The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is not believed to be arson, Vermont State Police said.

BROOKLINE, VT - A 32-year-old woman was killed and two people were seriously injured in a fire that destroyed a home early Sunday morning.

Elizabeth Cutts, of Brookfield, Vermont, was found dead in the home when the fire was extinguished. Vermont State Police said.

The homeowners Bruce Cutts, 70, and Sally Cutts, 63, were able to escape the fire but suffered significant burns and other serious injuries. They were brought to Grace Cottage Hospital-Townshend by ambulance and then flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, police said.

The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. in a home on Papoose Lane, located about 10 miles from the Massachusetts border. When firefighters arrived they learned someone was still inside, but the home was engulfed in flames and they could not safely enter the building, police said.

After the fire was extinguished, investigators found the body of Elizabeth Cutts. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will now conduct an autopsy and make a positive identification, police said.

The cause is under investigation but it is not considered suspicious, police said.

Firefighters from Newbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Townshend Volunteer Fire Department, Putney Volunteer Fire Department, Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Department, Saxtons River Volunteer Fire Department, West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, East Dover Volunteer Fire Department, Jamaica Volunteer Fire Department and emergency medical staff from Rescue Inc. responded to the fire. Vermont State Police detectives from the Arson Investigation Unit, members of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety and Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Detectives also responded and are assisting in the investigation, police said.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Vermont State Police Sgt. Eric Albright at 802-722-4600.

A power outage has halted flights to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the busiest air hub in the world.

A power outage has halted flights to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the busiest air hub in the world, Sunday.

About 1:30 p.m., the airport tweeted that there was a power outage affecting "several areas" of the airport. Officials later elaborated to say a ground stop was in place, preventing Atlanta-bound flights from departing from other airports. Meanwhile, flights out of Atlanta were experiencing delays of about 90 minutes, according to Flight Tracking website FlightAware.

International flights were diverted to other airports, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The nature of the problem was not immediately known. Georgia Power, the utility supplier, said crews were working to find the cause.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the power outage is affecting the airport's terminals. The control tower did not lose power, the FAA said, "however, departures are delayed because airport equipment in the terminals is not working."

(c) 2017, The Washington Post. Faiz Siddiqui wrote this story.

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

People should stay off the ice until it is at least four inches thick and snowmobile riders should stay off until it is five inches thick.

Following this week's cold snap ponds and other bodies of water are freezing and the state Environmental Police is issuing information on ice safety.

Every year people fall through the ice and are injured or die

People should stay off the ice if it is less than 2 inches thick. If at least four inches of ice covers a pond it is safe for people to go out on foot for skating or ice fishing. Ice should be a minimum of five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs but it should be at least 8 inches thick to support a small truck and more than 1 foot thick to support a large truck, police said.

Ice also does not form uniformly so people should watch for weak spots. Police recommend against traveling on ice covered rivers and streams because currents made ice thickness variable. Even lakes and ponds have spring holes and currents that can create thin spots, police said.

Environmental Police are warning people not to follow a pet onto the ice after a number of people have fallen through thin ice while trying to rescue the animal. Instead they should go for help. Officers also advise people to keep dogs leashed to prevent them from running onto thin ice.

People who do fall through the ice are advised to keep on winter clothing because it traps air and helps people float. The victim then should turn to the spot they were walking, put their hands on the ice and kick to help push onto the ice. Once on the surface they should roll to thicker ice before trying to stand, police said.

Anyone who witnesses someone falling through the ice should call 911 immediately. If the victim is within reach from shore they can throw the person a tree branch, a rope, jumper cables or anything else that can help drag them out. If the victim is farther away try to throw something like a rope that will float to the person, police said.

If there is a chance the second person will also fall through the ice, they should not attempt a rescue and instead immediately call for or go for help, police said.

It was a celebration of Hanukkah at The Springfield Museums on Sunday as visitors were treated to traditional Hanukkah games and activities in addition to the ongoing exhibits of the museum.

SPRINGFIELD - It was a celebration of Hanukkah at The Springfield Museums on Sunday as visitors were treated to traditional Hanukkah games and activities in addition to the ongoing exhibits of the museum.

An open game of Dreidel was played on the second floor of the Springfield Science Museum as a Latke tasting was being served at the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts. Other activities included making beeswax candles, making clay Menorahs, and a puppet show by Anna Sobel, and her Talking Hands Theater which was presented in the Davis Auditorium.

A live animal display was on the lower level of the Springfield Science Museum where children and adults had the opportunity to learn about and hold small reptiles that live in the science museum.

For the deep-space enthusiasts, the Planetarium Center held three shows for a slight additional charge to non-museum members.

One popular event was an olive oil tasting, which is an integral part of Hanukkah celebrations.

Upcoming events at The Springfield Museums include, The Museums Strike Back: A Week of Space and Sci-Fi where visitors will meet members of the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance, December 27-30. A special Star Light - Star Bright celebration will be held Thursday, December 28, from 5-8pm in an after-hours dance party and observatory tour. For additional programs and information check out their website at https://springfieldmuseums.org

An afternoon of hymns and traditional Swedish holiday dances heralded the annual celebration of Sankta Lucia at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Sunday.

EAST LONGMEADOW - An afternoon of stories, hymns and traditional Swedish holiday dances heralded the annual celebration of Sankta Lucia at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Sunday.

The 3 p.m. event sponsored by Brage-Iduna Lodge, and featuring members of the Three Crowns Children's Club, told the tale of St. Lucia, a martyr of early Christendom who was killed as punishment for giving away her wedding dowry to the poor and refusing to renounce her faith.

"The legend was that she was seen coming across a lake in Sweden, during a time of famine, with light all around her ... and she brought food to the poor," said Karin Johnson, co-leader of the children's club. The girl who plays St. Lucia in traditional celebrations wears a crown of candles to signify this moment.

Emma Kindblom played Lucia this year. She was escorted by her white-gowned court, and the Star Boys, who wore pointed hats and carried star-shaped paper scepters. They took turns telling portions of the legend, punctuated by Swedish Christmas carols.

Young children dressed in red portrayed the tomten, elf-like creatures said to help farmers complete their work when no one is watching.

St. Lucia was said to appear on the day of the winter solstice. In modern times, the solstice falls on Dec. 21, but celebrations of St. Lucia on Dec. 13 kick off the two-week Christmas season.

In households around the world, the oldest daughter will serve dinner and Lucia buns to her family. Lucia buns are an S-shaped saffron sweet bun accented with raisins, and there were plenty to go around after Sunday's ceremony.

Attendees washed down the Lucia buns, cookies and cakes with a non-alcoholic version of the Swedish drink glogg.

Tuesday Sinclair found out about the event while reading The Republican. She said the story "felt like it was speaking to me."

Sinclair's sister moved to Sweden in the 1980s and celebrates St. Lucia, while Sinclair lives down the street from St. Paul. The church has hosted this event for years, but Sinclair stopped by for the first time this weekend because "my sister is overdue for a visit" and it felt like a way to bond with her.

"She'll be happy that I came here, because she talks about (St. Lucia) all the time," said Sinclair. "She's sent me a few pictures of stuff she's done with church groups, but nothing like this."

Brage-Iduna Lodge is a local lodge of the Vasa Order of America, a Swedish-American community organization. The event was free, and donations supported the Three Crowns Children's Club.

Thousands of firefighters tried Sunday to shield coastal communities from one of the biggest wildfires in California history while a funeral procession rolled past burn-scarred hillsides in honor of one of their colleagues who was killed battling the flames.

LOS ANGELES -- Thousands of firefighters tried Sunday to shield coastal communities from one of the biggest wildfires in California history while a funeral procession rolled past burn-scarred hillsides in honor of one of their colleagues who was killed battling the flames.

Crews cleared brush and dug containment lines above hillside neighborhoods in Santa Barbara County, taking advantage of slightly calmer winds a day after gusts fanned a flare-up that prompted more evacuations.

"Everything's holding really well," fire information officer Lisa Cox said. "Thousands of homes have been saved."

While gusts had eased somewhat, even lower intensity winds were still dangerous, she warned. The fire northwest of Los Angeles was 45 percent contained.

Television news footage showed at least one structure burned on property in the wealthy enclave of Montecito, and authorities said damage assessments could take days.

Mourners stood on freeway overpasses to pay respects to firefighter Cory Iverson, 32, who died Thursday of burns and smoke inhalation. His funeral procession was scheduled to wind through five Southern California counties before ending up at a funeral home in San Diego, where he was based with a state fire engine strike team. He is survived by his pregnant wife and a 2-year-old daughter.

The blaze is also blamed for the Dec. 6 death of a 70-year-old woman who died in a car crash on an evacuation route.

The fire that started nearly two weeks ago has burned more than 1,000 structures, including at least 750 homes. Some 18,000 more homes are still threatened.

Some evacuation orders were lifted to the east in Ventura County, where the blaze erupted, and officials reported making progress protecting the inland agricultural city of Fillmore.

Jim Holden returned to his neighborhood in the city of Ventura to find his home still standing amid widespread destruction. He told KABC-TV that at the height of the inferno, when it appeared his house would be lost, firefighters risked their own safety to retrieve his belongings.

"They broke in and they saved my family photos," Holden said, wiping away tears.
Mike and Dana Stoneking lost their Ventura home while many of their neighbors' properties were spared. The Stonekings planned to rebuild and found some solace after retrieving Mike's wedding ring from the ashes.

The 422-square-mile (1,093-sq. kilometer) blaze called the Thomas Fire crested a peak just north of Montecito, where evacuation orders remained in effect. Known for its star power, the enclave includes the mansions of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and many other celebrities.

Winfrey tweeted:

Still praying for our little town. Winds picked up this morning creating a perfect storm of bad for firefighters. #peacebestill [?] [?]

-- Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) December 16, 2017

It was not clear if the former talk show host was in Montecito.

A portion of the city of Santa Barbara was also evacuated as a thick plume of smoke blew through city streets. At the city's zoo, workers put some animals into crates and kennels to ready them for possible evacuation.

While crews on the fire lines got a break from slightly calmer winds, much of the rest of Southern California was buffeted by powerful gusts that once again increased the wildfire risk across the region. The National Weather Service forecast red flag conditions for extreme fire danger through Sunday evening for Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Trees came down after wind gusts topped 70 mph (113 kph) in mountain areas and 50 mph (80 kph) along the coast.

Everything about the fire has been massive, from the sheer scale of destruction that destroyed entire neighborhoods to the legions of people attacking it. About 8,300 firefighters from nearly a dozen states battled the third largest wildfire in state history, aided by 78 bulldozers and 29 helicopters.

The cause remains under investigation. So far, firefighting costs have surpassed $117 million.

--By Christopher Weber

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Dozens of flights between Boston and Atlanta were canceled on Sunday and Monday.

Flights between Boston and Atlanta were canceled again on Monday as the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport recovers from a large power outage.

On Monday morning, three Delta Air Lines flights from Boston to Atlanta were canceled, and two flights from Atlanta to Boston were canceled as well, according to flight tracker FlightAware. At least 18 flights were canceled between the two international airports on Sunday, and two other flights diverted.

A widespread power outage occurred at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport Sunday evening after what Georgia Power believes was tied to "extensive damage in an underground facility," according to a press release.

Update on the ATL power situation pic.twitter.com/EctZveNI9p

-- Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) December 18, 2017

Before 6 a.m. Monday, the airport said power was restored at midnight and that all concession stands and TSA security lines were open.

The Atlanta airport delivered more than 5,000 meals to waiting passengers, according to one tweet.

Another tweet showed Chick-fil-A Chairman and CEO  Dan T. Cathy delivering food and water to stranded passengers Sunday night. The chicken chain is typically closed on Sundays to allow employees to "set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose."

LIGHTS ON and delivering food and water to our passengers! Thank you @dancathy with @ChickfilA for opening on a SUNDAY! #ChristmasMiracle pic.twitter.com/0PlSxHIWj5

-- Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) December 18, 2017

Prioritizing national sovereignty over alliances, President Donald Trump is poised to outline a new national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition, reverses Obama-era warnings on climate change, and de-emphasizes multinational agreements that have dominated the United States' foreign policy since the Cold War.

Prioritizing national sovereignty over alliances, President Donald Trump is poised to outline a new national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition, reverses Obama-era warnings on climate change, and de-emphasizes multinational agreements that have dominated the United States' foreign policy since the Cold War.

The Republican president, who ran on a platform of "America First," will detail his plan Monday, one that if fully implemented could sharply alter the United States' relationships with the rest of the world. The plan, according to senior administration officials who offered a preview Sunday, is to focus on four main themes: protecting the homeland and way of life; promoting American prosperity; demonstrating peace through strength; and advancing American influence in an ever-competitive world.

Trump's doctrine holds that nation states are in perpetual competition and that the U.S. must fight on all fronts to protect and defend its sovereignty from friend and foe alike. While the administration often says that "America First" does not mean "America Alone," the national security strategy to be presented by Trump will make clear that the United States will stand up for itself even if that means acting unilaterally or alienating others on issues like trade, climate change and immigration, according to people familiar with the strategy.

The last such strategy document, prepared by then-President Barack Obama in 2015, declared climate change an "urgent and growing threat to our national security." A senior official said the Trump plan removes that determination -- following the administration's threat to pull out of the Paris climate accord -- but will mention the importance of environmental stewardship.

Despite the risk of potential isolation presented by Trump's strategy, its fundamentals are not a surprise. The Associated Press last week reviewed excerpts of a late draft of the roughly 70-page document and spoke to two people familiar with it. The draft emphasizes that U.S. economic security is national security and that economic security must be ensured with military might. And they said it would stress the U.S. is interested only in relationships with other countries, including alliances like NATO, that are fair and reciprocal.

Trump, according to the senior officials, is also expected to discuss threats he'll deem as "rogue regimes," like North Korea, and "revisionist powers," like Russia and China, who aim to change the status quo, such as Moscow and its actions with Ukraine and Georgia, and Beijing in the South China Sea. Trump is also planning to renew his call for the member states in the United Nations and NATO to spend more on defense, saying that the United States will insist on its alliances being fair and reciprocal.

The senior officials said the document refers to China as a "strategic competitor," rather than the stronger accusation of "economic aggression" previewed last week by National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.

Despite international challenges, the document cites emerging opportunities to advance American interests in the Middle East. "Some of our partners are working together to reject radical ideologies and key leaders are calling for a rejection of Islamist extremism and violence," it says. "Encouraging political stability and sustainable prosperity would contribute to dampening the conditions that fuel sectarian grievances."

The strategy document asserts that "for generations the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has been understood as the prime irritant preventing peace and prosperity in the region. Today, the threats from radical jihadist terrorist organizations and the threat from Iran are creating the realization that Israel is not the cause of the region's problems. States have increasingly found common interests with Israel in confronting common threats."

The president is also set to make the case that U.S. economic security is national security and that economic security must be ensured with military might.

The criticism of Russia will come as a break from recent warm words between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders have spoken twice in four days, with Trump calling Putin to thank him for kind words about the U.S. stock market and Putin reaching out to Trump to thank the CIA for help in stopping a terror plot in St. Petersburg.

The strategy document will not make explicit reference to Russian attempts to meddle in the U.S. political system, but an official said it would highlight the importance of ensuring the resilience of U.S. democratic institutions.

The early draft of the strategy reviewed by the AP lamented that America had put itself at a disadvantage by entering into multinational agreements, such as those aimed at combating climate change, and introducing domestic policies to implement them.

The senior officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plan before the president's remarks.

Someone twice crashed a car in Easthampton on Saturday night before ditching it on the side of the road and may have escaped without notice had only humans been tasked with sleuthing the incident.

Someone twice crashed a car in Easthampton on Saturday night before ditching it on the side of the road and may have escaped without notice had only humans been tasked with sleuthing the incident. 

As it happens, a two-year-old German Shepherd named Gino was at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. at Clark and East Chestnut Streets, and didn't waste time getting to work.  

"When officers arrived they found the vehicle unoccupied with airbag deployment, and the driver left the area on foot," Easthampton police wrote on Facebook. "Officers learned that this vehicle had also struck a parked car before it left the roadway and crashed into a tree in someone's yard."

The post added, "K9 Gino had a solid track leading from the crashed vehicle, through the adjoining neighborhoods and ended near the driver's residence approximately one mile away."

The driver, a 24-year-old man who was not named by police, emerged from the house and spoke to police. He was determined to be intoxicated, admitted to crashing his vehicle, and was placed under arrest. 

He will face charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of property damage and a marked lanes violation. 

A new report says MSNBC made a "separate-related payment" to an employee who accused Matthews of sexual harassment.

MSNBC is responding to new reports of a decades-old dispute in which they made a "separate-related payment" to a female employee who accused Chris Matthews of sexual harassment.

In a report published by the Daily Caller this weekend, a spokeswoman reportedly confirmed that the network had paid a female assistant producer to settle a claim of sexual harassment against Matthews during his show "Hardball with Chris Matthews" in 1999. 

Harvey Weinstein fallout: List of celebrities, politicians and others accused of sexual misconduct

According to the Caller, the woman complained Matthews made inappropriate comments and jokes about her in front of other people, which the company reportedly confirmed. The woman left MSNBC and went on to work in other media roles.

The longtime MSNBC host is the latest high-profile figure at NBC to be exposed in a string of sexual misconduct reports. Matthews continues to host "Hardball," which first aired in 1997. He turned 72 on Sunday.

Matt Lauer fired from NBC 'Today' show

Last month, NBC News fired Matt Lauer after accusations of sexual harassment and assault. Around the same time the network let go of Matt Zimmerman, senior vice president of booking at NBC's news division, after he allegedly replaced male staff with younger women with whom he acted inappropriately.

For the first time Toy for Joy provided children with toys and books this Christmas season.

Sally Fuller grew up in a home filled with love and books.

"My mother was an English teacher for 45 years, so books were a part of my growing up, from children's books to Shakespeare," said Fuller, project director for Reading Success by 4^th Grade program.

This year, Toy for Joy, now in its 95th year, partnered with the Reading Success by 4th Grade program of the Irene & George Davis Foundation to highlight and celebrate family literacy as part of the effort.

"The foundation is thrilled to be a part of this effort to bring children the gift of reading along with their toys this year," Fuller said.

Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Dec. 24 to provide children's gifts for area families in need. This year, in partnership with the Reading Success by 4th Grade Toy for Joy gave children at least one book along with their toys.  With only eight days until Christmas the campaign has raised $48,668.61, and is still $101,339.31 short of its goal.

Donors have expressed an appreciation for the literacy component of Toy for Joy this year. Fuller said many people take owning books for granted.

"I grew up in a house filled with books and a school filled with books, so I took books for granted until I realized that not everyone grew up that way," she said. "In many households children don't have their own books and they are not read to by their parents."

Fuller said the work being done by the Davis Foundation in collaboration with Toy for Joy is giving children an opportunity to not only own a book, but to share it with the people they love.

"In doing this work I have seen the way children marvel at books when they are given a chance to pick one. They ponder and they choose carefully and you know they will read that book over and over and over again," she said.

Fuller said there is a quote by children's author Emilie Buchwald that always resonates with her.

"She said children are made readers in the laps of their parents," Fuller said. " A gift of a book is for the child and for the parents. There are books that I read to my grandkids that I once read to my children and I can recite them by heart. We are so proud to be part of this effort."

Many individuals, families and businesses have donated to Toy for Joy this year. One of today's donors is Greenfield Tap and Die, UE, Local 274 with a donation of $2,000.

"The generosity of the workers at Greenfield Tap & Die, now part of Widia, carries on a long history giving to the community," said Cynthia G. Simison, managing editor of The Republican. "They can rest assured their gift will help bring joy to many families in Franklin County this Christmas."

Simison said the donation is a good example of how workplace groups continue to support Toy for Joy over the years.

"From manufacturing plants to law firms, the list is a long one of how working people up and down the Pioneer Valley step up to help families less fortunate," Simison said.

For the second year in a row, Pride is partnering with Toy for Joy. There is still time for customers to go into any Pride gas station and convenience store in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut and purchase a $1, $5 or $10 donation cards for Toy for Joy.

To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon that accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through noon on Dec. 23. Donate online here.

Toy for Joy

No injuries were reported following the fire, which broke out at 526 Bardwell St., at about 9:15 p.m., WWLP reported.

BELCHERTOWN - A Bardwell Street family reportedly lost their home to a fire Sunday night.

No injuries were reported following the fire, which broke out at 526 Bardwell St., at about 9:15 p.m., WWLP reported.

Fire Chief Ted Bardwell told the television station that judging from the fire damage the blaze likely started from a wood stove in the basement.

Bardwell said the blaze destroyed the home. He said the family is staying with other family members.

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

Police stressed there is no threat to the general public. No roads have been closed and no homes have been evacuated.

CHICOPEE - Police and fire personnel remain at the scene of a Granby Road home where a suspicious device was discovered early Monday.

The residents at 980 Granby Road activated their home alarm shortly after 2:30 a.m. after they heard a noise and then located a suspicious device, Michael Wilk, public information officer for the department, said.

Police immediately secured the property and notified the state Fire Marshal's office. Troopers attached to that office remain at the scene along with Chicopee police, Wilk said.

Wilk stressed there is no threat to the general public. No roads have been closed and no homes have been evacuated. Information on the nature of the device was not immediately available.

Wilk posted information regarding the incident on the department's Facebook page.

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

Student activists met with the yearbook committee to suggest changes.

EASTHAMPTON -- Ninth-grade students at Easthampton High School will no longer be called "freshmen." Instead, they will be called "first years."

The change was approved by the School Committee as part of their acceptance of a new, revised student handbook.

"For the purpose of class meetings and activities, including the class dues, students will be considered first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors," the handbook states.

There was consensus among School Committee members "that the change to gender neutral language was a simple, sensible way to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment, and was in concert with the many transformations underway at our district," School Committee Policy Subcommittee chairwoman Marissa Carrere told The Republican in an email.

The language was suggested by students with the Gender-Sexuality Alliance, or GSA, who met with the handbook committee, which including teachers, counselors, administrators, and a school-based police officer.

A recent report by the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey found years of racially-biased discipline and bullying at Easthampton High School. The handbook committee worked with the Anti-Defamation League and other groups as they re-wrote new policies to help address the issues, said Superintendent Nancy Follansbee in an email to parents and students.

"Students have the right to be free from discrimination based upon any protected characteristics, including race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability," the handbook states.

School Committee Chairwoman Debora Lusnia did not respond to an email from The Republican seeking comment on the new gender-neutral language. 

A 22-year-old Iowa man is facing and assault and battery charge against an Amherst police office after allegedly biting the officer during booking on other charges.

AMHERST - A 22-year-old Iowa man is facing and assault and battery charge against a police office after allegedly biting the officer during booking on other charges.

Police charged Jacob Newton - who's listed as University of Massachusetts student- with disorderly conduct, wanton destruction of a property more than $250 and assault and battery on a police officer.

Police were called to an East Pleasant Street house just before midnight Saturday to investigate a report of a man trying to break into the house. When they arrived, police discovered a mirror had been broken off a vehicle parked outside.

Police could not comment on the condition of the officer, who Newton allegedly bit during the arrest. Newton, who's listed as a University of Massachusetts student, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown. 

The undercover checks will be ongoing throughout the year at random times and establishments beginning Jan. 1.

The Police Department Strategic Impact Unit will be conducting periodic compliance checks at all city bars, restaurants and establishments that sell alcohol, according to police.

The checks will be ongoing, beginning on Jan. 1, and will seek any establishments that illegally sell alcohol to people who are under the legal drinking age of 21 years.

"We want to make businesses aware they need to be thoroughly checking ID's and not selling alcohol to people under 21, said police spokesman Ryan Walsh.

Police cadets will be sent out undercover to businesses at random time throughout the year to see if they will be served alcohol.

Any business found in violation can have its license to sell alcohol suspended or even revoked by the city License Commission.

The announcement by police is intended to put alcohol establishments on notice that they need to be vigilant about checking IDs and not selling alcohol to people younger than 21 years.

Armando Robles, of 122 Williams St., Springfield, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and larceny over $250.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Police arrested a Springfield man early Saturday after he allegedly broke into the Sprint Store on Memorial Avenue and stole several display phones.

Police were summoned to the store at 233 Memorial Ave. shortly after 3 a.m, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

After reviewing surveillance video police put out a description of the suspect.

Police found the suspect a short time later walking in the Memorial Plaza and carrying a shopping bag.

Police found him to be in possession of nine cell phones, two of which were determined to be his own personal phones. Sprint management identified three of the phones as being stolen during the break-in.

Armando Robles, of 122 Williams St., Springfield, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and larceny over $250.

A 38-year-old man carrying a "long gun" evaded a multi-department manhunt and a state police helicopter Sunday after violating a restraining order in Spencer and making threats against himself before taking off into the woods off Paxton Road.

A 38-year-old man carrying a "long gun" evaded a multi-department manhunt and a state police helicopter Sunday after violating a restraining order in Spencer and making threats against himself before taking off into the woods off Paxton Road. 

Authorities began the search for Steven Patchen, whose last known address is in Warren, around 4:25 p.m. and gave up after on-foot officers and a Massachusetts State Police helicopter conducted an "extensive search of the area."

Patchen "is believed to be a danger only to himself at this time" and is wanted on "an active warrant for a previous violation of the same (restraining) order," Spencer Police Department reported on Facebook on Sunday night.

According to The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the woman with the restraining order against Patchen saw him at the Paxton Road home while looking for a vehicle she owned and believed him to be using. 

Anyone with information about Patchen's whereabouts is asked to call Spencer police at (508) 885-6333.