UMass chemical engineer Michael Henson is one of three researchers who received a four-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study circadian rhythm.

AMHERST -- Michael A. Henson, a chemical engineer at the University of Massachusetts, sees first-hand what happens when the body's clock is interrupted.

His wife, Jennifer Dohrmann, works in the emergency room at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. Some days she works at 7 in the morning and some days her shifts start at 11 at night.

"The body's not capable of (adapting). People feel chronically exhausted. I certainly see the effect," he said.

Henson is one of three researchers who received a four-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study circadian rhythms, the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in humans, other animals and plants.

Awarded in the fall, the grant is a continuation of previous awards from the NIH in 2006 and 2012.

Most people can adjust easily to the one-hour time change that happens twice a year around Daylight Saving Time. Traveling across the country or overseas often requires a longer adjustment period. But Henson said the most pressing circadian rhythm problems arise for those who work different shifts, and that's the focus of his team's work.

People working varied shifts is "not as uncommon as people think," he said. For instance, hospitals have varied shifts because it's hard to get people to work every overnight shift. "You have to distribute the pain," he said.

Henson's role in the study will be to create mathematical models that simulate how brain cells interact. Yannis Kevrekidis of Princeton University will develop advanced simulation methods for solving the models, while Erik Herzog of Washington University will conduct and monitor experiments with mice.

With the mice, Henson said, the researchers will observe the effects of shifting the light-dark cycle from day to day.

The researchers hope to have some results in a couple of years, then make recommendations to a sleep disorders clinic to test out, Henson said. There might be light or drug therapies that could help people, he said.

Some people working different shifts take benzodiazepines to help them sleep, he said. If they gain a better understanding how the biological clock works, the researchers could determine the best time for people to take these drugs.

Henson said he was as delighted to receive the addition grant.

"It's a big achievement," he said. "It's very competitive. They're very hard to get. It's very exciting."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, continued to voice concerns Thursday over the alleged ties between President Donald Trump and the Russian government, particularly the impacts any such a relationship could have on sanctions.

WORCESTER -- U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, continued to voice concerns Thursday over the alleged ties between President Donald Trump and the Russian government, particularly the impacts any such a relationship could have on sanctions.

Pointing to intelligence officials' claims that Russia used cyber attacks to influence the outcome of the 2016 election, the president's refusal to release his tax returns and the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Warren argued hat "the ties between the Trump campaign and Russia have become clearer and more disturbing."

House probe into Russia's ties to Trump reveals dispute among committee leaders

The Massachusetts Democrat blasted reports that the White House may unilaterally end sanctions imposed on Russia -- something which she said would make the U.S. look weak -- and accused congressional Republicans of not exercising their authority to serve as a check on the president.

"I have been surprised by how far Republican senators and representatives have been willing to go with the Trump Administration -- I understand, for many years now there has been an extreme right wing in the Republican Party, I get that. But, what has surprised me has been how few voices of dissent have been heard within the Republican Party to put a check on the president's actions," she told reporters.

The senator stressed that she and other Democrats will continue using all the tools available to them to hold Trump accountable.

She, for example, pointed to legislation she has introduced that would bar the president from withdrawing the Russian sanctions without congressional approval.

"There's an example of trying to put a curb in place on what he can do with foreign policy -- no, it doesn't stop him from tweeting at 3 a.m. or picking up the phone and insulting a foreign leader. But, if passed, it would stop him from unilaterally ending Russian sanctions," she said. "There are a few places I'm working and others are working to try and get some curbs in place."

US Sen. Elizabeth Warren slams President Donald Trump's proposed budget, GOP health plan at Worcester stop

The Democrat, however, argued that voters making their voices heard on this and other issues should put pressure on Congress to take action.

Warren has also introduced legislation that would require Trump to disclose and divest any potential financial conflicts of interest, as well as require presidential appointees to recuse themselves from any such matters involving the president's financial interests that come before their agencies.

Elizabeth Warren, Democrats push for President-elect Donald Trump to divest his business holdings

The president has denied having any ties to Russian officials and resigned from all positions he held with the Trump Organization in January. 

Harry Reid, on his way out of the US Senate, spoke with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and encouraged her to consider running for president in 2020.

Harry Reid, on his way out of the US Senate, spoke with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and encouraged her to consider running for president in 2020.

The New York Times Magazine reported earlier this week that Reid, the Senate's then-minority leader and a Nevada Democrat, spoke with Warren before Thanksgiving, inviting her to his office to talk about the future of the party.

"I thought that was a very generous suggestion from Senator Reid, but not something that I'm thinking about," Warren, D-Mass., said when asked about the meeting on Thursday.

Warren's answer didn't close the door to a presidential run. She is up for re-election in 2018.

Warren, who is frequently in the national spotlight criticizing President Donald Trump, spoke to reporters after taking questions from a crowd of 150 people gathered inside Worcester Public Library.

The friendly audience brought sketches of Warren and cross-stitches, including one with the phrase, "Nevertheless, She Persisted," in reference to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's attempt to prevent Warren from speaking on the Senate floor, in opposition to the nomination of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Some attendees expressed concerns about the next election cycle.

Warren, who hit the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton in 2016, said she isn't a political pundit.

"When I go other places I think what people want to hear is who are you fighting for?" she said, listing Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina and Kentucky.

"All of this is about getting out there and explaining. Not explaining," she continued, catching herself and saying "explaining" is the wrong word.

"Getting out there and letting people feel the passion that we feel to build an America where everybody counts and everybody has some opportunity to build a future," she added.

In responding to audience questions, Warren repeatedly took a pugilistic stance. There are things about the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, that could be fixed right now, but the "fight" now is over "Trumpcare," the House Republican bill aimed at replacing Obamacare, according to Warren.

"Lace up your boxing gloves," she said.

Finn failed to disclose around $8,000 worth of campaign donations and spending during his mayoral campaign. He loaned too much of his personal money to his campaign and did not properly account for all of his campaign spending.

BOSTON -- State Rep. Michael Finn, D-West Springfield, failed to disclose around $8,000 worth of campaign donations and spending during his mayoral campaign. He loaned too much of his personal money to his campaign and did not properly account for all of his campaign spending, according to a settlement reached between Finn and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance that detailed Finn's sloppy record-keeping.

"I accept the office's findings and judgment and will move forward with their guidance," Finn said in a statement emailed to The Republican/MassLive.com.

Finn described the mistakes as "accounting errors" and thanked OCPF for its help in addressing them. "We worked together to rectify and justify the books and are confident that moving forward we now have the procedures in place to ensure these errors do not occur again," Finn said.

According to OCPF, Finn cooperated fully with the review.

Finn had loaned $3,800 to his campaign. As a result of the settlement, Finn agreed to reduce the amount of money owed to him by his campaign by $2,500, so he will not be paid back for those expenses.

Finn agreed to enhanced monitoring by campaign finance officials, which means he will have to file four extra reports between now and July 2018 and will have to provide OCPF with copies of all of his campaign's financial records, such as checks and bank statements. He and his campaign treasurer will have to attend an educational seminar run by OCPF.

Finn has been a state representative since 2010. He lost his race for West Springfield mayor in November 2015, then won re-election as a state representative uncontested in 2016.

According to the settlement agreement, signed Wednesday by Finn and OCPF Director Michael Sullivan, OCPF began scrutinizing Finn's campaign account for the period between January 2014 and August 2016 after finding a discrepancy between his campaign bank balance and his 2015 end-of-year financial report.

Through its review, OCPF found that Finn had not disclosed $8,600 in campaign contributions from that time period, including $2,250 from political action committees. The committee did not disclose another $7,900 in campaign expenditures, primarily money spent on voter identification efforts and a mailer. In several cases, there were either duplicate entries or inaccurate vendors listed.

Finn personally contributed $3,800 in cash to his campaign in 2015 and 2016, even though state candidates are not allowed to give more than $50 a year in cash to their campaigns.

The campaign withdrew $1,000 from an ATM for cash expenditures, even though all campaign expenditures over $50 are required to be made by check or credit card. The campaign also wrote a $600 check to Finn. Of that money, Finn was able to provide receipts proving that around $1,000 was spent on campaign expenses, but he could not provide documentation for the remaining $600.

According to the settlement agreement, "Finn acknowledged that the committee did not keep complete and accurate records of its financial activity" during this time.

As part of the settlement, Finn has filed amended campaign finance reports. He agreed to stop making ATM withdrawals from his campaign account and to make all future expenditures by check, credit or debit card.

As of the end of 2016, Finn had $2,300 left in his campaign bank account.

James Rainieri is charged with burglary and criminal mischief, police said.

MILFORD, Conn. -  A 21-year-old Milford man is facing burglary and criminal mischief charges after he was charged with breaking into a neighbor's house and urinating on several items inside, police said.

James Rainieri

James Rainieri was arrested Wednesday after police learned he bragged about the break-in on Facebook.

According to police, Rainieri broke into a secure room inside a residence on Cindy Circle, damaged a number of items and urinating on a number of others.

"Rainieri denied being involved to officers on scene but was developed as a suspect after he posted on Facebook about committing the act," according to the police report.

According to WFSB Channel 3, Rainieri's bond was set at $1,000. He is due court on April 11. 

Wilmington police are asking the public to help them identify a man who they say exposed himself inside a doughnut shop. Watch video

Wilmington police are asking the public to help them identify a man who they say exposed himself inside a doughnut shop.

Police released a video of the man inside Heav'nly Donuts on March 13. The video is blurred out when the man allegedly exposes himself.

The suspect exposed himself to a Heav'nly Donuts employee, police said on Thursday. The doughnut shop is located at 579 Main St.

Police estimate the suspect is 20 to 25 years old.

Anyone who recognizes the man in the video should call Wilmington police detectives at 978-658-5071.

Sen. Edward Markey bashed a 2018 fiscal budget proposal released by President Donald Trump on Thursday, comparing it to a rigged March Madness bracket.

Sen. Edward Markey bashed a 2018 fiscal budget proposal released by President Donald Trump on Thursday, comparing it to a rigged March Madness bracket.

"The Trump budget brackets are rigged to make winners out of defense contractors and nuclear bomb makers, while seniors, working families and the environment have no chance to win," Markey said in a statement.

The Associated Press reports the $1.15 trillion budget proposal adds $54 billion to the country's military, while stripping funds from Environmental Protection Agency, AmeriCorps, the National Endowment of the Arts and grants for medical research and low-income families. The proposal also includes a down payment on a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Markey, a Democrat who serves as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, criticized the Trump administration's push to build "nuclear weapons that we do not need and cannot afford" while cutting programs that support homeless people and research on clean energy.

#TrumpBudget robs the defenseless to pay for defense. There's $ for nuclear weapons we don't need, but not for home heating oil.

-- Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 16, 2017

#TrumpBudget essentially denies the existence of #climatechange & retreats from America's position of global leadership on #cleanenergy

-- Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 16, 2017

Markey said the elimination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which covers heating costs for poor families, would leave upwards of "200,000 Massachusetts households literally out in the cold." The Trump administration wrote that LIHEAP was cut because it was ineffective, according to The Washington Post.

The proposal would also cut $5.8 billion from the National Institute of Health, a national research agency that works to advance healthcare and find solutions to medical conditions. Its $32 billion budget is currently divided among 2,500 universities and institutions around the world.

Gov. Charlie Baker alarmed by President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to NIH

Markey joined Governor Charlie Baker in rejecting the NIH cuts on Thursday, citing a potentially disastrous impact on the thousands of federally-funded jobs at the commonwealth's many universities and hospitals.

Deep cuts to @NIH will impact #MA, jeopardizing funding for 190 universities, hospitals & institutes that support 36K #jobs. #TrumpBudget

-- Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 16, 2017

"There's a lot of things in this (budget) that concern me," Governor Baker told WGBH on Thursday. Baker said the move is "not just bad for Massachusetts, it's bad for the country."

Springfield city councilors said they and their constituents were not satisfied with the Winter Storm Stella cleanup and want to discuss ways to better respond in the future. The mayor and DPW director said the storm was severe, and crews faced urban hurdles including illegal parking during a parking ban. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Some city councilors said Thursday that they and many of their constituents are not pleased with the roadway cleanup following Winter Storm Stella on Tuesday, and want to know what can be done to improve matters for future major storms.

"The streets are deplorable," said At-Large Councilor Bud L. Williams, who is also state representative in the 11th Hampden District. "I am going to ask for an audit off DPW equipment. Little pickup trucks can't do it. When there is a massive storm, those trucks are not equipped to handle it."

Ward 1 Councilor Adam Gomez said he asked for input on the snowstorm on his Facebook Page, and the complaints were "viral."

Public Works Director Christopher Cignoli said he heard from neither councilor directly, and objected to Gomez' Facebook post and the comments that followed, which he said included threats.

"None of them have called me," Cignoli said. "Adam went on Facebook. In my opinion, that's gutless. If you got a complaint call me. I'm a big boy and we have big boy pants."

 

Regarding complaints, Cignoli and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the storm was severe, and there were problems encountered including many parked cars that impeded snowplow operations.

Williams said he was getting complaints from all over the city, and personally toured streets in the Mason Square area on Thursday finding many streets still in unsatisfactory condition.

Gomez said that some people were complaining that streets in the neighboring city of Chicopee were in better condition. The council Maintenance Development Committee is meeting Monday at 6 p.m., at City Hall, to discuss the snowstorm cleanup and truck inventory.

Cignoli said he provided a list of the vehicles on Thursday to the council.

The city has 23 large dump trucks for plowing and sanding operations and 15 light-sized pickup trucks, and also hired about 142 private trucks for Winter Storm Stella, Cignoli said. Of the private trucks, 75 percent are pickup trucks, he estimated.

Sarno said the DPW did a "yeoman's" job given the conditions.

"They were dealing with blizzard type conditions, up to 16 inches of snow, heavy, heavy wind drifts," Sarno said.

The private owners of large plows generally prefer to go to less urban communities such as Wilbraham, Longmeadow, Chicopee and Agawam where there is less congestion to deal with, and also prefer the highway clean-up jobs, Cignoli said. In addition, many of the small, tight residential roads in Springfield cannot fit the larger trucks, he said.

Sarno said he many people are not cooperating with the parking ban that restricts where cars can park.

Councilor Kateri B. Walsh, who is chairwoman of Maintenance and Development, and Gomez said the main streets were generally good, but the side streets had drawn complaints from many.

Walsh said she will go over the inventory and concerns at Monday's meeting.

Gomez said he understands it was a major storm, but believes there were problems that merit discussion.

Sarno said there were approximately 75 storm related phone calls to the 311 call center on Tuesday and Wednesday, many just informational in nature. He said the city appreciates the public's patience.

Although questions surrounding the legality of President Donald Trump's travel ban have dominated the news in recent weeks, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, offered Thursday that another of the Republican's executive orders could face constitutional challenges.

WORCESTER -- Although questions surrounding the legality of President Donald Trump's travel ban have dominated the news in recent weeks, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, offered Thursday that another of the Republican's executive orders could face constitutional challenges.

The senator, during a Worcester meeting with reporters, argued that Trump's late-January order to strip federal grant funding from so-called sanctuary cities, which don't arrest or detain immigrants in the country illegally, violates the Constitution.

Pointing to the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in an Affordable Care Act case, Warren said the court stated that the federal government cannot use a grant in one area to punish a state or locality that does not follow another federal policy that it hopes to promote.

"Donald Trump has been very clear about this: his view is that federal money should be used as a weapon against local mayors and police forces who believe that their communities are safer when they are not acting as agents of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement,)" she said. "That executive order is unconstitutional."

Donald Trump orders construction of US-Mexico border wall

The senator, who stressed that she is "in this fight," said lawsuits against the order are already pending. She, however, noted that, to her knowledge, the federal government hasn't yet tried to enforce the sanctuary city executive action.

Warren is among several Massachusetts Democrats who have spoken out against the president's efforts to crack down on so-called sanctuary city funding.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, argued that order "will result in raids, mass deportations and fear and terror within our immigrant communities."

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also criticized the order, contending in a January CNN piece that he would use City Hall "to shelter and protect" immigrants, if necessary.

Mayor Domenic Sarno, however, split with Democrats in his reaction to Trump's executive order, contending that Springfield is not a sanctuary city and he has no intentions to make it one.  

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno: 'We are not a sanctuary city'

The mayor stressed that he is "not going to jeopardize millions and millions of (federal) dollars that come to the city of Springfield." He added that city police will continue to work with federal officials if they are tracking "violent repeat offenders."

"So we are not going to harbor or protect anybody who has committed hideous type crimes," Sarno said.

We Care Solar provides solar suitcases to health workers in third-world countries in need of electricity.

SPRINGFIELD — Teaching students about the real-world applications of science is one of professor Barbara Washburn's passions.

The chairwoman of the physics department at Springfield Technical Community College, who has degrees in electrical and laser engineering, is constantly looking for ways to engage her students.

Her most recent idea was to let students in her engineering class work with Gateway to College high school students to build "solar suitcases" that can be used by health workers in third-world countries to provide light and electricity.

According to the We Care Solar website, the suitcase becomes a cabinet that mounts to the wall while solar panels that can generate up to 80 watts are secured to the roof. The system includes LED lighting, a universal cellphone charger and a battery charger.

"I attended the Society of Women Engineers national conference with two other STCC professors last year and that's where I saw the We Care Solar demonstration," Washburn said. "I knew I wanted to have my students build these."

The only problem is that We Care Solar typically builds the suitcases in California, and only teachers in that state who have been trained by the company can build the suitcases with students.

Washburn was so passionate about bringing the project to STCC that she made a plea to the company and applied for a grant from the STCC Foundation to purchase the materials for the suitcases, which cost upwards of $2,500 each.

"I think that based on my degrees and how serious I was about doing this, I was able to convince the company to trust us with this project," Washburn said. "They have been so helpful and encouraging throughout this process."

Washburn decided that not only were her students going to build the suitcases, they were also going to create a lesson plan that could be used to guide high school physics students through the process.

Todd Morehouse, who is interested in robotics, and Chris Wycoff, who is interested in computers, are both engineering students at STCC and helped create the lesson plans and build the suitcases.

"It was pretty interesting because just a few years ago we were high school students much like them and now we are directing them and helping them out," Morehouse said.

The group built two solar suitcases with the collaboration of seven electrical engineering and 10 high school students, overseen by Washburn and fellow engineering professor Zahi Haddad.

"It was cool because you could tell some of the high school students were really getting interested in it and thinking about studying electrical engineering," Wycoff said. "It also gave them a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes and how much work it takes to make a simple lightbulb light up."

The two suitcases will go to doctors in Kenya. Students were encouraged to write letters that will be delivered along with the suitcases by We Care Solar.

"I explained to them that the suitcases are providing light and emergency electricity. With these suitcases doctors are able to go into rural villages and charge cellphones, computers and medical equipment," Washburn said.

"It feels good to know we built something that would help people," Wyckoff said. "All the stuff we take for granted, like being able to see in the dark, we just turn on a light switch and think nothing about it, but this will help other people to have that."

Washburn hopes to establish the suitcase project as a regular part of her curriculum.

Crews worked all day on Thursday to repair the area around Exit 10 on I-93 SB in Milton after a crash allegedly caused by a drunk driver.

After nearly 10 hours of clean-up, department officials announced on Thursday the Exit 10 ramp on Interstate 93 southbound in Milton is opened for the evening commute. The patch of highway was closed all day Thursday as crews worked to clean up the damage caused by a tractor-trailer crash allegedly caused by a drunk truck driver.

Around 6:15 p.m. this morning, a tractor-trailer carrying hundreds of thousands of slices of cheese reportedly took down a light pole and utility wires and spilled some fuel.

Driver Eri Pleitez, 43, was charged and arraigned on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a vehicle and a marked lanes violation.

Pleitez fell during a field sobriety text conducted at the scene and had a blood alcohol level of .11 following the crash, CBS Boston reports, citing police reports. 

Mayor Will Reichelt is hosting a business roundtable from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at Fathers & Sons Volkswagen and Audi, 434 Memorial Ave.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Will Reichelt is hosting a business roundtable from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at Fathers & Sons Volkswagen and Audi, 434 Memorial Ave.

The roundtable is an opportunity for area business owners to share a light breakfast with Reichelt. Businesses interested in attending may RSVP online or by calling Carly Camossi, the city's outreach coordinator, at 413-495-1844. She may also be reached by email at ccamossi@townofwestspringfield.org.

The mayor has praised Fathers & Sons for opening a $6 million car dealership and showroom in the heart of the city's Memorial Avenue commercial corridor, which is expected to undergo a redesign and reconstruction within the next few years.

The busy commercial district extends from the base of the Memorial Bridge linking West Springfield to Springfield all the way to the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge linking West Springfield to Agawam.

Raymond Collazo is on trial for murder in the Dec. 10, 2010, death of his son, 5-month-old Davian Collazo.

SPRINGFIELD -- A well-known forensic pathologist testified Thursday that pneumonia is "highly consistent" with being the reason for cardiac and respiratory arrest in 5-month-old Davian Collazo.

Dr. Jonathan Arden, a consultant who has testified many times across the country, stopped short of saying pneumonia was the cause of Davian's death when cross-examined by Assistant District Attorney Jane Mulqueen.

He said pneumonia is the "most consistent, most probable" cause that stopped Davian's breathing and heartbeat.

Arden was a defense witness in the murder trial of Raymond Collazo, Davian's father. Collazo, 29, is accused of killing Davian, who died on Dec. 10, 2010.

The prosecution argues Davian died after being shaken and hit. The shaking caused brain injuries, Mulqueen told jurors in her opening statement earlier this month.

Defense lawyer Jeffrey S. Brown told jurors in his opening statement that Davian died of undiagnosed medical conditions, that fractures in the baby's limbs were the result of a metabolic bone disease, and that one condition caused chronic bleeding in his brain.

The prosecution has not yet rested in the trial before Hampden Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup but witnesses are being taken out of order when schedules dictate that.

The baby's mother, Dayana Pagan, 31, is charged with murder but will be tried separately. She has testified for the prosecution in Collazo's case.

Jurors are hearing days of complex medical testimony. On Thursday they were shown cross sections from an MRI of Davian's chest as part of Arden's testimony.

Arden estimated he has done about 400 autopsies on children and infants.

During cross-examination, Mulqueen questioned Arden about his qualifications and the basis for his opinions.

Greater Springfield showed some of the highest month-to-month job losses in the state.

SPRINGFIELD -- Unemployment in the city of Springfield rose in January, likely because seasonal jobs at stores and delivery services ended, according to numbers released Friday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The unemployment rate for the city of Springfield in January was 7.2 percent, up two percentage points from 5.2 percent recorded in December. But the unemployment rate was higher, at 8.9 percent, a year ago in January 2016.

Unlike statewide and national unemployment data, local employment numbers are not adjusted for seasonal changes in the economy. 

As a region, Greater Springfield saw its unemployment rate increase to 4.9 percent from 3.4 percent in December. The regional unemployment rate was an even 6 percent in January 2016.

In Springfield:

• Labor force: The labor force rose in January to 62,418. That's up from 62,154 in December but down from 63,209 a year ago.
• Employed: The were 57,939 employed people in Springfield in January. That's down from 58,939 in December. There were 57,555 employed people in Springfield in January 2016.
• Unemployed: There were 4,479 unemployed people in Springfield in January. That's up from 3,215 in December. There were 5,654 unemployed people in Springfield in January 2016.
• Compare with others: Springfield's 7.2 percent unemployment rate was 15th highest in the state, tied with Lawrence and Yarmouth. Springfield was behind many towns on Cape Cod and the islands, where few work in the off season.

Other area towns:

• Agawam: 4.3 percent in January, up from 2.9 percent in December but down from 5.2 percent in January 2016.
• Amherst: 3 percent in January, up from 2.2 percent in December but down from 3.8 percent in January 2016.
• Belchertown: 3.8 percent in January, up from 2.4 percent in December but down from 4.5 percent in January 2016.
• Chicopee: 5.2 percent in January, up from 3.7 percent in December but down from 6.4 percent in January 2016.
• East Longmeadow: 3.5 percent in January, up from 2.5 percent in December but down from 4.3 percent in January 2016.
• Easthampton: 3.4 percent in January, up from 2.3 percent in December but down from 4.4 percent in January 2016.
• Greenfield: 3.6 percent in January, up from 2.4 percent in December but down from 4.7 percent in January 2016.
• Hadley: 3.1 percent in January, up from 1.8 percent in December but down from 3.7 percent in January 2016.
• Holyoke: 6.1 percent in January, up from 4.3 percent in December but down from 7.6 percent in January 2016.
• Longmeadow: 2.9 percent in January, up from 2.1 percent in December but down from 3.4 percent in January 2016.
• Ludlow: 6.6 percent in January, up from 3.9 percent in December but down from 7.9 percent in January 2016.
• Northampton: 2.9 percent in January, up from 2 percent in December but down from 3.5 percent in January 2016.
• Palmer: 5.5 percent in January, up from 3.6 percent in December but down from 6.9 percent in January 2016.
• Pittsfield: 5.3 percent in January, up from 3.7 percent in December but down from 6.1 percent in January 2016.
• Southampton: 3.6 percent in January, up from 2.4 percent in December but down from 4 percent in January 2016.
• Southwick: 4.6 percent in January, up from 2.8 percent in December but down from 5.4 percent in January 2016.
• West Springfield: 4.1 percent in January, up from 3.1 percent in December but down from 5.5 percent in January 2016.
• Westfield: 4.7 percent in January, up from 3.2 percent in December but down from 5.9 percent in January 2016.

As a region:

• Jobs: Greater Springfield lost 12,100 jobs in January from December, a decline of 3.6 percent. That's a larger percent decline than the statewide average of 2.54 percent. But on the year, the region is up 3,000 jobs, or 0.9 percent. This is about half the statewide average of 1.8 percent job growth on the year.
• Unemployment rate: Greater Springfield has an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for January. That's up from 3.4 percent in December but lower than 6 percent a year ago in January 2016.

Jay Gonzalez, a former Patrick administration official who's running for governor, will be the guest speaker at the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee's meeting at the Wilbraham Public Library on April 5 at 7 p.m.

WILBRAHAM -- Jay Gonzalez, a former Patrick administration official who's running for governor, will be guest speaker at the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee meeting on April 5 at the Wilbraham Public Library, 25 Crane Park Drive. The talk begins at 7 p.m. in the Brooks Room.

Gonzalez was secretary of the state Executive Office for Administration and Finance under Gov. Deval Patrick, who appointed him to the job in October 2009.

The attorney and former CEO of CeltiCare Health announced his candidacy in January. If Gonzalez clears the Democratic primary, he'll face incumbent Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who's widely expected to run for re-election in 2018.

"Now, more than ever, we need a governor who is going to stand up and fight for our values and fight to move us forward," Gonzalez, who oversaw the commonwealth's operating budget from 2009 to 2013, said in a statement.

"I'll be that governor," he continued. "I'll work with a sense of urgency to make sure that every working family has a fair shot for a better future."

To date, Gonzalez is the only confirmed candidate in the Democratic field.

The Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee will seek to hear from all Democratic candidates for governor before the party's primary in September, according to Jason A. Burkins, chairman of the committee. The goal is to give Wilbraham voters a chance to hear from and ask questions of the candidates, he said.

In February, Gonzalez addressed Longmeadow Democrats, who cheered when the candidate pledged his support for helping immigrants, expanding paid family leave, and creating a living wage, or the minimum income necessary for workers to meet their basic needs. 

Gonzalez has more information at 413- 537-2838 or wdemtc@gmail.com.

The Student Prince is a German institution, but that hasn't stopped them from establishing a long St. Patrick's Day tradition at the restaurant. The tradition continued Friday when Bishop Mitchell Rozanski was on hand to preside over a blessed luncheon.

SPRINGFIELD-- The Student Prince is a German institution, but that hasn't stopped them from establishing a long St. Patrick's Day tradition at the restaurant. The tradition continued Friday when Bishop Mitchell Rozanski was on hand to preside over a blessed luncheon.

Colleens from Springfield, Chicopee, Agawam and Holyoke were present at the ceremony. The mayors and other elected officials from each community were also invited.

The iconic Philadelphia Aqua String Band (the Mummers) and the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band, the nation's oldest pipe band celebrating their 107^th year, provided music and entertainment.

The Philadelphia Aqua String Band and Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band will also be playing Friday evening. They will perform in the restaurant from 6 to 7 p.m. and across the street at the International Biergarten from 8 to 9 p.m. A special menu featuring Irish favorites will be served through Sunday.

 "St. Patrick's Day is a great week on Fort Street," said Managing Partner Andy Yee in a statement. "You can really feel the energy and the history. We're honored to have Bishop Rozanski and the Colleens here for this traditional event and we're looking forward to some great music as well."

The Iowa-based consulting firm helping Amherst find a new school superintendent apparently was unaware of a change in Massachusetts criminal background check requirements.

AMHERST -- When it comes to searching for a new school superintendent, geography matters.

In 2010, Massachusetts prohibited employment applications from including questions about applicants' criminal records. But the Iowa-based Ray and Associates consulting firm helping Amherst find a new superintendent apparently was unaware of the change and included criminal background questions on its online form.

In response, the Amherst Regional School Committee and Union 26 have paused the search to allow the committee to talk about how to proceed at a meeting Tuesday night.

That has delayed the first meeting of the search committee, said regional Chairman Eric Nakajima. He said it could also mean reopening the search, which closed March 10. The committee has not reviewed any applications, he said.

Nakajima said the committee is trying to be transparent and wants to make sure the entire process is in compliance with state regulations. The delay should not cost the district more money, Nakajima said.

No one from Ray and Associates could be reached for comment.

The goal is to have a new superintendent hired for the new academic year. Interim Superintendent Michael Morris recently told the committee and faculty and staff that he would not seek the permanent position.

The 2010 "ban the box" provision to remove criminal background questions from employment applications was seen as a way of giving ex-offenders a greater chance at obtaining a job. Employers are allowed to ask applicants about their criminal backgrounds during job interviews.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, will meet with Western Massachusetts residents Monday as she returns to downtown Springfield to host her annual office hours.

SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, will meet with Western Massachusetts residents Monday as she returns to downtown Springfield for her annual local office hours.

Warren's office announced Friday that she will address and field questions from constituents during a 10:15 a.m. public event in the lobby of 1550 Main St., the site of her Western Massachusetts congressional office. 

The stop comes just days after the senator met with reporters and addressed constituents during an event at the Worcester Public Library.

Warren is expected to discuss the political climate in Washington under President Donald Trump's administration, as well as the actions she is taking to protect American values at the morning event, for which doors will open at 10 a.m.

The Democrat, who has been a vocal opponent of the president, touted her efforts to hold the Trump administration accountable through legislation, as well as stressed the importance of American voters' speaking out on issues during her Worcester sit down with reporters on Thursday.

US Sen. Elizabeth Warren pushes back against White House's possible withdrawal of Russian sanctions

She also criticized Trump's newly released budget proposal and House Republicans' Affordable Care Act replacement plan, as well as questioned the legality of the president's executive order regarding so-called sanctuary cities.

Warren, meanwhile, pledged to push congressional leaders for infrastructure investments and offered her support for high-speed rail linking major cities in Massachusetts as she met with constituents in Worcester.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren backs high-speed rail connecting Springfield, Worcester and Boston

The Massachusetts Democrat previously addressed the concerns of natural gas pipeline opponents during a February 2016 open house event in Springfield.

One idea presented at last week's Ware selectmen's meeting, by representatives of Optimus Senior Living LLC, involves building senior housing and an assisted living facility on the property.

WARE -- Demolition of the four-story, brick former courthouse at 73 South St., which was once used as a public school, is being considered by town officials.

One idea presented at last week's Ware Board of Selectmen meeting, by representatives of Optimus Senior Living LLC, involves building senior housing and an assisted living facility on the property -- once the courthouse is removed.

Christian Boysen and Michael McCarthy of Optimus attended the March 7 meeting. The company's main office is in Southampton at 162 College Highway.

They are proposing a 100-bed facility with independent living, assisted living and "memory care living" facilities, according to the meeting minutes. "The business plan would bring approximately 50 new jobs for a four-story facility. The plan would also be to take down the existing building," the minutes state.

Selectmen endorsed seeking bids for development of the property, unanimously voting to issue a request for proposals. The board also voted 5-0 to apply for a demolition permit for the nearly 30,000-square-foot structure.

The legislative committee overseeing any changes to Massachusetts' marijuana laws will hold four public hearings. The first will be Monday at the Statehouse.

BOSTON -- The legislative committee overseeing any changes to Massachusetts' marijuana laws will hold four public hearings, including one in West Springfield.

The newly created Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy, which is led by state Sen. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville, and state Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, plans to hear testimony from advocates, state officials, municipalities and the public.

The first hearing will be held this Monday at the Statehouse. Organizers of the ballot campaign that legalized marijuana in November have been invited to testify. So have Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Attorney General Maura Healey, who will be overseeing and enforcing the law. In addition, the committee has invited Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby, who oversaw the implementation of regulations for Massachusetts' new casino gambling industry, and representatives from the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health, Revenue and Agriculture.

After the invited officials, the public will have an opportunity to testify.

The next hearing will be held March 27 at 4 p.m. in the West Springfield High School auditorium. Subsequent hearings will be held April 3 at the Statehouse and April 10 in Shrewsbury.

Specific proposed bills relating to marijuana law will be considered at each hearing, and there will be an opportunity for the public to testify.