NASA says the "relatively large" Asteroid 2014 JO25 will swoop by Earth on Wednesday at a distance of about 1.1 million miles. Watch video

Asteroid 2014 JO25 is not going to hit Earth, but it's a big hunk of rock, and it's coming pretty darned close to our natural spaceship on Wednesday -- so close that you might be able to see it with a small telescope.

NASA says the "relatively large" 2014 JO25 will swoop by Earth at a distance of about 1.1 million miles (that's approximately 4.6 times the distance from here to the moon). "Although there is no possibility for the asteroid to collide with our planet, this will be a very close approach for an asteroid of this size," NASA says.

Asteroid 2014 JO25 is about 2,000 feet wide. By comparison, the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago was about 6 miles wide.

The asteroid is heading toward Earth from the direction of the sun. You might be able to see it for one or two nights using a small, optical telescope, ideally at least 8 inches in diameter, according to EarthSky.org, which has an excellent primer on how to see it.

After 2014 JO25 disappears this time 'round Earth, don't plan to see it again: this is its closest approach for at least the next 500 years.

Here's more info about asteroids, via NASA:

Small asteroids pass within this distance of Earth several times each week, but this upcoming close approach is the closest by any known asteroid of this size, or larger, since asteroid Toutatis, a 3.1-mile (five-kilometer) asteroid, which approached within about four lunar distances in September 2004. The next known encounter of an asteroid of comparable size will occur in 2027 when the half-mile-wide (800-meter-wide) asteroid 1999 AN10 will fly by at one lunar distance, about 236,000 miles (380,000 kilometers).

If you can't find Asteroid 2014 JO25 in the sky, there's a comet you might be able to see. Comet PanSTARRS (C/2015 ER61) also is making its closest approach on Wednesday, and will come within 109 million miles of Earth. It's visible in the dawn sky with binoculars or a small telescope.

Rescuers called for two medical helicopters, but that request was soon canceled.

WFSB reports a Luscombe 8A aircraft departed from Runway 10 around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday and crashed into nearby woods shortly after takeoff.

Rescuers called for two medical helicopters, but that request was soon canceled.

Information about the victims has not been released yet.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash, along with the National Transportation Safety Board.

NECN reports the plane crashed on Rolocut Road. The airport is in the Broak Brook section of East Windsor.

A gathering of students, community members and protesters quickly resulted in violence and arrests before a speech by white supremacist Richard Spencer Tuesday evening at Auburn University in Alabama. Watch video

AUBURN, Ala. - At least three people were arrested and at least one was left bloodied after dueling demonstrations outside Auburn University's James E. Foy Hall turned raucous before Richard Spencer spoke there Tuesday night.

The speech was a lightning rod for controversy both on campus and online, as the "alt-right" leader's past white supremacist rhetoric proved divisive enough to cause Auburn to cancel the event on Friday.

But Spencer obtained a federal court order Tuesday afternoon that forced the university to allow him to speak as scheduled Tuesday evening.

"We won a major victory for the alt-right," Spencer said of the order during his remarks, which were repeatedly interrupted by shouts from the crowd.

And Spencer did not fail to deliver the kind of inflammatory speech that had raised concerns among many members of the Auburn community and beyond last week.

"The alt-right is about being a white person, being a European in the 21st century," Spencer told the sold-out crowd at one point. "There'd be no history without us," he added later.

Hundreds of people gathered outside Foy Hall before Spencer's speech, many of whom were there to protest his appearance. Auburn police spokesman Capt. Lorenza Dorsey told the Associated Press Tuesday evening that three people were arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

An Auburn student in a neon-orange carrot costume stood outside the hall wearing a sign that said "I don't CARROT ALL about your outrage."

"Basically we have these groups come from off-campus and they expect to be taken seriously and I am not about that at all clearly," he said. "So I just wanted to come. I made this sign, I danced, I took their attention."

During a question-and-answer session following his remarks, an audience member countered Spencer's claim that personal identity comes from race, positing that it is actually formed in God's image.

Spencer replied as follows: "Yes, Jesus was not European, but I will say that this belief system that you embrace is truly a product of centuries of European Christianity ... To simply white out that history in the name of something Paul said is to lose sight of the reality."

Conservatives also came out to show support for Spencer's free speech rights. One conservative who was waiting to attend the event and who identified himself only as Chad, wore a helmet in order to avoid being injured by any rocks that "the other side" might throw if the event descended into chaos.

"We're here to support free speech and defend it because, you know, if that's gone for anybody - whether you agree with them or not - they still have the right to speech, and its a slippery slope once you get rid of that," he said.

A Trump supporter who also identified himself only as Chad was holding an American flag as he waited in line for Spencer's speech.

"I think it's important for everybody, even people who are on opposite ends of the political spectrum as me, to be able to come out and speak," he said.

"If people want to hear Mr. Spencer speak, they should be able to do that and he should be able to speak. This is America, it's not the Soviet Union."

But Spencer drew loud boos from people on both sides of the political divide when he declared the following during his speech at football-loving Auburn: "If I could wave a magic wand, I would absolutely ban football!"

Signs posted around Auburn's campus Tuesday cautioned students to stay inside in order to stay safe. Auburn initially cancelled the event last week after it became the subject of red-hot controversy both on campus and on social media.

But in the end the university was forced to host Spencer in Foy Hall Tuesday evening after all when a federal judge in Montgomery issued an order Tuesday afternoon barring it from keeping him from speaking.

Kori Ali Muhammad, who is black, fired 16 rounds in one minute at four places within a block.

FRESNO, Calif. -- A man wanted in the slaying of a security guard set out to kill as many white people as he could on Tuesday, gunning down three men on the streets of downtown Fresno before he was captured and admitted to the shootings, authorities said.

Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, was arrested shortly after the morning rampage that left three white men dead, police said. Muhammad, who is black, fired 16 rounds in less than two minutes at four places within a block, shooting men who appeared to be going about their day, authorities say.

During his arrest, Muhammad shouted "Allahu Akbar," but Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said the shootings had "nothing to do with terrorism in spite of the statement he made."

"This is solely based on race," Dyer told reporters.

Muhammad on Tuesday first walked up to a utility truck and shot a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee sitting in the passenger seat. The driver of the truck, who is Latino, sped off to the police department for help, but the worker, a 34-year-old white man, died.

This undated photo provided by the Fresno Police Department shows Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, who was arrested shortly after a shooting rampage outside a Catholic Charities building, in Fresno, Calif, on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. AP 

Muhammad then shot at another person and missed, police said. He aimed at a third, killing the 37-year-old on the sidewalk as he walked with a bag of groceries in a neighborhood lined with tall trees. The final victim, 58, was gunned down in the parking lot of a charity building, authorities said.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said Muhammad approached a vehicle in between shootings, but he spared the lives of two women who were in the car with a child. The women were Latinas, he said.

"These individuals who were chosen today did not do anything to deserve what they got," Dyer said. "These were unprovoked attacks by an individual that was intent on carrying out homicides today. He did that."

Police had put out a news release hours before the shootings Tuesday, saying that Muhammad was armed and dangerous and wanted in the shooting death of a security guard at a Motel 6 last week. The guard, 25-year-old Carl Williams, was white.

Muhammad told officers at his arrest that he was the guy they were looking for, Dyer said.

"I did it. I shot them," Dyer said Muhammad told officers.

Police are searching for the revolver Muhammad said he tossed into a pile of clothing. The gun may have been picked up by someone else, Dyer said.

Muhammad faces four counts of murder and at least two additional charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Stephen Hughes, 66, said he and his wife rushed home Tuesday after receiving a frantic call from a neighbor. Hughes came home to see a body draped in a blanket on the sidewalk leading to his front door.

He first thought the shooting was gang-related, but then he noticed the bag of groceries near the body. "It looks like a guy carrying his groceries home from the store," Hughes said.

On what appeared to be Muhammad's Facebook page, he repeatedly posted "#LetBlackPeopleGo" and encouraged "black warriors" to "mount up." A flurry of posts emerged in the past day.

He wrote that his "kill rate increases tremendously on the other side" and also posted about "white devils." On several occasions, he wrote updates that included the phrase "Allahu Akbar," meaning "God is great" in Arabic.

Muhammad has a criminal history that includes arrests on weapons, drugs and false imprisonment charges and making terrorist threats. He had been associated with gangs but he was not a confirmed member, police say.

Muhammad was charged in 2005 with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, court records show. Federal prosecutors said at the time that he was also in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and two rifles after being convicted of a felony.

He claimed insanity, and his attorney requested a psychiatric examination for his client, saying Muhammad "appeared eccentric with some bizarre beliefs." A psychiatrist who examined Muhammad believed he had psychosis, Muhammad's attorney said in the court filing.

He also "suffered auditory hallucinations and had at least two prior mental health hospitalizations," according to court documents. His attorney said that Muhammad had "paranoia" and thought the justice system and his defense attorney were conspiring against him, court papers said.

The attorney who represented Muhammad in that case did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

Public records list Muhammad as Cory Taylor and other aliases with addresses in Fresno and Sacramento. Fresno police chief said his former name was Cory McDonald. A woman who identified herself as Taylor's grandmother said Tuesday that the family last saw him on Easter Sunday. She hung up the phone before giving her name.

Police say two of the victims may have been clients of Catholic Charities, which provides a variety of services for refugees, the homeless and those with disabilities.

East Columbus Avenue will be closed Thursday afternoon to allow for concrete pours on the I-91 Viaduct.

SPRINGFIELD - MassDOT plans to close East Columbus Avenue north of Emery Street on Thursday from noon to 3 p.m.

The temporary closure will allow construction crews to conduct concrete pours on the I-91 Viaduct overhead, as part of the Viaduct's rehabilitation project.  

Signs will be in place to redirect drivers along the following detour: 

To continue traveling north from East Columbus Avenue to Route 20A/Carew Street/Plainfield Street, or to I-91 North: 

• Drivers are instructed to take a right onto Emery Street, then turn left onto Boylston Street.

• After this, take a left onto Main Street to the signalized intersection of Route 20A/Carew Street/Plainfield Street.

• From there, for I-91 North, turn slightly left onto Plainfield Street and take the ramp on the right for I-91 North.

Drivers headed along this route have been asked to use caution, reduce their speed, and plan for additional time. 

Abdul Ismail's defense attorney believes the comments he made to a University of Massachusetts student last week were exaggerated or misunderstood. The university and a judge believe otherwise.

AMHERST -- Abdul Ismail's defense attorney believes the comments he made to a University of Massachusetts student last week were exaggerated or misunderstood. Police and prosecutors believe otherwise.

Earlier this month Ismail allegedly claimed to be a terrorist and threatened to blow up the university's Coolidge residence hall. Later he laughed when a student he was visiting asked if he was joking, according to a report by UMass Police Officer Alexandra Wysocki.

Ismail, 27, is being held without bail following a dangerousness hearing Tuesday in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown. The defendant sat with his lawyer Alan Rubin and seemed to have trouble breathing as Wysocki and Lt. Michael Malouin testified about what allegedly happened April 11.

A native of the West African country of Ghana, Ismail came to the U.S. in 2013 seeking asylum, according to Rubin. 

At the time of his arrest he lived in the Greenleaves apartment complex in Hadley, although it's unclear for how long. A manager there didn't know him and hadn't heard of any trouble in the building where Ismail lived. There are 80 units there. 

Ismail's mother answered the door when police arrived to question him, Malouin testified in court.

The defendant was a driver for both the ride-sharing service Uber and Domino's Pizza and had no prior criminal record, Rubin said.

Uber has banned Ismail, according to spokeswoman Susan Kendrick, something the company did as soon as Ismail was charged. Kendrick said she did not know how long Ismail drove for the company.

Uber does myriad screenings on prospective drivers, she said. A third-party provider runs "social security trace to identify addresses associated with the potential driver, and then checks the potential driver's driving and criminal history in a series of national, state and local databases," according to the company.

Rubin said Ismail is married and has a child. He met the UMass student on Tinder, a web-based dating app. April 11 was to be their second date.

According to Tinder's website, "The people we meet change our lives. A friend, a date, a romance or even a chance encounter can change someone's life forever."

Judge Patricia Poehler on Tuesday found that Ismail posed enough of a danger to warrant holding him without the right to bail. Her written comments, however, are impounded along with other details in Ismail's court file. The file will remain impounded until at least April 25.

Wysocki testified Tuesday that Ismail asked to use his date's computer because he wanted to print out a letter on the recent U.S. bombings in Syria. The student was uncomfortable with the request and refused. Ismail told her, "I'm a terrorist," and she became frightened. She asked if he was kidding, and "his demeanor did not change," Wysocki said.

Then he said the student was going to be his first victim and that he was going to blow up the dorm, Wysocki said.

The officer testified that the student asked if Ismail was kidding. She told police that Ismail was laughing.

UMass spokesmen Edward Blaguszewski said these kinds of threats don't occur very often "and each one has particular set of circumstances."

In this case, he said, police responded quickly and posted a crime alert to notify the community. It read, in part: "There is no indication that anyone in or near the building was in any actual danger of being harmed. An arrest was promptly made, and the matter remains under investigation."

Police were able to arrest Ismail quickly because they had security video from when he arrived at the dormitory and he had to use his license when his date checked him in. 

Blaguszewski said a "small amount of people" were worried about the incident. But he said with the crime alert university officials tried to let the campus know that "no one was in any danger on campus."

Ismail is scheduled to return to district court May 15.

Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots player who authorities say hanged himself, was discovered with a Bible verse written in red marker on his forehead, according to FOX 25. The verse was on his forehead and a Bible was open in his cell.

Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots player who authorities say hanged himself early Wednesday morning, was discovered with a Bible verse written in red marker on his forehead, according to FOX 25.

Citing a source, the news station originally reported that Hernandez wrote the title of the verse in blood on his forehead. The station said later on Wednesday that the source's original comment was wrong and the verse title was actually written in marker.

Must clarify: John 3:16 message found on Hernandez forehead written in red blood marker, not blood story developing #fox25

-- Bob Ward Fox25 (@Bward3) April 19, 2017

An open Bible was also found in his cell.

Source: #AaronHernandez found w/"John 3:16" written in blood on his forehead, open Bible in his cell. More #Fox25 4:30P

-- Bob Ward Fox25 (@Bward3) April 19, 2017

The verse cited by Hernandez says in part that believers in Jesus "should not perish, but have everlasting life."

WBZ reports that investigators believe Hernandez may have smoked synthetic marijuana on Tuesday night, before he killed himself.

Hernandez's suicide came days after he was acquitted of a double murder. He at the time was already serving a life sentence after he was convicted of murdering Odin Lloyd in 2013.

Hernandez serving his sentence at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility is located in Shirley, Mass.

This post was updated to reflect FOX25's correction.

Massachusetts state senator calls for investigation following Aaron Hernandez death

After Aaron Hernandez suicide, murder conviction in Odin Lloyd death legally considered 'as if it never occurred'

Founder of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and former First Lady of California is the daughter of late Robert Sargent Shriver who had the disease.

BOSTON - The American Academy of Neurology's 2017 Brain Health Fair being held Friday at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center will feature such highlights as "Ask-a-Neurologist" booths, a 20-foot inflatable, interactive walk-through brain, and a 10:25 a.m. talk by Maria Shriver, former First Lady of California, niece of the late President John Kennedy and founder of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement.

Shriver's father, Robert Sargent Shriver, who was the founding director of the Peace Corps under Kennedy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003. The disease is the most common form of dementia, which is associated with loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. He died in 2011 at the age of 95. Her late mother and Kennedy's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was founder of the Special Olympics.

"He is 93. This was someone with a beautiful, sharp, in-tune mind. Now he doesn't know my name, but I always introduce myself to him, and he flashes a smile," Shriver said when asked about her father in a 2009 interview with the New York Times.

The interview was in conjunction with the HBO four-part series, "The Alzheimer's Project," for which Shriver was a co-producer.

The NBC journalist is also the author of the best-selling children's book, "What's Happening to Grandpa?" and was executive producer of the 2015 film, "Still Alice," that won an Oscar for Julianne Moore who plays a professional woman who has early onset dementia.

In a 2015 commentary on the disease, Shriver noted that "nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer's are women -- that's more than 3.2 million women."

Her movement works to engage women in awareness and fund-raising for the disease. The movement is the benefit of an upcoming national event "Move for Minds," presented by Shriver and Equinox Sports Clubs, on June 4.

The free fair is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the ballroom level of the convention and exhibition center. According to the fair's website, it is aimed at "patients, families, and caregivers affected by a brain disease, as well as students interested in brain science and the general public."

Parkpoom Seesangrit, 27, was found guilty of raping an East Longmeadow nursing home patient in 2014.

SPRINGFIELD -- Parkpoom Seesangrit was sentenced Tuesday to six to eight years in state prison by Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney.

Seesangrit, 27, had been found guilty of rape by Sweeney last week for a May 2014 crime at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center. Seesangrit, who lived in Great Barrington at the time of his arrest later that year, waived his right to a trial by jury.

He has 71 days credit on his sentence for time spent in jail awaiting trial.

Assistant District Attorney Lee Baker said Seesangrit digitally penetrated the 69-year-old victim's vagina. She was in the dementia unit at the facility and Seesangrit was a certified nursing assistant.

Seesangrit testified through a Thai interpreter he was changing a diaper for the victim and cleaning her, but did not digitally penetrate her.

Parkpoom Seesangrit, shown in his police booking photo.East Longmeadow Police Department 

Seesangrit, who said he has since graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in electrical engineering, said he never touched the woman sexually.

He acknowledged he told an East Longmeadow police sergeant he used two fingers to penetrate the woman.

He said he was aware of the nursing facility's policy that men could not render care to female patients but he chose to change the woman anyway.

Under questioning from his lawyer Nancy Flahive, Seesangrit said he did not have any sexual feelings for the patient.

Flahive said in her closing argument that the charges resulted from a "perfect storm" of misunderstandings.

She said at the time Seesangrit was working three different certified nurse assistant jobs and going to school.

Flahive said for Seesangrit, taking care of a woman patient was no different than taking care of a male.

Baker said in his closing argument that Seesangrit admitted his guilt when questioned by an East Longmeadow police sergeant. He said case law supports the argument that a person who is mentally incapacitated, as the woman was, is incapable of consent.

In October, Judge Edward J. McDonough said Seesangrit could not seek employment as a home health aide, personal care assistant or any similar occupation while he was awaiting trial.

Despite a hurt knee, Velis marched in the Tough Ruck on Saturday and completed the Boston Marathon Monday.

Fifty-two miles later, state Rep. John Velis, D-Westfield, has met his goal: completing two marathons in three days.

"It was a straight mental exercise," Velis said. "Both of them were awesome."

Velis, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, marched in the 26.2-mile Tough Ruck in Minuteman National Park in Concord on Saturday. On Monday, he ran the Boston Marathon.

The first race was to honor fallen service members. His Boston Marathon run benefited a charity that helps families with children who have cancer.

Velis does not know his time in the Tough Ruck. He completed the Boston Marathon on a bad knee, with a mix of walking and running, in five hours and 47 minutes.

It was a painful run after his knee gave out just before the race, he said. "I didn't break any records this year," Velis said.

But Velis said at one point he found himself behind a group of veterans who lost limbs in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and who were also participating in the marathon. "I said you've got to be kidding me, you're feeling sorry for yourself?" Velis said.

"All you had to do was look to your left or right, in front or behind of you, and you'll see someone who motivates you to take that extra step," Velis said.

Longmeadow's Town Manager delivered an update to the Select Board Tuesday, on the heels of a meeting with MassDOT and Federal Railroad Administration officials earlier in the day.

LONGMEADOW -- A formal review of the railroad crossing where a town Department of Public Works foreman was killed in a train collision last month could begin in early May, Town Manager Stephen J. Crane told members of the Select Board Tuesday night.

The "diagnostic review" by a team of local, state, federal and railroad officials would be the first step toward determining what -- if any -- safety equipment upgrades should be made at the crossing at Tina Lane and Birnie Road, and whether the work would be eligible for federal funding.

Crane delivered the news on the heels of a meeting with MassDOT and Federal Railroad Administration officials earlier in the day.

"They all understood that this was a big deal," he told the board.

Safety issues at the crossing, where there are no lights, bells or gates to warn drivers of oncoming trains, have been on the town's radar since at least 1981, according to years of Select Board minutes reviewed by The Republican.

The issue resurfaced when DPW foreman Warren P. Cowles, 59, was killed in a collision with a northbound Amtrak train during a winter storm on March 14. Officials have said Cowles backed onto the tracks while plowing snow. The crash remains under investigation.

"It's now on everybody's radar screen, front and center, and I think everyone's committed to addressing this as quickly as possible," Crane told the board Tuesday. He cautioned the board members, though, that any firm plans -- if the review does lead to a recommendation for new safety equipment -- could still be months away.

State and federal officials will use the review to prioritize work at the Tina Lane and Birnie Road crossing among other projects in the pipeline and to make funding decisions -- a process Crane described as "lengthy."

While plans could come together by fall, there's no guarantee on a timeline yet, Crane told the board. He added: "If the diagnostic report shows that it needs to be elevated as a higher priority, it will move as quickly as one of these things can possibly move."

Select Board minutes show that a state review of the crossing in the early 1990s determined no safety upgrades were necessary, despite a toll of four previous fatalities there. Cowles' death was the fifth at the crossing since 1975, according to federal records.

The Baker-Polito administration announced $900,000 in grant awards to five different Massachusetts water suppliers on Wednesday.

BOSTON -  As a means of protecting existing surface drinking water systems, $900,000 in grant money will be awarded to five different Massachusetts public water suppliers, the Baker-Polito Administration announced Wednesday.  

The grants will be administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services and through the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program (DWSP).

"State government and our local water suppliers working together to ensure safe drinking water is readily available across Commonwealth is incredibly important," said Governor Charlie Baker. "These 2017 Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants will deliver the necessary financial resources to allow water suppliers to continue to distribute high quality water to the public."

"Maintaining strong partnerships with municipalities and water suppliers will help protect the Commonwealth's drinking water," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "Preventing harmful pollutants from entering public drinking water supplies is paramount, and the 2017 Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants awarded to these five projects will allow the water systems to be further safeguarded for years to come."

"Land conservation continues to be an effective and beneficial water protection practice that not only safeguards drinking water systems, but also provides unique recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. "The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to provide these vital grants, and will continue to identify solutions that further ensure our public drinking water is safe for consumption."

The Fiscal Year 2017 DWSP grant awardees are: 

Fitchburg Water Division - Northern Watershed: $162,550 grant award to protect four tracts of land abutting tributaries to the Fitchburg Reservoir in Ashby.    

Marion Department of Public Works - Branch Brook Project: $230,000 grant award to protect 146 acres of Zone II land, which contributes to a drinking water source for five towns and contains riparian wetlands, and habitat of the Eastern Box Turtle. 

Marshfield Department of Public Works - Furnace Brook Well Protection:$106,625 grant award to protect two abutting parcels that have open fields, forest, and wetlands located in the zone of contribution to the Furnace Brook Well in Marshfield.

Southampton Water Commission - Cook-County Property: $350,000 grant award to conserve 16 acres of forest and farmland in the Barnes Aquifer watershed, which serves as a drinking water source for both Southampton and Easthampton. 

South Deerfield Water Supply District - Conway and Whately Glen Reservoirs: $50,000 grant award to preserve 15 acres of Zone-B land within the Conway and Whately Glen Reservoirs' watershed. 

The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau unveiled the slogan to much criticism.

SPRINGFIELD -- West Mass, the tourism and economic development brand unveiled in February by the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, has its critics.

But, as Teddy Roosevelt said, it is not the critic who counts. And so the visitors bureau launched an online survey Wednesday to try to find out what people really think of the slogan.

"We thought the best thing to do was to hit the pause button," said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the visitors bureau, who admits being taken aback by some of the criticism West Mass received. "We wanted a little more input. We want to hear back."

In the weeks following the brand's unveiling, an online petition opposing it attracted nearly 1,500 signatures, and a West Mass promotional video posted to YouTube (embedded below) received negative responses by about a 10-to-1 margin.

The new survey doesn't mean that the the council and visitors bureau are abandoning West Mass, or even that they are considering doing so. The organizations spent $80,000 on the effort, money collected from member businesses. The visitors bureau receives state grant money as well.

Please take our survey and tell us your thoughts on a brand name for our region:... https://t.co/kJlHhw4JRh

-- Visit West Mass (@VisitWestMass) April 19, 2017

The survey is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWQJKXC.

Wydra said the University of Massachusetts hospitality program will help analyze results as they come in.

The short questionnaire asks participants if they prefer the marketing nickname West Mass or the longer Western Mass.

"Those are really the two things we kept hearing," Wydra said. "West Mass or Western Mass."

The survey also asks if the person taking the survey lives in Hampden, Hampshire or in Franklin county or elsewhere in the state, or even outside of Massachusetts.

"We want to be sensitive to the local market as well as the tourism markets, which are elsewhere," she said.

The survey also asks if people are affiliated with the visitors bureau or council and for some basic demographic info like education, marital and family status, gender and age.

Getting to the promotional purpose of the visitors bureau, the survey also asks what sources of information folks use to pick vacation destinations: word of mouth, past memories, newspapers, radio and so on.

And there is an open-ended question at the end that allows respondents to write in anything they like.

The council and visitors bureau were dissatisfied with the region's old nickname -- Pioneer Valley -- saying it conjures images of gingham dresses and covered wagons on a vast prairie.

Historically, the slogan Pioneer Valley dates only from the 1930s and was itself pushed by advertisers and by travel writers promoting motor tours of the region.

Wydra said West Mass is meant to be both a tourism and an economic development slogan. That means it was meant to attract both tourists and businesses.

"We wanted a brand that people could rally around," she said.

But West Mass seemed to engender a lot of criticism and outright hatred from those who thought it was too short, not descriptive enough, that it didn't account for Berkshire County. Others spoke of an attachment to the name Pioneer Valley.

Wydra said reaction was positive at the February launch of West Mass. But that was an event attended mostly by business people who are members of the council or visitors bureau and by government officials. Those folks may have been a little more knowledgeable about what the organizations were planning to accomplish with West Mass, she said.

She noted that a lot of the criticism seemed to take on a life of its own on social media.

The Connecticut Expansion would cut through the Otis State Forest in Sandisfield

U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey have asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revoke its recent order authorizing construction and tree-cutting for a natural gas pipeline through Berkshire County.

FERC last week granted Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas a "notice to proceed with tree clearing and construction" for its Connecticut Expansion, a 14-mile project in three states.

The project is controversial in part because it would cut a four-mile swath through the Otis State Forest.

The Democratic senators in an April 18 letter to acting FERC chairman Cheryl LaFleur said the commission should not be authorizing construction without a quorum.

The five-member commission, which among other duties regulates interstate natural gas pipelines, has been operating with two members since January, when former commissioner Norman Bay stepped down.

Tennessee won an overall FERC certificate for its Connecticut Expansion Project in March of 2016.

Warren and Markey in their letter said a group of citizens from Sandisfield requested a rehearing order concerning the 2016 certificate, but the hearing was never held. The citizens challenged the project's necessity as well as its impact upon ratepayers and the environment.

While the commission granted the rehearing request more than a year ago, it took no action, the senators wrote, "effectively silencing them before the commission and before the courts."

Markey and Warren ask FERC to rescind Atlantic Bridge authorization

The commission won't have a quorum until President Donald J. Trump names new members. The appointments must then be approved by the U.S. Senate.

"For FERC to allow last week's issuance of a notice to proceed with construction when it lacks a quorum and, therefore, cannot act on the rehearing request, is profoundly troubling," reads the letter from Warren and Markey. "If Tennessee Gas is allowed to proceed with tree clearing and construction there will be irreparable harm done to Otis State Forest, a natural treasure of Massachusetts."

LaFleur had previously informed the Massachusetts senators that FERC could not act upon the citizens' rehearing request without a quorum.

"If FERC cannot act on requests for rehearing because it is without a quorum, it should not allow FERC staff to authorize projects that are the subject of rehearing requests to go forward," wrote Warren and Markey.

Pipeline foes have waged an energetic legal and regulatory battle against the project. Tree clearing in the forest would constitute an "irreversable action," wrote Warren and Markey.

Kinder Morgan has agreed to pay $640,000 for its passage through the forest. The deal was negotiated by Attorney General Maura Healey and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs after Kinder Morgan prevailed in a landmark legal battle concerning federal preemption and Massachusetts conservation land.

A Kinder Morgan spokesman said last week the company is pleased FERC approved the Connecticut Expansion. "The project received a thorough and thoughtful review by state and federal agencies during the last two years," wrote Richard Wheatley.

Warren and Markey in February asked FERC to rescind authorization for the Atlantic Bridge, a Spectra Energy upgrade to the Algonquin pipeline system. In Massachusetts, that project would place a major compressor station in Weymouth.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The demolition of the former Weston toll plaza and reconstruction of the area's road is expected to cause some travel problems on the Massachusetts Turnpike later this week.

This story is part of ongoing MassLive coverage into the launch of all-electronic tolling on the Mass. Pike and the elimination of toll plazas.

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The demolition of the former Weston toll plaza and reconstruction of the area's road is expected to cause some traffic problems on the Massachusetts Turnpike later this week.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in a release that the eastbound and westbound area of I-90's Interchange 15 is expected to see an impact from the construction work.

"Those traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, use caution, and devote their full attention to the road ahead and the adjusted traffic patterns," MassDOT said in an advisory.

The work across the state is set to be complete by the end of this year.

Details from MassDOT are available below.

I-90 Westbound

Between 9 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, the travel lanes on I-90 westbound in this area will be shifted northerly to allow for pavement reconstruction operations. Appropriate traffic logistics and signage will be in place to guide drivers.

Traffic will be able to access the ramp from I-90 westbound onto I-95 throughout these activities.

For a two-hour period during these overnight hours, I-90 westbound will be reduced to one lane through the work zone in order to allow for paving operations.

I-90 Eastbound

Between 9 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, the on-ramp from Park Road to I-90 eastbound will be closed. Traffic looking to access I-90 at this location will be detoured to Route 30 and then the River Road on-ramp.

Between 11 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, the travel lanes on the ramp carrying traffic from I-95 to I-90 eastbound will be shifted to allow for construction operations. Appropriate traffic logistics and signage will be in place to guide drivers.

Between 11 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, I-90 eastbound will also be reduced from its current two lanes of travel to a single lane throughout the work zone.

It might take two years, but if you're not paying Mass. Pike tolls, state will catch up to you

Juan Gabriel Sanchez of 10 Gatehouse Road in Holyoke, Massachusetts is running against the incumbent for the Ward 1 City Council seat in the Nov. 7 election.

HOLYOKE -- Juan Gabriel Sanchez is challenging the incumbent for the Ward 1 City Council seat in the Nov. 7 election.

Name: Juan Gabriel Sanchez

Office running for: City Council, Ward 1

Age: 27

Address: 10 Gatehouse Road

Occupation: Liberty Mutual, Springfield, customer service representative

Why do you want to be on the City Council?

Holyoke is my hometown and Ive been doing work in this community since I was 11 years old. Throughout these years, I've had the pleasure of being involved in so many projects and political happenings in the city. It is through these lens that I've come to the realization that we are at a crucial time in our city's history and specifically Ward 1 and that we need a strong independent representative to help push equitable development, community development, public safety and workforce development. Ward 1 deserves a representative who has the time and energy to be responsive and reactive to the needs of residents and businesses, politics aside. I believe I am that representative and as I've gone out, it has become clearer.

What skills and experience would you bring to the City Council?

Over 15 years of community organizing in many different capacities has allowed me to build a large network and gain many a skills from board of directors work to grant writing. I also am well versed on the city charter and how the City Council works. I've been advocating at City Council meetings for free and not looking for recognition. The most important skill, in my opinion, is that I'm here to represent the residents and businesses of Ward 1, not any political figure head, administration, or anyone with aspirations. I know I am ready on day one to be the people's voice and to do the people's work.

Gladys Lebron-Martinez, the incumbent Ward 1 Councilor, is running for reelection.

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Votes approved a change in the 2015 election that will take affect with the 2017 races to reduce the City Council to 13 members from the current 15, eliminating two of the eight at large seats. The council also has seven ward seats.

Candidates for mayor must submit nomination papers with at least 250 registered voters' signatures while those for City Council and School Committee must file papers with at least 50 voters' signatures.

The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers with signatures of registered voters to be listed on the election ballot is Aug. 8.

A preliminary election will be held if necessary to narrow fields of candidates on Sept. 26.

The last day to register to vote in the preliminary election is Sept. 6.

The last day to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 18.

For more information call the city clerk's office at 413-322-5520.

PETA has challenged the Melha Shriners' recent announcement that they will reincorporate animals into their 2017 circus.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called out the Melha Shriners Wednesday, sending a letter to the Springfield organization in which they challenged the group's "morality" after it "reneged" on a previous pledge to leave animals out of their annual circus performances. 

Though live animals acts used to be a pivotal part of entertainment, circuses have come under fire in recent years for the way animals are allegedly mistreated for the sake of performances. 

Though the Melha Shriners announced last year that they would be getting rid of their animal acts to "keep up with modern times," they announced recently the animals would be back in 2017 due to financial losses from the previous year. 

"The first year we lost money was last year," said Al Zippen, chairman of the Melha Shrine Circus, in a interview with The Republican.  "We went in the hole."

PETA, which is one of the most well-known lobbies for animal rights, sent a letter to the Shriners organization on Wednesday, criticizing the recent move.  

"Reinstating animal acts in the hope of bringing in more money not only is misguided but also flies in the face of the Melha Shriners' mission to foster "the perpetuation of moral values," said John Di Leonardo, senior campaigner for PETA, in a letter to Raymond Turrini, potentate for the Melha Shrine. 

"There is nothing moral about how animals used in circuses are beaten and whipped to force them to perform and kept chained and caged in between shows," Leonardo said.   

The letter specifically calls out Georgina Donoho, one of the animal handlers in charge of providing "big cat" entertainment for the upcoming Shriner Circus. Donoho, according to Leonardo, "has been cited for failing to provide animals with a veterinarian-approved diet and for keeping lions and tigers inside enclosures so small that they couldn't even make "normal postural movements" or comfortably turn around."

"We urge you to recommit to being animal-free," concludes the PETA letter. 

Zippen said that he sympathizes with PETA's position, but says that the ultimate goal of the circus is to provide an entertaining experience for people of all ages.

"I'm not opposed to their thinking," Zippen said, referring to PETA. However, Zippen said that there are already necessary safety precautions in place to make sure that the animals that are used in the circus are not being mistreated.

Zippen said that the audience to the Shriner circus dropped precipitously last year after the animals were removed. "I love the circus, I love what it represents in this country," Zippen said. "Last year we had no animals, and our attendance went down," he said. "It was very clear from the comments from people that what they missed in the circus was the animals."  

In addition to Donoho's big cats, the 2017 Shriner circus is supposed to feature Neecha Braun and her Amazing Dobermans, The Hamid Elephants, and daredevil Johnny Rockett, as well as Human Cannonball Shawn Marren and The Flying Angels trapeze artists.

HOLYOKE - Route 5 in Holyoke is blocked after a two vehicle accident near Mount Tom, according to 22news.  Dispatchers with the Holyoke Police and Fire departments confirmed that there had been a crash on Route 5, and that their units had been sent to the site of the wreck.  Traffic is being diverted near the intersection of Northampton Street...

HOLYOKE - Route 5 in Holyoke is blocked after a two vehicle accident near Mount Tom, according to 22news. 

Dispatchers with the Holyoke Police and Fire departments confirmed that there had been a crash on Route 5, and that their units had been sent to the site of the wreck. 

Traffic is being diverted near the intersection of Northampton Street and George Street. 

Ambulances and emergency crew were on scene and the Jaws of Life were being used to free an occupant of one of the vehicles, according to Sgt. John Savigne of the Holyoke Police Department. 

No further information has been released at this time. 

This story will be updated when more information becomes available. 

Instead of including a link to homework, the email included a link to a video of an 18-year-old woman taking off her clothes for the camera.

Picasa 

"Is this philosophy or a sex ed class?"

The University of Connecticut is investigating allegations that a philosophy professor sending an assignment to students mistakenly included the link to a pornographic video, according to reports.

According to UConn student paper, The Daily Campus, the professor, Keith Simmons on Wednesday sent an philosophy assignment to students in his Philosophy 1102 class. The email advises the exercises in the assignment are difficult and students are were advised to start work "sooner rather than later."

Instead of including a link to the assignment, the email included a link to a porn site and a video of an 18-year-old woman taking off her clothes for the camera.

Although Simmons realized his mistake quickly and sent out another email telling students to ignore the first email that was "infected with a bad link," it was apparently too late.

One student posted a screen capture of the email and posted it on Facebook with the comment "Oh professor, is this philosophy or sex ed class?"

Someone else sent screen capture to Barstool Sports, and the satirical sports and entertainment site posted two separate articles on the mess up.

The Hartford Courant reported a statement from campus spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz saying "The university has been made aware of this matter and is in the process of reviewing it. It would be premature to draw any conclusions about what occurred until the university completes that review. We of course take the matter very seriously."