Organizers planned to deliver a letter to Mayor Sarno, but with City Hall closed, they intend to mail it to him instead. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -  If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?

If a group of environmental activists stage a demonstration on the steps of city hall and no one is there to watch it, are they making a difference?

Beth Fairservis said she would like to think so.

"I think it's fine," said Fariservis, artist director for the Pachamama Puppets of the Haydenville section of Williamsburg.

"The fact the media is here is important because what we're doing is for the world. That is the main way we're connecting," she said.

Fairservis and a few others under the banner of The World We Love assembled on the steps of Springfield City Hall to call attention through song and dance to the fragile state of the environment and the interdependence all life on earth.

As part of the event, organzized by participants were supposed to deliver a letter to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno urging him to adopt eco-friendly positions for Springfield.

 

The trouble is, with City Hall closed for the Presidents Day holiday, Sarno wasn't there - and neither was anyone else.

The event drew a half dozen members of the local press, but no one else. No supporters, no detractors. Other than one woman who paused momentarily while walking her dog, the event did not attract a single spectator.

The letter will instead be mailed to him, Fairservis said.

Fairservis said they knew in advance city hall would be closed for the holiday, and said it did not alter their plans. After Springfield, the troupe headed off to Holyoke for a similar demonstration on the steps of city hall there.

Stops are also planned in April and May in Pittsfield, North Adams, Greenfield, and Montague, and a larger final event on July 1 in Northampton.

Fairservis said the plan all along was to have two demonstrations in each city they visit one week apart. The group will repeat its Springfield and Holyoke visits next Monday when City Hall will be open.

 "Each city gets us twice. That way we build up a little momentum," she said.

She said she has no doubts turnout will improve next week.

A District Court judge has ruled that due to a lack of state standards, breathalyzer tests used between 2012 and 2014 cannot be presumed to be reliable.

Because of lax state protocols, thousands of drunk driving cases in Massachusetts could be at risk.

District Court Justice Robert Brennan ruled, in a decision dated Thursday, that because of a lack of reliable standards by the Massachusetts Office of Alcohol Testing, any breathalyzer test calibrated between June 2012 and September 2014 cannot be used by the state in any criminal prosecution unless the prosecution proves that that particular test was properly calibrated.

"In the absence of written protocols, it cannot be assumed that any particular calibrator understood or routinely applied the proper standards in calibrating a device," Brennan wrote.

There are 535 drunk driving cases statewide that are part of this case, but an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 other cases have been stayed until the issue is resolved.

Joseph Bernard, a Springfield-based lawyer who was one of the lead defense attorneys in the case, said there could be as many as 20,000 drunk driving cases around the state that involved breathalyzer tests from that time period. It is an open question what will happen to prior convictions based on those tests.

"Certainly anyone who has been convicted on that machine should look into the validity of the conviction, whether it was a plea or whether it was a trial," Bernard said. "It certainly raises questions for anyone who was convicted."

The 535 drunk driving cases will not be automatically overturned, but will go back to the courts where they came from to be tried using Brennan's guidance that the breath tests cannot be automatically considered reliable.

Both sides have 30 days to decide whether to appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court.

The test at issue is the Alcotest 9150, a breathalyzer test developed by Draeger Safety Diagnostics, which is currently the only breathalyzer test used in Massachusetts. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, which oversees the Office of Alcohol Testing through the Massachusetts State Police, there are 392 of these breath tests in Massachusetts today. The tests are typically recalibrated annually. Seven tests are currently being serviced and the others have all had their settings checked by Draeger. So every test being used today has been confirmed by the manufacturer to have the correct settings.

Felix Browne, a spokesman for the Executive Office of Public Safety, said the department's general counsel is reviewing the decision, and the office has no comment at this time.

The Alcotest 9150 uses a type of technology that has been around since the 1970s to determine how much alcohol is in someone's breath. The defendants, who are individuals charged with driving while under the influence, and the state each raised numerous arguments, with competing expert witnesses, about whether the test is reliable.

In his ruling, Brennan determined that the test works in a lab setting, and the computer source code is reliable. The test is used for breath testing in 20 countries. Although the defendants argued that the science related to breath tests is evolving, the court found that the use of breath tests remains sound science.

The problem that the judge found, however, relates to the Office of Alcohol Testing's management of the breathalyzers.

The Office of Alcohol Testing is responsible for calibrating and maintaining all breath tests used in Massachusetts to make sure they are working properly.

The court found that until 2014, there were no written policies in place covering the responsibilities of office scientists or the management of the equipment. There were no written protocols for standardizing testing and calibration procedures.

Between 2012 and 2016, the office's technical leader, Melissa O'Meara, instituted a series of policies and protocols. But before that, the protocols were simply worksheets with checkboxes, and a scientist would paper clip his work to the sheet. Many technical specifications and procedures were not written down but spread through word of mouth or shared informally at meetings, O'Meara testified. This included procedures for preparing breathalyzer tests, for testing solutions and gases and for quality control, among other things.

As a result, Brennan found that from the time the Alcotest 9150 was put into use in June 2012 until September 2014, the state has not shown that it had a reliable method for calibrating the test.

According to court documents, the case involved six attorneys for the state and eight for the defendants, and the judge approved the use of more than $350,000 in public money. Witnesses traveled from as far as Germany and Sweden for the 10-day trial.

The case was tried in Concord District Court. A spokeswoman for Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan could not immediately be reached on Monday.

Evidence of the assault was visible on the victim's head, chest and legs. "He was covered in grease," Officer James Donovan noted, and the frying pan was still on the sidewalk.

These were the top stories out of Springfield District Court last week. If you missed any, click on the links below to read them now.

Fatal Springfield crash: Court docs reveal details including speed on impact, reason police approached car

Bail set at $100K for Aaron Thorne on homicide, manslaughter charges in fatal Springfield crash

Springfield woman charged with hot grease attack on boyfriend hours before Valentines's Day

Springfield mother denies punching, kicking pregnant daughter

Springfield tattoo artist denies fondling teen customer's breast


Aspiring funeral director charged in Springfield's first 'hearse rage' case jailed after probation violations

Father facing home invasion charge pleads for release to care for sick son

After being 'harassed' by nude photos, Springfield man jailed by judge

The Empowerment Zone has created the program to promote students' growth in math and English. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD -- President's Day is a holiday and the start of school vacation week at the M. Marcus Kiley Middle School in Springfield. For most, that is. 

About 100 invited sixth- and seventh-graders are taking part in the week-long February Academy, which started Monday.

The Empowerment Zone has created the program to promote students' growth in math and English. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

One of the hour and 15-minute rotating classes features Kiley Middle School Dean of Students Mark Laurenzano leading students in weight training and other exercises in the FitZone program.

Laurenzano, one of 10 teachers in the program, incorporates math problems in with the exercises as students figure out their pulse rates after riding stationary bikes. 

Besides the academics, the students will be exposed to various other "fun" activities as in crazy hair/hat day, dress like a boss day and dress like a superhero/villain day during the students' "vacation." 

American International College Veteran's Alumni Committee is looking to keep students and the community more informed on the nation's current military climate and involvement across the globe as the organization will host a guest speaker event this Thursday.

American International College Veteran's Alumni Committee is looking to keep students and the community informed on the nation's current military climate and involvement across the globe as the organization will host a guest speaker this Thursday.

The Committee will hold the event from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Campus Center Auditorium, which will feature a discussion on the nation's armed forces and the variety of changes made throughout the years.

According to Gary Lefort, member of the Veterans Alumni Committee and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, the event will be an "opportunity to educate the AIC community, high school students, and the community."

"The main idea is to keep students informed about the military," he said.

The Committee, which is within the college's alumni office, works to connect AIC with the with military branches as a way to support service men and women within the student community who've returned from active duty and are actively serving.

According to retired 101st Airborne Sergeant Kenneth Geromini, Chair to the Veteran's Alumni Committee, it is important for students to be up to date on the current happenings with the nation's armed forces.

"When I graduated, I was drafted. I was naive to career training opportunities," he said in a press release. "With a new administration in the White House, there may be significant changes to what the future will hold in regard to strengthening the military. We want to ensure that students know what their options are."

The event will feature Colonel Adele Hill as the keynote speaker who retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2016. In her 32-year career, Hill was the commander of the 439^th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Westover Air Force Base, among other titles she has held during her career.

Hill will discuss the role men and women play in the military, current global situations that U.S. is involved in, and the impact that can and will have on student's lives moving forward.

The event is free and open to the public, with an open invitation to high school and college students and members of ROTC, women and men considering enlisting, active and retired military.

Corey Lewandowski, one of Donald Trump's campaign managers during the 2016 election, is pushing back on an allegation of voter fraud coming from the White House.

Corey Lewandowski, one of Donald Trump's campaign managers during the 2016 election, is pushing back on a frequently repeated allegation of voter fraud coming from the White House.

Trump adviser Stephen Miller has argued that Massachusetts voters came over the border via bus to illegally cast votes against the Republican nominee, causing him to lose New Hampshire.

"That's not what happens," Lewandowski, a Lowell native who has worked on New Hampshire campaigns, said when asked on "The Axe Files," a podcast hosted by David Axelrod, a former aide to President Obama.

"But the law in New Hampshire is very unique and needs to be changed, because the law stipulates in the state of New Hampshire, if it is your frame of mind on Election Day that you are a New Hampshire resident, then you're entitled to vote there. That means you could be there one day, one week, one month, one year."

Lewandowski said that creates the "potential for voter fraud."

Axelrod pressed him on Miller's baseless claim.

"I live on the border, I didn't see buses coming across the line, to say, 'hey we've moved up from Massachusetts,' and candidly, most of the people that actually move in from Massachusetts move into the southern tier of the state of New Hampshire, and that happens to be the most conservative area of the state, the Rockingham and Hillsborough county area right along the border," Lewandowski said. "So I don't think you have that."

Tom Rath, a longtime Republican and former New Hampshire attorney general, took to Twitter earlier this month to call the voter fraud claims "without any merit." Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has pointed to Rath's remark when asked about the claim.

Let me as be unequivocal as possible-allegations of voter fraud in NH are baseless,without any merit-it's shameful to spread these fantasies

-- Tom Rath (@polguru) February 12, 2017

Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker asked about New Hampshire voter fraud allegations

Churkin, who died suddenly after falling ill Monday at his office, had been Russia's envoy at the United Nations since 2006 and was considered Moscow's great champion at the U.N.

By EDITH M. LEDERER and JENNIFER PELTZ

NEW YORK -- Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, a veteran diplomat known as a potent and personable voice for his country's interests as he sparred with his Western counterparts, died suddenly after falling ill Monday in his office at the mission.

Vitaly Churkin, 64, was taken to a hospital in New York, where he died, Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador, Vladimir Safronkov, told The Associated Press. His cause of death wasn't immediately known.

He had been Russia's envoy at the United Nations since 2006 and was considered Moscow's great champion at the U.N. Diplomatic colleagues from around the world mourned Churkin as a powerful and passionate voice for his nation, with both a deep knowledge of diplomacy and a large and colorful personality. He was the longest-serving member of the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful body.

Among many other issues, he had recently made Russia's views heard on the conflict in Syria, sparring with diplomats from the U.S. and other Western countries over whether to impose sanctions or take action to end the conflict. President Vladimir Putin praised Churkin's professionalism and diplomacy, according to the state news agency TASS.

"The president was grieved to learn about the death of Vitaly Churkin," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the agency.

Russia's foreign ministry called Churkin an "outstanding" diplomat and expressed condolences to his friends and family. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a Facebook post that Churkin was "an extraordinary person. A bright man. We have lost a dear one."

Churkin's death came at the start of a week when the Security Council is expected to discuss Ukraine and Syria.
The U.S. and the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia for its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its support for insurgents in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the United States, Britain and France have been pressing the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on the Syrian government for using chemical weapons, while Russia -- Syria's closest ally -- has repeatedly questioned investigators' conclusions linking chemical attacks to Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, which has denied them.

Churkin's death, the day before his 65th birthday, stunned officials at the U.N.'s headquarters.

"Our thoughts go to his family, to his friends and to his government," said U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq, who heard the news from reporters as it circulated during a daily briefing.

Calling Churkin a "diplomatic maestro and deeply caring man," former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power tweeted that he had done all he could to bridge differences between the U.S. and Russia. The current ambassador, Nikki Haley, said he was a "gracious colleague."

"We did not always see things the same way, but he unquestionably advocated his country's positions with great skill," Haley said.

French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said he and Churkin had "always worked together in a spirit of mutual respect and personal friendship" despite their divides. One of Delattre's predecessors, Gerard Araud, now French ambassador to the U.S., recalled Churkin as "abrasive, funny and technically impeccable."

Britain's U.N. ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, tweeted that he was "absolutely devastated" to hear of the death of Churkin, "a diplomatic giant and wonderful character."

Churkin was previously ambassador at large and earlier served as the foreign ministry spokesman. He had a doctorate in history and was a graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. And he was a child actor in what was then the Soviet Union.

After his long career in diplomacy, Churkin told Russia Today in an interview this month that the field had become much more hectic than it used to be.

"Unfortunately, the world has not become more stable," he told the Kremlin-backed news outlet. At the time, he "looked in good health and was very energetic," reporter Alexey Yaroshevsky tweeted Monday.

Whatever the challenges, "the U.N. continues to be an indispensable mechanism," Churkin said in the interview. "Without the U.N., we would be acting all on our own, without much coordination, and then we will be even less successful than we have been so far."
___

Lederer reported from London. Associated Press writers Colleen Long in New York, Cara Anna in Johannesburg and James Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report.

Fireground 360, tweeting shortly 2:45 p.m., reports that the hikers are fatigued and dealing with icy conditions.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

HADLEY -- Emergency personnel were summoned to Skinner State Park for a hiker rescue Monday afternoon.

Fireground 360, tweeting shortly after 2:45 p.m., reports that the hikers are fatigued and dealing with icy conditions.

Hadley police report that officers are on scene. Additional information was not immediately available.

Skinner State Park is home to more than 400 acres of forest on Mount Holyoke.

Fireground 360 is a public safety website maintained by members of the first responder community.

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

Trump had been looking for a replacement for retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who was ousted last week.

By CATHERINE LUCEY

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- President Donald Trump has tapped Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as his new national security adviser.

Trump announced the pick Monday at his Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago. He says McMaster is "a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience."

Trump says retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who had been his acting adviser, will now serve as the National Security Council chief of staff.

Trump had been looking for a replacement for retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who was ousted last week.

The fire caused between $80,000 to $90,000 in damage to the house and its contents.

CHICOPEE - A blaze which displaced a family of five Sunday was caused by a grease fire that spread.

The residents were cooking and left the food unattended. Grease ignited, caught the cabinets on fire and spread quickly from there, Deputy Fire Chief Joseph R. Crevier said.

Chicopee Fire Department investigators determined the cause of the fire at 51 Blanchard St. was accidental, after an examination Sunday night, he said.

When firefighters arrived shortly after the blaze was reported at 3:24 p.m., flames were already showing from the back of the first and second floors of the house, Crevier said.

It took 14 firefighters between 15 and 20 minutes to extinguish the fire.

All five family members escaped safely but two pet cats could not be found. One was later located and firefighters are asking neighbors to keep a watch for the second, which is gray. Crevier said he believes the cat may have escaped the blaze and anyone who sees it is asked to call the Fire Department at 594-1600.

It took 14 firefighters between 15 and 20 minutes to extinguish the fire.

The fire caused between $80,000 and $90,000 in damage to the building and its contents. Utilities have been shut off and the family cannot return until repairs have been made, Crevier said.

Organizers of a student strike at the University of Massachusetts were pleased with the day's events and learned a lot about the history of strikes and the immigration movement.

AMHERST -- Organizers of a student strike at the University of Massachusetts on Friday were pleased with the day's events and said they learned a lot about the history of strikes and the immigration movement.

The UMass Amherst Sanctuary Campus Movement, which organized the event,  billed the day as more of a teach-in than campus action. 

About 150 participated, said organizer Anna-Claire Simpson. "It was really fantastic," she said.  

UMass professor Kevin Young offered a panel on the long legacy of anti-immigration policies in the United States, and professor Millie Thayer taught about the history of the sanctuary movement in the 1980s among the teach-in programs.

She said those who attended also learned about direct action when it comes to immigration "so we're not relying on institutions or government. We learned so much," Simpson said.

The UMass Amherst Sanctuary Campus Movement has been calling on the university to become a sanctuary campus since November following the election of Donald Trump as president. It has continued to push for that following the executive order he issued in January putting a travel ban on refugees and nationals from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

A federal appeals court has upheld a freeze on the travel ban. The Trump administration is looking at other options.

On Thursday, UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy announced the creation of a task force to look at campus needs when it comes to monitoring any new presidential order.

"As we monitor federal actions related to immigration status and other issues that directly impact the lives of so many students and colleagues, my administration and I are focused on gathering information quickly and responding in a timely fashion," Subbaswamy said. "As I noted previously, I want to emphasize that I will do everything in my power to support and protect every member of our diverse community.

"Vital to that process is a campus task force that is coordinating responses to executive orders and changes in related federal policies," the chancellor said.

Subbaswamy named John McCarthy, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school, as the chairman with 13 other members including Pamela Dutta, associate director of the Student Legal Services Office, Robert Feldman, deputy chancellor, Enku Gelaye, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life and Anthony Vitale, president of the Student Government Association.

Simpson said she is happy with the task force's creation and believes it was created in response to concerns her group has raised.

"I don't see us not working together," she said.

According to the chancellor's memo, the task force "will closely monitor executive actions, initiate outreach to impacted members of the campus community, identify needs and resources, and provide regular updates on developments."

Here are a few bills that have been filed by local lawmakers, including bills to allow the sale of beer at farmers markets, give the state more authority over student loan services, expunge marijuana records and make drug prices more transparent.

BOSTON -- With thousands of bills filed for the 2017 legislative session, Western Massachusetts lawmakers have been busy advancing their priorities. The bills will now go through a committee hearing process, and some will be considered by the full House and Senate. An even smaller number will make it into law.

Here's a look at a few of the bills that have been filed by local lawmakers.

Artisanal beer at farmers markets

A customer at a farmers market today can buy locally produced wine products -- but not beer or spirits under the state's alcohol laws.

A bill by Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, SD. 872, an act authorizing the sale of farmer-distiller products at farmers markets, would change this.

A similar bill was filed previously by former Sen. Ben Downing, whom Hinds replaced in the Senate. Last year, it passed the Senate, but not the House.

The Republican / MassLive.com reported last year that the bill would let the state's approximately 80 farmer-brewers, who make beer, and 20 farmer-distillers, who make bourbon, gin, vodka, and other spirits, sell their goods at farmers markets. The alcohol could not be consumed on-site, other than through a limited number of free samples.

Student loan bill of rights

A bill being proposed by Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, would give state officials new authority to license and regulate student lenders.

Lesser's bill, SD. 1229, an act establishing a student loan bill of rights, would create a new position of student loan ombudsman in the state Division of Banks. The ombudsman would analyze student loan data, help student loan borrowers understand their rights and responsibilities, provide information to the public, monitor laws and regulations and implement a student loan borrower education course.

The bill would require all student loan servicers that operate in Massachusetts to obtain a state license and pay a fee, which would pay for the ombudsman. The license would come with standards of conduct.

The bill would impose state guidelines on lenders, prohibiting fraudulent, reckless or negligent behavior, and enabling the banking commissioner to conduct investigations of lenders and take enforcement actions, including license revocation and civil penalties.

Expunging marijuana charges

Now that Massachusetts voters legalized the use of recreational marijuana, what happens to people previously convicted of using the drug?

Rep. Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, is sponsoring HD. 3731, an act relative to the expungement of records of marijuana arrests, that would let someone convicted of nonviolent charges related to marijuana possession have their record expunged.

"If we change the laws of what's legal and illegal, we should look at what's happening to people who were put in jail under those charges," Vega said.

Both Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, have said they would not be likely to support retroactive changes to the law.

Pharmaceutical transparency

The rising price of drugs has been a major contributor to Massachusetts' high health care costs, which have been hurting individuals, businesses and the state budget.

Rep. Jose Tosado, D-Springfield, introduced a bill, HD. 992, an act to promote transparency and cost control of pharmaceutical drug prices, that would require a state commission, in conjunction with drug manufacturers, to develop a list of critical prescription drugs, including the top 20 selling drugs in Massachusetts, and provide pricing information about each one.

"It would provide transparency in terms of the cost of manufacturing," Tosado said.

The text of Tosado's bill is not yet available. But a similar bill sponsored in a previous legislative session would require manufacturers to disclose the cost of producing the drug, research and development costs, marketing and advertising costs, and the prices charged both in Massachusetts and outside the United States.

Juan Carlos Carmona is accused of using a hammer and screwdriver to break into 8 parking meters Sunday morning.

Juan Carlos CarmonaSpringfield Police photo 

SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police arrested a 34-year-old homeless man Sunday morning, charging him with prying into several parking meters in the area of Stockbridge Court and stealing coins, police said.

Damage to the meters was estimated to be more than $2,000, said police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney. Seven meters were forced open on Cross Street and another one was found on Willow Street.

Police charged Juan Carlos Carmona with eight counts of breaking into a depository and possession of burglary tools.

When arrested by officers James Donovan and Julio Cornejo at State and School streets, Carmona has a screwdriver and hammer in his pockets and an undisclosed amount of change. A witness later pointed out Carmona as the person they saw breaking into the meters.

Carmona would acknowledge his own involvement later while he was being booked at the police station, Delaney said.

While entering Carmona's personal information, the booking officer asked if he was employed, Delaney said, and Carmona replied "That's a stupid question. I wouldn't be breaking into parking meters if I was."

He is being held at the Springfield police station pending his arraignment Tuesday in Springfield District Court.

Meghan Kalbaugh was ill as a child so the cause is a chance to give back for the excellent care she received.

CHICOPEE - Miss Western Massachusetts' Outstanding Teen 2017 Megan Kalbaugh will be hosting a Zumba dance class to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network, a cause that is personally important to her.

Meghan KalbaughPeter_Camyre 

At birth Kalbaugh suddenly became very sick and was given "wonderful care" at Baystate Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital.

"Megan would like to raise as much money as possible for the Children's Miracle Network, as she feels she is finally able to give back," she said in a written statement. The Children's Miracle Network has been the national platform of the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program since 2008 so it fit perfectly for her.

The fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 23 in Pulaski Hall, 13 Norman St. The class, which is open to anyone from beginner to expert, is $6 a person and will be taught by Sonrisas Dance Fitness and license Zumba instructors KT Fiondella and Dale Glenn. Tickets will also be sold for raffle prizes. All proceeds will go to the charity.

Kalbaugh, who will be competing in the Miss Massachusetts' Outstanding Teen pageant in New Bedford in April, is a Chicopee Comprehensive High School honors student. She is also a competitive dancer with Dazzle Studio of Dance.

Anyone who would like to help but cannot attend in person can donate on-line at: http://www.maoteen4kids.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1524

Police arrested a 17-year-old Leverett youth on driving under the influence of drug charges early Sunday morning as he was stopped on East Pleasant Street for crossing marked lanes and driving with a defective headlight.

AMHERST -- Police arrested a 17-year-old Leverett boy on driving under the influence of drugs and other charges early Sunday morning.

He was stopped on East Pleasant Street for crossing marked lanes and driving with a defective headlight, according to the police log.

The juvenile was charged with operating under the influence of drugs -- marijuana -- and operating a motor vehicle to endanger -- negligent and marked lanes violations.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Juvenile Court in Hadley.

Springfield man summonsed on drug charges

Police have summonsed a Springfield man on drug charges after he was questioned about using a stolen credit card.

The 61-year-old, whose name was not provided, has a Springfield post office box. He is facing a charge of possession of a class B substance, subsequent offense. He will likely face additional charges, police said.

The man agreed to the search Friday for the reported stolen credit card, and police found a crack cocaine pipe, according to the police log.

A party called police to report that her card had been used for purchases at Amherst Market.

Police identified the suspect after watching video of the transaction and found him at Craig's Place homeless shelter. 

Barnstable Police tried to stop a car driven by Cary Guy, 24, at about 9:30 a.m., but he fled, leading to a chase from Cape Cod to Middleborough.

BARNSTABLE - Massachusetts State Police arrested a Dighton man on Monday after a high-speed chase from Cape Cod to Middleborough in which the fleeing vehicle caused damage to several cruisers.

Barnstable Police tried to stop a car driven by Cary Guy, 24, at about 9:30 a.m., but he fled, leading to a chase down roads and highways including Routes 6, 3, 44, 105, 28 and 495, state police said in a news release.

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata reached speeds of 100 mph and traveled the wrong way on Route 44 in Plymouth and Route 495 in Middleborough. No one was injured.

A helicopter from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing maintained visual contact with the suspect. He stopped after striking two cruisers and was arrested on the ramp from Route 44 West to Route 495 North.

Guy is charged with failing to stop for a police officer, operating to endanger, driving with a revoked license and speeding. Additional charges are expected from local departments.

He is held without bail pending arraignment in Wareham District Court on Tuesday.

"Those bullets severed arteries, pierced organs and broke bones," Assistant District Attrorney Max Bennett said as the trial of alleged shooter Benjamin Rivera, 25, of Springfield got underway in Hampden Superior Court.

These were the top stories out of Hampden Superior Court last week. If you missed any, click on the links below to read them now.

Springfield man shot 4 times over $15 car sticker, prosecutor tells jury

Witness describes last moments of Springfield murder victim Angel Llorens

Judge releases East Longmeadow man shot, paralyzed by police officer

Former murder defendant Christopher Montgomery, 19, indicted on new charges

Judge postpones arraignment of Ludlow doctor accused of illegally prescribing more than 15,000 painkillers

The fire appeared to be on the third floor of the house at 360-362 Hancock St. in the Six Corners neighborhood, and caused heavy damage to the roof.

SPRINGFIELD -- Firefighters were working to put down a fire at a three-story house on Hancock Street early Monday evening.

The fire appeared to be on the third floor of the house at 360-362 Hancock St. in the Six Corners neighborhood and caused heavy damage to the roof.

The fire appeared to be under control just before 7 p.m. There was no immediate report of injuries.

Traffic was blocked between Clark and Florence streets.

The fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m.

This is a developing story that will be updated as reporting continues

The map below shows the approximate location of 360-362 Hancock St.:

Obituaries from The Republican.

The Newburyport Police Department has released the identities of two men believed to have robbed a group of juveniles at gunpoint.

The Newburyport Police Department has released the mugshots of two men accused of robbing a group of juveniles at gunpoint.

Police said Justin Donahue, 19, and Damon Barowy, 18, both of Amesbury, approached a five young people outside of the Riverside Cycles and Tannery Shopping Station Sunday evening. 

According to victim reports, Donahue and Barowy robbed the five juveniles of their backpacks and wallets at gunpoint and then fled in a vehicle. No one was injured, police said. 

Police arrived at the scene around 6:40 p.m. and conducted victim interviews. The description of the suspects of and their vehicle were given to area police departments. 

Around 8 p.m., a Salisbury police officer stopped a vehicle on Lafayette Road for speeding. The vehicle also matched the description of the suspect's car. 

Newburyport police and surrounding departments responded to the scene and were able to identifyy Donahue and Barowy. 

Both men were placed under arrest.

Donahue and Barowy each face four counts of armed robbery and one count of armed assault with intent to rob. They've been transported to the Middleton House of Corrections and are awaiting arraignment at Newburyport District Court. 

Donahue is being held on $3,000 cash bail, and Barowy is being held on $2,500 cash bail. 

"I want to thank our neighboring police departments for assisting the Newburyport Police Department in locating and arresting these two suspects," City Marshal Mark Murray said. "We're thankful that no one was injured as a result of this armed robbery."