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Eastbound lanes reopened following crash on Massachusetts Turnpike

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All lanes have reopened following a Friday morning crash that closed two eastbound lanes on the Massachusetts Turnpike, causing multi-mile backups.

All lanes have reopened following a Friday morning crash that closed two eastbound lanes on the Massachusetts Turnpike, causing multi-mile backups. 

Police, fire and emergency medical services were called to the eastbound lanes of the Massachusetts Turnpike Friday morning following a two-vehicle crash. 

A car and a tractor-trailer collided while heading east through Auburn, Massachusetts State Police report. 

Members of the Auburn Fire Department were on scene assisting. The department reports fuel spilled at the scene from the tractor-trailer and one person injured in the crash.  


Sen. Eric Lesser to discuss 'gig economy' at SXSW conference in Austin

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The discussion comes as Massachusetts lawmakers have prioritized regulating ride-sharing and room-sharing services.

BOSTON -- State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, is heading to Austin, Texas, this weekend to participate in a panel discussion at the South by Southwest conference.

Lesser will speak on Sunday about how the "gig economy" -- an economy based on short-term and freelance work -- impacts the future of work.

"We're going to be talking about what role the state plays and what role the legal and regulatory system plays in both fostering these innovations and protecting consumers as these innovations come online," Lesser said.

SXSW is a two-decades-old conference and festival that brings together the interactive, film and music industries along with events featuring a range of professionals in various fields.

Former Vice President Joe Biden is among the speakers at this year's event. Topics that will be discussed at the conference range from technology to media to digital health care to entertainment.

Lesser's panel also will include Stephane Kasriel, CEO of the online freelancing platform Upwork, and Tekedra Mawakana, vice president of government relations for eBay. It will be moderated by Linda Moore, president and CEO of TechNet, a technology policy institute.

Lesser is the new Senate chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and has also been involved in technology issues through his work trying to engage millennials in state politics.

Lesser will spend Saturday and Sunday at the conference. He will pay for flights and accommodations from his political committee, so no tax dollars are being used.

Lesser said he plans to talk about how independent work affects public policy.

During the last legislative session, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill regulating ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

This session, lawmakers are expected to prioritize a proposal to tax and regulate services like Airbnb, where hosts use an online platform to rent out rooms. Other bills related to technology and innovation that are up for consideration relate to autonomous vehicles, drones, noncompetes and patent trolling.

"We really have a role to play in Massachusetts as leaders in this field," Lesser said. "We are an innovation center, home to some of the best universities and best companies doing this work. It's a tremendous driver of jobs for us, and it's very important we be thoughtful, do this the right way and set an example for the rest of the country."

Lesser said Massachusetts has seen a lot of growth in technology, but primarily in Cambridge and Boston. He hopes to use the conference to talk about initiatives in Western Massachusetts and to talk with people from other states about how to expand growth to communities outside of their urban cores.

One major issue in addition to regulating and taxing new industries is how to protect workers and provide a social safety net in a freelance economy, Lesser said. Today, things like health insurance, retirement benefits and unemployment insurance tend to be based on the assumption that a worker will work for one large company full-time for much of their career.

Lesser said there is not a lot happening on these topics federally, so it will be up to states "to experiment about this and be thoughtful around the way you make health care portable, unemployment insurance portable, retirement benefits portable, and other sets of issues."

The shift from a service economy to a technology-based one is similar to earlier economic shifts from an economy based on farming to manufacturing, and from manufacturing to services, Lesser said.

"We need to be thoughtful in a changing economy," he said. "How do we continue to protect people and protect workers?"

Obituaries from The Republican, March 10, 2017

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Obituaries from The Republican.

Buy Springfield Now program continues aid to first-time home buyers, with a gift card to boot

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The Buy Springfield Now program has been aiding first-time home buyers in Springfield for eight years and gathered at City Hall to congratulate one of its most recent buyers who won a program raffle.

SPRINGFIELD -- Jasmin Clemons loves her home in East Forest Park, which she bought last month with help from the Buy Springfield Now program. Now she also has the joy of some extra spending money, a $500 gift card courtesy of winning a program raffle.

"I'm very excited, myself and my daughter," Clemons said. "It's our first home. She's excited because we have a pool and all that fun stuff. I was born and raised in Springfield. I'm a Springfield girl at heart."

The Buy Springfield Now program is a public-private collaboration that over the last eight years has been promoting home ownership in Springfield. It has helped several hundred people in buying homes, offering an array of enticements ranging from retail discounts to enhanced loans, along with market information and guidance, officials said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and representatives of Buy Springfield Now gathered at City Hall on Friday to congratulate Clemons and hand her the raffle prize. The prize was donated by KeyBank, a member of Buy Springfield Now.

"This has been a strong public and private collaboration that highlights the good, strong and affordable housing stock and neighborhoods we have here in our Springfield," Sarno said. "I appreciate Jasmin's belief and investment in our city and wish her the best of luck with her new home."

Buy Springfield Now representatives and Rocco Leone of MassHousing said Springfield is a community where buyers can spend less monthly owning a home than paying rent.

Moyna Smith, president of Buy Springfield Now, said the organization's goal is to make sure people "understand and see the beauty in Springfield because we have so many beautiful homes and it is such a great city to live in, raise your children, and the costs are really relatively moderate (compared) across the United States."

Smith is also community outreach officer for United Bank, one of the participating lenders. Real estate agents, lenders, major employers, retailers, nonprofit agencies and city departments also participate in the program.

Miranda Ronke-Czarnieck, a vice-president with KeyBank Mortgage, said it "is important for us to help people achieve their dream."

Clemons, who purchased her home in late February and moved in this week, said she is "still in shock."

"I am super excited," Clemons said. "I can't thank you enough for this. I will put this to excellent use. I'm actually going shopping today."

Others joining in the event included Laura Roy, mortgage consultant for KeyBank, and Cindy Gaynor, marketing director for NRG Real Estate.

Chicopee traffic stop leads to cocaine arrests; police say driver had white powder under his nose

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Asked what was on his face, driver Jacob Thomas said "A little coke. Nothing major."

CHICOPEE -  A motor vehicle stop for a motor vehicle violation on Center Street early Friday led to two arrests on drug charges after officers noticed the driver had traces of cocaine on his upper lip under his nose, police said.

Police spokesman Michael Wilk said that when officers asked driver Jacob Thomas what was on his face, he replied "A little coke. Nothing major."

The discovery allowed police to search the car, resulting in the discovery of several packets of cocaine, Wilk said.

Thomas, 28, of East State St., Granby, and passenger Leonard Vann, 30, of Tokeneke Road, Holyoke, were each arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. A passenger in the backseat was summonsed to appear in court on a charge of possession of cocaine.

Police stopped the car initially because it had an revoked registration.

Thomas was also charged with driving an uninsured, unregistered motor vehicle.

Thomas and Vann were scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Chicopee District Court. 

Man dragged by car as police say two suspects steal his iPhone in MBTA parking garage

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When a 22-year-old met with two men who responded to his ad to sell his iPhone, the suspects sped off from the Braintree MBTA parking garage with the phone, dragging the victim.

When a 22-year-old man met with two men who responded to his ad to sell his iPhone, the suspects sped off from the Braintree MBTA parking garage with the phone, dragging the victim.

Jeffrey Diauto.jpgJeffery Diauto, 20, of Braintree, is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and unarmed robbery. 

The victim posted an ad for the iPhone 6 online and arranged to meet with two men interested in buying the phone, MBTA Transit Police said. The two men were looking at the phone while still in their car around 2:40 p.m. Thursday.

As the two men began to drive away, the victim held on to the car to try and get the phone back. He was dragged on the pavement and suffered abrasions across his body, Transit Police said.

The suspects got away with the phone.

A Transit Police investigation led officers to two suspects, Jeffery Diauto, 20, of Braintree and a 17-year-old juvenile boy. They are being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and unarmed robbery.

Transit Police are asking members of the public who sell items online to insist that any meetings with potential buyers are located at a local police department parking lot for safety.

CareerPoint brings job center to Dean Technical High School in Holyoke, plans to go to more schools

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CareerPoint hopes to establish centers next at Holyoke High School and then at high schools in Chicopee and Westfield. Watch video

HOLYOKE -- Help with a resume or application, suggestions on what courses to take, what skills to acquire and where to look for a job or internship are all as close for Dean Tech students as the lunchroom.

CareerPoint, a Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center located nearby at 850 High St., hosted a grand opening Friday for its office at William J. Dean Technical High School.

"It's OK to not know as a high school freshman what you want to do with the rest of your life," said David Gadaire, executive director of CareerPoint. "What's not OK is not wanting to do anything."

The center opened informally in February.

Xandria Sotomayor, coordinator of the center, said she'll offer job hunting tips and interview preparation, including how to dress appropriately, as well as job listings, guest speakers from the business community and field trips to employers.

Gadaire said the center's location right off the cafeteria will make it easy to run lunchtime programs and seminars for students.

The center also makes it easy for employers to recruit and build relationships, and ensure that students pick up the skills employers need. The skills gap between what employers want and what job seekers have leads to good jobs going unfilled, Gadaire said.

Dean Tech Principal Jeff Peterson said he relishes the opportunity to work with the community and employers.

The new CareerPoint center replaces an underused career exploration room. The state mandates career exploration and entrepreneurship training at technical schools, he said. But up until now, Dean students have been doing that part of their training in their vocational shops.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said the career center works with the city's ongoing effort to reorganize its secondary schools to better meet students' needs. The idea is to send those students out with more than just a diploma; they'll also have job experience and a workplace training certificate recognized by potential employers.

Stephen K. Zrike, the state-appointed receiver in charge of the Holyoke public schools, said a lot of attention was paid recently to increasing graduation rates. That's fine, he said. 

"But that is a baseline," he said. "That's the minimum. Our goal is not just to keep kids in school. The real goal is to get these students ready to face the challenges of their future."

Gadaire said the Holyoke schools are paying CareerPoint to run the center. It's about $22,000 for the rest of this year and $75,000 for a full year.

"We want to expand. First to Holyoke High School and then to schools in Chicopee and Westfield," he said. "Its an exiting program."

Employers, as well as the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, attended Friday's ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Proponents of Amherst school building plan unveil window display detailing support

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Residents will vote on the school project on March 28. Watch video

AMHERST -- About two dozen community members, including former Congressman John W. Olver and former state Rep. Ellen Story gathered Friday outside an Amity Street storefront dedicated to the cause of "Yes."

A display in the storefront, once home to the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, supports a proposed elementary school building project. The display depicts families who are in favor of the project, which residents will vote on March 28 during the annual town election. 

Advocates hoping to overturn Town Meeting votes that did not move the project forward collected more than 1,400 signatures to keep the proposal alive and trigger the special election.

Voters on Nov. 8 approved the plan to build "twin" elementary schools serving grades two through six at the current Wildwood Elementary School site. But because the project involves borrowing money, Town Meeting approval by a two-thirds majority was required.

The body first rejected the plan in a Nov. 14 vote. A majority of Town Meeting members then voted in favor of the plan on Jan. 30, but the vote total -- 123 in favor to 92 opposed -- failed to meet the required two-thirds margin.

The proposal called for the Town Meeting to approve spending $32.8 million to build the approximately $67 million project.

Johanna Neumann, who is leading the Yes for Amherst campaign, said Friday there is still a lot of misinformation about the project. Supporters, she said, are hoping to clarify information for voters through the window display.

She believes the campaign has a lot of momentum -- and in a press release, reported the group has raised more $7,100. The group recently held a fundraiser at the Pub.

Story, who addressed supporters, said one of the proposal's benefits is providing more slots for preschoolers. School Committee member Phoebe Hazzard, who attended the rally, said the reconfiguration would provide 30 additional seats.

The town currently has three elementary schools. The new schools would replace the Fort River and Wildwood elementary schools. As part of the plan, the Crocker Farm Elementary would become an early childhood center for kindergarten through first grade.

Meanwhile, a group opposed to the project continues to raise money and spread its message on Facebook and other social media.

"This isn't a new campaign," said Marla Jamate an organizer for Save Amherst's Small Schools. "We've been involved in the battle over this for many, many months."

She added "Nothing has changed. There's nothing new about this plan. It's very expensive."

She said because the plan has been voted on, "It seems clear it can't get two thirds majority. It would make more sense to start something new. We feel this is too much money plan for a plan that is poorly designed better options."

Hazzard said she knows getting enough votes will be difficult, but she believes there is a lot of support.


$355K budget request by Hampden Volunteer Fire Department includes cost of adding 3 full-timers

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Hampden Fire Chief Michael Gorski's push to hire three full-time firefighters would increase the Hampden Volunteer Fire Department's annual budget from just under $95,000 to around $355,000, according to estimates he presented this week to the Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Committee.

HAMPDEN -- Fire Chief Michael Gorski's push to hire three full-time firefighters would increase the Hampden Volunteer Fire Department's annual budget from just under $95,000 to around $355,000, according to estimates he presented this week to the Hampden Board of Selectmen and the Hampden Advisory Committee, the latter of which reviews and prepares the town's annual budget.

Gorski has steadily advocated for adding even a handful of full-timers to the small volunteer department to increase response time and overall public safety in Hampden. Volunteer members are sometimes unavailable to respond to weekday calls because they work regular full-time jobs.

"I've been bringing this up with the selectmen for about eight years now," Gorski said Friday.

Adding two full-time firefighters, including salaries and benefits, would cost the town just under $120,00 annually, or around $59,500 apiece, while the addition of a full-time fire supervisor would cost around $71,000 a year. The three full-timers would be supplemented by paid call firefighters, who would receive a premium for responding to weekday calls.

Gorski's total budget request, which includes around $65,000 for call firefighters, still represents less than 3 percent of Hampden's overall budget, which has hovered around $12 million in recent years. By comparison, the annual budget for the town's full-time Police Department is over $1.3 million.

Recent major fires in Hampden, some of which heavily damaged properties or resulted in total losses, have highlighted the need for more resources to fight fires in this town of over 5,100 residents.

Two particularly devastating fires this winter both broke out during the afternoon hours, when most Hampden firefighters are at their regular jobs.

"More than half of our calls occur during weekdays, when we are at our lowest response capability," Gorski said.

Hampden relies heavily on mutual aid from other area fire departments, many of which have full-time members. But that shouldn't be factored in as savings for the town or a reason not to invest in fire services in Hampden, according to Gorski, who describes himself as a "fiscal conservative."

With no fire hydrants or full-time firefighters, Hampden -- home to a major power substation, Rediker Software, two banks, two schools, a shopping center, grocery store, several restaurants and churches (including a new 35,000-square-foot sanctuary on Allen Street), GreatHorse country club, and numerous other commercial and residential properties -- is at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to fighting fires, according to residents who support beefing up the Fire Department's budget.

The proposed budget increase will appear in the fiscal 2018 budget request column, followed by the Advisory Committee's recommendation to town meeting voters in the next column, according to John D. Flynn, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Residents will have a chance to vote on the budget at the annual Town Meeting on May 8.

If the move to professionalize the Hampden Fire Department fails at town meeting, the department's two dozen or so volunteers will continue to respond to all calls for fires and emergencies.

"We're still going to do the best we can," Gorski said.


Springfield man denies charges in shooting of 10-year-old girl getting off school bus

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Wilson Garcia, 24, of Springfield, is charged with two counts of assault and battery with a firearm and other charges in connection with a shooting June 9.

SPRINGFIELD -- Wilson Garcia on Friday in Hampden Superior Court denied six charges in connection with a June 9 shooting on Belmont Avenue where two people were struck by gunfire, including a 10-year-old girl getting off a school bus.

Garcia, 24, of 155 Allen St., was arrested in January at his apartment. There had been a warrant issued previously for Garcia's arrest.

111 spd garcia.jpgWilson Garcia

Garcia is charged with two counts of assault and battery with a firearm and one count each of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm and malicious damage to a motor vehicle.

Bail was set at $250,000 by Assistant Superior Court Clerk Brian Dolaher. Defense lawyer Christopher Todd asked for a hearing March 15 to argue for a lower bail for his client in the case being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James M. Forsyth.

Garcia had previously denied charges in Springfield District Court but now the case has moved to Hampden Superior Court.

Garcia is accused of firing several shots at a 22-year-old woman at about 4:30 p.m. at Belmont Avenue and Euclid Avenue. The woman was struck in the buttocks.

A 10-year-old girl who was getting off a school bus was struck in the calf by a stray bullet, police said. Neither was seriously injured.

Earlier reports said as many as eight shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Joey Camacho indicted for murder in 2005 fatal Holyoke shooting of Jesse Rosario

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Joey Camacho is charged with murder in the March 17, 2005, fatal shooting of Jesse Rosario in Holyoke.

SPRINGFIELD -- A Hampden Superior Court grand jury has indicted Joey Camacho for murder in the 2005 fatal shooting of Jesse Rosario.

Camacho was captured in Miami in October after being sought by investigators for more than a decade.

On Tuesday the grand jury indicted Camacho on charges of murder, illegal possession of a firearm (subsequent offense) and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.

No arraignment date has been set.

Rosario, 25, was shot twice in the chest in a drive-by shooting while he was walking home shortly after midnight on March 17, 2005. Holyoke police found him in critical condition and transported him to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Following an investigation in 2005, Camacho, then a 29-year-old Springfield resident, was considered the lead suspect. Police believe Rosario purchased drugs from Camacho but did not pay, the motive for the killing. The victim's family disputes this narrative.

Camacho was placed on the Massachusetts State Police Most Wanted List in October 2005. Over the years, police followed tips of him being seen in New York, Puerto Rico and Florida.

A man with identification under the name Gerald Torres was arrested in Miami in October for driving with a suspended license. While being booked by Florida police, the man's fingerprints were taken and it was determined that his name was not Gerald Torres but Joey Camacho.

The now 40-year-old was living in Miami for a yet to be determined number of years.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said, "I would like to thank the Grand Jury for their public service and diligence in this matter. The indictment of this suspect is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of all agencies involved. I would like to thank the US Marshals District of Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to my office as well as the Holyoke Police Department for their work in identifying and apprehending the suspect."

Gulluni said, "I and my office's Murder and Major Felonies Unit will continue to work with detectives towards a successful prosecution and for justice for Jesse Rosario and his family."

Despite snow, Mount Holyoke College Flower Show in full bloom

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Petunias were covered with snow outside the main entrance, but inside nearly 5,000 bulbs and 6,000 flowers were on display in their seasonal splendor.

SOUTH HADLEY -- Old Man Winter may be keeping the region in his grip, but there is a hint of spring at the Talcott Greenhouse on the campus of Mount Holyoke College.

Petunias were covered with snow outside the main entrance Friday, but nearly 5,000 bulbs and 6,000 flowers were on display in their seasonal splendor at the 2017 Spring Flower Show.

Patrons were treated to fragrant favorites such as hyacinths, narcissus, pansies, freesia, primroses, canary broom, as well as tulips, anemones, ranunculus, crocus, scilla, muscari, cineraria and calceolaria or pocketbook plant. The theme of the show is spring pools, with a number of water features in the center of the exhibit.

The show runs till March 19. The greenhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is free and open to the public. Groups are welcome with advance notice by calling 413-538-2116. The event is also wheelchair accessible.

The greenhouse is open to the public year-round. It has a collection of plants from around the world, including a banana tree. The greenhouse supplies plants for class studies and research at Mount Holyoke and other local colleges and high schools.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says President Trump sending 'mixed message' with proposed elimination of community grant funding

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Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno is voicing concern with potential major cuts to local aid from the federal government.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno is voicing concern with potential major cuts to local aid from the federal government, following reports that preliminary budget documents show plans to eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program.

The budget documents, obtained by the Washington Post, show major cuts across HUD programs as part of a 14 percent reduction in the agency's budget. Of chief concern to Sarno is the proposed defunding of the CDBG program, which last fiscal year distributed $3 billion to support housing, social services and economic development in cities and towns.

The budget documents suggest that grant funding be included instead in a future infrastructure package, but no such bill has yet been filed, the Post reported.

In a statement, Sarno described the grant program as a "lifeline" for urban mayors.

"I'm very much concerned, on one hand President Trump states that he wants to help cities, especially urban centers, and then issues an edict to eliminate Community Development Block Grants," Sarno said. "Once again, President Trump is sending a mixed-message and by the way - is there a replacement program? The elimination of CDBG would be absolutely devastating to cities, especially urban centers. Please hear us, so that we can work together for the overall betterment of our cities."

Springfield received $3.49 million in CDBG funding in 2016, according to HUD. The funds have historically been used to support a wide range of projects in the city, including the youth services, substance abuse programs, local parks and the demolition of blighted properties.

The city also distributes the federal funds to local nonprofits. In January Sarno announced that organizations could apply for up to $25,000 in CDBG funds to make capital improvements to their buildings that would improve or preserve their service capacity.

Sarno's statement comes one week after he publicly praised the Trump's administration outreach to his administration and expressed hope the city and federal government could work together on economic development.

"I'm ready to work with the (Trump) administration, especially on urban cities, infrastructure, job creation and investment programs to benefit our city of Springfield," Sarno wrote to Deputy Director of the White House's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs William Kirkland, in an email released by the Mayor's office.

Springfield firefighters respond to house fire in OId Hill

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Marshal Street runs along the northside of the Elias Brookings Elementary School.

An update to this story was posted at 4:07 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD - Springfield firefighters are on the scene of a house fire at 22 Marhshal Street in the Old Hill neighborhood.

The fire, reported at around 3 p.m. appears to be out, and firefighters are cleaning up.

Information on the extent of the damage was not available. Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant said three residents may have been displaced.

Marshal Street runs along the northside of the Elias Brookings Elementary School.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it is known.

Old Hill fire causes $10K damage; cause under investigation

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This is an update of a story posted at 3:36 p.m.


<p> </p>
<p>SPRINGFIELD - A fire Friday afternoon in the first floor of a home at 22 Marshal Street in the Old Hill neighborhood caused an estimated $10,00 damage, according to fire officials

The fire, reported at about 3 p.m., was quickly extinguished but not before cause damage to the interior, said Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

No one was home in the first floor at the time. Two upstairs residents escaped unharmed, Leger said.

The Pioneer Valley chapter of the American Red Cross has been called into assist residents.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Marshal Street runs along the northside of the Elias Brookings Elementary School.


State Trooper helps relocate bears near road in Williamsburg, snaps photo with cub

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A Massachusetts State Trooper got up close and personal with a family of bears while assisting wildlife officials Friday morning.

A Massachusetts State Trooper got up close and personal with a family of bears while assisting wildlife officials Friday morning.

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Connecticut Valley District Manager Ralph Taylor asked state police for help relocating a mother bear and two cubs Friday morning, after their den was discovered dangerously close to Route 9 in Williamsburg.

Trooper Tim Harris responded to assist and snapped photos with the cubs after Taylor tranquilized the mother, State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said.

The bears were relocated safely to a location deeper in the woods, where they will be less likely to encounter humans, Procopio said.

"Their hibernation's ending, they're going to be out looking for food so there was a likelihood they're going to wander across the road," he said. "We don't want to see them get hit and we don't want any crashes involving people either."

State Police posted photos of the bears on Facebook, drawing over 1,400 likes and dozens of comments thanking them for helping protect the animals.

Host of Boston's St. Patrick's Day breakfast says she's skipping parade after exclusion of gay group OUTVETS

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Massachusetts Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry said Friday she won't march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade even if the Allied War Veterans Council decides to include the gay group OUTVETS.

Massachusetts Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry said Friday she won't march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade even if the Allied War Veterans Council decides to include the gay group OUTVETS.

Earlier this week, the council's decision to exclude the group drew rebukes from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who both said they would not march if OUTVETS is not allowed to participate in the annual parade.

The parade is set for Sunday, March 19.

But Dorcena Forry, who represents Dorchester and South Boston in the Massachusetts State Senate, called the council's decision "outrageous" and said she won't participate even if the council changes its mind about OUTVETS.

Gov. Charlie Baker: Denying gay veterans chance to march in St. Patrick's Day parade 'doesn't make any sense'

Dorcena Forry also hosts the annual breakfast roast at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which draws elected officials from across the state, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Vice President Joe Biden phoned into the breakfast in 2015.

"It is unacceptable to exclude anyone in our community," Dorcena Forry said in a statement. "But the Council has chosen to exclude the best of us: Veterans who have bravely served our county and put their lives on the line for our freedoms. As the State Senator representing South Boston, I know this community does not share these ignorant beliefs."

In a statement yesterday the Allied War Veterans Council said OUTVETS hasn't been "officially notified" about whether or not they're allowed to march.

"The Council reviews the parade presentations of all applicants prior to any official acceptance," they said in the statement, which was posted to their website. "Outvets was informed that our Code of Conduct prohibits 'the advertisement or display of one's sexual orientation,' and that the 'rainbow' flag on its banners and logo was in violation of this rule."

The council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

These three Mass. cities ranked among the top 20 places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Massachusetts Broadband Institute OKs proposal for internet service to six towns

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MBI is also moving forward with a new grant program that could result in even more towns getting internet service.

BOSTON -- The state agency charged with expanding broadband internet in Massachusetts has approved a proposal that could serve six more towns. It is also moving forward with a new grant program that could result in even more towns getting internet service.

Peter Larkin, board chairman of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, said there is no perfect solution, but the institute is committed to helping each town find the best possible project. "We're going to stumble, and we're going to be successful," Larkin said. "This administration is committed to this cause."

Last year, Gov. Charlie Baker's administration revamped the state's "Last Mile" broadband program and brought Larkin on to oversee it. The goal of the program is to bring high-speed internet connectivity to 40 rural towns in Western Massachusetts that do not have it.

Because it is not profitable for private companies to build internet networks in rural areas, the state has been soliciting proposals and subsidizing some of the construction and overhead costs, with plans to use up to $40 million in state money.

Earlier versions of the program required towns to pick up around two-thirds of the cost, but that proved unworkable for many towns. Under the latest version of the program, the costs to towns will vary depending on the proposals that come in. Some towns may have a private provider like Comcast willing to pick up the entire cost of building the network; other towns may borrow the money and pay for the network themselves.

"There won't be equal treatment," Larkin said. "We'll try to be equitable, but we're going to get it done."

"We have to take the deal that works," Larkin added. "If you're waiting for perfect, we wouldn't get any deal."

In January, the state received proposals from six internet companies vying for $20 million in state grants. The companies must commit to providing internet service to 96 percent of a town's residents and offering a particular minimum broadband speed. The projects must be financially sustainable in the long term.

On March 6, the MBI announced that Charter Communications met the qualifications to get state money to build an internet network in six towns: Egremont, Monterey, New Salem, Hancock, Princeton and Shutesbury.

However, that does not mean it is a done deal. Each town must vote to accept the proposal, and there is some uncertainty around whether the project will go forward if only some of the towns accept.

Charter officials have said they would complete the entire network within two and a half years, and customers could be hooked up earlier than that as sections of the network are completed.

After some negotiations, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute on Friday was also waiting to hear back from Comcast with its final proposal to serve four towns: Goshen, Montgomery, Shutesbury and Princetown.

Both Comcast and Charter would pick up the entire startup cost that is not covered by the state subsidy, and would in fact require less state money than what MBI had been willing to spend on those towns. The towns would not have to pay any of the cost. The communications companies would earn back the money by selling internet service to residents.

If a town has multiple proposals, it will be up to town residents and officials which one to accept.

At the same time, the MBI is also moving forward with a new grant program that would let municipalities design and build their own networks. The towns would have to borrow money to pay for the up-front costs, but they would then own the network. Network providers -- for example, Westfield Gas + Electric -- would operate as project managers. Some towns have expressed interest in pursuing this type of model, but until now it was not possible to get a state subsidy.

"It really empowers the town to take hold of a project and go forward on their own," Larkin said.

Larkin provided an update on broadband service to the state's Rural Policy Commission during a Statehouse briefing on Friday.

Larkin stressed the state's commitment to extending internet service to towns, even though it is getting more difficult, since the towns still without service are the most rural ones. "We're making progress, albeit slow, sometimes by fits and starts," Larkin said.

Larkin said MBI has enough money to pursue the projects that have been proposed, but because there are not proposals approved for all 40 towns, he cannot say whether the $40 million will be sufficient to finish the project.

"For the next two years, we think we'll be fine to move forward the way we've been doing," Larkin said.

Missing Williams College student located, in touch with family, police say

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A college student that had been reported missing earlier in the week has been located, according to police.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ma - A Williams College student who had been reported missing earlier in the week has been located, according to Williamstown police.

23-year-old Nathaniel Whittle, originally of Houston, Texas, was reported missing after he disappeared from campus on Monday and was later seen withdrawing money from his account at a bank in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

On Thursday, police asked the public for help in locating Whittle.

However, on Friday the Williamstown Police Department reported that Whittle had been located and was in contact with his family.

Organizers of South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade extend invite to gay group OUTVETS

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The organizers of South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade have apparently reversed their decision to exclude the gay group OUTVETS.

The organizers of South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade have apparently reversed their decision to exclude the gay group OUTVETS.

The Allied War Veterans Council drew controversy this week when word leaked out that they decided against allowing OUTVETS to march. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said they planned to skip the parade if OUTVETS couldn't participate.

It's not clear whether OUTVETS has accepted the invitation after the council's reversal Friday.

The council defended its decision in a statement posted to its website Thursday.

"The Council reviews the parade presentations of all applicants prior to any official acceptance," the council said. "Outvets was informed that our Code of Conduct prohibits 'the advertisement or display of one's sexual orientation,' and that the 'rainbow' flag on its banners and logo was in violation of this rule."

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