Police arrested two men and seized 225.5 grams of cocaine as part of an investigation into local drug trafficking, Arlington Police announced Saturday.

ARLINGTON -- Police arrested two men and seized 225.5 grams of cocaine as part of an investigation into local drug trafficking, Arlington Police announced Saturday.

Detectives took 22-year-old David Good and 19-year-old Jeremy Weaver, both of Arlington, into custody Friday on respective charges of trafficking in a Class B substance and possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute, police reported.

Officers, who were conducting surveillance in a commercial parking lot on Massachusetts Avenue, arrested Good on a warrant after an investigation indicated he reportedly trafficked and distributed cocaine, according to Arlington Police.

Police said they observed Good riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle that arrived in the parking lot and approached him. A man, later identified as Weaver, was in the passenger seat and a female was in the back, police reported.

Officers announced they had an arrest warrant for Good and asked him to exit the vehicle, according to reports.

Officers investigating the scene said they found nearly 20 grams of marijuana, cash, scales and cocaine. They seized 225.5 grams of cocaine from Good, police reported.

Good is being held without bail pending arraignment in Cambridge District Court on Monday. Weaver, meanwhile, is being held on $5,000 bail and will also be arraigned on Monday, according to police. 

Arlington Police Captain Richard Flynn said the arrests "send a clear message that we take our responsibility to seek out and arrest drug dealers and traffickers very seriously."

"The hard work and dedication of our Arlington Police detectives ensured that a significant quantity of dangerous drugs has been seized, and two people who profit from human suffering have been arrested," he said in a statement. 

Urging voters to consider what kind of Commonwealth they want Massachusetts to be, Newton Mayor Setti Warren officially announced his entrance into the state's 2018 gubernatorial race Saturday.

Urging voters to consider what kind of Commonwealth they want Massachusetts to be, Newton Mayor Setti Warren officially announced his entrance into the state's 2018 gubernatorial race Saturday. 

The Democrat, who had openly been exploring a run against popular incumbent Gov. Charlie Baker, launched his campaign during a block party outside his family's home.

Contending that "economic inequality is the defining issue of our generation," Warren pledged to combat wealth gaps, as well as to ensure transparency in government spending and to redefine the state's commitment to public education if sent to Beacon Hill. 

"Some say that fighting economic inequality is too daunting, or that we just don't have the resources to address it. But just getting to next year is not enough," he said in his campaign announcement speech. "The status quo is not acceptable."

The two-term mayor and Iraq veteran said he decided to run for governor because he doesn't believe Massachusetts' "government is taking action to fight economic inequality" and that the state "must do better."

He, however, offered that residents of all backgrounds must come together to achieve real change on this front, despite partisan politics.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's finance guy signs on to Setti Warren's potential 2018 bid for governor

Specifically, he called for creating good jobs and higher wages, as well as making investments in the statewide transportation system, like building a "bullet train" from Springfield to Boston. 

Warren, who briefly ran for U.S. Senate in 2011, further said that if elected governor he will be transparent when it comes to disclosing projected costs of maintaining services, as well as about multi-year tax revenue estimates.

Asking Massachusetts residents for their vote, he called on supporters to join his grassroots campaign.

"I promise you that I'm going to be out there, working my hardest everyday and I need you by my side," the Democrat said. "We all must be willing to embrace the shared sacrifice that moved the Commonwealth forward in previous generations. Economic inequality is the issue of our time - and this is our generational call to service."

Fellow Democrats Jay Gonzalez, a former CEO of CeltiCare Health and ex-budget chief for former Gov. Deval Patrick; and Robert K. Massie, an environmentalist and entrepreneur, have also announced 2018 gubernatorial runs.

Jay Gonzalez, Democratic candidate for governor, to address Democrats in Wilbraham, Medway and New Bedford

Baker, a Republican, has yet to announce if will seek a second term, although it is widely assumed that he will run again.

The election will take place on Nov. 6, 2018.

A body found Saturday in a densely wooded area in the town of Franklin is believed to be that of missing Duke University student Michael Doherty, police say.

FRANKLIN - A body believed to be that of missing Duke University student Michael Doherty has been found in Franklin, according to a statement released by the Franklin Police Department on Saturday.

The body, found by two civilian searchers around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, is said to be that of a white male and was found in a densely wooded area in the vicinity of Route 495, police said. 

Police said that "at this time" they believe that the body is Doherty, though they noted an official identification will not be possible until after an examination is conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Doherty has been missing since Sunday, May 14th, after he failed to return home from a party in Franklin he had been at the night before. 

A rising junior and engineering student at Duke University, Doherty was also a member of the school's Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. 

It is believed that Doherty attempted to walk home alone, in the rain, from the party after being unable to contact his brother for a ride home. 

For the past week, Doherty has been the subject of an intensive search by a cadre of law enforcement agencies, including the Franklin police department, State Police, and other land and air units. 

In the days since Doherty's disappearance, Michael's family had increasingly attempted to widen the search--reaching out through media and news outlets to spread the word.  

"Michael was our middle son, the love of my life," Nancy Doherty said in an interview with the Boston Globe on Wednesday. ""We're heartbroken, heartsick -- still searching," she said then. 

"The thoughts and prayers of all the members of the Franklin Police Department and all of the other agencies that participated in searching for Michael go out to the Doherty family in this time of great tragedy," says the statement released by Franklin police. 

"We would also like to thank the residents who helped search, and those who provided support to all the personnel who worked tirelessly to find Michael," the statement continues. 

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated when more information becomes available. 

More than 1,200 bikers rode from Holyoke to West Springfield on Saturday to raise money for military veterans in long-term care.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - More than 1,200 bikers rode from Holyoke to West Springfield on Saturday to raise money for military veterans in long-term care.

The 6th annual Victory 4 Veterans Motorcycle Run benefitted the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, a state facility on Cherry Street that provides residential and outpatient care to hundreds of veterans.

"It means a lot because the veterans never asked for anything when they signed up to serve our country, and they don't ask for anything now," said Bennett Walsh, superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, at the event's after party hosted by the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.

"To see people take time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to ride and donate money, it's really inspirational," said Walsh.

The riders traveled 37 miles. Along the route, people waved American flags and cheered to show their support.

"It really was a Western Mass. event, and that's what we wanted to see," said Walsh.

Mike Fogerty of South Hadley said he wanted to show his appreciation to the people who keep our country free.

"Freedom ain't free. It's because of them," said Fogerty after completing the motorcycle run on a scooter for the third year. "I'm not a veteran, but I appreciate what they do."

"This is my first year, but I'll be coming every year," said Brian Opalenik of Chicopee. "Why not? It's fun."

Last year's motorcycle run raised $50,000, which was used to buy 31 new electrical beds for the soldiers' home.

"A lot of the riders are veterans themselves," said Walsh. "They've given so much, and they want to give back to the soldiers' home. They're a good group. Good people."

Western New England University began a weekend where it will be awarding approximately 1,000 degrees with its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD-- Western New England University began a weekend where it will be awarding approximately 1,000 degrees with its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday.

Robert Stein Jr., who graduated from the university in 1979, was the undergraduate commencement keynote speaker. With a degree in accounting from Western New England University, Stein has enjoyed a remarkably varied career and today serves as president and CEO of Kalibrate Technologies, a London Stock Exchange-listed company. 

After graduation in 1979, Stein began his career as a CPA and audit supervisor at Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) in Springfield. He soon moved into retail and spent 18 years at Dairy Mart Convenience Stores Inc., a publicly traded Nasdaq company, where he held the posts of chairman, president and chief executive officer. Stein then became a consultant to the retail and convenience store industries as CEO of RBS & Associates.

On Sunday, Dr. James Withers will be the graduate commencement keynote speaker. Physician, innovator, and a 2015 Top 10 CNN Hero, Withers is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The Pennsylvania native received his undergraduate degree at Haverford College and completed his medical school training at the University of Pittsburgh in 1984.

In 1992, he decided to dress as a homeless person and joined a formerly homeless man to visit the street dwellers of Pittsburgh making "house calls" at night. This led to the founding of Operation Safety Net, the first full-time, comprehensive medical service of its kind for the unsheltered homeless. Medical care is delivered directly on the streets, along the riverbanks, and in the abandoned buildings of Pittsburgh, with full social service and housing follow-up. OSN is recognized internationally and is being replicated or studied by cities throughout the world.

In 2005, Withers established the annual International Street Medicine Symposium to foster collaboration in the care of those sleeping on the streets. In 2009, he created the Street Medicine Institute to help communities develop similar programs.

Doctoral, Law, Pharmacy, and Master's degrees will be awarded by the university during its 2017 Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Alumni Healthful Living Center on campus.

Easthampton Fire Chief David Mottor was sworn in as the new president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts on Friday.

EASTHAMPTON - Easthampton Fire Chief David Mottor has been named the new president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FACM).

Mottor was sworn in on Friday morning, making him the 95th president of the Association. 

Originally established in 1893, the FCAM is a means by which Fire Chiefs throughout the state can exchange ideas and promote better, more efficient fire administration. 

Mottor, who first started at the Easthampton Fire Department in 1990, went from on-call firefighter to full-time in 1994. 

In 2009, Mottor was named Fire Chief. 

Mottor will serve in the position after his normal hours as Chief in Easthampton. 

*Photo credit for the above gallery goes to the Easthampton Fire Department. 

More than 1,100 students from 31 different majors received their bachelor degrees at Westfield State University's 178th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD-- More than 1,100 students from 31 different majors received their bachelor degrees at Westfield State University's 178th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday.

Held at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey was the keynote speaker. 

The university awarded two honorary degrees at the ceremony. The recipients were:

• Robert T. Goyette Sr.: Original member of the Westfield State Foundation; past president of Heritage Homes, Inc. in Westfield.
• Elizabeth Scheibel, Esq.: First woman to serve as a district attorney in Massachusetts; former chair of the Board of Trustees at Westfield State University.

A man is facing charges after running over a number of birds on Wednesday.

YARMOUTH - A Falmouth man is facing a charge of animal cruelty after driving speedily through a parking lot and into a flock of seagulls on Wednesday, according to The Boston Globe.

The incident took place at Seagull Beach--a popular ocean-side spot in Yarmouth. 

22-year-old Brandin Bothelo allegedly drove his 2015 black Honda Civic at a high rate of speed through a large group of seagulls, killing two and injuring a number of others, according to witnesses at the scene. 

Bothelo then sped away from the scene.

Police say the incident upset a number of families and witnesses--one of which chased after Bothelo's vehicle and wrote down his license plate number.

The vehicle identification was handed over to police, who subsequently located and interviewed Bothelo about the bird incident. 

Bothelo denied intentionally trying to hit the gulls, telling law enforcement that he had driven by the flock but did not hit any of them with his car.  

Yarmouth police secured surveillance tapes of the parking lot from Yarmouth's Department of Natural Resources, viewing them Thursday morning. 

After observing the tapes, police determined that Bothelo had gone "out of his way to hit the birds," according to a statement released by Yarmouth Police on Friday. 

Bothelo was subsequently charged with animal cruelty and operating a vehicle negligently. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court.  

Here are the winning Powerball numbers from Saturday's drawing.

Powerball lottery fever is heating up again.

Saturday's jackpot moved close to the quarter of a billion mark for the first time in months.

File

Here are the winning numbers:

05-22-45-47-54, Powerball: 03, PowerPlay: 2X

The estimated jackpot is $226.1 million. The lump sum payment before taxes will be about $140 million. If there is no jackpot winner, the amount grows even larger for the next drawing.

The amount has been creeping up since a $435.3 million jackpot was won Feb. 22 by a graduate of Purdue University who asked to remain anonymous.

Powerball is held in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

A $2 ticket gives you a one in 292.2 million chance at joining the hall of Powerball champions.

The drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Wednesdays and Saturdays. Deadline to purchase tickets is 9:45 p.m.

Police in Ludlow responded to a call for shots fired in the vicinity of State Street just after 11p.m. A victim was discovered and was transported to the Baystate Medical Center.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Police said they were called to the area of State Street in Ludlow at about 11:12 p.m., to an area just across the river from Indian Orchard.

Western Mass News said authorities do not know how badly injured the victim is. They said a suspect was seen running from the area of the shooting.

Ludlow police requested help from surrounding municipalities to help search for the individual.

A food delivery person was stabbed Saturday morning in the area of Amore Road in Springfield. The injured person was transported to the hospital.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Springfield Police Sgt. Joseph Dunn said the injured party appears to be a pizza delivery driver and was on Amore Road in the Bay section of the city at the time of the assault.

Detectives were dispatched to the hosp[ital in hopes that the victim would be able to help identify his or her attacker or attackers.

This is a breaking story. More details will be posted as they become available

A motor vehicle crash on Pochassic Road in Westfield is now being investigated by the Hampden District Attorney's Office and State Police detectives, and Westfield police are enjoined from commenting.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Members of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office and State Police detectives attached to the office have taken over jurisdiction in the case, Westfield police said. Local authorities are prevented from commenting on the specifics of the crash.

Western Mass News is reporting that at least one vehicle, a pickup truck, was towed from the scene on Pochassic Road near its intersection with Atwood Road, and at least one person was transported to a local hospital.

The District Attorney's Office will issue a statement later today.

A man was transported from the 200 block of State Street in Ludlow late Saturday night after he was shot by another man. The victim is under treatment at the Baystate Medical Center.

The Republican / File Photo 

Ludlow Police Sgt. David Irwin said police were called to the 200 block of State Street just after 11 p.m. for a report of shots fired. Once there, officers found the victim lying on a sidewalk and called for medical assistance. The victim was transported to the Baystate Medical Center. Irwin said police do not have a report on the victim's medical condition.

The suspect fled the scene on foot and a K9 unit from Palmer assisted police in the search, but the dog was not able to follow a scent.

Wilbraham police assisted by searching along the Chicopee River where it parallels both River Road and State Street.

Irwin said police have a "person of interest" they would like to talk to, but no formal suspects. Several witnesses have been interviewed.

Irwin said the investigation remains open and ongoing.

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A chain reaction crash damaged four cars and left the first in line at the bottom of the pile. The only live driver among the cars suffered minor injuries.

SPRINGFIELD— A chain reaction crash on Dickinson Street just before 2 a.m. left three parked cars damaged and the only moving one at the bottom of the pile.

Springfield Police Sgt. Lewis Rosario said the driver of a Pontiac sedan apparently lost control as he entered Dickinson Street from the X and slammed into the rear of a parked Dodge Ram 18 passenger van. The low nose of the sleekly styled Pontiac slid under the van and lifted it into the air. The van came back down on the Pontiac and the two continued on until they struck.a Toyota sedan. The three car then continued on until they struck an SUV parked next in line.

Both the Pontiac and the van sustained significant damage. Police said the incident remains under investigation.

From the initial impact to the final resting place, the Pontiac moved the van some 35 to 40 feet from where it started.

The driver of the Pontiac was transported to the Baystate Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained.

Police are continuing their investigation.

The city of Holyoke, Massachusetts would erect barriers at intersections to block panhandlers from soliciting money and interfering with traffic flow under a proposal a City Council committee will discuss on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

HOLYOKE -- The city would erect barriers at intersections to block panhandlers from soliciting money and interfering with traffic flow under a proposal a City Council committee will discuss Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

"My order is to create legal barriers around the island, such as fencing, or remove the islands, and post no trespassing signs, and also to create some kind of education around this issue of homelessness," Councilor at Large Diosdado Lopez said.

The Council has been discussing how to deal with panhandlers for a few years without a decision about specific steps.

Drivers at intersections have complained of panhandlers shouting and even swearing at them. And business owners have expressed concerns about trying to attract patrons to the city who then must deal with panhandlers, Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Linda L. Vacon has said.

Among factors in trying to resolve the issue are challenges based on free speech and free assembly rights, guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, to local ordinances seeking to ban panhandlers. But some have argued panhandling is conduct, not speech, and can be regulated.

Councilor at Large James M. Leahy filed an order this month asking that Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni meet with the City Council to discuss the possibility of a connection between panhandling and human trafficking. That order was referred to the Council Public Safety Committee.

Meeting sought with DA on possible panhandling-trafficking link in Holyoke

According to the Office on Trafficking in Persons, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, forced labor such as begging is a common exploitation used by human traffickers.

Lopez filed his order in January and the City Council referred it to the Ordinance Committee. The order identifies the intersections where barriers to panhandling would be built as Hampden and Northampton streets, Dwight and Northampton streets, Main Street at Interstate 391, High Street at I-391, Maple Street and Resnic Boulevard and on Whiting Farms Road entering the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside:

Lopez' order states:

That the DPW Superintendent and Police Chief come to the Ordinance Committee to discuss the prevention Ordinance of Panhandling at the following locations by creating or erecting barriers for Panhandler's to freely walk along the Road side soliciting money and interfering with the traffic flow:
1) Hampden and Northampton st.
2) Dwight and Northampton st.
3) Main Street by 391
4) 391 Main Street exit
5) 391 and High St.
6) Maple st and Resnic Boulevard
7) Whiting Farm Rd - Mall entrance

A traffic stop Friday afternoon in Lunenburg led to the discovery of several assault rifles and drugs inside a car, according to police.

A traffic stop Friday afternoon in Lunenburg led to the discovery of several assault rifles and drugs inside a car, according to police. 

Lunenburg Police officers responded to a call from Townsend Police Friday afternoon after a car had fled the scene of a motor vehicle accident. 

Police stopped the car in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Electric Avenue. The driver, who has only been identified by police as a 31-year-old Littleton man, allegedly had crack cocaine inside the car. 

Officers arrested the driver on drug charges then discovered several assault rifles with high capacity magazines in the back of the vehicle, police said. Officers found more drugs and cash as well, investigators said. 

The driver faces charges in court.

A series of racist tweets were sent out by the Salem State University's Twitter page Friday night after someone hacked the account. The tweets were sent out a day before Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at the university's graduation.

A series of racist tweets were sent out by the Salem State University's Twitter page Friday night after someone hacked the account. The tweets were sent out a day before Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at the university's graduation.

The messages started around 10:30 p.m. Friday and involved a series of racist tweets. Boston25News reports the tweets continued for about two hours until the university regained control of the Twitter account and deleted the messages.

The official Salem State University Twitter account has been hacked by unknown miscreant(s) and will be shut down forthwith.

— Salem State Police (@SSUPolice) May 20, 2017

CBS Boston reports one of the tweets stated, "Our education revolves around white working americans, we don't need you immigrant thieves in our school we are better than this."

Another tweet made a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement and a third told people to leave the country if they didn't like how the "great almighty President Trump" was running things.

The university put out a statement about the tweets after the incident. It reads:

"We are appalled by the hateful nature of these tweets. It is incredibly unfortunate that such a hateful incident occurred on the eve of our commencement, and we hope to move forward as a community and not let it detract attention from the incredible accomplishments of more than 1,400 students graduating today."

The university stated none of the posts represented Salem State's viewpoints.

Authorities said a man attacked an MTBA bus driver Saturday night and stabbed her twice in the back.

An MBTA driver was stabbed twice in the back by one of her passengers Saturday night as the bus was traveling in Lynn.

MBTA Transit Police and Lynn Police were called to the area of 795 Fenton St. in Lynn around 11:47 p.m. for a report of an assault, Transit Police said.

Authorities said a 53-year-old man from Lynn was on the bus and began attacking the driver without provocation.

"Passengers on board the bus intervened and prevented further assault and detained the suspect until police arrived," authorities said.

The driver was stabbed twice in the back. She was transported to a local hospital where she is expected to survive.

Police said the suspect was arrested on an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge. His name was not released.

"We are extremely grateful to the passengers who interjected themselves to stop the assailant and prevent further harm to our fellow employee," said Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan. "We are equally grateful to the our partners at the Lynn Police Department who responded expeditiously to take control from the passengers detaining the suspect. Attacks such as this on MBTA employees are unconscionable and will be steadfastly pursued by Transit Police at every phase."

The stabbing remains under investigation.

It is not known how many homes and businesses are without power.

CHICOPEE - Chicopee Electric Light is on the scene of a power outage.

The outage happened at about 9 a.m. Chicopee Electric Light officials confirm on a recording there is an outage but a recording gives no information on where the outage is or when the problem will be repaired.

It is also unknown how many homes and businesses are affected by the outage.

Masslive will update as more information becomes available.