Groups of hundreds of people turned out in places from Colorado's state Capitol to near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for Saturday's "March 4 Trump" demonstrations. Watch video

From Colorado's state Capitol to Trump Tower in New York and the Washington Monument, groups of hundreds of people rallied for President Trump on Saturday, waving "Deplorables for Trump" signs and even carrying a life-size cutout of the president.

The March 4 Trump demonstrations were planned around the country, and supporters clashed with generally smaller groups of counter protesters.

Six people protesting the rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, were arrested on felony riot charges after they lit fireworks inside the Minnesota State Capitol and fled, police said. About 400 people attended the St. Paul event, and about 50 showed up to protest it. Some other minor scuffles between the dueling demonstrators were quickly defused.

In Nashville, two people were arrested as protesters clashed with Trump supporters at the Tennessee Capitol. The groups at times cursed at each other and made physical contact, which state troopers broke up, WPLN reported.

Near Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach Post reported that people on both sides exchanged profanity. Trump's motorcade briefly stopped so he could wave at supporters.

In Ohio, Trump supporter Margaret Howe, 57, of Pataskala, said she increasingly fears civil war.

"We did not want to have something like this happen," she said, adding, "We came out today because Trump deserves to see he still has people for him. It's just all sad."

Outside the state Capitol in Denver, hundreds gathered, listening to speakers including former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo on the West Steps facing the mountains. Many in the crowd held American flags or wore red, white and blue and held signs with messages like "Veterans before Refugees."

Chelsea Thomas, an accountant from Thornton, Colorado, brought her family to the rally -- and a life-size cardboard cutout of Trump. She said the family has taken it with them on camping trips, boat rides and a country music festival.

"It's nice to be surrounded by people who share your morals and opinions," said Thomas, as her son walked back and forth across the grass with a Trump flag. A group of counter protesters gathered nearby, separated from the rally by police tape. They chanted "No Trump. No KKK. No fascist USA" and held signs with messages like "Your vote was a hate crime."

Hundreds gathered in rallies on both ends of Pennsylvania to show support for Trump.

Supporters waved signs and flags and listened to speeches during Saturday's "Spirit of America" rally in Bensalem's Neshaminy State Park in eastern Pennsylvania's Bucks County.

"They love their country and they love what Donald Trump represents, which is about making America first," organizer Jim Worthington said. "... We are here to meet and make sure all Americans are prospering."

In northwestern Pennsylvania, the Erie Times-News reported that about 100 people gathered at a square in downtown Erie for a similar demonstration. "We've got to get the whole country united behind this man," said Richard Brozell, 75, who along with his wife braved the mid-20s temperatures and stiff wind chill to attend

March 4 Trump in Cleveland

In Augusta Maine, more than 100 people turned out for the event that was supposed to last three hours, but ended early because of freezing temperatures. In Miami, supporters continued a rally while sipping espressos outside a Cuban restaurant, the Miami Herald reported.

At a North Carolina rally, speakers said the dishonest media and left wing politicians were bordering on sedition in their opposition to the Republican president. Some men were seen walking through the Raleigh crowd carrying a Trump flag as well as a Confederate flag. Gathered just behind the rally was a handful of protesters, some of whom blew air horns in an attempt to disrupt the event.

"We're gonna take our country back and we're gonna establish borders and have legal immigration and law and order," said Cherie Francis, of Cary, North Carolina. "And if you're against all that, then you should be afraid. 'Cause we're going to take the country in the direction it should be going, instead of the direction it has been going for at least the last 16 years."

In Indianapolis, about 30 Trump supporters rallied at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis to denounce what they see as unfair treatment of the Republican.

A local organizer, 61-year-old Patty Collins, of Indianapolis, said Trump's critics "aren't giving him a chance." A 34-year-old, James Arbogast, added about Trump detractors that it's "not business as usual in Washington, and they can't stand it."

Honks and hollers at pro-Trump rally in Saginaw

One attendee held a sign saying, "The silent majority stands with Trump." Some passing cars honked in support. Others shouted disapproval.

In Lansing, Michigan, about 200 Trump supporters rallied on one side of the state Capitol while 100 critics gathered on another side. At one point, the president's fans shouted "get on the bus" and "go back to Mexico," The Detroit News reported.

"Agree with President Trump or not, he is our president, and I think what I see happening in D.C. and with the Democrats -- it can't stand," said Gary Taylor, 60.

The annual Spring Sampler has something for every member of the family

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- A temporary return to winter-like temperatures couldn't keep shoppers from thinking spring at the 19th annual Old Deerfield Spring Sampler Craft Fair on Saturday.

Pottery, woodworking, jewelry, glass, clothing and fine art, among other things, were highlighted as doors opened to the Young Building at Eastern States Exposition for the two-day fair.

Crowds poured in from the cold to check out a sampling from more than 150 crafters from all over the country. They also were treated to specialty foods, craft demonstrations, mixed media and live music.

Thirty new artisans and crafters joined the fair this year, showing new works in wood, metal, glass, fiber and gold.

A woman died and a man was seriously injured Saturday when a large tree fell on their car in Andover, state police said.

ANDOVER, Mass. -- A woman died and her husband was seriously injured Saturday when a large tree fell on their car in Andover, state police said.

The accident was reported at 2:15 p.m. while the vehicle was reportedly heading west on Route 125. Police arriving at the scene found the two occupants of the 2007 Toyota Camry trapped inside the crushed vehicle.

A 58-year-old woman from North Reading who was a passenger in the car was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Police said her husband, also 58, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Their names were not immediately released.

The accident is under investigation. There was no immediate word on what caused the tree to fall, but strong winds had been reported in the region during the day.

The roadway was closed for about two hours after the accident.

Woman killed after falling tree lands on top of vehicle https://t.co/afXSIHwxK4 pic.twitter.com/oFRykkgs2K

-- WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) March 4, 2017

The Blarney celebrations in Amherst were relatively tame this year, according to police.

The Blarney Blowout celebrations in Amherst were relatively tame this year compared to past ones, according to local authorities.  

Officials credited public safety efforts, extensive planning, and cold weather for the peaceful day of celebrations. 

"It was just a very quiet day--we had one or two arrests, but otherwise everyone had a good time at the concert and everybody went home," said Ed Blaguszewski, Executive Director of Strategic Communications with UMass Amherst. 

Police said that out of the 2,200 UMass students who attended the free concert at the Mullins Center, there was only one arrest. A student was taken into custody for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, Blaguszewski said.

There were several disturbance calls but police say those were resolved peacefully.  

"The primary goal of providing a safe environment free from any large-scale disturbances was accomplished successfully," said Blaguszewski, in a statement.

Blaguszewski also said that law enforcement observing the day's festivities reported "cooperation, respect and positive communication with students."

While few arrests were made, a number of students did have to be treated for intoxication, said Blaguszewski. 

Seven people were treated at the Mullins Center concert by Amherst Fire and UMass Emergency Medical Services, while one had to be taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital for intoxication.

The Amherst Fire Department also transported another intoxicated student from elsewhere on campus, Blaguszewski said. 

Police are still looking for a suspect in a cold case involving a murdered woman from Springfield.

VERNON, VT - On March 4, 1999, the body of 36-year-old Springfield woman Mary Morales was discovered on the side of a highway in Vernon, Vermont.

An autopsy of Morales--whose body was naked when it was discovered near an I-91 guardrail at the 4-mile marker--showed that she had been murdered.

Mary Morales.Vermont State Police photo 

A detective familiar with the case had previously stated Morales was likely killed in Massachusetts before her body was transported and "dumped" in Vermont.

Over the years, several "persons of interest" were developed by police, but no one was ever arrested or charged in relation to the homicide.

Police had previously speculated that Morales's death was a "retaliatory act" against her husband, Edgardo Morales, who had been involved in drug activity at the time of her murder, according to the Brattleboro Reformer.  

Anyone who believes they may have information on this case has been encouraged to contact Captain J.P. Sinclair of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit.  

The Northampton High School went to the dogs Saturday thanks to the volunteers for the 12th Annual Not Your Typical Dog Show.

NORTHAMPTON -The city's high school went to the dogs Saturday thanks to the Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc. for the 12^th Annual Not Your Typical Dog Show.

The three-hour show featured dogs of all shapes and sizes which, with the help of their handlers, performed various skill-based tricks around an arena that was built in the school's gymnasium.

The schedule of events included: Most Agile / Obstacle Course, A Pooch Who Can Smooch, Best Fetcher, Best Singing Voice, Clever K-9 Tricks, Best Smile, Mystery Mutt, Best Dressed, Earresistable Ears, Most Photogenic Dog, Best Hair, Most Obedient, Best Dancing Dog, and Best in Show.

Master of ceremony was Brian Rust, director of security for Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and the judges were, Bryan Lombardi, principal of Northampton High School, John Provost, superintendent of Northampton Public Schools, and Jane Fleishmam.

Sponsors included the Volunteers in Northampton Schools, North King Animal Clinic, Sunderland Animal Hospital, Florence Savings Bank, The Lions Club, Wohl Family Dentistry, Rigali and Walder Orthodontics, the Greenfield / Northampton Cooperative Bank, Paradise Copies, Northampton Area Pediatrics and Northampton Veterinary Clinic, Riverbend Animal Hospital, Dr. Clayton, Dr. Kleinman, Dr. Canby and Dr. Edwards, the Fur's a Flyin', Dave's Pet City, the Baker's Pin, VESH, and The Good Dog Spot.

Activities included a raffle table, retail vendors, food, and Valerie Tompkins, the face painter. Other volunteers included members of the Key Club, the National Honor Society and the Community Service Office.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, visit the group's website at https://sites.google.com/site/northamptonvins/.

The Springfield Symphony celebrated the St. Patrick's Day season in fine fashion at Symphony Hall on Saturday night.

Also part of the pre-concert festivities was a performance from the Celtic Dance Company of Griffin Academy in Wethersfield, Connecticut. They put on a display of traditional Irish dance to a large crowd in the Mahogany Room.

The near-capacity house seemed touched by the Irish Tenors performance of traditional Irish treasures as well as more contemporary selections. The world-famous classically trained singers have been touring since 1998, with sold-out performances at major concert halls throughout the world.

The SSO returns next Saturday March 11 with "Scotland - A Celebration," featuring Music Director & Conductor Kevin Rhodes, and violin soloist, Yevgeny Kutik.

Three Massachusetts women were arrested Saturday following a shoplifting spree at a Connecticut outlet mall in which hundreds of items of clothing and footwear were stolen, police said.

CLINTON, Conn. -- Three Massachusetts women were arrested Saturday following a shoplifting spree at a Connecticut outlet mall in which hundreds of items of clothing and footwear were stolen, police said.

Police investigated the alleged incident at the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets around 4 p.m. after a store employee reported shoplifting. Police found the women in the outlet's lower level, and their car was located and searched.

Clinton Police said they seized items valued at nearly $10,000, all stolen Saturday from about 13 stores.

Arrested were Betzaida Rodriguez, 31; Delia Rodriguez-Perez, 38; and  Sheyla Orengo, 26. The women, all from Springfield, Massachusetts, are charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

They're each being held on $5,000 bond.

It wasn't immediately known if they're represented by lawyers.

Southwick authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects involved in a recent larceny.

SOUTHWICK, Ma - The Southwick Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying two women who are considered to be "persons of interest" in a recent larceny. 

Police say a larceny occurred at a Rite Aid pharmacy on College Highway that caused the store a "substantial loss."

The women pictured above are believed to be a mother and a daughter, police said. 

Anyone who believes they can identify these suspects or has information pertaining to the case has been encouraged to contact the Southwick Police Department at 413-569-5348.

East Longmeadow police have released the identity of the victim fatally struck by a car on Friday evening.

EAST LONGMEADOW - East Longmeadow police have released the identity of the victim who was fatally struck by a car on Shaker Road on Friday. 

Sgt. Michael Ingolls of the East Longmeadow Police Department identified the victim as 50-year-old William Conway. 

Conway is originally from Connecticut, but had been living in Ludlow, Ingolls said. 

The victim had been walking on Shaker Road at the time that he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene, said Ingolls. 

Ingolls further reported that the operator of the vehicle involved in the fatal incident is a resident of Springfield and is cooperating with authorities in their investigation. 

No charges have been filed in relation to the incident at this time, Ingolls said. 

However, the investigation into Conway's death is ongoing and anyone who may have seen anything or who has additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Longmeadow Police Department, Ingolls said. 

Jasmine Delgado of Middletown was charged with attempting to have 22.5 pounds of cocaine shipped to her from an address in Puerto Rico. She is being held pending court.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

The Hartford Courant reported that police allege Jasmine Delgado arranged with a neighbor to accept a package that she said contained children's clothes. Authorities said the return address on the package was Delgado's dead brother's home in Puerto Rico.

The neighbor opened the package when it arrived and found three bricks of cocaine wrapped in plastic and covered with bleach wipes. Each brick weighed 7.5 pounds for a total street value of between $110,00 and $120,000. The neighbor brought the package to Middletown police.

Delgado denied knowing the contents of the package but was nevertheless charged with criminal attempt to possess narcotics and criminal attempt to possess narcotics with the intent to sell.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Police responded to two Shot Spotter activations near a Euclid Street address within 30 minutes and found ballistic damage-bullet holes- in the front of one home. No one was injured and police gathered evidence at the scene.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Springfield Police Lt. Richard LaBelle said two ShotSpotter activations within 30 minutes sent officers searching for possible victims and evidence. The first activation at 1:45 a.m. placed three shots fired next to a home at 139 Euclid Street. A passing cruiser was close to the area and was able to get to the scene within moments but no evidence was found.

Twenty minutes later, a second ShotSpotter activation in the area between 122 to 140 Euclid Street did leave evidence. Police found four spent shell casings and ballistic damage-bullet holes- to the front of 139 Euclid Street. No one in the house was injured.

LaBelle said the evidence is being analyzed for comparison to other shootings.

"Faces of Faith" is a glimpse at the faces of prayer and worship during an ongoing series highlighting the many religions practiced in Massachusetts. Watch video

Some pray quietly, heads bowed, eyes closed, lips slightly moving as they give thanks to God or ask for forgiveness.

Others extend their arms to the heavens and cry out for mercy, hope and protection.

Every religion has its own traditions, customs and rituals, and while many overlap, some are unique to particular groups.

From a solemn, peaceful service at the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts in West Springfield, where men and women worship separately and shoes are removed in respect to Allah; to lively services at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Christian Cathedral in Springfield, where joyful singing and dancing are the norm; to Friday evening Sabbath service Sinai Temple in Springfield, marked by prayer, stories and a touch of humor; or to a Roman Catholic Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, there are many ways to display faith.

"Faces of Faith" is a glimpse at the faces of prayer and worship in Massachusetts. The Republican / MassLive ongoing series will highlight the many religions practiced in the Bay State.

If you'd like to suggest a place of worship for an upcoming "Faces of Faith" photo essay, send an email to Elizabeth Román at eroman@repub.com or Don Treeger at dtreeger@repub.com, or leave a note in the comments section below.

A man was trapped in his car on West Street in Ludlow Sunday morning after a utility pole and power lines landed on his car following a collision with another vehicle.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Ludlow Police Sgt. David Irwin said the first car knocked the pole over on West Street near Roy Street, but continued off the road. That driver was transported to the Baystate Medical Center with injuries.

The falling utility pole landed on a second car draping it in live power lines and trapped its driver in the vehicle. An Eversource utility crew responded to the scene and was able to shut down power and remove the lines from the car freeing the driver. He was not injured in the crash.

Irwin said West Street will be closed to travel for several hours as Eversource crews replace the pole and reconnect power. Traffic is being detoured up Roy Street to Hilltop Terrace to b pass the work area.

The investigation into the incident continues. Irwin said the first driver will be summoned to court.

West Mass was barely finished saying hello when a large number of Pioneer Valley backers announced they were not prepared to say goodbye.

SPRINGFIELD -- If it was intended to get people talking, it has certainly done that.

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts last month rebranded Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties under the name "West Mass."

West Mass is a catchy, modern marketing slogan designed to attract outside money, according to supporters. But for those who prefer the name Pioneer Valley -- or simply dislike the name West Mass -- the rebranding sparked reactions ranging from eye-rolls to anger.

Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she was not sure why people were so upset. West Mass, she said, is just a variation on another common term for the region, Western Mass., minus three letters.

"This is just a twist on that," Wydra said.

Since the unveiling on Feb. 7, the anti-West Mass blowback has been unrelenting. Much of it is from area residents, but there is also some from Pioneer Valley expatriates.

Over the last month, West Mass has been panned, pooh-poohed and pummeled in thousands of comments on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Reddit. An online petition opposing the name has attracted more than 1,200 signatures.

A 2-minute promotional video for West Mass was posted on YouTube and drew 43,000 views. But judging from the comments there and even in traditional media, few of the views were favorable.

Two Boston publications, The Boston Globe and Boston Magazine, have run articles about the West Mass controversy. A Berkshire Eagle reader poll showed 5 percent supported the West Mass name, 11 percent were unsure and 83 percent picked "Are you serious?"

An editorial in the Daily Hampshire Gazette said "snipping the '-ern' off Western Mass. and calling ourselves mavericks" is less of a home run than it is "a pop fly bending toward the foul line."

Wydra said she understands people's attachment to and pride in the Pioneer Valley name. "I get that. I grew up here too," she said.

No one, she said, is trying to get rid of the Pioneer Valley name, which originated in tourism promotions of the 1930s. People can continue using it, she said. The idea behind West Mass is to appeal to people outside this region, not to infuriate those inside it.

Richard Sullivan, a former Westfield mayor and now president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, said that in retrospect the pushback over the West Mass name could have been anticipated.

"The whole idea of (the region) being mavericky, of being yourself, challenging authority, and doing your own thing, this is what you're seeing," he said.

Many of the region's businesses, organizations and schools have Pioneer Valley incorporated into their names.

Mary MacInnis, administrator of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, said there are no plans to become the West Mass Transit Authority. "It would be too expensive for the PVTA to rename itself," she said. "It's a nonstarter for us."

Pioneer Valley Popcorn in Shelburne feels the same way. "We have heard of this issue but do not have any plans to change our name from Pioneer Valley Popcorn to anything else," said a company spokeswoman in an email.

Over in Berkshire County, West Mass was met with a degree of bemusement, said Jaclyn Stevenson, director of communications with Winstanley Partners, a Lenox marketing firm.

"No one was up arms about it, but people were like, 'I don't get it,'" she said.

The Berkshires are part of Western Massachusetts, but mountainous region has never been part of the Pioneer Valley. Stevenson said it is not altogether clear if the Berkshires are to be considered part of West Mass.

Nor do the Berkshires necessarily have to be, she said. The region has its own brand that is recognizable for tourists. "We got our own thing going," she said.

If they were looking for a catchy name that includes all four Western Massachusetts counties -- and not just "the lower three," as people in the Berkshires refer to Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin -- Stevenson suggested something with hashtag appeal.

"If it were up to me, I'd go with 'The 413,'" she said, referring to the telephone area code.

Sullivan said the point of the West Mass rebrand is not to change life in the Pioneer Valley but to attract people from outside of it. West Mass has a broader appeal in the eastern part of the state and outside of Massachusetts, while Pioneer Valley can be difficult to market, he said.

Poll after poll found that people in other states did not know where the Pioneer Valley is, he said. Meanwhile, anyone with a basic understanding of American geography can figure out where Western Massachusetts is.

Referring to MassLive.com, Sullivan said, "Not to be flip, but there's a reason you guys aren't called 'Pioneer Valley Live.'"

Dylan Pilon, owner of Cloud 9 Marketing Group in East Longmeadow, is a vocal critic of the West Mass name.

"They have the audacity to say no one uses the Pioneer Valley, that no one knows where it is," he said.

To protest the rebranding, Pilon launched a petition on Change.org calling for an end to West Mass. The original goal was to get 1,000 signatures. This past week the number reached more than 1,200, and Pilon is now seeking to get more than 2,400. That, he said, would be more than the number of likes on the Visit West Mass page on Facebook.

"I have yet to see anyone in any of the comment threads that has defended West Mass -- other than the people involved," he said. "Ninety-nine percent think it's a bad idea."

Pilon objects to the visitors bureau and EDIC spending $80,000 to hire Cubic Advertising Agency of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to develop the West Mass idea. The money came from member businesses and state grant funding the visitors bureau receives.

"There are creative agencies in the area that could have handled this," he said.
Cloud 9 Marketing is presumably one of those agencies, but Pilon said he did not submit a bid when the project was advertised.

"This is not about some whiny millennial whose ad agency got passed over for this," he said. "That's not what this is at all."

Sullivan said the selection of Cubic came after a yearlong public process that involved advertising locally and nationally. There were as many as 20 proposals submitted, including some from this area, he said.

Cubic, although it's based in Oklahoma, specializes in "place brands," or a distinctive name for a geographical entity, and that is exactly what the EDC and visitors bureau were looking for, Sullivan said. The $80,000 cost is an industry standard for that sort of campaign, he said.

The plan is to use local talent from here on out when possible, Sullivan said.

The EDC and visitors bureau did use local talent, Porterhouse Media of Holyoke, to create a West Mass video.

But once it was posted on online, it was met with the kind of ridicule from anonymous comments that the internet is known for. One person on Reddit described the video, with its quick edits, techno music and use of one-word descriptions of the region like "fertile" and "modest" as "the most cringe-worthy video you will see today."

Fallout from the video was such that the owner of Porterhouse Media, DJ Steve Porter, felt a need to defend himself in Boston Magazine. He said the video was a rush job and that it was intended to be shown only to the audience at the West Mass unveiling.

"I was just the postman," he was quoted as saying. "I was just delivering the package to the door and now I'm getting absolutely throttled."

Sullivan backed up Porter's comments, saying the video was not intended as a centerpiece in the West Mass campaign. Porterhouse Video was hired at last minute to make a video for the launch party.

"It was to create excitement in the room at the rollout," Sullivan said.

Other campaign videos are planned, he said.

Peter Rosskothen, owner of the Delaney House and Log Cabin in Holyoke, said he supports West Mass because it will make the area more marketable to outsiders.

"At the end, we are all better off if we attract more people," he said.

Most businesses that advertise outside the region prefer to say Western Massachusetts instead of Pioneer Valley because it is more descriptive, he said.

"West Mass is a cool, trendy derivative of what we already do," he said. "This brand works as a tourism driver, and also as a development driver."

He is convinced that the people who do not like the West Mass name do not understand how it was adopted or why. It was selected with the input and support of hundreds of businesses in the area, he said.

"The brand is a tool, and it's not intended to replace anything you or I would like to call the area," Rosskothen said.

Carol de Carlo, owner of CamelotHot Communications in Springfield, said she is a little surprised at the anti-West Mass fallout. Most people who live in the region are never going to see the West Mass campaign in action because the target audience is not the Pioneer Valley, she said.

As for her preference in the West Mass vs. Pioneer Valley debate, de Carlo said she's not really in either camp.

"I live in Western Mass. I say Western Mass.," she said.

 

The Holyoke Historical Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish the closed Mater Dolorosa Church at Maple and Lyman streets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Senior Center, 291 Maple St.

HOLYOKE -- The Historical Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish the closed Mater Dolorosa Church at Maple and Lyman streets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Senior Center, 291 Maple St.

Arguments have plunged sometimes into bitterness over the future, and whether it should have a future, of Mater Dolorosa Church.

Issues surrounding the 116-year-old church have included indifference to Polish heritage, parishioner loyalty to a centerpiece church, accusations of lying and the practical need to address changing populations, costs and safety risks.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has requested an emergency demolition of the building because of what an engineer hired by the Diocese said was public safety concerns related to pieces breaking off the steeple and falling to the ground.

Emergency demolition of Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke recommended: engineer

The Diocese owns the church and closed it in 2011 because of declining parishioner numbers and concerns about the steeple's stability, though another engineer has said nothing is unstable about the steeple and it would last for years.

City Building Commissioner Damian J. Cote declined to grant the demolition order. He disputed Diocese claims about the structure and referred the demolition request to the Historical Commission.

Here are questions and answers on the matter of Mater Dolorosa Church:

What is the purpose of the public hearing?

A public hearing is required by state law when a property proposed for demolition is referred to the Historical Commission.

Chairwoman Olivia Mausel said the Historical Commission is responsible for reviewing the demolition applications related to historic properties in the city. The building commissioner referred the demolition request related to Mater Dolorosa Church to the commission based on the building being on the National Historic Register; the church and nearby rectory, or social center, which the Diocese also wants to demolish, both being listed on the Holyoke Historic Inventory; and the church being over 100 years old.

After the building commissioner referred the demolition request, the Historical Commission did an historic assessment of the property based on documentation at the Holyoke History Room at the Holyoke Public Librazry, City Hall archives, the Massachusetts Historical Commission and other sources, she said. (See below).

After the hearing, what are the next steps for the Historical Commission?

The commission will meet at a later date in public session to consider testimony from the public hearing and from the assessments it compiled, Mausel said.

If the commission determines that the demolition of Mater Dolorosa Church would not be detrimental to the historical, cultural or architectural heritage or resources of the city, demolition approval will be issued, she said.

If the determination is that demolition of Mater Dolorosa Church would be so detrimental, the commission can vote to impose a demolition delay order of six months, she said.

As someone who has watched issues related to Mater Dolorosa Church closely for years, Mausel was asked, will the building remain standing or will it be demolished?

"f the church is sold by the Diocese to a preservation-friendly developer, it can remain standing and adapted to alternative uses," Mausel said.

After the Historical Commission's public hearing, what are the next steps for the Building Commissioner's office?

Cote said the outcome of the hearing will determine if a demolition permit may be issued.

"If they vote to impose the demolition delay then we continue to keep the permits on hold until the delay period is up or there is a change in decision of the Historical Commission. If they vote to not impose the delay, we would issue the permit, however, the applicant will have to complete the process of applications. At this point the permit applications are not complete and cannot be issued as submitted," Cote said.

Diocese violating building codes by failing to maintain Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke, emergency demolition denied: inspector

Victor M. Anop, leader of Friends of Mater Dolorosa, which has been fighting to get the church reopened and which appealed the closing to the Vatican, must have lots to say about this latest episode, right?

Here's Anop's latest statement:

"Agatha Jerzyk, the single Polish woman who transferred the property at Maple and Lyman streets for a dollar on March 30, 1901 to the bishop of Springfield as the site of Mater Dolorosa Church Polish people forever must be turning over in her grave as a result of recent attempts by Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to demolish the Polish heritage landmark and religious home for thousands of Holyoke and area families. Additionally, (the Rev.) Scherer's plan is to tear out the only epic 'Pieta Statue' in New England from Mater Dolorosa, and he plans to meet on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 at the Pope John Paul Center paid for by Mater Dolorosa Poles to organize lobbying for the Historical Commission March 7 meeting. This is particularly bold, offensive and despicable to Polish Americans," Anop said.

"To set the record straight from the half-truths and mistruths purveyed by the bishop and his public relations person and lawyers, Mater Dolorosa is owned by the bishop of Springfield. He is the only recognized owner controlling all church property under Chapter 368 of the Acts of 1898. Father Albert's political parish did not pay, does not pay and is not legally responsible for any taxes or maintenance for Mater Dolorosa as claimed by Albert at a Polish heritage district hearing he lobbied at, and continues to lobby city leaders through church members," he said.

"The abandonment of Mater Dolorosa Church and its ethnic associated peoples by the Diocese has been part of (the Rev.) John Bonzagni 'Pastoral Plan' to eliminate most 'national parishes' (ethnically formed) and using his plan of wrongful discrimination to turn most, if not all, into 'territorial parishes,' calling them 'churches of diversity' to deflect this wrongful anti-ethnic conduct," he said.

"The Diocese plan has always been to reduce church numbers by sales or demolition, but the idea has backfired as the closed churches lost large numbers of church goers to the mergers leading to taxation and shrinking finances," he said.

"The only Christian justice to be granted in this Mater Dolorosa Church case is to turn the church over to the Polish parishioners for the dollar Agatha Jerzyk received, and not continue trying to knock down the church and raid the assets (patrimony) belonging to the past parishioners and families, most of whom do not attend the merged church," he said.

"I urge every former member, city Catholics and other Holyokers interested in saving this historic building to attend the March 7 hearing. Let the commission know (how) you feel about wrecking this church and allowing its historic artifacts to be stolen from its rightful owners -- generations of Polish Americans of Mater Dolorosa. The church, steeple and people still stand proudly," he said.

What's the Diocese's response to all that?

Here is a statement in response to Anop's from Diocese spokesman Mark E. Dupont:

"Atty. Anop is correct in that under Massachusetts law the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield acts as a Corporation Sole governing all diocesan affiliated church property. Atty. Anop's position is curious, however, in light of statements he made before the courts in 2012.

"As he seemed to concede in 2012, the bishop and Diocese are also bound by internal church law, which assigns responsibility and ownership of most church properties to local parishes, their pastors and his leadership committees. The Diocese has been clear and consistent in its merging of parishes, assigning property to the new parish or in the case of Chicopee and Pittsfield where there were a number of closings, property is under the custodial care of the remaining parishes.

"As such it is entirely appropriate that the Our Lady of the Cross Parish hold internal meetings to discuss their property. Individuals who have chosen not to join the new parish, recuse themselves from any input on these parish matters. In fact, again it should be noted that Atty. Anop has on occasion turned reporters away when conducting meetings of the Friends at Pilsudski Park saying those gatherings were private. The parish enjoys that same right. The parish also enjoys the right to redistribute and move any patrimony, including statues and other interior items, as it sees fit and as allowed by church law. This means sacred items may only be sold or given to another Catholic church or institution as defined under canon law.

"Former Mater Dolorosa parishioners who now belong to Our Lady of the Cross Parish would like to see items from their former church brought to their new place of worship.

"The position of the Diocese has not changed. We consider the steeple of the former church to pose a very real and imminent threat to public safety as evidenced by sections which have already fallen off. It is noteworthy that in the intervening weeks the building inspector has not backed up his denial of our request for an emergency order by any finding from another qualified and fully licensed, bonded structural engineer. Furthermore he has denied permission to erect any adequate protections in the form of 8 foot fencing while we appeal his decision.

"Yet at the same time, the City Council has scheduled hearings on bird droppings and the possibility of mold within the very structures we seek to take down. The priorities seem confusing, giving the impression that the Diocese and Our Lady of the Cross parish are being targeted for reporting unsafe conditions. In light of building collapses in Holyoke in recent years and other well publicized safety concerns, faced with this compelling report, one would think they would work with us to resolve the danger sooner rather than later.

"None of the maintenance issues raised had any bearing on the steeple problems which are solely due to age and design just in case that had been suggested.

"Our engineer Dr. Bernard Hunt has done what is required by law in warning the city of a very real potential danger. When faced with a very similar finding last year, city officials in North Adams had a drastically different reaction, putting safety first, despite the fact that former church was also much beloved."

"We will respectfully make our case before the Historical Commission next week and await a date for our appeal on Mr. Cote's denial, the latter of which we will vigorously pursue."

Will representatives of the Diocese attend a meeting of the Holyoke City Council Public Safety Committee on March 9 to address these orders filed by Councilor at Large Michael J. Sullivan?:

• the Board of Health take immediate enforcement action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield to clean and prevent further accumulation of avian fecal matter (pigeon shit) in the Mater Dolorosa Church. This material is a serious respiratory threat and breeding ground for maggots and other fungus.

• That the Board of Health or Building Inspector take immediate enforcement action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield to take the necessary measures to prevent the growth of white mold in the Mater Dolorosa Church. This fungus is not only a serious respiratory threat but it also accelerates the deterioration of valuable historic artifacts.

• That Mark E. Dupont and Russell A. Sprague of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, and their agent Barry Engineers, be invited to answer questions of public safety surrounding the Mater Dolorosa Church and Rectory.

Apparently not, according to an email Dupont sent to Daniel B. Bresnahan, Public Safety Committee chairman:

"Thank you for sharing Councilor Sullivan's request for diocesan representatives to appear before your committee on March 9.

"We would respectfully decline the invitation and furthermore would suggest the matters be tabled pending the outcome of our appeal for an emergency demolition order and the decision of the Historic Commission. We would hope that eventually our concerns will be heeded, a demolition order issued thus making these other less pressing matters moot.

"While the concerns raised are certainly of concern, they would seem to pale in comparison to the very real and imminent threat to the safety of the public posed by the steeple on the former Mater Dolorosa Church. We regret that our very well documented report and requests have not been heeded by city officials, including the request for proper fencing around the structure pending an outcome.

"Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Holyoke Historical Commission assessment of Mater Dolorosa Church, part 1: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd

Holyoke Historical Commission assessment of Mater Dolorosa Church, part 2: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd

Two former corrections officers at a Massachusetts jail were sentenced after authorities said they smuggled suboxone into the jail.

A former corrections officer at the Essex County Correctional Facility was sentenced in federal court for her involvement in smuggling suboxone into the house of corrections.

Katherine Sullivan, 32, of Londonderry, New Hampshire was sentenced to 36 months of probation in federal court last week after authorities said Sullivan and another corrections officer smuggled suboxone into the Essex County House of Corrections - Middleton for inmates.

Sullivan was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine. She had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with inmates to distribute suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction.

Authorities said Sullivan smuggled in the suboxone between October and December 2015.

Another former corrections officer at the facility, 34-year-old John S. Weir of Danvers received the same sentence as Sullivan after his appearance in federal court earlier in the year. He pleaded guilty to conspiring with inmates to distribute suboxone between September and November 2014.

Sullivan and Weir have resigned from their positions as corrections officers.

"The investigations revealed that Weir and Sullivan obtained suboxone strips from sources outside the jail and smuggled the contraband into the facility when reporting for their shifts," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Massachusetts. "Inmates receiving the suboxone from Weir and Sullivan then sold the drug to other prisoners inside the correctional facility."

Authorities identified the woman who was killed in Andover when a tree fell on a car Saturday as 58-year-old Elizabeth Roszkowski of North Reading.

Authorities identified the woman who was killed in Andover when a tree fell on a car Saturday as 58-year-old Elizabeth Roszkowski of North Reading.

Massachusetts State Police troopers were called to Route 125 in Andover Saturday around 2:15 p.m. and discovered that a fallen tree had struck a 2007 Toyota Camry and the two occupants were trapped inside.

Roszkowski's husband, who is also 58, was driving. He was seriously hurt and taken to Lawrence General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to State Police.

Roszkowski was taken to the same hospital where she was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation.

Investigators said Rte. 125 was closed for roughly two hours.

A 50-year-old Wareham man died Sunday morning after his car went off of the road and struck a tree on Route 140 in Lakeville.

A 50-year-old Wareham man died Sunday morning after his car went off of the road and struck a tree on Route 140 in Lakeville.

Massachusetts State Police troopers were called to a single-vehicle crash on Rte. 140 north around 5:50 a.m. The accident took place between exits 8 and 9.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Christopher Meleo shows the driver drove his 2007 Toyota Camry off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities continue to investigate the fatal crash.