and examination administrator, a position under the director of BPD's human resources division. Gaskins is tasked with ensuring diversity among police officers and police cadets.

The Lawyers' Committee in a similar letter last year pointed to BPD's racial make-up and note that white officers make up 65 percent of the department.

Ferguson, feds reach deal to revamp police operation in wake of Michael Brown shooting

"These numbers do not reflect Boston, which since 2011 has been a majority-minority city," Monday's letter said. "Latino and Asian communities are particularly under-represented on the BPD force, employed at less than half the percentage of their representation in the City."

Among superior officers, "[l]ess than one-fifth of supervisory officers are Black, Latino, or Asian - significantly below their representation in the overall force and well below their representation in the community," the letter added.

The group also accused the department of fighting diversity measures in court and lacking transparency.

Boston has seen a police involved shooting since the group's previous letter: A mentally ill man, Terrence Coleman, was fatally shot last year. Police say he was wielding a knife; his mother contends he wasn't.

"As more incidents occur in the future, BPD's legitimacy will continue to erode and public safety will continue to suffer," the group said in its letter, noting a recent Boston magazine article, "Boston is a Shooters' Parade," reported that minority residents do not trust police as 96 percent of gunmen in non-fatal shootings aren't arrested.

"To address this, the City must act with urgency and expediency to diversify its police ranks," the group's letter said.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office announced that Michael Hebb, 45, of Peabody was taken into custody shortly after noon on Monday without incident in connection with the double homicides that occurred in Peabody over the weekend. Another suspect is still at large.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office announced that Michael Hebb, 45, of Peabody was taken into custody shortly after noon on Monday without incident in connection with the double homicides that occurred in Peabody over the weekend. Another suspect is still at large.

In a statement, Essex D.A. spokeswoman Carrie Kimball-Monahan said authorities arrested Hebb at 84 Aborn St. in Peabody with assistance of a SWAT team. He will be arraigned in Peabody District Court on Tuesday on two counts of first-degree murder.

Authorities confirmed Monday morning that the bodies of Mark Greenlaw, 37, and 39-year-old Jennifer O'Connor were found in the home. The couple were involved in a romantic relationship, Essex District Attorney spokeswoman Carrie Kimball Monahan said Monday.

What we know about the Peabody double homicide

Peabody Lieutenant Vincent Patermo said police have responded to the home in the past for a number of domestic disputes, operating motor vehicles under the influence, and a number of other disturbances. 

Peabody home where double homicide took place has history of violence

This is a developing story.

Area residents Iggy Collura and Donald Verallis, both 84, work out regularly at Baystate Medical Center's cardiac gym to counter their shared history of heart procedures.

Iggy Collura and Donald Verallis are 84, veterans of the Korean War and each has two children and six grandchildren.

They can both be found several days a week at Baystate Medical Center's cardiac gym in the Tolosky Center in Springfield's North End. Their shared history of heart procedures is the source of their friendship through they gym, and perhaps why both men look younger than their years, although Collura quips that feature might be in his genes.

"I don't know about that! I think it's hereditary, my father and mother maybe," Collura said.

Wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt he won in the Sunday Republican's Beat Carlo Imelio Contest for the 1995 Super Bowl, Collura was exercising on one of the gym's seated elliptical machines next to Verallis during a recent Wednesday morning.

The two men reflect what studies increasingly show - that patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation after a cardiac event generally lower their risks for future such events the longer they participate, increase their chances for a longer life span and experience better lifestyles.

A retired U.S. Post Office employee of 40 years and Springfield resident, Collura entered Baystate's cardiac rehab program after triple bypass surgery several years ago and opted to continue as a paying member of its cardiac gym after he completed the insurance covered portion of the program. He has since completed more than 3,575 visits.

"I said I would try it because I like exercise and I have been ever since," Collura said.

"I try to come almost five days a week, depending on the weather. I do the treadmill, the bike, the rowboat, the balls. They have these big balls that we sit on and you jump all over the place."

Collura added the daily workouts give him something healthy to do, and that he would recommend the activity to others to stay healthy.

"It is the best thing in the world if you can do. It helps you. It helped me. Do it if you can," Collura said.

Verallis, a retired Baystate pharmacist who lives in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam, is of similar mind-set. He started in the cardiac rehab program's phase I while hospitalized for coronary artery stent surgery, and joined the gym after completing the phase II outpatient portion that is covered by Medicare and other insurances.

"I had an episode in my yard. I couldn't breath and was coughing. My wife called the ambulance," Verallis recalled.

"They wheeled me in and three minutes later I am on the operating table and they put a stent in (to widen the artery). They told me that I should do some exercises and they put me through stage l and ll and after that point I decided, at the urging of my wife, that this is something very healthy for me. I now come four days a week regularly. If I miss a day I make it up."

Verallis said he likes working out in a medically supervised environment.

"This is a very good experience here," said Verallis who once built and flew model airplanes, and now does a lot of fishing as well as some volunteer work for Shriners Hospital for Children-Springfield.

"You make friends and you have good, well-trained people here. It is almost like a club."

Verallis works on the machines - his favorite being the rower - between 45 minutes to an hour daily.

"I would be apprehensive should I stop doing what I am doing. I feel this is keeping me in good health. I feel very strongly about that," Verallis said.

"You hear on television and elsewhere that you should exercise every day for at least a half hour. I really believe in that. There are quite a lot of 84-year-old people out there who don't do the things I do and I do everything I want with moderation."

Suffield Police has started its Facebook Page to better reach out to the community.

SUFFIELD, Conn. - A Police Department Facebook page post about missing cows has gone udderly viral with national news media picking up the story and thousands of people sharing the post.

Since Police Sgt. Geoffrey Miner posted the alert Sunday morning, the department's page has received more than 7,500 likes, 8,000 shares, and more than 500 comments.

"Oh my God, I just got off the phone with Inside Edition," said Police Capt. Christopher McKee. The department has also gotten calls from media as far away as Seattle, Washington.

The whole story started at about 8:25 a.m., Sunday when a resident called to report "a few cows in the front yard."

Since then police have been having fun with the cows on the lam story.

"Despite an immediate response by Suffield Police arriving on the scene in less than two minutes, the offending cattle had fled the scene. Officers then diligently checked the surrounding neighborhoods locating the two offending cows attempting to appear inconspicuous standing on the front porch of #680 North Street," McKee said in a press release.

Police learned the two, described as black-and-white suspects wearing no clothes, had escaped from the nearby farm owned by Zera Equipment at 714 North St.

While homeowners did not have a beef with the cows, they were cited with a mooving violation and then rounded up with the help of the property owners and returned behind bars to the custody of the farm owners.

Following the cow capture, Miner posted a warning on Facebook.

"Early this morning officers responded to a complaint of 2 suspicious males going door to door trying to sell dairy products. Officers determined that the 2 individuals did not have a solicitors permit and were apprehended after a short foot pursuit. We would like to remind everyone to NEVER open your doors to any unfamiliar cattle," the post read.

The cows posed no threat to public safety except for those who are lactose intolerant, police said.

While police were just having a little fun, McKee said it is part of an overall effort for the small town Police Department to better reach out to the community and work with residents better.

"It shows the community at large that there is a human side of policing and police officers have a sense of humor like everyone else," McKee said.

The post going viral also helps the department get information out to the public.

"We use our Facebook page to put a lot of information out. We use it to be transparent, accessible and to communicate," he said.

The Suffield Police Department uses its Facebook page to inform people about arrests, scams, public meetings and a wide variety of other things. Most recently McKee reminded people about drunken driving.

Minor, with Dispatcher Nicholas Fanso, were recognized by the United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut during Oct. 2016 for their efforts in community policing. The two, who are key in the department's social media outreach, have also organized events such as "Chill with a Cop" at local ice cream parlors.

While advances have been made in Agawam's fight against blight, more still needs to be done, according to city councilors, some of whom requested status checks on particular properties and an updated list of the city's blighted properties.

AGAWAM -- The fight against blight continues in Agawam, where city councilors recently called for continued vigilance to make sure derelict properties are dealt with appropriately.

In 2015, Agawam Mayor Richard A. Cohen identified 17 blighted properties, 10 of which were either in receivership or in the hands of the state Attorney General's office, whose Abandoned Housing Initiative uses the enforcement authority of the State Sanitary Code to turn these properties around. If owners fail to address issues with their blighted properties, state prosecutors have authority to petition the relevant court to appoint a receiver to bring the property up to code.

While advances in Agawam's war on blight have been made, more still needs to be done, according to city councilors, some of whom requested status checks on particular parcels and an updated list containing all of the city's blighted properties.

Councilor George Bitzas, speaking at a City Council meeting earlier this month, said he was "very happy" to receive reports from Cohen about progress at the long-abandoned Games and Lanes site on Walnut Street Extension and at Twin Silos Commons on Suffield Street.

But Bitzas added another eyesore to his list of concerns: The former Caesar's restaurant on Silver Street. Caesar's was included on the mayor's 2015 hit list, but the property at 314 Silver St. remains a blight on the landscape, said Bitzas, who requested an update from Cohen's office.

"What's going on there? Why is he not taking care of it?" Bitzas said of the property owner.

Councilor Robert Rossi voiced frustration with the slow pace of dealing with blighted properties, some of which have been discussed for years.

"Week after week, or meeting after meeting, I hear these discussions about these blighted properties throughout the town," he said, recommending that the City Council ask Cohen for the most up-to-date list of blighted properties and what is being done to address the situation.

"That way then we can attack (blight) from a little different direction than just simply mentioning it at these meetings on a casual basis," he said. "I think that would probably be a little bit more fruitful to find out where we are, and where we're going to go with this stuff."

"I'll take care of it, Councilor Rossi. Thank you," City Council President James P. Cichetti said, adding that he would reach out to the mayor.

For Councilor Anthony R. Suffriti, the contaminated Games and Lanes site, a former bowling and fun center on Walnut Street Extension, continues to be a perpetual headache for the city. Suffriti regularly sheds light on the property, which is located in the heart of a business district that the city plans to redevelop into a pedestrian-friendly shopping district.

David Peter, a principal of Site Redevelopment Technologies, the company that owns the abandoned property, is dealing with groundwater cleanup efforts at the property. Remediation work should be completed some time this spring, according to Peter, who is expected to update city officials at that point.

Peter has said he might sell the property or raze the dilapidated structure, according to Suffriti, who prefers the latter option. "I'm going to give the gentleman the benefit of the doubt, but I'll keep reminding everybody of these three simple words: Tear it down," Suffriti said.

On the issue of Caesar's on Silver Street, said the property is partially hidden by overgrown trees during the warmer weather, but the parcel is blighted nevertheless.

"You're right," Suffriti said to Bitzas. It is another building that needs to be looked into because it is a blighted property, and we passed an ordinance for a reason.

Cohen said the city's blight ordinance is aimed at curbing the problem by working with property owners and targeting banks that further neglect foreclosed properties.

"It gives us another tool in our toolbox to be able to go after foreclosures, or other blighted properties for the health, safety and well-being of our community," Cohen said after the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance in June 2015.