A hazardous material incident in a Malden medical office Friday afternoon has sent 15 people to area hospitals with nausea and respiratory distress.

Update, 4:30 p.m.: The number of people hospitalized is now 17, according to CBS Boston.

A hazardous material incident in a Malden medical office Friday afternoon has sent 15 people to area hospitals with nausea and respiratory distress.

Firefighters responded to Malden Family Health Center around 2:16 p.m. to find the facility evacuated and at least 15 people suffering from exposure to an unidentified hazardous substance, Malden Firefighter Michael Karigianis said an an interview.

BREAKING: Malden FD: 15 people taken to the hospital after chemical spill in healthcare facility. Victims report nausea respiratory distress pic.twitter.com/5ybOLpdHOa

-- Brad Tatum (@BradTatum) April 28, 2017

Firefighters quickly requested the aid of a hazardous materials team, which was still responding as of 3:15 p.m. and had not yet confirmed the nature of the substance.

Six patients were taken to Melrose Wakefield Hospital and six to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Kirigianis could not confirm the locations of the remaining patients.

"So far 15 patients have been transported," he said.

The City of Malden said on Twitter that the evacuation was due to a "strong chemical smell."

178 Savin St. evacuated due to strong chemical smell. Police and Fire evacuated the building, secured the area and called hazmat.

-- City of Malden (@TheCityofMalden) April 28, 2017

The renovated Union Station has a 27-bay, open-air bus terminal and a 377-space parking garage.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has signed a 75-year lease to move into Springfield's Union Station.

Union Station reopens in June as a multimodal transit hub following a $94 million soup-to-nuts rehabilitation decades in the making. Union Station will serve as the PVTA's Springfield hub and as its main ticketing and customer service facility.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, long a champion of the Union Station project, announced the pact Friday afternoon with retiring PVTA administrator Mary L. MacInnes. They were joined by Mayor Domenic Sarno.

The renovated Union Station has a 27-bay, open-air bus terminal and a 377-space parking garage.

PVTA carries about 12 million passengers a year. Its Springfield transit hub is at the Peter Pan bus station on Main Street.

The agency's administrative office is at 2808 Main St., and its Springfield customer service center is at 1341 Main St. The service center and most administrative offices will move to Union Station.

Also on Friday, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority opened the lone bid for intercity, long-distance bus service to and from Union Station. It was submitted by Springfield's Peter Pan Bus Lines.

Financial terms of its proposal were not made public as they must be reviewed Monday or Tuesday by a committee of Redevelopment Authority Board members, said Kevin Kennedy, Springfield's chief development officer.

Peter Pan has plans to redevelop its existing bus terminal at Main and Liberty streets, a facility it owns, after moving to Union Station about a block away.

Built in 1926 to replace an earlier, outmoded station, Union Station helped define central Springfield. From its construction until after World War II, rail travel thrived in this bustling district, with more than 130 passenger trains passing through daily. The station closed in 1973 except for a small area still used by Amtrak.

Amtrak will service Union Station as will commuter rail service now being developed by the state of Connecticut. Connecticut plans 12 trains a day to and from Springfield serving Hartford and New Haven, where it will connect with Metro North service to New York's Grand Central Terminal.

For Neal, Friday's announcement is just one more step toward his goal of bringing Union Station back to life.

"A lot of dominoes will fall as a result of PVTA's commitment," he said.

The Springfield Redevelopment Authority has already signed restaurants, a convenience store and rented office space in the building.

The PVTA will move in on June 25, MacInnes said. Routes have been resigned to come and go through Union Station, and schedules have been updated.

Seven hundred PVTA buses a day will pass through the transportation center.

"I fully believe that moving to Union Station will increase our ridership," she said. "Once you have a modern, clean, safe place to wait for the bus, more people will be encouraged to ride with us."

The PVTA will play $18,000 a month per each of its 18 bus berths at the new station plus $13.50 a month per square foot for its 4,100 square feet of office space, MacInnes said. That works out to $324,000 a month for berths and $55,350 a month for the office space. For a year, the total is $4.6 million.

All told, that's about $77,000 more a month than the PVTA is paying at the Peter Pan bus terminal. But the space is much smaller and not as modern.

The annual budget of the PVTA is $47.2 million.

The public is invited to the May 3 walk and to the evening celebration in Haydenville.

A ten-day walk across Massachusetts will pass through Northampton next week, and local advocates for children plan to join the event.

The "Walk for MA Children" kicked off April 27 in Boston, and 136 miles later, the walkers expect to arrive in Pittsfield. 

The walk is designed to shine light upon the needs of Massachusetts children, as well as to honor and connect the many agencies, non-profits, and individuals who are making a difference. The event is free of charge, but organizers are raising money for dozens of agencies, and those who wish are encouraged to donate.

On Wednesday, May 3, staff with the Cutchins Programs for Children and Families -- a social service agency at 78 Pomeroy Terrace -- will join the group, and host the section from Northampton to Goshen.

They are inviting people to walk all or part of the journey. Stops will include Look Park, the Village Green in Haydenville, Snow Farm in Williamsburg, and finally, the Goshen Library.

After the day of walking, an evening "celebration of children" is planned at the Haydenville Congregational Church, beginning at 6 p.m. Children's agencies will be on hand; the Spirit of the Hills Chorus will sing, and homemade desserts will be served.

The walk was founded four years ago by Westhampton residents Tim and Susan Crane. They wanted to highlight the work done for children in Massachusetts, and encourage people to volunteer and support agencies in their own backyards.

Some, like the Cranes, will walk the entire way. Others will walk just one day, or even part of a day.

A shuttle service will be provided between walk segments.

Cutchins runs New Directions, a residential special education school, as well as a children's clinic. Cutchins "transforms painful childhood, adolescent, and biological challenges into a lifetime of resilience and hope."

If you go:

What: Walk for MA Children, Northampton to Goshen portion
Where: Cutchins Programs, 78 Pomeroy Terrace, Northampton
When: The walk leaves at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3.
Information: email scranewalks@gmail.com or call (413) 265-8217

MassDOT has announced a temporary closure for I-91 south in Springfield, beginning Monday evening.

SPRINGFIELD - MassDOT has announced that it will close I-91 South at Temporary Exit 7-6 in Springfield on Monday so that a state contractor can perform barrier work.

The closure will take place from 10:00 PM on Monday until 5:00 AM on Tuesday. 

For travelers who need it, MassDOT has announced that signs will be put in place to direct drivers through the following detour: 

For travelers who need to continue to I-91 South: Take Temporary Exit 7-6 and merge onto West Columbus Avenue. Continue south onto East Columbus Avenue through the rail underpass. Bear right onto West Columbus Avenue behind the I-91 North Garage. Continue onto Hall of Fame Avenue. After passing Union Street, use the left lane to merge onto the on-ramp to I-91 South.

For travelers who need to head to downtown destinations: Take Temporary Exit 7-6 and merge onto West Columbus Avenue. Follow the normal detour signage to destinations in the downtown area.

Sammy Lozada, 38, Jose Espada, 36, and Madeline Garcia, 34, all of Holyoke, pleaded not guilty to murder, armed home invasion and assault and battery during a brief appearance in Holyoke District Court.

HOLYOKE -- Three suspects charged in a fatal home invasion in Holyoke early Friday have been ordered held without right to bail following their arraignment on murder charges.

Sammy Lozada, 38, Jose Espada, 36, and Madeline Garcia, 34, all of Holyoke, pleaded not guilty to murder, armed home invasion and assault and battery during a brief appearance Friday afternoon in Holyoke District Court.

"Love you," a woman called out as the suspects were led from the courtroom.

About a dozen family members and supporters waited two hours for arraignment, which was delayed as court officials searched for defense lawyers certified to handle murder cases.

No new information was disclosed during the hearing, and the victim has not been publicly identified.

A police officer on patrol near Maple and Cabot streets around 2:30 a.m. heard screaming from the vicinity of 372 Maple St. While responding, he saw a man with a knife running from the apartment building.

The suspect was detained and police found a man suffering from an apparent knife wound to his chest inside 392 Maple St. Police provided first aid until the victim was transported by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center, where he died.

Two other suspects were arrested later, said James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

The three defendants went to the victim's place to retrieve a piece of property and allegedly kicked in the door, according to Leydon, who said Holyoke police and state troopers assigned to the DA's office are investigating the killing.

The stabbing death represents the city's second homicide of the year. In February, Adam Rei of Springfield died following an assault. Three brothers were arrested and charged in that case.

Reporter George Graham contributed to this story.

Chief Kenneth Kovitch retired from the force this week.

WARE -- Selectmen are expected to appoint an acting police chief at Tuesday's meeting.

Chief Kenneth Kovitch retired from the force this week.

Selectmen are the appointing authority for the Ware Police Department.

In a memorandum to the board, Town Manager Stuart Beckley wrote: "With the April 28th retirement of Chief Kovitch and the likelihood it will be six weeks or so until the Board is able to hire a permanent chief, I would like to suggest that the Board appoint an acting Police Chief for the interim time. Sergeant (Shawn) Crevier is the senior officer in the department and has filled that role in the past."

The May 2 selectmen's meeting at Town Hall, 126 Main St., begins at 7 p.m.

In his report to selectmen, Beckley noted there will be a retirement party for Kovitch on May 6. The festivities will be at Teresa's Restaurant at 315 Palmer Road (Route 32), with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner, including prime rib, at 6:30 p.m. Contact the police department for ticket information, 967-3571.

Sixteen teams from Delaware to Ontario, Canada, will compete in the junior and adult divisions for the Amelia Cup Championship Trophy.

WESTFIELD -- It might be warm outside, but the Amelia Park Ice Arena will be the venue for cool competitive hockey during the 19th annual New England Invitational Sled Hockey Tournament this weekend. 

Sixteen teams from Delaware to Ontario, Canada, will compete in the junior and adult divisions for the Amelia Cup Championship Trophy. 

Contests in four divisions -- senior, intermediate, junior and recreational -- are scheduled on Friday till 11:20 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. Championship contests Sunday start at 7 a.m. and run to 2:20 p.m.

Official opening ceremonies will be held at noon on Saturday. 

This is the 15th year Amelia Park Arena has hosted the event. Students from the nearby South Middle School filled the stands on Friday to cheer on their adopted team in the tourney. 

Ware Selectman Tracy Opalinski said in an interview that the only portion of the 61.2 acres that should be allowed for commercial solar is atop the former landfill.

WARE -- The town has received 10 proposals from firms interested in constructing a solar farm on public land [pdf] located off Robbins Road that borders Ware River for nearly a mile.

Selectmen in August authorized Town Manager Stuart Beckley to request proposals, which was executed earlier this year. The deadline to submit a proposal is May 12.

At the August meeting, Beckley told the board to "expect, just on the lease ... it's probably worth annually $50,000 to $60,000 to the town."

The request for proposals (RFP), issued in March, lists two parcels totaling 61.2 acres on which applicants can bid.

That land was purchased via eminent domain for $96,000 by selectmen on behalf of the town of Ware from the Charlotte Banas estate on June 24, 1997, documents filed with Hampshire County Registry of Deeds show.

The acreage included "approximately 20 acres" where the municipality had operated a garbage landfill, and the eminent domain action was justified "for municipal purposes including closing of said landfill," the registry records show.

The balance of the town's purchase, which at the time was estimated at a total of 65 acres, included land south of the waste dump that was farmland.

The now-closed landfill was capped and seeded over with grass.

The town's RFP discusses leasing 15 acres, or about a fourth of that public land, for a prospective commercial solar project, using 11 of those acres for the actual facility.

A map appended to the RFP shows the total acreage but does not delineate exactly where the 15-acre footprint would be.

"We leave it to the developers to determine the use and environmental constraints on the whole site," Beckley said in an email statement on Friday.

The RFP outlines an the annual tax payment of $12,000 per megawatt.

The RFP does not specify a megawatt size, leaving it to any bidder to respond with an amount.

Ware Selectwoman Tracy Opalinski said in an interview that the only portion of the 61.2 acres that should be allowed for commercial solar is atop the landfill and that the farmland should be protected and be publicly accessible.

"It would be sinful" for the town to deny public access to the remaining 40 acres that run along the river, she said.

"This is a beautiful vista, with direct access to the water," Opalinski said. "It could be a beautiful park."

A father and son were recognized with an award after turning over a large sum of money they found to police.

ARLINGTON - After finding a bag containing over $2,000 on the street in Arlington, Massachusetts, a local six-year-old boy and his father turned the money over to law enforcement. Now the father and son are being honored by police for having exhibited "good citizenship."

Jasper Dopman, a first grader at Thompson Elementary School in Arlington, and his father, Erik, were walking on Medford street on Tuesday when they spotted a cloth bag lying on the ground. After investigating, the two discovered they had found a bank bag containing thousands of dollars in deposit slips and cash. Erik contacted the Arlington Police Department and turned over the money.

Police quickly discovered that an employee with Tenoch Mexican Food Corporation--a company with restaurants in Boston, Somerville, and Medford--had lost the bag, and police returned the money to its owners. 

As a result of turning the money in, the father and son were invited to the Arlington Police Department on Wednesday, where they were awarded the "Outstanding Citizenship" awards by police. Jasper and Erik also got to meet with Alvaro Sandoval, the owner of Tenoch Mexican Food Corp. 

"This situation shows the very definition of good citizenship. Jasper and his dad, Erik, demonstrated what it means to be part of a community by returning missing money to its rightful owner, and Erik imparted an extremely valuable lesson on his son," Chief Ryan. 

"It is hard to imagine the panic and fear that sets in when someone loses a large amount of money for their employer. Jasper and Erik did the right thing, and I commend their actions in returning the missing money."

Paper City Brewery at 108 Cabot St. in Holyoke, Massachusetts has ceased production in a stoppage that could be temporary as co-owner Jay Hebert said on Friday, April 28, 2017 he is seeking investors.

Updated at 9:33 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017 with Jay Hebert, Paper City Brewery owner, saying production stopped at the end of 2016 and he hoped business would resume this year.

HOLYOKE -- Paper City Brewery at 108 Cabot St. has ceased brewing in a stoppage that could be temporary as the owner said Friday he is seeking investors.

"We are not in production at the moment, my brother has retired from the business and I'm looking for other investors to redevelop the brewery and property," said an email from co-owner Jay Hebert in response to questions from The Republican.

Hebert added in an email later, "Stopped at the end of 2016. I'm hoping something will resume this year."

Hebert was unavailable for further comment.

Earlier Friday, a city official said the brewery had closed and the owner was selling the building.

"It's my understanding that they're closing and selling the building. They must have been in tight financial constraints for a while, they've accumulated quite a large tax debt," said Marcos A. Marrero, director of the city Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Marrero confirmed talk spreading in the micro-brew community about Paper City Brewery such as this post by Mass. Brew Bros. dated Wednesday:

"One of the Bay State's oldest breweries, Holyoke's Paper City Brewing, has ceased production and closed its doors, possibly for good. No word yet on when, or even if the longtime brewer, which debuted back in 1996, plans to re-open. Co-owner Jon Hebert is reportedly ready to retire after some 20-plus years in the brewing business and has had the historic 5-story building which houses the brewery on the market for a year now. Built in 1890, and also home to the once prominent Winter Palace Theater, the building at 108 Cabot Street hasn't yet attracted any takers."

Since the mid-1990's, Paper City Brewery Paper has operated out of one of the Paper City's fabled former mill buildings, making as of 2014 about 15 kinds of beer. Beers with names such as Paper City Pilsner, Grimm Double Negative, Ireland Parish, Dam Ale and Fogbuster Coffee House Ale were brewered at the five-story, red-brick structure built in 1890 and overlooking the canals.

"Our first beer came out in November 1996," Jay Hebert said in an April 2014 interview.

Signs of trouble for Paper City Brewery had surfaced. The exact amount of taxes owed at 108 Cabot St. as of close of business Friday was unavailable from the city treasurer's office. But Pioneer Valley Trucking Inc., the owner of 108 Cabot St., was listed as one of the top tax delinquents in the city in September in a list issued by the city treasurer's office, owing $240,096 and marked as "awaiting foreclosure." But an updated list in January from the office of Treasurer Sandra A. Smith appears to show that the amount owed by Pioneer Valley Trucking had dropped to $4,342.

Top 100 property tax delinquents owe Holyoke $7 million

This post was added to the Paper City Brewery Facebook page on Wednesday:

"If interested in becoming an investor at winter palace theater/paper city brewery/ Rollie's soda leave a message and we will see what we can come up with."

A commenter's question beneath that post on Facebook about whether open houses were still happening was followed by this: "Jay Hebert Not at the present time."

Also, Hebert was featured in a 2014 episode of the History Channel's American Pickers" show when show stars Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz visited the brewery' overlooking the canals and bought five of his antique motorcycles for $62,000.

Most of the money from the sale of the collectible bikes was reinvested in the company to buy new beer-brewing tanks, Hebert said at the time.

Paper City Brewery at that point in 2014 employed six people, consisting of Hebert, Jon Hebert, his brother and co-owner, and four others, he said.

The Heberts bought seven new 700-gallon, stainless-steel tanks that would let them almost double their output, said Hebert, who also said he fixed a roof on a building he owns with the "American Pickers" money.

Wolfe bought a 1939 Indian 4-cylinder and a circa-1938 Indian Chief "rat bike," which Hebert said he so-named because it had parts from models of different eras.

Fritz bought a 1932 Harley-Davidson, a 1959 Harley K model and a 1947 Indian Chief with sidecar, he said.

City records show that 108 Cabot St. and the less than half-acre it sits on have an assessed value of $174,600.

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Twenty-year-old Springfield resident Joseph LaBelle knew firsthand what it is to be out of options when he became part of the program a year ago.

SPRINGFIELD - The YouthBuild Springfield program at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, one of 11 in the state, is aimed at helping at-risk teens and young adults become better skilled at accomplishing goals and improving employment opportunities.

Elizabeth G. Dineen, the former Hampden County assistant district attorney who now heads the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, calls YouthBuild Springfield graduate Joseph LaBelle "an amazing success story" and one that she hopes will "inspire others to enroll here."Anne-Gerard Flynn photo 

Twenty-year-old Springfield resident Joseph LaBelle knew firsthand what it is to be out of options when he became part of the program a year ago. His youthful history included several arrests, educational failures and the "difficult" knowledge of his mother's overdose on heroin and cocaine.

"I spent many years going in and out of schools until I finally quit and opened a moving company with a friend. This worked well until winter hit, and we had nothing. I was stuck with doing nothing or finding a place to go," said LaBelle whose family lived in Texas and then Florida before returning to the commonwealth when he was an adolescent.

"A couple of YouthBuild students the year before me were good friends of mine and told me to do it. They had some of the same issues as me. They couldn't make it through school. They couldn't keep along. Just issue after issue. They came here and they flew."

During the last 12 months, LaBelle has gotten his high school equivalency diploma, job training for construction work and earned the respect of the staff who taught him.

"Just being told I was allowed to come was an uplifter. I felt coming here would open doors, that I could get my life back," said LaBelle, who was recently hired full-time by an area golf course to help with facilities management.

Anne-Gerard Flynn photo 

"I got out of bed everyday and had something to look forward to. I passed my HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) and got my HBI (Home Builders Institute pre-apprenticeship certification). It gave me future goals."

LaBelle credits the YouthBuild staff, in particular construction manager and classroom construction trainer Charles 'Chuck' Dustin, with teaching him how life can be broken down into small, achievable steps, and how thinking ahead can avert unintended consequences.

"They talked to me. What I needed was somebody I could go to and talk to," said LaBelle of staff that helped him face fears and set goals.

Jenniefer Davis, director of Workforce Development, says young people like to hear the experiences of YouthBuild participants.Anne-Gerard Flynn photo 

"I would have something eating at me and say I don't know what to do and by the end of the conversation, I would be smiling somehow."

When asked how he was encouraged to take responsibility, LaBelle quoted Dustin's approach to "look at it this way."

"He would take the whole situation and flip it. He would be, 'What if you looked at it like this, or move around it like this type of way.' He would give me ideas on how to manipulate a situation in a positive manner. This has gotten me through a lot," said LaBelle, interviewed the day before his graduation ceremony from YouthBuild on April 27.

He added that Dustin "always told me to have another goal once you accomplish a goal and don't make them big goals, but small goals that get bigger and bigger."

"He said, 'You have a truck sitting in your driveway, get it running good. You have another vehicle that your grandmother is willing to give you, OK. You want to get you HiSET, OK. Got your HiSET, and you want your HBI, OK. Let's go out back (to the construction shop),'" LaBelle said.

"I got my HBI and that turned into an internship. My goal for the whole year was to get a job, and just today I got a job."

Hearing that his former student will be working 40-hours-a-week beginning May 1, Dustin told LaBelle he was "very proud."

"You can learn and prosper now," said Dustin, adding LaBelle showed effort from the start.

"When he came, the effort showed slightly at first but it was there and he wanted more. I could see that in Joe. He just had to know that was possible and we were here to help him," Dustin said.

"Joe has learned everything I taught him and has dug deeper into things. He has wanted to know why, how is this done but why is this done in construction. It has been a real pleasure working with Joe. He shares well with other students."

Elizabeth G. Dineen, the former Hampden County assistant district attorney who now heads the YWCA, calls LaBelle "an amazing success story" and one that she hopes will "inspire others to enroll here."

"YouthBuild gives people a chance to finish their high school education, get their GED and learn a number of construction skills and become successful in life," Dineen said.

She noted that LaBelle scored the highest of any participant in YouthBuild Springfield's 12-year history on his five High School Equivalency Tests, formerly known as "general education development."

Jenniefer Davis, director of Workforce Development, welcomes the fact LaBelle has already been doing recruitment outreach for YouthBuild Springfield and plans to continue that involvement.

"When they hear from a young person how the program has impacted their lives, they are riveted," said Davis of recruiting new participants.

"Joe understands the power of the program and working on yourself."

LaBelle said he enjoyed both the academic as well as the job training aspects of YouthBuild. In doing his pre-apprenticeship certificate training, he studied aspects of carpentry, plumbing and masonry.

"The training would break things down like, in plumbing, we would learn to take apart a sink or, in masonry, brick laying. In carpentry, we would learn rough framing. It was a little bit of everything all in one," LaBelle said.

"In academics, we could start with science or history, have a 10-minute break, and go back to science or history, and then have our lunch break after which we would do writing or literature. We would do part of a chapter on our own and the other part would be an assessment that we would do all together. It is a good system. "

LaBelle said his progress has helped keep him in a "positive" relationship in his personal life, and that his desire "to stay on track" has prompted the end of some other relationships. He said he could not help one former friend understand that where the friend is now "is a good place and that he can go further."

"I need people in my life who will not hold me back. If they don't want to go to school, do what is right for them, stay out of trouble, I can't be around them," LaBelle said.

He added the professionalism of his YouthBuild teachers, including education instructor Jennie Mills and construction classroom trainer and master plumber Al Towne, has helped him mature and accept that "you can't always get what you want, but you have got to do what is right."

"I want to take advantage of whatever comes across me in my life," LaBelle said.

"Of course everyone runs into bumps in life. They are bound to happen, but I can see myself running into bumps in the future and not having as much stress and struggle as I did in the past."

A black bear was spotted hanging around a bus stop in Monson on Friday morning.

MONSON - A bus stop in Monson received a visitor unaccustomed to public transit on Friday: a large black bear. 

Officers with the Monson Police Department responded to State Avenue at approximately 8:15 a.m. Friday morning, where the animal was found rummaging around. 

Police helped to make sure that the bear moved away from the public area. The animal walked onto the property of the former Monson Developmental Center, located at 175 State Avenue, where it "disappeared into the woods," said a dispatcher with the Monson Police Department. 

"There was never any immediate danger to the public, but we were concerned because the bus stop was there," said the dispatcher.  

The sighting Friday is only the most recent in a rash of bear sightings across western Massachusetts--including ones this week in Chicopee and Springfield.

Why all the sightings? 

Black bears come out of hibernation as the weather warms. Weather this winter--particularly in the northeast and in Massachusetts--has been unusually warm, and temperatures have been high.  

Other reasons bear sightings are more prevalent in western regions of the commonwealth has to do with habitat. Black bears are more common in the western and central parts of Massachusetts, according to the state Energy and Environmental Affairs website.

The other reason a bear may be hanging around is perhaps the most obvious: good eating. Bears are often attracted to various areas because of a perceived food source--such as a bird feeder or a garbage can. "Once a bear finds a food source in a neighborhood, they will revisit that same location over and over again," the site says. 

What's the solution if the bear won't leave your back yard alone? 

"Take a close look at your yard for potential bear food sources such as bird feeders, pet food, dirty barbeque grills, open compost, or trash and REMOVE those food sources IMMEDIATELY," the site says. 

Have no fear, though. While you should never approach a bear, black bears aren't generally interested in humans as a food source. Their diet consists largely of grasses, insects, berries, and roots. 

A late-night fire forced a family of four from their home Friday, as fire gutted a second-floor bedroom. The occupants of the home did not realize the second floor was on fire until passersby came banging on their door.

CHICOPEE— Four people were forced out of their Memorial Drive home late Friday night when fire gutted at least one bedroom and caused extensive damage to the second floor.

Chicopee Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross said firefighters received a 911 call at about 11:20 and responded to 752 Memorial Drive. He said the first units arriving at the scene saw heavy fire showing on the second floor and began an attack. He said the actual fire was knocked down quickly.

All four members of the occupying family were on the first floor when the fire was discovered. They were not aware of the flames shooting out a second-floor window until passersby started banging on their doors to alert them. All four were able to escape the home with no injuries.

Cross said the bulk of the fire damage was contained to the second floor.

Firefighters working inside the burning house located the family's gray cat. While thoroughly soaked, the feline appeared otherwise OK.

A technician from the Chicopee Electric Light Department responded to the scene to cut power to the house as a safety precaution.

Cross said three trucks and 12 firefighters responded to the blaze.

Smoke can be seen coming from a second floor window as firefighters battles a house fire on Memorial Drive Friday night. The fire caused heavy damage to the second floor. Four people were forced out. Dave Canton, Republican 

A 19-year-old city man, who was shot in Springfield's Bay neighborhood Thursday, has died from his injuries, police confirmed Saturday. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- A 19-year-old city man, who was shot in Springfield's Bay neighborhood Thursday, has died from his injuries, police confirmed Saturday. 

The man, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced dead around 6 p.m. Friday, according to Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney.

The victim was in critical condition after being shot once near the intersection of Bay and Edgewood Streets around 6:45 p.m. Thursday, police reported.

He was taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

19-year-old victim in critical condition after shooting near Bay Street in Springfield, police say

Springfield Police's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the shooting. No information has been given on how or why the incident occurred, or whether police have any suspects in the shooting.  

Wally, a 26-year-old American alligator that was removed from a West Springfield backyard, has died, according to officials with the Zoo in Forest Park.

SPRINGFIELD -- Wally, a 26-year-old American alligator that was removed from a West Springfield backyard, has died, according to officials with the Zoo in Forest Park.

The zoo, which took over care of the alligator in August 2016, announced the animal's passing in a Friday post on Facebook. It did not specify a cause of death.

Police and zoo staff seized the six-foot, 180-pound alligator from an enclosure in the yard of home located at 660 Main St. last summer. 

The alligator had reportedly lived at the home for more than two-decades. 

Zoo officials said the alligator had required rehabilitation "from years without veterinary care and a diet specific to his needs."

"Our sympathies to his previous owners - while exotic animals should not be kept as house pets, we sympathize with the loss of Wally," officials said in a statement. "Thelma, Wally's roommate at the Zoo, will miss basking in the sun with him on warm days."

Zoo officials told the Republican in August 2016 that the alligator had been well taken care of by his previous owner, but had a slight eye infection and was "a bit overfed." Wally's teeth, they added, also appeared to be unusually low.

Wally the West Springfield alligator adjusting to new home at Forest Park zoo, officials say

Firefighters are on scene at a reported structure fire on West Street, according to officials with the Granby Fire Department.

GRANBY -- Firefighters are on scene at a reported structure fire on West Street, according to officials with the Granby Fire Department. 

Emergency crews responded to reports of a structure fire at a single family home located at 187 West St. just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday. 

Firefighters remained on scene as of 11 a.m., officials reported. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

A 14-year-old girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries after she was reportedly struck by a tractor trailer in downtown Cheshire.

CHESHIRE, CONN. -- A 14-year-old girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries after she was reportedly struck by a tractor trailer in downtown Cheshire.

The girl, who was not identified, was hit at the crosswalk near the intersection of West Main and Main Streets just before 3:30 p.m. Friday, police told the Record-Journal. She was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The truck was reportedly traveling east on West Main Street and turning right onto Main Street when its rear tires struck the teenager's leg, according to the newspaper. 

The driver is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. 

Kinder Morgan's Connecticut Expansion pipeline is slated to cross the conservation land.

SANDISFIELD -- Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. could start cutting trees for its Connecticut Expansion Project any day, and protesters at the Otis State Forest in Berkshire County say they plan to keep watch.

Massachusetts State Police and private security guards are blocking access roads to the forest around the clock, and the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the conservation land, has posted signs threatening trespassers with arrest or fines.

"Area closed to public access," the signs read. "This area is subject to a temporary construction easement."

Nonetheless, around 70 members of the Sugar Shack Alliance gathered at Lower Spectacle Pond Friday to voice opposition to the natural gas pipeline project.

The group walked along Cold Spring Road carrying signs and and singing songs. Their messaging targeted pipelines, the destruction of forest land, and fossil fuel development in general.

Ashfield selectman Ron Coler spoke to the crowd and addressed the law enforcement in attendance.

"Go down the street and arrest Kinder Morgan and its contractors for trespassing on constitutionally-protected conservation land," he said. "They are crossing my property and your property."

Coler said he would put his body between the contractors "and the destruction of our forest."

Tennessee, a subsidiary of the Texas-based Kinder Morgan, won its overall federal certificate for the project in 2016. On April 12, it gained federal authorization to cut trees and build its 14-mile natural gas pipeline in three states.

Judge rules for Kinder Morgan in Berkshire County pipeline case

Tennessee is now tying up final details with the Sandisfield Conservation Commission, and has already begun erosion control work.

Seventeen acres will be cut, crossing cold water streams and other water resources. A million gallons of water will be drawn from Spectacle Pond to hydrostatically test the pipeline, according to federal documents.

The Sugar Shack Alliance says it is "determined to keep up our opposition on the ground, in courts, and in the media."

"We need to protect our forests, not build pipelines through them," said Susan Theberge of Cummington. "We are facing climate chaos."

Days earlier, members formed a large circle "to recommit to non-violence, civil disobedience, and peaceful resistance to fossil fuels, regardless of the any security presence," said Abby Ferla, an alliance spokeswoman.

Sugar Shack, first formed to fight the now-defunct Northeast Energy Direct pipeline, has expanded its mission "to resist all expansion of the fossil fuel industry," and tends to deploy creative and theatrical tactics.

Alliance members, most of whom are from Western Massachusetts, are trained in non-violent civil disobedience, and pledge to adhere to a code of conduct, said Ferla. The group does not endorse violence or property destruction.

"Anyone who acts outside of these conditions is not endorsed or part of Sugar Shack," added Cate Woolner, a trainer with the group.

The alliance previously contacted police to keep channels of communication open, said Ferla. "They are aware of our plans, and are prepared for possible civil disobedience," she said.

The inter-generational group is bound by its concern for climate change and reverence for the natural world, its members say.

"I still abide by the apparently quaint notion that conservation land is actually conserved in perpetuity and not just unless and until we find some profitable or expedient reason to destroy it," wrote Bob Barba of Ashfield.

The pipeline would cross Massachusetts to serve three natural gas utilities in Connecticut.

In recent days, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey in writing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The three Massachusetts Democrats assert that FERC was not authorized to issue the tree cutting order, in part because the commission has been operating without a quorum since January.

A leading anti-pipeline strategist said Saturday that even if the trees are cut, it's not necessarily the end of the story. "There are still a number of unresolved issues," said Kathryn Eiseman of the Massachusetts Pipeline Awareness Network.

Eiseman, known for working behind the scenes, did not take part in Friday's protest.

Kinder Morgan issues statement regarding protests

Kinder Morgan issued the following statement Friday regarding protests at the Otis State Forest:

A 40-year-old Danbury man was killed in a late Friday wrong-way crash on Interstate 84, Connecticut State Police said Saturday.

DANBURY, CONN. -- A 40-year-old Danbury man was killed in a late Friday wrong-way crash on Interstate 84, Connecticut State Police said Saturday. 

Marcos Ramon Chillogalli was reportedly traveling east in the westbound lanes of the highway around 10:45 p.m. when he struck a westbound vehicle near Exit 3, according to the Hartford Courant. 

Chillogalli died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, the newspaper reported. Julio Mafort, a Danbury resident who was driving the other vehicle, was transported to Danbury Hospital with serious injuries.

Both drivers appeared to have been wearing their seatbelts, according to the Courant.

Connecticut State Police are asking anyone with information related to the crash to contact the department at  203-267-2200 ext. 4306.