Family homelessness in Western Massachusetts remains at high levels, while individual homelessness has declined, according to a new report.

GREENFIELD -- While it may not be possible to "end homelessness," it is feasible to make sure that episodes of homelessness are "rare, brief, and non-recurring," said Gerry McCafferty, housing director for the City of Springfield.

McCafferty, author of a new report on homelessness in Western Massachusetts, was keynote speaker at a four-county summit on homelessness that looked at "the numbers, the solutions, and the partnerships."

The Friday afternoon event at Greenfield Community College was hosted by the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness and emceed by its director, Pamela Schwartz.

The room was full of government officials, lawmakers and legislators-elect, medical professionals, county sheriffs, mayors and town managers, local officials, educators and social service leaders.

Experts who spoke at the event agreed that the region must pursue a "housing first" model to make real progress. They said it's cheaper and more effective to prevent homelessness than to provide a family or individual with months of emergency shelter as they struggle to recover from disruption.

"Housing first" involves quickly connecting homeless or near-homeless people with a stable place to live -- regardless of their social or economic problems. With a roof over their heads, people can then focus on other issues, according to the concept.

People leaving prison or the foster care system, youth and young adults with nowhere to go, women and children fleeing domestic violence and those struggling with addiction or mental illness are especially vulnerable to homelessness -- and one problem can lead to another, the experts said.

While "sober housing" is good for many individuals, those in the throes of addiction are not helped by sleeping outside, and communities can bear the brunt, suggested Brad Gordon, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Housing Authority.

"You have to take people where they are," he said.

Clare Higgins, executive director of Community Action of Pioneer Valley, said that depressed wages, skyrocketing housing costs, transportation difficulties, lack of affordable child care and a constellation of other difficulties can prevent poor people from getting ahead, and easily push them back into crisis mode.

"There is no county in the U.S. where a person working a minimum-wage job can afford an apartment," Higgins said.

As for cost, McCafferty said a Massachusetts program that helps families keep their housing last year cost taxpayers an average of $3,134 per assisted family, while in contrast, the state spent $42,845 for each household in a family shelter program.

McCafferty said that over the past six years, some homelessness in Western Massachusetts has actually declined.

In the state's four western counties, chronic homelessness declined 38 percent since 2012, veteran homelessness declined by 24 percent, but family homelessness remained about the same.

McCafferty said Springfield has worked to identify individual homeless people through working with police, emergency room personnel and others. Those with the highest need are prioritized for help.

"We've pulled people straight from the street, straight from the riverbank into housing," she said, adding that with the delivery of services, more than 90 percent of such individuals have remained stable and housed.

McCafferty's report showed that on one night last January, nearly 2,900 people were homeless in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties. Most of the homeless were families with children.

Schwartz spoke up for a "coordinated entry" system where people in crisis know where to go, and where leaders and institutions work together to solve the problem.

She encouraged lawmakers to make homelessness prevention and recovery a priority on Beacon Hill -- even if it means passing legislation eliminating the $25 fee for a Massachusetts ID.

Having an ID is essential for opening a bank account, cashing a check, procuring housing and employment and other basic tasks, she said.

Preventing homelessness is not just the job of social workers but the responsibility of police, mayors, hospitals, city councils, schools and state lawmakers, said Schwartz, because family instability affects municipal budgets, elementary school classrooms, law enforcement resources and more.

Schwartz encouraged local officials and ordinary people in the room to get involved and stay involved.

Other speakers included Greenfield Community College President Yves Salamon-Fernandez, who said 39 percent of the state's community college students experience housing insecurity. She said GCC has launched its own food bank for students, probably the first of its kind in the nation.

Jane Banks, Massachusetts undersecretary for housing and economic development, pledged to strengthen the state-local partnership.

"Homelessness is where people land when every other system has failed," said McCafferty.

The first legal sales of recreational marijuana are set to begin Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, in Northampton and Leicester.

Legal sales of recreational marijuana will begin in Massachusetts next week, and New England Treatment Access in Northampton says it's ready to serve both prescription and recreational customers at its store on Conz Street beginning Tuesday.

NETA and Cultivate Holdings LLC in Leicester received the final go-ahead from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission on Friday to begin retail dispensing.

Norton Arbelaez, director of governmental Affairs for NETA LLC, thanked the Cannabis Control Commission following its sign-off that will result in NETA and Cultivate Holdings opening for the first legal sales of marijuana on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Arbelaez congratulated the commission for "their thorough and thoughtful approach that has led to this historic day." 

Arbelaez also thanked the city of Northampton, its mayor and police chief as well as the community as a whole for the support extended to NETA as it prepared for the opening.

"NETA looks forward to providing legal marijuana to our customers, but we want our (medical) patients to know that we will never waver from our commitment to them and their needs," Arbelaez said.

Arbelaez said NETA will sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 years old or older from its store at 118 Conz St. on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"We will be thrilled to be part of this milestone for Massachusetts when NETA Northampton opens its doors to adults 21-years and older offering legal, safe, regulated cannabis," Arbelaez said. 

A 72-year-old Chicopee man was very seriously injured when he was struck by a snow plow on Grattan Street Friday afternoon. The Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating the 5:40 p.m. incident.

Chicopee police say a 72-year-old man suffered potentially life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a snow plow on Grattan Street Friday afternoon.

Chicopee Police spokesman Officer Michael Wilk said the victim was struck by a private snow plow near the Lucky Strike restaurant at 703 Grattan St., at about 5:40 p.m.

The victim suffered what Wilk said are potentially life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. 

The Chicopee Police Crash Reconstruction Team closed the roadway for several hours as it investigated the incident.  

The road has since reported, Wilk said. 

Here are the winning numbers in Friday's Mega Millions lottery drawing.

The latest Mega Millions jackpot offers another big chunk of change for someone with the right lottery numbers.

Mega Millions

Here are the winning numbers in Friday's drawing:

33-36-63-68-69; Mega Ball: 16; Megaplier: 3X

The estimated jackpot for the drawing is $122 million. The cash option is about $69 million. If no one wins, the Mega Millions jackpot will get bigger for the next drawing.

According to the game's official website, the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.

Players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers -- five different numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25 -- or select Easy Pick. A player wins the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing.

Jackpot winners choose whether to receive 30 annual payments, each five percent higher than the last, or a lump-sum payment.

Mega Millions drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays and are offered in 44 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2 each.

Mega Millions and Powerball winners should do these 5 things

The raw ground turkey products were produced on Sept. 11, 2018 and bear establishment number "P-190" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Jennie-O Turkey is recalling more than 91,000 pounds of ground turkey that has been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services announced the recall this week, saying the product was linked to one salmonella-related illness. 

The raw ground turkey products were produced on Sept. 11, 2018 and bear establishment number "P-190" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to stores nationwide.

Recalled products include: 

• 1-lb. packages of "Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 93% LEAN | 7% FAT" with "Use by" dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018.
• 1-lb. packages of "Jennie-O TACO SEASONED GROUND TURKEY" with a "Use by" date of 10/02/2018.
• 1-lb. packages of "Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 85% LEAN | 15% FAT" with a "Use by" date of 10/02/2018.
• 1-lb. packages of "Jennie-O ITALIAN SEASONED GROUND TURKEY" with a "Use by" date of 10/02/2018.

Public health officials are continuing to investigate an illness cluster involving 164 patients in 35 states who reported eating different types of turkey products, handling raw turkey or working with live turkeys.

Consuming food contaminated with salmonella can lead to diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. 

Older adults, infants and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness.

While the city extends the search for a new management company for Symphony Hall, the current company is being asked to continue on a month-to-month basis after its contract expires Dec. 31.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city is asking the management company at Symphony Hall to continue services on a month-to-month basis after its contract expires Dec. 31, as a search continues for a new company.

Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. is being asked to stay on temporarily and there will be no gap in Symphony Hall operations, said Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer.

"They always indicated they would stay until a replacement was found," Kennedy said. "There will be no gap."

However, Springfield Performing Arts' contract to manage CityStage at the Columbus Center parking complex is also set to expire Dec. 31, and will not be extended, local officials said. The facility will close at the end of December as the city and Springfield Parking Authority consider options for the site, said Thomas Moore, interim director of the parking authority.

Springfield Performing Arts has stated it does not plan to bid on management contracts at either Symphony Hall or CityStage.

The request for extended services at Symphony Hall will be brought to its board of directors, Kennedy said.

The city has extended the deadline a second time for management bids for Symphony Hall.

Management proposals are now due Dec. 17, at 2 p.m., at the Office of Procurement at City Hall. The original deadline for bids was Oct. 31, and it was then extended to Nov. 28, before the new deadline was set.

A pre-bid conference has been scheduled Nov. 29, to allow potential bidders to ask questions or get clarification, officials said.

The city is offering a five-year management contract at Symphony Hall, with the city's option of granting two, five-year extensions. The potential 15-year management agreement is intended to spur greater interest and offers from bidders including offers to aid with capital repairs and improvements to the historic building, officials said.

The  hall includes a 2,600-seat auditorium and is home to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, which is operated separately.

Regarding CityStage, the city is evaluating options and strategies for the live theater site, such as potential new uses, Moore said. Consulting firms have submitted some ideas to the  authority, which are under review by the authority and city officials, he said.

Consumers who purchased the Steam'ables Asparagus Spears may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The Pictsweet Company has recalled 1,872 cases of 8-ounce Steam'ables Asparagus Spears that may be contaminated with listeria.

The recall affects only Pictsweet Farms 8-ounce Steam'ables Asparagus Spears identified by UPC code 0 70560 97799 9 with production codes beginning with the following six digits: 2138XD.

The affected products have a "best by" date of Aug. 1, 2020.

The products were distributed nationwide, including in Massachusetts.

No illnesses have been reported at this time.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. 

Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Consumers who purchased the Steam'ables Asparagus Spears may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

"Incredible, lifesaving teamwork," Yarmouth police said. "Their actions saved a life."

The Yarmouth Police Department is commending the actions of two landscapers who helped their coworker after his leg became trapped in a wood chipper in South Yarmouth Friday morning.

The 31-year-old Dennisport man was seriously injured, but is now in stable condition at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, authorities said.

"The man has lost most of his leg but is in good spirits and fortunate to be alive," Yarmouth police said in a statement.

The department thanked first responders involved in the victim's rescue, as well as his coworkers at Triple Crown Tree Company -- Kevin McCarty, 30, of Concord, and Nicholas Callahan, 29, of Dennisport -- who the department said took "effective and decisive action."

McCarthy called for help and placed the machine in reverse while Callahan removed his belt and used it as a tourniquet around the victim's left leg.

The department said both men kept the victim as calm as possible until police and fire personnel arrived.

"Incredible, lifesaving teamwork," Yarmouth police said. "Their actions saved a life."

The group organizing an effort to oust the mayor of Fall River says it has collected nearly 6,000 signatures from voters to start the process for a recall election.

The group organizing an effort to oust the mayor of Fall River says it has collected nearly 6,000 signatures from voters to start the process for a recall election.

The Herald News reported that the group needed 2,510 signatures of registered city voters to begin the process. The next step is for the signatures to be certified by the Board of Elections.

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II was arrested Oct. 11 and charged with 13 counts of wire and tax fraud stemming from his startup, SnoOwl.

Federal investigators said he boasted the success of the app to collect votes and money from investors. Instead of spending the money on the business, he used it to fuel a "lavish lifestyle" that included a Mercedes, luxury hotel rooms, and "adult entertainment," the U.S. Attorney's office for the district of Massachusetts alleged.

The 26-year-old, who was elected mayor in November 2015, was re-elected to a second two-year terms in November. Authorities allege money he stole from investors was used to help his "burgeoning" political career. 

Correia pleaded not guilty to the charges and has repeatedly declared his innocence, saying he will not resign.

If the signatures are certified, the City Council will request that Correia step down from his position as mayor. If he refuses do so within five days, the council can schedule a recall election within 65 days.

Correia could run in the recall election.

The agency is currently forecasting 1 to 2 inches in most parts of the state.

If you're already sick of the snow, get ready -- forecasters say there may be more on the way.

Massachusetts could see snow Sunday night into early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is currently forecasting 1 to 2 inches in most parts of the state.

That amount could impact the morning commute, according to the NWS, but the agency recommended checking in again before the start of the work week as the forecast could change with such a week storm system.

Sunday is expected to see a high of 39 degrees and a low of 32. Things will warm up slightly Monday with an expected high of 44 degrees during the day.

The Department of Public Health confirmed that a person was diagnosed with measles on Nov. 15 and may have exposed the illness to other people.

State health officials say a second case of Measles has been diagnosed in the Lowell area.

The Department of Public Health confirmed that a person was diagnosed with measles on Nov. 15 and may have exposed the illness to other people.

An earlier patient was diagnosed with measles on Nov. 8.

Both diagnoses were made at Lowell Community Health Center, but State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said there are no known links between the two cases.

"Our efforts now are to identify people who may be at risk of getting ill and to get them vaccinated," she said. "Getting vaccinated within 3-5 days of an exposure can reduce the likelihood of getting measles."

Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold (including fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes) and a rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the initial symptoms develop.

The Chelmsford Police Department said the most recent patient was present in a number of places that could have resulted in exposure to other people, including at the Chelmsford T.J. Maxx on Nov. 11 between 3 and 7 p.m. 

People may also have been exposed to the individual at the Lowell Community Health Center on Nov. 15 from 4 to 9 p.m. and at the Walmart Supercenter in Tewksbury on Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Anyone who visited these locations on any of these dates during the times listed is advised to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status. 

Lowell CHC is reaching out to its patients who were potentially exposed there, and has established vaccination clinic hours for those patients.

"Early symptoms are similar to having a cold," Chief Spinney said. "If you believe you may have been exposed to this person or if you believe you may have symptoms of measles, please contact your health care provider and try to limit your exposure to others."

The Department of Public Health urges all those who do not know their measles immunization status to get vaccinated with at least one dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure may prevent measles disease, and vaccination beyond this window will provide protection from subsequent exposures. 

Health officials said who were exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their healthcare provider before visiting an office, clinic or emergency department. Visiting a healthcare facility may put others at risk and should be avoided. 

Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the vaccine is unlikely to develop measles even if exposed.

The Leonids come from the debris of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 33 years.

The 2018 Leonid meteor shower will peak tonight, Nov. 17, into the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 18.

The Leonids are a popular stop on the annual meteor shower calendar. Although the November meteor shower has as recently as 2002 produced storms of hundreds of meteors per hour, this year's event should produce about 10 to 15 per hour.

Here are some details and tips:

When to look

You can maximize your chances to see meteors between midnight and dawn, and it's best after moonset when the sky is darkest (the moon sets around 1:30 a.m. Sunday). 

Where to look

The meteors seem to emanate from the constellation Leo, but you can look just about anywhere in the sky.

Where to be

Where you are is more important than where in the sky you look. The less artificial light, the better, so out in the country, a mountaintop or an open field are better than city centers and suburbs.

But if you're in a city and its surrounding area, it's still worth taking a look.

If you do head out of town, don't forget to bring gear to stay warm.

Where do the meteors come from?

The Leonids come from the debris of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 33 years.

Fireballs and earthgrazers

Though they're not super-abundant, the Leonids can be spectacular.

According to NASA:

"Leonids are also known for their fireballs and earthgrazer meteors. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material. Fireballs are also brighter, with magnitudes brighter than -3. Earthgrazers are meteors that streak close to the horizon and are known for their long and colorful tails."

NASA.gov -->

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American Meteor Society -->

Hundreds of shoppers showed up to see the work of 250 juried crafters, designers and artists

WEST SPRINGFIELD - There's nothing like a little snow to get people in the holiday shopping spirit.

And that spirit was in evidence on Saturday at the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair in the Better Living Center at Eastern States Exposition.

Hundreds of shoppers showed up to see the work of 250 juried crafters, designers and artists, including mixed media, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, specialty foods, sculpture, fiber, photography, fashion, woodworking, glass, leather and fine art.

The fair proves to be just as popular with vendors, who report being visited by many customers.

"We do very well," said Kathy Toth, owner of Nekky Soy Candles, who said the craft fair is one of her favorites all year.

"I love the show, it's the start of the holiday season," Toth said. "The customers who come here are great; they're nice people."

Musical entertainment was provided by Matt Rogers on chapman stick, John Tercyak on guitar and vocals, Sergei Novikov on classical piano, and fiddle duo Annika Amstutz and Rebecca Weiss, with David Kaynor on guitar. In addition, guests were treated to fiber spinning, pottery and woodturning demonstrations, and craft activities were available for all ages.

The show continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the exposition's Better Living Center, accessed by Gate 9, 875 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

Admission is $8 for adults, and free for children 12 and under. Parking is $5, but parking receipts can be exchanged at the show's information booth for a 2-for-1 coupon to the Spring Sampler in March.

Click here for a coupon good for $2 off admission on Sunday: https://deerfield-craft.org/index.php/holiday-coupon

Urban Education Program at Westfield State provided services for 1,500 students over 50 years

WESTFIELD - For the past 50 years, Westfield State University's Urban Education Program has enhanced lives.

Its golden anniversary was celebrated Saturday night with a gathering of more than 200 alumnus and supporters at WSU.

The Urban Education Program was founded in 1968 by former biology faculty member Gus Chrisanthopoulos to provide collegiate opportunities to first generation students, students of color, and students who were financially struggling.

Chrisanthopoulos, a native of Greece, was a first-generation college student himself who said he wanted to make college accessible for others.

In 1968, the Urban Education Program started with seven students. Today, there are more than 1,500 alumni.

"It's unbelievable," Chrisanthopoulos said of the program's growth. "I'm so proud that it's helped so many students. It's amazing what a little help can do for someone."

One of those students who needed a little help was Jazzmun Baez, a WSU senior who serves as the UE work study student, a resident assistant, a tutor and a mentor. Baez was awarded the first Gus Chrisanthopoulos Scholarship Saturday, which was created by Chrisanthopoulos' family to honor his dedication to the program.

WSU President Ramon S. Torrecilha spoke about other deserving students, including Jimmy Pereira, WSU Class of 2013, a healthy design coordinator at MassBike and former Brockton mayoral candidate. Torrecilha said Pereira's father left his family when he was 11 and he had to take on a mature role, but things took a wrong turn.

"This led to skipping school and getting into fights and breaking the law," he said. "But when he was 17, he began taking responsibility for his decisions. He graduated from Putnam High School and attended Westfield State University."

For students like Pereira, the Urban Education Program is a second -- or even a first -- chance.

"We're looking for future stars and scholars and if they've had some bumps in the road, we don't want that bump to prevent them from going to college," said UEP Director Azanda Seymour, WSU Class of 1992. "I can't say enough about the relationship we have with our students. We're with them from the beginning through all four years."

Annually, 600 students apply for the UEP and just 80-100 are accepted. Seymour said it is very competitive and students are interviewed, which makes the relationship between UEP students and staff more personal.

The selected students participate in a Summer Bridge Program that starts the summer before the students' first fall semester. First-year students enroll in a three-to-six credit program over a five-week period. The program allows these students an easy transition into college life through support from student leaders and staff, Seymour said.

Dr. Kamal H. Ali, faculty emeritus and former director of the Office of Minority Affairs, was the keynote speaker. He touted the program.

"The Urban Education Program is a really good example of how serious education looks at its uncomplicated best," Ali said.

Among the distinguished Urban Education Program mentioned were: 

• Marlina Duncan '97, associate dean of diversity initiatives, and assistant vice president for academic diversity, Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, Brown University
• Joan Fuller '76, Westfield State emerita of 36 years and former UEP director who helped launch the Urban Education Alumni Network
• Westfield State University Trustee Terrell M. Hill, Ph.D. '82, superintendent for Human Resources, Windsor Public Schools, and adjunct faculty member, University of Connecticut
• Zachery Medera '14, Capitol Police Officer 
• Westfield State University Trustee Lydia E. Martinez-Alvarez '86, first Latina to serve as assistant superintendent, Springfield Public Schools
• Hector Zavala '05, assistant clerk magistrate, Springfield District Court.

Here are the winning numbers in Saturday's Powerball lottery drawing. Watch video

The latest Powerball lottery jackpot offers a good hunk of change for someone with the right numbers.

File

Here are Saturday's winning numbers:

06-08-20-52-68, Powerball: 05, PowerPlay: 2X

The estimated jackpot is $124 million. The lump sum payment before taxes would be about $70 million. If there is no jackpot winner, the amount grows larger for the next drawing.

The last time someone won the Powerball jackpot was Oct. 27 when tickets sold in New York and Iowa split a $687.7 million payout.

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.

Due to a shortfall of $40,000 in last year's donations there will be a limit to families registered in Springfield.

For nearly 100 years families in Western Massachusetts who may not be able to afford toys for their children at Christmas have depended on Toy for Joy.

In its 96th year 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.

"Each year, the Toy for Joy campaign helps to serve thousands of children in the greater Springfield community," said Salvation Army Major Norma Moore. "Without The Republican/MassLive and its readers, Toy for Joy would not be able to provide gifts to children in need during the Christmas season. Many families stress to us the importance of the Toy for Joy program and that without it, Christmas gifts would not be possible."

This year, for the first time in its history, there will be at least an initial limit on the number of families served in Springfield.

"Toy for Joy now finds itself in very fragile financial position. For the first time in nearly a century, the Salvation Army units with which we partner must set initial limits on the numbers of families each of them can help through Toy for Joy," said Cynthia G. Simison, assistant to the publisher and managing editor at The Republican. "Last year's more than $40,000 shortfall virtually wiped what little remained from prior years' more successful fund drives."

Organizations and businesses like Pride have done their part to raise money for the toy drive, but unfortunately it has not been enough as more families turn to the Salvation Army for help each year.

"We have done outreach to major corporate citizens and worked to team with many area nonprofits which also conduct toy and gift drives for children, but if we continue to be unable to reach the $150,000 goal, it is clear the Salvation Army must set initial limits on those we are able to help. If the goal is met, it will ensure many, of not all, families who are on the waiting lists will be able to be helped," Simison said.

The money donated each holiday season goes towards covering the costs of that year's toys and gifts, explained Simison. The Salvation Army planned to provide gifts just as it had the prior year, and, as a result, "last year's shortfall truly had a major impact on our effort to help those in need in our communities across the region."

In  2017, Toy for Joy distributed books and gifts to children to more than 3,700 families up and down the Pioneer Valley, from Greenfield to Springfield. New last year was the partnership with the Reading Success by 4^th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation which ensured each child would receive a book. The partnership goal was to make literacy a key part of the Toy for Joy effort. With guidance from the Reading Success program, the Salvation Army was able to purchase thousands of books this year at a greatly reduced cost, and they are en route for delivery in the next few weeks, according to Simison.

"We could not be more thankful to the kindness and support of the Davis foundation," said Simison.  "They recognize all too well what an impact reading and literacy can have on the entire family, not just the children who will receive these books."

said Sally Fuller, retired project director for Reading Success by 4^th Grade, said she hopes the books will have a major impact not only on children, but their families as well.

"Most kids get a lot of toys for Christmas and that's wonderful, but those toys may not last more than a week or a month before they are forgotten, but when a child gets a book of their very own they read it over and over again," she said.

Fuller said the Davis Foundation has a commitment to literacy.

"They not only provide grants for programs that promote reading for children, but they truly understand there is such power in children having books of their very own," she said. "Partnering with Toy for Joy has made it possible to get so many more books in the hands of children and that's a wonderful thing."

Despite the financial challenges Toy for Joy has continued to grow over the years and works with donors to make sure children in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties have toys and gifts each holiday season.

"This could be a bleak year for families on the edge as many are seeing needs that may not be met. We hope that our loyal readers can once again help make Christmas better for children and families who are struggling," said Wayne E. Phaneuf, executive editor of The Republican.

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 which accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through noon on Dec. 21.

The landscaper lost most of his leg during the incident on Cape Cod.

The Cape Cod landscaper who lost his leg in a wood chipper Friday morning believes he would be dead if his co-workers hadn't rushed to help him.

"Thank you to everyone and your prayers, my coworkers saved my life, and if it wasn't for Nick and Kevin, I don't think I would be here today," the 31-year-old Dennis Port man wrote in a message posted by Yarmouth Police.

The department did not release the victim's name.

"I've received an overwhelming amount of support, the chief of police called today to see how I was doing, and I remember the EMT came to check on me last night as well," the landscaper wrote in the Facebook post. "It's hard to accept the fact I no longer have a leg and will be a long road ahead of me but I'm alive and that's all due to an army of first responder, my coworkers, and a fantastic team at Cape Cod Hospital."

The landscaper lost most of his leg and was last listed in stable condition at Cape Cod Hospital.

Kevin McCarthy of Concord and Nicholas Callahan of Dennis Port, who both work with the victim at Triple Crown Tree Company, were quick to respond Friday.

The crew was working in Yarmouth at a home on Highbank Road when the landscaper's leg was caught in the wood chipper.

"McCarthy immediately called out for help and placed the machine in reverse," police said. "Callahan removed his belt and used it as a tourniquet around the victim's left leg, elevated it, applied pressure, and they both kept the victim calm as possible until police and fire arrived."

There were no injuries in the crash. Police are now investigating the cause.

WILBRAHAM - The front entrance of a local gift store was damaged when a car struck it Saturday night.

A driver first struck a parked car at about 8 p.m. in the Wilbraham Shops parking lot near 2341 Boston Road. It subsequently drove onto a sidewalk and then struck the front entrance of the Scented Garden Gift Shop, Police Capt. Edward Lennon said.

There were no injuries in the crash, but the front door of the store was damaged, he said.

Fire officials determined the damage was minor to the store which has been operating for more than 20 years.

Police and fire departments responded to the crash. Officer Brian Strong is now investigating the cause, Lennon said.

Thieves allegedly stole roughly $180,000 in electronics from Target stores in several states.

A man accused of using a blowtorch to break into Target stores in Massachusetts and other states in order to steal iPhones, iPads and other electronics will appear in a Worcester federal court Monday.

Elijah Aiken, who is from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a second suspect, whose name is redacted from federal court records, is accused of stealing $154,000 worth of merchandise from Massachusetts Target stores in Westborough and Easton.

Overall, the duo allegedly stole roughly $180,000 in electronics from Target stores. Federal authorities say stores in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Hampshire were also targeted.

According to an indictment filed in Worcester federal court, the suspects used a portable blowtorch to cut through metal doors in order to access the stores.

The two alleged thieves stole mostly electronic devices including Apple iPads and iPhones.

The stolen goods were taken to New York and sold to a buyer there, authorities say. The thefts began in December 2014 and continued until February 2015.

Authorities say the first theft took place in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 6, 2014. A blowtorch was used in morning hours to cut through a metal door at the back of the Target store. A total of 15 iPads, worth about $5,250, were taken.

The next theft was on Dec. 10, 2014, in Torrington, Connecticut. The duo again used the blowtorch to cut through a metal door at a Target store.

Fifty iPads worth $22,000 were taken. Police who were called to the scene discovered another 17 iPads in a shopping cart behind the store, the indictment said.

A blowtorch was located in the woods near the Connecticut Target.

The alleged thieves then began to hit stores in Massachusetts, according to investigators.

In every theft, authorities say a blowtorch was used to cut a hole through a metal door in the back of the Target stores.

On Dec. 20, 2014, Aiken and at least one other person, drove from the Allentown, Pennsylvania area to Easton, Massachusetts, and broke into the Target, the indictment said.

The suspects grabbed iPhones, iPads and electronic devices worth about $64,000.

Ten days later, the alleged thieves made their way to Central Massachusetts. Authorities say they broke into the Westborough Target, grabbing $90,000 worth of iPhones, iPads and electronics.

The thefts continued into 2015, according to authorities.

Around 4:45 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2015, police in Hooksett, New Hampshire, were called to the Target store for a break-in.

Police did not find the suspects, but learned a rental car was spotted in the area around the time of the break, records said. Police learned a woman rented the car from an Enterprise Rent-A-car in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Aiken was listed on a rental form along with a phone number for him, authorities said.

Police discovered the car was rented from Dec. 8, 2014, through Jan. 21, 2015. The car was driven roughly 12,230 miles.

Authorities say Aiken's fingerprints were found in the car.

On Feb. 4, 2015, Southington, Connecticut police responded to a break-in at Target and spotted two people running from the building. As noted in the prior cases, a hole had been cut through a metal door at the back of the store.

A rental vehicle was found in the area.

"In the rental vehicle, police located a receipt for the purchase of a Lincoln Electric Portable Torch System, a receipt for the purchase of a Lincoln Electric cutting tip, and paperwork with handwritten notations regarding Apple electronic devices," the indictment said.

Aiken and another person were found hiding in the snow near the Connecticut store. The name of the other person was not listed in the court record.

Aiken is facing charges of conspiracy to transport stolen goods and interstate transportation of stolen goods.

The Hartford Courant reports Aiken and two other men from Pennsylvania were arrested on burglary charges after the 2015 break-in at the Southington Target store.

The newspaper reported Aiken and Denzel Holmes were the two men found hiding in the snow. The third man, Akbar Aiken, was found in a car in the area, according to the Hartford Courant.

Connecticut court records show Elijah Aiken was sentenced in state court to 30 months in prison with 30 months of special parole in the Southington case.
Holmes was sentenced to just over 2 years in prison with 35 months of special parole. The sentences were issued in 2015, according to court records.

The suspects, who were caught on the store video camera, are believed to be driving a maroon Honda Accord or similar sedan. Watch video

EASTHAMPTON - Police are asking for help to identify two men who are accused of walking off with a $1,100 piece of equipment.

Outside surveillance cameras showed the thieves left in this car, believed to be a Honda Accord. Easthampton Police photo 

The theft happened on Nov. 14 from a local hardware store. The two men took the equipment from a display inside the store and left without paying, police said.

They were caught on surveillance video in the store and are believed to have left in a maroon Honda Accord or sedan of a similar style, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Eric Alexander at 413-527-1212 Ext. 1045. People can also send a private message through the department's Facebook page.