Despite previously pulling the American Health Care Act from the U.S. House floor, chamber lawmakers voted Thursday to advance a revised version of a Republican plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

Despite previously pulling the American Health Care Act from the U.S. House floor, chamber lawmakers voted Thursday to advance a revised version of a Republican plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

The new AHCA, which some have called "Trumpcare," looks to undo much of President Barack Obama's signature health care law through refundable tax credits, overhauls to Medicaid and an expansion of health savings accounts, among other things.

The measure, which narrowly passed the House on a 217 to 213 margin just over a month after Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, canceled the initial vote due to lagging support, now moves onto the Senate. 

Report: Republican leaders pull plan to replace Obamacare ahead of floor vote

In an effort to revive the AHCA after its initial failure to gain traction among Republicans, lawmakers amended the bill to allow states to apply for waivers from the federal government to cancel some ACA regulations that would reduce residents' costs -- a move which some critics say could result in people with pre-existing conditions being charged more for insurance.

Lawmakers also added a provision to the bill that would allocate an additional $8 billion over five years for states seeking a waiver and add a reported $15 billion for a federal risk sharing program. 

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, who introduced the $8 billion amendment, said it was designed to help lower costs for those with pre-existing conditions, but the measure does not specify that the funds be used for those individuals, according to reports.

Ryan, however, stressed that "the law is clear: Under no circumstance can people be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition." The two amendments added to the AHCA, he added, offer "two more layers of security for these individuals."

Contending that the current health care system under so-called "Obamacare" is collapsing, Ryan said the bill delivers on the promises lawmakers made to the American people.

"A lot of us have been waiting seven years to cast that vote. Many of us are here because we pledged to cast this very vote: to repeal and replace Obamacare, to rescue people from this collapsing law...we will not falter, we will replace and today is the day we are going to do this," he said. 

According to the speaker's office, the GOP-backed bill looks to "equalize the tax treatment of health care" through refundable tax credits, give states new control over Medicaid, nearly double the amount Americans can contribute to health savings accounts and defund Planned Parenthood.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, however, raised concerns about the legislation's impact on individuals with pre-existing conditions.

"That child who is born with diabetes across America can no longer be guaranteed health insurance if we turn this option over to the states," he said in a speech from the chamber floor. "Anybody who's come from local or state government, you know this: that money will be used to balance the budget in economic downturns at the expense of those who need it for health care."

The top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee further took issue with the process through which the measure was brought up for a vote, arguing that it had "all the charm of a ransom note."

"The idea that this is put in front of us so that they could provide a tax cut at the expense of middle-class Americans is really what we're voting on today," he said.

Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, also accused the GOP plan of taking away protections for pre-existing conditions and pointed to various health care advocacy groups who have come out against the AHCA. 

"If the American people could sue Congress for malpractice, my Republican friends would be in deep trouble...you are taking away essential health care protections, you're allowing insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, you're supporting a bill that will throw 24 million people off of their health care and cut Medicaid by $880 billion to give a $1 trillion tax break to the wealthiest people in this country," he said in a floor speech. "What is wrong with you guys?"

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who spoke out against the original AHCA proposal, said although the bill has been amended "it would still result in a massive loss of critical funds for the Commonwealth."

'This version should not pass,' Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says as House GOP weighs Obamacare repeal bill

"I am thankful for the federal government's willingness to work with Massachusetts to deliver greater flexibility through the Medicaid system and I hope Congress reconsiders this amended legislation," he said adding that his administration "will continue to protect Massachusetts' health care system, which leads the nation in health care coverage."

Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford, however, said Baker should have called on Ryan "to withdraw the bill until a full analysis of its effects can be completed, and then begin lobbying the members of his party and speaking out publicly against this cruel bill."

Prior to voting on the AHCA, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation removing an exemption for Congress and their staff from changes included in the GOP health care plan.

Ryan lauded the vote, saying "Congress should live by the same rules it creates."

Congress should live by the same rules it creates. House just voted to ensure no member will be exempt from the American Health Care Act.

-- Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) May 4, 2017

The crash was reported shortly after 2:15 p.m.

UPDATE: Police have since cleared the accident scene.

SPRINGFIELD -- Two Springfield police officers were taken to the hospital by ambulance on Thursday afternoon after their police cruiser was involved in a crash at at Chestnut and Worthington streets.

Three people in a second vehicle were also taken to Baystate Medical Center as a precaution, Sgt. John Delaney said. No serious injuries have been reported.

The crash was reported shortly after 2:15 p.m. The cruiser remained in the intersection after the crash. The second vehicle, a Honda CRV, ended up on its side on the sidewalk.

Police have blocked off the intersection of Worthington and Chestnut streets and motorists are urged to avoid the area.

Delaney, public information officer for the department, said Sgt. Mel Kwatowski and Officer Edward Hiney of the traffic division are investigating. No citations have been issued.

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

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a 4-year-old.

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a 4-year-old.

Jonathan Loja was at a family barbecue on April 16 - Easter Sunday - when he was hit by a vehicle. 

Family told police the child had run into the street after a toy. The vehicle did not stop after hitting Loja, injuries that claimed his life. 

Melissa Knight, 54, was charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash after causing injuries that resulted in a death and misleading a police investigation. The Milford resident was taken into custody on Thursday. 

U.S. House Republicans joined President Donald Trump for an impromptu White House news conference Thursday, following passage of a GOP-led plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Watch video

U.S. House Republicans joined President Donald Trump for an impromptu White House news conference Thursday, following passage of a GOP-led plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

As the House prepared to vote on the so-called American Health Care Act -- legislation Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, previously pulled from a scheduled vote -- Trump announced that he had delayed his planned trip to New York for a Rose Garden event with chamber Republicans.

"If victorious, Republicans will be having a big press conference at the beautiful Rose Garden of the White House immediately after vote!" he tweeted minutes before the bill passed the House by a narrow 217 to 213-vote margin.

If victorious, Republicans will be having a big press conference at the beautiful Rose Garden of the White House immediately after vote!

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2017

Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Salem, noted on Twitter that buses appeared to be waiting outside Capitol Hill to take GOP lawmakers to the White House to celebrate the legislative victory. 

The busses in the foreground are apparently going to take the Republicans to the WH to celebrate ruining health care with Pres. Trump. pic.twitter.com/QirDflpAOp

-- Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) May 4, 2017

According to C-SPAN, 20 Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the GOP health care plan.

The AHCA, which some have called "Trumpcare," looks to undo much of President Barack Obama's signature health care law through refundable tax credits, overhauls to Medicaid and an expansion of health savings accounts, among other things.

In an effort to revive the GOP health care plan after its initial failure to gain traction among Republicans, lawmakers amended the bill to allow states to apply for waivers from the federal government to cancel some ACA regulations that would reduce residents' costs -- a move which some critics say could result in people with pre-existing conditions being charged more for insurance.

US House approves revised GOP plan to dismantle Affordable Care Act despite pushback from Massachusetts lawmakers

Lawmakers also added a provision to the bill that would allocate an additional $8 billion over five years for states seeking a waiver and add a reported $15 billion for a federal risk sharing program.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

The largest ship to ever sail into Boston and one of the newest additions in Royal Caribbean International's fleet served as a massive backdrop to a Thursday ceremony honoring former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.

The largest ship to ever sail into Boston and one of the newest additions in Royal Caribbean International's fleet served as a massive backdrop to a Thursday ceremony honoring former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and local elected officials dedicated the Flynn Cruiseport at the Black Falcon Terminal and helped launch the city's cruise season, which runs from late April through early November.

Royal Caribbean officials allowed MassLive.com to board for an impromptu tour of their cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, which has robot bartenders and space for bumper car games. A video of the tour is available below.

The ship has 4,180 passengers and leaves Boston Thursday night.

The Cruiseport first opened in 1986 and drew 13 ships and 11,723 passengers. This year 19 cruiselines and 36 ships will be streaming into the area.

Ray Flynn, the mayor when the Cruiseport opened, once worked as a longshoreman on the docks and hails from South Boston.

The Black Falcon Terminal received an $11 million overhaul in 2010, and additional renovations costing $3.2 million in 2015, leading to new restrooms and better heating, lighting and ventilation.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation, Gov. Charlie Baker and various health care advocacy groups slammed U.S. House Republicans Thursday for passing legislation that aims to dismantle much of the Affordable Care Act.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation, Gov. Charlie Baker and various health care advocacy groups slammed U.S. House Republicans Thursday for passing legislation that aims to dismantle much of the Affordable Care Act.

Democrats and other opponents of the so-called "American Health Care Act" decried the House's 217 to 213-vote passage of the bill, which they argued could increase insurance costs for those with pre-existing conditions and kick millions off health coverage, among other things.

But while opponents blasted the House's passage of the controversial health care bill, Republicans joined President Donald Trump for an impromptu news conference touting the legislative victory.

Watch: President Donald Trump, House GOP tout Obamacare repeal at White House

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, who urged against the AHCA in a Thursday speech on the House floor, took aim at Republicans for bringing the bill up for a vote despite the lack of a Congressional Budget Office analysis or a public hearing.

"Republicans followed through on seven years of threats to destroy the health care of millions of Americans by forcing them to pay more for worse coverage," he said in a statement. "Instead of working with Democrats to improve health care in this country, Republicans voted to remove key protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, take away health insurance from 24 million, shorten the life of Medicare and impose an age tax on seniors - all to pay for a giant tax cut for the wealthy."

Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, further argued that the legislation "breaks nearly every promise that President Trump made to the American people on health care."

Calling the AHCA "Trumpcare," Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Salem, joined Neal in arguing that it's "nothing but a tax cut for billionaires paid for not just in dollars and cents, but in the lives and health and welfare of working people."

"Because of Trumpcare, Americans will live sicker and die sooner," he said in a statement.

The Massachusetts Democrat, however, argued that he's not giving up on efforts to push back against the bill, and encouraged Americans to also speak out against it.

"Congress failed the American people today, but it's not over yet. The fight for health care as a human right goes on in the Senate," he said. "We need the American people to speak out now more than ever."

US House approves revised GOP plan to dismantle Affordable Care Act despite pushback from Massachusetts lawmakers

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, called the House GOP plan "an outrage, an abomination," and argued that Congress needs to stop further progress on the bill.

"The resistance needs to continue. We need to now look at the United States Senate," he said. "Our two senators, Senator (Ed) Markey and Senator (Elizabeth) Warren are on the right side of this issue and they're going to be fighting."

Warren affirmed that Senate Democrats will work to ensure health care "is a basic human right" for everyone in America.

Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, added that "if there is any silver lining to this vote it is that the American people are engaged, awake and on notice like never before."

"It is a long road to the president's desk," he said in a statement. "We will be fighting every step of the way."

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-South Boston, meanwhile, said he's "very concerned about the impact of this proposal on families in Massachusetts and across the country."

"I continue to call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to make a sincere, bipartisan effort to improve the Affordable Care Act, rather than haphazardly repealing provisions and making no attempts to decrease healthcare costs for everyday Americans," he said. 

Congressman Bill Keating, D-Bourne, contended that by supporting the bill, GOP lawmakers "paid off their political debts at the expense of every hard-working American."

"Simply put, at least 24 million Americans will lose their health insurance under this plan," he said in a statement. "Even if you don't lose your insurance, you will be paying more for less coverage."

Baker, who joined members of the state's congressional delegation in criticizing House Republicans' advancement of the AHCA, raised specific concerns about the impacts the measure could have on Massachusetts.

"I am disappointed by today's vote as this bill would significantly reduce critical funds for the Commonwealth's health care system," he said in a statement. "As the U.S. Senate takes up this bill, we will continue to advocate for the Commonwealth's priorities so that all residents have access to the health coverage they need."

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat, joined Baker in expressing disappointment over the House's advancement of the GOP health care bill.

"I stand with our congressional delegation in opposing this harmful proposal and vow to continue working to ensure that our residents have access to adequate, affordable health care," he said in a statement. 

Lynn Nicholas, president & CEO of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, meanwhile, lauded state lawmakers' opposition to the GOP health care plan, noting that her organizations' members are "distressed" by Trump and congressional leaders' latest efforts to repeal the ACA.

"Today's passage of an amended version of the American Health Care Act threatens to severely damage the progress our state and country have made in healthcare access, affordability and delivery," she said. "Most troubling, it will put health coverage in jeopardy for many Americans, particularly for older and sicker patients."

Arguing that Massachusetts "serves as an example of how the ACA's approach to expanding access to affordable health coverage can be successful nationally if given the time and support it deserves," Nicholas said the hospital community strongly opposes efforts to repeal former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts further called the Republican-backed plan "the worst women's health legislation in a generation."

"House Republicans just voted to kick millions of people off of their health insurance and told women across the country that their health does not matter," said Jennifer Childs-Rosha, the group's president and CEO.

Jeffrey Hulburt, CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization, meanwhile, contended that Congress' focus should be on cutting health care costs, not shifting the burden of it. 

"The AHCA deals primarily with shifting the cost of care. Unfortunately, as it stands, it appears most of the cost burden would shift to people with pre-existing conditions," he said. "House Republicans want to replace the protections Obamacare provides for those with pre-existing conditions with federally funded, high-risk pools; however, it is unclear whether the amount allocated is enough to provide affordable access to care to everyone who need it."  

"That's why our focus should instead be on innovative models and approaches that enable us to reduce the cost of health care so that it isn't so expensive to begin with," he continued.

The state attorney general's office has determined that the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee violated Open Meeting Law by deliberating by email, failing to follow procedures for convening an executive session, failing to list sufficient detail in notices for several meetings, and failing to respond to a citizen complaint within 14 days.

AMHERST -- The state attorney general's office has determined that the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee violated Open Meeting Law while evaluating former Superintendent Maria Geryk.

But the board did not violate Open Meeting Law when it held executive sessions to discuss a separation agreement with Geryk, according to a letter written by Hanne Rush, Assistant Attorney General, Division of Open Government.

Under fire from some committee members for her handling of a dispute with a Pelham Elementary School parent, Geryk demanded to be released from her contract, which wasn't due to expire until 2018. She threatened to sue if she did not receive three years worth of severance pay. She ultimately settled for 18 months, and the committee voted Aug. 9 to release her from the contract.

According to the AG's office, the Open Meeting Law violations include deliberating by email, failing to follow procedures for convening an executive session, failing to list sufficient detail in notices for several meetings, and failing to respond to a citizen complaint within 14 days.

The AG's office is not fining the committee for the violations. Instead, the office is ordering "the committee's immediate and future compliance with the law's requirements, and we caution that similar future violations could be considered evidence of intent to violate the law."

Two complaints from Shutesbury resident Michael Hootstein Sept. 19 prompted the AG's review.

Amherst regional school board Open Meeting Law violation by The Republican/MassLive.com on Scribd

The attorney representing a former high school coach accused of exposing himself to multiple teenage girls wants the case of each accuser broken up into separate trials to avoid a jury being "influenced by the accumulating effect of evidence."

The attorney representing a former high school coach accused of exposing himself to multiple teenage girls wants the case of each accuser broken up into separate trials to avoid a jury being "influenced by the accumulating effect of evidence."

A jury would likely convict former Hampshire Regional High School girls basketball coach Richard Moussette in a single trial due to the number of alleged victims, according to attorney Lisa A. Ball. 

However, Ball argues in a May 3 motion filed in Northampton District Court, the "evidence of each alleged incident have no bearing on each other and the jury must come to their decision based solely on the evidence" of each count at issue.

Ball made the claim despite Moussette's accusers -- five women officially and according to Southampton police perhaps five more unofficially -- having nearly identical stories. 

Namely, that between 2010 and 2012, Moussette, 57, purposely and repeatedly positioned himself nude late nights and early mornings in an upstairs hallway of his Southampton home to be seen by girls attempting to access the home's bathroom.

Aged between 15 and 17 during the time of the alleged exposures, the alleged victims were regular overnight guests at the home because all were friends of Moussette's daughter.

Now young women, the alleged victims began coming forward to authorities after Holyoke police arrested Moussette in 2015 on evidence that he had openly masturbated in the Target store at the Holyoke Mall while following a woman who later positively identified him on store security footage.

Southampton police conducted a year-plus-long investigation into the new allegations, deciding to press charges after five of the young women provided written statements testifying to the crimes. 

"I witnessed Rich Moussette purposely showing his genitals to me on multiple occasions," one of the statement's says. "I was a very close friend with (his daughter) and felt that I never wanted to hurt her or her sister (by telling them)."

Moussette was originally charged with six counts of open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior. One of the statements has since been dismissed for lack of probable cause. Five charges stemming from the statements of four of the young women remain.

In her Wednesday motion, Ball argues, "there is substantial possibility that the defendant would be extremely prejudiced if the offenses against him are not severed for trial. This prejudice far outweighs any interests of (Massachusetts) of promoting justice, or promoting judicial economy."

In other business related to the case, Judge W. Michael Goggins denied an earlier motion from Ball requesting exculpatory evidence from the commonwealth regarding its case against Moussette, having deemed the bill of particulars already filed by the state "sufficient."

Moussette will be back in court late next month. 

Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law on Thursday a $200 million bill to reimburse cities and towns for local road repairs.

Critical safety measures need to be in place for all people who work around or with powered vehicles and the death of Leezandra Aponte inside the Lynnway Auto Auction is a tragic reminder of those needs, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Heath said in a statement.

Critical safety measures need to be in place for all people who work around or with powered vehicles and the death of Leezandra Aponte inside the Lynnway Auto Auction is a tragic reminder of those needs, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Heath said in a statement. 

Aponte, a mother of three from Lowell, was working a temporary job at the Billerica business to pay for her daughter's quinceanera. 

A 2006 Grand Jeep Cherokee driven by an employee of the Lynnway Auto Auction struck a group of people inside the business on Wednesday, leaving three people dead and several others injured. Aponte, along with another man and woman, died. 

The driver, a man in his 70s, was not injured. Authorities are working to determine the cause of the accident. 

"Yesterday was a heartbreaking, life-altering day for far too many individuals in Billerica," said MassCOSH Executive Director Jodi Sugerman-Brozan. "Just last week, we held our Workers' Memorial Day Commemoration where we listened to family members, holding back tears, remembering their loved one killed on the job and how devastating it was for them. It's awful to think that next year we might have three children remembering their mother who loved them so much, she died trying to afford them a birthday party." 

MassCOSH said there were 62 workers killed on the job in Massachusetts. The leading cause of death was transportation incidents, which attributed for 25 deaths in 2016. 

"Because working with vehicles has proven to be extremely dangerous, MassCOSH advocates that jersey barriers affixed to the floor be used to create a physical barrier between moving vehicles and employees at all times," the organization said in a statement. "Although some may argue this can be difficult to implement, not using this safety precaution has resulted in far too many families losing loved ones to automotive related injuries on the job." 

Auctions are hectic with sometimes more than 1,000 people moving around the vehicles. There are several lanes inside the auction center and cars are moved around, lined up and paraded through the building. 

The accident Wednesday was during a regular auction at the facility. Those who attend these types of auctions state there is nothing preventing vehicles from hitting people. There are simply travel lanes painted on floors. 

During the October 2015 Boston auto auction in Framingham, a 78-year-old contracted driver accidentally accelerated the SUV he was driving in the building, striking five parked vehicles and seven people who were in its path. 

No one died. 

MassCOSH said temp workers have reported that they have not received health and safety training before starting employment. 

"If Aponte was placed by a temp agency, MassCOSH will investigate into if all requirements were followed, including if the agency provided a basic health and safety training, and well as if Lynnway Auto Auction provided a more detailed health and safety training specific to the job Aponte was assigned," MassCOSH said. 

A new mental health survey also shows a majority of Americans say they have "at least one mental health issue" that is impacting "their well-being."

A new mental health survey shows cost as "the biggest barrier" to Americans seeking treatment for their behavioral health, while at the same time a majority of Americans say they have "at least one mental health issue" that is impacting "their well-being."

The results are from a survey done for One Medical, a national
primary care company, with offices in Boston, by market researcher Ipsos, in conjunction with the observance of May as Mental Health Month.

They come just as House Republicans voted Thursday on an amended proposed federal health care law that would no longer mandate insurers offer certain "essential health benefits."

These benefits include behavioral health treatments, such as counseling, for mental health and substance use disorder, that are a part of the Affordable Care Act.

Under the proposed revised plan, states would be able to waive these benefit requirements, and set up their own standards.

According to the New York Times, some 34 percent of people who purchased their own health insurance under ACA, also known as Obamacare, did not have substance abuse services and 18 percent had no coverage for mental health services.

According to the One Medical website on the survey's results, 69 percent of Americans say "at least one mental health issue affects their well-being," and that "37 percent of respondents saying the financial aspect has kept them from accessing clinical counsel."

The April 19-20 survey of some 1,008 adults over the age of 18 showed the top stress reported to be from personal life, with 42 percent to have experienced this in the last year, followed by anxiety, and stress from work.

One Medical encourages patients to see their primary providers as a gateway to mental health services.

Sandro Tavara Mora, 47, was arrested in connection with an alleged heroin ring in Springfield in 2014, and charged the following year as a "broker" for an international identity and visa fraud network helping immigrants stay in the U.S. illegally.

SPRINGFIELD -- A Dominican national who sneaked into the U.S. with phony documentation admitted Thursday to brokering false immigration papers.

Sandro Tavara Mora, 47, once of 108 Groveland St., Springfield, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to three criminal counts including conspiracy to possess and transfer identification documents and fraud and misuse of visas.

He faces certain deportation, plus 27 months behind bars in a federal prison in this country, under a plea agreement with prosecutors. Mora's plea marks another of several dozen convictions under Operation Island Express, a sweeping effort by the U.S. Department of Justice and partner agencies to crack down on illegal residency through the use of fraudulent documents.

Mora, like many of his co-defendants, bought and sold identification papers including birth certificates, Social Security cards and driver's licenses from legal citizens of Puerto Rico and sold them on the black market, according to court records.

He is set for sentencing on June 22.

Mora was arrested by Springfield police in June 2014 while he was living under the alias Jose Laureano Ayala, a Puerto Rican citizen, court filings show. Mora was arrested as part of a drug investigation focused on his home that yielded thousands of bags of heroin, previous news stories show.

Sandro Tavara Mora 

Mora was identified by local investigators as a player in a "large heroin factory." City officers uncovered a trove of false identification records during a search of his home. They invited immigration officials into the fold and he was eventually properly identified through fingerprints. Court records show he was deterred from coming into the country in 2000 by the U.S. Coast Guard and redirected back to the Dominican Republic.

Related: Springfield narcotics detectives raid Forest Park neighborhood home, arrest 4, seize nearly 5,000 bags of heroin

It is unclear how long Mora had been living in Springfield or in the U.S. prior to his arrest. He was charged in federal court the following year.

Operation Island Express dates back several years, public accounts show. An intensive investigation focused on Puerto Rico led law enforcement to packages Mora had been receiving in this city. The drug investigation operated on a separate track.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office and the Billerica Police Department have released the identities of the three people killed at the LynnWay Auto Auction in Billerica.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office and the Billerica Police Department have released the identities of the three people killed at the Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica.

Brenda Lopez, 48, of Rhode Island, and Pantaleon Santos, 49, of Rhode Island, were pronounced dead at the scene. Leezandra Aponte, 36, of Lowell, was transported to Lahey Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

An additional nine people at the auction were injured. Eight individuals - ranging in age from 33 years old to 55 - were treated and released from nearby hospitals. One victim - a 55-year-old man - remains in the hospital with serious injuries. 

A Jeep Grand Cherokee took off at high speeds inside the auto auction at approximately 10:13 a.m. Wednesday and crashed through the exterior of a cinder block wall, causing fatal and serious injuries in its path. 

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. 

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. 

A YouCaring fundraising page has been created for 29-year-old Jeremy Hollins, who was shot three times by police after allegedly trying to kill officers on April 23. Watch video

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The wife of Jeremy Hollins, the Springfield man who was shot by West Springfield police last month after allegedly trying to mow down cops in his Lexus, has launched an online fundraising page for her husband, who remains in the intensive care unit at Baystate Medical Center.

"On April 23rd, Jeremy Hollins was shot three times from behind; twice in the shoulder and once in the leg," Jeremy's wife, Shereese Rodgers Hollins, said on the YouCaring page she organized for her 29-year-old husband, who's charged with attempted murder and other crimes in connection with the incident.

The damage to both his shoulder and leg are extensive and he's currently receiving medical care in the ICU," she said.

Meanwhile, state police detectives assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office continue to investigate the officer-involved shooting, which happened outside the Wentworth Estates condo complex off Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.

Other than indicating Hollins was shot three times by officers, authorities haven't said if he was armed with a weapon when he allegedly charged at officers after being cornered outside the condo complex. Officials also have not said how many officers fired their weapons.

Hollins used his car to ram police cruisers, injuring three officers after driving directly at them while fleeing the scene, according to police and prosecutors. His abandoned Lexus was quickly located, but Hollins was found over a half-hour later hiding in a doorway, police said. 

Shereese's claim that her husband was shot from behind runs counter to what police and prosecutors have reported: that Hollins charged at police, which implies he was facing officers as he ran toward them.

"Jeremy is facing the fight of his life right now and the family is requesting that you please come to his aid.," Shereese said on the YouCaring page. "The expenses will be extensive, but with your help we can push through. Anything that you can give will be greatly appreciated."

As of late Thursday afternoon, over $1,400 had been raised toward the page's $20,000 goal.

By all accounts, Jeremy Hollins, who grew up in Agwam and now lives on Tallyho drive in the Sixteen Acres section of Springfield, was an educated young professional.

He graduated from prestigious Bucknell University and holds a leadership position at his father's Holyoke company, Environmental Integrity LLC, an electronics recycling firm. The clean-cut, soft-spoken Hollins is even featured in a promotional video for the company.

Hollins is "a caring husband, a loyal friend, an adoring brother, and a loving son," Shereese said.

Two bags of cocaine and a semi-automatic pistol with ammunition were found inside the Lexus, according to Jim Leydon, a spokesman for the district attorney. Hollins is the registered owner of the gun, Leydon said. 

The Mass. unemployment rate ticked up, the economy slightly contracted in the first quarter, and business confidence fell. What's going on? Watch video

The Massachusetts unemployment rate recently rose to 3.6 percent in March, from 3.2 percent in January, according to preliminary estimates.

Business confidence in Massachusetts fell slightly for the first time since August, and the UMass Donahue Institute, working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issued a report days ago that said the Massachusetts slightly contracted in the first quarter of 2017.

And just yesterday, the latest tax collection figures indicate state budget problems are about to get worse.

What does it all mean? Asked if the economy is taking a bad turn, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said, "I don't see - I mean, I don't tend to make decisions about the long term based on a month or two's worth of data. In either direction, up or down."

More people are working than in any other point in the state's history, Baker added, noting unemployment remains low.

"And I think obviously we are in what I have said many times is a modest growth scenario and I think we need to plan accordingly," he told reporters after an event in South Boston.

With tax collections down, Massachusetts government 'reviewing all options'

"We're not going to have big huge rates of growth in tax revenue going forward unless that personal income starts to explode, and personal income growth has been relatively modest now for several years, not just here, but everywhere," Baker said.

The challenge for public sector officials is to continue investing in education, workforce development, and the biotechnology, life sciences and cybersecurity sectors, according to the governor.

"But we also have to be cognizant of the fact that this has been a very slow growth economy for quite a while, and that means we need to make sure that we plan for what I would continue to believe is going to be modest growth going forward," Baker said.

The state does have a rainy day fund totaling almost $1.3 billion, but officials have not indicated there is an appetite for tapping it as they struggle with how to fix a budget gap. Baker remains opposed to broad-based tax increases.

Baker said Thursday that any budget course corrections his administration makes would not harm state money that goes to Massachusetts cities and towns.

Massachusetts economy contracts in first quarter of 2017 

Bryan MacDonald and Jonathan Manor have denied rape charges in a June 2014 incident in Springfield.

The exterior of the Hampden County Hall of Justice is seen Saturday evening, April 25. (Dwight B. Shepard / The Republican)Dwight B. Shepard / The Republican 

SPRINGFIELD -- A 27-year-old woman testified Thursday she was raped by two men when she went to their room at the Sheraton hotel in June 2014. Lawyers for the two defendants said what happened between their clients and the woman was consensual.

On trial are Bryan MacDonald, 24, and Jonathan Manor, 25, two former Springfield College football players, each of whom has denied two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and battery.

Judge John S. Ferrara is presiding over the trial in Hampden Superior Court.

Court records give a Rocky Hill, Connecticut, address for MacDonald and a Plattsburgh, New York, address for Manor. The men have been free on $10,000 bail while awaiting trial.

McDonald and Manor were staying at the Sheraton in one room, with Manor's father staying in another room, because the three men were going to golf together in the Springfield College football program golf tournament, according to the defendants' lawyers. The woman was a waitress at a downtown Springfield restaurant and sports bar the three men visited June 13.

Assistant District Attorney Eileen M. Sears told jurors in her opening statement the issue in dispute is "the issue and concept of consent."

Michael O. Jennings, lawyer for MacDonald, told jurors when the men went to the sports bar and the woman was their waitress, "almost immediately the flirtation dance started." He said the woman knew Manor and MacDonald were consuming quite a bit of alcohol.

Jennings said when the woman got off work "she agreed to go to the room" Manor and MacDonald were sharing at the hotel, and got a bottle of tequila from her car to bring with her. Jennings said the sex between MacDonald and the woman was consensual.

David P. Hoose, lawyer for Manor, said of the two defendants, "As you might expect, their accounts of what happened are pretty close." He asked jurors to pay attention to the legal definition of rape, which he said requires the use of force or threats of violence.

"I say to you this is not a case about rape, this is a case about regret," Hoose said.

He said Manor will testify that the woman did not stop him. Hoose said he thinks everyone regrets what happens, but said regretting and having second thoughts does not turn it into rape.

Sears completed her questioning of the woman Thursday. Cross-examination by the two defense lawyers will be Friday.

The woman testified MacDonald was persistent in trying to get her telephone number and she eventually gave it to him. She said after she found out a friend of hers had played football with the two men, she texted that friend, who said MacDonald and Manor were good people.

The woman, who was crying as she testified, said MacDonald kept trying to get her to come back to the room and repeatedly said, "Give me an hour of your time." She said MacDonald was "persistent and annoying" and she agreed to go to the hotel room to stop him from pestering her.

The woman said MacDonald threw her on a bed and forced her to have sex. She said she tried to get up and yelled a number of times, "Get the f--- off me." She testified Manor also forced her to have sex against her will.

She said after she left in the early morning hours she called her best friend, who is slated to testify at trial, because she needed to tell someone. She said in the morning she ran in a 5-kilometer race but then went to a local hospital.

She said she gave police the clothes she was wearing when she went to the hotel room.

The woman said she had one drink at the restaurant after getting out of work and poured herself two small tequila drinks in the hotel room. She said she didn't drink all of one of those drinks.

Springfield Pedicab drivers, who will be independent contractors who work on a tip basis, will not charge fees for rides downtown. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Every time Frankie Mozell rides his bright white pedicab down Main Street, people honk their horns, wave and ask how much a ride costs.

"This happens whenever we go out. People are smiling and they want to know what we're doing," said Mozell, owner of Springfield Pedicabs, a new downtown business he started along with Alex Cruz.

So what does a ride cost? Whatever the rider thinks the driver merits. Drivers, who will be independent contractors who work on a tip basis, will not charge fees for rides downtown. 

The pedicabs can be booked for private events or for longer rides for a fee, but their primary service area will be the Springfield Central Cultural District that spans much of downtown.

Mozell and Cruz's partnership started several years ago when they met while working on individual projects. They decided to team up and worked with the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce to form a flyer distribution, marketing and advertising agency in Springfield called LTLife.

"We got a lot of help from the chamber, and we are thankful to Carlos Gonzalez (now a state representative), who was the head of it at the time, for really encouraging us. Eventually, we moved into the MassLive building (1350 Main St.) through CoWork Springfield, and being downtown, seeing everything that's going on down here, it just inspired us," Mozell said.

After doing some research into possible advertising opportunities, the idea for a pedicab in downtown was born.

"We started looking at Boston, Salem and Providence, Rhode Island, who have similar businesses, and we even found out that Northampton had a pedicab for a while," Mozell said. "The more research we did, the more we became excited about bringing a pedicab to Springfield."

The two approached Springfield City Councilor Kateri Walsh, who set up meetings with various city departments.

"She was instrumental in arranging meetings with the city clerk's department, the law department and the licensing boards," Mozell said.

On Thursday, Walsh and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno took a ride in one of the new business' two pedicabs, which has been spotted around downtown for the past few weeks.

Walsh, who met Mozell and Cruz at their graduation from the chamber and became a client of their marketing business, said she was happy to help.

"Knowing their history, and what hard-working, energetic, enthusiastic and visionary men they are, I wanted to help them get through the red tape," she said.

Wash said the pedicab business is now a part of Springfield's history.

"Springfield has a history of being first going back to the Rolls Royce, and the pedicabs are falling right in line with the transportation history of the city," she said. "I am so excited for them."

Since this is the first time the city has had a bike taxi service, Mozell and Cruz did a lot of research to make sure they had the proper licensing and insurance to cover their drivers. Initially they will be doing most of the driving themselves, but they hope to add more drivers.

"We need at least five drivers for each pedicab, because it requires some conditioning for sure," Mozell said.

Mozell and Cruz said they want drivers who are willing to take a chance.

"The challenge is still perception versus reality. Some of the drivers who live across the river or in Connecticut have certain perceptions about downtown. We need drivers willing to work with our public safety officials and who are willing to use as much electronic processing as possible, so that they aren't carrying a lot of cash," he said.

Mozell said he wants the drivers to be passionate about the city.

"Our pedicab drivers will be ambassadors for the city. In essence we are really in the business of making people smile and entertaining them on a ride through the Cultural District. At the same time, it's a business that happens to also bring advertising revenue," he said.

While Mozell focuses on the drivers, schedules, routes and interactions with the public, Cruz will focus on selling advertising on the cabs to local businesses.

"These are really high quality pedicabs, and we left them white so that businesses could purchase advertising space on them. Our drivers will be riding downtown during the day and night, so there is a lot of potential there for a business that wants to promote itself," Cruz said.

They have been asked why they did not start the business in a bigger city, or even try it in Northampton, Mozell said "Springfield is where it's at."

"Northampton is great, but Springfield has $2.5 billion worth of economic development happening here. We have Union Station, (the Amazing World of) Dr. Seuss (Museum), MGM, the Basketball Hall of Fame. We are right where we want to be," he said.

Once the company continues to grow and they can dedicate more funds to purchasing additional pedicabs, Mozell hopes to expand the rides to the Forest Park area, as well as other historic venues in the city.

"You have the Armory on State Street, there's Bright Nights in Forest Park. We are excited to show people around the city," he said.

Springfield Pedicab will officially launch on May 13 at the city's annual Pancake Breakfast, and will then be spotted regularly in downtown Springfield.

Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez kicked off his re-election campaign at the city's International Biergarten on Thursday night.

SPRINGFIELD -  Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez kicked off his re-election campaign at the city's International Biergarten on Main Street on Thursday night, highlighting his accomplishments so far, and stressing his priorities for the future: namely, the pursuit of political unity and economic justice.

The life-long Springfield resident and current Ward 1 councilor said that he wants to continue to fight for good jobs, economic opportunity, and for the city's most disadvantaged demographics during his next term. 

Gomez was first elected to office in 2015 when he beat out then incumbent Councilor Zaid Luna--who had served in the position since 2008. At that time, Gomez ran on a platform emphasizing his city roots, his Puerto Rican heritage, and his desire to bring justice to the city's most disenfranchised demographics.  

Two years later, Gomez's message remains largely unchanged: he said Thursday that he wants to continue to support minority demographics against intolerance and injustice, and to open up avenues of greater economic opportunity for the community. 

In October of 2016, Gomez was instrumental in passing a non-binding resolution entitled "Solidarity with Muslims," that condemned hate-speech against Muslims in the city and reaffirmed "the value of a pluralistic society, the beauty of a culture composed of multiple cultures, and the inalienable right of every person to live and practice their faith without fear." 

The location of Thursday night's campaign launch is a special one for Gomez, being the site where the City Councilor first celebrated his victory over Luna in 2015.  

Most people present at the campaign kick-off on Thursday night said that they'd seen examples of Gomez's leadership abilities since childhood. 

A man was hospitalized after being stabbed on Andrew Street in Springfield on Thursday night.

SPRINGFIELD - A man was hospitalized after being stabbed in Springfield's Bay neighborhood on Thursday night. 

Police were called to the area of 39 Andrew Street for reports of a man who had been attacked and stabbed. An officer at the scene said that they had responded shortly after 8:10 p.m.

Captain Robert Strempek of the Springfield Police Department confirmed that a victim had been stabbed and hospitalized. 

The severity of the man's injuries were not disclosed. 

At the scene of the attack, five to six police cruisers were parked along Andrew Street and officers and detectives could be seen interviewing local residents. 

Police haven't yet apprehended any suspects for the attack, said Strempek. 

No further information has been released at this time. 

A Springfield man has been arrested for allegedly beating and stabbing an elderly man.

SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield man is facing charges after allegedly beating and stabbing an elderly man during a violent altercation in West Springfield that occurred on April 28. 

Bryan Zwiebel.West Springfield Police Department photo 

Officers with the West Springfield Police Department were called to the area of 2044 Riverdale Street on the date in question, after reports for a "fight in progress" came in involving a man armed with a bat, and another armed with a knife.

Upon arrival, officers found a 71-year-old man suffering from a stab wound to the upper left armpit, as well as abrasions on his face and knees. 

Police say the violent incident erupted after Bryan Zwiebel, of Springfield, kicked the elderly man's car, causing damage to it. The 71-year-old car owner then exited the vehicle and confronted Zwiebel with a baseball bat, attempting to hit him.

Bryan Zwiebel allegedly responded by beating and stabbing the old man. 

The elderly victim was transported to Baystate Medical Center for treatment. 

Zwiebel now faces several charges, including assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a person over the age of 60, and malicious damage to a motor vehicle.