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Hampshire Council of Governments withdrawal on Monday's Belchertown Town Meeting warrant

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The May 8 Belchertown town meeting begins at 7 p.m., at the high school auditorium.

BELCHERTOWN -- Whether the municipality should withdraw from Hampshire Council of Governments will be decided by Town Meeting on Monday.

Should the community's legislative body approve, the town would exit the HCOG next year.

The town administrator and members of the board of selectmen have recommended the town part ways with the HCOG.  Selectmen were concerned about accountability after the failure of a HCOG effort to provide electricity to dozens of communities through an aggregation plan, with the goal of saving ratepayers money.

In September 2015, the state Department of Public Utilities halted the plan, and the HCOG ended its municipal aggregation effort.

An October 2016 letter signed by Selectmen Chairman George "Archie" Archible to the HCOG stated: "To the best of our knowledge, no one has been held accountable for the loss of an estimated $1 million of the Council's funds, which was essentially wasted on a faint-hearted effort to approve aggregation."

The letter states: "An employee of this town who was responsible for such poor judgment would certainly be held accountable and likely terminated."

The proposal to leave the Hampshire Council of Governments is Article 13 on the Town Meeting warrant. It says "all obligations of the Town of Belchertown to the Hampshire Council of Governments will be met up until the said effective date" of withdrawal on July 1, 2018. 

The warrant includes a request for the town to pay the annual dues of $3,750 for the coming fiscal year.

There was concern that withdrawing could jeopardize the town's right to be a member of Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust. But the HCGIT executive director recently met with selectmen in public session and told them that the town need not be an HCOG member to remain in the insurance plan, which provides coverage to municipal employees.

In other business, Town Meeting will act on Community Preservation Act funding requests that total $175,175.

That includes using $98,600 on windows that need replacement in the 48 apartments of the Belchertown Housing Authority.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Belchertown High School auditorium, 142 Springfield Road.

2017 May 8 Annual Town Meeting Warrant by The Republican/MassLive.com on Scribd


Police: Shoplifters targeting CVS stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut could be former employees

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In both stores, the suspects seemed familiar with security procedures and used a tool designed to remove items from packaging without damaging them, police said.

SPRINGFIELD - Half of an alleged shoplifting team suspected of targeting CVS stores in two states is being held on $1,000 bail following his arrest this week.

Jaime C. Fekeris, 30, of Chicopee, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Springfield District Court to one count of larceny over $250 and two counts of larceny under $250.

jaime.jpgJaime C. Fekeris
 

The charges were filed one day after Fekeris and co-defendant Michelle Brown, 32, also of Chicopee, were arrested following an alleged shoplifting run May 2 at a CVS pharmacy on Bliss Road in Longmeadow, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said.

The pair was already wanted on warrants for allegedly stealing more than $375 in merchandise on March 28 from the Bliss Road store and another CVS on Longmeadow Street, the prosecutor said.

Based on surveillance video and witness statements, police identified Fekeris and Brown as the suspects who stole $182.34 in Similac baby formula from the Bliss Road CVS before driving to the Longmeadow Street store and stealing $199.98 in Norelco electric razors, the prosecutor said.

They are also suspects in thefts from other CVS stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, according to Szafranski and a report filed by Longmeadow police.

In the March 28 thefts, the suspects seemed familiar with security procedures at both stores and used a tool designed to remove items from packaging without damaging them. Investigators believe that at least one suspect previously worked at a CVS, and might have a key to unlock some security devices, the report said.

Szafranski asked for $1,000 bail for Fekeris, citing the new charges plus his criminal history in Massachusetts and Florida.

In addition to a nine-page arrest record in Massachusetts, with multiple convictions in shoplifiting and larceny cases, Fekeris has convictions in Florida and a history of court defaults, the prosecutor said.

Judge Matthew Shea, noting the defendant's record, set bail at $1,000 and ordered Fekeris to return for a pretrial hearing on May 30.

Brown was arraigned separately and released after pleaded not guilty to the same charges; the conditions of her release were not available Friday. 

Chicopee Boys & Girls Club holding golf tournament

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The cost is $500 for a foursome or $125 for individual golfer. All proceeds will benefit the club.

CHICOPEE - The Boys and Girls Club is holding its second Great Futures Golf Classic tournament complete with lunch, dinner and an opportunity for a variety of prizes.

The golf tournament will begin at 10 a.m., June 9 at the Chicopee Country Club. All proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club.

The cost is $500 for a foursome and $125 for individual golfers. The fee will include the use of a cart for all 18 holes and the two meals.

The tournament is sponsored by Pilgrim Interiors but there are also a number of opportunities for different ways to help. For example for $100 a company or individual can sponsor a tee.

For more information about sponsorships or to register for the tournament go to the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club website at http://bgcchicopee.org/golf-classic/. Registration forms are available on the site.

State Police investigate fatal crash on Route 495 in Franklin

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Massachusetts State Police are investigating a morning crash on Route 495 in Franklin that killed a 24-year-old Providence, Rhode Island man, officials announced Saturday.

FRANKLIN -- Massachusetts State Police are investigating a morning crash on Route 495 in Franklin that killed a 24-year-old Providence, Rhode Island man, officials announced Saturday. 

Troopers responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash on the northbound side of the road around 5:15 a.m., police said.

A preliminary investigation of the scene suggests the crash occurred when the victim, who has yet to be identified, lost control of his 2011 Toyota he was driving and struck an arrow board. The collision appears to have caused the vehicle to roll over into the median, according to state police. 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The reasons behind why the victim lost control of his vehicle remain under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, state police reported.

Franklin Fire and EMS and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation assisted state police on scene. 

Motorist who lost 1-punch fight with state trooper in middle of Springfield street held on $5,000 bail

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Shirtless and with one wrist already handcuffed, Jonathan Acevedo-Smith shoved the trooper in the chest and squared off to fight in the middle of one of Springfield's busiest streets, police said.

SPRINGFIELD - Call it the Fight on Dwight.

One afternoon last week, Jonathan Acevdeo-Smith allegedly decided to trade punches with a state trooper who pulled his car over on Dwight Street.

Shirtless and with one wrist already handcuffed, he shoved the trooper in the chest and squared off to fight in the middle of one of Springfield's busiest streets, according to the arrest report.

smith.JPGJohnathan Acevedo-Smith 

Only one punch was thrown, and Acevedo-Smith didn't throw it, the report said.

"I struck Acevedo in the face with my right fist and was able to subdue him and finally secure his handcuffs," Trooper Adam Cardin wrote.

Events leading to the single-punch fight began around 4:30 p.m. April 26 when the trooper pulled Acevedo-Smith's car over for an expired inspection sticker, according to the trooper's report. It was raining, traffic was congested and there were two passengers in the car, the report said.

Acevedo-Smith rolled down his window and demanded to know why he was stopped. Instead of handing over his license and registration, as requested, he rolled up his window and locked his door, the report said.

When the trooper called for backup, the driver ripped off his shirt and jumped from the car, dropping a hypodermic needle and two glassine baggies in the process, the report said.

Suspecting the bags contained heroin, the trooper grabbed Acevedo-Smith as the two passengers hopped from the vehicle and fled. The trooper and the shirtless suspect began grappling in the street as traffic backed up and motorists honked their horns, the report said.

State court officer Bruno Duarte, driving home from work at the Hampden County Hall of Justice, saw the confrontation and stopped. He pinned Acevedo-Smith to the pavement long enough for the trooper to handcuff one of his hands, the report said.

Still struggling, Acevedo-Smith popped back up, ripped the whistle from the trooper's uniform and clenched his fists to fight; moments later, the fight was over, courtesy of the trooper's fist, the report said.

When other troopers arrived, the suspect was loaded into a cruiser and transported to state police headquarters for booking.

The next day, Acevedo-Smith, 29, of Westfield, pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court to eight charges, including assault and battery on a police officer, possession of heroin, resisting arrest and failing to annually inspect his motor vehicle.

At a prosecutor's request, Judge William Boyle set bail at $5,000 cash and ordered Acevedo-Smith to return to court for a pretrial hearing on May 15.

Boston Police investigate Roxbury stabbing death

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Boston Police are investigating an apparent Friday evening stabbing that left one man dead, officers have reported.

ROXBURY - Boston Police are investigating an apparent Friday evening stabbing that left one man dead, officers have reported.

Police assigned to District B-2 responded to reports of a person stabbed near 5 Groom St. in Roxbury just before 10:30 p.m. Officers, upon arriving on scene, located a victim with apparent stab wounds, according to Boston Police.

The victim, a male in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene, police reported.

Boston Police ask anyone with information related to the incident to contact city homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.

Community members may also anonymously call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word "TIP" to CRIME (27463).

Northampton Police search for owner of pet bird

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Police are seeking the public's help in locating the owner of a pet bird found near a Market Street restaurant.

NORTHAMPTON -- Police are seeking the public's help in locating the owner of a pet bird found near a Market Street restaurant. 

According to a post on the Northampton Police Department's Facebook page, the bird was found near The Roost on Market Street Friday. 

Anyone with information as to the owner of the animal is asked to call Northampton Police's Dispatch Center at 413-587-1100.

Fire damages porch on Ardmore Street in Springfield

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A morning fire damaged the front porch of an Ardmore Street home, city fire officials reported Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD -- A morning fire damaged the front porch of an Ardmore Street home, city fire officials reported Saturday. 

Firefighters were called to 32 Ardmore Street around 10 a.m. for a reported porch fire, according to Dennis Leger, the aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

Crews quickly extinguished the blaze, which appeared to be the result of careless disposal of smoking materials, Leger reported. 

The fire caused no injuries and resulted in less than $5,000 in damage, according to the Springfield Fire Department. 


Hampden voters to explore divorcing town from regional school district, hiring full-time firefighters

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Town residents will have a chance to vote on a 26-article warrant at Hampden's back-to-back annual and special town meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School, 85 Wilbraham Road.

HAMPDEN -- Residents will have a chance to vote on a 26-article warrant at Hampden's back-to-back annual and special town meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School, 85 Wilbraham Road.

In addition to voting on a roughly $13 million budget for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1, the warrant's big-ticket items include exploring the possibility of divorcing the town from the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District and adding full-time firefighters to the volunteer Hampden Fire Department.

Both proposals have sparked some controversy, but the school issue has arguably dominated discussions in this town of 5,100-plus residents ever since a majority of voters rejected an October 2016 measure to allow Hampden middle-schoolers to cross town lines to attend Wilbraham Middle School.

One school article calls for authorizing the Hampden Board of Selectmen to investigate "the procedure and ramifications" of withdrawing from the regional school district and reverting to the pre-1994 model, in which Hampden students only attended school in Wilbraham for their high school years, or grades nine through 12.

The article also calls on selectmen "to develop a plan and timeline" for such a withdrawal, which would be presented to Hampden voters for their consideration at fall town meeting.

The other school-related article pertains directly to the October 2016 vote, which rejected a plan to amend the two-town regional school district agreement to allow students at Hampden's Thornton W. Burgess Middle School to cross town lines to attend Wilbraham Middle School for a five-year period beginning in fall 2017.

The measure was approved by Wilbraham voters but overwhelmingly rejected by Hampden voters, many of whom viewed it as a first step toward the permanent closure of TWB, as the town's middle school is commonly called. If that were to happen, they argued, Hampden would be left with only one school in the seven-school district.

The contentious issue sparked a civil war of sorts, and not just between the two towns. In Hampden, many parents of school-age children argued that if only they were allowed to vote on the matter, it would have passed overwhelmingly. However, the townwide vote against the so-called middle school merger plan was decisive. 

The article specifically directs selectmen to use "all available means, including but not limited to legal action," to ensure "adherence" to the Octboer 2016 vote "against the closing of Thornton W. Burgess" and proposed merger of Hampden and Wilbraham middle school students.

The article also directs selectmen to do everything possible to ensure that both TWB and Green Meadows Elementary School, Hampden's only other school in the regional district, "remain open and provide comparable education between Hampden and Wilbraham students."

Merger proponents have argued that the October vote was never about closing TWB, but merely about amending the regional agreement so Hampden middle school students could cross town lines to attend Wilbraham Middle School.

Anti-merger activists have dismissed that argument as myopic and misleading, arguing that all signs point to the eventual permanent closure of TWB. The school building is owned by the Town of Hampden, not the school district, and no concrete plans have emerged as to what to do with the almost 50-year-old school if it ceases to operate as the town's middle school. 

An ad hoc Middle School Task Force that considered solutions for the "middle school problem," which centers around projected declining enrollment at TWB and Wilbraham Middle School and the untenable costs of maintaining both schools, determined that a single-school model was better for the district, both educationally and financially.

Both of Hampden's school articles are nonbinding, meaning they have no legal force. That said, selectmen may view the outcome of the votes as a litmus test of where Hampden residents stand on the issue, which could prompt action by the board.

On the Fire Department issue, voters will be asked to consider two articles: One that calls for hiring three full-time firefighters to cover the department's understaffed day shift at a cost of $141,000, and another to raise, appropriate, or transfer "a sum of money" to construct a building addition to the town's only fire station at 19 North Road.

The first article also calls for allocating $65,000 to pay the department's volunteer firefighters to respond to calls, essentially transforming the all-volunteer organization into a "call" department, and setting aside $20,000 in employee benefits for the three full-time firefighters. 

The second Fire Department article doesn't include a projected price tag for expanding the fire station, but Chief Mike Gorski estimates a small addition would cost the town around $200,000.

Chicopee officials urge motorists to avoid Chicopee Street

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City officials are urging motorists to avoid Chicopee Street due to heavy rain that has impacted roadwork.

CHICOPEE -- City officials are urging motorists to avoid Chicopee Street due to heavy rain that has impacted roadwork. 

Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos' office announced Saturday morning that while the street remains open to traffic, driving conditions are unfavorable.

Officials advised drivers to avoid the area as crews are currently at work on the road and filling holes. Work is expected to be completed Saturday afternoon.

North Reading Police announce arrests of 5 alleged sex traffickers

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Five individuals in four communities have been arrested following a joint local, state and federal investigation into alleged human sex trafficking, North Reading Police announced Saturday.

NORTH READING -- Five individuals in four communities have been arrested following a joint local, state and federal investigation into alleged human sex trafficking, North Reading Police announced Saturday. 

Chief Michael P. Murphy said the arrests and subsequent freeing of 10 women from alleged human sex trafficking resulted from an investigation launched by North Reading Police detectives.

According to Murphy, police determined that there was a suspected location in North Reading where victims of human trafficking were engaging in sexual acts for a fee with individuals who responded to online advertisements. 

North Reading Police partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's Office in the case, which uncovered a widespread human trafficking, sex crime and money laundering operation, officials reported. 

"This law enforcement operation identified and freed 10 people from the bonds of human sex trafficking and captured five people who allegedly profited from their misery," he said in a statement. "The victims in this case are getting the assistance they desperately need to start to put their lives back together again."

Law enforcement officials arrested alleged human sex traffickers from Boston, Gloucester and New Hampshire Thursday, according to North Reading Police. 

State Police and officers with the Boston, Cambridge, Gloucester, Newton, Quincy and Revere Police Departments were also involved in the operation. 

Power outages affect 500-plus Springfield residents

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About 700 Western Massachusetts Eversource customers were without power Saturday afternoon, including nearly 600 residents in Springfield, the energy company reported.

UPDATED AT 2:45 P.M. -- Eversource officials said the Springfield outages are due to planned work. The company expects city residents to regain power around 4:30 p.m.  

Eversource, meanwhile, attributed other outages across Western Massachusetts to high winds.

SPRINGFIELD -- More than 1,000 Western Massachusetts Eversource customers were without power Saturday afternoon, including nearly 600 residents in Springfield, the energy company reported.

As of 2 p.m., 567 Springfield residents and more than 800 Colrain residents had reported power outages as high winds moved into the area, according to Eversource's outage map.

In addition to Springfield and Colrain, about 100 Eversource customers in both Southampton and Shelburne, as well as 50 in Pittsfield -- which was under a wind advisory until 6 p.m. -- were also without power, the company reported.

Just 364 Colrain residents and 46 Shelburne residents remained without power as at 2:20 p.m.

Winds in Springfield had reportedly downed a tree near 150 White Street, Dennis Leger, Aid to the Springfield Fire Commissioner told Western Mass News.  It is unclear whether the tree contributed to the city's reported outages.

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

What counts as a pre-existing condition? Here are the health issues that may make you ineligible for coverage under new GOP health bill

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A list of pre-existing conditions that may not be covered or may face exponentially higher premiums under the new GOP healthcare bill.

Seen@ The 2017 Northampton LGBTQ Pride Parade

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Noho Pride held its popular annual parade and Pride Day on Saturday. The days events are a celebration of the spirit and strength in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities in the area.

NORTHAMPTON - Noho Pride held its popular annual parade and Pride Day on Saturday. The days events are a celebration of the spirit and strength in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities in the area.

The early rain didn't dampen spirits and as the high-energy parade got underway the dark clouds gave way to beautiful blues skies and sun.

In 1981, Northampton held the first liberation Pride march. Today it has grown to a massive endeavor of thousands of participants from all over New England. The parades theme of "Stronger Together" was never more evident than today.

The coordinated involvement of groups from around the region aimed to send a powerful message that there is unity in the community. Perhaps not surprisingly, there seemed to be a stronger political component to many of the signs and chants making their way down Main Street this year.

As with previous parades, there were scores of high school Gay/Straight Alliances as well as many welcoming local churches. Support organizations and local businesses showed their pride on floats, bands, and marchers in coordinated outfits. Tens of thousands also lined the parade route shouting support and messages of love.

36th annual Northampton Pride parade lets community celebrate inclusion and diversity

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The 36th annual pride parade took place in Northampton on Saturday. Watch video

NORTHAMPTON - Northampton's 36th annual pride parade and celebration drew immense crowds on Saturday afternoon, with families, local residents, and organizations from throughout the Pioneer Valley coming together in a colorful splash in the city's downtown area.   

A local event for nearly four decades, the city's first pride parade took place in 1981 during a drastically different time, when the prospect of marriage legalization was a faraway dream of gay rights activists and homophobia was a prevalent norm.

Now, the event is considered one of the city's most openly accepted and celebrated traditions.

Saturday's celebrants commented often that the reason they valued the event was how it brought everybody together. 

Amherst resident Ken Johnston says this is his third year working as a volunteer for the celebration and that it's been a deeply satisfying experience every time. What Johnston appreciates most about the event is the diversity it promotes, he says. 

"What I love about it is that it's represented by all ages and backgrounds," Johnston said. "You see children and whole families together out here. There's community groups, schools, and churches."   

Indeed, Saturday's parade was made up of a multitude of local organizations and businesses, all of whom had come out to support the rights and agenda of LGTBQ people and communities.  

"It brings together people not just from Northampton, but from communities all up and down the Pioneer Valley," Johnston said. "It's really wonderful," he said.

Margaret, who is a new Northampton resident and just moved to the area not long ago, said that she was impressed with how the event allowed people to celebrate their identities.

"It was really cool," she said, of the parade. "It's really neat to see everybody coming out and celebrating together, and it's really great to see that there are places where people can just go out and express themselves," she said.

After the parade ended around 1 p.m., the festivities moved across town to Northampton's Fair Grounds, where various booths, food venues, and entertainment had been set up to allow celebrants to keep the party going. 

Emily Dwaid-Jones said that the Northampton parade holds a special place in her heart, as it was the first pride parade she ever went to.

"I think it's great," Dwaid-Jones said. "It's awesome for the general community to see everybody else besides the gay community come out to do all of this and be supportive," she said.  


Woman arrested after allegedly robbing TD bank in Northampton; police say suspect may have used Pride parade as excuse to wear 'masked costume'

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A woman has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery in Northampton that occurred on Saturday afternoon.

NORTHAMPTON - Almost immediately after a robbery occurred at the TD bank in Northampton on Saturday afternoon, authorities arrested a woman they believed to be responsible for the crime, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

37-year-old Northampton resident Jennifer Brumer was taken into custody on Pleasant Street at approximately 1:45 p.m., after a local officer on patrol "observed a female matching the clothing description of the suspect" involved in the robbery, said Detective Lt. Alan Borowski of the Northampton Police Department.

The robbery had occurred only fifteen minutes earlier, when a person wearing a mask entered the TD bank branch located at 175 Main Street--in the heart of the city's downtown area--and handed the teller a note. The robber then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash less than $1,000, Borowski said. 

Borowski also said that almost all of the money from the robbery was recovered after Brumer's arrest and that police believe Brumer may have used the Pride parade--which was winding down at the time of the robbery--as an excuse to wear a "masked costume" in public. 

Brumer is currently being held and is charged with bank robbery; her bail has not yet been set. The TD bank branch will remain closed for the rest of Saturday. 

 

Watch: Scenes from the 36th annual Pride parade in Northampton

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Watch scenes from Northampton's 36th annual pride parade. Watch video

NORTHAMPTON - Northampton held its 36th annual pride parade and celebration on Saturday afternoon, with thousands of people coming out to watch and participate. 

An annual ritual, the parade was made up largely of local organizations, schools, religious affiliations and businesses, all of whom had come out to support the rights and agenda of LGTBQ people and communities.   

You can watch scenes from the parade in the video above. 

Stan Rosenberg, president of the Massachusetts senate, to be keynote speaker at 2017 Young Democrats convention

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Stan Rosenberg, president of the state senate, will be the keynote speaker at the 2017 Young Democrats Convention.

Stan Rosenberg, the president of the Massachusetts state senate, will be the keynote speaker at the 2017 Young Democrats Convention.

The Young Democrats of Massachusetts (YDMA) is the youth outreach wing of the Democratic party of Massachusetts. The annual Convention is an opportunity for young people interested in politics to network and hear from political insiders. 

Rosenberg, who was elected to his current position in January, 2015, originally graduated from UMass Amherst in 1977 with a B.A. in Community Development & Arts Management. Since that time, Rosenberg has led a long career in public service, getting elected to the Massachusetts House in 1987 before later being elected to the Senate in 1991.

In a statement released Saturday, YDMA Convention Co-chairs Zachary Agush and Robert Cohen praised Rosenberg, saying that, through his career, the senate President has "remained steadfastly committed to Massachusetts values - like supporting working families, protecting our environment, increasing government transparency, and ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed." 

Tickets for the 2017 YDMA Convention can be purchased by going to the YMDA website

The Convention is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the MIT campus, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.

Plymouth man critically injured in Bristol motorcycle crash

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A Plymouth, Connecticut man was airlifted to Hartford Hospital after he crashed his motorcycle Friday night, police said.Jeffrey Lozier, 46, of Plymouth crashed into a tree on Terryville Road in Bristol. he was alone on th bike.

BRISTOL, Conn.— A 46-year-old Plymouth man was critically injured when he crashed his motorcycle Friday night.

Bristol police said Jeffrey Lozier, of the Terryville section of Plymouth, was riding his bike just after 8 p.m. on Terryville Road, also known as Route 72 when he lost control and crashed into a tree.

Lozier was airlifted from the scene to Hartford Hospital where he is hospitalized.

Lozier was alone on the bike at the time of the accident.

The Bristol Police accident reconstruction team was called in to investigate the incident.

Pedestrian struck twice in hit and run fatal, Waterbury man arrested

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A 31-year-old Waterbury man was arrested Friday in connection with the pedestrian fatal accident that saw a pedestrian struck twice by cars.

WATERBURY, Conn.— A 31-year-old Waterbury man was arrested Friday in connection with a pedestrian hit and run that left a Waterbury man dead after he was struck by two cars.

Leroy Rhoden, of Waterbury was arrested after police tied his car to the crash near the intersection of Cooke and Gordon streets just before 9 p.m. Thursday night.

Police allege that Rhoden was driving the car that initially struck 47-year-old Alton Staton as he crossed the street. Staton was in the northbound lane when he was struck and thrown onto the southbound lane of the street by the impact. He was struck by another car traveling in the southbound lane.

Staton was taken to Waterbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival

The driver of the second car stopped and was interviewed by police, but officers said Rhoden fled the scene.

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