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Watch: Noam Chomsky speaks at the UMass Mullins Center

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Noam Chomsky spoke at the UMass Amherst Mullins Center on Thursday night. Watch video

HADLEY - Linguist, essayist, and intellectual Noam Chomsky spoke at the UMass Mullins Center in Hadley on Thursday night.

Chomsky, who is professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT), has, since the 1960s, been a vociferous social and political critic.

His speech Thursday night was sponsored by the UMass Amherst Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), his talk was meant to help commemorate the inaugural opening of the newly constructed Crotty Hall, the new home of the UMass Amherst Department of Economics.

Chomsky's speech, "Prospects for Survival," offered a sprawling, often grim, but ultimately hopeful view of American society, in which he criticized U.S. foreign policy, American policymakers attitudes towards global climate change, and discussed a number of other topics and issues. 

You can watch portions of Chomsky's speech above. 


Agawam man arrested after allegedly breaking into New Hampshire elementary school, then leading police on car chase in Massachusetts

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A man from Agawam is accused of breaking into an elementary school in New Hampshire and then leading police on a car chase in Massachusetts.

AGAWAM - An Agawam man is accused of breaking into an elementary school in New Hampshire, then later leading police on a car chase that ended when he crashed into a pole in Merrimac, Massachusetts, according to WMUR-9.

Police say 42-year-old Derron Johnson attempted to make entry into an elementary school in Kensington, New Hampshire--a small town near the Massachusetts border--at approximately 8:15 p.m. Thursday night, but was scared away by a custodian.

Police say Johnson fled the scene, allegedly leaving behind a shotgun and a bottle of prescription medication with his name on it. 

Kensington Police Chief Scott Sanders said that one of the Kensington officers "found a prescription bottle in the area where the firearm was found that had the name of the registered owner of the vehicle."

Johnson then allegedly broke into an elementary school in Southampton, New Hampshire--the Barnard School, located on Main Avenue. Southampton authorities became aware of the break-in at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Again, a custodian noticed Johnson. The custodian found a broken window that appeared to have been smashed with a rock. 

He later saw a man in the building and proceeded to call the police. 

When police arrived they spotted Johnson and approached him. He identified himself as the school's music teacher, but the custodian told police that he had never seen Johnson before and did not know him. 

Johnson then fled the school, escaping through a side door and driving off in his truck, according to police. He drove into Massachusetts, and was later spotted by a police officer in Amesbury, who proceeded to chase him, police say.

During the chase, Johnson drove at high speeds through residential streets. Lt. Craig Bailey said that Johnson was driving "in excess of between 40 and 80 mph." Johnson eventually crashed into a pole in Merrimac, and was subsequently arrested.

Police say Johnson stole several items from the Barnard School, all of which have been returned. 

Johnson was arraigned on traffic violation charges in Massachusetts, while he is expected to face burglary charges in New Hampshire. 

 

Motorcyclist hospitalized after colliding with car in Springfield

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A motorcyclist was hospitalized after crashing into a car in Springfield on Saturday night.

SPRINGFIELD - A motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital Saturday night after colliding with a car on Liberty Street in Springfield. 

Police were called to 462 Liberty Street Saturday night at approximately 10:40 p.m. for reports of a crash. 

At the scene, police had blocked off sections of Liberty Street in the immediate vicinity of the crash, and it could be observed that a motorcycle and a red Nissan Maxima had collided.  

The motorcyclist. who could be seen to be bleeding, was lifted off of the ground by paramedics and loaded into the back of an ambulance while police officers investigated the scene of the crash.

Springfield firefighters were also on scene assisting with the investigation. 

Lt. Rolland of the Springfield Police Department said that the motorcyclist's injuries were "minor" but that he was taken to an area hospital for treatment.  

The operator of the Nissan didn't appear to have any injuries. 

No information on how the crash occurred has been made available at this time. 

State Police find body of man in Charles River

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The man was spotted by a witness at 9:10 a.m. on Sunday.

BOSTON - The body of a man was found Sunday morning in the eastern end of the Charles River near the locks.

A preliminary identification of the victim has been made but officials are still trying to confirm that identity. Massachusetts State Police officials said they will not release the name of the man until they are positive they have the right name and his family is notified.

The dead man was spotted by a witness at 9:10 a.m. The Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit quickly recovered the body, police said.

The man has now been turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who will determine the manner and cause of the victim's death, police said.

The death is under investigation by state troopers assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, with assistance from State Police Troop H.

Police did not say if the man discovered is Michael Kelleher, of Southborough, who has been missing since March 29.


Kelleher, 23, disappeared after watching a Celtics game. He was seen leaving the TD Garden at about 9 p.m. and was supposed to meet a co-worker at her car but he never did. He also attempted to hail an Uber ride but never met the driver.

Divers from the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team and Marine Unit searched a section of the Charles River on April 3 for the missing man but did not find any clues connected to his disappearance.

Last week in Springfield District Court: $100,000 stashed in drug suspect's ceiling; 11 packets of cocaine in strip club patron's bra, and more

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Southampton Fire battling brush fire

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The fire started at about 2 p.m.

SOUTHAMPTON - Firefighters are battling a sizable brush fire off Brickyard Road.

The Fire Department is being assisted by at least six other agencies. It is not known how many acres are burning immediately, officials said.

The blaze began at 2 p.m. No injuries have been reported at the fire scene.

This is a breaking story. Masslive will update as more information becomes available.

The Boston Marathon to run Monday: What people are Tweeting

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The 26-mile route begins in Hopkinton and goes through Ashland, Franklin, Natick, Wellesley and Newton before ending in Boston.

BOSTON - An estimated 30,000 runners will hit the streets on Monday for the 121st running of the Boston Marathon.

The race, which attracts about 500,000 spectators, will start in waves with the first group of mobility impaired people starting at 8:50 a.m. That will be followed at 9:17 a.m. with the men's push rim wheelchair division followed in two minutes by the women's push rim wheelchair division and then the handcycle racers will begin at 9:22 a.m. The elite women runners will step off at 9:32 a.m. and the elite men and the first wave of runners will begin at 10 a.m. The second wave of runners will start at 10:25 a.m., the third wave will step off at 10:50 a.m. and the final wave will begin at 11:15 a.m.

This also marks the fourth anniversary of the bombing at the marathon which killed three and injured 264, many of who lost limbs and received other serious injuries. This weekend wreaths were laid at the location of the two blasts to remember those killed and honor those injured.

The 26-mile route begins in Hopkinton and goes through Ashland, Franklin, Natick, Wellesley and Newton before ending in Boston.

The course records are 2:03 minutes for men set in 2011 by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya and 2:19 for women set by Buzunesha Deba of Ethiopia in 2014. The records in the wheelchair division are 1:18 for the men set by Joshua Cassidy of Canada in 2012 and 1:34 for women set in 2011 by Wakako Tsuchida of Japan.

Here are some of the things people have been Tweeting on the eve of the Marathon:

Cleveland police seek man accused of broadcasting Easter Sunday killing on Facebook Live

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The video of the killing remained up on Facebook for nearly three hours before it was taken down.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland police are searching for a man accused of shooting and killing a man live on Facebook Sunday afternoon.

The shooting happened on East 93rd Street just south of the Interstate 90 in the city's Glenville neighborhood, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. The accused shooter, Steve Stephens, broadcast the shooting live on Facebook.

The video of the killing remained up on Facebook for nearly three hours before it was taken down. His page has also been deactivated.

Steve Stephens CPDSteve Stephens 

Stephens, whose name on Facebook was "Stevie Steve," broadcast another video of himself about 3 p.m., claiming to have killed other people and talking on the phone admitting that he snapped and "messed up." Those killings have yet to be verified and no additional victims have been found, Ciaccia said.

Stephens has also written several Facebook statuses saying his claims of the additional killings are real and saying he was shooting because of "Joy Lane."

Stephens is 6-feet 1-inch tall, weighs about 240 pounds and has a full beard. He was wearing a dark-striped polo shirt at the time of the shooting and the Facebook Live broadcasts.

Stephens is driving a white or cream-colored SUV and is considered armed and dangerous, Ciaccia said. Anyone who spots Stephens should immediately call 911 and not approach him.

 

Easter egg hunt tradition still popular in Springfield's North End

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The annual event is held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — What started as an Easter egg hunt 20 years ago has turned into more of an Easter egg race on the grounds of Blessed Sacrament Parish in the city's North End neighborhood.

"We used to try to do an Easter egg hunt years ago, but this just works out better," said Zulmalee Rivera-Delgado, who organizes the annual Easter event along with her mother Grisel Delgado, who started the tradition many years ago.

"This is just an event for the community," she said. "First they go to church and then they get to enjoy the holiday part of Easter with the Easter bunny and collect the eggs."

When it was his turn 4-year-old Dylan Chris Santos Lopez stepped up to the line and got ready to run onto the field and grab as many eggs as he could. Shaylee Gutierrez, 5, sported bunny ears and a determined look on her face as she filled a bag with brightly colored plastic eggs.

Ones the kids made a mad dash for the field and scooped up all the eggs they would take exchange them for treats.

"It's something for the kids and as long as they keep enjoying it we will keep doing it every year," Delgado said.

Body of Michael Kelleher pulled from Charles River

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The body of Michael Kelleher, the 23-year-old who disappeared after attending a Boston Celtics game last month, has been found.

'Michael was loved by many,' Kelleher family says after body pulled from Charles River

The body of Michael Kelleher, the 23-year-old who disappeared after attending a Boston Celtics game last month, has been found. 

Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit announced Sunday morning that they found the body of a man in the eastern end of the Charles River. The body was spotted by a passerby Sunday morning who reported it to law enforcement. 

The family of Kelleher confirmed the identification to FOX25

Kelleher, a Southborough resident, had been missing since March 29. 

Cleveland suspect in 'senseless' killing on Facebook Live urged to turn himself in

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Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and police Chief Calvin Williams urged the man accused of shooting a man live on Facebook to turn himself in during a press conference Sunday evening.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and police Chief Calvin Williams urged the man accused of shooting a man live on Facebook to turn himself in during a press conference Sunday evening.

Steve Stephens, 37, is accused of fatally shooting 74-year-old Robert Goodwin Sr. about 2 p.m. on East 93rd Street, just south of Interstate 90 in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood. He broadcast the shooting, which appeared to be random, via Facebook Live.

Stephens then posted several claims, through Facebook status updates and live videos, that he killed up to 15 people. Williams said at the Sunday evening press conference that no other shooting victims have been found that could be connected to Stephens.

Steve Stephens CPDSteve Stephens

Stephens is thought to be driving a newer-model white Ford Fusion sedan, Williams said at the press conference. The car was recently purchased and may have temporary tags on it, though it's possible that Stephens has switched the plates.

Jackson said that he wanted to directly ask Stephens to not cause any more pain and harm to any possible additional victims.

"Whatever concerns or problems that he's having, we're here to have a conversation with him," Jackson said.

Williams echoed Jackson, saying that Goodwin's killing was "senseless."

"If Steve has an issue, then he needs to talk to some folks to get that resolved," Williams said. He then spoke directly to Stephens, urging him to contact clergymen in the community before hopefully turning himself in.

State and federal partners are actively working with Cleveland police officers to search for Stephens, Williams said at the news conference. There are no single-officer police patrol cars in the city Sunday night, and some officers even have authorities from partner agencies riding along in their cruisers.

City officials say that they do not plan to put the city on lockdown, but they advise drivers and residents to be careful while out and about. Cleveland State University sent an alert to students asking them to shelter in place or avoid campus, and Case Western Reserve University sent a similar message to its students and staff through a campus alert.

Stephens is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if he's spotted. Anyone with information about Stephens' whereabouts should immediately call 911, Williams said.

Careless disposal of cigarettes causes Springfield porch fire

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Cigarettes were thrown into a trash can on the second floor rear porch of 48 Grenada Terrace, according to the fire department.

SPRINGFIELD - Careless disposal of cigarettes caused a porch fire in the city's Forest Park neighborhood on Sunday evening.

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said cigarettes were thrown into a trash container on the second-floor rear porch of 48 Grenada Terrace.

Firefighter responded shortly after 6 p.m.

Leger said the fire caused less than $10,000 worth of damage and no injuries.

Elderly man killed in tractor 'mishap,' Connecticut police say

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Granby police said the man's death was reported at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

GRANBY, Conn. - Police are investigating the death of an elderly man who was involved in a "mishap" with a tractor at his home.

Granby police said the man's death was reported at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The man's home is off Route 20, but police are withholding more information until his family is notified.

The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.

This is a developing story. Stay with The Republican/MassLive for more information as it becomes available.

 

Pence: US, allies will use 'whatever means are necessary' to rein in North Korea

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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared Monday the "era of strategic patience is over" with North Korea. Watch video

PANMUNJOM, South Korea -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared Monday the "era of strategic patience is over" with North Korea, expressing impatience with the unwillingness of the regime to move toward ridding itself of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Pence told reporters near the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea that President Donald Trump is hopeful that China will use its "extraordinary levers" to pressure the North to abandon its weapons.

Pence, who has called the North's failed missile test a day earlier "a provocation," said the U.S. and its allies will achieve its objectives through "peaceable means or ultimately by whatever means are necessary" to protect South Korea and stabilize the region.

Pence visited a military base near the DMZ, Camp Bonifas, for a briefing with military leaders and to meet with American troops stationed there. The joint U.S.-South Korean military camp is just outside the 2.5-mile-wide DMZ. He later stood a few meters from the military demarcation line outside Freedom House, gazing at two North Korean soldiers across the border and then a deforested stretch of North Korea from a lookout post in the hillside.

His visit, full of Cold War symbolism, and his remarks to reporters come amid increasing tensions and heated rhetoric on the Korean Peninsula. While the North did not conduct a nuclear test, the specter of a potential escalated U.S. response trailed Pence as he began a 10-day trip to Asia.

Pointing to the quarter-century since North Korea first obtained nuclear weapons, the vice president said a period of patience followed.

"But the era of strategic patience is over," Pence said. "President Trump has made it clear that the patience of the United States and our allies in this region has run out and we want to see change. We want to see North Korea abandon its reckless path of the development of nuclear weapons, and also its continual use and testing of ballistic missiles is unacceptable."

Trump himself asserted on Sunday that China was working with the United States on "the North Korea problem." His national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said the U.S. would rely on its allies as well as on Chinese leadership to resolve the issues with North Korea.

Trump: China, US working on 'North Korea problem'

McMaster cited Trump's recent decision to order missile strikes in Syria after a chemical attack blamed on the Assad government as a sign that the president "is clearly comfortable making tough decisions." But at the same time, McMaster said on "This Week" on ABC, "it's time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully."

The bottom line, McMaster said, is to stop the North's weapons development and make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free. "It's clear that the president is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our president will take action that is in the best interest of the American people," he said.

After a two-month policy review, officials settled on a policy dubbed "maximum pressure and engagement," U.S. officials said Friday. The administration's immediate emphasis, the officials said, will be on increasing pressure on Pyongyang with the help of Beijing.

The officials weren't authorized to speak publicly on the results of the policy review and requested anonymity.

Pence will be tasked with explaining the policy in meetings with leaders in South Korea and Japan during the trip, which will also include stops in Indonesia and Australia. He will aim to reassure allies in South Korea and Japan that the U.S. will take appropriate steps to defend them against North Korean aggression.

A North Korean missile exploded during launch on Sunday, U.S. and South Korean officials said. The high-profile failure came as the North tried to showcase its nuclear and missile capabilities around the birth anniversary of the North's late founder and as a U.S. aircraft carrier neared the Korean Peninsula.

A White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence said no U.S. response to the missile launch was expected because there was no need for the U.S. to reinforce the failure. The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration's initial understanding of the launch.

Trump, spending the Easter weekend at his Florida resort, reinforced his commitment to the armed forces under his control. "Our military is building and is rapidly becoming stronger than ever before," he tweeted.

More directly on North Korea, the president returned to a theme of placing much onus on China for reining in the North. Last week, he said he would not declare China a currency manipulator, pulling back from a campaign promise, as he looks for help from Beijing, which is the North's dominant trade partner.

"Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!" Trump tweeted on Sunday.

Deputy national adviser K.T. McFarland briefed the president on the failed missile launch. She advised patience with China on the issue.

"North Korea is a liability to everybody and it's a threat not just to the United States, not just to South Korea, not just to Japan, not just to Russia, but it's actually a threat to China as well," McFarland said Sunday on "Fox News Sunday."

Into this tense environment, Pence made his first trip to the region since taking office in January. After arriving in the South Korean capital, he placed a wreath at Seoul National Cemetery and then worshipped with military personnel at an Easter church service at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.

During a fellowship meal after the services, he said the tensions on the Korean peninsula had put into sharp focus the importance of the joint U.S.-South Korean mission.

"This morning's provocation from the North is just the latest reminder of the risks each one of you face every day in the defense of the freedom of the people of South Korea and the defense of America in this part of the world," said Pence. "Your willingness to step forward, to serve, to stand firm without fear, inspires the nation and inspires the world."


Along with the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier and other vessels into waters off the Korean Peninsula, thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops, tanks and other weaponry were deployed last month in their biggest joint military exercises. That led North Korea to issue routine threats of attacks on its rivals if they show signs of aggression.

The White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence told reporters that the type of missile that North Korea tried to fire on Sunday was medium-range, and that it exploded about 4 to 5 seconds after it was launched.

The North regularly launches short-range missiles, but is also developing mid-range and long-range missiles meant to target U.S. troops in Asia and, eventually, the U.S. mainland.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year. Recent satellite imagery suggests the country could conduct another underground nuclear test at any time.

Boston Marathon 2017: Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College

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When Boston Marathon participants reached the halfway point in the race, they were met with a deafening roar.

When Boston Marathon participants reached the halfway point in the race, they were met with a deafening roar. 

Wellesley College students continued the annual tradition known as the Scream Tunnel. Students screamed as marathoners dashed past. Many held signs - some jokes, others requesting a kiss from runners. 

The Scream Tunnel dates back to the college's founding when students expressed support for their favorite runner. The vocal support for runners continued and soon became a tradition. 

In addition to holding original signs, students hang signs along the course showing messages of support from across the world. 


'Severe understaffing' at Hampden Fire Department to be discussed at upcoming open house at station

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Recruitment and retention issues and severe understaffing are among the reasons officials with the Hampden Fire Department are pushing to convert the unpaid volunteer department into a combination call and paid department.

HAMPDEN -- It would cost the town around $226,000 to add three full-time firefighters and cover other expenses related to converting the volunteer department into a call department, according to Hampden Fire Chief Michael Gorski, whose proposal will be considered by voters at the annual town meeting on May 8.

If residents approve the proposal, it would add $226,000 to the Fire Department's annual budget of around $96,000.

Broken down, that figure includes $141,000 for the full-timers, $20,000 for their benefits, and $65,000 to compensate call firefighters, who would be paid on a call-by-call basis.

Voters will also be asked to appropriate around $200,000 for a small expansion to the fire station at 19 North Road. The expansion and improvements are needed to accommodate a future fire truck, Gorski said.

To help explain the need for these expenses, the Hampden Fire Department is hosting an open house at the station from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 29.

"Severe understaffing of daytime fire department calls on weekdays coupled with recruitment and retention issues have resulted in the fire department proposing to convert from an all-volunteer, unpaid department to a combination call and paid department," Gorski said.

More than half of the department's calls occur during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, when most of Hampden's two dozen or so firefighters are working their regular full-time jobs.

By adding three paid firefighters to the roster, however, it guarantees station coverage during weekday hours, according to Gorski, who says "public safety" is the No. 1 reason he's pushing for the changes.

As it stands, the town relies heavily on mutual aid from neighboring fire departments, some of which arrive at local fire scenes before Hampden firefighters.

In addition to improving public safety and response times, the proposed changes are designed to help Hampden recruit and retain call firefighters, who would get paid for each call they respond to, Gorski said.

"How you decide to vote will shape the future of the Hampden Fire Department and will govern the amount of risk you are willing to accept," he said.


Suspect in Springfield Walgreens armed robbery captured after vehicle crashes

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Before he was captured, the suspect's car hopped onto the curb and knocked down a traffic light and street sign at Union and Oak streets.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police arrested a man suspected of armed robbery of the Walgreen's Pharmacy on Sumner Avenue late Monday morning after the car he was driving crashed about two miles away.

Police said that the suspect was caught at the corner of Union and Oak streets shortly before 11:30, about a half-hour after the robbery was reported. As police processed the vehicle, officers removed several bags from the passenger seat.

Police radio transmissions reported that the suspect, described as a tall, thin white male wearing glasses and with tattoos on his arm, took drugs from the store and implied that he had a weapon, although it was not seen.

A woman in the Walgreens said she passed by the suspect as he was running out of the store.

"He went running past me, and I was wondering why," she said. "I heard that he had hopped in a car and drove off."

Before he was captured at Union and Oak, the suspect's car, a black Acura with Connecticut license plates, hopped onto the curb and knocked down a traffic light and street sign before the front right tire blew out.

Police have not released the name of the suspect or the charges, but said that he is being processed by detectives.

The man is a suspect in multiple robberies that took place in Connecticut recently, police said.

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

14th Amendment focus of 2017 Law Day event in Springfield

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The 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of laws for all Americans.

SPRINGFIELD -- The 14th Amendment, which addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of laws for all Americans, will be the focus of the annual Law Day event on May 1.

The event is sponsored by the Hampden County Bar Association and will be held at 9 a.m. in District Court, courtroom two, in the Hall of Justice at 50 State St. It is open to the public.

Master of ceremonies is Springfield District Court Judge Matthew J. Shea. Bar association president-elect William Travaun Bailey and the mock trial team from the Pioneer Valley School of Performing Arts will participate.

The event, with the theme "The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy," will explore the many ways that the amendment has reshaped American law and society. Through its citizenship, due process and equal protection clauses, this transformative amendment advanced the rights of all Americans, the bar association press release on the event states.

The Honorable John M. Greaney Award will be presented to attorney Jeffrey S. Morneau and Jaime E. Morrow, Hampden County Legal Clinic program coordinator.

Law Day is an annual event that was conceived in 1957 when American Bar Association President Charles Rhynes envisioned a special national day to mark the association's commitment to the rule of law, according to the organization.

The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the first Law Day. Law Day was made official in 1961 when Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.

Man charged with Springfield robbery, car chase also suspect in Conn. carjacking

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The suspect, Matthew Decredico, 30, just got out of prison a few months ago after serving time for bank robbery.

This is an update of a story published at 2:09 p.m. Monday.

SPRINGFIELD - The armed robbery suspect who crashed his car on Union Street Monday morning during a police pursuit was driving a vehicle that he had carjacked a few hours earlier in Connecticut, police said.

Springfield police are charging Matthew DeCredico, 30, of Middletown, Connecticut with armed robbery and assorted traffic violations in connection with the robbery of the Walgreens pharmacy on Sumner Avenue and subsequent police pursuit, said Springfield Police Capt. Trent Duda of the Major Crimes Unit.

DeCredico is also considered a suspect in crimes reported in Hartford and Middletown, Duda said. 

He is accused of entering the Walgreens at Sumner Avenue and Dickinson Street in the "X" on Monday morning and holding up the pharmacy. He reportedly indicated he had a gun, but no weapon was shown. He demanded drugs from the pharmacy and then fled.

He was witnessed leaving the scene in a black Acura. Police spotted it a short time later and began pursing it from Main Street up Union Street until it crashed at the intersection with Oak Street in front of the Dunbar Community Center.

The car he used in the attempted getaway from the Springfield robbery was taken at gunpoint from a woman in Middletown earlier in the day, he said.

DeCredico is a convicted bank robber who was released from prison four months ago.

He was arrested in 2010 in connection with a bank robbery with two other men in Norwalk, Connecticut. According to The Hour newspaper in Norwalk, DeCredico and the other two men were homeless at the time of the bank robbery, and were looking for money to feed their drug habits.

They made off with $4,200 from the bank and immediately used it to purchase heroin and cocaine.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Jan. 2011 to 12 years in prison with the sentence to be suspended after 78 months, to be followed by 5 years probation.

Duda said that after he was booked in Springfield, he was talking with Middletown detectives about the carjacking.

Despite lawsuit against Ware, trash company wants to discuss 'Host Agreement'

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The agreement would be designed to pay the town money, in the form of "tipping fees," based on a proportion of the tonnage of trash accepted at the facility.

WARE -- Despite Tri County Recycling Inc.'s lawsuit against the town's board of health, the firm's owner wants to discuss with selectmen a potential "Host Agreement."

The agreement would be designed to pay the town money in the form of "tipping fees" based on a proportion of the tonnage of trash accepted at the company's Route 9 facility.

Ware selectmen are scheduled to discuss the proposal at Tuesday's meeting, scheduled at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Tri County Recycling is suing Ware for denying the company permission to operate a municipal solid waste transfer station by denying a site assignment permit.

Last week, the selectmen's office confirmed that George A. McLaughlin III, a practicing attorney who owns Tri-County Recycling, which operates the ABC&D Solid Waste Handling Facility located at 198 East St., made the request to discuss a host agreement with selectmen via a telephone conversation with Town Manager Stuart Beckley.

Prior to the board of health's denial of the transfer station permit for solid waste, the BOH convened a public hearing that lasted several days and included more than 25 hours of testimony in 2015.

The board, in its December 2015 decision, determined the company failed to adequately demonstrate that the facility would not pose a danger to public health and safety.

In its denial, the BOH also said it objected to McLaughlin's testimony that promised perks to the town, including offering a $1 tipping fee for each ton of waste the facility would accept, saying making the offer during the site assignment hearing was "unseemly." The application asked for up to 750 tons per day, but during the hearing, the owner said he would be amenable to limiting that to 156 tons if the site assignment were granted.

The Tri County lawsuit against the town was filed in January 2016 in Hampshire County Superior Court. It says claims that the facility would pose a public health threat were not supported by evidence.

The plaintiff alleges the board of health exceeded its authority, issued an erroneous decision and ignored facts. The suit asks the court to overturn the decision and compel the board to issue the site assignment.

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