Levels of radioactivity have risen sharply in seawater near a tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in northern Japan, possibly signaling new leaks at the facility, the government said Saturday.

A woman passes spinach from Ibaraki Prefecture on sale at a market Sunday, March 20, 2011, in Tokyo. Japan announced the first signs that contamination from its tsunami-crippled nuclear complex have seeped into the food chain, saying that radiation levels in spinach harvested in Ibaraki Prefecture and milk from farms in Fukushima Prefecture near the facility exceeded government safety limits. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Levels of radioactivity have risen sharply in seawater near a tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in northern Japan, possibly signaling new leaks at the facility, the government said Saturday.

The announcement came after a magnitude-5.9 earthquake jolted Japan on Saturday morning, hours after the country's nuclear safety agency ordered plant operators to beef up their quake preparedness systems to prevent a recurrence of the nuclear crisis.

There were no immediate reports of damage from the earthquake, and there was no risk of a tsunami similar to the one last month that crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, causing Japan's worst-ever nuclear plant disaster. Japan has been hit by a string of smaller quakes since the magnitude-9.0 earthquake hit the country March 11.

Since the tsunami flooded the Fukushima plant and knocked out cooling systems, workers have been spraying massive amounts of water to cool the overheated reactors. Some of that water, contaminated with radiation, had leaked into the Pacific. Plant officials said they plugged that leak on April 5 and radiation levels in the sea dropped.

But the government said Saturday that radioactivity in the seawater has risen again in recent days. The level of radioactive iodine-131 spiked to 6,500 times the legal limit, according to samples taken Friday, up from 1,100 times the limit in samples taken the day before. Levels of cesium-134 and cesium-137 rose nearly fourfold. The increased levels are still far below those recorded earlier this month before the initial leak was plugged.

Yoshinori Yatsuda, an evacuee from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, rests at an evacuation center in Fukushima, northeastern Japan, Saturday, April 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The new rise in radioactivity could have been caused by the installation Friday of steel panels intended to contain radiation which may have temporarily stirred up stagnant waste in the area, Hidehiko Nishiyama of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told reporters. However, the increase in iodine-131, which has a relatively short eight-day half life, could signal the possibility of a new leak, he said.

"We want to determine the origin and contain the leak, but I must admit that tracking it down is difficult," he said.

Authorities have insisted the radioactivity will dissipate and poses no immediate threat to sea creatures or people who might eat them. Most experts agree.

Regardless, plant workers on Saturday began dumping sandbags filled with zeolite, a mineral that absorbs radioactive cesium, into the sea to combat the radiation leaks.

Meanwhile, the newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported, without citing its sources, that a secret plan to dismantle Tokyo Electric Power Co., which runs the radiation-leaking Fukushima plant, was circulating within the government. The proposal calls for putting TEPCO, the world's largest private electricity company, under close government supervision before putting it into bankruptcy and thoroughly restructuring its assets. Most government offices were closed Saturday, and the report could not be immediately confirmed.

In this Tuesday, April 12, 2011 image released by Tokyo Electric Power Co., a metal container, in silver, hanging from a concrete pump, in red, scoops water to sample from the spent fuel pool of the heavily damaged Unit 4 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. (AP Photo/Tokyo Electric Power Co.)

In the wake of the nuclear crisis, the government ordered 13 nuclear plant operators to check and improve outside power links to avoid earthquake-related outages that could cause safety systems to fail as they did at the Fukushima plant, Nishiyama told reporters late Friday. The operators, including TEPCO, are to report back by May 16.

Power outages during a strong aftershock on April 7 drove home the need to ensure that plants are able to continue to operate crucial cooling systems and other equipment despite earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters, Nishiyama said.

Utility companies were ordered to reinforce the quake resistance of power lines connected to each reactor or to rebuild them. They also must store all electrical equipment in watertight structures. Earlier, the nuclear agency ordered plant operators to store at least two emergency backup generators per reactor and to install fire pumps and power supply vehicles as further precautions.

The massive 46-foot (14-meter) wave that swamped Fukushima Dai-ichi last month knocked out emergency generators meant to power cooling systems. Since then, explosions, fires and other malfunctions have compounded efforts by TEPCO to repair the plant and stem radiation leaks.

Protesters march in a street during an anti-nuclear power plant demonstration in Tokyo, Saturday, April 16, ,2011. More than 1,000 people took to the street for the rally. After the March 11 tsunami swamped Fukushima Dai-ichi knocked out emergency generators meant to power cooling systems. Since then, explosions, fires and other malfunctions have compounded efforts by TEPCO to repair the plant and stem radiation leaks. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

TEPCO said Saturday it had moved power sources for some of the reactors at the stricken plant to higher ground by Friday evening in order to avoid another disastrous failure in the event of a tsunami.

Goshi Hosono, an adviser to the prime minister and member of the nuclear crisis management task force, said the damaged reactors were much more stable than they had been earlier in the crisis and TEPCO was preparing to unveil a plan for restoring cooling capacity to the ailing reactors "soon."

"Problems are still piled up and we are far from the end of crisis," he told a TV news program, citing radioactive water as one of the biggest headaches. "I expect there will be more mountains that we have to climb over."

The crisis at the Fukushima plant has forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate the area, while radiation leaks have contaminated crops and left fishermen unable to sell their catches, adding to the suffering of communities already devastated by earthquake and tsunami damage.

___

Associated Press writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Noriko Kitano in Tokyo contributed to this report.

Mayor Elaine Pluta already has three challengers while two School Committee members seek to switch to the CIty Council.

File photo by John Suchocki / The RepublicanWard 5A resident Bruce Weber waits to cast a ballot at the Elmer J. McMahon school in Holyoke's 2009 city election.

HOLYOKE – Election season is underway.

City Councilor at Large Patricia C. Devine kicked off the 2011 election cycle by becoming the first to take out nomination papers and the first to file them.

Races for mayor, all 15 City Council seats and eight seats on the School Committee will be on the Nov. 8 election ballot.

Also, a committee has been studying the city charter since November 2009 and its recommendation for a new charter also is expected to be on the ballot.

A preliminary election would be held Sept. 20 to narrow the fields of some races if necessary.

Candidates must file nominations papers with the Registrar of Voters at City Hall by July 26.

Devine took out papers Jan. 11, moments before Mayor Elaine A. Pluta, and Devine filed her papers April 4.

Mayoral candidates must file papers bearing signatures of at least 250 registered voters.

The papers of City Council and school board candidates must have 50 signatures each.

The last day for residents to register to vote in the preliminary election is Aug. 31.

The last day for residents to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 19.

Pluta is seeking her second, two-year term as mayor. She was on the City Council for 14 years.

Seeking to replace Pluta as mayor are Alex B. Morse, who works as a youth counselor at CareerPoint; Antonio Colon Jr., of 81 Tokeneke Road, who was a candidate for mayor in 2009; and business consultant Daniel C. Boyle, whom Pluta defeated in 2009.

A trickle, which will soon be a flood, of political announcements is emerging. Councilor at Large Aaron M. Vega will kick off his reelection bid Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Open Square, 4 Open Square Way, Building 4, 4th Floor Gallery.

Ward 6 Councilor Todd A. McGee said he is running again to ensure the ward’s public safety needs are addressed and to keep questioning spending.

“I take nothing for granted. I am discussing the issues of concern with the voters of Ward 6 and I am listening to their ideas and challenges,” McGee said in a statement.

Some surprises have occurred. Ward 2 Councilor Diosdado Lopez, who has been the councilor there since 1991, isn’t running for reelection. Lopez, the first Hispanic elected to the council, said he needs to take a break.

Former Fire Commission member Anthony Soto, of 10 James St., has taken out nomination papers to run for the Ward 2 council seat. Soto ran unsuccessfully for city clerk in 2009.

Two School Committee members are seeking to shift to the City Council. Ward 1 Councilor Donald R. Welch faces a challenge from Gladys Lebron-Martinez, who is now the Ward 1 School Committee member.

Cesar A. Lopez, who represents Ward 4 on the School Committee, is among those seeking the Ward 4 Council seat that incumbent Timothy W. Purington said he wil vacate.

Three days after New Hampshire police found a Jeep belonging to missing Connecticut real estate broker Arthur "Art" Reinhart, his colleagues, friends and family are working to get the word out about their missing loved one.

Arthur "Art" Reinhart of Fairfield, Ct. has not been seen since March 22 in Lexington N.C.

PORTSMOUTH, NH -- Three days after New Hampshire police found a Jeep belonging to missing Connecticut real estate broker Arthur "Art" Reinhart, his colleagues, friends and family are working to get the word out about their missing loved one.

Reinhart, 50, was last seen on March 22 in Lexington, N.C. where he was visiting his brother Robert Reinhart. When he left Lexington, he was supposed to be on his way home to Fairfield, Ct.

His 2002 silver Jeep Liberty was found parked in a commuter lot not far from Interstate 95, the New Hampshire Turnpike on Wednesday. Portsmouth Police found the SUV at about 1:30 a.m. and said that they were unsure how long it was parked there.

The SUV was locked and still had Reinhart's luggage and personal items inside, and police are saying that foul play isn't suspected at this point but they aren't ruling anything out.

His cell phone's voicemail box is full and his Facebook page hasn't been updated since he disappeared, according to family members. The last digital trace of the missing man stems from an email that was sent from his account on April 2 from Provincetown, according to published media reports.

Portsmouth police searched the SUV on Thursday and looked for Reinhart at several hotels, hospitals and homeless shelters but reportedly found nothing.

His loved ones said that although Reinhart loves to travel, it is uncharacteristic for him to disappear without notice as he usually checks in with his mother

He is described as a white man, approximately 6-feet, 4-inches tall, weighing 260 pounds with close-cropped salt and pepper hair and brown eyes.

Reinhart is listed as a member of the team at Jonathan Deak & Associates Prudential Connecticut Realty.

Anyone with information on Reinhart's whereabouts is asked to call Portsmouth police at 603-436-2145.

To send information anonymously, contact the Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 or by sending a text message to CRIMES (274637) and including TIPSCS in the message.

Art Reinhart flyer

West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson has proposed his city join with Agawam and Westfield in a plan to send stray dogs to Westfield's dog pound.

Associated Press

WEST SPRINGFIELD –The Town Council Tuesday will discuss and possibly vote on a proposal by the mayor to join a pact with Agawam and Westfield that would allow it to send its stray dogs to Westfield’s pound.

Approval of the program would provide the community with a place to send its stray dogs for the first time since July 1, when the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield ended its agreement with the city.

Mayor Edward J. Gibson said Friday that Westfield Mayor Daniel M. Knapik will attend Tuesday’s meeting to outline the services at his community’s dog pound as well as to answer questions. Gibson expressed optimism that the council will approve the agreement.

The situation in West Springfield has nettled local animal lovers, in particular Lucy Lukiwsky, who has spoken out about the issue at numerous Town Council meetings.

Lukiwsky said Friday she will once again criticize Gibson’s handling of the situation when the council meets Tuesday.

“I feel the mayor is doing the least he can do. I think that he is just doing what he is required to do. ... He is just trying not to spend money,” Lukiwsky said.

She would like to see the city go back to using the O’Connor facility because unlike the Westfield pound it has a foster home program to rehabilitate stray dogs to ready them for adoption. Lukiwsky said most strays need to be socialized before being placed and that the Westfield program will euthanize stray dogs judged not ready for adoption after 10 days.

The mayor has recommended the city join with Westfield and Agawam because it would cost an estimated $10,000 to $20,000 a year less than using the O’Connor dog pound. That facility has offered to take stray dogs at its old rate of $2.50 per city resident. Last year, West Springfield paid the Springfield dog pound about $73,000.

The proposed pact calls for Agawam and West Springfield to pay Westfield $875 a month each for rent and utilities at that city’s shelter. Dog owners would be charged fees of $15 a day per animal prior to their dogs being released.

At the end of 10 days, unclaimed dogs the Westfield animal control officer judges suitable for adoption would be put into the Westfield Animal Shelter Adoption Program. Dogs determined not to be adoptable would become the responsibility of each community.

Agawam and West Springfield would each pay Westfield $9,708 to cover costs for improvements needed at the animal shelter to house the increased dog population upon signing the agreement.

Co-defendant Devon Farrell previously pleaded guilty to all charges.

Chicopee PolicePeter Gordon

SPRINGFIELD – A Hampden Superior Court jury on Friday found Peter Gordon, of Springfield, guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a large capacity firearm in a Chicopee case dating from December 2009.

But the jury acquitted Gordon, 21, of Springfield, of home invasion and three other charges.

Jurors filed into Hampden Superior Court Judge Tina S. Page’s courtroom after they delivered their verdict and were released from duty to hear the sentencing. Page sentenced Gordon to 2½ to three years in state prison, followed by three years probation.

Jurors, at the sentencing, heard Gordon’s co-defendant, Devon Farrell, had pleaded guilty prior to Gordon’s trial to six charges and had been sentenced to four to six years in state prison followed by five years probation.

That information was not presented to the jury at trial, according to state rules governing what evidence can be admitted.

Chicopee PoliceDevon Farrell

The case against both men included two separate incidents on two different days at 30 Center St., characterized by prosecution and defense as a rooming house where people sold and used drugs in Chicopee.

In the first incident on Dec. 19, a man who lived in the rooming house was beaten with a gun and kicked while in his room.

Defense lawyer Tracy E. Duncan argued to the jury the state had not proven Gordon was even in the victim’s apartment that day.

Assistant District Attorney Eduardo Velazquez argued the state had proven through testimony of the victim and a neighbor Gordon was there and committed the crime with Farrell, 37, of Springfield. The jury acquitted Gordon of the four charges arising from the Dec. 19 incident.

In the second incident on Dec. 26, 2009, a different victim testified Farrell put a gun to his head in one of the common bathrooms in the rooming house. The man testified Farrell handed the gun to Gordon, who threw it out a window when police arrived. Both Gordon and Farrell were arrested that day.

The jury convicted Gordon of the two charges stemming from the Dec. 26 incident.

Velazquez, in his closing argument, told jurors he had warned them at the beginning of the trial the victim of the beating had a long history with the courts.

“He is what he is,” Velazquez said. “He told you he used and sold drugs. ...This case was about drugs, it was about money, it was about violence. Certainly one begets the other.”

Duncan told jurors they had heard evidence of the “seedy side” of life at 30 Center St. She said Gordon sold drugs, and the victim used and sold drugs. She said they should question the credibility of the victims.

Lashanda Armstrong's aunt told reporters that her niece "was a good mother. She was going through some stuff."

View full sizeAngela Gilliam, aunt of Lashanda Armstrong, reacts Wednesday, April 13, 2011, after placing some balloons and stuffed animals near the boat ramp where Armstrong drove her car into the Hudson River in Newburgh, N.Y., on Tuesday night. Armstrong, who had just been involved in a domestic dispute, loaded her four children into a minivan Tuesday night and drove into the Hudson River, police said. Lashaun Armstrong, 10, escaped from the car and swam to shore, but his mother and three of his siblings were killed. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

By JOCELYN NOVECK

NEW YORK (AP) — "How could she?"

It's the headline du jour whenever a horrific case emerges of a mother killing her kids, as Lashanda Armstrong did when she piled her children into her minivan and drove straight into the frigid Hudson River.

Our shock at such stories is, of course, understandable: They seem to go against everything we intuitively feel about the mother-child bond.

But mothers kill their children in this country much more often than most people would realize by simply reading the headlines; by conservative estimates it happens every few days, at least 100 times a year. Experts say more mothers than fathers kill their children under 5 years of age. And some say our reluctance as a society to believe mothers would be capable of killing their offspring is hindering our ability to recognize warning signs, intervene and prevent more tragedies.

And so the problem remains.

"We've learned how to reduce auto fatalities among kids, through seatbelt use. We've learned how to stop kids from strangling on the strings of their hoodies. But with this phenomenon, we struggle," says Jill Korbin, an anthropologist at Case Western Reserve University who has studied mothers who kill children. "The solution is not so readily apparent."

How common is filicide, or killing one's child, among mothers? Finding accurate records is nearly impossible, experts say. One problem is classification: The legal disposition of these cases varies enormously. Also, many cases doubtless go unreported or undetected, such as very young mothers who kill their newborns by smothering them or drowning them in a toilet after hiding the entire pregnancy.

"I'd say a mother kills a child in this country once every three days, and that's a low estimate," says Cheryl Meyer, co-author of "Mothers Who Kill Their Children."

Several databases track such killings but do not separate mothers from fathers or stepfathers. At the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System reported an estimated 1,740 child fatalities — meaning when a child dies from an injury caused by abuse or neglect — in 2008.

And according to numbers compiled from 16 states by the National Violent Death Reporting System at the CDC Injury Center, 130 children were killed in those states by a parent in 2008, the last year for which numbers were available.

"The horrific stories make the headlines, so we believe it hardly ever happens," says Meyer, a professor of psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. "But it's not a rare thing."

Meyer and co-author Michelle Oberman interviewed women at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. They found that of 1,800 women at the prison, 80 were there for killing their children.

It's also a phenomenon that defies neat patterns: It cuts across boundaries of class, race and socio-economic status. Oberman and Meyer came up with five categories: filicide related to an ignored pregnancy; abuse-related; neglect-related; assisted or coerced filicide (such as when a partner forces the killing); and purposeful filicide with the mother acting alone.

Different as these cases are, though, there are some factors that link the poor teen mother who kills her baby in a bathroom with an older, wealthier mother, and one of them, experts say, is isolation.

"These women almost always feel alone, with a total lack of emotional support," says Lita Linzer Schwartz, a professor emeritus of psychology and women's studies at Penn State, and co-author of "Endangered Children."

Schwartz says women are often not checked for mental illness after their crimes, and that is unfortunate.

"Women need better treatment not only before, but after," she says. "They get tormented in prison, when often what they need is psychological care."

The issue of mental illness is a tricky one. Some women are obviously seriously ill — for example, Andrea Yates, who drowned her five children, one by one, in the bath in 2001, believing she was saving them from the devil. After first being convicted of capital murder, she was found innocent by reason of insanity and remains in a mental institution.

But Oberman, a law professor at Santa Clara University, says cases are not always so obvious — sometimes depression is enough to send a woman over the edge. "Almost all these women are not in their right minds (when they commit these acts)," she says. "The debate is whether they're sick enough to be called insane."

Besides isolation, another frequent similarity in the cases is a split with the father of the children. "So often there is an impending death or divorce or breakup," Meyer says.

In the case of Armstrong, the 25-year-old mother had apparently argued with the father of three of her young children — about his cheating, according to the woman's surviving son — just before driving into the river on Tuesday in Newburgh, N.Y. (Her 10-year-old son climbed out a window and survived. Three children, ages 11 months to 5 years, died.)

This was one of those cases where the mother was committing suicide and decided to take the kids with her. To rational observers, there is nothing more perverse. But in the logic of many these mothers, experts say, they are protecting their children by taking them along. Armstrong's surviving son told a woman who helped him that his mother had told the kids: "If I'm going to die, you're all going to die with me."

Experts have heard that many times before.

"We see cases where the mother thinks the child would be better off in heaven than on this miserable earth," for example with an abusive father, says Schwartz. "They think it's a good deed, a blessing."

A good deed — performed by a good mother. "It's how the sick mother sees herself being a good mother," says Oberman. "Once she decides she can't bear the pain anymore, she thinks, 'what would a good mother do?'"

Korbin, the anthropologist, says in prison interviews she conducted, some women who had killed their children were still certain they were good mothers. And it's that very ideal of being a "good mother" that is holding our society back from taking preventive action or intervening in a potentially abusive situation before it's too late, Korbin says.

"Often the people around these women will minimize a troubling instance that they see, saying, 'Well, she's a good mother.' We err on the side of being supportive of women as being good mothers, where we should be taking seriously any instance where a mother OR father seems to be having trouble parenting. ANY instance of child maltreatment is serious."

In fact, Armstrong's aunt told reporters that her niece "was a good mother. She was going through some stuff."

Meyer, for one, is angry that the people around Armstrong didn't take heed of the warning signs earlier.

"To me this is a textbook case," she says. "This woman was completely overwhelmed. Almost always, you can find people who say, 'I knew something was wrong.' This did not come out of the blue. I say shame on the people who saw signs and didn't do anything. This is your responsibility, too."

Not that it is easy to know when and how to raise an alarm bell. "I think often people just don't know what to do," says Korbin.

But, she adds, it doesn't help to gape at a few of the more shocking cases and then move on, without recognizing the scope of the problem and the factors that link many of these cases.

"People focus on the spectacular cases — and they are spectacular," she says. "But that means another few kids will die over the next few days without much notice, and that is very sad."

One pair of experienced racers was Richard J. Boudreau, 47, and his son Nathan A. Boudreau, 19, of Huntington. Nathan Boudreau came home from the Air Force the night before the race and surprised his family.

View full sizeMichael Beswick / The RepublicanA few canoeists battle the Hill and Dale Rapids on the 58th annual Westfield River Wildwater Races' novice course April 16, 2011.

HUNTINGTON – The first day of the 58th annual Westfield River Wildwater Races drew hundreds to the town and reunited a local family.

That’s according to Jeffrey M. DeFeo of Chester, chair of the race organized by the Westfield River Canoe Club. He said 230 people registered for this year’s eight-mile novice race, held today, and 40 for tomorrow's 12-mile expert course.

The races are the oldest consecutively run whitewater races in the country.

Today, DeFeo said the range of racers’ expertise varied widely.

“We have from real raw, never been in a race before, to real experienced,” he said.

One pair of experienced racers was Richard J. Boudreau, 47, and his son Nathan A. Boudreau, 19, of Huntington. Nathan Boudreau came home from the Air Force Friday night and surprised his family.

“We weren’t supposed to see him for another year,” said Richard Boudreau. “That was pretty amazing.”

The pair have been in the race every year since Nathan Boudreau was 13, except last year when Richard Boudreau said his son’s absence and a death in the family left him without “the heart” to do it. In 2007, they placed first in the Male Under 16 and Over 25 class, according to race records.

Richard Boudreau said this year he took two partners down the river several times over the course of a few weeks to prepare for a race that, it turns out, they never intended to be in.

“He was going to race with his boss and one of his buddies, but they were all in on it,” said Nathan Boudreau.

“We did good,” Richard Boudreau said of the day's run. “We passed nine boats and they were a minute part.”

The canoes and kayaks were sent out one at a time with a sixty-second delay between them.

The chilly day and the cold water were safety concerns, but Richard Boudreau said he worked so hard on the river he dumped five buckets over his head to cool off.

“That water’s probably in the forties,” said DeFeo. “You don’t want to get wet today. ... But it’s a hardened bunch.”

To make sure the race was safe, the Canoe Club held educational clinics on the three weekends leading up to it and requires everyone to wear over-the-shoulder life jackets and have a spare paddle in the boat.

In the packed parking lot next to the river, tailgaters were having cook-outs, playing catch and drinking beer, but DeFeo said no alcohol was allowed in the river.

“We make sure when the boat goes in, they’ve got nothing with them,” he said.

Some of the racers wore wild garb. One man dressed in a skin-tight swimming suit and had his body hair shaved into a bikini top.

“You won’t see any of that here (Sunday),” said DeFeo.

Sunday’s race begins at the base of Knightville Dam and ends at Woronoco Dam. Registration is $17 and begins at 9:30 a.m. The race starts at 11 a.m.

This is a developing story. It will be updated with race results when they become available.

Firefighters had to extricate both the driver and passenger. They are in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Republican file photo

WESTFIELD – A driver and passenger are in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center following a car crash in the area of 20 Cross St. early Saturday morning.

Police issued a press release about the accident, which was reported at 4:51 a.m. According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle was traveling north on Cross Street, when the driver began losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle then crossed into the southbound lane, left the road and struck a tree and fence.

Firefighters extricated both the driver and passenger. Police have not released the names of the individuals involved.

The Westfield Police Department’s traffic bureau is investigating the accident, with assistance from the state police collision, analysis and reconstruction section.

The Town Council adopted tag sale regulations in 2006 as a way to curb non-stop tag sales happening in town.

PALMER - The Palmer Town Council, at its Monday meeting, set the following dates for permit-free tag sales, May 14, the day of the townwide tag sale, as well as May 13 to 15, July 15 to 17, and Sept. 9 to 11.

Council President Eric A. Duda addressed the issue of having permits to hold tag sales; the permits are available through the town manager’s office.

“I disagree with having a tag sale permit at all . . . we should have permit free weekends all the time,” Duda said. “Tag sales are happening now all the time and the permit process is rarely if ever enforced,” Duda said.

District 4 Councilor Donald Blais Jr. also said he is opposed to the permits. The council adopted tag sale regulations in 2006 as a way to curb non-stop tag sales happening in town.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Ann M. Samuels

Ann M. Samuels, 80, of West Springfield, formerly of Schenectady, N.Y., passed away on Monday. Born in Hartford, she attended business college in there. Prior to retiring in 1978, Samuels worked for many years as an insurance underwriter for Indiana Lumberman's and Electric Insurance. She was a talented artist with a strong passion for sketching, drawing and oil painting. In her earlier years she was an accomplished singer/soloist who enjoyed performing the old standards at various venues in both Connecticut and New York.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• 
  Fede, Charles J. "Butch"




• 
  Fiore, Marlene A. (Nelson)
  



• 
  Gagnon, Helen P. (Quinlan)
  




• Gaudreau, Julien P.
  




• 
  Gaunt, Nelson H.
  



• 
  Lafontaine, Aline F. (Laprade)




• 
  Plourd, Francis P. "Franny"
  



• 
  Quill, Karen A.
  




• Salisbury, Albert P.
  




• 
  Samuels, Ann M.
  



• 
  Waniewski, Henry P.

Nearly 2,000 marijuana enthusiasts packed the Amherst Town Common for the 20th annual Extravaganja festival, a pro-pot gathering reminiscent of the sort of free-spirited open-air festivals of the Woodstock era.

Staff Photo by Robert RizzutoMatthew James stands with Niki Snow, clerk of the Massachusetts Cannabis reform Coalition as she takes a toke of marijuana Saturday at the 20th annual Extravaganja festival in Amherst.

By Conor Berry & Robert Rizzuto

AMHERST – The sky was cloudy in Amherst on Saturday -- and it wasn’t just because of overcast skies.

Nearly 2,000 marijuana enthusiasts packed the Amherst Town Common for the 20th annual Extravaganja festival, a pro-pot gathering reminiscent of the sort of free-spirited, open-air festivals of the late 1960s and 70s.

Many in attendance were not from the Woodstock generation, but rather twentysomethings taking advantage of what they believed was a two-day amnesty to smoke marijuana in the heart of downtown Amherst without legal headaches -- as long as they didn’t toke over the line.

A handful of Amherst police officers casually kept an eye on things from afar, staying beyond the perimeter of the Common.

“It’s a peaceful crowd,” said one uniformed bicycle cop, standing next to his partner.

When the officers – the only visible police presence at Extravaganja – were asked if they were the only authorities working the event, one replied: “We have some people floating around out there.”

Booming Business & High Sales

This is the eighth year that John and Sue Nelson, a couple from Bristol, R.I., have hawked their tie-dye T-shirts at Extravaganja, and sales were “raging,” according to John.

With temperatures lingering in the upper 40s, shirt sales weren’t the only thing that was brisk on Saturday.

“We’re all bundled up like ‘Nanook of the North,’ so it doesn’t really faze me,” John said of the weather.

Heather DeGray, 26, of Monson, was selling handmade T-shirts with symbols ranging from peace signs to marijuana leaves and mushrooms – the hallucinogenic variety, of course.

“Yeah, this is what I do,” she said. “I travel around to festivals and sell my wares. It beats having a real job!”

Staff Photo by Robert RizzutoNearly 2,000 people gathered in the heart of Amherst Saturday to rally for the legalization of marijuana.

Social Smokers

In the middle of the Common, Ben Headley, 19, of Florence, joined a group of friends around a large water bong.

“Extravaganja is one of the best times of the year,” he said.

Headley said he has no problem with legalizing marijuana, though he conceded that harder drugs -- like cocaine, heroin and synthetics such as OxyContin -- should remain illegal.

“I don’t see why [pot] is illegal,” Headley said, after taking a hit from the bong.

Springfield resident Joe Minardi said he believes it's time for the nation as a whole to use “common sense” toward the issue of marijuana.

“Cannabis has been criminalized for too long and it’s time for things to change,” he said. “No one’s ever died from using cannabis, and it is not like other drugs.”

“This is how things should be,” said Phil from Palmer, who was accompanied by his friend, Meg.

Phil and Meg, who aren’t married, share the same last name: “No Last Name.” As the No Last Names shared a joint and took in the atmosphere, they were asked if they believed marijuana would eventually become fully legal. Meg didn’t hesitate with a reply.

“I think it’s heading that way,” she said, surveying the large crowd, most of whom were smoking marijuana.

Despite the “legalize it” theme of the event, many of the young people interviewed by The Republican on Saturday preferred a degree of anonymity by withholding their surnames and refusing to be photographed smoking pot.

Staff Photo by Robert RizzutoVendors sold everything from hand-made glass pipes to organic foods and t-shirts.

One of the older attendees at the event, Beth Erviti, 60, of Wendell, said she wasn't shy about embracing marijuana.

“I do support legalizing marijuana,” she said.

Erviti, who was meeting her daughter and friends at Extravaganja, said she had driven past the annual spring event many times in the past, but Saturday marked the first time “I’ve ever stepped foot here.”

The Politics of Pot

Billed as a marijuana-freedom festival, the weekend event (it continues Sunday at noon) was sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and featured dozens of bands, vendors and speakers, many of whom trumpeted the curative and ameliorative powers of pot.

Alex Delegas, president of the coalition, said the two-day festival was “a good way to celebrate (the 20th anniversary).”

Niki Snow, a clerk with the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, said her organization supports legislation that allows people to “live their lives as they see fit.”

“We are out here to put a face on the issue because we believe in it that strongly,” Snow said. “Events like this help people learn more about cannabis and bring the issue out into the open.”

Eric Wunderlich, a board member of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, said that although his group specifically supports legalizing marijuana for medical use, it is important for all factions of the legalization movement to focus on what they have in common.

“At the heart of the issue is the fundamental belief that patients should have access to this option through their doctor and they shouldn’t have to live in fear of the authorities kicking in their door and arresting them,” Wunderlich said. “There are different beliefs between legalizing it medically and completely, but it is all about not living in fear.”

In November 2008, more than 65 percent of Massachusetts voters approved Question 2, a binding ballot measure that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. Now, instead of incurring a misdemeanor criminal charge, subjects who are caught with an ounce or less of pot must forfeit the drug and pay a $100 civil fine. Minors also must perform community service and attend drug education and treatment classes.

Massachusetts law enforcement officials, including district attorneys, strongly opposed Question 2, arguing that support for the measure would send a message that pot isn’t dangerous. They also said partial decriminalization would be a nightmare to enforce, pointing out that local police departments weren’t equipped to implement a new civil fine system.

Massachusetts was the 12th state in the nation to decriminalize possession of relatively small amounts of marijuana.

Staff Photo by Robert RizzutoSome members of the crowd were vibrant and interactive while others were mellow and relaxing on the grass as bands played throughout the afternoon.

Police Report No Pot Problems

Amherst Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone said the town agreed to extend the event on a “trial basis”, and officials will evaluate how things went “based on participant behavior."

Earlier Extravaganja events resulted in multiple drug arrests, but in recent years event organizers have sought to work with police to avoid problems.

A decade ago, residents of Amherst -- considered one of the most liberal college towns in America -- overwhelmingly supported a non-binding referendum calling for state and national officials to lobby for legalizing marijuana and for town police to relax enforcement of the law.

"Street Fare" will offer more than two dozen dishes from Southeast Asia, China, India, the Middle East, North Africa, Mexico and the U.S., a noodle bar and a taco bar.

The Republican | Don TreegerChef Deborah L. Snow (L) and Barbara E. White, partners at the Blue Heron Restaurant, will host "Street Fare," a fundraiser featuring food of many lands, whose proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

SUNDERLAND – In places like Thailand and Mexico, it’s not uncommon to buy ready-to-eat delicacies from street vendors.

Western Massachusetts residents will have a chance to get a taste of the experience when the Blue Heron Restaurant offers “Street Fare: From Sunderland to Singapore,” a lavish foodfest to raise funds for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The dinner will take place April 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $85 person, with proceeds going to the Food Bank. Reservations are required.

Deborah Snow, chef at the Blue Heron, has observed first-hand food vendors in many other countries. Before she became a chef, she was a professional photographer, and she took pictures of food all over the world for an exhibit at the United Nations.

"Street Fare" will offer more than two dozen dishes from Southeast Asia, China, India, the Middle East, North Africa, Mexico and the U.S., a noodle bar and a taco bar.

“These are many of my favorite foods,” said Snow.

She describes the meal as “a big ‘grazing’ event.” Guests will meander from dish to dish on two floors, stopping to sit and eat wherever they choose.

Wine and beer are included in the price of the meal, and a cocktail bar will also be available.

Don’t confuse grazing with light snacking, said Snow. The dishes will add up to a very hearty meal. “People should definitely not eat before they come,” she said. “There will be wonderful food and lots of it.”

Choices will include samosas with tamarind sauce, spring rolls, Vietnamese noodle soup, pork belly and grilled pork meatball banh mi, sates, chorizo, jicama-and-orange salad and churros with Mexican chocolate sauce.

A whole spit-roasted lamb will have such accompaniments as baba ganoush, cucumber salad, hummus and other Middle Eastern and North African specialties.

American street food will include lobster rolls, Philly cheese steaks, mini Chicago dogs and ice cream sandwiches.

Familiar, maybe, but don’t expect anything pedestrian. The French fries, for example, are cut at the restaurant and come with a truffle mayonnaise and hand-made ketchup.

Snow is donating her services and, thanks to sponsors all over the Valley, almost everything else is donated, too, including the wine and the printing of the invitations.

Snow said street fare is also becoming a trend in this country, going beyond the traditional hot dog cart. “I was just in Austin, Texas,” said Snow, “which has 1,600 food wagons.”

Here is a recipe that Snow will be preparing for the fund-raiser:

Pork Adobo Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Tomatillo Salsa and Lime Crema (serves 8)

2 pounds pork shoulder cut into 3 inch strips
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups adobo sauce (see below)

1. Place a sauce pan or skillet over medium high heat. Add pork, onion, garlic and water to barely cover. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook 20-30 minutes. When meat is tender, drain but reserve the broth.

2. In a sauté pan over medium high heat, add oil. Add 2 cups adobo and cook for 10 minutes, stirring and scraping pan. Adjust salt and add meat, stirring and simmering for 10 minutes.

3. Place pork adobo in warm soft corn or flour tortilla and top with salsa and lime crema.

Adobo Sauce

10 ancho chilis, seeded
1 cup water
8 garlic cloves, smashed
6 peppercorns, smashed
4 cloves
2 bay leaves
1 small tomato, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon cumin, ground
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1. Toast anchos on grill of hot pan for about 30 seconds. Place in a saucepan with hot water to cover peppers and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain and discard the cooking water.

2. Place garlic, spices, herbs and chilis in food processor. Add 1/4 cup of water and puree to make a paste. Add more water if necessary, but very little at a time.

3. Run the sauce through a strainer to remove any bits.

Grilled Pineapple Tomatillo Salsa

Mix these ingredients:
1 pineapple, grilled and chopped into 1/4-inch dices
3 tomatillos, chopped finely
1 habanero pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Lime Crema

Whisk together well:
2 cups sour cream or yogurt
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
Salt to taste

Bannish failed to present an adequate number of nominating signatures for re-election 2 years ago.

David Bannish

WESTFIELD – Former City Councilor David A. Bannish, who failed to present an adequate number of nominating signatures for re-election two years ago, is seeking a return to his former at-large seat in the Nov. 8 city elections.

Bannish was unable to be reached for comment Friday, but he is among several prospective candidates who obtained nomination papers for the upcoming election this past week.

Bannish served 20 years on the City Council until the 2009 election when he failed to qualify for re-election.

City Clerk Karen M. Fanion advises candidates to submit a minimum 60 signatures of registered voters for certification. In 2009, Bannish submitted 56 signatures but during the certification process 10 were disqualified. A minimum of 50 valid signatures are required to certify candidates.

Also obtaining nominations papers this week for council at-large were Agma Maria Sweeney of 14 Pleasant St. and Michael Burns of 19 Kylie Lane. Sweeney currently is an aide to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst.

Ward 3 City Councilor Peter J. Miller, an aide to state Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, began circulating papers for re-election.

Three incumbent Municipal Light Board commissioners, Robert A. Paul Sr. of Ward 2; Francis L. Liptak, Ward 4, and Thomas P. Flaherty Sr. of Ward 5 have also taken out papers signifying their re-election plans.

Nomination papers became available April 4 and must be returned to Fanion by Aug. 9.

Candidates who have been circulating papers since April 4 include Mayor Daniel M. Knapik; freshmen at-large City Councilors John J. Beltrandi III, David A. Flaherty and Gerald E. Tracy; and potential challengers Donna C. Hoernig of 129 Ridgecrest Dr. and Robert Cree of 6 Malone Ave.

Four veteran incumbent Ward councilors also started seeking nominating signatures earlier this month. They are Council President Christopher Keefe, representing Ward 1; Mary L. O’Connell in Ward 4; Richard E. Onofrey Jr. in Ward 5; and Christopher M. Crean of Ward 6.

Jeffrey L. Gosselin of 29 Union St. is the lone candidate circulating papers for one of three School Committee seats open for the November elections.

Also obtaining papers two weeks ago was incumbent Westfield Athenaeum Trustee Alberta Humason.

Nomination papers are available at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall until Aug. 5.

A preliminary election, if necessary, will be held Sept. 27.

The deadline for new voters to register for the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 19.

Town Clerk Beverly Litchfield said the ballot is still unofficial because the last day for candidates to withdraw their names is Wednesday.

WILBRAHAM – The Democratic and Republican Town Committees have both endorsed candidates for the May 21 town election, and there are no races.

Town Clerk Beverly J. Litchfield said the ballot is still unofficial because the last day for candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot is Wednesday. The ballot will be official on Thursday, Litchfield said.

For selectman, the Democratic Town Committee has endorsed incumbent James E. Thompson.

For assessor, the Republican Town Committee has endorsed incumbent John M. Wesolowski.

For two positions on the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee, the Republican Town Committee has endorsed incumbents D. John McCarthy and Peter T. Salerno.

For Cemetery Commissioner, the Democratic Town Committee has endorsed Wilfred R. Renaud Jr.

For Water Commissioner, Thomas D. Pilarcik is a candidate for reelection.

For library trustee, the Republican Town Committee has endorsed two candidates for three-year terms, Llewellyn S. Merrick and Linda J. Moriarty.

For Planning Board the Republican Town Committee has endorsed incumbent Frederic W. Fuller.

For Wilbraham Housing Authority, the Republican Town Committee has endorsed incumbent Judy L. Cezeaux.

The fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage and displaced the 25 to 35 people who live there.

Republican file photo

HOLYOKE – A 4-year-old child playing with a lighter caused a fire at a three-story brick apartment building at 3 Laurel St. Saturday afternoon that sent four people to the hospital, including a firefighter who was trampled by the tenants rushing out of the smoke-filled structure.

Fire Lt. Thomas G. Paquin said when firefighters arrived they saw heavy smoke pouring out of the building and numerous residents laying on the ground who needed medical attention.

He said the fire was called in just after 2:30 p.m. and took between 20 and 30 minutes to extinguish.

The child was playing with the lighter in the first floor apartment, Paquin said. The fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage and displaced the 25 to 35 people who live there, he said.

Paquin said the residents will either stay with friends or in alternative housing being provided by the landlord, Atlas Property Management. The residents who were taken to the hospital were suffering from smoke inhalation. One of them was visiting from Puerto Rico.

He did not release the firefighter’s name, but said he may have broken his hand. Another tenant reported that she would seek medical treatment on her own.

Approximately 20 firefighters responded to the scene. The investigation was handled by the department’s arson investigators and troopers from the state fire marshal’s office.

View Larger Map

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has researched funding sources for repair or demolition at the Upper Bondsville Dam.

BELCHERTOWN – A report commissioned by the Belchertown Land Trust states that there are potential grants that could help defray the cost of demolition of the Upper Bondsville Dam and strategies for combining different funding sources for its repair and maintenance.

The report, produced by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, states “there are no funding sources specifically for repair and maintenance of dams,” but there are “possible strategies that could be pursued and some combination of these could conceivably raise sufficient monies for repair and maintenance of the Upper Bondsville Dam.”

Its findings are important to the Belchertown Land Trust, which reluctantly owns the Upper Bondsville Dam, which has been described in engineering reports accepted by the state as being in poor condition and a hazard.

The state has ordered the land trust to either take the dam down or repair it and continue to maintain it.

Preliminary cost estimates for repair or demolition have come in at about $350,000, an amount which Land Trust president James P. Fox said is considerably beyond his organization’s financial ability.

File photo | The RepublicanBelchertown Land Trust president James P. Fox at the Upper Bondsville Dam.

Fox said Wednesday that the board of directors of the Land Trust have not decided whether to demolish or repair the dam.

He said they will look into funding strategies and would be willing to turn the dam over to any individual or organization that would take responsibility for it.

Because of the impoundment that the dam creates upstream, many riverbank landowners and people who use the Swift River for recreation have urged that the dam be kept intact.

An organization formed to advocate for keeping the Upper Bondsville Dam in place, the Swift River Preservation Association, has filed suit in state Land Court seeking to prevent the Belchertown Land Trust from demolishing the dam.

Fox said the lawsuit drains energy and money from his organization, but he said his board of directors are pursuing strategies for either repair or demolition, including suggestions from state Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg, D-Amherst, related to involvement from the three towns along the Swift River – Palmer, Belchertown and Ware.

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission report mentions selling Land Trust property, the state LAND program, the state environmental bond program, Belchertown’s Community Preservation program, state grants for hydropower and betterments as potential funding sources that could be put toward repair and maintenance.

The Planning Commission report lists government agencies and private organizations that provide grant money for habitat restoration that could be used toward demolition of the dam.

» Read the report:

Funding Prospects for the Future of the Upper Bondsville Dam

Palin said Gov. Scott Walker's polarizing union rights law is designed to save public jobs.

Associated PressFormer Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at a tax day tea party rally Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By TODD RICHMOND

MADISON, Wis. — Sarah Palin defended Wisconsin's governor at a tea party tax day rally Saturday, telling hundreds of supporters that his polarizing union rights law is designed to save public jobs.

Braving snow showers and a frigid wind outside the state Capitol building, the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate told tea partyers she's glad to stand with Gov. Scott Walker. Hundreds of labor supporters surrounded the rally, trying to drown Palin out with chants of "Hey-hey, ho-ho, Scott Walker has got to go!" and "Recall Walker!"

"Hey, folks! He's trying to save your jobs and your pensions!" Palin yelled into the microphone. "Your governor did the right thing and you won! Your beautiful state won! And people still have their jobs!"

Walker, a Republican, signed a bill into law last month that calls for almost all public workers to contribute more to their pensions and health care coverage, changes that amount to an average 8 percent pay cut. The plan also strips them of their right to collectively bargain on anything except wages.

Walker has said the law will help balance a $3.6 billion hole in the state budget and give local governments the flexibility they need to absorb deep cuts in state aid. Democrats, though, think Walker wants to weaken unions, one of their strongest constituencies.

Tens of thousands of people descended on the Capitol to protest nonstop for weeks against the plan and minority Democrats in the state Senate fled to Illinois to block a vote in that chamber, drawing national attention to the controversy.

Republicans eventually passed the plan without them and Walker signed the measure in early March. Democrats managed to win a temporary court order blocking the law from taking effect, but tensions are still running high over the measure.

Capitol Police estimated about 6,500 people converged on the building Saturday, but said it was impossible to tell how many were tea partyers and how many were labor supporters. The Capitol Police is a division of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, a Walker cabinet agency.

The tea partyers appeared clustered in front of the building, waving "Don't Tread on Me" flags and signs that read "Public workers — the party is over," "Thank you, Scott," and "Tax and spend brings the end."

Counter-protesters surrounded them, banging drums, bellowing into bullhorns and ringing bells. Bitter arguments broke out along the edges of the two groups over everything from the size of government to corporate power. At one point conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart took the stage and told the labor supporters to "go to hell."

"I'm serious!" he screamed. "Go to hell! You're trying to divide America!"

The tea party crowd cheered and the counter-demonstrators booed as Palin stepped to the microphone. She said she was proud Wisconsin conservatives prevailed against union "hatred and violence" — even though none of the protests in Madison ever became physically violent and only one person was arrested Saturday, for disorderly conduct, police said.

Palin said Walker is working to solve Wisconsin's long-term budget problems so it can honor pension commitments to public workers.

"This is where the line has been drawn in the sand and I'm glad to stand with you in solidarity," Palin said.

She segued into attacks on President Barack Obama, accusing him of failing to control the nation's burgeoning debt, leading the country into war in Libya on fuzzy pretenses and ignoring rising gas prices.

Jeff Kuhn, 62, of Chenequa, Wis., carried a "Walker Rocks" sign to the rally. He said Palin's speech galvanized him.

"We're not giving up," he said. "The government union workers shouldn't be entitled to more benefits than us."

Tim Wersland, 44, an iron worker from Stoughton, Wis., shook his head as the rally broke up.

"I can't believe these people are for real," he said of the tea partyers. "(Palin) is ill-informed. She's biased."

Morehouse College posthumously awarded the bullying victim admission to the college of his dreams.

SubmittedCarl Joseph Walker-Hoover

Eleven area high school seniors have been named the first recipients of scholarships awarded by the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation in memory of the 11-year-old Springfield student who hung himself two years ago after relentless bullying at school.

In a fund-raiser gala Saturday at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to Peter Nasser Jr., Longmeadow High School, Payton Shubrick, Springfield Central High School, Susan Skaza, Ludlow High School, Angelo Liquori, Westfield High School and Jason Dinnall, Cathedral High School.

Scholarships of $500 were awarded to Quinn Hegarty, The MacDuffie School, Benjamin Gelinas, Longmeadow High School, Kabrillen Jones, Cathedral High School, Melanie English, Frontier Regional High School, South Deerfield, Stephanie Collins, Chicopee High School and Miles Goodwin, Holy Name School, Worcester.

“We were blown away with the students we interviewed,” said foundation founder Gwynnetta J. Sneed. “We interviewed a group of young people who have it all together, know what they want out of life, and they are going places.”

One of those, Shubrick, attended New Leadership Charter School where Carl had been a sixth grade student at the time of his death, and Shubrick said to receive a scholarship given in his name meant “a great deal.”

“I understand the pain of being bullied,” said the 17year-old, adding she had been bullied during her middle school years for “being a nerd.”

“I like to study. I care more about reading than wearing the newest sweater,” said Shubrick, a former writer for The Republican’s UNlisted teen section.

She added, “Bullying is becoming easier now with the Internet. This puts a whole new stress on teachers, parents and administrators to help teens be comfortable with who they are without belittling others in the process.”

Shubrick, who was wait-listed by her top pick of schools, Williams College in Williamstown, said she is happy about the prospects of attending Holy Cross in Worcester, where she plans to run track and major in political science.

The gala, which raised more than $11,000 for the foundation, was held on the eve of what would have been Carl’s 14th birthday.

Sirdeaner Walker, Carl’s mother who has supported the foundation since it inception last fall, said she was “so happy” that a scholarship “named in his honor” would help “other children go to college.”

Walker was given an additional accolade for her son during the evening when Sneed surprised her with the announcement that after being informed of Carl’s story by Sneed, Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., the only all-male, historically black institution in the United States, posthumously awarded admission to Carl.

“Carl had definitely wanted to go to college and to go to Morehouse, the historically black college that Dr. (Martin Luther) King had gone to,” said Walker, who was presented the certificate of admission by Sneed’s son, Nicholas, a Morehouse graduate currently with Teach for America in New York.

Gwynnetta Sneed said the certificate reads, “This is to certify that Mr. Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover was duly admitted posthumously to membership of the Morehouse College freshman class of 2015 on April 4, 2011. Carl is accorded all the rights and privileges appertaining to this membership.”

She noted the award date of April 4 is the day King was assassinated in 1968. She said she received a separate letter from Weldon Jackson, the college’s senior vice president, suggesting that “the whole world will know that Carl is a Morehouse Man.”

Walker, who helped get state anti-bully legislation passed and met with President Barack Obama about similar legislation at the federal level, described the event and awarding of scholarships in Carl’s name as “very rewarding and humbling.”

It was also announced that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the oldest Greek-letter organization established in America by black college women, is planting a tree on April 27 in celebration of this month’s Arbor Day near the campus of Springfield Technical Community College in memory of Carl.

During the evening, Kayden Behan, of East Longmeadow, 8, and Davian MacDonald of Holyoke, 4, students of guitar teacher Sharon Wayne of the Community Music School of Springfield were scheduled to play.

Carl had enjoyed playing football, soccer and basketball, had been a member of the W.E.B. Dubois Academy operated by the Black Men of Greater Springfield, Boy Scout Troop 35, and the Elms College Quest Program.

Gwynnetta Sneed, who is business manager for a Verizon corporate training program at Springfield Technical Community College, said the scholarship committee originally intended to award scholarships to only five recipients from the pool of four dozen applicants.

However, she said “the kids were so phenomenal” that all 11 finalists were invited to the gala without being told that they would all receive awards with six runners up receiving $500 from the foundation in addition to the top five getting $1,000.

Besides the interview, applicants were rated based on a submitted essay on bullying as well as on community service performed, leadership exhibited, appearance, grade point average and their Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System score or their score on the standard college admission test known as ACT.

“I was impressed with all of the students that we interviewed. They all had goals and were taking measure to achieve those goals,” said Regina Jeames, a senior application analyst at Baystate Health, who chaired the scholarship committee.

“Each of them were aware of issues in society, had suggestions on how we can improve our community, expressed compassion and empathy for others, and knew how to express them verbally.”

In his essay, Longmeadow High’s Nassar spoke of his own encounters with bullies and his efforts to stop bullying while MacDuffie’s Hegarty wrote, “Anti-bullying means resisting bullying in every sense, but it requires more; we must empower those who have felt it in their lives and let them know that we are there for them in every sense, dissolving the isolation they feel with our compassion and empathy.”

Besides both Sneeds and Jeames, the other committee members included Eileen Kirk, co-director of the Step Forward-Step Ahead program at Elms College in Chicopee, and Sister of Providence Senga Fulton, director of Annie’s House, a program of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute.

Paul Mueller, anchor for WGGB abc 40/FOX 6, was the scheduled master of ceremonies for the evening.

Money for this year’s scholarships was raised from donations as well as last fall’s Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5K Road Race and 2K Walk in Springfield’s Forest Park, an event Sneed said the foundation plans to hold again.

Other committee members involved in the foundation include the Rev. Peter T. Sylver, president of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and interim pastor at Martin Luther King Jr. Presbyterian Church, Myra Smith, vice president for human resources and multi-cultural affairs at Springfield Technical Community College, Denise Jordan, chief of staff for Springfield Mayor Dominic J. Sarno, Sheila K. Goodwin, senior vice president of retail banking at PeoplesBank, and Andrew Cade, senior vice president of the Urban League of Springfield.

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover

“Responsible decriminalization, responsible legislation, regulation and taxation are the way to go,” said Hadley attorney David A. King. “The laws as they stand are unjust.”

View full sizeMichael Beswick / The RepublicanStephen Fowler of the band Echo Movement Sunday at the 20th annual Extravaganja festival on the town commons in Amherst.

AMHERST – Rocker Steve Miller is a self-declared “midnight toker,” but he’s got nothing on hundreds of people on the Amherst town commons Sunday who sparked up at noon.

The 20th annual Extravaganja festival, put on by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Cannabis Reform Coalition, kicked off Saturday and continued for two days, the first time it has lasted more than one day since its inception. The event was chock-full of speakers, vendors and bands and was meant to raise awareness of the pro-marijuana legalization movement.

This year was also the first time participants were allowed to smoke marijuana openly without fear of consequences. If, of course, they followed the CRC’s rules, made in conjunction with local police.

Rule number one: smoke on the town commons and nowhere else. Rule number two: no selling drugs. Rule number three: no alcohol.

Emily Butler, spokesperson for the CRC, said the crowd had been “pretty good. We haven’t had any incidents.”

She said she wasn’t aware of anyone selling drugs, but she couldn’t be sure it hadn’t happened.

“We’re trying to keep an eye on that, but it’s such a crowd,” she said.

“It really is uncivilized that you have laws preventing you from doing what you want with your own body,” said Terry Franklin, who Butler said has been with the CRC since the beginning, in a speech to the crowd.

Extravaganja “is a Renaissance of freedom,” Franklin said. He detailed plans to bring protesters to the New Hampshire primaries for the 2012 presidential elections, as well as every campaign stop for every candidate, to push for legalization.

“This is going to be the largest issue group out there,” he said.

Butler said many in the crowd seemed lackluster in their support of the cause. Further, some people seemed confused about a 2008 state ballot measure that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing criminal charges with civil penalties, she said.

But the Amherst Police mostly looked the other way this weekend. Sgt. Jesus Arrocho said they patrolled around the commons and issued a total of 17 citations for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, but made no arrests.

"It's not really free and clear," said Arrocho. "Marijuana is illegal. ... People don't get a pass."

Amherst Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone said the town let Extravaganja run for two days this year on a “trial basis” and future events would depend upon “participant behavior.”

Butler said she believed the crowd had behaved and hopes the festival can run for two days again next year.

“Responsible decriminalization, responsible legalization, regulation and taxation are the way to go,” said Hadley attorney David A. King. “The laws as they stand are unjust.”

King engaged smokers in conversations about their Constitutional rights. He told them the laws surrounding search and seizure, self-incrimination and representation by an attorney.

"When it comes to drug cases, when it comes to traffic stops, when it comes to police encounters, so many people give up their rights," said King. "There are some very, very clear and serious protections for us as citizens."

"Do you think all these people should be in jail?" said Butler, gesturing to the crowd of peaceful smokers. "These are (our) neighbors."

Butler said the event had a positive impact on local businesses.

“Whenever you have that sort of influx, it definitely has that affect on businesses,” said Emeka Ihedigbo, who spoke on behalf of the restaurant Moti, which is in secondhand-smoke distance of the commons. “Only slightly adverse with the traffic situation, but it’s one of those necessary, happy evils.”

One shop worker, who asked not to be identified, said people mostly came in to use the public bathroom.

Mixed in with the crowd of teenagers to senior citizens were at least a few children.

When asked if it was appropriate for youngsters to come to Extravaganja, Butler said, "I guess I'll leave that to the discretion of the parents, but I wouldn't recommend bringing children here. I think they're safe."

“It’s really good to see this many people come out. It’s a taboo subject,” said Butler. “Obviously some people don’t like that this happens. ... We’re not trying to be in anybody’s face about it.”

Rescue crews searched for survivors in wind-blasted landscapes in North Carolina, the state hardest hit by the storm system.

By TOM FOREMAN Jr.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Rescue crews searched for survivors in wind-blasted landscapes Sunday in North Carolina, the state hardest hit by a storm system that spawned dozens of tornadoes from Oklahoma to Virginia and left dozens dead.

The spring storm, North Carolina's deadliest in two decades, spun off 62 tornadoes in that state alone Saturday night. Eleven people were confirmed dead in rural Bertie County, county manager Zee Lamb said.

Another four were confirmed dead in Bladen County, bringing the state's death toll to at least 21. Deaths reported by officials in five other states brought the U.S. toll to 45.

In the capital city of Raleigh, three family members died in a mobile home park, said Wake County spokeswoman Sarah Williamson-Baker. At that trailer park, residents lined up outside Sunday and asked police guarding the area when they might get back in.

Peggy Mosley, 54, who has lived in the park for 25 years, said she was prepared when the storm bore down on the trailer park. She gathered small pillows and other material and hunkered down in her small bathroom.

"I went and got into my small bathroom and just sat in there and cried and prayed until it was over," Mosley said.

Farther up the street, Angelina McCaizie was also among those hoping to get back to their homes. She said she had been cooking when she saw the winds and rain pick up. She grabbed her children, nephew and brother and brought them into the kitchen, where everyone ducked until the storm passed.

When the storm was over, McCaizie, her husband and her brother went outside to check on neighbors. She said she saw several people bleeding and others with broken bones. McCaizie also said one resident ran up to her shouting, "Please help me! Please help me! I need 911."

"It was horrible," McCaizie said.

Gov. Beverly Perdue said Sunday that state emergency management officials told her more than 20 were killed by the storms in North Carolina. However, the far-flung damage made it difficult to confirm the total number of deaths. The emergency management agency said it had reports of 22 fatalities, and media outlets and government agency tallies did not all match. The National Weather Service said 23 died in the state, including one in Johnston County, but an emergency management chief there told The Associated Press nobody died in that area.

The storm claimed its first lives Thursday night in Oklahoma, then roared through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Authorities have said seven died in Arkansas; seven in Alabama; two in Oklahoma; and one in Mississippi. In Virginia, local emergency officials reported seven storm-related deaths, said Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesman Bob Spieldenner.

Spieldenner said the state medical examiner's office confirmed one person died in Gloucester, where a tornado hit; two died in flash flooding in Waynesboro; and one person died in Wythe County when a tree fell on a mobile home. Officials were still investigating another two deaths reported in Gloucester and one in Page County.

In North Carolina, the governor declared a state of emergency and said the 62 tornadoes reported were the most since March 1984, when a storm system spawned 22 twisters in the Carolinas that killed 57 people — 42 in North Carolina — and injured hundreds.

Daybreak brought news of a horrific death toll in Bertie County, a place of about 21,000 people about 130 miles east of Raleigh. The tornado moved through about 7 p.m. Saturday, sweeping homes from their foundations, demolishing others, and flipping cars on tiny rural roads between Askewville and Colerain, Lamb said. At least three of those who died were from the same family, he said.

One of the volunteers who scoured the rubble was an Iraq war veteran who told Lamb he was stunned by what he saw.

"He did two tours of duty in Iraq and the scene was worse than he ever saw in Iraq — that's pretty devastating," Lamb said.

As dawn broke, dozens of firefighters, volunteers and other officials were meeting in a makeshift command center to form search teams to fan out to the hardest-hit areas.

"There were several cases of houses being totally demolished except for one room, and that's where the people were," he said. "They survived. Pretty devastating."

The aftermath of the storm left the county commission chairman unable to recognize areas from the county where he grew up, graduated high school and lived most of his life.

L.C. Hoggard said the storms were another terrible blow to the county that was devastated by flooding last October. The water submerged the county seat of Windsor, damaging 200 homes and businesses. No one lost their lives in the flooding. But Hoggard said the tornado was going to have a staggering emotional impact.

"You might not recognize a name. But you recognize faces and families," Hoggard said. "That's how it is in rural communities."

Scenes of destruction across the South looked eerily similar in many areas.

Police and rescue crews began conducting house-to-house searches later Saturday at a mobile home park in north Raleigh, where the storm snapped some trees in half, ripped others out of the ground and tossed some trailers from one side of a street to the other.

At the Cedar Creek Mobile Home Park in Dunn, one woman died while another man was critically hurt when a car was blown atop him outside his home, said Police Chief B.P. Jones.

More than half the 40 homes in the park were unrecognizable piles of debris Sunday morning. A bulldozer was scooping up wood beams and piling them up in a different part of the park. In one home, all that was left was the seat of a recliner — the back gone — and a bathtub.

In Bladen County, the dead included a 92-year-old father and his 50-year-old son. They were killed when they were thrown from their adjacent mobile homes in the town of Ammon. A 52-year-old woman also died in Ammon, and a 50-year-old man died in Bladenboro — both also thrown from their homes, County Medical Examiner Kenneth Clark said.

Bladen County emergency management chief Bradley Kinlaw said 82 homes were damaged and 25 destroyed in Saturday's storms. The path of destruction was narrow — but at least six miles long, he said.

In Sanford, about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, a busy shopping district was pummeled by the storms, with some businesses losing rooftops in what observers described as a ferocious tornado. The Lowe's Home Improvement Center in Sanford looked flattened, with jagged beams and wobbly siding sticking up from the pancaked entrance. Cars in the parking lot were flipped by the winds.

Remarkably, no one was seriously injured at the Lowe's, thanks to a quick-thinking manager who herded more than 100 people into a back area with no windows to shatter.

"It was really just a bad scene," said Jeff Blocker, Lowe's regional vice president for eastern North Carolina. "You're just amazed that no one was injured."

Associated Press writers Emery P. Dalesio in Dunn, Jeffrey Collins and Page Ivey in Columbia, S.C., Jackie Quinn in Washington, D.C., Zinie Chen Sampson in Richmond, Va., and Jeff Martin and Jacob Jordan in Atlanta contributed to this report.