Employees of a Springfield veterinary clinic treated 12 to 14 dogs infected with the virus, which can be fatal.

CHICOPEE - After treating more than a dozen cases of parvo, a highly contagious disease that can be fatal to dogs, a Springfield animal clinic has scheduled an emergency vaccination clinic in the trailer park where the animals are believed to have been infected.

"It is spreading and 12 to 14 cases is a lot for a very tight area like that," said Sheryl Blancato, executive director of Second Chance Animal Shelter.

The organization runs the Community Veterinary Clinic in Springfield and started seeing a large number of dogs infected with the virus in the clinic. After investigating, staff found most of the dog owners lived in Chicopee, she said.

"It seemed to be coming from one particular area and that is why we decided to run the clinic," she said.

Clinic employees have reported the outbreak to the state Department of Agriculture, as is required, but no one is certain how many dogs may have been infected or died from the parvovirus outbreak since people rarely report their dog has died, she said.

The outbreak seems to be centered around a trailer park at 1246 Granby Road, which is between Cadieux Avenue and Montgomery Street. The Veterinary Clinic will visit the complex at 2 p.m. Thursday to give emergency vaccinations to the pets of all residents in the hopes of keeping the animals healthy and preventing further spread of the disease.

Veterinary clinic workers expect to inoculate as many as 50 dogs, she said.

In a few weeks, employees plan to follow up with a second vaccination clinic that will be open for all Chicopee dog owners, Blancato said.

The Community Veterinary Clinic, 501 Belmont Ave., Springfield, also holds walk-in hours from 9-11 a.m. on Mondays so anyone who has an unvaccinated dog can visit. The cost of the vaccinations is $12, she said.

While the parvovirus is highly contagious and often fatal, it is also easy to prevent with the vaccine, Blancato said.

Puppies, which are most vulnerable to the virus, need a series of three vaccines that are given three to four weeks apart. After that a booster vaccination is given every three years, she said.

For animals that receive regular veterinary care, the parvovirus vaccination is part of the distemper shot, she said.

Parvo attacks the intestinal tract and causes lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. In young dogs the virus can damage the heart muscle.

One of the reasons parvo, which is mainly spread through feces, is passed around so quickly is the virus can live for a long time. Even for dogs that rarely leave private yards, an owner can step in feces and track it to their dog. An infected dog can also continue to shed the virus for weeks after it is cured, Blancato said.

Outbreaks are common especially in urban areas where people and their pets are living closely together. "We see it in Springfield a lot," she said.

The Bay State collected $2.863 billion in taxes in April, which was $241 million, or 7.8 percent, below what state officials budgeted for.

BOSTON -- With state tax revenues coming in lower than expected in April, Massachusetts government officials are "carefully reviewing all options to maintain the Commonwealth's fiscal stability," Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore said Wednesday.

Tax revenues had already been coming in behind projections for the current fiscal year, which ends in June. April is considered the most important month for state tax revenues, because of how tax payments are structured and when money is expected to come in.

According to the Department of Revenue, the state collected $2.863 billion in taxes in April, which was $241 million, or 7.8 percent, below what the state budgeted for.

For the entire fiscal year, the state so far has collected $462 million, or 2.2 percent, less than anticipated.

"These results make it unlikely that the Commonwealth will meet its FY17 revenue target," said Revenue Commissioner Michael Heffernan.

Income and sales tax collections both trailed projections in April, while business taxes came in higher than expected. The April numbers may be boosted slightly once the state finishes processing paper returns, which were delayed due to new anti-fraud measures, a new filing system, and late submissions of paper returns.

Lepore attributed the low revenues to part of "a long recovery period of modest revenue growth" that the entire country is experiencing. "While we are seeing positive revenue growth for the year (1.1%), it is not the level of growth that economists projected or upon which we based our budget assumptions," Lepore said in a statement.

When Gov. Charlie Baker and state lawmakers developed the fiscal 2017 budget, they assumed revenue would grow by 4.3 percent, based on testimony from multiple economists. State officials have since revised those estimates to 3.1 percent, but revenue continues to trail the lower estimates.

Baker already made mid-year budget cuts in December, but those types of cuts are harder to make late in the fiscal year when agencies have already spent much of their budgets.

The Legislature is currently developing the fiscal 2018 state budget, and Heffernan warned that lawmakers may have to revise revenue projections for next year as well.

Lepore said the administration will work with lawmakers "to reform government spending and maximize taxpayer dollars."

Baker, in his budget proposal, suggested making changes that would lower cash welfare benefits for many recipients. House lawmakers rejected that proposal in their version of the budget. Baker for the second time proposed capping sick leave accruals by state workers, a policy lawmakers declined to adopt last year.

Baker also recommended assessing a new fee on businesses that do not offer their employees adequate health insurance and collecting additional taxes from some online retailers.

The Finance Subcommittee will meet with city department heads on May 16, 22, and 24.

EASTHAMPTON --The mere words "municipal budget" are enough to put some people to sleep. However, taxpayers do have a legitimate interest in knowing how their public funds are being spent.

To that end, the City Council's Finance Subcommittee plans three upcoming budget meetings. One by one, department heads will appear before the committee and explain how they plan to spend their money in fiscal 2017.

The subcommittee has set its annual meetings for May 16, 22, and 24. Police Chief Robert Alberti, Fire Chief David Mottor, Superintendent of Schools Nancy Follansbee and others will make presentations and answer questions.

Easthampton Mayor releases $40.3 million 2018 budget

Each department head previously presented Mayor Karen Cadieux with their budget requests. Cadieux sliced some items, consolidated various functions, and last month released a $40.3 million municipal budget proposal that adds five positions to the schools.

The Finance Subcommittee does not have the power to add money to the budget -- it can only recommend cuts.

Nevertheless, finance chairman Daniel Rist on Wednesday encouraged all members of the City Council to attend for educational purposes. The City Council will vote on the budget in June. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings, which present an opportunity to listen and learn, Rist said. All meetings are at the 50 Payson Ave. Muncipal Building.

The schedule, announced by Rist at Wednesday's City Council meeting, is as follows:

Tuesday, May 16, 5:30 p.m.: School Department, Employee Benefits, Human Services, Debt and Interest

Monday, May 22, 5:30 p.m.: Public Safety, General Government, Community Preservation Act

Wednesday, May 24, 5:30 p.m.: Public Works, Culture and Recreation, Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds

Springfield's Arson and Bomb Squad is investigating a "suspicious fire" that occurred on Tyler Street on Wednesday night.

SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad are conducting their second arson investigation in one day, following a "suspicious" fire in the city's Old Hill neighborhood on Wednesday night. 

Firefighters were called to 38 Tyler Street at approximately 8:10 p.m., after reports came in for a structure fire at the address, Dennis Leger, spokesman for the Springfield Fire Department. 

Leger said the second floor of a vacant building at the address suffered $15,000 in damages, but that no injuries occurred as a result of the fire. 

Reports alleged that three "youths" were seen running from the scene of the fire, Leger said. A similar description was provided by witnesses after a brush fire broke out near Trafton Street in Forest Park earlier Wednesday--an incident that was also investigated by the city's Arson and Bomb Squad.  

Leger said that it is too early to tell whether the two incident are related or not.  

This springtime ride features mountains, fields and farms, and all just outside Springfield, New England's fourth-largest city. Watch video

Ah, spring ... That wonderful time of year when you're never quite sure whether to wear shorts or a sweater.

On Wednesday morning, we took a jaunt from Somers to East Longmeadow to Hampden.

Along the way, we saw farmland fringed by hills and more elbow room than one might expect for the suburbs of Springfield, New England's fourth-largest city.

Sweet air, dappled light, and cartoon clouds against a backdrop of blue. Not to mention no traffic lights and the inimitable aroma of freshly cut grass.

We'll handle the driving. All you have to do is sit back, buckle up, and roll down the window.

Vermont State Police are now assisting with the search for a missing Bennington man.

BENNINGTON, Vt - Vermont State Police are assisting with the search for a man missing from Bennington--a small Vermont town close to the Massachusetts state border. 

Derek Lonergan. Bennington Police Department 

Derek Lonergan, 27, was reported missing to the Bennington Police Department on Monday, after he reportedly went for an afternoon ride on his motorcycle and did not return.   

Bennington police took to social media on Tuesday, posting details about Lonergan and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. 

The Vermont State Police announced Wednesday that they had been asked to help with the investigation into Lonergan's disappearance.

On Wednesday, a search for Lonergan was conducted by a number of authorities--including the State Police Search and Rescue Team, New England K-9, and the National Forest Service--in the vicinity of Sucker Pond, an isolated body of water located in Bennington Village Municipal Forest. 

Vermont State Police said that Lonergan has still not been located at this time, but that a search for him will continue on Thursday in the same area.  

"We ask that the public does not go into the woods in this area as it may interfere with the organized efforts by searchers," said Lieutenant Hugh O'Donnell of the Vermont State Police, in a statement released Wednesday. 

Lonergan is described as being a white male with brown eyes and hair. He stands 5'8" tall and weighs approximately 145 lbs.

Police say Lonergan was last seen wearing a blue shirt, camo pants, and boots. He was was riding a 2014 Honda Enduro motorcycle with a Vermont state registration of MB340. 

Anyone who believes they may have information regarding Lonergan's whereabouts has been encouraged to contact the Bennington Police Department at 802-442-1030, or the Vermont State Police Department at 802-442-5421. 

James P. Cichetti, president of the City Council, plans to run against Mayor Richard A. Cohen.

AGAWAM -- The e-vite was sent Wednesday night, and its message was clear: Agawam City Council President James P. Cichetti wants to unseat Mayor Richard A. Cohen.

At 9:20 p.m., Cichetti, who's known across Agawam as "Jimmy," posted a short message on Facebook: "Save the date and come and enjoy!"

Below that message was a flier for a "kickoff event" hosted by the Committee to Elect James Cichetti that included a website, www.mayorcichetti.com. That site was not up and running as of late Wednesday night.

The free campaign event is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam.

"Good luck Jimmy! Go get em!" Shelly Morris posted on Cichetti's Facebook page, which was flooded by well-wishes and pledges of support within minutes of his his initial post.

"Talk about the worst kept secret," wrote Kris Gagnon, followed by a wink emoticon.

Cohen has come under fire for his multimillion-dollar Walnut Street Extension Streetscape Improvement Project, which citizens and city councilors alike have criticized as too costly and too cosmetic. The council unanimously rejected the plan last month.

"The project did not contain any actual business revitalization, nor did it include anything whatsoever about the Games & Lanes parcel," Cichetti said. "The term used was, 'If you build it, they will come.' This is a great movie line but really cannot be the basis of our capital planning, can it?"

Games & Lanes is the hulking, long-abandoned building in the heart of the dilapidated business district, which has become a festering political issue.

Cohen and his administration have been leading the charge to revitalize the district, but critics don't want to clean up the area until the contaminated Games & Lanes building, a longtime eyesore and environmental hazard, is gone for good.

Cichetti challenging Cohen didn't exactly come out of left field. During his recent criticism of the mayor's streetscape improvement plan, the City Council president essentially showed his hand.

"What has become so completely clear over these past few months is that we can no longer wait for proactive leadership," Cichetti said.

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The annual and free viewing season of the fish migration aided by elevators began Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Robert E. Barrett Fishway off Bridge Street (Route 116), just west of the South Hadley-Holyoke Bridge in Massachusetts.

HOLYOKE -- The annual viewing season of the fish migration aided by elevators began Wednesday at the Robert E. Barrett Fishway off Bridge Street (Route 116), just west of the South Hadley-Holyoke Bridge.

"The fishway is fun for all ages and admission is free," said Kate C. Sullivan, marketing coordinator at the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department (HGE), which owns the fishway.

The system consists of two elevators that help fish get up and over the Holyoke Dam.

Glass viewing stations and an observation deck overlooking the Connecticut River let visitors watch the fish migrate. Hundreds of thousands of fish traverse the lift viewed by thousands of visitors each year, HGE officials have said.

Between April 24 and 30, fish counts were as follows, Sullivan said:

SUBMITTED IMAGE 

Vehicle access to the fishway will be prohibited Sunday during the River Roll & Stroll to be held on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 116) between Holyoke and South Hadley from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., she said.

The viewing at the fishway will be open on May 29, Memorial Day, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., she said.

The fishway is open for self-guided tours during regular business hours and an HGE guide provides tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. during viewing season, sharing information about fish species in the Connecticut River during the 45-minute tour.

On Mother's Day on May 14, moms visiting the fishway will get a free carnation, Sullivan said.

Also, the 52nd Annual HGE Shad Derby will be held on May 13, 14, 20 and 21 with a grand prize of $1,000 in cash for the first-place winner in the senior division. For derby rules visit HGED.com

For more information call 1-413-536-9460 or visit hged.com/fishway

The first annual SPARK Celebration to highlight the program that helps entrepreneurs start businesses will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Volleyball Hall of Fame, 444 Dwight St., in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

HOLYOKE -- The first annual SPARK Celebration to highlight the program that helps entrepreneurs start businesses will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Volleyball Hall of Fame, 444 Dwight St.

"Holyoke is lucky to have so many talented and passionate entrepreneurs that have launched or are in the process of launching their businesses and we want to celebrate their efforts," said Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, SPARK program manager.

SPARK stands for Stimulating, Potential, Accessing, Resource & Knowledge. The federal and state granted-funded program began in March 2015 to help entrepreneurs become business owners.

SPARK operates out of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce offices at 177 High St.

The event is open to the public and free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. All proceeds will go to SPARK, Murphy-Romboletti said.

Businesses whose owners or managers have completed the SPARK Launch program include Holyoke Hummus, Vapers Edge, Hot Oven Cookies, Artesana, Kreaciones Jadhai Boutique and EcoTints.

The event will showcase the students that have graduated from the SPARK Launch program to open over 30 businesses since SPARK began. Such students complete a 10-week, business-accelerator course using a licensed curriculum called Co.starters from Chattanooga, Tennessee, she said.

"Guests will enjoy delicious food and cash bar while shopping at a special 'SPARK Graduate Popup Shop,' " she said.

The event will culminate with a pitch contest similar to Holyoke Soup. Three SPARK Launch program graduates will pitch ideas and audience members can vote to determine the prize winner, she said.

SPARK is seeking business owners and managers to participate as mentors, funding to sustain the program's efforts and opportunities for collaboration with community partners, she said. For information call 1-413-534-3376 or visit sparkholyoke.com

"Our program can't be successful without the support of business owners and the community at large. This will be a fun opportunity for people to learn more about our program and how to get involved," Murphy-Romboletti said.

The John Olver Transit Pavilion opened April 28. Watch video

WESTFIELD -- If your bike ride through Westfield has you a little deflated, the newly opened John Olver Transit Pavilion might just have what it takes to get you rolling again. 

And it's available 24/7.

The transit center has  a vending machine -- like a snack machine with those corkscrew wire racks that push product out into bin -- stocked with bicycle parts and supplies like tire levers, tubes, patch kits, locks, headlights and taillights. It sells lubricants and some snacks like powdered drink mixes and granola bars that bicyclists like.

Don Podolski, owner of New Horizons Bikes a few blocks away at 55 Franklin St., maintains and stocks the machine, which is owned by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Prices at the vending machine are the same as in the shop, Podolski said. For example a new tire tube costs $6.50 including tax.

"We are basically looking to integrate bicycle use into the downtown," Podolski said. "The PVTA wanted a bicycle presence at the pavilion. This is an efficient way to provide that service."

The vending machine is next to a do-it-yourself repair stand with a tire pump and a few basic tools. All the tools are attached to the stand with cables. Scan a QR code on the stand with a smartphone and it takes you to a series of how-to videos produced by Podolski at the shop.

The city has a similar repair stand already in place at the Half Mile Falls and Whitney Field as part of the future expansion of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. 

Podolski, long a booster of the Columbia Greenway, said the nearest entrance to the rail trail is a few blocks away from the Olver Transit Pavilion. The ramp is on Main Street near Stop & Shop. The trail links as far south as New Haven, Connecticut.

Westfield has plans for a new ramp to be built on Thomas Street, just two blocks from the transit pavilion.

Bicycle-part vending machines are common in the western U.S., Podolski said.

"This is the first one I've heard of in Western Massachusetts," he said. "I think there is potential for there to be more of them, at Union Station in Springfield and at the other rail stations up and down the Valley. I think a lot will depend on how much use this machine gets."

PVTA buses have bike racks on front, and Amtrak now allows people to take bicycles as luggage on the Vermonter.

 

West Springfield Mayor William C. Reichelt has proposed a $94.3 million operating budget for fiscal year 2018 that calls for hiring eight new police officers without raising taxes or cutting existing services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor William C. Reichelt's proposed $94.3 million spending plan for fiscal year 2018 calls for hiring eight police officers without raising taxes or cutting existing services.

It's the second year in a row that Reichelt, who is running for re-election, has presented an operating budget that maintains services "without an increase to the overall taxation," he said during an online press conference this week.

However, that could change if the Town Council shifts the property tax burden, as it did last year, from business to residential. As a result, homeowners ended up paying slightly higher taxes for fiscal 2017, which ends in about eight weeks, while business owners paid slightly less.

The addition of a deck, pool, or anything that increases the value of a home, can also lead to higher property taxes, Reichelt said.

"This budget adds eight new patrol officers without increasing taxes, while still investing in our schools, continuing to invest in our infrastructure, and really continuing to move our city forward," the mayor said.

The additional officers will allow the West Springfield Police Department to increase its "patrol presence and create a true traffic division to police our streets on a regular basis," Reichelt said. The city hasn't budgeted for a large-scale police hiring "in at least the past 20 or so years," he said.

City officials like to refer to West Springfield as "the crossroads of New England." West Side is where two of New England's major interstates, I-90 and I-91, intersect and is home to the famous Big E fair, which gives equal billing to all six New England states.

"But at the same time, we are the cut-through community," Reichelt said, "so we get a lot of excess that comes through. And unfortunately things happen in our community, and we need to be able to address that."

Reichelt said city officials identified savings "through consolidation and attrition," enabling West Springfield to hire the new officers. He said the officers are also necessary to help the city prepare for the debut of MGM Springfield, the nearly $1 billion casino that's set to open just across the river in September 2018.

West Side is expected to receive mitigation money from MGM to help offset casino impact costs, according to the mayor.

"I'm very proud of this budget," Reichelt said, praising the city's chief financial officer and department heads. "They did a great job putting this together and moving the city forward," he said.

"My goal in creating this budget and future budgets is to provide quality service at an affordable price," he said.

The proposed operating budget, which is slightly higher than last year's $92 million budget, will be the subject of a public hearing before the Town Council at 7 p.m. Monday, May 15, at the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building at 26 Central St.

From politicians including Charlie Baker, Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren to celebrities including Todd Rundgren and Oprah Winfrey, there are some big names on campus in the Bay State this spring.

Northampton has a serial frozen shrimp thief, according to police.

Northampton apparently has a serial frozen shrimp thief, according to police records.

On Monday morning, Adnane Diouane, 26, of Springfield, allegedly left Super Stop & Shop on King Street with more than $200 worth before getting busted while attempting to lift another $200 worth that afternoon.

City Patrol Officer Andrew J. Kohl investigated the case, no doubt feeling a sense of deja vu, for reasons that will become apparent.

Around 2:20 p.m. on Monday, the store's seafood section manager reported a suspect later identified to Diouane to a Stop & Shop asset protection employee after the latter filled a shopping basket to the brim with eight bags of frozen shrimp.

"(The asset protection employee) then approached (Diouane) at the exit to the store, past all points of sale," according to Kohl's report. "(Diouane) attempted to push his way past (the employee) to exit the store," dropping his basket in order to take off running, Kohl said.

The value of the shrimp Diouane allegedly attempted to steal Monday totaled $237.84.

"Based on my observation of security camera footage, I positively identified the (suspected thief) as Adnane Diounae," Kohl wrote. "I am familiar with Diouane based on numerous previous encounters and arrests."

Kohl then notes in his report that one of these arrests occurred last year after Diouane committed the same exact offense.

"I arrested Diouane for larceny in May 2016 (after he) stole over $250 worth of frozen shrimp from Stop & Shop on King Street over a number of days," the report states.

Though Diouane initially escaped Monday -- taking off down the Norwottuck Rail Trail located behind the store -- the next shift of Northampton police officers caught up with and arrested him on Pleasant Street around 4 p.m.

According to Kohl, Diouane was carrying a Stop & Shop grocery bag at the time of his arrest. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it contained more frozen shrimp.

"Upon searching Diouane's property, I located 10 bags of frozen shrimp," Kohl wrote. "Also inside the bag, I located a black t-shirt with the words 'Stay Fly' written across the upper chest. The 10 additional bags of frozen shrimp were brought back to Stop & Shop."

Diouane was released on $100 bail and a pretrial hearing has been scheduled for June 8.

Firefighters from Springfield and surrounding communities worked for hours in bone-chilling cold to extinguish one blaze after another.

SPRINGFIELD - A man charged in an arson spree that displaced dozens of Springfield residents is being held on $250,000 bail following his release from a state psychiatric hospital.

Mardell Davis, 30, pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court on April 28 to five arson charges related to fires March 12 on Union, Hancock and Andrews streets, plus a fugitive warrant on a rape charge from Maryland.

Five apartment buildings and multifamily homes were targeted and nearby homes were also damaged by flames. Departments from surrounding communities joined Springfield firefighters, working for hours in bone-chilling cold to extinguish one fire after another.

Arrested six days later, Davis was scheduled for arraignment on March 20. Instead, following an examination by court psychologist Claudia Comes, he was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for an 20-day psychological evaluation.

Davis was "very anxious and fearful ... shaking uncontrollably ... and said he was hearing voices," Comes told the court.

At the hospital's request, the evaluation was extended for another 20 days before Davis was found competent to stand trial and returned to Springfield for arraignment.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski, Judge John Payne set bail at $250,000 and ordered Davis to return for a pretrial hearing on June 7.

The deputy treasurer for the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts has been on paid leave since April 14, 2017 after a man in a drug sweep by police was arrested in an apartment at a home she owns and occupies.

HOLYOKE -- City Treasurer Sandra A. Smith has been absent from the office since mid-April after knee surgery and an employee in that department has been placed on leave on the recommendation of police, but Smith said duties are getting done despite in-office staff having been cut in half.

"I have not been in the office physically, however, I have been working remotely from home since a medical procedure in mid-April. The treasurers office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday without a break in service. Responses to requests either in person or over the phone are handled in a timely manner, as they always have," Smith said in an email on Monday.

The treasurer's duties include handling tax title records for properties whose owners are in arrears with the city, holding and investing city funds and managing employee payrolls in the city budget, which began the fiscal year July 1 at $125.8 million.

The payroll is biweekly and on April 27 was $3,486,642. That's for about 1,850 employees, which consists of all municipal workers and those who work for the School Department, Smith said.

"If a public records request comes in it is being handled within the allotted time given by the public records request laws. In my absence the office has continued to provide all of the services required of the treasury," she said.

The treasurer's office is in Room 17 in City Hall and employs four people including Smith. On April 14, Smith placed Deputy Treasurer Kayla Rodriguez on paid leave on the recommendation of Police Chief James M. Neiswanger. That came after a multi-agency sweep the day before in the Churchill and Elmwood neighborhoods netted heroin, cash, guns and vehicles and arrests of 20 people, including Kivanny Sanchez, 22, who was taken into custody at a 14 Laurel St. home owned and occupied by Rodriguez.

Holyoke police, Hampden DA release names of suspects arrested in major heroin raid

Police allegedly found more than 20,000 packets of heroin on a back porch and $100,000 in cash hidden in a ceiling of a second floor apartment at 14 Laurel St.

Among those who have expressed concern about such a high-profile drug suspect having a connection to the city treasurer's office and said they are monitoring the situation are City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain and Todd A. McGee, chairman of the council's Finance Committee.

Smith said on April 17 that there was no concern about misconduct or compromising of the integrity of the office in relation to Rodriguez.

"As required by her union contract, we have started an internal investigation, but at this time there is no concern about any potential misconduct related to her position in the treasurer's office," Smith said in the April 17 statement.

"I have received her keys to the office and have removed access to any and all of her accounts. There is no need for the (City) Council, or the public, to fear that city funds have been compromised. As treasurer, this is something I take very seriously," she said.

Smith also said in the April 17 statement that Rodriguez was a community volunteer and "one of the most respected employees in City Hall."

"As for Ms Rodriguez, her leave is still pending investigation with no further comment from myself," Smith said Monday.

Appointed by the treasurer, the deputy treasurer works under the supervision of the treasurer. The deputy is responsible for performing accounting functions related to the tax title process, cash and investment reconciliation and detailed tax title settlement reports, according to the job description.

Treasurer is an elected position with a four-year term, meaning Smith is not appointed by the mayor or City Council. Smith is a candidate for reelection on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Rodriguez also has been fired from the volunteer Holyoke Auxiliary Police Division.

Facebook will add 3,000 more workers to its community operations team after several murders were broadcast live on the social platform.

Facebook now has 1.9 billion users. More than a quarter of the world's population is of the social website's "global community," according to the company's most recent quarterly report.

But with more than a billion daily users comes unexpected turbulence. In recent weeks, the Facebook Live feature, which allows users to stream themselves live on the Internet, has been used to show two murders: in Cleveland, one man filmed himself killing another apparently random man, and in Thailand, a man killed his 11-month-old daughter live for followers to see, according to the New York Times.

What we know about the Cleveland Facebook video killer

Facebook responded by announcing its plans for better artificial intelligence and a better system for users to flag content. Mark Zuckerberg said the videos were "heartbreaking," and in a Facebook post published on Wednesday, he announced plans to step up the company's screening process.

Zuckerberg said Facebook will add 3,000 employees to their community operations team - currently 4,500 employees - who will help review reported posts faster. In addition to quickly flagging any violent videos, Zuckerberg said the team will identify false news articles and connect government representatives to their constituents. 

According to Zuckerberg, Facebook receives millions of reported posts every week, on topics including child exploitation and hate speech. The website already has a suicide prevention page, with a page for suicide hotlines in more than 20 countries. 

Is fake news protected by the First Amendment? (Commentary)

"We'll keep working with local community groups and law enforcement who are in the best position to help someone if they need it," Zuckerberg wrote, citing an example of a recent prevented suicide thanks to the cooperation between a Facebook Live report and local law enforcement.

Zuckerberg also said the company took "a major technology step forward" this past quarter by allowing the camera to be the first "mainstream" augmented reality platform. "I'm excited to get virtual and augmented reality in more of your hands soon," Zuckerberg writes.

Fake-news writer: 'I think I helped' Donald Trump's presidential campaign

The city has received a $2.64 million MassWorks infrastructure grant from the state to fund many of the improvements.

CHICOPEE - The City Council has agreed to fund electrical improvements for downtown, saying the infrastructure upgrades are crucial to attracting development to the West End area.

The council agreed to withdraw $200,000 from the free cash account, or tax revenues collected last year that were not spent, to start upgrading electrical systems in the West End area, which includes property on either side of Front Street in downtown including the Cabotville and Lyman mills and Delta Park.

The city received a $2.64 million MassWorks infrastructure grant from the state to make a number of improvements in the West End, including replacing storm drains and upgrading improving the sewage system. One of the key upgrades will be to replace the water line that runs through the canal and feeds the Cabotville and Lyman mills. Because of its location, the water main is vulnerable to freezing, meaning developers cannot install reliable sprinkler systems.

Under the grant, the city must first make the improvements and the money will then be reimbursed back to the general fund, Mayor Richard J. Kos said.

The $200,000 will fund the first three months of work. The total cost of the improvements is expected to be about $460,000 and the remaining money is expected to come from reimbursements for the first phase of the improvements, City Planner Lee Pouliot said.

Chicopee Electric Light is expected to make the improvements.

In response to questions from the council about upgrading internet access, Pouliot said this phase will only improve electrical service to the area.

"This is for future development for downtown," City Councilor Frank N. Laflamme said. "It is a good thing."

Councilor James K. Tillotson said the upgrades are important to the proposed Lyman Mills project. Mount Holyoke Development, owned by Herbert Berezin, is planning to purchase the vacant Lyman Mills building on the corner of Front and Depot streets and convert it into about 110 apartments. So far Berezin has not formally applied for permits for the project.

"It is particularly important for Lyman Mills, also if we are ever lucky enough to get another offer on Guttman's building," Tillotson said.

Silverbrick LLC last year announced a plan to purchase the Cabotville Mill from owner Joshua Guttman and convert it into 600 market-rate apartments and retail space, but the plan has since fallen through.

This is the second time the City Council has agreed to allocate money up front for West End improvements. In March it voted 13-0 to spend $325,000 to replace a nearly 50-year-old pump station, add a standby generator and repair a sewer line, all located near the mills. That money is also expected to be reimbursed through the grant.

The West End improvements are expected to be completed at the end of 2018.

"There was nothing to stop the speeding bullet except the poor souls in the way."

A Jeep Grand Cherokee killed three people and injured another nine Wednesday morning when it took off at high speeds and crashed into a cinder block wall at the Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica. 

Peter Gilman, a regular at auto auction, was there and knew something was amiss when he heard an engine whining. 

Following a clank and a shift into gear, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee "took off like a slingshot and it just went right through the building," Gilman told the Boston Herald. "Then I see bodies flying through the air."

With a "huge thud," Gilman told the Herald the Jeep came to a stop when it went through the wall of a building at the auto auction.

"There was no stopping the momentum of the Jeep until he hit the wall," Gilman told the Herald. "There was nothing to stop the speeding bullet except the poor souls in the way." 

A man and woman died at the scene. A third fatal victim, a woman, was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. 

Of the nine injured, some suffered life-threatening injuries. 

The Jeep was driven by a man in his 70s who worked at the auto auction. He has not been identified by police. The crash is currently believed to be accidental and police are investigating potential vehicle malfunction or if the driver suffered from a medical emergency at the time of the crash. 

One of the fatal victims has been identified as Leezandra Aponte. Wednesday was her first day of work at the auto auction, a position she accepted to raise money for her daughter's quinceanera. 

The other victims have not yet been identified. 

The Lynnway Auto Auction has been cited in the past for OSHA violations, including "serious" level violations three years ago. 

Federal safety officials will again investigate the facility following Wednesday's crash. 

Following his arrest, Converse told police he would return "with a bomb strapped to his body and make all you f-----s pay," the report said.

SPRINGFIELD -- State officials are moving to revoke the probation of a Springfield man who allegedly assaulted staff and triggered a lockdown at Baystate Medical Center.

James H. Converse Jr., 51, was ordered held on $10,000 bail following his arraignment March 15 on six charges, including two counts of assault and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The day before, Converse allegedly tried to check himself out of the cardiac unit without medical approval, provoking a confrontation with the hospital's security and medical staff, according to the arrest report.

After ripping off his heart monitor, slamming it to the floor and calling 911 to demand an ambulance to another hospital, Converse began fighting with hospital employees -- punching one, hitting another with a phone and showering them all with obscenities, according to the arrest report.

Following his arrest, Converse warned police he would return "with a bomb strapped to his body and make all you f-----s pay," the report said.

At the request of defense lawyer Thomas Bessette, Converse was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for an extended psychiatric evaluation.

The arrest came 13 months after Converse pleaded guilty to assault and battery on a person over 60 and was sentenced to a four-year probationary term.

On March 15, state probation officials notified Converse that his new arrest represented a probation violation. He was ordered to surrender and submit to a probation violation hearing, according to court records. The hearing has been put on hold until Converse's psychiatric evaluation is completed.

Last week, Judge Michael Mulcahy approved the defense lawyer's request for as much as $1,000 to hire a private investigator to prepare for trial. He also continued the case for a pretrial hearing on June 6.