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MGM announces $1 million donation to scholarship program for children of employees

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MGM Resorts International announced a seven-figure investment this week in the education of employees' families.

MGM Resorts International announced a seven-figure investment this week in the education of employees' families. 

The company will donate $1 million to the MGM Resorts Scholarship Program for Children of Employees. The donation will allow for the re-establishment of the program, which will offer scholarships up to $2,500 to children of full-time MGM employees starting in 2019. 

"Applications will be selected based on a number of criteria, primary among them financial need and high school academic performance," the company said in a statement. The scholarship will be available to selected students for up to four years, dependent on enrollment and good academic standing. Children of MGM executives are excluded from the program. 

"Our MGM Resorts Scholarship Program for Children of Employees represents another expression of our commitment to the success of our employees and their families," said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts. "When we assist the college education or vocational training of our employees' children, as provided by this program, we invest in development of the workforces of our communities, their stability and growth."

MGM Springfield opened the doors to its $960 million resort casino in August.  

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Springfield firefighters use Jaws of Life to extricate victim following 2-vehicle crash in North End

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The crash occurred Tuesday night at 77 West St., Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate a male from his SUV following a two-vehicle crash in the North End Tuesday night.

The crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. at 77 West St., Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi said.

The victim, behind the wheel of black SUV, was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.

Watch George H.W. Bush's funeral: US officials, dignitaries celebrate life and legacy of 41st President with state funeral

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Officials from across the United States and the world gathered in Washington D.C. Wednesday for a state funeral honoring the life and legacy of former President George H.W. Bush. Watch video

Officials from across the United States and the world gathered in Washington D.C. Wednesday for a state funeral honoring the life and legacy of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94. The 41st president of the United States will be laid to rest at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University after funeral services at Washington's National Cathedral on Wednesday and St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday.

According to funeral organizers, the casket carrying Bush will leave the U.S. Capitol -- where the former president has lain in state since Monday -- for Washington National Cathedral at 10 a.m. EST.

The funeral will begin around 11 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m. 

The former president's casket will then head to Joint Base Andrews for a return trip to Texas, where he will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church until a Thursday morning funeral service. 

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Judge reduces bail for Springfield woman accused of stabbing ex-boyfriend in neck and chest

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Christina Bullard, 42, of Springfield, is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for a stabbing Sept. 3, 2018, in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD - A Hampden Superior Court judge on Tuesday agreed with a defense lawyer who said $50,000 cash bail was too high for a 42-year-old Springfield woman accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend in the neck and chest.

But Judge Daniel M. Wrenn didn't lower the bail to $3,000 as requested by defense lawyer Timothy Farris for Christina Bullard. Instead he set it at $10,000.

Farris said Bullard has no prior convictions and could live with her mother if she is able to post bail. 

He said he doesn't think the victim or the witnesses will cooperate with the prosecution.

"I doubt very seriously they are," Farris said.

The bail hearing was done via video conference between Bullard at the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee and Wrenn's courtroom.

Bullard has denied charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, armed assault with intent to murder, resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer.

Farris acknowledged the latter two charges can proceed but he doesn't think the prosecution can prove the first two charges.

Assistant District Attorney Ingrid Frau said police responded to a 911 call Sept. 3 about 6 p.m. They found a man on the tree belt on Eastern Avenue bleeding from the left side of the neck and the chest.

He told police his ex-girlfriend stabbed him, Frau said.

At the time, paramedics were not sure he would survive, she said.

Police found Bullard lying on her bed. She didn't want police to handcuff her, Frau said, but police would not agree to that request.

Bullard shoved one officer, swatted at the hand - which was holding a service pistol - of an officer and kicked another officer, Frau said.

The victim had bleeding in the cavity around his heart. He also needed speech therapy because he was having trouble swallowing, she said.

Frau had asked that the bail be kept at $50,000, or that the judge set it no lower than $25,000 if he was going to reduce it.

Wrenn said if Bullard posts bail, she must be under home confinement at her mother's house and be monitored by a GPS device.

Northampton Police: Elderly driver hits gas instead of brake, damages 10 cars in Walmart parking lot

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Ten vehicles were damaged, either directly by the one car or by a resulting chain reaction.

NORTHAMPTON - Police say an elderly driver attempting to pull in to a parking space at Walmart Tuesday afternoon stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake, causing her car to lurch out of control and slam into several parked cars.

No one was injured in the 1:30 incident, but a total of 10 vehicles were damaged, either directly by the woman's car or in a chain reaction as other vehicles were pushed around the lot. One vehicle was damaged by a shopping car that was sent careening across the lot.

None of the parked cars was occupied at the time.

Police are not releasing the woman's name. She was taken by ambulance to Cooley Dickinson Hospital as a precaution.

Police Chief Jody Kasper called it "quite a scene."

She said that after the woman stepped on the gas, her car sped through the parking space and plowed into a number of parked cars. Her car finally came to a stop wedged between two vehicles.

Although none of the damage was serious, the number of vehicles involved required time to sort out, and volumes of paperwork for the various insurance companies.

Kasper said the department's traffic safety officer, Mike Allard, "has some report writing to do today."

Kevin Hart to host 2019 Oscars

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Kevin Hart will host the Academy Awards on Feb. 24.

Kevin Hart will host the 2019 Academy Awards, a role the prolific comedian says fulfills a longtime dream.

He announced his Oscar gig on Instagram and it was later confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time.... To be able to join the legendary list of host that have graced that stage is unbelievable," Hart wrote. "I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time... .I will be sure to make this years Oscars a special one. I appreciate the @TheAcademy for the opportunity ....now it's time to rise to the occasion."

The Academy noted in its formal announcement that while the Feb. 24 ceremony marks Hart's first time hosting the awards show, it is not his first time on the Oscars stage. He served as a presenter in 2016.

Hart's announcement came shortly after the industry trade paper The Hollywood Reporter branded the hosting spot "the least wanted job in Hollywood."

"The need to win over so many constituents has put off some of the best candidates, who see little upside in taking on a job that pays only low six figures but requires weeks of work; that usually results in a media flaying; and that does little to boost the host's profile," the trade paper wrote.

Nerkin Morales, suspect in Northampton slaying of Daniel Cruz, pleads not guilty

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Judge Richard J. Carey ordered Morales held without bail. Watch video

NORTHAMPTON -- A city man charged in the March slaying of Daniel Cruz pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in Northampton Superior Court Wednesday morning. 

Judge Richard J. Carey ordered Nerkin Morales, 22, held without bail. Carey ordered Morales to have no contact with his seven co-defendants in the case -- many of whom are accused of trying to help Morales cover up the crime -- or with Cruz's family members. 

Pretrial hearings were set for May 15 and June 12. Attorney David Hodge is representing Morales. Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suhl is the prosecutor. 

Cruz's body was found on fire off Bridge Lane in Hatfield on March 10, 2018. 

Suhl said last week that Cruz 44, of Northampton, was shot to death at the Meadowbrook housing project earlier in the day. 

In addition to the murder charge, Morales faces a long list of additional charges, including burning personal property, withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding, two counts of conspiracy, improper disposition of a human body, intimidation of a witness, unlawful possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal, use of a firearm in a felony, and discharging a firearm within 500 Feet of a dwelling.

Revenue Commissioner: Massachusetts income tax rate likely to drop in 2019

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Commissioner Christopher Harding said he anticipates that the state income tax rate will drop to 5 percent by Jan. 1, 2020.

Massachusetts' top tax official is predicting that the state income tax rate will drop to 5.05 percent next year. 

Department of Revenue Commissioner Christopher Harding also said he anticipates that the state income tax rate will drop to 5 percent by Jan. 1, 2020 - 20 years after the state's voters voted to lower it to that level.

Today, the income tax rate is 5.1 percent. It was last adjusted in 2016.

In November of 2000, voters approved a ballot referendum to lower the state income tax rate from 5.95 percent to 5 percent over a three-year period.

But the state Legislature tweaked the ballot question to instead have the tax rate drop gradually only when certain economic triggers were met. The goal was to ensure that the state did not lose an influx of revenue in difficult economic times. 

With the economy doing fairly well, Harding said Wednesday at a legislative revenue hearing that he is basing his current budget projections on the assumption that the income tax rate will decrease to 5.05 percent on Jan. 1, 2019 and to 5 percent on Jan. 1, 2020.

State budget officials will know by the end of the year whether all the economic triggers have been met and the tax cut will go through.

If the tax rate is decreased to 5.05 percent next year, that will cost the state $84 million in the fiscal 2019 budget and $175 million in fiscal 2020.

A drop to 5 percent the following year would reduce state tax revenue by another $88 million in fiscal 2020 and $185 million in fiscal 2021.

"It's not insignificant," Harding said.


'Baby, It's Cold Outside' taking heat in #MeToo era

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A California radio station has joined the list of media outlets who refuse to play the Christmas standard "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Watch video

A California radio station has joined the list of media outlets refusing to play the holiday standard "Baby, It's Cold Outside" because of complaints during the #MeToo era.

Penned by "Guys and Dolls" writer Frank Loesser in 1944, the lyrics describe a woman trying extricate herself from a date and saying "no, no, no," while a man insists she stay as he pours her more alcohol, and warns about the weather outside. Critics of the song say the lyrics promote date rape.

Sample lyrics:

The neighbors might think (Baby it's bad out there)
Say what's in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell) (Why thank you)
I ought to say no, no, no sir (Mind if move in closer?)

KOIT-FM near San Francisco joined radio stations in Cleveland and elsewhere in dropping the song from its Christmas playlist.

"I made the decision, it's off for now," Brian Figula, program manager at KOIT radio told CBS News, adding that he is considering leaving the ultimate decision up to the people.

A Denver station, which pulled the song, returned it to the airwaves after listener complaints.

"We value the opinion of all our listeners and appreciate the feedback we received," said Jim Lawson, program director at Denver's  KOSI-FM, in a media release. "Respondents voted 95 percent in favor of us keeping the song. While we are sensitive to those who may be upset by some of the lyrics, the majority of our listeners have expressed their interpretation of the song to be non-offensive."

The song has found its defenders on social media.

Massachusetts budget experts predict slow tax revenue growth in FY2020

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Tax revenue in Massachusetts is expected to grow by between 2 and 2.5 percent in the next fiscal year.

Tax revenue in Massachusetts is expected to grow by a modest amount, between 2 and 2.5 percent, in the next fiscal year, state budget experts predicted Wednesday.

That reflects state and national economies that are doing well but are also showing signs of slowing down.

"Surveys of forecasters reveal a growing consensus that a reversal of economic fortune is in the offing," said Michael Goodman, professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 

The annual consensus revenue hearing is the first step in the process of crafting the state budget. The House and Senate Ways and Means Committees and the Baker administration will use the testimony from experts to develop an estimate of how much tax revenue the state expects to take in. Their budget proposals will be based off of that number.

This year, the budget writing process is in more flux than usual because the Ways and Means Committees will be losing their leaders. Senate Chairwoman Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, is now the Senate president, while House Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez, D-Boston, lost his re-election bid. House Vice Chairman Steve Kulik, D-Worthington, did not run for re-election. House and Senate leaders have not yet named their replacements.

The consensus revenue hearing was presided over by Sanchez and Senate Vice Chairwoman Joan Lovely, D-Salem.

Sanchez said revenue forecasting is "a very difficult and very uncertain process." 

Although Massachusetts ended last year with a $1 billion surplus, it had to make mid-year budget cuts the prior two years.

"We must be prepared for anything," Lovely said.

So far, the Massachusetts budget is doing well this year. In the fiscal year that started in July, the state has collected $423 million more than anticipated, as of the end of November.

Commissioner of Revenue Christopher Harding predicted that tax revenues will continue to grow next year, but slowly. Harding predicted that the state will collect between $29.22 billion and $29.38 billion in tax money in fiscal 2020, which starts next July. That represents growth of 2 percent to 2.2 percent over the amount the state is expected to get in the current fiscal year.

That estimate takes into account an anticipated drop in the state income tax rate. 

It also counts on collecting between $93 million and $172 million in taxes from recreational marijuana sales.

But Harding noted that it remains unclear when the Massachusetts marijuana market will be fully developed, and what the trends will be in retail pricing.  

So far, Harding said, the cannabis market has seen "very robust sales," but "We don't know that that trend will continue at that pace."

The business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the right-leaning Beacon Hill Institute both predicted slightly higher tax revenue growth of around 2.4 percent, representing total revenues in the range of $29.5 billion to $30.3 billion.

Tax revenue is based on local and national conditions.

While Massachusetts has a low unemployment rate, 3.5 percent, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation notes that growth in employment is slowing down. 

Massachusetts has an aging workforce. The foundation also points to a number of "pre-recession warning signs," including slowdowns in the labor market, home sales and auto sales and declining oil prices.

The Beacon Hill Institute notes that while the markets saw major gains in 2018 because of the federal tax code overhaul and deregulation under President Donald Trump, "The markets have been plagued by uncertainty generated by the president's stance on tariffs, increasing inflation and the fear of the Federal Reserve hiking interest rates."

Attorney General Maura Healey, others urge US Senate against confirming FERC commissioner nominee

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Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined colleagues from across the country Wednesday in calling on the U.S. Senate to block the confirmation of President Donald Trump's pick to serve as the newest FERC commissioner.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined colleagues from across the country Wednesday in calling on the U.S. Senate to block the confirmation of President Donald Trump's pick to serve as the newest FERC commissioner. 

Healey led attorneys general from Oregon, Maryland, New York and Illinois in sending a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that voiced concerns about adding Bernard McNamee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Pointing to McNamee's record as the current U.S. Department of Energy's Policy director, the attorneys general contended that he has promoted "the retention of uneconomic, highly polluting electric generation facilities" and indicated a "troubling hostility towards clean energy."

They argued that his confirmation could hinder their states' "ability to design and implement policies to achieve a clean energy future  and (their) regions' abilities to operate competitive electricity markets."

The attorneys general took specific issue with McNamee's role in the Department of Energy's 2017 proposed rulemaking, which they said would have required states to subsidize coal plants "and undermined the country's competitive energy markets."

They offered that although the commission rejected the proposed rule, McNamee has continued to push plans to subsidize "failing power plants," including in July testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

"His efforts are flatly inconsistent with the commission's long history of advancing competitive markets and raise serious questions about his commitment to FERC's mission," Healey and others wrote. 

The attorneys general further raised concerns about a video in which McNamee reportedly described the choice between fossil fuels and renewables as a "constant battle between liberty and tyranny."

Such comments, they contended, are also inconsistent with the conduct expected of a commissioner "and demonstrate a bias that would make him unable to fairly evaluate existing commission precedent and public comments."

Healey and her colleagues stressed that if McNamee is confirmed as a FERC commissioner, "it would be the first time since October 1990 that no commissioner has had experience as a state regulator."

"To ensure the state perspective is considered, it is vital that the administration maintain the long-standing practice of appointing at least one commissioner with experience as a state regulator," they wrote. "We ask the Senate to exercise its authority, oppose this candidate and request a new nominee for the post."

Trump announced in early October that he was nominating McNamee to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring on June 30, 2020. 

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced McNamee's nomination in late November. He must now be confirmed by the entire Senate. 

Springfield woman admits using knife to kidnap man, forcing him to withdraw money

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Katie O'Brien, 31, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and larceny over $250 for a May 21, 2017, incident in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD -- A 31-year-old city woman on Wednesday was sentenced to state prison after she admitted to charges of kidnapping and larceny over $250.

Hampden Superior Court Judge William Ritter sentenced Katie O'Brien to two and one half to three and one half years in state prison followed by two years probation.

A charge of armed carjacking was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Assistant District Attorney Nina Vivenzio said the victim -- a stranger to O'Brien -- went to her apartment after she flagged him down in the early morning hours of May 21, 2017. He accepted her invitation to go to her Belmont Avenue apartment for a party.

Once there he drank beers with O'Brien and others, Vivenzio said. Then O'Brien "produced a knife" and forced him to drive to an ATM, she said.

She forced the man to give her his PIN number. She let him go but kept his card and made a number of withdrawals and purchases with it, Vivenzio said. 

The man reported the incident to police. O'Brien was identified after a photo of her at an ATM was recognized by a police detective, Vivenzio said.

The 59-year-old victim was in the courtroom for the plea. In a short impact statement read by Vivenzio he said, "It is very difficult to forget what you did to me on the night of the robbery."

He said after she gets out of prison, "hopefully, you will be a good person."

Vivenzio asked for a sentence of three to four years in state prison, followed by two years probation. She wanted O'Brien to be ordered to pay $1,881 in restitution to the banks that reimbursed the man for the stolen money.

Ritter did not order the restitution after the victim said he had been paid back by the banks.

Defense lawyer Christopher Todd asked Ritter to sentence O'Brien to two years in the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee, followed by a two-year suspended sentence to that facility with two years probation.

He said O'Brien would not be able to pay restitution and ordering her to do so would set her up for a probation violation.

Vivenzio said O'Brien's criminal record is replete with larceny-related charges as well as breaking and entering, assault and battery on a person over 60 and other crimes.

She said O'Brien has violated probation in the past.

Todd said there originally was a man charged along with O'Brien, but his case was never indicted. Vivenzio said the case against Jermaine Watt, arrested and charged with O'Brien, did not proceed.

O'Brien's record reflects crimes that are most often associated with drug addiction, Todd said.

Her parents were both drug addicts, he said. Her father died from an overdose when O'Brien was 16 years old and her mother died when O'Brien was 17, he said.

O'Brien began using drugs when she was 17 and at age 18 gave birth by Caesarean section, he said. She was prescribed painkillers "by the handful" at that time, Todd said.

By age 24, Todd said, O'Brien was a heroin addict.

O'Brien has gone to detox three times and unsuccessfully tried methodone treatment, he said. She hopes this time to stay sober when she gets out of prison, he said.

Retired police lieutenant hit by vehicle while working detail in Medway

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Special Police Officer Richard Malo was struck while working a detail on Route 109 at the intersection of Mechanic Street in Medway around 10:16 a.m., police said. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

 

A retired Medway police lieutenant was hit by a vehicle while working a road construction detail Wednesday morning.

Special Police Officer Richard Malo was hit on Route 109 at the intersection of Mechanic Street in Medway around 10:16 a.m., police said. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The involved vehicle was being driven by Jerome Guthro, 71, of Medway. Authorities said Guthro remained at the scene and cooperated with officers.

Malo was brought to Milford Regional Hospital for treatment. The accident is currently under investigation by Medway police. 

With CRRC in Springfield ready to deliver 1st MBTA Orange Line cars, China trade war worries loom

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Gov. Charlie Baker and other officials will attend a formal rolling out ceremony of the first MBTA Orange line cars built at the $95 million Springfield factory. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- CRRC, the Chinese rail car manufacturer with a new factory in East Springfield, hopes the 90-day truce in the U.S.-China trade war announced this weekend turns into a lasting trade deal.

But its still paying increased import duties of 25 percent imposed in July by the Trump Administration, CRRC spokeswoman Lydia Rivera said.

And, according to the Associated Press, whether the truce is a breakthrough remains to be seen, with Trump tweeting his support for tariffs just a few days later.

Rivera said CRRC has already asked the U.S. government for 16 tariff waivers in October and will ask for another 19 by Dec. 18.

Those requests for waivers go to Washington with the letters of support from local officials including U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

Many of those same officials will join CRRC executives and Gov. Charlie Baker at the CRRC plant on Dec. 18 -- the same day that a second batch of waiver applications are due -- for a formal rolling out ceremony of the first MBTA Orange line cars built at the $95 million Springfield factory.

CRRC started testing completed cars outdoors on its Springfield test track in late November. The cars will do practice stops and starts on the 2,200-foot test track paralleling Interstate 291 before getting shipped by truck to the MBTA.

In 2014, CRRC received a $566 million contract from the T to build 152 Orange Line cars and 252 Red Line cars in Springfield. In December 2016, the state upped the order with another 120 new Red Line cars, with production on those set to begin in June 2022 at a cost of $277 million.

Production on the initial Red Line car order begins in 2019.

Massachusetts went without federal funding on the cars so that it could mandate that they be assembled in Massachusetts. The idea was to foster the industry of making rail cars in Massachusetts.

CRRC won the contract and bought the old Westinghouse site here for its factory, building an enclosed space big enough for three and a half football fields.

The plant is CRRC's first in North America. CRRC subsequently signed deals to make cars for Philadelphia's SEPTA commuter rail and Los Angeles' subways.

CRRC MA employs approximately 210 people. The Springfield plant employs 126, including 71 union production employees.

Who is Nerkin Morales? Suspect at center of Daniel Cruz slaying has alleged gang ties, criminal history

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Morales, 22, previously pleaded guilty in the beating of a man he knew on Northampton's bike path. Watch video

NORTHAMPTON -- By the time he allegedly shot a city man and left his body burning off a dirt road in Hatfield, Nerkin Morales had already amassed a criminal record and a status as a reputed gang member and the subject of complaints at a public housing project, according to court documents.

Morales, 22, was one of eight people indicted on a total of 51 counts last week in connection with the death of Daniel Cruz, whose body was found on the night of March 10. 

Prosecutors say Morales, charged with murder and other crimes, shot Cruz three times during an altercation at the Meadowbrook apartment complex, and that his seven co-defendants helped in an attempted cover-up. 

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suhl has said Morales and Cruz knew each other, and that the shooting took place after an argument with another co-defendant, Pedro Soto-Rodriguez, turned physical.

Morales pleaded not guilty to the charges against him at his arraignment in Hampshire Superior Court Wednesday morning. He was ordered held without bail and is currently in custody at the Hampshire County jail.   

Court records dating to 2015 reviewed by The Republican show Morales -- who was also arrested twice in the three months after the slaying -- has a history of arrests and an alleged affiliation with a gang known as MOH. 

Some of his prior brushes with the law also involved other co-defendants in the Cruz case, such as Soto-Rodriguez -- an apparent longtime associate who is also an alleged member of the gang. 

Northampton police have previously said MOH, which either stands for "Money Over Haters" or "Money Over Hoes," largely operates out of Meadowbrook at 491 Bridge Road in the Florence section of the city -- a location Morales, Soto-Rodriguez and other co-defendants have been known to frequent or have lived, according to court documents. 

In a February 2017 police report for a drug arrest involving Soto-Rodriguez, a Northampton detective says he'd previously investigated Soto-Rodriguez and others "for being involved in gang activity under the gang name 'MOH' ... at the Meadowbrook Apartment Complex."

According to witness statements, that activity included the "distribution of narcotics" out of Meadowbrook.

The same report says management at Meadowbrook previously told police that Soto-Rodriguez, Morales and others had been the subjects of "numerous complaints."  

MOH members, including Morales, are also alleged to have been involved in the December 2014 beating of a man who police said was once associated with the gang, court documents show.

Morales, who was 18 at the time, and five juveniles "associated with the gang" were indicted for assault and battery and intimidation of a witness after an 18-year-old was "beaten by a group of six males" on the bike path near Meadowbrook apartments.

The victim, who is listed in the police report as a "friend" of Morales, was allegedly labeled a "snitch" and beaten by the gang after giving information to police about another open case involving an MOH member. 

Morales pleaded guilty to assault and battery in the case and was sentenced to 1 year in jail. However, the balance of the sentence was suspended and he ended up serving 90 days. 

Morales has also been the subject of police reports alleging threats and assaults involving a girlfriend and family members.

A criminal complaint from July 2017 says a witness saw Morales "choking" his girlfriend. Though charges in the case were later dropped, a police officer said in an associated report that he was familiar with the couple, and had previously responded to their residence for domestic disturbances. 

The report also says the woman had obtained two separate restraining orders against Morales, and that Morales had been arrested earlier that year for an alleged assault and battery on a family member at their address.  

Recent arrests

Suhl's May 16 announcement that there were two lead suspects in Cruz's death came 14 days before the second of Morales' two arrests after the slaying. 

On May 30, members of the Northwestern district attorney's Anti-Crime Task Force arrested Morales and Josh Ealy, a co-defendant in the Cruz case, at Meadowbrook. Both men pleaded not guilty to charges involving heroin, cocaine and unlawful possession of ammunition.   

That arrest followed a March 26 traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Holyoke, when state police allegedly found Morales and Soto-Rodriguez in a car with heroin, bags of crack cocaine and a bag of firearms and ammunition that included an AK-47 rifle.

The two were jailed, and Morales' bail was set at $10,000. Another co-defendant in the Cruz case subsequently posted the bail and Morales was allowed to go free. 

That case has since been transferred from Holyoke District Court to Hampden Superior Court, where both men are scheduled to appear for a final pretrial hearing on March 10, 2019.  

Despite Morales' alleged gang ties, Suhl said last week that Cruz's slaying does not appear to be gang related.

"I wouldn't say that that necessarily is the element to this particular murder," she said. 


Ware selectmen vote 3-2 to negotiate marijuana agreement with Curaleaf

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The company said that if the regulatory process goes according to plan, they plan to begin selling marijuana in Ware by springtime

WARE - Selectmen at Tuesday's meeting voted 3-2 to authorize the town manager to begin negotiations with Curaleaf Massachusetts Inc., which wants to sell recreational marijuana at a site on Route 32.

Curaleaf told the board they plan to lease a storefront at 124 West St. The location is a strip mall with about 100 parking spaces. A pizza parlor, Chinese restaurant and auto parts store are among the business within the mall, located next to Taco Bell and across the street from a McDonald's restaurant.

Curaleaf was chosen over two other businesses seeking the town's second of two retail marijuana agreements.

Should the town and Curaleaf sign a host community agreement - a contract that requires the company to pay an agreed amount of money to the municipality as a condition to operate - the business would then be able to seek final approval from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

The company said that if the regulatory process goes according to plan, it plans to begin selling marijuana in Ware by springtime.

"Our goal is to open by early spring at 124 West St., assuming our application gets approved by the CCC," Patrik Jonsson, president of Curaleaf Massachusetts, said in an interview after the selectmen voted.

Selectman Tracy Opalinski made the motion for the town to begin negotiations with Curaleaf. The motion was seconded by Alan Whitney. Michael Fountain was the third vote.

Selectmen Chairman John Carroll, who has consistently voted against all measures in favor of siting any marijuana establishment in the community, voted no.

Keith Kruckas also voted no.

During the discussion, Kruckas accused Opalinski of bias in favor of Curaleaf. Opalinski dismissed the allegation as nonsense.

Herbal Pathways LLC and NewCann Group LLC were the other companies vying to sell marijuana in town at Tuesday's meeting. No one on the board nominated either.

US Sen. Ed Markey slams Facebook for allegedly offering advertisers access to user data

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U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, condemned Facebook and its executives Wednesday following reports that the social media giant offered advertisers special access to user data.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, condemned Facebook and its executives Wednesday following reports that the social media giant offered advertisers special access to user data. 

Markey, who sits on the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, slammed the release of new documents revealing internal discussions regarding Facebook's data sharing policies. 

Mark Zuckerberg to US Senate: 'I'm sorry' Facebook failed to prevent data scandal, Russian election interference

The senator argued that the reported discussions are particularly troubling given Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg's testimony before Congress. 

"It should not be up to Mark Zuckerberg to decide who has access to information such as what you 'like,' your name, your gender or your city of residence. Americans' data belongs to them, not Facebook," he said in a statement. "When he testified before Congress, Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly insisted that Facebook does not sell its users' data. We now know, however, that Facebook executives discussed requiring companies to buy digital advertisements in order to access users' personal information."

Markey added that "any evidence of a pay-for-data model would fly in the face of the statements Facebook has made to Congress and the public."

Damian Collins, a British lawmaker who has led an investigation into Facebook and its dealings with Cambridge Analytica, released on Wednesday a summary of findings -- from documents in a lawsuit against Facebook -- that alleged the social media company maintained "whitelisting agreements" that gave some companies access to user data, the Washington Post reported.

Collins, in a written summary, suggested that Facebook "clearly entered into whitelisting agreements with certain companies, which meant that after the platform changes in 2014/15 they maintained full access to friends data."

He added that it was unclear whether "there was any user consent for this" or Facebook decided what companies should be whitelisted.

Facebook, in response to the allegations, argued that the documents were "cherrypicked" as part of a lawsuit and tell "only one side of the story and omits important context."

"The documents were selectively leaked to publish some, but not all, of the internal discussions at Facebook at the time of our platform changes. But the facts are clear: we've never sold people's data," the company said in a statement posted on its website. "Unfortunately, select quotes from these documents have been released to suggest things that are false."

Zuckerberg came under fire for his company's use and protection of user data in wake of a scandal involving Cambridge Analytica.

He briefed the Senate Judiciary and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees in April on steps Facebook is taking to better secure the platform.

Developer purchases former Hampden Bank building for proposed downtown Springfield marijuana store

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A company seeking to open a recreational marijuana store in downtown Springfield has purchased the property for $285,000 ahead of the business getting local and state approvals.

SPRINGFIELD -- A company proposing a recreational marijuana store at the former Hampden Bank headquarters in downtown Springfield finalized the purchase of the property on Wednesday as it seeks local and state approvals for the business.

Chris Mitchem, leader and co-founder of Oregon-based Diem Cannabis, said it felt "amazing" to purchase the property at 1665 Main St. The sale was finalized through a corporate ownership group and Canadian investors.

The purchase price was $285,000.

"We are so excited to move forward to start this project," Mitchem said. "The next step is to work with the neighborhood association and Springfield City Council to make sure we do it right and have permission to move forward."

Approvals for the proposed dispensary are needed from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the City Council and the state Cannabis Control Commission.

"We would love to open the summer of 2019," Mitchem said. "We're in the process of getting permits and doing the renovations."

On Wednesday, Mitchem repeated a pledge he made at a community meeting Nov. 3 that his group will invest $1 million in renovations and seek to restore the building to its original look when it was built in 1918.

The property was purchased by RLTY Development Springfield LLC, which lists Paul Rosen and Johannes P.M. Van Der Linda, of Toronto, as the owners. The group is the Massachusetts corporation tied to Diem Cannabis.

The assessed valuation of the property ahead of the purchase and renovations was $152,900.

Mitchem said his group is confident it will gain local and state approvals for the adult-use marijuana business, and will comply with all city and state conditions.

"It's a risk, but we believe in the city of Springfield," Mitchem said, regarding the purchase. "We feel good about the odds. We will not do anything without the city's and community's permission to move forward."

The group will seek building permits to begin renovations, and has also had a meeting with city officials regarding a future host community agreement that will need approval from the mayor and City Council, he said.

In addition, the business will submit an application for a special permit before the end of December, Mitchem said. Following the application, the Planning Board and City Council would schedule public hearings.

"We're very appreciative and honored to have the opportunity to pursue this in Springfield," Michem said. "We do everything to the letter of the law."

The building is across from the Paramount Theater. The former bank headquarters was a law office for five decades before closing in recent years.

Diem Cannabis, a 3-year-old company, has seven marijuana-related licenses in Oregon.

Diem Cannabis, through another corporate entity, TDMA LLC, is also pursuing marijuana facilities in Worcester, Lynn and Orange, Mitchem said in October.

Gourmet Food Solutions, Springfield maker of dips and hummus, closes

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The four-year-old company made dips, salsa, pesto, sauces, salads and dressings used to simmer or finish vegetables. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Gourmet Food Solutions, a food manufacturer that had 40 to 45 employees as recently as June, is out of business, has closed its factory at 124 Avocado St. and is auctioning off its equipment online next week.

The auction is on the website of Enfield-based Capital Recovery Group LLC. The equipment is available for inspection Monday.

The four-year-old Gourmet Food Solutions made dips, salsa, pesto, sauces, salads and dressings used to simmer or finish vegetables. Those products were sold under store brand names for retailers like Stop & Shop, Wegman's, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and others.

It had also recently started branching out into its own line of Aunt Lily brand  dairy-free refrigerated vegetable dips. In Massachusetts and Connecticut, Aunt Lily's is available from Market Basket, Caraluzzi's and Adams Hometown Market plus all the independents that Bozzuto's services. Dave's Fresh Marketplace in Rhode Island also sells Aunt Lily's. 

In June, Gourmet Food Solutions hosted Mayor Domenic J. Sarno for a tour and touted plans for expansion.

But it wasn't meant to be.

Former CEO Bruce Rubin said Wednesday that he'd been hired to turn the business around. The new Aunt Lily's brand and hosting the mayor for a tour was part of that effort.

But he was only given six months.

Gourmet Food Solutions couldn't turn a profit and its owners, Florida-based TCA, ran out of patience, said Michael Fasci, a consultant acting as interim CEO who is in charge of winding down the business.

Fasci, who answered questions via text message Wednesday, said most of the staff has been laid off except for a skeleton crew that is preparing for the auction.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development said Wednesday that it has not gotten a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act layoff notice for Gourmet Food Solutions.

Before Gourmet Food Solutions was located at 124 Avocado St., a company called Hot Mama's made similar products in the space. City records show the building is owned by BML Holdings, a company owned by Matthew D. Morse, who owned Hot Mama's.

Fasci said Gourmet Foods was renting the building.

Morse's name doesn't show up as an executive or owner on any of the paperwork for Gourmet Food Solutions on file at the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office.

Pittsfield man called Fat Jay held without bail on drug, multiple weapons charges

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Not guilty charges were entered in the arraignment of Jason L. McFadden in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday.

PITTSFIELD - A city man known as Fat Jay is being held without the right to bail after police raided his home and found five unlawful guns and cocaine.

Jason L. McFadden, 38, who is also known as Jason L. Blanchard, was arraigned Wednesday in Berkshire Superior Court on multiple weapons charges and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Not guilty pleas were entered and Judge Daniel Ford ordered him held at the Berkshire County House of Correction, said Frederick Lantz, spokesman for Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccaviello.

The charges come more than two months after police raided his apartment at 98 Daniels Ave. on Sept. 28, he said.

During the raid police reportedly found two 9 mm handguns, a .357-caliber revolver, a .38-caliber revolver and a .40-caliber handgun, dozens of rounds of ammunition, more than $53,000 in cash, cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to the Berkshire Eagle.

McFadden, who does not have a firearms license, was charged with four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felon, four counts of illegal ownership of a firearm, three counts of improper storage of a firearm, illegal possession of a large capacity weapon, being an armed career felon, illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device and improper storage of a large capacity firearm, Lantz said.

Pittsfield, Dalton and Adams police departments, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney's office and the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department and members of the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force were involved with the investigation, he said.

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