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Federal Street, Bay Road intersection in Belchertown due for changes because of accidents

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Shorter term solutions include adding a “Stop Ahead” sign to the Bay Road approach, trimming vegetation all around the area, and repainting pavement markings, the Stop line and pavement edge lines.


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BELCHERTOWN – A draft of a traffic study on the intersection of Federal Street and Bay Road recommends changing the roads geometrically to improve visibility and reduce the high number of crashes.

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission found that an average of 24,845 vehicles approach the unsignaled, Y-shaped intersection every day. From 2006 through 2010, there were 16 crashes there, or .8 per million.

Belchertown is in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s District 2, where the average crash rate for unsignaled intersections is .67 per million.

Fifteen of the accidents were rear-end collisions and one occurred at an angle when a turning driver failed to yield the right-of-way. Four of the rear-enders caused injuries, the report said, and five occurred when the road was wet. All but two accidents happened during daylight hours.

Bay Road intersects Federal Street at an acute angle, which the report says limits sight distance to the north. It recommends changing the Y shape to a T and redefining the movements of drivers on the Bay Road approach.

“Changing the geometry ... is a long term improvement measure,” the report reads. The town proposed installing a roundabout, but the location’s downward gradient would make that difficult.

The report suggested the town commission an engineering study to try to solve these and other problems with visibility and safety, including the fact that the right turn onto Federal Street appears to be a straight-away and drivers sometimes run the “Stop” sign.

Belchertown Department of Public Works Superintendent Steven J. Williams said that since Federal Street is a state road, the town will have to work hand-in-hand with MassDOT.

“Any corrective measures, whether they’re short-term or long-term, will have to be coordinated with them,” he said.

If it came down to the need for major reconstruction, Williams said he anticipates the state would approve it.

Shorter term solutions include adding a “Stop Ahead” sign to the Bay Road approach, trimming vegetation all around the area, and repainting pavement markings, the Stop line and pavement edge lines.

“That’s something we can take care of, weather permitting,” Williams said, who added the work would be difficult in the winter.

He said that, despite the high number of crashes, the intersection isn’t “infamous.” In fact, it’s not even the most dangerous in town.

The intersection of Federal Street and Route 202 was number 70 on the planning commission’s 2008 report of the 100 most dangerous intersections in the Pioneer Valley region.

The Board of Selectmen will have an opportunity to suggest changes to the report at the Feb. 13 meeting, and then a final draft will be released.


Operator of Muslim website expected to plead guilty to threatening creators of 'South Park' TV show

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Younus Abdullah Mohammad, a Muslim convert from Brooklyn, ran a website that threatened 0the creators of the controversial cartoon for an episode that allegedly disparaged the prophet Muhammad.

trey & matt.jpgMatt Stone, left, and Trey Parker, the creators of the controversial cartoon show, "South Park," were the recipients of death threats posted on a radical Muslim website, according to federal prosecutors.

"South Park," the irreverent cartoon known for its raunchy, anything-goes humor, seems to have escaped the cross-hairs — for now, anyway.

Younus Abdullah Mohammad, a co-founder of the website Revolution Muslim, is expected to accept a plea deal Thursday in a Virginia federal court that could result in a prison sentence for the Brooklyn, N.Y., native.

An episode of "South Park" that allegedly insulted the prophet Muhammad invoked the ire of many Muslims. That outcry included threats posted on Revolution Muslim, which is operated by a radical New York City-based group that supports al-Qaida's worldview.

Mohammad was born Jesse Curtis Morton. The convert to Islam has remained in custody since his arrest in Morocco in October 2011, according to federal officials.

James Hundley, Mohammad's attorney, confirmed that his client is scheduled to plead guilty today to three counts, including communicating threats.

Politico reports that Mohammad helped write a "clarification statement" that amounted to a further threat against the creators of "South Park," a controversial cable TV show that has triggered past criticism from groups offended by its brand of humor.

That clarification included new threats and prayers for the deaths of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of "South Park," according to federal prosecutors.

In a CNN interview in 2009, Mohammad defended the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and argued that further attacks on Americans were justified.

Zachary Chesser, another operator of the Revolution Muslim website, received a 25-year prison sentence last year for similar offenses against "South Park." Chesser admitted to posting threats against Parker and Stone for an episode that depicted the prophet Muhammad in a bear costume.

Light snow and a blast of frigid temperatures heading towards Western Massachusetts

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Sunday wind chill will make it feel like temperatures are in the single digits.

moon_0119.jpg02.09.2012 | SPRINGFIELD - The moon sets over Interstate 91 Thursday morning.

SPRINGFIELD – Mild weather for the end of the work week will give way to light snow Saturday and frigid temperatures on Sunday.

Abc 40 / Fox 6 meteorologist Dan Brown said falling temperatures and rising winds on Sunday will make for one of the chilliest days of the winter.

“I think it will be the coldest feeling day,” Brown said, adding that the wind will make it feel like temperatures are in the teens or even single digits.

A cold front moving into Western Massachusetts on Friday night will bring light snow on Saturday morning. “The weekend will have a winter look and feel to it,” Brown said.

Milder weather returns on Monday and temperatures will be close to 40 degrees on Tuesday.

Today will see plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low- to mid-40s, Brown said.

Easthampton man Jeremy Wright gets 17 years on gun violations

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An Easthampton man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for illegal firearms dealing and illegally possessing firearms.


BOSTON — An Easthampton man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for illegal firearms dealing and illegally possessing firearms.

Prosecutors say 37-year-old Jeremy Wright was also sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Boston to five years of probation.

He was convicted last May of possessing a Raven .25 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony.

In December, he also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful firearms dealing and one count of illegally possessing a Bryco 9mm pistol after being convicted of a felony.

Prosecutors say Wright sold guns stolen from homes in Westfield and Easthampton, in one case in exchange for drugs.

Official: 10 states, including Massachusetts, get No Child Left Behind law waiver

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The Associated Press has learned that President Barack Obama on Thursday will free 10 states from the strict requirements of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. The move gives long-sought leeway to states that promise to improve how they prepare and evaluate students.

obamaIn this Sept. 23, 2011, file photo, President Barack Obama speaks about No Child Left Behind Reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington. In its initial review of No Child Left Behind waiver requests, the U.S. Department of Education highlighted a similar weakness in nearly every application: States did not do enough to ensure schools would be held accountable for the performance of all students. The Obama administration praised the states for their high academic standards. But nearly every application was critiqued for being loose on setting high goals and, when necessary, interventions, for all student groups _ including minorities, the disabled and low-income _ or failing to create sufficient incentives to close the achievement gap. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

WASHINGTON — The Associated Press has learned that President Barack Obama on Thursday will free 10 states from the strict requirements of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. The move gives long-sought leeway to states that promise to improve how they prepare and evaluate students.

A White House official says the states are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The official says the only state that applied for but was denied the flexibility is New Mexico, which is working to get approval. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the states had not been announced.

The law requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014. Obama's action strips away that requirement in exchange for a viable substitute plan.

Massachusetts-based Dunkin' Brands returns to a profit in the 4Q

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Dunkin' Brands, which owns Dunkin' Donuts and the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain, returned to profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter as traffic at its Dunkin' Donuts stores improved and customers spent more.

dunkin donutsIn this photograph taken by AP Images for Dunkin' Brands, Dunkin' Brands CEO and Dunkin' Donuts President Nigel Travis celebrates the Dunkin' Brands Group Inc.'s IPO with a freshly brewed cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee at the NASDAQ stock exchange Wednesday, July 27, 2011 in New York. The NASDAQ logo was changed for the first time in history, incorporating the trademark double D's from the Dunkin' Donuts logo. (Gary He/AP Images for Dunkin' Brands)

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Brands, which owns Dunkin' Donuts and the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain, returned to profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter as traffic at its Dunkin' Donuts stores improved and customers spent more.

Dunkin' Donuts stores in the U.S. got a lift from strong beverage sales, limited-time breakfast sandwich offerings and sales of K-Cup portion packs, the company said. Baskin-Robbins benefited from sales of holiday cakes and cake bites.

The Canton, Mass., company reported Thursday that net income of $11.6 million, or 10 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31. That compares with a loss of $15.3 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding certain items, earnings were 30 cents per share.

This beat the 28 cents per share that analysts polled by FactSet expected.

Revenue rose 13 percent to $168.5 million from $149.8 million, thanks to increased royalty income and ice cream sales.

Wall Street forecast revenue of $160.4 million.

Revenue from Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. open at least 54 weeks or more climbed 7.4 percent and rose 5.8 percent for Baskin-Robbins.

This figure is a key gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.

For the year, Dunkin' Brands earned $34.4 million, or 32 cents per share, up from $26.9 million, or 28 cents per share, in the prior year. Annual revenue increased 9 percent to $628.2 million from $577.1 million.

Dunkin' Brands went public in July after being owned for several years by three big-name private-equity firms: Bain Capital Partners, Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners. The company has more than 10,000 Dunkin' Donuts locations and more than 6,500 Baskin-Robbins restaurants.

Kennedy moves ahead of expected congressional bid

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oseph Kennedy III has moved to a different Boston suburb ahead of an expected congressional bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

Joseph Kennedy IIIIn this photo taken Jan. 7, 2010, Joseph P. Kennedy III attends a campaign event for the senate candidacy of Martha Coakley in Medford, Mass. Kennedy said Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 he is forming an exploratory committee to run for the Congressional seat held by retiring Rep. Barney Frank, and is resigning his prosecutor's job in Middlesex County. He is the son of former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and a grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Joseph Kennedy III has moved to a different Boston suburb ahead of an expected congressional bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

Brookline's town clerk says the 31-year-old Kennedy came to town hall Tuesday and registered to vote as a Democrat, listing a Brookline address. He'd been living in Cambridge, which is in a different district.

Kennedy is the son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II and a grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy. The family has deep ties to the Boston suburb.

Kennedy announced last month he was forming an exploratory committee to look at a possible run for the seat.

A spokesman says Kennedy is taking time to listen to families in the district.

At least two other Democrats and two Republicans are considering runs.

Westfield Gas and Electric Department customers can expect to see lower bills

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Monthly savings should be about $12.50 for customers using both electricity and natural gas.

Westfield G&E.jpg

WESTFIELD – A combination of supply management, reduced wholesale prices and a new state energy grant spells relief for customers of the city’s Gas and Electric Department.

Department officials recently announced that supply and wholesale price reductions will lead to an average gas heat savings for homeowners of more than $9 this month and, along with electricity savings, the customers can expect to pay around $12.50 in his or her utility bill for February.

Department manager Daniel Howard said this week that savings in anticipated through June. “The price of natural gas has and continues to remain stable and unless that price goes haywire in the near future we anticipate the savings to continue for the next several months,” Howard said.

Howard said Westfield utility costs have, for years, been among the lowest in the state and the current reduced supply rates are “significantly lower than last February and even lower than last month.”

He said electric and gas supply rates are 9.7 percent and 10.1 percent respectively lower than this time last year.

The department currently serves 9,509 natural gas and 17,500 electric customers.

The department last week became the first municipal utility in Massachusetts to receive a state Department of Energy Resources grant to expand its local energy efficiency programs.

The $92,611 grant will be used to continue energy audits and rebates to customers, primarily the department’s commercial and industrial customers, Howard said.

“We will use the grant to continue all our energy conservation programs for both the residential as well as business customer but this grant allows us to expand the effort for commercial and industrial users,” the manager said.

That involves funds to assist in energy audits, energy conservation, energy efficiency and replacement of equipment such as motors.

Howard said depending on the type of business and its size, commercial and industrial energy audits can range in cost from $200 to $15,000.

“We can provide half the cost of an audit, which is done by a third party and then assist with up to 50-percent of the cost towards implementation of the audit’s recommendations,” he said.

Former Mayor Richard K. Sullivan Jr., now state secretary of energy and conservation, said Westfield and Chicopee Electric Light Department are the first municipal utility department’s to share state funding for energy conservation. Chicopee received $32,479 last week.

“These grants can be used for rebates to customers who install or upgrade energy efficient systems,” Sullivan said.

Westfield Gas and Electric Department is launching a $3.3 million project that will replace its 18,000 customer electric meters later this spring.

Howard said the project is expected to take three years to complete and is aimed at efficiency that ultimately benefits customers.

Installation of new meters will allow the department to launch an automated meter reading project with customer usage reported to the department through wireless and fiber optic systems already in place.

Customer gas meters will be upgraded to allow the same automated meter reading, Howard said.


Police in Deerfield and Bernardston part of ongoing probe into more than 100 burglaries committed in five states

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Investigators have recently arrested 7 suspects from Vermont and New Hampshire.


DEERFIELD
- Police here and in Bernardston are part of an ongoing probe into more than 100 burglaries committed over the last year in five states, primarily Vermont and New Hampshire.

The work of multiple agencies, including state police in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, yielded the recent arrests of seven men from Vermont and New Hampshire, according to a release issued by Vermont State Police.

Deerfield Police Chief Michael Wozniakewicz said Thursday that at least one of the burglaries occurred in the town. Bernardston police could not be immediately reached for comment.

A pattern of burglaries along the Connecticut River in Vermont, first noticed in the late summer of 2011, prompted law enforcement agencies, organized by the Windham County State Attorney’s office, to share information.

Investigators compiled evidence linking a number of suspects to approximately 100 burglaries in Vermont and New Hampshire, several in Deerfield and Bernardston, four in Maine and one in Virginia, according to the release.

The burglaries were generally isolated to small businesses, without alarm systems, between 2 and 5 a.m.. The suspects would take non-traceable items and such as cash. Entry was usually forced and often through a window.

Investigators arrested four Vermont men last Saturday for multiple counts of burglary, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass.

They are: Criscenzo Ruggiero, 20, of Westminster; Travis Noyes, 20, of Saxtons River; Lance Thomas, 18 of Rockingham and Christopher Goldschmidt, 18, of Athens.

Two other suspects, Cody Loewe, 20, whose last known address is in Bellows Falls and Dillon Lange, 20 of Alstead, N.H. , are currently being held in New Hampshire on charges related to burglaries in that state.

A sixth suspect, Logan Critchfield, 21, whose last known address was in Walpole, N.H., was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Keene, N.H., according to SentinelSource.com.

Vermont State Police said the investigations are ongoing, far-reaching with new crimes being linked every week.

U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren focussing on Scott Brown, not the Democratic primary

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Technically, Warren isn't yet the Democratic candidate in the U.S. senate race in Massachusetts. But she's already looking beyond the Democratic primary in her bid to unseat Republican Scott Brown in the general election.

elizabeth warren vs scott brown.jpgElizabeth Warren, left, and U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

Ask someone in the street who's running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, and you'll likely get this response: Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown.

Brown, of course, is the Republican freshman serving out the remainder of Teddy Kennedy's term and is now making his first full bid for the job. And Warren, of course, is the Democratic Party darling, a Harvard law professor and Obama confidante whose national stature continues to skyrocket.

But, before Warren sets her sights exclusively on Brown, she still must knock off two Democrats to ensure her spot on the general election ballot against Brown.

Which two Democrats? Marisa DeFranco and Jim King. Oh yeah, those two Democrats.

It's no fault of DeFranco and King that they're taking on Warren, the giant killer, the darling of the party's left whose fundraising prowess has defied conventional political wisdom.

Recently released Federal Election Commission data show that Warren collected $8.9 million in contributions in less than five months last year, while Brown collected just $8.6 million for all of 2011. While Brown's total is nothing to sneeze at, it kind of makes you wonder what Warren's total would have been if she had been raising money for those additional seven months. Warren already has spent about $2 million and still has about $6.1 million — a figure that's likely to rise as the campaign heats up.

Despite the improbability of either DeFranco or King posing any sort of eleventh-hour threat to Warren, the pair, who together seem downright chummy at times, does like to remind people that they're still in the primary race, which won't be decided until September.

Here are some highlights from an NPR piece by Monica Brady-Myerov (click HERE to read the entire article):

"We'd love to have Elizabeth Warren here and in other forums in the future," King said (after Warren failed to show for a recent candidates' forum at Boston Latin Academy).

"That way, we can articulate our individual positions on the issues that are important in this campaign. And, I think, hopefully you and I can be successful in getting that done."

DeFranco chimed in: "But if not, we're a pretty good show on our own, right, Jim?"

Marisa DeFrancoMarisa DeFranco

"That's right, that's right," King nodded.

And that's what they've become — a show on their own. Warren has been a no-show at five candidate forums held by Democratic town committees since she declared in mid-September. Two towns canceled their events after Warren declined to take part. There's one Thursday night in Maynard that Warren's campaign says she can't attend because of scheduling.

Maura Flynn, Maynard's chair of the town committee, says Warren is sending the message that "she's too good for everybody. This is the feeling that I get. This is very elitist to me ... when I hear that she's too busy."

Warren was not available to comment for this story. However her campaign noted that Warren did attend a union-organized forum last weekend. And her staff has held 95 meetings throughout the state and says more than 3,000 people have participated. Warren's campaign says she is working across Massachusetts to earn the Democratic nomination with the message that she'll fight for the middle class and take on big banks.

dec2011 james king james coyne king.JPGJames King

... Despite her absence from most primary forums, Warren is leading the Democratic field. She’s raised $6 million and a December poll showed she would beat Brown in a general election.

Meanwhile, DeFranco and King are running shoestring campaigns. DeFranco says she’s raised $50,000; King’s raised $100,000. They both hold campaign events around the state and make sure they spend time talking with people, as they did at the Boston Latin forum.


Elitist or not, Elizabeth Warren is among the brightest lights in a diminished Democratic Party (or 'Dimocratic" Party, as ardent conservatives are fond of saying). After all, who among us could go toe to toe with the John Stewart of the "Daily Show," who enjoys skewering politicians on both ends of the political spectrum. Warren got some laughs when she appeared with Stewart, who, needless to say, has yet to invite her Democratic rivals to an on-air grilling.

Todd Gazda, Diana Roy finalists for Ludlow school superintendent job

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Gazda is principal at Gateway Regional Middle School in Huntington Roy is curriculum director for the Ludlow public schools.

ludlow superintendent finalists todd gazda diana roy.jpgTodd Gazda, left, and Diana Roy are the finalists to become superintendent of schools in Ludlow.

LUDLOW – The School Committee has announced two finalists for school superintendent.

They are Todd Gazda, principal at Gateway Regional Middle School in Huntington, and Diana Roy, curriculum director for the Ludlow public schools.

Roy has been with the school system for 34 years and has served as an English teacher and curriculum instructional leader at Baird Middle School. She also served as acting school superintendent after Kenneth J. Grew stepped down from the job.

The two finalists will be interviewed by the School Committee Feb. 28 and 29 at 6 p.m. Both interviews are scheduled to be 75-minute sessions.

“These are both very good applicants,” School Committee Chairman Michael J. Kelliher said.

He said they were unanimously recommended by a Superintendent Search Committee appointed by the School Committee.

Serving on the Superintendent Search Committee were Selectman William Rooney, Brian Bylicki, James Cokkinias, Grace Dolan, Toni-Marie Mancuso, Karen Mowry and Brandon Nowakowski, a student at Ludlow High School. Also, Susan Pease, Irene Pereira, Pedro Pereira, Sheryl Stanton, Deborah Stephenson and Claire Thompson served on the committee.

Kelliher said there is a chance the School Committee will vote on Feb. 29 to appoint a new superintendent. He said he would like to fill the position as soon as possible.

Donna Hogan, retired principal of Baird Middle School, currently is serving as interim superintendent.

Grew, a retired school superintendent, served as interim school superintendent for four months after Theresa Kane resigned, but resigned suddenly on the advice of his doctor.

A Superintendent Search Committee was appointed last November by the School Committee with the goal of bringing a permanent superintendent on board by July. The superintendent position has been advertised to pay between $130,000 and $150,000, with negotiable benefits and a three-year contract.

'Homework Helper' program offered at Monson High School

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Homework Helper helps students who are not able or unwilling to complete out-of-school assignments, and helps those may not feel comfortable seeking extra help from their classroom teacher, the guidance director said.

Carrie L. Doherty and Nicholas Edward Smart.jpgEnglish teacher Carrie L. Doherty helps sophomore Nicholas Edward Smart, 15, with poetry on Wednesday at Monson High School. Doherty regularly tutors as part of the school's new "Homework Helper" program.

MONSON – Students looking for a little help with their homework can take advantage of the new “Homework Helper” program available after school on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Monson High School library.

Sophomore Nicholas Edward Smart took advantage of the program on Wednesday, seeking out his English teacher, Carrie L. Doherty, who stays after school on Wednesdays to assist students with their homework.

“Poetry doesn’t make sense to me, especially when it doesn’t rhyme,” Smart confessed to Doherty.

As Doherty helped her student master the finer points of poem construction and let him make up a quiz he missed on Monday, guidance director Robert Bardwell explained that the program began Jan. 4.

The first few weeks up to 25 students were staying after school. He said attendance has tapered off some as the semester has just begun.

Teachers have to offer extra help once a week per their contract, he said, adding “Homework Helper” is another way they can accomplish that. Students like it because they can be with their friends, use the computers and get that extra help they may need, Bardwell said.

Homework Helper helps students who are not able or unwilling to complete out-of-school assignments, and helps those may not feel comfortable seeking extra help from their classroom teacher, he said.

During the first few weeks, National Honor Society students also were assisting with tutoring, Bardwell said, adding they also tutored each other.

“It got off to a good start,” Bardwell said.

Juice and popcorn also were available for students, but Bardwell was unsure how long that would last considering the teachers are paying for the treats out of their own pockets.

“We are a poor district with few resources,” Bardwell said.

Doherty said she is teaching Smart’s class about classical and modern poetry and challenging what they think about poetry. Many think poetry has to rhyme, she said.

Bardwell said he is looking into grant opportunities that would provide after-school transportation. For some students, the lack of a ride home is preventing them from staying after school, he said.

Homework Helper is available from 2:15 to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, or Thursdays when there are Wednesday faculty or learning team meetings.

Coakley expected to sign on to national foreclosure settlement

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With the Department of Justice preparing to announce a settlement Thursday morning between the five largest lenders in the United States and attorneys general over foreclosure fraud, Attorney General Martha Coakley is expected to sign the deal as long as she can pursue pieces of her lawsuit against the banks, according to an official in the attorney general’s office.

Martha Coakley.JPGAttorney General Martha Coakley

With the Department of Justice preparing to announce a settlement Thursday morning between the five largest lenders in the United States and attorneys general over foreclosure fraud, Attorney General Martha Coakley is expected to sign the deal as long as she can pursue pieces of her lawsuit against the banks, according to an official in the attorney general’s office.

The official said Coakley would sign the settlement that could bring millions to Massachusetts for homeowners as long as she can continue to pursue claims that the banks illegally foreclosed on Massachusetts properties without holding the deed, and that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems concealed the identities of mortgage holders by failing to record transfers with the registries of deeds.

The two pieces were part of a lawsuit filed by in December that she called the first-of-its-kind lawsuit in the nation against five national banks alleging they engaged in deceptive loan practices and pursued illegal foreclosures on Massachusetts properties.

At the time, Coakley said she had lost faith in the settlement negotiations that had been going on for over a year with attorneys general across the country, while the banks criticized Coakley for abandoning settlement negotiations.

The settlement between the banks and the states has been reported to be between $25 billion and $30 billion. Coakley spokesman Brad Puffer declined to comment Thursday morning.

Investigators determine fire at new Longmeadow High School construction site was accidental

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The fire damaged several thousand dollars worth of insulation panels.

Gallery preview


LONGMEADOW
- Investigators have determined that the fire that destroyed several thousand dollars worth of insulation panels at the new Longmeadow High School construction site Wednesday morning was accidental.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, which did minimal damage to the structure, part of a $78.4 million project. It is being built next to the current high school and classes there were not disrupted.

Fire Capt. Gerald Macsata said investigators have deemed the fire to be accidental. The exact source is not known, however, and the investigation has been closed.

The panels, each larger than a sheet of plywood, were located on an upper level deck on the football field side of the new building.

Construction of the school and grounds began last year and the school is expected to open in the fall of 2013.

Granby considers buying land around Forge Pond, near Mount Holyoke Range State Park for conservation purposes

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“It's the closest you can get to being on the ocean in Granby!”

GRANBY – The town’s reputation for rural beauty will be further enhanced if two land-related negotiations go through.

Granby is considering buying a large parcel of idyllic land surrounding Forge Pond from the Partyka family.

At the same time, the state is considering acquiring forested land on Harris Street to make it part of Mount Holyoke Range State Park.

The Forge Pond land, about 146 acres of it, abuts what used to be the St. Hyacinth property, now occupied by the upscale MacDuffie School.

“It’s a wonderful area,” said Bill Shaheen, chairman of the Conservation Commission in town.

He jokes that the pond “is the closest you can get to being on the ocean in Granby!” The pond is 68 acres, and sits between Route 202 and Cooks Corner.

“The town could use the land for parks and recreation, for nature trails, for scenic viewing. Residents would get a beautiful recreation area,” said Shaheen.

The Granby Selectboard appointed member Louis Barry to negotiate a price with a Partyka representative, and the decision to spend the money would be up to Town Meeting.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation has announced that it is considering acquiring 39.4 acres of forests on Harris Street to be included in Mount Holyoke Range State Park and used for conservation purposes and passive recreation.

The state would fund the acquisition through its payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) system, said Town Administrator Christopher Martin, which means the town would no longer have to pay taxes on the land.

“In my opinion, it would be a good thing,” said Martin.

“We wouldn’t have to worry about subdivisions going up,” said Shaheen.

“On the negative side, the town doesn’t get tax revenue,” he said, though if nature-loving visitors are attracted to Granby by these new resources, they might wind up helping businesses in town by buying what they need from local merchants.


Holyoke street-gang sweep results in 20 arrests for drugs and weapons

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Hampden County DA Mark Mastroiannia said some individuals who were already in custody were hit with additional charges in the investigation.

010511 mark mastroianni mug.jpgMark G. Mastroianni

HOLYOKE – Federal, state and local police arrested 20 alleged street gang members on drug and firearms charges in morning raids that netted 3,300 bags of heroin and two guns.

“It was directed at specific gang activity,” Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said.

Besides the 20 arrests, charges were filed against six individuals already in custody and warrants are outstanding for four other people, he said.

The defendants, whose names weren’t immediately available, were arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Thursday and pre-trial hearing dates were set, he said.

Arraignment of Nancy Gehrung, charged in connection with Northampton Christmas break-in, postponed

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Gehrung is currently being held without bail at the Chicopee Women's Correctional Center.

Nancy Gehrung 121811.jpgNancy Gehrung, of Northampton, is seen readying an outside Christmas display at Nancy's Flower Depot on White Street in Springfield Dec. 18.

NORTHAMPTON – The arraignment of Nancy Gehrung, a city woman charged in connection with an armed burglary on Massasoit Street on Christmas Day, was postponed from Thursday to Feb. 23 in Hampshire Superior Court.

Gehrung had been indicted by the grand jury last month after she allegedly broke into the Northampton home on Dec. 25 and pointed a loaded firearm at the residents when they returned home from a movie. 


The arraignment was postponed because Gehrung, 48, the owner of a Springfield flower shop, needs to hire counsel because she does not qualify to have a court-appointed attorney.

Gehrung is currently being held without bail at the Chicopee Women's Correctional Center.

Debt deal in Greece leads to modest rally on Wall Street

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Greece announced an agreement to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that could have shocked the world financial system.

By CHRISTINA REXRODE | AP Business Writer

020912_michael_mozian.jpgMichael Mozian (center) with Global Direct Equities works the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

NEW YORK — The stock market finally got a deal in Greece, but it didn't produce much of a rally.

U.S. stocks rose Thursday morning after Greece announced an agreement to cut costs and keep from defaulting on its debt next month, an event that could have shocked the world financial system.

But stocks dropped later in the morning and never returned to their highs for the day. Analysts cautioned that the market had expected the deal in Greece and warned that Europe still faced problems.

"We still have a lot of wood to chop," said Jeremy Zirin, chief equity strategist at UBS Wealth Management.

The Dow Jones industrial average finished up 6.51 points at 12,890.46. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1.99 to 1,351.95. The Nasdaq composite index climbed 11.37 to 2,927.23.

Earlier in the day, the Dow was as high as 12,924.71, its highest level during a trading day since May 20, 2008. That was also the last day the average traded above 13,000.

In the afternoon, the S&P rose as high as 1,354.32, more than double its level on March 9, 2009, the low for stocks during the Great Recession. It last closed at double the low last July. The Nasdaq is trading at its highest level since December 2000.

The markets have had a strong start this year, mostly because of optimism about the economy. The Dow has gained 5.5 percent, the S&P 7.5 percent. But Zirin said the markets had assumed Greece would reach a deal to keep from defaulting, which is why stocks didn't skyrocket on the news.

The deal calls for Greece to make steep cuts in government jobs and spending. Greece's so-called troika of lenders — the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund — insisted on the cuts.

The cuts are one condition of a €130 billion bailout for Greece, without which it can't afford €14.5 billion worth of bond payments due March 20.

But the cuts will be hard to implement in a country that has grown used to profligate government spending. Workers are already protesting that job cuts and pay cuts have been too severe.

The country has missed other targets for reducing its debts. It also still has to persuade private investors to agree to losses on their holdings, which will make those investors less likely to buy Greek bonds in the future.

And other European countries, notably Portugal and Italy, still have long-term debt that economists warn could be unsustainable.

Nigel Travis, CEO of Dunkin' Brands, said the agreement in Greece will be a psychological boost for consumers. And when they feel good about the economy, they're more likely to spend, regardless of whether their wealth is directly affected, he said.

But Travis, whose company runs Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, said Greece wasn't the most pressing problem facing his franchisees. They're more concerned about the U.S. presidential election and getting clarity on whether terms for government-backed small-business loans will change and whether a cut in the Social Security payroll tax will be extended.

"I think it's good news," Travis said of the Greece deal. "Whether it actually solves the euro problem, you have to question."

The euro rose slightly against the dollar to $1.33, its highest level in two months. Bond prices fell slightly. The yield on the U.S. government's benchmark 10-year note rose to 2.04 percent from 1.99 percent Wednesday.

Stocks were also helped Thursday by U.S. jobs data. The number of people seeking unemployment assistance fell to its lowest level since April 2008.

Apple closed in on $500 per share and set an all-time high after reports that it will unveil the iPad 3 at an event in March. The stock has been on a tear for six weeks, rising 22 percent since the start of the year and securing Apple's place, at least for now, as the world's most valuable company by market cap, ahead of Exxon Mobil.

Last month, the company that transformed how Americans listen to music, check email and share photos announced that sales of the iPhone and iPad more than doubled in the last three months of last year. Apple stock closed at $493.17, up almost 4 percent, after touching a record high of $496.75. That's up from $405 just since Dec. 30.

But other stocks didn't fare so well. Among losers for the day:

• Diamond Foods, maker of Emerald Nuts and Pop Secret popcorn, plunged 37 percent. It announced late Wednesday that it was ousting its top two executives amid allegations of improper accounting.

• Groupon, the daily deal website, fell 14 percent after it announced a surprising quarterly loss in its first earnings report as a public company.

• TripAdvisor, the website where travelers can post advice and reviews, lost 15 percent after it missed analysts' earnings expectations. Like Groupon, TripAdvisor was also making its first earnings report as a public company. The website spun off from Expedia in December.

• PepsiCo fell 4 percent after announcing it will cut 3 percent of its workforce, a defense against higher costs for materials.

Trial starts for 3 Springfield men accused in stabbings, shooting and home invasion after teen's birthday party

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Defendants Jonathan Morales, Ronney Martinez and Jean Pinero each face three counts of home invasion, one count of breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and three weapons charges.

Morales Martinez Pinero.jpgJonathan Morales, Ronney Martinez and Jean Pinero, from left, face multiple charges in connection with a home invasion following a Springfield teenager's birthday party.

SPRINGFIELD – Prosecution and defense both agree a woman was shot through the arm and four people got stabbed in the aftermath of a 15-year-old’s birthday party on Liberty Street April 10.

Assistant District Attorney Karen J. Bell told a Hampden Superior Court jury Thursday she will prove three defendants “knowingly participated along with others” in events that caused four people to be stabbed and one to be shot as well as the home to be invaded.

Defense lawyers for the three men said in opening statements in the trial before Judge Bertha D. Josephson their clients did not stab or shoot anyone, and there will be no evidence they did.

Defendants Jonathan Morales, 20; Ronney S. Martinez, 18; and Jean Pinero, 18, all of Springfield, each face three counts of home invasion, one count of breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and three weapons charges.

Morales also faces two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, three counts of intimidation of a witness and one count of resisting arrest.

Bell said the shooting victim was holding her hands up on the inside of her apartment door trying to keep the defendants out, when a bullet went through the door and through her arm and lodged in a dresser.

The five victims were treated and released the day of the party. One of those stabbed was the 15-year-old for whom the party was held by his adult siblings at 312 Liberty St.

Bell told jurors two juveniles were arrested also, but information is not public because of their age.

She said the older sister who hosted the party for her brother told people to leave at about 12:30 a.m.

Bell said the sister heard people making noise in the yard and went downstairs to make sure the outside door was shut. She said the three defendants wouldn’t let her shut the door and pulled her adult brother outside.

Bell said the three were part of a group of six to 10 people who were beating the adult brother. She said the other stabbing victims were trying to help the older brother, who could not tell who stabbed him.

Defense lawyers Anthony C. Bonavita for Morales, Susan Hamilton for Pinero and Jon J. Helpa for Martinez all described a very different scene than that described by Bell.

They said the party was attended by anywhere from 40 to 60 people, with people being texted by friends to come and people seeing it on the online social networking site, Facebook.com.

When the older brother of the 15-year-old tried to get people out of the yard “all hell broke loose,” Bonavita said. “Multiple fights erupted all around.”

He said the state can’t prove just because Morales was among the large crowd he acted as a joint venture or otherwise in the shooting and stabbings.

Hamilton said when the party ended and people went outside “it became crazy” and “little mini-fights” were breaking out all over.

“Everybody’s observations are vastly different,” she said, saying no gun or knife was found.

Helpa said jurors will not hear anyone say Martinez had a knife, stabbed anyone, or had a gun and shot anyone.

FBI file: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs driven by power, alienated some who worked with him

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One person told FBI agents the Apple co-founder's enormous power caused him to lose sight of honesty and integrity, leading him to distort the truth.

Steve JobsFILE - In this April 4, 1991, file photo, Steve Jobs, of NeXT Computer Inc., poses with his NeXTstation color computer for the press at the NeXT facility in Redwood City, Calif. Apple on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 said Jobs has died. He was 56. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

By PETE YOST

WASHINGTON — FBI background interviews of some people who knew Apple co-founder Steve Jobs reveal a man driven by power and alienating some of the people who worked with him.

In the FBI documents released Thursday, many of those who knew Jobs praised him, speaking highly of Jobs' character and integrity and asserting that he always conducted his business dealings in a reputable manner. They recommended him for a post during the George H.W. Bush administration.

The 1991 interviews were part of a background check for an appointment to the President's Export Council.

The Commerce Department confirmed Thursday that Jobs did serve on the council during the first Bush administration.

Export council members serve in an unpaid capacity and meet at least twice a year, advising the president on trade policy.

One person told FBI agents the Apple co-founder's enormous power caused him to lose sight of honesty and integrity, leading him to distort the truth.

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Another interview subject described Jobs to the FBI as a deceptive person — someone who was not totally forthright and honest and as having a tendency to distort reality in order to achieve his goals.

However, one former business associate who had a falling out with Jobs said that, while honest and trustworthy, Jobs nonetheless had questionable moral character.

The ex-business associate said he had not received stock that would have made him a wealthy man and that he felt bitter toward Jobs and felt alienated from him.

"Mr. Jobs alienated a lot of people at" Apple Computer Inc. "as a result of his ambition," an FBI agent wrote in an interview summary.

Two people associated with Jobs at Apple told the FBI that Jobs possessed integrity as long as he got his way. They did not elaborate, the FBI agent wrote.

Previously known parts of Jobs' life surfaced in the FBI interviews.

One person told the FBI that Jobs had a child out of wedlock and basically abandoned the mother and their daughter. The interview subject added that more recently Jobs had been supportive of them. Jobs publicly acknowledged his out-of-wedlock child.

Another interview subject told an agent that Jobs used illegal drugs, including marijuana and LSD, while in college. Jobs also publicly acknowledged drug use as a young adult.

Steve Jobs FBI file

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