View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A Worcester man was arrested in Bourne no Wednesday and is now facing cocaine distribution charges.

BOURNE - A Worcester man was arrested in Bourne on Wednesday after a State Trooper pulled him over and discovered a cache of drugs and cash in his vehicle. 

Police say 26-year-old Pierre Benoit was speeding--driving at speeds in excess of 90 mph--in the area of Route 195 in the town of Marion when a State Trooper decided to pull him over. 

After pulling him over, State Police proceeded to search Benoit's vehicle, discovering about 38 grams of cocaine as well as various pills and $4,189 in cash inside. Police say they found evidence consistent with drug distribution in Benoit's car. 

Benoit was arrested and booked at the State Police barracks in Bourne, before making bail.

He is now facing a number of charges, including two counts of possession of a class C substance with intent to distribute, as well as possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute, possession of a class E substance, and speeding. 

Agawam City Council President James P. Cichetti, better know locally as "Jimmy," has formally launched his campaign to unseat Mayor Richard A. Cohen.

AGAWAM -- City Council President James P. Cichetti formally launched his campaign for mayor on Thursday evening at Agawam's Crestview Country Club, where supporters turned out to support "Jimmy," as Cichetti is known across his native city, in his bid to unseat Mayor Richard A. Cohen.

"As council president, my attempts to openly communicate with the current leadership have been challenging. Maintaining a productive working relationship has been a challenge as well," said Cichetti, who was introduced to the large crowd by Laura Gentile, Hampden County clerk of courts -- not that Cichetti needed any introduction, having served on the council for almost eight years, the past two as its president.

"My attempts to resolve these hurdles of communication have had very little positive results. This is why I realized that a different perspective was needed," Cichetti said. "The only way to accomplish this was to take the next step -- which we're starting this evening -- and that was to run for the office of mayor."

Cichetti announced his candidacy last week, sending out e-vites to Thursday evening's launch party. Some people were surprised he was taking the leap, while others clearly saw the writing on the wall.

Last month, after the City Council unanimously rejected the Walnut Street Extension Streetscape Improvement Project -- a cornerstone revitalization plan of the Cohen administration -- Cichetti didn't hesitate to call out the mayor and his failed plan.

"The project did not contain any actual business revitalization, nor did it include anything whatsoever about the Games & Lanes parcel," Cichetti said at the time, referring to the former entertainment facility that's sat vacant since 2001.

On top of being a major eyesore in the heart of a rundown business district, Games & Lanes sits on top of a contaminated site that's still undergoing environmental remediation. That work is expected to finish this month.

"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?" said Cichetti, after he and his colleagues on the council rejected the $5 million-plus plan.

When it became clear the project was unpopular with councilors and citizens, many of whom spoke out against the initiative at public meetings, the Cohen administration floated a version of the plan that called for less borrowing and more grant funding to pay for the project.

At Thursday evening's launch party, Cichetti pledged to be a proactive leader, not a reactive one, with a leadership style that's "clear and direct." He also pledged to initiate a "business-friendly atmosphere" across the city, reaching out to citizens, business owners, and others to address issues before they become problems.

In addition to Gentile, a number of local politicians were on hand, including most of Cichetti's colleagues on the Agawam City Council and other city officials. Several councilors from neighboring West Springfield were also in attendance, including Bridget Fiala, whom Cichetti called a "very dear friend."

"I'd like to bring back that sense of community not only to town, but also ... to the office of mayor," the candidate said.

"Again, my name is Jimmy Cichetti, and it would be my honor to serve as your mayor for the City of Agawam," he said to thunderous applause.

Joel Gauthier of East Longmeadow is charged with possession of a class A substance with intent to distribute, and resisting arrest.

EAST LONGMEADOW - Two men were arrested and police recovered 127 bags of heroin during a traffic stop on Thursday.

At 1:30 p.m., East Longmeadow police stopped a vehicle on North Main Street for traffic violations, and discovered that the driver, Adam Scheuerman of Chicopee, had an active warrant, according to Sgt. Michael Ingalls.

Scheuerman's passenger, Joel Gauthier of East Longmeadow, allegedly ran from the scene, leading to a brief pursuit that resulted in a minor injury to an officer's hand.

Ingalls said officers found 127 bags of heroin in the vehicle, packaged as "100% Vital."

Gauthier is charged with possession of a class A substance with intent to distribute, and resisting arrest. He will be arraigned Friday in Palmer District Court.

Scheuerman must report to Springfield District Court on the warrant, which was related to traffic violations.

After a rule was proposed in Massachusetts to limit the number of hours Uber drivers can work, the transportation network company is speaking up.

After a rule was proposed in Massachusetts to limit the number of hours ride-hailing drivers can work, a transportation network company is speaking up.

Uber submitted a letter to Massachusetts officials this week calling plans to limit daily, weekly hours a ride-sharing driver can work "overly burdensome."

The letter goes on to state that "many individuals in many different industries work 70 hours in a seven-day period, at least on occasion."

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities introduced a rule to bar drivers from working more than 12 hours in a row, 16 total in a day or 70 hours in a week. After working 16 hours, the rule would mandate drivers take eight hours off driving for Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing services.

Regulators say such a policy will help prevent tired drivers from picking up fares.

While the letter from Uber spoke against the proposal, drivers for the company face stricter work limits elsewhere. In New York City, Uber and Lyft drivers face the same limits as taxi and limo companies and may not drive for more than 12 consecutive hours.

After eight years of on-again, off-again debate, the City Council is poised to finalize an ordinance that will regulate mobile food vendors in the downtown Springfield area.

SPRINGFIELD - After eight years of on-again, off-again debate, the City Council on Monday will consider final approval of an ordinance to regulate food trucks in downtown Springfield.

The issue traces back to 2009, when John C. Verducci III, of Agawam, a food truck vendor in the downtown for over 30 years, objected to the city's efforts to remove him from his longtime curbside spot on Worthington Street. The dispute led to numerous tickets and fines over a three-year period while the council considered regulations and permit requirements for vendors.

On Monday, the impasse could end as the council considers passage of an ordinance that would allow up to eight food trucks at parking spaces on Lyman Street and Kaynor Street, and up to eight additional food trucks at parking spaces at Riverfront Park.

The ordinance includes rules and regulations, application and permit fees, limits on hours, noise restrictions, inspections, requirements against leaving trucks unattended, and guidelines for fines and permit revocations.

"I think it's important to the city because there is presently no local regulations for this food truck industry," said At-large Councilor Marcus Williams, who is the co-sponsor with Ward 2 Councilor Michael Fenton. "I think the power of working together as a unit to see something completed -- I think this ordinance is a testament to that."

Food trucks on private property must follow rules such as time limits and noise restrictions, but are exempt from the permitting requirements under the ordinance.

The council meeting Monday begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Williams, through the Young Professionals Subcommittee, was among officials pushing for passage of the ordinance in recent months in discussions with councilors, the Police and Law departments, Department of Public Works, Health Department, the Springfield Business Improvement District, and others.

With positive developments occurring downtown including the reopening of Union Station and renovations at Stearns Square, the ordinance allows for a thriving food truck option for downtown workers and visitors at key downtown areas, he said.

"It kind of speaks to a city on the rise," Williams said.

There had been efforts in the past to approve regulations, including a home-rule bill filed with the state Legislature that never passed. Williams said he is optimistic the ordinance will pass Monday.

Springfield street vendors to be subject of discussion again after proposed regulation dies in Massachusetts Legislature

Under the proposed ordinance, interested vendors would apply for a license from the city's Department of Public Works and would pay an annual application fee of $75 and a quarterly permit fee of $150.

Regulations and rules would be enforced by the Police and Health departments.
Other highlights of the ordinance include: no food vendors can serve food and beverages from 1-7 a.m., no vendor can provide dining areas with tables and chairs, and no mobile food truck can be parked on the street overnight or left unattended and unsecured at any time food is kept in the truck.

The ordinance states that its purpose in part is to "encourage greater foot traffic in the downtown area, and would benefit employees and visitors who frequent the downtown/metro area of Springfield by providing a variety of food selections."

Verducci said he has changed careers to become a registered investment adviser but has continued to operate the food truck on weekends on Worthington Street.

He had hoped to keep that site through the summer and fall, but now expects to finish when the ordinance takes effect because it will limit trucks to the two designated areas.

The council considered letting him stay at the current site until Dec. 1, but that proposal failed by an 8-4 vote recently.

Williams said the designated areas made sense in fairness to the established restaurants in the downtown area. In addition, the designated sites will be very active, including Lyman Street adjacent to Union Station. The concentration of the trucks can also be more easily monitored, he said.

The success of food trucks can be seen in many other cities including Boston and Hartford.

The driver who collided with Angel Nieves later told police it was no accident. He did it "on purpose to help you guys out because that guy was driving like an a------," the report quotes him as saying.

SPRINGFIELD - For the second time in two months, a reputed Springfield gang member was back in Springfield District Court Thursday, facing fresh charges.

Angel L. Nieves, 32, was arrested overnight following a police chase through the Hungry Hill and North End neighborhoods that involved a crash and ended with 10 officers swarming his SUV when it finally pulled over, according to the arrest report.

Angel L. Nieves 

The chase began after police spotted the NFL-sized Nieves rolling through two red lights on Armory Street about 2:15 a.m., the report said.

For the next 15 minutes, he zigzagged through multiple side streets, running stop signs and ignoring cruisers behind him. At one point, he pulled over on Chapin Terrace and Mooreland Street, then took off again, nearly striking an officer who approached his GMC Sierra, the report said.

Minutes later, he collided with an SUV that pulled out in front of him, then reversed direction and drove off, finally stopping in front of a house on Lancashire Street, the report said.

When the chase ended, the struggle began as the 6-foot-2-inch, 375-pound suspect refused to leave the vehicle and then resisted being handcuffed, punching one officer in the upper thigh in the process, the report said.

Ten officers were involved in the arrest and three open bottles of alcohol were found in his car before it was towed from the scene, the report said.

In a postscript to the arrest, the driver whose SUV collided with Nieves later told police it was no accident. He did it "on purpose to help you guys out because that guy was driving like an a------," the report quoted him as saying.

Later in the morning, Nieves pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including assault and battery on a police officer, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $5,000 by agreement of Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski and defense lawyer Terrence Dunphy.

At the prosecutor's request, Judge Matthew Shea also revoked Nieves' release in a case from March, effectively jailing him for 90 days.

In the earlier case, Nieves was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, possession of cocaine, possession of PCP and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

Police received a report that Nieves' vehicle had been idling for about 30 minutes on Euclid Avenue on March 9; when officers arrived, Nieves appeared to be intoxicated and had an open 20 ounce can of beer in the car. No field sobriety test was performed because Nieves had recently suffered a knee injury. At police headquarters, he refused to take a chemical breath test, triggering an automatic six-month license suspension.

During a search, police found eight baggies of cocaine on Nieves and a plastic container with PCP in the vehicle, according to the report, which described Nieves as a member of the Orchard Street Bouriquas gang who has been charged with multiple violent offenses in the past.

He is due back in court on June 27.

After her daughters received multiple detentions and could face suspension for wearing their hair in braids, Colleen Cook - a charter school parent in Massachusetts - is speaking up.

After her daughters received multiple detentions and could face suspension for wearing their hair in braids, Colleen Cook - a charter school parent in Massachusetts - is speaking up. 

Cook's twin 15-year-old daughters are students at the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden. 

When the teenagers arrived to school with their hair in braids, the sisters received detention. 

"They teach them at a very high academic level and I appreciate that, and that's why they go to the school," Cook told the Boston Globe. "But, unfortunately, they don't have any sensitivity to diversity at all."

Braids with extensions are a hairstyle banned by the charter's dress code, which also bans unnatural hair colors, makeup and nail polish. Cook told the Globe the policy regarding hair extensions disproportionately affects black students. 

The parents of two other students told FOX25 they were barred from participating in school sports and activities - including this spring's prom - for refusing to take out their braids.

Just under 1,500 students are enrolled at the K-12 school this year. The majority of students - 53.4 percent - are white, with 17 percent identifying as black, 17.2 percent as asian, 7.8 percent as latino and 4.4 as multiracial. 

Following public criticism, the school has defended the policy saying it promotes equity "by focusing on what unites our students and reducing visible gaps between those of different means," reads a statement released by the school.

"Our policies, including those governing student appearance and attire, foster a culture that emphasizes education rather than style, fashion, or materialism," the school said in a statement. "Our policy on hair extensions, which tend to be very expensive, is consistent with, and a part of, the educational environment that we believe is so important to our students' success."

As the school year winds down, educators from across Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties have been receiving recognition for their excellence.

HOLYOKE - As the school year winds down, educators from across Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties have been receiving recognition for their excellence. On Thursday evening, the series of three banquets at the Log Cabin ended with the honoring of teachers from the eastern part of Hampden County.

The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards program has recognized more than 1,800 local educators since 2003. This year, a total of 128 winning educators were designated as recipients of the 2017 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. Among them, 18 are new teachers and 52 are receiving Classroom Innovator prizes for their projects.

A partnership of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, MassMutual, and the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, the program annually honors Western Massachusetts educators from counties along the Connecticut River and seeks to motivate teachers at all stages of their careers to aspire to excellence.

Among the winners, 13 received a New Teacher Award designated for promising educators with 1-3 years' total full-time experience. For the first time, an additional $250 Classroom Innovator prize was given to 38 winners who submitted a project-based learning idea to be carried out with their students according to certain guidelines.

Defense lawyer Anna-Marie Puryear opposed any further delay and asked for reconsideration of Flucker's $2,500 cash bail.

SPRINGFIELD - Prosecutors seeking to indict a Springfield man for home invasion suffered a potential setback this week after a witness reportedly agreed to recant her testimony.

Assistant District Attorney Karen McCarthy said a grand jury began hearing evidence Monday against Michael A. Flucker, who is charged with breaking into his nephew's apartment and stealing a 50-inch TV.

But the grand jury review was halted after a witness indicated she wants to retract her account of the alleged home invasion, the prosecutor said during a hearing Tuesday morning.

She asked Judge John Payne to postpone a show-cause hearing, scheduled for that afternoon, until the grand jury hears testimony from the witness and completes its investigation.

Defense lawyer Anna-Marie Puryear opposed any further delay, and requested that the hearing be held as scheduled. She also asked to revisit her client's bail, which was set at $2,500 following Flucker's arraignment on April 11.

He was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery and home invasion after allegedly forcing his way into an apartment on Walnut Street on April 7 and ripping a TV from the wall. His cousin and two other tenants struggled with Flucker, but he overpowered them and left with their TV, according to the arrest report.

One tenant told police she suffered injuries after being repeatedly punched by Flucker, who is 6 foot 3 inches and weighs 325 pounds, according to court records.

The case came four months after Flucker was arraigned on assault charges for allegedly whipping a teenage relative with an electrical cord to discipline her. He was prepared to plead guilty Tuesday in that case, but withdrew his plea when Payne said he would impose an 18-month jail sentence.

At the prosecutor's request, Payne agreed to postpone the show-cause hearing for 20 days and refused to reconsider Flucker's bail.

At a show-cause hearing, prosecutors present evidence to judge in a bid to get a case transferred to superior court, where defendants, if convicted, face potentially longer sentences. The hearings amount to mini-trials, with the defense presenting its case and both sides calling witnesses, if necessary.

The hearings are rarely held, though, because prosecutors prefer to present evidence to a grand jury; if the grand jury issues an indictment, the case is transferred to superior court.

Parts of Exchange, Springfield and Center streets will be closed for the event scheduled for Aug. 25 and 26.

CHICOPEE - The successful downtown block party will continue for a third year with some added twists including a date change and the expected addition of a road race.

The city began holding a block party two years ago as one of the continued efforts to bring the community to downtown, joining the traditional arrival of Santa Claus and the Halloween party that started 2012.

The block party -- now called the Downtown Get Down -- will be held this year on Aug. 25 and 26 and will have performances from nine bands including two headliners that will entertain on Friday and Saturday nights, attractions for children, food vendors and other entertainment, City Planner Lee Pouliot said.

"We just would like to continue this downtown event. It is great for downtown -- over 15,000 people came to Chicopee Center last year," said Benjamin Strempka, special projects coordinator for Mayor Richard J. Kos.

There will be some new bands and vendors to keep things fresh and the layout will likely be tweaked so it works better. But last year's event proved successful, so this year's block party will be similar to the Downtown Get Down held last year, Pouliot said.

"We had no major issues, people were happy to be downtown, they were enjoying themselves," he said.

One of the biggest changes will be the dates. The event will be moved up a few weeks to the last weekend in August. Part of the reason was it was more difficult to get tent rentals because people were already setting up for The Big E, which started a week later.

"People are in summer mode (in August) and I think it will be a little easier logistically and it will be a nice cap to the end of the summer," Pouliot said.

One of the things organizers are hoping to expand on is the live artist demonstrations. Last year, two artists painted large canvasses and a third created very detailed origami while people watched, he said.

Also popular were traveling magicians. Duos, trios and quartets walked through the crowds and played for people during the party, Pouliot said.

Organizers are hoping to add a 5-kilometer road race through the city as a new event. The details have not been finalized yet, he said.

"It will be a fundraiser for a community organization," Pouliot said. "It is a very community-oriented event so it will be a priority for it to help a local organization."

The Downtown Get Down will start around noon on Friday and bands will play until about 9 p.m. On Saturday the Block Party will begin at about 10 a.m., at the culmination of the road race, and end at about 9 p.m.

Parts of Exchange Street, as well as Springfield and Center streets in front of City Hall, will be closed for the event. By ending on Saturday night, it will give volunteers and organizers plenty of time to break down the area so business can continue as usual in downtown on Monday morning.

The first block party, held for just one day, was funded with seed money from a small state grant and supplemented with sponsorships and donations from local businesses.

It costs about $25,000 to pay for the bands and other entertainers and the behind-the-scenes things needed such as sound equipment, tents, insurance, advertising and portable toilets. Last year that money was all raised through donations and sponsorships, Pouliot said.

The city has a small amount of money left over from last year's festival it will use to get started and is again searching for sponsors for this year's party, he said.

Vendors do pay fees, but those just fund the work the health and fire departments do to ensure they are operating safely, Pouliot said.

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or a sponsor can apply on the city's Downtown Get Down website or email Pouliot at the Planning Department at lpouliot@chicopeema.gov.

With funds earmarked for leak sealing and fire suppression efforts, the state plans to spend $39.4 million in the coming fiscal year on the regional tunnel network left behind after the Big Dig, the unprecedented highway construction project that ran from 1991 until 2006.

With funds earmarked for leak sealing and fire suppression efforts, the state plans to spend $39.4 million in the coming fiscal year on the regional tunnel network left behind after the Big Dig, the unprecedented highway construction project that ran from 1991 until 2006.

The spending projection was included in a $2.2 billion capital spending plan for fiscal 2018, which begins July 1. Gov. Charlie Baker released the plan Thursday, saying it will leverage other public and private funds and lead to total investments exceeding $4 billion.

The capital plan includes limited information about the purpose of the tunnel spending, saying it's for "reconstruction and maintenance the regional tunnel network with state and federal funds along with public-private partnerships."

A Baker administration official provided additional information at the News Service's request.

"Please note that this is referencing investments in routine regular maintenance to the tunnel system, vent buildings and associated equipment within the MHS system," Massachusetts Department of Transportation spokesman Patrick Marvin explained in an email. "Projects include fire standpipe and suppression maintenance and upgrades, routine and emergency maintenance contracts, overhead lighting, leak sealing, pump maintenance and upgrades as well as vent building work."

There are seven major tunnels that are part of the larger 250-mile Metropolitan Highway System in, beneath and around the downtown Boston area. The system includes 227 bridges and viaducts, including the Zakim Bridge, and three of its tunnels -- the Ted Williams, Sumner and Callahan -- run under Boston Harbor.

The MHS faces triennial inspections. Here's the 2015 inspection report.

The manhunt for a suspect accused of shooting a woman in Lowell on Thursday continued Friday morning, as extra police patrols were at city schools, officials said.

The manhunt for a suspect accused of shooting a woman in Lowell on Thursday continued Friday morning, as extra police patrols were at city schools, officials said.

Lowell police have been searching for a "very dangerous and armed" suspect Ross Elliot, 51, of Lowell, after a woman was found shot to death on Thursday morning.

The woman, who has not been identified but is in her 40s, was in a domestic relationship with Elliot, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan said Thursday.

On Friday morning, Lowell police said that the search for Elliot continued. A manhunt for him covered the Highlands section of the city on Thursday, as residents were asked to shelter in place.

There will be extra police patrols at city schools on Friday as the search continues, police said.

LPD still looking 4 suspect Ross Elliott, 5'10", white male, last seen wearing blue hoodie, jeans, black & white sneaks [?] 911 w/susp activity pic.twitter.com/FA1qLBmBYJ

-- Lowell PD (@LowellPD) May 12, 2017

The woman was shot in a Stevens Street apartment in front of family, including a young child who is now in custody of police and family, Ryan's office said. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

Police on Thursday also searched a Gorham Street residence that officials believe is connected to Elliot.

Elliot is a white man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, jeans and black and white sneakers.

Anyone with information on Elliot's location or who sees him should not approach him, officials said, but should dial 911 or contact Lowell Police at 978-937-3200 or Massachusetts State Police at 781-897-6600.

A Verizon worker locked in an unventilated underground vault nearly four years ago has settled his lawsuit against the man convicted in the case. Watch video

A Verizon worker locked in an unventilated underground vault nearly four years ago has settled his lawsuit against the man convicted in the case.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that a lawyer for the plaintiffs says terms of the settlement reached May 10 are confidential.

Michael Hathaway and his wife sued Howard Cook Jr. in November 2014.

Authorities say the 74-year-old Cook sealed Hathaway in the vault in Westborough in August 2013 by pulling up the ladder, locking the hatch and placing large rocks on top. The ventilation system automatically shuts off when the door is closed. Hathaway called police on his cellphone.

Cook was reportedly angry that Hathaway had parked on his grass.

Cook pleaded guilty to kidnapping last year and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Police have identified the city's most recent homicide victim as 36-year-old Ivery Lee Downie of Hickory Street.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police have identified the city's most recent homicide victim as 36-year-old Ivery Lee Downie of Hickory Street.

Downie was fatally shot early Thursday at the Mobil gasoline station at Main and Dover streets.

The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made, Sgt. John Delaney said.

Downie is the city's fourth homicide victim this year.

Those with information are asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 413-787-6355.

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

WGBY collaborated with CHD and The Berkshire Eagle to discuss the opioid crisis in Western Massachusetts.

SPRINGFIELD -- An hour-long discussion during WGBY's live forum "The Opioid Crisis" touched on everything from the stigma associated with drug addiction to the life-saving measures health professionals, legislators and law enforcement in the region have put in place to prevent overdose deaths.

"As we face this opiate crisis -- which is really the most significant public health issue that I believe we face -- the important thing for me is that addiction impacts all aspects of society, and so, the solutions are going to come from all sectors of society," said Dr. Robert Roose, vice president of behavioral health for Mercy Health, and a panelist on the forum.

With more than 1,400 Massachusetts residents dying of opioid-related overdoses in 2016, according to the state Department of Public Health, WGBY partnered with the Center for Human Development and the Berkshire Eagle to host a live televised event to address the issue.

"CHD came to us to ask how we could partner on this subject matter, and it is the function of public television and WGBY in this area to be the convener for important topics," said Lynn Page, interim general manager of WGBY. " There are so many people touched by this epidemic in one way or another and we are just allowing for that conversation and engagement to happen."

Springfield - WGBY hosted a live forum on the Opioid Crisis in collaboration with CHD and The Berkshire Eagle.Elizabeth Roman | eroman@repub.com 

Lois Nesci, the CEO of CHD, said opioid addiction in the region is a critical issues and a conversation that has to happen more often.

"This is a very critical issue in our community that impacts every one of our neighborhoods, every one of our towns in Western Massachusetts and around the country. We see so many people every day who have been afflicted with opioid and other substance use issues," she said. "We hope to create more awareness and an opportunity for people to get help if they need it."

Other panelists for the forum, held Thursday night, included Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, Chantal Silloway, adolescent recovery program director, Goodwin House, Danyel Zerella, mother in addiction recovery, Jennifer Kimball, public health program manager for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and Liz Whynott, of Tapestry.

Audience members included local legislators, health professionals, recovering addicts and families who have been affected by addiction.

The conversation was hosted by Berkshire Eagle reporter Carrie Saldo.

"I think there were a lot of voices that got the opportunity to be heard and I think the audience brought up a wide array of challenges connected to this issue. That's what WGBY was hoping to offer to the community, an opportunity to discuss this," Saldo said.

Panelists answered questions from the live audience as well as questions from viewers at home through social media.

Roose said he was pleased to hear that people have come to see addiction as a disease.

"People are finally seeing this as a disease and not a manifestation of poor choices," he said. "It's important to continue to spread the message that medication- assisted therapy is the most evidence based effective treatment that we have for opiate addiction, and to continue combating some misinformation and myths helps to reduce stigma."

Liz Whynott, director of HIV health and prevention, who oversees needle exchange program in all four counties for Tapestry, said the forum was a good overview of the current crisis.

"It highlighted what Western Massachusetts is doing well and what we still need to do. I do wish there had been a family member to discuss the impact addiction has on them," said Whynott, pointing out that there are programs like Learn to Cope, which work with families.

Saldo said she hopes people will continue the conversation with their family, friends and colleagues.

"An hour is not enough time, so we would encourage people to continue this discussion," she said.

To join the discussion ,or if you missed the live forum, visit www.wgby.org.

Facing criticism over his administration's misrepresentation of the decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, President Donald Trump threatened Friday to end the practice of holding press briefings "for the sake of accuracy."

Facing criticism over his administration's misrepresentation of the decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, President Donald Trump threatened Friday to end the practice of holding press briefings "for the sake of accuracy."

Trump, who has repeatedly come to blows with the news media, defended his communications team in a series of morning tweets, contending that "as a very active president with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy."

The president added that "maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future 'press briefings' and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy."

As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!....

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017

...Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters this week that Comey's firing occurred "based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions."

Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders doubled down on that claim, saying that Rosenstein and Sessions came to Trump about Comey.

"He'd been considering letting Director Comey go since the day he was elected," she told reporters. "But he did have a conversation with the Deputy Attorney General on Monday, where they had come to him to express their concerns. The president asked they put those concerns and their recommendation in writing."

Trump, however, told NBC News Thursday that he had already made the decision to fire Comey.

"I was going to fire regardless of recommendation," he said. 

FBI Director James Comey fired by President Donald Trump

 White House officials announced Tuesday evening that Trump had fired Comey, who had been appointed to 10-year term with the FBI in 2013.

The president, in a letter to the FBI director, said the dismissal was needed to restore "public trust and confidence" in the agency. Comey had come under fire following his investigation into 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's email practices -- particularly in the final days before voters were set to hit the polls.

Hebert Powell, 22, of 210 King St., was charged with carrying a loaded firearm.

SPRINGFIELD - Fast-acting police officers, responding to a report of a man with a gun in the Old Hill neighborhood early Thursday night, arrested the suspect a short time later.

The incident began shortly after 6:15 p.m. when members of the Street Crime unit responded to a report of a man with a gun at Green Street and Nelson Avenue, Sgt. John Delaney said.

The suspect, clad in a distinctive orange shirt, was spotted a short time later on King Street.

"The officers approached with caution and were able to take him into custody and disarm the suspect in seconds," Delaney, public information officer for the department, said.

Police confiscated a loaded 9 mm handgun.

Herbert Powell, 22, of 210 King St., was charged with carrying a loaded firearm.

"Good arrest by members of the Street Crime Unit by getting this armed individual off the streets," Delaney said.

Powell will be arraigned Friday in District Court.

A judge has ruled that a Massachusetts woman charged with manslaughter for sending her boyfriend text messages encouraging him to take his own life can introduce medical records at trial that allegedly show he had been talking about suicide for years.

A judge has ruled that a Massachusetts woman charged with manslaughter for sending her boyfriend text messages encouraging him to take his own life can introduce medical records at trial that allegedly show he had been talking about suicide for years. 

Michelle Carter faces trial next month in the 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III. Carter, now 20, was 17 at the time.

A judge ruled Wednesday that Carter's attorneys can introduce records that date to 2011.

The Plainville woman's lawyer says the records show Roy had been "beating the drum" for three years before his death.

Prosecutors argued against use of the records, saying they were irrelevant and Roy stopped seeking help from doctors once he met Carter.

Carter's lawyers say her texts were constitutionally protected free speech.

The street festival offers music, food, performances, open studios, and kid-friendly activities.

EASTHAMPTON -- It's a street festival with a twist, offering a full day of food, music, open studios, and performances highlighting the Cottage Street Cultural District.

Cultural Chaos 2017 is set for Saturday May 10, and this year's theme is "Carnival."

Music starts at noon at Luthier's Coop with the Afro-Cuban beat of Iroko Nuevo. The Eavesdrop Trio, Chandler Travis Three-O, Mark Nomad, Soul Magnets, and Pamela Means are all on that schedule.

Outside, the Easthampton High School Jazz Combo will do a noontime set and Valley Jazz Voices takes the stage at 3:30 p.m. Buskers will entertain passersby, and performances are slated all afternoon.

A 2:30 p.m. "Running of the Bulls" is planned, and kid-friendly activities are planned, including a goat petting zoo, pickle ball, puppets, and paddling on Nashawannuck Pond.

The festival is largely run and organized by volunteers with Easthampton City Arts or the Cottage Street Cultural District Committee. However, you don't need to be a member of either organization to pitch in. To become part of the team, email arts@easthampton.org.

The annual event is additionally supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and a host of local businesses and institutions.