The men allegedly vandalized a house and threatened party-goers when they were turned away from the festivities.

Three men, including one Massachusetts corrections officer, were arrested earlier in the week after they tried crashing graduation parties near Providence College, police said.

According to the Providence Journal, the men allegedly vandalized a house and threatened party-goers when they were turned away from the festivities.

Police were alerted of the men's presence around 9 p.m. Saturday after receiving reports of three party crashers in Providence. A graduate flagged down an officer working a detail for the college and said three men tried to crash his party, the Providence Journal reported.

When the men left that party, they attempted to crash another party, police said. 

Police saw 30-year-old Scott Strom, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, sitting in a red pickup truck blocking traffic as two of the men tried to get into the party. When police questioned the men, one of the guests told the officers that the three men were trying to crash a private family event, the Providence Journal reports. 

Joshua Stein, 23, of Providence, Rhode Island, Bryant Lagasse, 32, of West Boylston, and Strom were arraigned at District Court on Wednesday and charged with vandalism and disorderly conduct. According to the Providence Journal, the judge had to order one of the men to be quiet after he started protesting in court.

Stein is a correctional officer at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Concord, a communications director told the Providence Journal. Policy dictates that correctional officers must report off-duty interactions with law enforcement.

"They're willing to make this investment if we're willing to give them back a portion of their tax dollars over the first five years," Mayor Will Reichelt said of the tax increment financing agreement between Agri-Mark and West Springfield.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Agri-Mark, a farmer-owned cooperative best known for its Cabot and McCadam brands of cheese and butter, is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion at its West Springfield facility, according to Mayor William C. Reichelt, whose administration sweetened the deal by offering tax breaks to the co-op.

Reichelt said Agri-Mark, which has facilities in upstate New York and across New England, is planning an expansion in the neighborhood of $12 million on the north side of its plant at 958 Riverdale St. The project will create 12 new jobs, according to the mayor, with first dibs given to qualified West Side residents who are looking for work.

"They're willing to make this investment if we're willing to give them back a portion of their tax dollars over the first five years," Reichelt said of the tax increment financing (TIF) agreement between the city and Agri-Mark.

The expansion will produce around $160,000 in new annual tax revenue for West Side. During the five-year TIF agreement, the city will see tax gains of around $561,000, while Agri-Mark will see tax savings of around $240,000.

After five years, the co-op "comes fully online and is fully taxable into the future," Reichelt said. 

The city employed the same TIF model it used last spring for Fathers & Sons, which invested around $6 million in a new Audi and Volkswagen dealership on Memorial Avenue.

Broken down, the Agri-Mark deal calls for a property tax-exemption rate of 50 percent for the first year, 40 percent the second year, 30 percent the third year, 20 percent the fourth year, and 10 percent the fifth year.

The Town Council unanimously approved the TIF at its May 15 meeting.

"I am very pleased to see this happen," said Councilman Daniel M. O'Brien, who represents District 4, where Agri-Mark is located. "It just shows that there's a strong commitment to business expansion and growth and that businesses should invest in West Springfield," he said. 

At-large Councilman George R. Kelly acknowledged Agri-Mark's longtime presence in West Side. "They're a very good corporate citizen and contribute a lot to various charitable things in town," he said.

Travelers at some U.S. airports are being asked to place electronic devices bigger than a cellphone in separate bins so that they can be examined more closely.

Travelers at some U.S. airports are being asked to place electronic devices bigger than a cellphone in separate bins so that they can be examined more closely.

The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it has been testing the procedure at 10 airports for more than a year, and it may be expanded nationwide.

TSA officials say overstuffed bags take longer to examine with X-ray machines. The pilot program is "an effort to de-clutter baggage," said agency spokesman Michael England.

There are no changes to what is allowed in carry-on bags, and people enrolled in the Precheck program can still leave laptops in their bags during screening, he said.

Most travelers already must remove laptops from bags when they go through security checkpoints. In the test lanes at the 10 airports, they are no longer being allowed to lay machines on top of bags or with other electronic devices -- each device must have its own bin.

Requiring travelers to spread their belongings among more bins could slow down the screening process. TSA said it is testing ways to make screening quicker and more targeted.

Unless the pilot program is expanded, most travelers will never experience it. Even if goes nationwide, it would be a far less dramatic change than the ban on laptops and tablets in the cabin of U.S.-bound planes from the Middle East and North Africa.

The TSA's parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, is considering expanding that ban to flights from Europe to the U.S. but has run into opposition from business travelers, airlines and European governments that fear it will create chaos and delays.

The new screening measures are being tested at the following airports: Boise, Idaho; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Detroit Metropolitan Airport; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; Logan Airport in Boston; Los Angeles International Airport; Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock, Texas; Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico; McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas; and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

A naked man led officers on car and foot chases through Manchester, New Hampshire and two Massachusetts towns before he was finally caught and arrested, police said.

A naked man led officers on car and foot chases through Manchester, New Hampshire and two Massachusetts towns before he was finally caught and arrested, police said. 

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, police have charged the suspect - Seth Brunelle, 25, of Manchester - with assault with a dangerous weapon, failing to stop for police, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving to endanger. He also received some speeding and marked-lane citations.

Police received several 911 calls Wednesday regarding an erratic driver on Concord Road, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported. When police attempted to stop the driver, they slammed into two cruises and nearly hit a police officer before speeding on into Lincoln, Massachusetts. 

According to WMUR.com, Brunelle drove through several backyards in Lincoln before eventually stopping the car near a wooded area. Police said Brunelle left the vehicle and led police on a foot chase, all while in the buff. 

Shortly after Brunelle started running, officers from the Wayland Police Department caught and arrested him.

He was taken to a Massachusetts hospital for evaluation. 

J Polep Distribution on Meadow street plans to build a 32,000 square foot addition and hire 22 new employees.

CHICOPEE - A local distribution company plans to build an about $9 million addition onto its existing building in Willimansett and will add 22 new jobs in the process.

J. Polep Distribution Services, located on 705 Meadow St., is planning a 32,000 square foot expansion to create a new cold dock and freezer and cooler area to its current building, City Council members said.

The City Council recently approved a tax agreement that will give the company a five-year break on real estate taxes as an incentive for the company, which currently employs 486 full-time people, to remain in the current location.

"They have been in business for 31 years and we want them to stay in the city," City Councilor Frank N. Laflamme said.

While most of the positions are unskilled labor and will pay $25,000 a year, jobs are still needed in the Willimansett area, which is one of the poorest in the city, he said.

Officials did not say when construction would start on the addition but the incentive agreement will begin in July 2018. The incentive only cuts taxes on the addition, the company will continue to pay the same real estate taxes on the existing building.

In the first year of the agreement real estate taxes will be reduced by 70 percent of the value of the addition. The tax cut will then be reduced to 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent and then 30 percent of the value of the property in subsequent years. It expires in fiscal year 2024 when the company will start paying the full taxes on the assessed value of the addition.

The agreement will not cover personal property taxes levied on equipment, Michael Vedovelli, Community Development director for the city, said.

"We are considering a facility expansion to continue our growth and to bring new jobs to the Chicopee market. We have studied our future business needs and the projected market and determined that both would be best served with the addition," Brian Neeld, chief financial officer for J. Polep, said in a letter to the council.

Officials at J. Polep did not return calls for further comment.

"This is our way of thanking them for staying in Chicopee," Councilor William Courchesne said.

During the meeting there was some debate about sending the proposal to subcommittee to be be discussed more, but in the end the City Council voted 12-0 to approve the tax agreement.

This the fourth agreement the City Council has approved in the recent years. At the same meeting that it approved the tax incentives for J. Polep, it also approved a five-year agreement that will cut taxes for a Tru by Hilton Hotel that is under construction on Memorial Drive.

Last year it approved a 10-year tax incentive agreement valued at about $248,924 for U.S. Tsubaki which is building an about $11.5 million addition to its plant on 106 Lonczak Drive. That agreement only discounts taxes on the new addition.

It also approved a tax agreement last year for the new about $12 million Mercedes-Benz dealership that is being constructed by Springfield Automotive Partners LLC on the property of the former Plantation Inn off Burnett Road.

That is also a five-year tax incentive and Springfield Automotive Partners will continue to pay, at a minimum, the roughly $75,000 in taxes the owners of the Plantation Inn paid. The incentive will reduce the property taxes by 50 percent on the increased value of the business in fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020. In the last two years of the deal, the owners will then receive a 25 percent cut in property taxes for fiscal year 2021 and 2022.

To encourage athletics among girls in New England, New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski donated $70,000 to go towards athletic equipment for female athletes to the Boston Public Schools.

To encourage athletics among girls in New England, New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski donated $70,000 to go towards athletic equipment for female athletes to the Boston Public Schools. 

"We want to encourage girls to set ambitious goals. Your only limit is you," Gronkowski told students Wednesday. 

The check was presented on behalf of the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, which supports kids through sports. 

"Support for athletics not only helps our students stay physically active and healthy, but it translates into enhanced social-emotional skills that can improve outcomes academically and in life," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "Our students surely got a surge of encouragement from meeting Gronk today and we are grateful for the Foundation's gracious donation."

Gronk donated $70,000 to @BostonSchools for female sporting equipment today. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ZNB8sCnCg1

-- Boston Herald (@bostonherald) May 24, 2017

A reporter said Greg Gianforte "body-slammed" him Wednesday

By FRED BARBASH

The Washington Post

A Fox News reporter provided a vivid eyewitness account late Wednesday of an attack on a reporter by Montana Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte that led to him being cited for assault by the county sheriff and to lose his endorsements from two Montana newspapers ahead of the special election set for Thursday.

Both papers, the Missoulian and the Billings Gazette, issued scathing denunciations of Gianforte.

The alleged assault took place at Gianforte's headquarters in Bozeman, where Fox's Alicia Acuna and her crew were preparing a story to air on "Special Report with Bret Baier."

As the crew was setting up, Gianforte was approached by The Guardian's Ben Jacobs, who put a voice recorder "to Gianforte's face and began asking if he had a response to the newly released Congressional Budget Office report on the American Health Care Act," the Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act, she wrote.

"Gianforte," Acuna wrote, "told him he would get back to him later. Jacobs persisted with his question. Gianforte told him to talk to his press guy, Shane Scanlon.

"At that point," she wrote, "Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him."

Acuna and her crew "watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter. As Gianforte moved on top of Jacobs, he began yelling something to the effect of, 'I'm sick and tired of this!'"

Acuna said that Jacobs "scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken." He asked the Fox reporter and crew for their names but "in shock, we did not answer."

"To be clear," she wrote, "at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff's deputies."

Her account contradicts a statement issued by Gianforte's campaign which said that Jacobs, the Guardian reporter, "grabbed Greg's wrist" as the candidate tried to grab a phone "pushed in his face." Jacobs then "spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground."

"It's unfortunate," said that statement, "that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ."

The entire incident can be heard on an audio recording published by the Guardian. The recording does not support the campaign's claim that Jacobs had been asked to leave but rather reflects some broader grievance with reporters. "I'm sick and tired of you guys," Gianforte is heard saying. "The last guy who came here did the same thing. Get the hell out of here. Get the hell out of here."

It's unclear whether it was the subject matter that provoked Gianforte or simply Jacobs' presence and persistence in questioning him. The Congressional Budget Office estimates released Wednesday on the impact of the Republican health care proposal were not helpful to Republicans supporting the measure (23 million more Americans would be left uninsured by 2026, the CBO projected.) But while CBO numbers are often the source of much political heat and wonky debate, there's no history of violence associated with them.

Later, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, in a statement, said that after "multiple interviews and an investigation . . . it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault."

The sheriff, Brian Gootkin, noted in response to questions that he had made a $250 contribution to Gianforte's campaign. "This contribution has nothing to do with our investigation which is now complete," he said.

Following the extraordinary incident, Montana's largest newspapers withdrew their endorsements of the Republican in what has become a surprising close race against Democrat Rob Quist to fill the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke when he became President Trump's Secretary of the Interior.

In a late night editorial, the Missoulian wrote:

"The Republican candidate for Congress not only lost the endorsement of this newspaper Wednesday night when, according to witnesses, he put his hands around the throat of a reporter asking him about his health care stance, threw him to the ground and punched him - he should lose the confidence of all Montanans."

"We're pulling our endorsement of Greg Gianforte" said the headline in the Billings Gazette.

"We're at a loss for words," the paper wrote in an editorial. "And as people who wrangle words on a minute-by-minute basis, that doesn't happen often.

"What happens even less - hopefully never again - is a Montana candidate assaulting a reporter. While there are still questions left unanswered about GOP House hopeful Greg Gianforte's altercation with Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, eyewitness accounts, law enforcement investigations and records are all shocking, disturbing and without precedent.

" . . . We will not stand by that kind of violence, period."

The Gazette referenced an incident at a campaign event in which a Gianforte took questions from the audience, including a man who said:

" 'Our biggest enemy is the news media. How can we rein in the news media?'

"The man then looked at the Ravalli Republic reporter sitting next to him and raised his hands as if he would like to wring his neck.

"Gianforte smiled and pointed at the reporter.

" 'We have someone right here,' the candidate said. "It seems like there is more of us than there is of him.'"

That and "other questionable interactions Gianforte had with reporters . . . must now be seen through a much more sinister lens," the Gazette said. "What he passed off as a joke at the time now becomes much more serious."

The Gianforte campaign, it added, "should be appalled" by its statement "that would seem to justify the fight when it said the Bozeman Republican had tussled with a 'liberal journalist.' How would the campaign have known the reporter's political beliefs? And, is it suggesting that it's acceptable to put your hands on a reporter if you believe their political views are different from yours?"

The Society of Professional Journalists denounced the alleged assault, saying "it is never acceptable to physically harm or arrest a journalist who is simply trying to do his or her job."

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation suggests reading these tips before heading to roadways or public transportation

Memorial Day weekend is almost here, which typically means a healthy dose of warm weather, barbecues and traffic. The forecast in this particular May, however, means only one of those is likely to be true.

Memorial Day 2017 travel: Traffic hot spots, gas prices, tips and more

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns there is likely to be heavy traffic across major state highways this holiday weekend. Drivers and public transportation passengers who wish to avoid the waiting game are advised to plan ahead when it comes to driving or hopping on a bus or train. The three-day weekend will include closures to roads and lanes, changes to bus and train schedules and anticipated high traffic volumes.

Traffic is expected to be heaviest across Massachusetts between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, according to MassDOT. Weekenders returning are expected to flood the highways and interstates on Monday until around 7 p.m. in the evening. 

This Memorial Day will be biggest for travel since 2005, AAA says

A couple of things to note:

• I-93 drivers: The HOV lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will open early for the afternoon commute on Friday, May 26 at 1 p.m. The HOV lane will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.
• Cape Cod travelers: CapeFLYER trains will open starting Friday, May 26th, operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays up until Labor Day. For those driving to the Cape, all lanes on the Sagamore Bridge will remain open all weekend.
• MBTA passengers: All trains and busses will operate on a Sunday schedule, and ferries and boats will run on a weekend schedule. The MBTA is posting several altered bus routes on T-Alerts. 
• Don't get your licensed renewed on Monday: Yes, your day off would be an excellent time to go, but you actually can't. All Registries of Motor Vehicles will be closed on Monday, May 29 for the state holiday.
• Everybody else: All other drivers can get up-to-date information from a few different sources. MassDot's GoTime mobile app, the Waze traffic app, and visiting mass511.com, or dialing 511, all provide services for real-time traffic updates. 

There has been a minor crash at Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica, weeks after five people were killed when a car went out of control, causing a chaotic scene.

There has been a minor crash at Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica, weeks after five people were killed when a car went out of control, causing a chaotic scene.

The crash occurred Wednesday when a car grazed a barrier outside the Lynnway building, according to a Lynnway spokeswoman.

"Some yellow paint rubbed off on the car and one area of sheet metal was creased resulting in minimal damage," said Jill Reilly of Denterlein. "Neither the safety of drivers nor patrons was impacted."

No one was injured.

"Lynnway Auto is taking safety matters very seriously," Reilly said. "We have additional safety personnel on hand and are strongly reinforcing driver safety practices."

That minor incident follows a May 3 crash that killed five people. A Lynnway employee was driving a 2006 Jeep Cherokee at the 400 Charter Way site's weekly auction when it went out of control, careening into a crowd of people and striking the building.

Three people were pronounced dead that day, and two more people later sucummbed to their injuries. The victims were Ruben Espaillat, 55, of Methuen; Leezandra Aponte, 36, of Lowell; Elliott Rowlands Jr., 50, of Buzzards Bay; and Brenda Lopez, 48, and Pantaleon Santos, 49, both of Rhode Island.

Lynnway learned that the employee driving the Jeep had a suspended license.

A week after the fatal crash, Lynnway held an auction that started with a prayer service for the victims.

Lynnway has said that it plans to install vertical barrier posts, also known as bollards, to help keep vehicles from veering out of their intended lane.

Earlier this month, Jersey barriers were added. The bollards will be installed soon, Reilly said.

Lynnway Auto Auction President Jim Lamb has said said that safety has been a "top priority" at Lynnway auctions.

In 2014, OSHA cited Lynnway for two "serious" level violations.

The first penalty, issued on July 7, 2014, was for failure to require traffic control devices when maintenance tests were being performed on moving vehicles. OSHA recommended that Lynnway consider adding traffic cones, traffic directionals, caution tape, physical barriers, or a personal spotter.

The next penalty, also issued on July 7, 2014, was for an electrical wiring violation.

Quincy police investigators hit a home run with their investigation of a stolen painting of none other than retired Red Sox player David Ortiz.

Quincy police investigators hit a home run with their investigation of a stolen painting of none other than retired Red Sox player David Ortiz.

The painting of Big Papi suited up in his Red Sox uniform was on display at the Thomas Crane Public Library when it was reported stolen on May 20, Quincy police said. The painting by local artist Edwina Caci was valued around $1,000.

Four days later, library security officer Jake Kerin found video footage of a suspect taking the painting moments after entering the library. Members of the Anti-Crime Unit identified the suspect as Dana Bognar, Quincy police said in a statement.

Bognar, 37, admitted to taking the painting on May 16, the statement said. He told police that his friend, identified as James Perkins, asked him to steal the painting with the promise of $20.

Quincy police were able to find the painting, which was in possession of people who did not know it was stolen, the statement said. 

Bognar, who is homeless, is being charged with larceny from a building and conspiracy to commit larceny.

A warrant is being sought for Perkins, 48, of Broad Street in Quincy. He will be charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit larceny, police said.

An eviction blockade at a Sixteen Acres home in the city on Thursday drew a crowd despite the wet weather.

SPRINGFIELD-- An eviction blockade at a Sixteen Acres home in the city on Thursday drew a crowd despite the wet weather.

Supporters gathered at the home of Sammie and Kevin Smith on Wilbraham Road as the family faced eviction early Thursday.

According to a press release, the family has lived at the home for 20 years and is now being evicted after Sammie Smith's wife passed away, and a refinancing of the mortgage invalidated an insurance policy that would have paid off the home in case of an unexpected death.

The family was being supported at the scene by members of the community and the anti-eviction group Springfield No One Leaves.

This is a developing story which will be updated throughout the day.

Bogdan Mocanu, 34, will be deported immediately to his native Romania after serving more than two years in federal prison for his role in swindling hundreds of bank customers using ATM "skimmers" while he and co-conspirators were living illegally in the U.S.

SPRINGFIELD -- A Romanian man was sentenced to 28 months plus one day in federal prison on Wednesday in connection with a $350,000, multi-state swindle of bank customers using ATM "skimmers."

So-called skimmer scams have been growing in popularity, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow noted during Bogdan Mocanu's sentencing hearing.

"This crime has become more and more widespread in Western Massachusetts, the commonwealth and throughout the United States," Breslow told U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni.

Mocanu pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identify theft last year.

Breslow said Mocanu, 34, of Queens, NY, and his co-conspirators, also Romanian immigrants, had been living illegally in the U.S. All are slated for deportation, with Mastroianni signing a court order that Mocanu be returned to his home country "immediately" after completing his sentence.

Mocanu has already been jailed for two years since his arrest in 2015 in Medford. After initially fighting deportation in New York, Mocanu agreed to drop the challenge and conceded to return to his country under his plea deal with prosecutors.

"I'm a felon in the United States. My future here is not so bright," Mocanu told Mastroianni as the judge pressed him about whether he was voluntarily giving up his fight to stay in the country.

He and his co-conspirators, who were not named in court on Wednesday -- but who Breslow characterized as "similarly situated" in terms of their immigration status -- ripped off bank customers in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts for two years starting in 2013.

He and his cohorts affixed skimmers to capture the names and account numbers of customers using their debit cards while the cameras records them punching in their private PIN numbers, according to court records.

Mocanu and his partners then removed the devices and used customers' personal information to create fraudulent cards.

During one five-day period in 2013, the Romanians grabbed $88,560 from 44 customers of a Boston bank, the charges state.

Prosecutors also asked Mastroianni to order restitution of the nearly $350,000 the defendant and his co-conspirators stole, while recognizing the government will never recoup the money since the men are headed for deportation.

"I'll sign this ... although it's not even worth the paper it's written on at this point," Mastroianni said.

Despite coming to blows with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, earlier this year, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, said in a recent interview that the two appear to be back on speaking terms.

Despite coming to blows with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, earlier this year, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, said in a recent interview that the two appear to be back on speaking terms. 

Warren, in an interview for Chelsea Handler's new Netflix talk show, "Chelsea," discussed her latest book, policy platform and high-profile spat with the Republican leader, who formally silenced her on the U.S. Senate floor after she spoke out against Jeff Sessions' attorney general nomination.

Massachusetts lawmakers stand behind Elizabeth Warren, urge Senate to 'let Liz speak' in Jeff Sessions' confirmation process

The Massachusetts Democrat, who told the Boston Globe that McConnell largely ignored her attempts to greet him following the incident, said the Republican has "finally said hello back."

"He finally said hello to me," she told Handler when asked about her relationship with the Senate Republican leader. "I said hello to him first and he finally said hello back. The first few times I said hello and he didn't even say hello back."

Warren, who told Handler that McConnell has yet to apologize, added that she believes his attempts to silence her are indicative of a large problem facing women.

"This really isn't about me. I felt like this was about every woman in America who has been told, loud and clear, 'Sit down and shut up.' And women who just said, 'I've had it, I'm not going this anymore,'" she said.

McConnell's office, however, disputed the accuracy of Warren's account of her exchanges with the Senate Republican.

"They have greeted each other," spokeswoman told the Globe last month.

Despite attention garnered over her spat with McConnell, Warren shot down the idea of seeking a 2020 White House run, telling Handler "I'm not running or president, I am running for the Senate in 2018."

Warren, however, said she believes it's critical for lawmakers, particularly Republicans, to put "country ahead of party" and provide accountability and restraints on President Donald Trump.

She further encouraged Americans to get politically active by joining groups, committing to engagement and talking to those who may have different political views.

"We're now at a moment in America where democracy is on the ropes. Donald Trump and Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have put this country in a place it has never been before," she said. "Everything from the Russians laughing at us to what happens to health care for millions of Americans, this is our moment in history and we've got to fight back."

He is ordered to pay $1 million in restitution and serve 31 months in prison.

A Spanish-native who was living is Quincy is expected to repay close to $1 million to a handful of law firms and charities after pleading guilty to a fake check scheme.

Beginning around August 2013, Manuel Ponce Vazquez, 60, and several co-conspirators pretended to be donors who "accidentally" donated more than they intended to, according to a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts press release. They would then pressure the charities to return the excess donation immediately.

Ponce Vazquez and his associates would sometimes concoct bold tales to convince the charities to rush the funds over.

 "...Co-conspirators told the charities, among other things, that the money was needed to fund surgery for a young girl "to better her chances of living" through a "life threatening situation," the press release reads.

The charities would then send the money to Ponce Vazquez and his associates. it wasn't until after the money was deposited that the charities discovered the donation was fraudulent.

Ponce Vazquez and his group also targeted law firms, prosecutors said. 

This time, the conspirators would pretend to be new clients seeking help collecting a debt. Before the law firm would even attempt to recover the supposed debt, they would received counterfeit cashier's checks from the "debtors."

One of Ponce Vazquez's partners would then direct the firm to forward the majority of the checks value to a bank account controlled by the defendant, effectively taking the money directly from the firm.

Ponce Vazquez is ordered to pay $995,000 in restitution. Additionally, he will serve 31 months in prison.

Because he is a Spanish-native, federal authorities intend to have Ponce Vazquez deported.  

Police in Ludlow have been busy this month, responding to 871 calls for service from May 7-20 and making around two dozen arrests or summons / warrant arrests, according to data released by the department.

LUDLOW -- Police in Ludlow have been busy this month, responding to 871 calls for service from May 7-20 and making around two dozen arrests or summons / warrant arrests, according to data released by the department.

At 10:37 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, Dean E. Birtwell, 21, of Ludlow, was arrested on an active warrant after a police traffic stop on East Street by Lakeview Avenue. 

At 1:12 a.m. Friday, May 19, Stephanie A. Targonski, 27, of Ludlow, was arrested after a traffic stop at Swan and Blanchard avenues, police said.

Targonski was initially pulled over for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign. But police said they subsequently charged her with class A drug possession after finding an unspecified quantity of an unidentified drug. The most common class A drug in Massachusetts is heroin.

At 2:21 a.m. Saturday, May 20, Jared Stearns, 29, of Exeter, Rhode Island, was arrested on State Street and charged with resisting arrest and three counts of assault and battery on a police officer.   

Later that morning, Nathan W. Jensen, 28, of Ludlow, was taken into custody shortly after 11 a.m. and charged with multiple felonies, including a mayhem charge and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

At 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, Amie J. Lind, 37, of Ludlow, was arrested on an active warrant on Motyka Street.

At 7 that evening, Christopher A. Rodriguez, 24, of Springfield, was arrested after a traffic stop on East Street by Putts Bridge. He was charged with driving with a suspended license, cocaine and marijuana possession, and cocaine possession with intent to distribute.

At 2:04 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, Mark H. Jones II, 33, of Ludlow, was arrested after a traffic stop on Springmeadow Drive. Jones was charged with speeding, negligent operation, possessing an open container of alcohol, and OUI-liquor (second offense).

At 10:20 p.m., Thursday, May 11, James Mish, 23, of Taunton, was arrested on an active warrant in the Christ the King Church parking lot off of Sewall Street.

At 6:11 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Kevin J. Lacy, 34, of the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, was arrested on Benton Street and charged with malicious destruction of property over $250, a felony, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

All suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

Police are seeking answers after a small dog was found in severe condition along Route 9 in Ware.

A small 11-year-old dog was found in one of the worst conditions seen by animal experts in Massachusetts. Eleanor, a Lhasa Apso mix, was found wandering along Route 9 in Ware when a driver passed her by at night.

Police are teaming up with the Animal Rescue League of Boston to restore health to the severely injured animal, and to find the person responsible for abandoning her.

Law enforcement in Ware are treating the level of neglect as criminal, urging anyone in the community to contact them with information. Eleanor was found with hearing loss, a chronic dry eye condition that went untreated and likely led to her blindness, as well as an untreated skin disease that left her with only patches of fur. The tiny dog was also reportedly suffering from critical dental disease, overgrown nails and two masses found on her head.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston, a non-profit organization that works with police and agencies across the state to help animals in need, reports that their team is treating the dog. So far, she has had one eye removed and the two masses were surgically removed and tested.

ARL said in a statement that Eleanor can be restored to good health and will find a second home. 

Luis Reyes was last seen leaving Chicopee High School on Friday.

CHICOPEE - Police are asking for help to locate a teenager who has been missing for nearly a week.

Luis Reyes, 17, of Front Street, has been missing since May 19. He was last seen leaving Chicopee High School, Michael Wilk, public information officer for Chicopee Police, said.

Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Chicopee Police detective unit at 413-594-1730, he said.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation ramped up their criticism of a Republican-backed plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act this week after a highly anticipated analysis of the bill found it could leave millions more Americans without health insurance.

Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation ramped up their criticism of a Republican-backed plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act this week after a highly anticipated analysis of the bill found it could leave millions more Americans without health insurance.

Democrats, who had spoken out against the American Health Care Act and called for updated information on its expected impacts, said a Congressional Budget Office score released on the bill Wednesday evening largely underscores their concerns about the GOP-backed legislation. 

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, contended that the nonpartisan agency's updated analysis of the AHCA "reaffirms the disturbing reality of Trumpcare: tens of millions of Americans would lose their health insurance and millions more would be forced to pay dramatically more for less coverage."

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

The congressman, who is the top Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, further chastised chamber Republicans for passing the contentious measure before the CBO score was completed. 

"This reckless and irresponsible behavior is not how we should be making policy here in Congress," he said in a statement. "It's time for Republicans to finally wake up an realize the basic fact that undermining our nation's health care system, imposing an age tax on seniors and eliminating protections for those with pre-existing conditions will not improve health outcomes in this country."

Neal urged Republicans to instead work with Democrats on strengthening the ACA.

Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, argued that the CBO analysis shows the GOP health care plan "is terrible for families across the country" and "would be an immediate disaster."

#CBOscore shows #Trumpcare would be immediate disaster, hitting families with 20 PERCENT hike in premiums next year. https://t.co/4xv2BqEsZv

-- Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) May 24, 2017

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, agreed, arguing that the "CBO analysis confirms that Trumpcare is really about destroying health and concentrating wealth."

"This cruel legislation would line the pockets of the wealthiest individuals and corporations through tax breaks of more than $600 billion, all while ripping away health coverage from 23 million Americans," he said in a statement. 

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, also cast the AHCA as a "$663 billion tax cut for the rich paid for by kicking 23 million people off of insurance."

"Trumpcare is devastating for the poor, seniors, pregnant women, people with pre-existing conditions, mental health and substance use disorders," she tweeted. "The numbers don't lie here: this new version of Trumpcare will still bankrupt American families. People will die."

The numbers don't lie here: this new version of Trumpcare will still bankrupt American families. People will die.

-- Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 24, 2017

Contending that "health care is a basic human right," Warren stressed that Senate Democrats will fight to defeat further movement of the legislation. 

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, urged Senate Republicans to join their Democratic counterparts in rejecting the House-passed version of the AHCA -- a bill which he argued could be "disastrous for our economy" and "mean financial ruin for millions of American families."

Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, meanwhile, urged lawmakers to acknowledge that beneath the numbers included in the CBO score "lies physical, emotional and undeniable pain for families in every corner of this country."

"This CBO score only confirms that this cruel repeal bill is nothing more than a tax cut for the wealthy paid for with the health and economic security of hard working families," he said in a statement.

According to the CBO analysis, the revised version of the AHCA, which cleared the House earlier this month, would lead to an estimated 51 million uninsured Americans under age 65 in 2026 -- much higher than the 28 million who would lack coverage under the ACA.

Budget office: 23 million more uninsured, lower premiums for less coverage under GOP House-passed health care bill

The report further found that while average premiums for people buying individual policies under the AHCA would be lower than those currently available under President Barack Obama's signature health care law, insurance, on average, would cover less of people's costs, according to the Associated Press.

A comment reading "Someone's going to bring a gun to school," was posted on the Facebook page of a Northampton resident, according to police.

EASTHAMPTON - Police were present for the opening of Easthampton High School on Thursday after learning a threat involving a gun was posted on social media, according to police.

School was not cancelled, but Chief Robert J. Alberti and several officers were present to meet students and faculty at the start of the day. Officers were to remain at the school for the rest of the day.

Police were notified of the threat by Principal Kevin Burke Wednesday evening. 

A comment reading "Someone's going to bring a gun to school," was posted on the Facebook page of a Northampton resident, according to police.

Police investigated and found that it was posted by someone using a fake name.  Police are now investigating to determine the person's real identity.

Alberti said police will retain a visible presence at the school for the remainder of the school year to insure safety.

The school has seen its share of controversy lately involving the confederate flag, and three students of color reportedly assaulted a white student after he was said to have used a racial slur over social media.

The state Attorney General's office announced this week it is conducting an investigation of recent events at the school.

Residents can have their dogs vaccinated for free if they have proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccination.

CHICOPEE - The Second Chance Animal Shelter will hold a second vaccination clinic for dogs to protect them from an outbreak of the parvo virus.

The Springfield clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Rivers Park, Meadow Street. The vaccine is free if residents have proof their pet is up to date on its rabies vaccine, without the vaccine the cost will be $5. The vaccine is only given to healthy dogs.

The clinic was organized following an outbreak of the highly contagious and often fatal virus in the area around a trailer park on Granby Road near Cadieux Avenue. More than a dozen dogs had been treated for the virus.

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

The virus is mainly spread through feces and can live for a long time so it can spread easily. But, it can be prevented with the vaccine.

The Second Chance Animal Shelter has already run one emergency vaccination clinic but that was limited to residents in the immediate area of the trailer park. This one is for all residents. For more information contact 413-739-2343.