A near-sold-out audience was treated to tunes by singers Brynn Cartelli and Mary Lambert

SPRINGFIELD - Brynn Cartelli and Mary Lambert lifted the crowd into a holiday spirit on Saturday night at Symphony Hall.

The festive, nearly-sold-out performances were the highlight of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's 2018 Holiday Pops show, led by guest conductor Nick Palmer.

The audience also was treated to selections from the Springfield Symphony Chorus and Children's Chorus of Springfield, as well as renditions of holiday works made famous by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The Springfield Children's Chorus, under the direction of Amelia Nagoski-Peterson, and The Extended Family Choir, conducted by Kevin Sharpe, and Cantor Elise Barber also were featured.

Cartelli, the 2018 winner of NBC's "The Voice," performed her own "Last Night's Mascara," along with "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

Lambert, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter best known for "Same Love," sang "She Keeps Me Warm," as well as "Auld Lang Syne" and "Silent Night," among other songs.

The evening was concluded by a Christmas singalong, Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus and "A Soulful Celebration," arranged by Avery Sharpe.

Members of the Western Hampden Historical Society opened the doors of the historic Dewey House to the public as part of the Holiday House Tour Sunday.

WESTFIELD - Members of the Western Hampden Historical Society opened the doors of the historic Dewey House to the public as part of the Holiday House Tour Sunday.

Several tour guides dressed in period clothing explained the history of the Dewey family and provided hands-on demonstrations that would be typical to a family living in the 1700's.

The original owner Joseph Dewey and his family lived in Westfield in the mid-1700's and was a local farmer and businessman.

The circa 1735 pre-Revolutionary house is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and located at 87 South Maple Street.

The Western Hampden Historical Society restored the residence over a five-year period from 1972-1977 and presently opens the building several times a year to the public and by special request.

Members of the society have transformed the building into a local museum for the general public.

For more information about the Dewey House check out the official website at www.thedeweyhouse.org. The society was organized in 1901 to encourage the preservation of historic objects.

Dozens of people attended the reception to thank Scibak for his service to the 2nd Hampshire District and, specifically, the town of South Hadley.

SOUTH HADLEY - There are some elected officials who won't miss an opportunity to attend a building dedication, a groundbreaking, a supermarket opening or any event where there will be voters.

That's not state John Scibak, the South Hadley Democrat who will retire at the end of this term after serving the people of the 2nd Hampshire District for 16 years.

"I don't like all this attention," he said Friday night at a reception in the Town Hall organized by the Know Your Town civic group. "I served with some people who would attend an opening of an envelope."

Dozens of people attended the reception to thank Scibak for his service to the 2nd Hampshire District and, specifically, the town of South Hadley. These are the people who still remember the 12 years he spent on the South Hadley Select Board. And they remember the work he did for them on Beacon Hill.

"A state rep. does three things," Scibak said. "You do the budget; you do the legislation, and, most important, you do the constituent services."

Scibak has been a leader in the House for years, earning a reputation for his work in health care policy, specifically, insurance coverage for children with hearing loss. He is currently the chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.

He's best remembered in the district, however, for the work he did for his constituents.

"He always responds," said Rachel Tierney, a nurse who lives in South Hadley. "He's done a great job and we'll miss him." 

Scibak was first elected to the House in 2002. He's worn out several cars, traveling more than 285,000 miles to and from Boston over 16 years. "I'll tell you one thing I'm not going to miss," he said. "I'm not going to miss the commute."

Scibak and his wife, Pat, will move to Florida sometime after he retires, but he pledged Friday night to always be a South Hadley guy. And true to form, he said, "The difficult part about leaving is all these parties," he said. "I just wanted to help people."

A driver who lost control of his vehicle on Route 112 Saturday afternoon, became airborne after hitting a stone wall and sheared a utility pole four feet of the ground, was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

GOSHEN --  A driver who lost control of his vehicle on Route 112 Saturday, became airborne after hitting a stone wall and sheared a utility pole four feet of the ground, was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

The crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m., according to a post on the Goshen Firefighters Association's Facebook page. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and both side and front airbags were inflated.

The driver was able to free himself from the wreckage and was being helped by a passerby when emergency responders arrived on the scene, according to the post.

The victim complained of minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by Highland Ambulance as a precaution.

New England Central Railroad will replace 31 miles of new rail and 20,000 cross ties, and strengthening 20 bridges.

WASHINGTON -- A Massachusetts freight rail line linking Vermont with Connecticut and its ocean ports received $10.8 million in federal money for upgrades this week.

The New England Central Railroad will use the federal money along with $9.6 million in state money and its own $9.6 million investment to replace 31 miles of rail and 20,000 cross ties, and to strengthen 20 bridges. The current state of the infrastructure doesn't allow for the movement of today's average freight cars, decreasing the amount of cargo that is shipped on the line.

The modernization will specifically be paid for from the $10.8 million from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program along with $9.6 million in state funding through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the $9.6 million investment from the New England Central Railroad, according to U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey.

Owned by Genessee  & Wyoming, the New England Central Railroad has 383 miles of owned or leased track including 60 miles in Massachusetts, according to its website. It runs from the Canadian border in Vermont south to New London, Connecticut, passing through Palmer, Massachusetts.

The railroad hauls commodities such as aggregates, agricultural products, automobiles, chemicals, construction debris, animal feed, food, forest products, minerals, pulp and paper, petroleum products, scrap metal and new metal products, according to its website.

Markey made Monday's announcement  along with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, also a Democrat, and U.S. Reps. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield and James McGovern, D-Worcester.

The full letter from the Massachusetts delegation advocating for the funds can be read here. 

"With this BUILD grant, we can finally close a crucial gap preventing Massachusetts producers and consumers from enjoying a more efficient, cost-effect freight network," said Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee. "This robust federal investment will create jobs and spur growth and economic activity in the region. From Worcester, to Springfield and beyond, this BUILD grant will make the region more competitive in an increasingly globalized economy."

Neal, who has long advocated for increased federal transportation investments in the region, said the modernization of the line coincides with the investments made to boost north-south rail along the same corridor. 

"As a longtime advocate of both freight and passenger rail, I am pleased that the industry continues to grow throughout New England," Neal said. "The expansion of rail has created jobs, increased economic development and helped improve the quality of life in the region. Freight carriers move tons of goods and services over our transportation network each day.

"And this $10 million federal grant will help upgrade the freight line in western Massachusetts and significantly improve our local transportation infrastructure. It also compliments the investment we have made in the north-south passenger rail from Springfield to New Haven. It's more good transportation news for the Pioneer Valley."

Attorney Hank Brennan told The Wall Street Journal that he will bring wrongful death and negligence claims on behalf of Bulger's estate.

A lawyer for James "Whitey" Bulger says he plans to sue the government over the notorious gangster's prison killing.

Attorney Hank Brennan told The Wall Street Journal that he will bring wrongful death and negligence claims on behalf of Bulger's estate.

Brennan told The Associated Press he expects to begin filing a number of lawsuits over the next month, but declined to provide further details.

Bulger was serving a life sentence for 11 murders and other crimes when he was beaten to death in October , hours after he was transferred to a West Virginia prison.

Authorities have said two Massachusetts mobsters are under suspicion in the 89-year-old's killing . No charges have been filed.

An email seeking comment was sent to the Bureau of Prisons on Monday.

Doughnuts -- or donuts -- aren't in the Dunkin' name anymore, but a glass-fronted cabinet of them is front and center in the Dunkin' Brands store of the future. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Doughnuts -- or donuts -- aren't in the Dunkin' name anymore, but a glass-fronted cabinet of them is front and center in the Dunkin' Brands store of the future unveiled Monday at Springfield College.

"Gotta have them," said Jennifer Perry, operations manager for Dunkin' Brands and its Springfield-area stores. "And what's new, the doughnuts are up front facing the public. Sometimes it can be hard to see them in the back."

The new store, which opened last week in the Union Station Food Court area of the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union, also features a nitrogen-charged tap system for Dunkin's new cold brew coffees. The new food trend is to charge iced coffee with nitrogen to give at a creamy texture. Think of a Guinness beer.

This new Dunkin' also has the latest technology for brewing coffee both hot and iced and for making espressos, including macchiatos.

"It's all state-of the-art-back there," said David Ingala, food service director for Aramark at Springfield College. "I think this new location has the most efficient machine possible. We can move a lot more people  through the line. You need the people working here, obviously, but the old equipment was slowing us down."

The new equipment also automates the dispensing and mixing of flavorings, he said.

Dunkin' Brands, based in Canton, introduced the new espresso drinks this fall as part of its ongoing competition with Starbucks for you coffee dollar. Aramark and Springfield College offer Starbucks coffee elsewhere on campus.

But Dunkin' seems to win the coffee war at Springfield College.

The line at the old Dunkin' Donuts location in the campus union sometimes stretched out the door and up the stairs, said Emily Thibaud, of Charlton, a graduate student in the physician assistant program.

"It's definitely popular on campus," she said.

She tried out the new nitro coffee.

"It's good," she said.

Iced coffee is very popular on campus, said Anne Fountain, the retail manager for Aramark. Before the Dunkin' store closed for three days so staffers could train on the new equipment, students bought three or four iced coffees each and stashed them in their dorm refrigerators.

"They didn't want to go without," Fountain said.

Perry said Springfield College got the new Dunkin' because it was ready to renovate at the same time the new design was ready. She said to expect the new Dunkin' concept at other locations in the Springfield area over the next year or so.

Connecticut and Boston-area stores already have the nitro equipment, Dunkin' says. 

Aramark makes the doughnuts on site, something that won't happen at all the Dunkin' locations even with the new concept, Perry said.

And it couldn't have opened soon enough.

Next week is finals week.

The airport has used a type of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Toxic chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in residential wells near the Martha's Vineyard Airport, a facility which used firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Unsafe levels of PFAS were found in six private wells on the island, and the airport has provided bottled drinking water to affected residents, reports the Vineyard Gazette.

Tetra Tech consultants in April found high levels of PFAS in monitoring wells near the airport. The testing was extended to residential wells in September, and the contamination was confirmed in recent weeks.

In a Nov. 29 letter to West Tisbury residents, the small airport described a voluntary investigation conducted "in an abundance of caution," and said no regulations require them to sample for PFAS in groundwater.

There are no state or federal drinking water standards for the chemicals, but the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has recommended a limit of 7 parts per trillion. One of the residential wells sampled at 554 parts per trillion, the letter said.

Around 30 residents attended a public meeting where airport officials said new protocols are in place for testing the foam and that it's no longer discharged onto the ground. Instead, it's discharged into a 5,000-gallon sealed tank. The airport is waiting for Federal Aviation Administration guidance on alternative firefighting substances.

Airport director Ann Richart told the crowd the PFAS problem is relatively new, and that the airport has acted in a timely and responsible way. Tetra Tech is due to submit a full report to the MassDEP in January, the Martha's Vineyard paper reports.

The compounds have shown up around the country near airports and military installations that used a type of firefighting foam no longer manufactured in the U.S. The chemicals are persistent - meaning they don't break down, and can accumulate in the human body over time.

Exposure to elevated levels has been linked to developmental effects in fetuses and breastfed infants, and to effects on the thyroid, liver, kidneys, hormone levels and immune system. Some studies suggest a cancer risk for people exposed to very high levels, according to a MassDEP fact sheet.

In Westfield, voters this year approved a $13 million bond to address PFAS in residential wells. The city believes the contaminants were from firefighting foam used at the 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield Barnes Regional Airport. The city has filed claims against the U.S. Department of Defense and three manufacturers of the foam.

The student, who has not been identified, was immediately removed from class and suspended.

A student at King Philip High School is facing criminal charges after posting a threatening message on social media that he later said was meant as a joke.

On Monday, Wrentham police and high school administrators learned that the student had sent a social media message to his friends that included a picture of him holding an airsoft rifle.

"If I sent this to you, don't go to school Monday. I'm making my list, checking it twice, going to see who is naughty or nice," the message said, according to Wrentham police.

The student, who has not been identified, was immediately removed from class, interviewed by school staff and police and suspended pending the results of an investigation, Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath wrote in a statement.

"The student, who has no history of disciplinary action, insisted he meant no harm and the post was intended as a joke between friends. He readily acknowledged the stupidity of his actions and was very remorseful," McGrath wrote. "In spite of the student's motives and explanation, he will not be allowed to return to school until, at a minimum, he has successfully completed a 10 day safety evaluation."

The student, who has no disciplinary record, will face criminal charges in Dedham Juvenile Court, police said.

McGrath urged parents to talk to their children and make clear that even joke threats are unacceptable and can carry serious consequences.

"Enlighten your children that a 'joke' of this nature will result in criminal charges, a police record and possibly them being shunned by friends and society as a whole," McGrath wrote. "Share this story with your children and commend the friends who had the good sense and courage to report this behavior even though they didn't believe the threat was real.

No one else in the crash was seriously injured.

A Southwick woman was killed in a three-car crash Sunday evening in Granby, Connecticut.

Holly Norton, 58, was brought to St. Francis Hospital, in Hartford, and later died there, Granby Police Capt. William Tyler said.

The crash occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Route 10 north of Floydeville and Canton Roads. The road was closed for at about five hours while police investigated the cause of the crash and cleared the vehicles, he said.

Norton was alone in her vehicle. The occupants of the two other vehicles involved declined medical care at the scene of the crash, he said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team. No charges have been immediately filed, Tyler said.

Police did not release more details about the crash.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area for the day if possible as traffic delays are expected, especially during morning peak traffic periods.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city will close a section of Roosevelt Avenue near the Gaucher Street ramp on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow installation of a new drain pipe and manhole.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area during that time because of the work being done, detours and expected traffic delays.

Roosevelt Avenue will be closed from the Berlin Street ramp to Roosevelt Terrace. A detour route will include Blunt Park Road, State Street and the Berlin Street ramp.

Parking will not be permitted on Blunt Park Road. 

The Gaucher Street ramp will be open to access parking at the High School of Science and Technology and Ells School.

It is anticipated that the road will be closed for one day only. The work is needed because of a partial collapse of the drainage structure across the road, city officials said.

Access to residences and buildings within the closure area will be maintained.

Janiya Carmona is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall and 135 pounds.

SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Police Department's Youth Aid Bureau is seeking the public's help as it works to locate a missing 15 year old girl.

Janaiya Carmona left home Thursday morning after an argument and was reported as a runaway, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

Janaiya is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall and 135 pounds.

Those with information are asked to call detective Clark-Hicks at 413-750-2253, or on the department's non-emergency line at 413-787-6302.

State police said the crash occurred about 7:20 p.m. when the victim lost control on the interstate near Exit 14, hit a tree and was ejected from his vehicle.

HOLYOKE - A vehicle crash claimed the life of a 38-year-old city man Sunday night on Interstate 91.

State police told Western Mass News the crash occurred about 7:20 p.m. when the victim lost control on the interstate near Exit 14, hit a tree and was ejected from his vehicle.

The victim's identity has not yet been released. Western Mass News is television partner to The Republican and MassLive.com.

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

David Baillargeon, a deacon who claimed he was reprimanded for speaking out against the church's handling of clergy sexual abuse, said Monday that he has been barred from preaching at Holy Family Parish Roman Catholic church in Russell and placed for reassignment.

David Baillargeon, a deacon who claimed he was reprimanded for speaking out against the church's handling of clergy sexual abuse, said Monday that he has been barred from preaching at Holy Family Parish Roman Catholic church in Russell and placed for reassignment. 

Baillargeon said he was informed during a morning meeting with the Rev. Ron F. Sadlowski, the pastor at Holy Family Parish, and others that he would no longer be able to conduct weekday masses at the Russell parish.

The deacon said while he had yet to receive a formal letter from Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski -- who must approve such reassignments, he was asked to turn in his keys to the church. 

Mark Dupont, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, confirmed that Baillargeon will no longer serve as deacon at Holy Family Parish. He added that "the Permanent Diaconate Office will be working with Deacon Baillargeon regarding any potential future assignment."   

Baillargeon, who has worked with activist Olan Horne to advocate for survivors of clergy abuse, argued that church leaders pushed for his reassignment after he publicly spoke out against the Springfield diocese. He also accused Sadlowski of retaliating by cutting back the days he could hold mass. 

"The priests and the deacon who were there, they were just trying to say, for the betterment of the church -- and this and that -- I shouldn't talk to the media. I just kept insisting that the truth is what we're supposed to be about and we should have full transparency," he said in an interview. "I'm not going to be silenced."

Massachusetts Catholic deacon claims he was reprimanded for saying prayer for Buffalo deacon

The deacon told The Republican earlier this month that he believed local church officials had prohibited him from preaching at weekend masses after he criticized the Springfield Diocese in a homily two years ago.

He said he faced further pushback after offering prayers for Buffalo, New York, Deacon Paul Snyder, who had called for Catholic Bishop Richard Malone's resignation.

Baillargeon, who was ordained in 2005, said while he has yet to hear further details about his reassignment, he is unlikely to move on to another congregation, given his commitment to Hilltown residents and concerns about his wife's health.

"Let's face it, I live in the Hilltowns. I'm here for the people of the Hilltowns -- they know that. ... I don't know what they're going to come up with," he said. "They said, take six months and relax and pray on it. They want to meet with me and discuss my future. But, that all might change if I'm speaking to the press, which of course I am speaking to the press."

Baillargeon further stressed that whether he remains a deacon or not, he's "still going to be there for anyone who needs (him.)"

"I have no intention of abandoning the people who need me. That's for sure," he said, adding that he's "not going to stop telling the truth."

Sadlowski, who has rejected the suggestion he retaliated against his deacon, said his decision to "strongly suggest" to Rozanski that Baillargeon be reassigned was based a series of incidents that have occurred in recent years. 

"It began when he used the pulpit to speak against the bishop and that's where I asked him to make a promise that he would not use the pulpit to speak against the bishop ... It's not just the last time, to blame it on the deacon that he prayed for, but it's an ongoing process," he said. 

Sadlowski added that he recommended Baillargeon's reassignment "a while ago."

MIguel Soto-Torres was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

HOLYOKE -- A 38-year-old city man was killed Sunday night after losing control of his Toyota on Interstate-91 and rolling the car several times.

Miguel Soto-Torres was traveling on Interchange 4 from the Massachusetts Turnpike to Interstate-91 when he lost control of his 2006 Toyota Scion and drove off the left side of the exit, Massachusetts State Police said.

"After leaving the roadway the Toyota rolled a number of times and into the tree line," police said.

Soto-Torres, who was alone in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 7:20 p.m., police said.

The crash remains under investigation, but speed is believed to be a contributing factor, police said.

Trooper Ryan Czepiel conducted the preliminary investigation. The Massachusetts State Police Troop B with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section are continuing to investigate. West Springfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services assisted at the scene, police said.

Eversource adjusts its electric supply rates every six months. Costs are higher in winter when gas supplies are tighter.

SPRINGFIELD -- Eversource announced this week that its electric supply rates will rise Jan. 1 to 11.73 cents per kilowatt hour.

That's up from 10.003 cents per kilowatt-hour under the summer 2018 rates and also up from last winter's rate of 10.503 cents per kilowatt hour.

The new rate plan has been submitted to the state Department of Public Utilities for approval.

This is an increase of just under 4 percent above the current rate, Eversource spokeswoman Priscilla Ress said Monday. Customers who use an average of 550 kilowatt-hours per month will see an increase on their monthly bill of $4.80. The average bill is $125.10 now. When the new energy supply rate goes into effect the average customer can expect to pay about $129.90.

Eversource adjusts its electric supply rates every six months. Costs are higher in winter when gas supplies are tighter.

The average monthly bill for residential customers in Western Massachusetts was about $121 last winter.

Eversource provides electricity to 1.4 million customers in 140 Massachusetts communities.

Under state law, investor-owned utilities are required to go out to bid for wholesale power ever six months. That price impacts their rates.

Eversource encourages customers to get a no-cost home energy assessment. Customers can also take advantage of energy efficiency rebates and incentives and learn more about energy-saving programs at eversource.com.

The market has an option to buy the former Fedor Oldsmobile dealership site on Rt. 10.

EASTHAMPTON -- Those with questions about plans by River Valley Co-op to open a second store on Rt. 10 in Easthampton could gain more information over the weekend.

The upscale natural foods market, now located in Northampton, plans an "Easthampton Store Project Open House & Info Session" on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Eastworks building. 

Draft site plans will be on display, market management and board members will be on hand, and representatives from Thomas Douglas Architects and The Berkshire Design Group plan to attend, according to a Facebook post, which says public feedback and input will be welcome.

Nearly a year ago, the co-op negotiated an option to buy the former Fedor Pontiac Oldsmobile dealership property at 228 Northampton St. in Easthampton. The option is good until Jan. 19, according to Hampshire County land records. The price has not been publicly disclosed. Market general manager Rochelle Prunty could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The co-op in 2008 opened its 17,000-square-foot Northampton store at 330 North King St. Now with over 9,500 member-owners and many regular customers, the facility is busy and its parking lot is congested.

River Valley has said it plans an Easthampton store of similar size, with 150 customer parking spaces compared with 92 at the Northampton location.

If you go:

What: River Valley Market Open House
When: Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Eastworks Suite 160, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton

A Northampton woman connected to a local murder case is being sought by police after failing to show up for court. Watch video

NORTHAMPTON - A local woman who is alleged to have played a role in a murder cover up is being sought by police after failing to show for a scheduled court appearance. 

Alondra Gil, 23, had been set to appear at a pretrial hearing in Hampshire Superior Court Monday for charges related to the death of Daniel Cruz but failed to show, according to the Northwestern District Attorney's office. A warrant for her arrest has been issued, the DA's office said. 

Cruz, a 44-year-old Northampton man, was allegedly shot to death on March 10 by Gil's boyfriend, 22-year-old Nerkin Morales. The slaying occurred at the Meadowbrook apartment complex in the city's Florence neighborhood, after an argument at the dwelling turned violent, according to the prosecution. 

Cruz's body was discovered by authorities on fire in an area of Hatfield farmland later that night. 

It is alleged that a number of people, including Gil, helped to cover up the murder by smuggling Cruz's body out of the apartment and taking it to the secluded area of Hatfield farmland, where it was set on fire.

Gil was initially arrested and arraigned on perjury charges on May 9 after she allegedly lied to investigators about the murder. She was subsequently released on $3,500 bail.

More recently on Nov. 26, Gil was indicted along with seven other people for a bevy of crimes associated with the slaying, including being an accessory after the fact, burning personal property, withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding, conspiracy, and improper disposal of a human body.

Her scheduled pretrial conference Monday was related to her perjury charge, according to the Northwestern DA's office. 

The new warrant issued for her arrest is the second after a different warrant was issued directly after the recent indictments were handed down against her.  

Of the 10 people associated with the case, Gil is the only one that has not been brought into custody, according to the DA's office.

Another suspect in the case, 22-year-old Northampton woman Chelsea T. Rodriguez, was apparently arrested in Florida last Thursday, following an investigation by Massachusetts State Police. Rodriguez, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact, is currently in custody in Florida pending extradition back to Massachusetts.

Read obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Here are the obituaries published Monday in The Republican:

Obituaries from The Republican, Dec. 10, 2018

The lack of available care means people with mental health problems or substance use disorders do not get care or go to the emergency room.

Although Massachusetts has some of the country's top health care providers, that health care is not always accessible to residents -- especially those seeking care for mental health or substance use disorders, according to a study released Tuesday by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. 

"This can't be acceptable in our commonwealth," said Audrey Shelto, the foundatin's president. "We've worked together before on coverage. We need to work together making behavioral health services more accessible to people."

The study found that the lack of available care means people with mental health problems or substance use disorders end up going without care or end up in the emergency room for problems that would have been treatable elsewhere, in a less expensive setting.

"I think it's also not hard to anticipate that if people need mental health and substance use disorder care and they can't get it, and they don't get it, then conditions can exacerbate and result in the need for a more significant treatment level and more expensive treatment," Shelto said.

The foundation's Massachusetts Health Reform Survey is a phone survey of 2,201 adults ages 19 to 64.

The survey found that more than half -- 56.8 percent -- of adults who sought care for mental health or substance use disorders reported difficulties getting that care.

This could mean they had trouble finding a provider who would see them at all, or finding one who would give them an appointment as soon as they needed it. In some cases, the provider was not taking new patients, while in others, the provider would not take the patient's insurance. Among those who sought care, 35 percent were told a provider did not accept their insurance and another 35 percent were told a provider was not accepting new patients.

Likely because of the difficulty finding a provider, 38.7 percent of those who sought mental health or substance use care said they went without it. 

Some turned to the emergency room. The study found that 12.7 percent of the adults who sought mental health or substance use care visited the emergency room, around half of them for a non-emergency mental health condition. 

A majority of those seeking care in the sample were low-income, and they were disproportionately younger, female and white. But those reporting difficulties represented all levels of income and different races and genders.

The study relied on self-reporting and did not include those already in an institutional setting.

The look at mental health care was part of a broader report on health care access. This is the first year the survey has asked about access to mental health care specifically. While people reported difficulty obtaining all kinds of health care, the unmet need was highest for mental health and substance use care. 

The unmet need was not due to a lack of contact with the health system. Those seeking mental health care generally had insurance coverage and had a place they would typically go for medical care.

"It is clear that health insurance does not guarantee access" to mental health and substance use care, the report said. Previous studies have found that 45 percent of Massachusetts mental health providers refuse to take MassHealth, 38 percent will not take Medicare, and 16 percent will not take commercial insurance.

Providers may shy away from public insurance programs because of their low reimbursement rates and administrative hassle.

"While we have a very high number of providers per capita, we also have a lot of providers that don't take insurance coverage -- public or private," Shelto said.

The study suggests that the difficulties are due to insurance reasons, a lack of providers in some geographic areas and the "fragmented" system that provides mental health care. 

The foundation, a nonprofit affiliated with the insurance company, has as its mission expanding health care access for low-income and vulnerable individuals.

Shelto said the foundation is finishing a four-year grant in which it worked to better integrate behavioral health with primary care, so people could access mental health care through their primary care doctor.

It is launching another four-year grant program to create more urgent care centers for behavioral health care. Foundation officials have also been talking to state officials about ways to make the administrative process easier for providers willing to take public insurance.