Authorities have identified the 24-year-old pizza delivery driver fatally shot in Lynn Monday as Sina Zangiband.

Authorities have identified the 24-year-old pizza delivery driver fatally shot in Lynn Monday as Sina Zangiband. 

Zangiband was found dead in his car on Bowler Street in Lynn around 5:50 p.m. Monday after police responded to a report of gunshots. He had been shot multiple times. 

The man being called a person of interest in the shooting by the Essex County District Attorney's Office was caught Monday night in Peabody by Massachusetts State Police. 

Brian Brito, the 21-year-old Manchester, New Hampshire man being eyed for the killing, is also accused of raping a convenience store clerk in North Andover around 10:20 p.m. Monday. 

"Mr. Brito remains a person of interest in the Lynn homicide, which remains under investigation by the Essex District Attorney's Office, the Essex State Police Detective Unit and the Lynn Police," the district attorney's office said in a statement. 

After the shooting, police began searching for a 2004 Audi A4 with New Hampshire plates and notified other law enforcement agencies. 

State Police stopped the Audi on Route 1 in Peabody around 10:40 p.m. The driver, identified as Brito, had a gun in the car, authorities said. 

He was arraigned in Peabody District Court Tuesday on firearm and motor vehicle charges. Brito is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for April 10. 

North Andover Police obtained an arrest warrant for Brito charging him with aggravated rape, armed robbery while masked and kidnapping in connection with their case.

Police said Brito entered the Richdale variety store in North Andover around 10:20 p.m. while carrying a gun and wearing a mask.

"The store clerk was ordered at gunpoint to lock the doors, and was taken to a back room where she was sexually assaulted," police said. "The gunman then emptied the cash drawer and took numerous lottery tickets before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction." 

Police then learned State Police had a person in custody matching their suspect.

Brito is expected to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court next week on the North Andover charges.

The Sisters of Providence has been awarded $2.5 million in state and federal funding to help build a 36-unit housing complex for homeless seniors in West Springfield, the Baker-Polito administration announced Tuesday.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The nonprofit Sisters of Providence has been awarded $2.5 million in state and federal funding for construction of a 36-unit housing complex in West Springfield for homeless senior citizens, the Baker-Polito administration announced Tuesday.

"Our administration strongly believes in the value of affordable housing, and as advocates for every Massachusetts resident we will continue to work with our federal, local and community partners to ensure housing is a shared priority," Gov. Charlie Baker said.

Around $20 million, including funding for the West Springfield project, was awarded for seven affordable housing initiatives to create and preserve a total of 177 housing units for veterans, elderly residents, homeless families and individuals, and people with disabilities.

The funding for the Sisters of Providence project includes $500,000 from the National Housing Trust Fund, a new federal housing program for low-income individuals, and $2 million from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.

The West Side project will be built on the campus of an existing elder-service compound, with services provided through MERCY Life's PACE program. PACE, which stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, helps seniors continue to live on their own and avoid moving into a nursing home. Additional details about the project were not immediately available.

All of the projects are designed to provide rental housing to "extremely low-income families and individuals," all of whom will also receive wraparound services, administration officials said.

"These seven projects will create housing that specifically targets our state's at-risk populations, including veterans, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and formerly homeless women and families," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said.

At noon on Wednesday, veterans service agents are asking again that people gather at the Save-A-Lot store parking lot on South Street to welcome home the remains of U.S. Army Cpl. Jules Hauterman Jr. who was killed 67 years ago in the Korean War.

HOLYOKE -- Veterans service agents are asking again that people gather on South Street at noon Wednesday to welcome home the remains of U.S. Army Cpl. Jules Hauterman Jr. who was killed 67 years ago in the Korean War.

"They'd like to line the street from there going all the way to the Barry Farrell Funeral Home" at 2049 Northampton St., said James Mahoney, director of the Holyoke Veterans Services Department.

Hauterman, who grew up here in a third-floor apartment at St. Jerome Avenue and Monroe Street, was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950 in North Korea. The U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently said that testing had identified remains as those of Hauterman.

The remains of Hauterman are scheduled to be flown into Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut early Wednesday from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. The remains, in a military coffin draped in the American flag, will be driven in a process that includes relatives of Hauterman and representatives of local veterans organizations into Holyoke where Interstate 391 meets High Street.

At the Save-A-Lot parking lot at 235 South St., Interstate Towing will display a large American flag and small flags will be distributed to people who attend to welcome the procession.

"My understanding is that they won't stop but they will slow down," said Eric Segundo, Ludlow Veterans Services director, of the procession. "The procession will slow down."

Such a welcoming is what defines Holyoke, Mayor Alex B. Morse said.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Cpl. Hauterman as this son of Holyoke finally comes home. While nothing can make up for the loss, I hope his long awaited homecoming brings comfort to those who loved him. I applaud the organizers of this week's event, including tomorrow's standout, and I join with people throughout the community in honoring this courageous Holyoker," Morse said.

Calling hours for Hauterman will be at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Final respects will be paid at the funeral home from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. on Friday. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton St., followed by burial in St. Jerome's Cemetery, 1666 Northampton St.

Hauterman was a medic. He died in the devastating battle at Chosin Reservoir in North Korea when American forces were surprised by the attack of hundreds of thousands of Communist Chinese troops. He was with the Medical Platoon, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, when his unit was attached to the 31st Regimental Combat Team as one of its infantry battalions for the mission. More than 1,300 American troops were captured or killed.

Hauterman was born in Holyoke on Sept. 10, 1931 to the late Jules and Madline (Whelihan) Hauterman and graduated from Holyoke High School before enlisting in the army.

Hours after Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson called for the arrest of public officials from "sanctuary cities," one of them fired back. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said Hodgson's statements are "ridiculous."

Hours after Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson called for the arrest of public officials from "sanctuary cities," one of them fired back and taunted him.

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone derided Hodgson's statements as "ridiculous" and referred to him as a "thug." He added: "[C]ome and get me."

Mayors of "sanctuary cities" aren't breaking any laws, Curtatone said in a Facebook post.

Amherst, Northampton, Boston, Cambridge and Somerville were recently on a list of cities federal officials said were not cooperating with the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

"Sanctuary cities aren't hiding. We know the law," Curtatone said.

"More importantly, we know we're not violating the law," he added. "So officials like Hodgson should feel free to keep blowing hot air. By all means expose yourself as the sort of jack-booted thug who wants to jail your political opponents for made-up offenses."

Curtatone included in his Facebook post a screen grab from "The Simpsons" show, a newspaper clipping about Grandpa Simpson titled "Old Man Yells at Cloud."

Read Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's testimony calling for arrest of sanctuary city leaders

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also responded to the sheriff. "He should focus on being sheriff," Walsh told reporters, according to WCVB-TV.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren, who is weighing a run for governor, also issued a statement through social media, saying on Twitter that he isn't intimidated by Hodgson's remarks.

My dad was arrested for the "jail-able offense" of sitting at a lunch counter. He wasn't afraid of threats like this, neither am I. #mapoli https://t.co/X2xHTSVnpf

-- Setti Warren (@settiwarren) March 28, 2017

Hodgson made his remarks in testimony to a Congressional subcommittee on immigration.

"If these sanctuary cities are going to harbor and conceal criminal illegal aliens from ICE...federal arrest warrants should be issued for their elected officials," Hodgson said.

Sanctuary cities will fade away "if their leaders start running into legal trouble," Hodgson said.

ACLU of Mass., Democrats slam Trump administration's pledge to crack down on 'sanctuary cities'

Although the unemployment rate rose, the number of people in Springfield climbed last month, with 59,251 people employed.

But the city's unemployment rate was nearly a whole percentage point lower than it was a year ago when it was 8.2 percent, according to data released Tuesday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Local jobless numbers are not adjusted for seasonal changes in the economy, so the best comparison is often to numbers from a year ago.

Although the unemployment rate rose, the number of people in Springfield climbed last month. As more people enter the workforce, the unemployment rate can grow even if more people are employed.

Statewide, unemployment in Massachusetts rose to 3.4 percent in February, adjusted for seasonal changes, from the revised January rate of 3.2 percent.

The national average is 4.7 percent.

Massachusetts' statewide unemployment is 8.1 percent if those who are not looking for work and who are working part-time but would rather work full-time are taken into account.

Springfield

• Labor Force: The Springfield labor force rose to 63,911 from 62,517 in January and 63,484 a year ago.
• Employed: There were 59,251 people from Springfield employed in February 2017, up from 58,040 in January and from 58,294 a year ago.
• Unemployed: There were 4,660 unemployed people in February 2017, up from 4,477 in January. But it's better than the 5,190 people unemployed in February 2016.

Springfield had the 16th-highest unemployment rate of any city or town in the state and the highest unemployment rate in Western Massachusetts.

Western Massachusetts cities and towns February 2017 unemployment:

• Agawam: 4.2 percent, the same as January but down from 4.8 percent in February 2016.
• Amherst: 3.2 percent, up from 3 percent in January but down from 3.4  percent in February 2016.
• Belchertown: 3.8 percent, even with January but down from 4.1 percent in February 2016.
• Chicopee: 5.4 percent, up from 5.1 percent in January but down from 6.1 percent in February 2016.
• East Longmeadow: 3.6 percent, up from 3.5 percent in January but down from 4 percent in February 2016.
• Easthampton: 3.4 percent, even with January but down from 4.1 percent in February 2016.
• Greenfield: 3.7 percent, up from 3.6 percent in January but down from 4.3 percent in February 2016.
• Hadley: 3.2 percent, up from 3.1 percent in January but down from 3.5 percent in February 2016.
• Holyoke: 6.1 percent, the same as January but down from 7 percent in February 2016.
• Longmeadow: 3 percent, up from 2.9 percent in January but down from 3.2 percent in February 2016.
• Ludlow: 7 percent, up from 6.6 percent in January but down from 7.5 percent in February 2016.
• Northampton: 3 percent, up from 2.9 percent in January but down from 3.2 percent in February 2016.
• Palmer: 6 percent, up from 5.4 percent in January but down from 6.5 percent in February 2016.
• Pittsfield: 5.6 percent, up from 5.3 percent in January but down from 5.8 percent in February 2016.
• Southampton: 3.8 percent, up from 3.7 percent in January but down from 4.1 percent in February 2016.
• Southwick: 4.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in January but down from 5.1 percent in February 2016.
• West Springfield: 4.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in January but down from 5.1 percent in February 2016.
• Westfield: 4.8 percent, up from 4.7 percent in January but down from 5.4 percent in February 2016.

Greater Springfield as a region:

Jobs: Greater Springfield employment was up 1.7 percent with 5,700 jobs added since January. For the year, the region is up 1.4 percent, or 4,700 jobs.

Unemployment: Greater Springfield had an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent in February, up from 4.9  percent in January but down from 5.6 percent in February 2016.

Combined revenues at Springfield's two public golf courses jumped $473,000 in fiscal year 2016 when former pro Kevin Kennedy Jr. discovered he was under investigation by the IRS, according to an outside audit firm.

The man being called a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a delivery driver in Lynn allegedly confessed to the killing during a sexual assault in North Andover, Fox25 News reports.

The man being called a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a delivery driver in Lynn allegedly confessed to the killing during a sexual assault in North Andover, Fox25 News reports.

The television station says Brian Brito, the man being eyed for the Lynn killing and accused of committing a rape and robbery in North Andover, told the victim in the North Andover rape that, "I had to kill someone."

The statement was contained in an arrest warrant for Brito, according to Fox25 News.

Brito was arrested Monday night after police were searching for vehicle in connection with the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Sina Zangiband of Salem.

Zangiband was found dead inside his car after police in Lynn responded to a shooting Monday around 5:50 p.m. 

Brito allegedly went to North Andover and raped a convenience store clerk around 10:20 p.m. Monday. 

The 21-year-old Manchester, New Hampshire man is accused of raping the store clerk at the Richdale variety store in North Andover. He was wearing a mask and had a gun, police said. 

The clerk was ordered to lock the doors and was sexually assaulted in a back room, North Andover Police said in a news release. Brito is accused of stealing cash and lottery tickets before leaving the store. 

Police were searching for 2004 Audi A4 with New Hampshire plates after the shooting. 

Massachusetts State Police stopped the car on Route 1 in Peabody around 10:40 p.m. The driver, identified as Brito, had a gun in the car, authorities said. 

Brito has not been charged with the murder as of Tuesday afternoon. He was arraigned in Peabody District Court Tuesday on firearm and motor vehicle charges. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for April 10. 

Brito faces aggravated rape, armed robbery while masked and kidnapping in connection with the North Andover incident. He is expected to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court next week on those charges. 

A Massachusetts man accused of attacking his roommate with a steak knife and hammer has been turned over to United States authorities after he fled the country.

A Massachusetts man accused of attacking his roommate with a steak knife and hammer has been turned over to United States authorities after he fled the country.

FBI agents escorted Douglas Pereira Lemes, who was wanted for armed assault with intent to murder, from Panama to Logan International Airport in Boston. The flight was scheduled to land Tuesday night.

FBI officials said an arrest warrant had been issued out of Chelsea District Court for Lemes after he failed to appear for his arraignment on Feb. 29, 2016 on two charges of armed assault with intent to murder.

Lemes is accused of attacking his roommate with a hammer and steak knife in Revere on June 24, 2008. He allegedly struck his roommate several times in the head and stabbed him multiple times in the back, the FBI said in a news release.

Lemes was ordered to turn over his passport, which he did. But authorities said within days, he flew from New York to Brazil.

On March 18, 2016, the United States District Court in Massachusetts issued a federal arrest warrant for Lemes on a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

The 26-year-old man is an undocumented immigrant from Mantenopolis, Brazil, the FBI said. He came to the United States at 15 and lived in Revere and Somerville. He was trying to gain legal status.

"Investigators developed information that Lemes was living in his hometown, a small village of Brazil," the FBI said. "With the assistance of the FBI's Legal Attache office in Brazil, it was determined that he was in fact residing there.'

On Feb. 22, Lemes was caught in Panama and held there by Panamanian authorities.

"Mr. Lemes' return to the United States should send a clear message to fugitives: no matter where in the world you try to hide, we will find you and bring you back to face justice," said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "This is a great example of how multiple government agencies and nations worked together to make sure he answers to his alleged crimes."

Lemes will be returned to the Revere Police Department and prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Obituaries from The Republican

Over 180 local elementary students submitted comfort food recipes and 15 finalists were selected to participate in the cooking challenge.

SPRINGFIELD -- Gezabel Velasquez, a third grader at Indian Orchard Elementary School, loves lasagna, but the pasta-heavy dish is not usually considered a healthy meal. So she puts the meat, cheese and a small amount of pasta in a pepper instead.

"I have eaten it before with my family, and it tasted really good," said Gezabel, the winner of the 2017 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge held at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy on March 25.

Gezabel was one of 15 kid chefs from the Springfield Public Schools selected to participate in the annual competition sponsored by Sodexo, the school district's food service provider. Over 180 local elementary students submitted comfort food recipes.

The national initiative, in its seventh year, was created to get students thinking about healthy food choices while encouraging them to get active and creative in the kitchen, organizers said.

Students from Beal, Bowles, Brunton, DeBerry, Dorman, Dryden, Gerena, Glenwood, Glickman, Harris, Homer, Indian Orchard, Kensington, Lynch, Pottenger, Rebecca Johnson, Talmadge, Washington and Zanetti schools submitted recipes.

Those who were selected had to make their healthy comfort food dish and present a display dish as well as a sample for the judges. They also had to explain why they picked the particular recipe and whether kids would like to eat it. They received help in the kitchen from five Sodexo chefs as well as students from Putnam's culinary program.

Their recipes were judged on originality, taste, ease of presentation, kid friendliness and use of healthy ingredients.

Judges included Michael Wolcott, an executive chef for Sodexo school services, Leo Martin, head chef and instructor at Putnam, and Denise Jordan, Chief of Staff to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Dishes ranged from whole wheat pasta and spicy shrimp to a turkey and kale Salisbury steak to butternut squash soup.

Giada Wingate, a fourth grader at Brunton School, changed up the classic spaghetti and meatball dish by using spaghetti squash with turkey meatballs instead.

"I think kids would still like it because it's spaghetti and meatballs," said Giada, who won second place.

Katie Brady, a fourth grader at Washington School, brought a family recipe for the judges. She cooked up "Garbage Soup."

"My family eats it sometimes. It has tortellini and a lot of vegetables," she said. "I like it and I think other kids would like it."

As the first place winner, Gezabel will go on to a regional competition and could even advance to the national competition.

Editor's note: Elizabeth Roman, a reporter at The Republican, was one of the judges of the Springfield schools' Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker isn't on board with Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's cry for the arrest of public officials who support "sanctuary cities."

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker isn't on board with Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's cry for the arrest of public officials who support "sanctuary cities."

Hodgson, a fellow Bay State Republican, testified before a Congressional subcommittee on immigration and border security on Tuesday, saying if sanctuary cities plan to "harbor and conceal criminal illegal aliens" from immigration officials, "federal arrest warrants should be issued for their elected officials."

A Baker spokesman said the governor doesn't agree.

"Governor Baker disagrees with Sheriff Hodgson on this issue and the Baker-Polito Administration deeply values Massachusetts' rich, global community," Billy Pitman, Baker's press secretary, said in an emailed statement.

"Governor Baker fully supports the discretion of local officials to make their own decisions on public safety policies and the administration opposes making Massachusetts a sanctuary state," he said.

"The administration will continue to enforce policies giving the State Police the tools necessary to detain violent criminals or suspected terrorists wanted by federal authorities," Pitman added.

Read Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's testimony calling for arrest of sanctuary city leaders

After Hodgson's comments, the mayor of Somerville blasted back at the sheriff on Facebook and on Twitter.

Hodgson is "spouting nonsense again," Somerville's Joe Curtatone said on Twitter, referring to the sheriff's offer of free inmate labor to help President Donald Trump build a border wall between US and Mexico.

Somerville - along with Boston, Cambridge, Northampton and Amherst - is listed as among the communities that limit cooperation with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

'Come and get me,' Mass. sanctuary city mayor tells Bristol County sheriff

But the process could be delayed by bureaucratic details related to who controls the money.

BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Legislature has approved spending $300,000 for start-up costs to regulate the nascent marijuana industry. But the process could be held up by bureaucratic details.

The money was included in a supplemental budget that Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law on Tuesday.

However, the money was put in a reserve fund run by the Executive Office of the Administration and Finance, the executive branch office in charge of state money, rather than under Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.

By law, Goldberg, who is independent from the executive branch, is in charge of creating and overseeing the Cannabis Control Commission, a new body that will regulate recreational marijuana.

An aide to Goldberg said she cannot spend the money until it is released from the Office of Administration and Finance. So the process of setting up the regulatory body will be delayed until the treasurer's office actually receives the money.

Goldberg sent a letter to Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore on Tuesday requesting that the money be transferred to a reserve account her office controls for the Cannabis Control Commission.

"This funding is critical to the continued and timely implementation of Question 4," Goldberg wrote, referring to the marijuana legalization ballot question. "Without sufficient resources, I am concerned that the Commonwealth may not be able to meet the various extended deadlines required by (state law)."

Sarah Finlaw, a spokeswoman for the Executive Office of the Administration and Finance, said, "We're going to work with the treasurer's office and transfer the funds over to them."

The move comes amid some discussion among state lawmakers about whether the treasurer's office should oversee the marijuana industry or whether the Cannabis Control Commission should be an independent body.

Legislators from the state Ways and Means Committee will be holding a public hearing on education in this year's state budget at the University of Massachusetts Wednesday and students are being asked to speak out against tuition and fee hikes.

AMHERST -- Legislators from the state House and Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on education funding in this year's state budget at the University of Massachusetts on Wednesday, and students are being asked to speak out against tuition and fee hikes.

Students are planning to hold a "Walk of Debt" at 9:30 a.m. in which they will stand in front of the Old Chapel with their student debt numbers taped to their chests as state representatives and senators walk in, said Zac Bears, executive director of the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM).

While administrators deliver testimony to the committee, students and supporters will stand in silent protest in the Old Chapel, Bears said in an email.

At noon, students and supporters will hold a rally on the Goodell Lawn, and at 1 p.m., they will deliver testimony in the Old Chapel while other students and supporters stand in silent protest.

According to a press release, Bears said that Gov. Charlie Baker's 2018 budget would increase costs at all 29 public college and university campuses in Massachusetts.

Baker's budget would provide a $10.3 million increase to higher education campuses over the current year, including $516 million to UMass, $252 million to state universities and $278 million to community colleges.

The state universities, however, are asking for $270 million, UMass for $555 million and community colleges $290 million. The colleges say these figures more accurately reflect updated costs of collective bargaining agreements for fiscal 2017 and 2018, which the governor's budget does not account for.

Balise Motor sales has spent more than $3.1 million on real estate in Springfield's South End since April 2016.

SPRINGFIELD -- Balise Motor Sales has purchased more real estate in Springfield's South End and has now amassed all or most of three city blocks between Main Street and East Columbus Avenue.

Property records on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds show that Balise, using the name BAR South Land Holdings, has spent more than $3.1 million on real estate in the neighborhood since April 2016.

The latest purchase is a derelict home at 20 Elmwood St. purchased from the city of Springfield for $50,000 on March 24.

The city took the property from its previous owner, Michael J. Buendo, in 2015. The city issued a request for proposals in 2016 looking for developers to buy the property. The City Council approved the sale in September, according to documents on file with the Registry of Deeds.

Balise already owns the properties next door at 14 and 22 Elmwood St., as well as 472 Main St., which is the property on the corner of Elmwood and Main. 

Balise property purchases in the neighborhood have included $850,00 for the former Springfield Shopping News building at 340 Main St. Balise acquired the property in June and had it demolished in November and December.

Balise also bought the office building at 322 Main St., next door to the Shopping News site, as well as two nearby vacant lots, from HAP Housing Inc. for $1 million in January.

Jeb Balise, CEO of West Springfield-based Balise Motor Sales, has said that Balise wants to be part of Springfield's resurgence.

"We take great pride in being a fourth-generation Springfield business. We are committed to being a part of Springfield's renaissance and our investments are to ensure that the South End of Springfield is a part of it," Balise said in an earlier written statement reinforced by a spokeswoman Wednesday. "We have no specific plans at this time other than continuing to work with the South End Citizens' Council and leadership in the city to help Springfield realize its potential as one of New England's most vibrant cities."

The five-week program is aimed at getting elementary school students to be more active.

SPRINGFIELD -- Fitness trackers have grown in popularity over the years, with people monitoring everything from their heart rates to their every step. Students at Brightwood, Elias Brookings, Lincoln and Gerena elementary schools in Springfield are also monitoring their steps with a little help from WGBY.

The local PBS station has teamed up with the Springfield Public Schools to implement the "Cyberchase" Step It Up program.

"Cyberchase" is a popular PBS Kids program that helps children develop math skills. Step It Up is a collaboration between WNET in New York City, which produces the show, and ChildObesity180's Active Schools Acceleration Project at Tufts University.

"Because our bodies and minds are interconnected, we're grateful to be able to share 'Cyberchase' Step It Up resources that encourage children to keep their minds and bodies fit," Bess Kapetanis, WGBY's education programs coordinator, said in a statement.

The five-week, school-based challenge aims to get 600 students between second and fifth grade to increase physical activity during the day by using math lessons to monitor their steps. WGBY has provided pedometers, electronic templates, lesson plans and other resources for children, teachers and families at the four schools.

"WGBY loves being directly involved with the education of local students," Kapetanis added.

Incumbent Board of Selectmen member Brenda Aldrich is being challenged by Carla Dell'Olio. School Committee Chairwoman Dawn French faces three opponents: Randi Shenkman, Jacquelin Currier and Christine Schmidt.

BELCHERTOWN -- The May 15 town election will feature contested races for the Board of Selectmen and School Committee, but no one returned nomination papers by the Monday deadline for a vacant Board of Health seat.

Incumbent Selectman Brenda Aldrich is being challenged by Carla Dell'Olio.

School Committee Chairwoman Dawn French faces three opponents: Randi Shenkman, Jacquelin Currier and Christine Schmidt.

In another school board contest, Heidi Gutekenst is challenging incumbents Jeffrey Charron and Michael Knapp.

Candidates have until April 12th to withdraw and not have their names appear on the ballot, according to Belchertown Town Clerk Colleen Toothill-Berte.

The deadline for residents to register to vote in the election is April 18.

The recovery program is designed to assist women ages 18 to 25 with overcoming substance abuse issues.

WARE — Gandara Center will host an open house Thursday for the public to tour its facility that will operate as a recovery center for women ages 18 to 25.

The open house will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Cornerstone Residential Recovery Program center, located at a former convent at 59 South St., is scheduled to open next month. The property, adjacent to St. Mary's church, is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, which is renting the building to Gandara.

"This 15-bed, highly structured voluntary program will be open to women who already have completed a detox program and are ready to take the next step in their recovery process," Gandara said in a press release announcing the event. "Offering a wide range of tools to help individuals be successful, the program will offer 24-hour supervision and on-site classes and groups facilitated by counselors and recovery specialists every day."

The recovery program is designed to assist women ages 18 to 25 with overcoming substance abuse issues. For more information, call Cornerstone Program Director Heather Murphy at 413-237-5296.

The caucus will take place at the Edward P. Boland Elementary School.

 

The Ward 1 and Ward 2 Democratic Committees in Springfield will hold their caucuses on Saturday to elect delegates to the Democratic Party's State Convention in Worcester on June 3.

Admission to the caucus will close at 10:15 a.m.

Any registered Democrat residing in Wards 1 or 2 in Springfield or "pre-registered" Democrats who turn 18 years of age by Sept. 11 are eligible to participate and to vote or to run to be a convention delegate at the caucus.

The caucus will take place at the Edward P. Boland Elementary School on 426 Armory St., Springfield.

For further information, contact 1st Hampden and Hampshire District Democratic State Committeeman Ed Collins at 413-455-8800.

Donald Perry was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to a 1983 Chicopee armed robbery.

SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup on Wednesday told 62-year-old Donald Perry what he has done with his life is "quite extraordinary."

She had just heard a recitation of Perry's work with the hungry, homeless and formerly incarcerated.

Perry, who lives in Montague, was in court Wednesday for a preceding that ended his parole in a 1983 case where pleaded guilty to an armed robbery in a Chicopee market where he brandished a knife.

He was sentenced to life in prison and served 19 years before being paroled in 2001. He returned to prison in 2012 on a parole violation despite being acquitted on new charges, and was released again in 2014.

On Wednesday, Rup allowed Perry to withdraw and then re-enter his guilty plea for the 1983 case that started his legal odyssey. Adopting a joint sentencing recommendation from Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Payne and defense lawyers Brandon Campbell and Luke Ryan, the judge sentenced him to the 19 years he already served in prison. He will now be on probation for one year.

About a dozen supporters, including Perry's partner, Elaine Arsenault, were on hand in the courtroom.

Perry in 2011 was arrested on charges related to break-ins in Leverett where an iPad and money were stolen. He was tried on two counts of receiving stolen property and was acquitted by a jury.

But even though he was found not guilty, his parole was revoked and he was returned to state prison. The state Parole Board decision said board members did not credit Perry's explanation for the stolen items in his car.

Perry testified that on the night of his arrest, a week after the thefts, he had picked up a hitchhiker who fled his truck at a stoplight and left some belongings behind, including the iPad.

At the time of his 2011 arrest, Perry was the coordinator at the Not Bread Alone soup kitchen in Amherst and the coordinator for the Single Room Occupancy Project in Northampton, both of which are run by the Springfield-based Center for Human Development.

About 30 people attended his parole hearing in 2013, and more than 140,000 signed an online petition seeking his release. He was paroled again the following year.

Perry not only got his high school equivalency certificate, but also completed a degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts while he was incarcerated.

"I really commend you very much for what you've done," Rup said Wednesday.

Ryan said Perry was born in the segregated South and had an extremely traumatic childhood. He said Perry came to Western Massachusetts in his late teens and developed a drug habit, which fueled the Chicopee armed robbery and other robberies to which he also pleaded guilty.

In prison, Ryan said, Perry had a revelation that he had an opportunity to live a different kind of life. Perry wanted to be an asset to his community when he got out of prison, and he has been just that, Ryan said.

Rup urged Perry to speak to youth and adults whose lives are on a downward trajectory and tell them about his own experiences.

The Department of Transportation announced the awarding of $16 million in grants for the repair of small bridges in 36 communities.

BOSTON -- Local infrastructure got a boost from Beacon Hill on Wednesday.

The Department of Transportation announced the awarding of $16 million in grants for the repair of small bridges in 36 communities.

This was the first round of grants in a new $50 million program to fund bridges that are too small to be eligible for federal highway money.

Western Massachusetts recipients include:

• Ashfield - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Apple Valley Road over the Upper Branch Clesson Brook.
• Blandford - $500,000 to rehabilitate bridges on Blandford Road and Gore Road over Tiffany Brook.
• Charlemont - $490,000 to replace a bridge on Maxwell Road over the Maxwell Brook.
• Chesterfield - $250,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Ireland Street over the Jackson Brook.
• Colrain - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Adamsville Road over the Tisdell Brook.
• Huntington - $300,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Searle Road over the Pond Brook.
• Monson - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Silver Street over the Twelve Mile Brook.
• Sheffield - $420,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on County Road over the Ironwork Brook.
• Southwick - $500,000 to replace a bridge on North Loomis Street over the Shurtleff Brook.
• Stockbridge - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Route 183 over the Larrywuag Brook.
• Tolland - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Colebrook River Road over the Cranberry Pond Brook.
• Warwick - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Gale Road over the Gales Brook.
• Washington - $250,000 to replace a bridge on Middlefield Road over the Coles Brook.
• Wendell - $450,000 to replace a bridge on Wendell Depot Road over the Whetstone Brook.
• Whately - $497,000 to replace a bridge on Williamsburg Road over the West Brook/Sanderson Brook.
• Windsor - $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Flintstone Road over the Tyler Brook.
• Worthington - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Adams Road over the Kinne Brook.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts:

• Arlington - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Mystic Street (Route 3) the Mill Brook.
• Ayer - $500,000 to replace a bridge on West Main Street over the Nonacocicus Brook.
• Brockton - $479,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on West Elm Street over the Salisbury Brook.
• Charlton - $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Potter Village Road over the Stearns Brook.
• Easton - $450,000 to replace a bridge on South Street over the Mulberry Brook.
• Fitchburg - $130,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Ashburnham Street/Route 12.
• Framingham - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Beaver Street over the Beaver Dam Brook.
• Leominster - $450,000 to replace a bridge on Litchfield Street over the Fall Brook.
• Mattapoisett - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Acushnet Road over the Mattapoisett River.
• Medfield - $95,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Philip Street over the Mine Brook.
• Newbury - $260,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Main Street over the Parker River.
• North Attleboro - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Chestnut Street over the Ten Mile River.
• Plainville - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Mirimichi Street over the Mirimichi Lake.
• Princeton - $500,000 to replace a bridge on East Princeton Road over the East Wachusett Brook.
• Saugus - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Water Street over the Saugus River.
• Upton - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Fowler Street over the Warren Brook.
• Wareham - $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Elm Street over the Parker Mill Road.
• Westborough - $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Fisher Street over the Assabet River
• Weymouth - $500,000 to replace a bridge on Commercial Street over the Herring Brook.

Separately, the Massachusetts House voted unanimously on Wednesday to pass an annual bill appropriating money for municipal road repairs. The bill will provide $200 million to reimburse cities and towns for road repairs, plus an additional $70 million for information technology at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The money will be bonded.

The bill must still pass the Senate before it goes to Gov. Charlie Baker. Baker proposed the bill, so he is expected to sign it.