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Chad Reidy, late husband of Jo Ringer and suspect in her disappearance, served federal prison time for selling LSD

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Charles Reidy, the late husband of Jo Ringer and the chief suspect in her disappearance, served federal prison time on a drug charge before he moved to Massachusetts.

Charles "Chad" Reidy, the late husband of Jo Ringer and the sole suspect in her disappearance, served federal prison time on a drug charge before he moved to Massachusetts, according to court records reviewed by MassLive.

Reidy died in a suspected suicide on April 7 after multiple rounds of questioning by police, and as Ringer's friends and family continued to ask for help in finding their missing loved one.

On Friday, Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless announced that Ringer's case was being considered a homicide, and that Reidy was the chief suspect from the start of the investigation. 

Reidy's ex girlfriend Laura Reilly was also arraigned today on obstruction of justice charges, and police reports from that arrest say that Reidy lied about his location the day of Ringer's disappearance and that he allegedly abandoned his wife's car in Easthampton to mislead investigators.

It was not the first time that Reidy has faced criminal scrutiny.

16 years ago, he was convicted of distributing LSD in Tennessee and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, court records show.

On April 2 2000, agents with the Knoxville, Tenn. office of the Drug Enforcement Agency had an alleged LSD dealer in custody. But the man turned confidential informant, and gave the feds a bigger fish -- his supplier, Reidy.

The informant told the agents that he had obtained about 8,300 tablets of acid from Reidy over the previous four months, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville.

The DEA set up a sting. The informant called Reidy, saying he was going to deliver $6,500 owed for the drugs, and that he wanted to buy another 1,000 doses. They set up a meeting in the parking lot of a TGI Fridays.

Agents set up surveillance, and arrested Reidy after he entered the informant's vehicle, the complaint said. Reidy waived his Miranda rights and allowed the DEA to search his home.

"DEA Agents traveled to Reidy's residence where the consent search was executed and found approximately 2,000 dosage units of LSD and approximately two pounds of marijuana and a small indoor marijuana growing operation," DEA Special Agent Stephen Ribolla wrote in the complaint.

Reidy was indicted by a grand jury and charged with counts of drug conspiracy and LSD distribution. In January 2001, Reidy entered a guilty plea on a count of possession to distribute LSD and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with five years of probation after his release.

Exactly how long he spent in federal prison is not clear from the court filings. But by July 2009 he had been released, and his probation was transferred that month to U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.

In 2012, Reidy violated the terms of his probation by committing a crime, using controlled substances and alcohol and failing to truthfully answer probation inquiries. He was sentenced to another 8 months in prison.

Reidy also had an earlier criminal history when he lived in Colorado. In 1995 he pleaded guilty to a charge of marijuana possession, and in 1996 he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of third degree assault, according to a search of Colorado court filings.

Lauren Slome contributed reporting from Knoxville, Tenn.


Obituaries from The Republican, April 21, 2017

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View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Attorney and mother of Aaron Hernandez victim Odin Lloyd say New England Patriots should pay $6M to victims' families

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The New England Patriots should voluntarily pay victims' families $6 million, says the attorney representing Ursula Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd, who was killed by Aaron Hernandez in 2013.

The New England Patriots should voluntarily pay victims' families $6 million, says the attorney representing Ursula Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd, who was killed by Aaron Hernandez in 2013.

The attorney, Doug Sheff, urged the Patriots to release that money in a press conference with Ward on Friday, two days after Hernandez killed himself while serving life in prison for Lloyd's murder.

"We want to issue a very friendly challenge to the New England Patriots. The best team in the NFL," Sheff said at the press conference, which was streamed live. "We want to provide the Patriots the opportunity to become something more, not just champions of football, but to become champions of justice."

Ward is pursuing a wrongful death case for her son against Hernandez's estate.

Hernandez was convicted of killing Lloyd in 2015. He was serving a term of life in prison without the chance of parole at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility in Shirley. He was found hanging from a bedsheet at 3:05 a.m. Wednesday and his death has been determined to be a suicide.

Because Hernandez died before he could complete an appeal of his conviction, that ruling could be vacated. That is part of a legal doctrine in Massachusetts called abatement ab initio.

That could lead to a payout of up to $6 million from the Patriots regarding the team's contract with Hernandez, Sheff said. Hernandez's contract with the Patriots was severed after his arrest.

Sheff said they intend to make a claim for that money if that payout happens. They would seek money and other assets like his house.

"We urge the New England Patriots to work with the players' association to voluntarily make these payments, of little consequence to the team, of tremendous assistance to these struggling, deserving families who are hurting, like Ursula's."

"That would be the best thing to do," he continued. "That would be the right thing to do. And that would make the Patriots Ursula Ward's champion."

Standing next to Sheff, Ward remembered her son, who at one time was friends with Hernandez.

Even if she wins her civil case, "there's no amount of money in the world that can get Odin back," Ward said.

 

Chicopee police arrest Boston shooting suspect, 2nd man on warrants

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A second man was in the apartment and police found he had warrants for his arrest from Boston, Roxbury and Virginia.

CHICOPEE - Police on Friday arrested one man wanted on a high-risk warrant, accusing him of a shooting in Boston, and a second man wanted in Virginia and Boston for a variety of crimes.

After receiving information from the Boston Police Department that a suspect wanted in a shooting may have been hiding at 597 Chicopee St., Chicopee officers from the patrol division, the narcotics bureau and detective bureau, with officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, went to the home at about 9 a.m., said Michael Wilk, Chicopee Police public information officer.

"Officers were able to take that suspect into custody ... without incident," he said.

During the raid they also found a second man in the apartment who had Boston warrants for his arrest charging him with a variety of offenses including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He also had an extraditable warrant for his arrest out of Richmond, Virginia, Wilk said.

Police arrested Jonathan Whigham, 29, of 8 Barry Park, Dorchester, on a warrant charging him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and other firearms charges, Wilk said.

Tyquan Harris, 26, who is homeless, was arrested on warrants from Roxbury and Boston courts for possession of a Class B drug, threat to commit a crime, assault and battery with dangerous weapon and other charges, as well as the Virginia warrant, Wilk said.

The two were arraigned in Chicopee District Court after their arrest, Wilk said.

South end bridge reopens in Springfield

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The South End bridge in Springfield has been reopened after being closed earlier in the day on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD - All lanes have been reopened on the South End bridge in Springfield, after a closure earlier in the day due to a broken sign pole, according to Massachusetts State Police. 

The bridge was closed earlier Friday after a pole supporting the overhead sign gantry snapped and was leaning on a utility light pole, causing a public safety hazard. 

The bridge closure caused delays for those traveling on Route 5 and 57. 

MassDOT crews were present Friday, working to fix the sign.

The northbound lane was reopened around 2:30 p.m., but the southbound lane was blocked for significantly longer, and traffic headed from Agawam to Springfield were stuck with more delays than travelers headed north. 

 

Climate march for 'jobs and justice' to take place in Springfield, Saturday, April 29th

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A climate march will take place in Springfield on April 29 to call attention to the need for action to fight global climate change.

SPRINGFIELD - A march for "Climate, Jobs, and Justice" will take place in Springfield on Saturday, April 29, and will celebrate local efforts to mitigate the effects of global climate change.

The march, which is being sponsored by the local Springfield Climate Justice Coalition and Climate Action Now, will also support a call for further action by local leaders and officials to "reduce pollution, improve public health, and create jobs." 

The march is being called a "sister march" to the much larger "People's Climate Movement" march being held in Washington D.C., on the same day--which hopes to call attention to a need for federal action to mitigate the effects of global climate change. 

"We are proud of the work being done locally to improve public health and reduce pollution," said Michaelann Bewsee from the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, in a statement regarding the march. "But there is still more work to be done, and in the wake of this deeply concerning national political atmosphere, we want to bring people together to celebrate the local work, push forward statewide change and demand accountability from the local, state, and  federal government," Bewsee said.

The march is being co-sponsored by more than 30 other western Massachusetts community, activist, and labor organizations. 

People wishing to participate in the march should appear at the Federal Courthouse on State Street in Springfield at 3:00 p.m. The march is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM. Marchers will make their way to Springfield City Hall, where a rally will be held.

Homicide Victims Remembrance ceremony to be held in Springfield on Thursday, April 27

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The Homicide Victims Remembrance ceremony will be held in Springfield on Thursday,

SPRINGFIELD - The annual Homicide Victims Remembrance ceremony will be held in Springfield next Thursday at the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Gardens.

The ceremony, entitled "Standing Together," is hosted by the Family Advocacy Center's Homicide Bereavement Program, and is meant to commemorate the lives of those who have been lost to both homicide and vehicular homicide.

It will involve a reading of the names of those whose lives have been lost, as well as discussion from the family members of victims.

The event will also feature an art display where family members can write down a memory about the person they've lost, as well as a soothing musical performance by the Putnam Vocational Technical High School Choir.

The services provided by the Homicide Bereavement Program are free to anyone in western Massachusetts who has been affected by either a homicide or vehicular homicide.

The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 26. 

Wilbraham PD looking for information regarding break-in and burglary at local skating rink

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Wilbraham police are searching for information regarding a break-in at a local skating rink.

WILBRAHAM - The Wilbraham Police Department is seeking information regarding a break-in and burglary that occurred at Interskate-91, a popular local skating rink. 

Police were called to the local business, located at 2043 Boston Road, at approximately 1 a.m. Friday morning, after its commercial burglar alarm sounded.

After arriving at the scene, police noticed that both of the venue's front doors had been smashed in. Inside, police discovered that an ATM had been forcibly entered and that all of the money in it had been stolen. 

Police are asking for tips from the public regarding any vehicles that may have been seen in the area between 12:45 a.m. and 1 a.m.

Anyone who believes they may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Sgt. Jeffrey Rudinski or Detective Chris Arventos at 413-596-3837.

 

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren brings populist message to Mount Holyoke College

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Warren said America can again become a land of opportunity, but it's going to take a fight.

SOUTH HADLEY -- Progressive leader Elizabeth Warren said America can once again become a land of opportunity for ordinary people, but that it's going to take a fight.

The Democratic U.S. Senator delivered her message of left-wing populism to an enthusiastic sold-out crowd at Mount Holyoke College Friday night. Warren's latest book, "This Fight is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America's Middle Class," was released earlier this week.

From 1935 to 1980, America "invested in opportunity" and created a stable middle class, but in recent decades, most resources have gone to the top ten percent, she said. Since then, spending on education, infrastructure, and research have plummeted in favor of an economy that "works for the millionaires and billionaires."

As for President Donald Trump, he has "delivered one gut punch after another to working families across this country."

Warren told stories from her book ("Mike," a man with early-onset Alzheimer's who asked her to fight for medical research; "Gina" a Walmart worker who despairs of her economic future) and said what happens in Washington matters to real people.

Warren said Alzheimer's presents "a perfect example" of the need for more research funding in the federal budget. In 2016, Americans "spent $236 billion on Alzheimer's care," but the National Institutes of Health spent only a tiny portion of that on scientists trying to understand and cure the disease.

"By 2050, Alzheimer's spending alone could bankrupt Medicare," said Warren. She said Trump's budget cuts for basic medical research will end up costing more in the long run.

Women's rights "are not up for grabs," Warren said.

She told of attending the women's march in Boston, and witnessing a massive crowd, including "women wearing pussy hats, men pushing strollers," and a child riding on her father's shoulders with a sign saying "I fight like a girl."

Warren was introduced Friday night by Mount Holyoke College acting president Sonya Stevens, who compared Warren with Frances Perkins, an alumna who served as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933-1945. Perkins helped craft and implement many of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" policies.

Warren and Perkins share "something of the fighting spirit," said Stevens.

Democrats, now the minority party with a Republican president and GOP majorities in the House and Senate, will need that spirit if they hope to turn things around in the 2018 mid-term elections.

Kirsten Hughes, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said in an email Friday that Warren's book tour won't help her prospects outside of the liberal left.

"Sen. Warren's stock is sinking fast in Massachusetts, but it will take more than a book tour of liberal enclaves to reverse her rising negatives. From the typical DC tactic of asking for another term but refusing to commit to serving it out; to her vote against more funding to fight the opioid crisis, she's dug herself a deep hole. More appearances in front of friendly audiences won't solve her problems with regular voters," said Hughes.

Warren said she is not launching a 2020 presidential bid, but will run to retain her Senate seat in 2018. She said she plans to do so with "optimism, hope, and fiery determination."

Lawyer says client picked up on 12th lewd conduct charge stuffed tube sock in his pants 'to look sexy'

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As the accused sat at McDonald's, the sock became uncomfortable, causing him to periodically adjust it in his pants, according to his lawyer.

This story has been updated to reflect the defendant's correct bail conditions.

SPRINGFIELD -- It was late Thursday and Vix A. Bodziak was returning from a Springfield strip club with a rolled up tube sock stuffed in his pants.

Just before midnight, he walked into a McDonald's restaurant in West Springfield, where he took a table and began masturbating in front of three teenage girls sitting across from him, according to a police report.

boz.JPGVix A. Bodziak 

When the girls called 911, Bodziak was arrested -- and not for the first time. Since 1972, he has been charged 11 times with indecent exposure or lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct, with the most recent case ending two months ago with a guilty plea, the arrest report said.

In that case, he was sentenced to 18 months probation after admitting to masturbating in front of two women outside of a Springfield club in July 2016. A tube sock stuffed with paper towels and knotted at the end was discovered in Bodziak's pants following his arrest, court records show.

On Friday, Bodziak, 70, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court to a new charge of lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct, and was released on the $1,000 cash bail he posted at West Springfield police headquarters following his arrest.

Defense lawyer Jeremy Bamford said his client went to a Springfield strip Thursday night with a tube sock stuffed in his pants "to look sexy."

Later, as he sat at McDonald's, the sock became uncomfortable, causing him to periodically adjust it in his pants, according to Bamford, who said his client denied masturbating in the restaurant.

While Bodziak does have an extensive criminal record, most of the charges date to the 1970s and 1980s. Before the two recent arrests, Bodziak had avoided legal trouble for 30 years, Bamford said.

In statements to police, the girls said they were sitting in a booth at McDonald's around 11:40 p.m. when they noticed a man at a nearby table holding a newspaper in front of his face. The man sat there for several minutes, without ordering food or lowering the newspaper, the girls said.

"He began pleasuring himself and we picked up our food very quickly and left," one girl said. "I was disgusted by this," she added.

When police arrived, they questioned Bodziak and found six open bottles of hand lotion in his car. At headquarters, he removed a white tube sock stuffed with napkins and tied off in a knot from the front of his pants. "The sock was photographed and the pictures were tagged as evidence," the report said.

Bodziak is due back in court on May 19 on the new charge.

Under release conditions imposed by Judge John Payne, he must remain drug and alcohol free and report to the probation department twice a week.

The new arrest also triggered a probation violation notice in the 2016 case. A violation hearing will be held in the next few week.

Kidnapping was really a 'lovers' quarrel,' Springfield defense lawyer claims

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The alleged victim "was pushing for more than (the defendant) was willing to offer," defense lawyer Tasha Marshall said, adding the allegations are "all lies."

SPRINGFIELD - Two Springfield men are being held on $5,000 bail after allegedly luring a gay man to a home in Forest Park and then kidnapping and attempting to rob him.

Anthony Brimage, 21, and Daquan Harris, 22, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Springfield District Court to kidnapping, assault and battery, threatening to commit a crime and unarmed robbery. Warrants were issued when the men failed to show up for arraignment in March; both were arrested last weekend.

Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski requested that both men be held on $5,000 bail, citing the details of the alleged kidnapping and each defendant's criminal history.

The charges were filed after a 46-year-old Milford, Connecticut, man told police he connected with Harris using the gay dating app Grindr and agreed to meet in Springfield on Dec. 22, according to Szafranski and a police report filed in court.

After arriving at a home on Fern Street, the victim was ordered down into the cellar and confronted by two men. Both dropped their pants and indicated he should perform oral sex on them and pay them, the report said.

When he refused, he was assaulted and forced to drive with Harris to an ATM to withdraw money; on the way, he jumped out of the car and called for help, causing Harris to abandon the vehicle and take off running, the report said.

Brimage's lawyer said the charges stemmed from a soured relationship between her client and the alleged victim.

"It was a lovers' quarrel," attorney Tasha Marshall said, adding the two men first met in August.

The alleged victim "was pushing for more than (Brimage) was willing to offer," Marshall said, adding the allegations are "all lies."

Brimage wanted to turn himself in on April 14, but thought the court was closed due to the Easter holiday, Marshall said.

Defense lawyer Stephanie Woods, representing Harris, said her client played no role in the alleged kidnapping and attempted robbery.

"He has no idea who the alleged victim is," she added.

Judge William Boyle granted the prosecutor's bail request and ordered both defendants held for bail violations in earlier cases, effectively jailing them for 90 days.

Both men are due back in court for pretrial hearings next month.

Chicopee School Committee to change kindergarten eligibility date

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In 2018 children will have to have turned 5 before Sept. 1 to enter kindergarten.

CHICOPEE - The School Committee voted to change the eligibility date for kindergarten children after hearing the plan had the unanimous support of every kindergarten teacher and elementary school principal in the district.

Currently children must turn 5 before Oct. 1 to be eligible for kindergarten. The change, which will not be implemented until 2018, will require children to turn 5 before Sept. 1 to enter kindergarten.

After some debate the School Committee voted 8-3 to change the eligibility date.

The vote came after a proposal to delay the decision for another month was rejected in an 8-3 vote. That request, made by member Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello, came after several parents complained they were blindsided by the proposal even though it had been reported on several times.

"I would like to delay this until the May 17 meeting to give parents more time. The parents are our stakeholders," she said.

Others disagreed, questioning what further steps could be taken to inform parents of young children.

Nearly every nearby school district cuts off the eligibility date for kindergarten at Sept. 1 and some have cutoff dates in August and even June. The issue has come up occasionally, most notably four or five years ago, but there was little interest in changing it then, said Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr.

This year School Committee member Donald J. Lamothe proposed the change after he was approached by several kindergarten teachers who said they often have problems with the children who were born in September and are not ready to learn yet.

"This recommendation was made by every kindergarten teacher and principal in the district," Rege said. "It is costing us money as a district because we are referring many young children to special education."

The results show majority do not need special services, they are just not ready for the classroom yet, he said.

It is difficult when there are one or two children who are just too immature for the classroom setting and are not ready to learn. They can be disruptive to the about 20 children in the class who are ready, Rege said.

One grandparent, speaking on behalf of her children, attended the School Committee meeting to protest the plan. She said one of her grandchildren is advanced academically and would be bored if forced to attend preschool for another year.

She asked that the School Committee consider instituting a readiness test that would allow children to enter kindergarten at a younger age if they can show they are prepared.

But Rege said the School Department policy is to never waive the eligibility requirement, even for a child who misses it by one day, because teachers would then have to do it for all parents who request a waiver.

"We are trying to do the best based on the experiences of the teachers," School Committee member Sandra Peret said.

Rege also reminded School Committee that kindergarten is far more difficult academically that is was in the past. There is less playtime and children have to be ready to sit, listen and learn.

"I think the level of maturity is important for children entering kindergarten," member Michael J. Pise said.

TV trivia night hosted by Chicopee Senior Center

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A band will play the theme song from different television shows and the audience will be asked to answer questions about the show.

CHICOPEE - People can test their TV show trivia talents in an event that will feature music from various past show themes.

The event will feature David Neill and the Premiere Swing Band. The band will perform 30-second bits from various television theme songs and the audience will then be asked to name the show, the actors and answer other questions about the show.

The event will be held at 6 p.m., May 9 at the Council on Aging's RiverMills Center, 5 West Main St. A $2 donation will be requested at the door and all proceeds will go to benefit the RiverMills Center building fund. The trivia night was initially planned for March, but was rescheduled.

The program is supported by the Friends of Chicopee Senior Citizens, Inc., and a grant from the Chicopee Cultural Council. People are asked to register for the event by calling the center at 534-3698 or by stopping at the RiverMills Center.

Photos: Johnny's Mud Runs presents Mud, Gears, & Cheer in Enfield

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Johnny's Roadside Market Garden kicked off its family-friendly Mud, Cheers & Gears event on Saturday, with a bill jam-packed with mug bogging, truck jumping and high-power tug of war.

ENFIELD, Conn. -- Johnny's Roadside Market Garden kicked off its family-friendly Mud, Cheers & Gears event on Saturday, with a bill jam-packed with mug bogging, truck jumping and high-power tug of war. 

Johnny's has two mud pits for trucks of varying tire size and a Power Wheels race for children. 


The event continues until 8 p.m. Saturday. 

Admission is $15 per person, $25 per truck and driver. Children 10 and under are free. 

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page here.

March for Science: Scientists around the world take to streets to defend research

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Coinciding with Earth Day, scientists worldwide left their labs to take to the streets Saturday along with students and research advocates in pushing back against what they say are mounting attacks on science.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Scientists worldwide left their labs to take to the streets Saturday along with students and research advocates in pushing back against what they say are mounting attacks on science.

The March for Science, coinciding with Earth Day, was set for more than 500 cities, anchored in Washington and to be joined by dozens of nonpartisan scientific professional societies in a turnout intended to combine political and how-to science demonstrations.

Marchers in Geneva carried signs that said, "Science -- A Candle in the Dark" and "Science is the Answer." In Berlin, several thousand people participated in a march from the one of the city's universities to the Brandenburg Gate landmark. "We need to make more of our decision based on facts again and less on emotions," said Meike Weltin, a doctorate student at an environmental institute near the capital.

In London, physicists, astronomers, biologists and celebrities gathered for a march past the city's most celebrated research institutions. Supporters carried signs showing images of a double helix and chemical symbols.

Science March in LondonScientists protest in Parliament Square, central London, during the March for Science, Saturday, April 22, 2017. (Jack Hardy/PA via AP) 

The protest was putting scientists, who generally shy away from advocacy and whose work depends on objective experimentation, into a more public position.

Organizers portrayed the march as political but not partisan, promoting the understanding of science as well as defending it from various attacks, including proposed U.S. government budget cuts under President Donald Trump, such as a 20 percent slice of the National Institute of Health.

Signs and banners readied for the Washington rally reflected anger, humor and obscure scientific references, such as a 7-year-old's "No Taxation Without Taxonomy." Taxonomy is the science of classifying animals, plants and other organisms.

The sign that 9-year-old Sam Klimas held was red, handmade and personal: "Science saved my life." He had a form of brain cancer and has been healthy for eight years now. His mother, grandmother and brother traveled with him from Parkersburg, West Virginia. "I have to do everything I can to oppose the policies of this administration," said his grandmother, Susan Sharp.

Scientists involved in the march said they were anxious about political and public rejection of established science such as climate change and the safety of vaccine immunizations.

"Scientists find it appalling that evidence has been crowded out by ideological assertions," said Rush Holt, a former physicist and Democratic congressman who runs the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "It is not just about Donald Trump, but there is also no question that marchers are saying 'when the shoe fits."

Judy Twigg, a public health professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, was aiming one of her signs at the president. The sign showed the periodic table of chemical elements and said: "You're out of your element Donny (Trump)." For Twigg, who was wearing a T-shirt that said "Science is not a liberal conspiracy," research is a matter of life and death on issues such as polio and child mortality.

Despite saying the march was not partisan, Holt acknowledged it was only dreamed up at the Women's March on Washington, a day after Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

"It's not about the current administration. The truth is we should have been marching for science 30 years ago, 20 years, 10 years ago," said co-organizer and public health researcher Caroline Weinberg. "The current (political) situation took us from kind of ignoring science to blatantly attacking it. And that seems to be galvanizing people in a way it never has before. ... It's just sort of relentless attacks on science."

"The scientific method was developed to be nonpartisan and objective," Weinberg said. "It should be embraced by both parties."

Christine McEntee, executive director of the American Geophysical Union, a global professional organization of earth and space scientists, cited concerns by scientists and threats to research as a result of elections in the U.S. and other countries.

Threats to science are heightened in Turkey and elsewhere in Europe, said McEntee, who planned to march with geophysical scientists in Vienna, Austria.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who exposed the dangerous lead levels in the drinking water and children's blood in Flint, Michigan, planned to march in Washington and speak to the crowd.

"It's risky, but that's when we make advancements when we take risks ... for our heart rates to go up, to be a little anxious and scared and uncomfortable," she said before the event.


31st Annual West Springfield Fishing Derby aims to teach kids to love fishing

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When Richard Sullivan and Dick Shields cosponsored the first West Springfield Fishing Derby 31 years ago, they did it because they loved fishing and wanted to teach local kids to love it, too. Thirty-one years later, kids are still finding that love.

WEST SPRINGFIELD— With Matthew Beaton, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, on hand to kick off the 31st Annual West Springfield Fishing Derby at 7:30 on Saturday morning, a hundred or so of kids cast their lines into the Upper Reservoir hoping to catch something, anything. They are kids and they really don't care what they catch so long as they catch something - soon.

West Springfield Parks and Recreation Director, Victoria Connor said just as they did 31 years ago, both Sullivan Paper and Donut Dip still sponsor the derby. Richard Sullivan and Dick Shields came up with the idea and put their money into it.

"Both of them were avid fishermen," Connor said. "They wanted to have a place right here in West Springfield where kids could learn to love fishing like they did."

Both companies continue to be the foundation of the derby, but Dick's Sporting Goods has added its weight to the sponsorship, providing fishing related products and supplies for the continuous raffle that goes on all morning long.

This morning broke gray, cold and rainy, requisite fishing derby weather. But the kids seemed game to take advantage of the special tank-load of Brown and Brook trout supplied by Beaton and his Department of Fish and Game. About 150 trout in the 9 to 12-inch range were stocked into the pond the day before the derby to give the kids the special fight that trout, and especially Browns and Brookies, put up when hooked.

There are several different ways to win in the derby. Special prizes were awarded for the first fish of the day, the longest trout, the shortest trout and the last fish caught before the 11 a.m. deadline.

For moms and dads, it was a chance to spend some quality time with their young ones over Power Bait and little styrofoam containers of night crawlers. Thankfully, the Donut Dip truck was on hand, well stocked with hot chocolate and coffee to ward off the chill. Better to stay attentive for when that moment happens and some unlucky fish - hope it's a trout - pulls the bobber under, and your child is dumbstruck that he or she actually caught a fish. You will, of course, have them hold it up so you can take a picture, and that photo will grace the family album for decades, your beaming, proud child and a forlorn little fish, forever linked by that one fateful moment. Makes you wonder where those pictures of little Dickie Shields and Rich Sullivan are.

2 killed in overnight crashes in Ludlow, Palmer

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Separate accidents in the early morning hours on Saturday left two people dead: a woman in Ludlow and a man in Palmer.

Separate accidents in the early morning hours on Saturday left two people dead: a woman who crashed into a tree stump in Ludlow, and a man whose vehicle burst into flames after crashing into a Mass Pike overpass in Palmer. 

Ludlow Police Sgt. Daniel Valadas said a white 2015 Chevy Cruze veered off West Street near the intersection with Brook Street at around 2:30 a.m.

The car slammed head-on into a large tree stump. Valadas said several people called 911 to report a "loud crash."

First responders found the driver unconscious. She was taken by Advanced Life Support ambulance to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where she later died of her injuries.

Her identity has not been released. No one else was in the car.

The Hampden County District Attorney's Office is investigating.

In Palmer, police are investigating a fiery crash on Boston Road/Route 67 that burned the driver beyond recognition.

Lt. Christopher Burns said the vehicle hit an abutment of a Mass Pike overpass at around 3 a.m.

When police and firefighters arrived, the car was fully engulfed in flames. The driver was the only occupant.

The state Medical Examiner's Office has taken custody of the remains for identification.

Dave Canton contributed reporting.

American Airlines investigates after passenger with baby left in tears

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"We have seen the video and have already started an investigation to obtain the facts," American Airlines spokesperson Leslie Scott said in an email to The Washington Post. "What we see on this video does not reflect our values or how we care for our customers."

American Airlines said it is investigating an incident in which a male flight attendant reportedly upset a female passenger to the point of tears, then later was recorded getting into a heated confrontation with a male passenger who tried to come to the woman's defense.

"We have seen the video and have already started an investigation to obtain the facts," American Airlines spokesperson Leslie Scott said in an email to The Washington Post. "What we see on this video does not reflect our values or how we care for our customers."

The incident was captured on video by another passenger, Surain Adyanthaya, who uploaded the video to Facebook late Friday afternoon. The airline confirmed the incident took place Friday on American Airlines Flight 591, from San Francisco to Dallas-Ft. Worth.

"OMG! AA Flight attendant violently took a stroller from a lady with her baby on my flight, hitting her and just missing the baby," Adyanthaya wrote on Facebook. "Then he tried to fight a passenger who stood up for her."

The video does not depict the stroller incident that Adyanthaya described, but it does show a female passenger standing at the front of the plane, sobbing uncontrollably as she holds a baby in a pink outfit. Beside her, a pilot stands mostly silent.

"You can't use violence with baby," the female passenger says, through tears, toward the plane door where some passengers can still be seen boarding. "Just give me back my stroller, please."

At first, the male flight attendant in question does not appear in the frame. In the meantime, a male passenger seated near the front of the plane can be heard getting flustered.

"No, I'm not going to sit here and watch this stuff. . ." the male passenger says. He then gets out of his seat and demands to know the male flight attendant's name.

As this takes place, other passengers can be heard discussing in low voices what they just witnessed.

Moments later, the male flight attendant returns to the plane.

"Hey, bud," the male passenger who had gotten out of his seat earlier calls out, while pointing at the male flight attendant. "You do that to me and I'll knock you flat."

"Hey, you stay out of this!" the flight attendant yells back, pointing his finger back at the male passenger.

The flight attendant takes a step forward and the male passengers leaps into the aisle. The passenger with the baby can be seen ducking out of the way, shielding her baby's head. As their argument escalates, it appears as if the confrontation could get physical.

"Hit me," the flight attendant urges, motioning with his hands. "Come on, hit me."

"Tony, sit down," a woman can be heard calling out to the male passenger.

"You don't know what the story is!" the flight attendant says to the passenger.

"I don't care what the story is," the male passenger replies. "You almost hurt a baby."

American Airlines said the male flight attendant in the video had been suspended from flying while the investigation takes place.

"The actions of our team member captured here do not appear to reflect patience or empathy, two values necessary for customer care," Scott, the airline spokeswoman, said in a statement. "In short, we are disappointed by these actions. The American team member has been removed from duty while we immediately investigate this incident."

Scott said the female passenger and her children ended up choosing to take another flight and were upgraded to first class for the remainder of their international trip.

"We are deeply sorry for the pain we have caused this passenger and her family and to any other customers affected by the incident," the airline said in a statement. "We are making sure all of her family's needs are being met while she is in our care."

(c) 2017 The Washington Post. Amy B. Wang wrote this story.

West Springfield marks Earth Day with fair on Town Common

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Families had a chance to learn about the Bear Hole Reservoir, a 1,700-acre wilderness area in town, join the West Springfield Garden Club, and even buy a bicycle.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Nature lovers, gardeners and educators gathered Saturday morning on the Town Common for the annual Earth Day Fair sponsored by the West Springfield Environmental Committee.

Families had a chance to learn about the Bear Hole Watershed, a 1,700-acre wilderness area in town, join the West Springfield Garden Club, and buy a bicycle or a book.

Dietrich Schlobohm, a retired Springfield College professor, represented the environmental committee at a booth displaying gems found at the Bear Hole Watershed and Mittineague Park. The committee sponsors nature lectures and guided outdoor tours for children in local schools.

"The kids are the legacy. Who's going to carry on raising public consciousness about the importance of the environment and biodiversity?" said Schlobohm, while handing out pamphlets about recyclable materials.

The committee is also seeking a conservation restriction to protect Bear Hole from development.

Colorado Ski & Bike Shop sold bicycles at the fair, while Home Depot offered free home repair estimates and a band played in the gazebo.

West Springfield native Melissa Eaton offered locally made, all natural soaps, salves, oils and bug spray at her Simply Natural Soaps & Sundries booth. She said her products are made with "safer ingredients" than the ones found in retail stores.

"I even have shiitake mushrooms that I cut off my logs this morning," said Eaton.

The West Springfield Garden Club signed up new members and collected donations for a memorial to their founder, Howard Fife, who died last week at 97.

Fife started the club in 1963. Fife Lane, a small street near Mittieneague Park, is named in his honor.

The club beautifies areas all over town, including the Municipal Office Building and Storrowton Village, offers scholarships and works with small children to show them the joys of gardening.

Dues are $10 per year.

"If you're willing to get down on your hands and knees, and put your hands in the dirt? You're not looking at a very pretentious group of people," said member Kate Parrow with a laugh. "For me, it's a soul saver."

Saturday's fair offered a book sale, SNAP benefit information, and a look at the town's electric car, originally purchased for the water meter reader but now used as a Town Hall carpool vehicle.

At 2017 New England Cannabis Convention, the growing 'professionalization' of a marijuana industry is on display (photos)

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On a rainy Saturday, hundreds of people packed the Hynes Convention Center for the third annual New England Cannabis Convention, months after Massachusetts voters broadly legalized marijuana for recreational use.

There were fewer tables with rows upon rows of glass pipes, apparently replaced by booths with high-end technology that takes a pound of dried marijuana and extracts oil concentrate in 20 minutes.

Fewer t-shirts, more blazers.

On a rainy Saturday, hundreds of people packed the Hynes Convention Center for the third annual New England Cannabis Convention, months after Massachusetts voters broadly legalized marijuana for recreational use.

Attendees were not allowed to smoke or vape inside the center: Signs were posted outside the entrances and inside vestibules as reminders. The convention's main focus wasn't on smoking anyway, and centered instead on growing, cultivating and protecting the substance that remains illegal at the federal level.

One vendor touted a $1,995 machine that promised to vacuum-seal your stash, at a rate of 360 packages per hour. Another, Arch Solar of Portland, Maine, showed off a tiny model of the "Grow-Box," an hybrid indoor-outdoor greenhouse that seeks to take advantage of natural light in a bid to offer savings on energy costs. CannaCloud, based in Stoneham, Mass., seeks to become the "Keurig" of the marijuana world through a vaporizing system based on little pods.

But the industry still has a ways to go. The marijuana plants many vendors used to help model their indoor growing lights were plastic. The vacuum sealing machine's demo had broccoli inside instead of cannabis.

And inside the convention hall, people by and large declined to stop and chat with reporters. One man, who said he is an engineer, asked that his name not be used as he relayed how he's scouting out the technology on display for his wife. She's looking to start a grow facility in Massachusetts, he said.

Mass. law enforcement reminds residents on 4/20 that driving high is illegal

Looking around the floor of the Hynes Center, he remarked that the scene appeared closer to an electronics convention or a medical conference than a gathering of marijuana enthusiasts.

Marijuana is legal in eight states, including the entire West Coast, Massachusetts, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, and Maine. Legalization activists are hoping pass bills in six states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont in 2017 and 2018.

Medical marijuana is legal in more than half the country, including Massachusetts.

Nic Easley, CEO of Comprehensive Cannabis Consulting, offered attendees at the convention a rosy future for marijuana. "There will be fields in Iowa" full of marijuana where there was grain, he said.

"Start thinking about it as an agricultural commodity," he said.

Steve Flaks, vice president of sales at BioTrackTHC, a seed-to-sale software company, said he expects a "whole new wave" of people to get into the industry over the next few years, leading to a "professionalization" of the business.

"There's a big shift coming," he said during a panel on the marijuana industry.

That shift will extend to politics, activists say.

Here's what could change about the new Mass. marijuana law

Kamani Jefferson, president of the nonprofit Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, said he previously didn't care about politics.

But now he's interested in keeping tabs on Massachusetts lawmakers who may change the law voters endorsed in November and the 2018 race for governor, since the executive branch will play a role in implementation of the law.

Gov. Charlie Baker opposed the ballot question that legalized marijuana, as did most elected officials across Massachusetts. They warning that it would bring a massive industry harmful to children, and as many pot shops as there are Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts stores.

"This industry's all politics," Jefferson said. "I care because I care about marijuana."

Massachusetts in 'no man's land' on legal marijuana, Gov. Charlie Baker says

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