Level 3 offenders are people previously convicted of sexual offenses and who the SORB considers to be of high risk to re-offend.

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Police Department has issued a list of 37 residents determined by the state Sex Offenders Registry Board to be Level 3 offenders.

Level 3 offenders are people previously convicted of sexual offenses and who the registry board considers to be of high risk to re-offend. It also determined that the danger each poses makes community notification appropriate.

All people convicted of sex crimes since 1981 are required to register with the Sex Offenders Registry Board.

The board determines the person's likelihood of re-offending according to one of three categories: level 1 or low risk, level 2 or moderate risk, and level 3 or high risk.

None of the people on the list issued by police are considered wanted, and the state warns against harassment of any of them.

A prosecutor said Sacco lured people from across the nation into paying "membership fees" to become freelance liaisons between “unconventional lenders” and people desperate for loans, according to the indictment.

SPRINGFIELD - A Belchertown man federal prosecutors portrayed as a financial snake oil salesman was temporarily ordered held behind bars until he can strip his home of any technology and post a $50,000 bond.

John Sacco, 63, of 32 Railroad St., was arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday after a search warrant was executed at his home, officials have said. He was indicted Thursday by a grand jury in U.S. District Court on seven criminal counts including wire fraud, aiding and abetting and illegal possession of a firearm.

The charges are linked to an alleged Internet scam Sacco orchestrated luring people from across the nation into paying up to $7,000 each in "membership fees" to become freelance liaisons between “unconventional lenders” and people desperate for loans, according to the indictment.

Sacco admitted to agents during the raid on his home that he placed ads in various newspapers, including USA Today, that read:

“YOUR FORTUNE NOW! $397K-$1.8M YR RECESSION PROOF GUARANTEED IMMEDIATE CASHFLOW WEEKLY WE PROVIDE YOU UNLIMITED WELL PAYING CLIENTS, UP-FRONT FEES TO YOU. WORK PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME - HOMEBASED. EXCLUSIVE! FULL TRAINING AND DAILY SUPPORT .¤.¤. INVITATION EXPIRES SOON. CALL NOW!”

The unlikely scenario drew hundreds of takers who dumped at least $800,000 in fees into Sacco’s accounts, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Regan. Alleged victims received rudimentary training materials and dead-end leads on clients and lenders in return, the charges state. When “members” asked for refunds, they were rebuffed by Sacco, records state.

Sacco, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in federal court on Thursday, operated businesses called SAC Business Services and Capital Financial, O’Regan said.

Sacco pleaded guilty to parallel charges in federal court a decade ago, and served eight months in prison, according to court records. Prosecutors originally asked that he be held without the right to bail pending trial, but relented.

“As he sits here now, he’s not thinking he did anything wrong. He doesn’t have a moral compass,” O’Regan told U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Kenneth P. Neiman, who agreed to release Sacco on strict conditions but expressed his own reservations.

“Either he doesn’t understand the actions he’s engaging as being criminal. or he doesn’t care. Either way we’ve got a significant problem,” Neiman said.

Sacco faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of the charges at trial. Neiman agreed to release the defendant on house arrest on Tuesday if Sacco and his wife sign off on a $50,000 bond, surrender any access to the Internet and Sacco agrees not to engage in any telemarketing or work in the financial sector.

The town attorney and mayor have parted company with the president of the Town Council on a legal mechanism known as the rule of necessity.

Simon J. Brighenti Jr.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Town Attorney Simon J. Brighenti Jr. reacted with surprise to the Town Council president’s disregarding of his legal opinion in a recent vote regarding overriding a mayoral veto of a $1.5 million cut the council had made to the health insurance account.

“I was surprised that she invoked the rule of necessity," Brighenti said Wednesday. "It is a court-created remedy to be used very sparingly and only as a last resort if you have no other option.”

However, Kathleen Bourque has responded that she feels she is on firm legal ground and she does not know of any requirement that she is bound to abide by the opinions of the town attorney.

Brighenti was referring to Bourque on Monday invoking the rule of necessity in letting herself and fellow town councilors Angus M. Rushlow, John R. Sweeney and Robert M. Mancini take part in a vote to override the mayor’s veto of the reduction by the council. She and those councilors are all enrolled in the city’s health plan.

Without those four councilors being able to vote, the nine-member board would not have been able to muster the six votes, or two-thirds majority, needed to override Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger’s veto required by the city’s home rule charter.

The Town Council voted 7-2 to override that mayoral veto of the health insurance account cut with councilors George R. Kelly, Mancini, Brian J. Griffin, Lida M. Powell, Sweeney and Bourque voting in favor. Casting the two dissenting votes were councilors George D. Condon III and Rushlow.

In justifying doing so, she said the councilors would file disclosure forms to the effect they would renounce any benefits, monetarily or otherwise.

However, Brighenti stated in his memo to councilors dated June 24 that attorney Loren Duca of the state Ethics Commission told him after consulting with other members of that board that the ability to override a veto is an option not a legal requirement.

“Therefore, the court-created Rule of Necessity would not apply as it has been held that the Rule is only applicable in instances involving a legal requirement to act,” Brighenti wrote in his opinion.

“I do represent the town and I do not represent either just the mayor or the council,” Brighenti said, adding that he wants to continue working with the mayor and the council “in the best interests of West Springfield.”

Bourque had requested the legal opinion on how the council could vote on the health insurance issue prior to Monday’s meeting, according to Brighenti.

The council president Wednesday said she believes she is covered legally because councilors have filed renunciation forms with the city. And as for the state Ethics Commission, Bourque said she, too, consulted with it prior to Monday’s meeting about invoking the rule of necessity.

“I was told they would not give an opinion on the rule of necessity because they don’t know individual cities’ charters,” Bourque said.

Rosa He said while he was speaking with Acevedo outside he heard shots, and when he looked up the hill he was shocked to see Marcus Dixon and Jerel Brunson shooting towards him.

File photo by Dave Roback / The RepublicanDaniel J Rosa is seen in Springfield District Court during his arraignment in January 2011 in the shooting death of David Acevedo III.

SPRINGFIELD – Daniel Rosa, on trial for murder, took the stand in his own defense Thursday, blaming a friend for killing 24-year-old David Acevedo.

Rosa, 21, testified in Hampden Superior Court he went to a Riverton Road house with Marcus Dixon and Jerel Brunson, his friends, to see Acevedo, who was also a friend.

He said while he was speaking with Acevedo outside he heard shots, and when he looked up the hill he was shocked to see Dixon and Brunson shooting towards him, Acevedo and Eric Carraballo.

Rosa said he had no idea his friends had brought guns to Riverton Road and he had no idea why they would begin shooting.

He said he believes Dixon killed Acevedo.

When defense lawyer Mary Anne Stamm finished direct examination of her client, Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni began cross-examination, in which Rosa admitted to telling some lies and tried to explain why things he said on a recorded telephone conversation from jail were not what they sounded like.

The three city men were charged as having participated in a joint venture to murder Acevedo on Riverton Road on Jan. 26, 2011, though Mastroianni said the prosecution alleges Rosa fired the fatal shot.

Brunson, who did not testify at Rosa’s trial, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in January and was sentenced to a 13- to 16-year state prison sentence.

Dixon still faces a murder charge. Mastroianni had put Dixon on his witness list, but did not call him to testify at trial.

On the taped jail conversation Rosa refers to Dixon as a snitch and said all Dixon had to do was tell police the three were not together.

Closings arguments should be held Friday as both sides have finished their cases.

Mastroianni asked Rosa why – after his friends Brunson and Dixon were crazily shooting toward him, Acevedo and Carraballo – did he get in the car with Brunson and Dixon while they still had their weapons.

“I arrived with them. I didn’t think about why I just left with them,” he said later under questioning from his own lawyer.

Mastroianni played portions of the recorded telephone call between Rosa and another man, who is not part of this case, to try to contradict Rosa’s testimony.

Rosa had texted another friend after the shooting about how much he loved Acevedo.

But he acknowledged on the jail tape he and the other man were speaking in derogatory, obscenity-laced words about Acevedo.

Rosa said he lied to another friend when he texted her he wasn’t at the shooting scene at all. The text was displayed by the prosecution on a screen in the courtroom.

Rosa said he returned a missed call which turned out to be from a police officer after the shooting and lied and said he was in Connecticut when he was in Springfield.

Rosa admitted he said on the tape he would just point the finger at someone else.

When Mastroianni asked who he was going to point the finger at, Rosa said, “I can’t answer that.” As the cross-examination went on in the same vein, Rosa responded to many of Mastroianni’s questions with that same phrase.

Although both parties are rallying their respective troops based on the Supreme Court's decision, only time will tell who gains the political advantage advantage from it and what it will all mean in the long run.

Supporters of President Barack Obama's health care law celebrate outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, June 28, 2012, after the court's ruling was announced. AP Photo/David Goldman)

More politics news

SCOTUS ruling a victory for Obama: The Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Barack Obama's sweeping federal health care law handed the Democratic incumbent crucial election-year vindication for his signature legislative accomplishment.

• Reactions to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Obama's health care law
• Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act: Overview of ruling, context and what happens next
• Full Supreme Court ruling

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., pledged Thursday that he will lead the fight in Congress to repeal President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, following the Supreme Court's ruling that declare almost all of the legislation is Constitutional.

That vote, which is scheduled to take place the week of July 11, will pit House Republicans against Democrats in an election year challenge which Republicans will likely use to rally their base, similar to what took place during the 2010 mid-term elections.

And although an effort to repeal the health care law would require a Republican president and GOP-controlled Congress to actually succeed, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who represents the current 2nd Congressional District in Massachusetts, said he will work to preserve the landmark legislation into the future if given another term.

"As a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I worked closely with President Obama as he drafted the landmark Affordable Care Act, and I can tell you we are on the right path toward universal care for all Americans," Neal said in a statement. "I am committed to providing health care to tens of millions of hard working families, small businesses, young adults, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and preventative care for women.

"The Supreme Court correctly understood in order to achieve universal health care everyone needs to buy-in; this is why my fellow Democratic leaders and I, along with President Obama, included the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. In fact, we must all remember the individual mandate was a Republican idea that was supported by the Heritage Foundation."

U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., and his Democratic rival, Harvard Law School professor Elizabeth Warren. (AP & Republican file photos)

During the 2010 elections, many Republicans took a stance against the health care law as a campaign platform and defeated their Democratic rivals. This was the case for Sen. Scott Brown, a Massachusetts Republican, whose staunch opposition to the president's health care law earned the support of the emerging Tea Party activists who helped him defeat Democratic state Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Brown has since distanced himself from the Tea Party which helped elect him, but he remains strongly against the health care law.

"The federal health care law may be constitutional, but it is wrong for jobs and the economy. In Massachusetts, we had already dealt responsibly with the problem of our uninsured without raising taxes or cutting care to our seniors," Brown said in a statement following the court's announcement. "All we got out of this massive new federal entitlement is higher taxes, cuts in Medicare and additional debt at a time when we can least afford it. The bottom line for me is this law makes it harder for our economy to add jobs and for that reason I continue to oppose it."

Elizabeth Warren, Brown's Democratic challenger for his Senate seat, said the court's decision is reason to move past the health care debate and handle other pressing issues as a nation.

“Now is not the time to refight the battles of two years ago. Our country needs to move forward to create jobs and opportunity for all Americans—not fight endless political battles," Warren said. "Massachusetts led the way in health reform, and we will continue to lead the way in our efforts to reduce the costs of health care and ensure a level playing field for middle class families."

In the race to represent the newly drawn 1st Congressional District, Neal's Democratic competitors both highlighted what they see as reasons which make them right for the job.

View full sizeDemocratic U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Former State Sen. Andrea Nuciforo Jr. and political activist Bill Shein are all competing for the Democratic nomination to represent the new 1st Congressional District from Massachusetts in the House of Representatives. (Republican file photos)

Former State Sen. Andrea Nuciforo Jr., the Berkshire Middle District register of deeds,
said his work on the Massachusetts health care law, which the national system was modeled after, makes him the right candidate for Congress.

"The decision to uphold the individual mandate will allow more coverage for families, insurance industry accountability and reduced costs. The landmark Massachusetts healthcare bill that I helped author specifically included the individual mandate and has been an unparalleled success, so I am quite pleased that the national healthcare law was upheld," Nuciforo said. "My strong record of support for healthcare reform in the Massachusetts Senate demonstrates my commitment to this key issue."

Bill Shein, a Berkshire County political activist and writer, said that if elected, he would pursue a single-payer health care system where the money to pay for everybody's coverage would come from a tax-funded pool operated by the government.

He cited a bill, H.R. 676, or the Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act, as something that would support.

"As a member of Congress, I will speak out strongly in support of a universal, single-payer health care system," Shein said. "Why did the last round of health care reform not seriously consider some flavor of single-payer health insurance? Because advocates for single-payer were almost entirely excluded from Congressional hearings. And a public insurance option was quickly jettisoned to please the insurance industry – a significant source of campaign donations for many members of Congress."

Neal, Nuciforo and Shein will all face off on September 6 in a Democratic Primary where the lack of a Republican opponent makes the winner of that contest the new 1st Congressional District Congressman.

Republican file photoAnthony Cignoli

Anthony Cignoli, a Springfield-based political strategist who consults politicians on both sides of the aisle, said that although both parties are rallying their respective troops based on the Supreme Court's decision, only time will tell who gains the political advantage advantage from it and what it will all mean in the long run.

"The headline, however it is formed, will be the one that will dominate the immediate news in the 24-36/7 news cycle. This is a political victory for the President in the simplicity of the Court having held-up the law, though the decision is massive, complex and complicated and will be spun, interpreted and misinterpreted a 1000-ways-to Sunday by Evening News time," Cignoli said in a statement. "Politics is a game of blue smoke and mirrors and both sides will spin the truth of this so much in the next few days that no rational voter will be able to tell who won or lost – and more unfortunately if they, we, the people have won or lost before all is said and done."

The pool was slated to open last weekend but completion has been delayed.

File photo / The RepublicanShaina C. Tramazzo, of Leverett and her son Reee A. Tramazzo, play together in the War Memorial Wading Pool in Amherst in this 2006 file photo.The town hopes repairs to the pool will be completed soon.

AMHERST – While the repairs to the War Memorial Pool are almost finished, they will not be completed by Saturday, according to Town Manager John P. Musante.

Open swim, lap swimming and youth lessons will be offered at the Amherst Regional Middle School Pool until renovations are completed at the pool, which is expected in a matter of few days, according to the press release.

Red Cross certified lifeguards will be on duty during all hours of operation. Once the contractors finish and the pool is inspected by the Town's Health Department, all swim programs will be shifted back to War Memorial Pool.


The War Memorial Pool has been closed for several years and Town Meeting in May 2011 voted to increase the $1.5 million Community Services fiscal 2012 budget by $65,250 to pay for staff to open the pool.

But officials said the pool needed too much work and wasn't safe. Officials used some of that appropriation to open the Amherst Regional Middle School pool but voted at the November 2011 Town Meeting to spend $297,600 to pay for repairs regardless if the town received a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant.

The town did receive notification that it received the grant that covers 70 percent of the cost or $208,320 and should see the actual money by the end of June, Musante said.

The grant is paying for the installation of a liner, new concrete decking, fencing and lighting, new drain lines and piping to fix water leaks, replacement of the filtration system and upgrades to the filter house among other improvements.

Officials had hoped the pool would open last weekend, then targeted Saturday as the next opening.

The extra funding for the MBTA triggered protest from some legislators, including Sen. Gale Candaras who argued that the Boston-based agency lacks fiscal discipline.

File photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanGroups of people gather on the Liberty Street side of the Springfield bus station last week to urge the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to reject any fare hikes. Their wishes came true this week.

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg, D-Amherst said the $1.9 million cash infusion approved for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will not only balances its budget, but also signals a new willingness by state lawmakers to provide adequate funding for regional transit agencies statewide.

“Basically, this is a turning point,” Rosenberg said. “The regional transit authorities have been getting the short end of the stick for a long time and (now) they have received the same reasonable treatment as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,” he said.

House and Senate budget committees approved $7 million in additional funding for the 15 regional transit authorities this week, with the PVTA – the largest regional transit service – receiving the largest share.

At the same time, the Massachusetts Transit Authority, which has a $1 billion annual budget, received $49 million in extra funding, Rosenberg said.

The extra funding for the MBTA triggered protest from some legislators, including Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, who argued that the Boston-based agency lacks fiscal discipline and sound financial controls.

But Rosenberg said the amount awarded to the regional transit authorities is actually proportionally higher than the MBTA, which has received frequent bails outs in the past.

The willingness of the lawmakers to help the regional transit groups reflects the growing popularity of mass transit, and bodes well for the better funding in the future, Rosenberg said.

“It’s a great day,” Rosenberg said, adding the funding came after extensive lobbying by regional transit groups and legislators who support them.

Citing the $1.9 million state windfall, the PVTA advisory board Wednesday decided against fare hikes for the next 12 months. The agency, which serves 24 communities with an annual budget of $38 million, had a 8 percent ridership increase during the past 12 months, to 10.9 million.

The agency’s top administrator, Mary L. MacInnes, said the new funding will cover a budget deficit initially estimated at $1.8 million without resorting to fare increases or service cutbacks.

“It’s amazing news,” said MacInnes, adding that the advisory board approved a resolution praising the Legislature for supporting the transit agency.

The cooperative attitude between the mayor and City Council was far different from a year ago when the budget debates turned hostile.

File photo | The RepublicanChicopee City Hall.

CHICOPEE – The City Council approved a $163 million budget for fiscal year 2013 that added several new positions, some part-time, to enhance the city clerk’s office, the department of public works and the planning department.

Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette and City Council President George R. Moreau said they met a number of times over the past two weeks and said both sides compromised on proposals.

The 12-0 votes on nearly all the items and the cooperative attitude between Bissonnette and city councilors was a far cry from last year when the council cut a number of positions, including the mayor’s chief of staff and his administrative assistant, and Bissonnette stormed out of the meeting. Even some of the city councilors were criticizing their colleagues for the cuts.

“The process went very well for us as far as I’m concerned. There were compromises on both sides,” Moreau said.

The City Council agreed for the first time to create a full-time city solicitor at a salary of about $75,000. Bissonnette has asked the council several times for the position and members have repeatedly rejected it. Karen T. Betournay, the city solicitor, had been working part-time heading the office for $47,000 and served as the property custodian, earning $28,000.

As part of the compromise, the City Council eliminated the property custodian job, but Councilor James K. Tillotson told Bissonnette he could return in the future if it he felt there was a need.

The City Council also eliminated the proposal to hire an environmental planner post for $48,000 but authorized a $10,000 stipend for the development manager, who earns about $46,000, so he can work extra hours with the conservation commission and on projects that involve contaminated properties.

Bissonnette said he was happy with the idea. He wanted to hire and environmental planner to take some of the work load off City Planner Catherine L. Brown and said the position made sense since so many development projects now involve contaminated land.

Bissonnette also agreed with the City Council’s request to restore a position cut several years ago in the city clerk’s office, but recommended the new clerk also work part-time to do the paperwork for the city messenger’s office.

The council agreed with the job sharing idea, calling it a compromise that made sense.

“We came up with creative ways to provide those services in new ways,” Councilor Frederick T. Krampits said.

The council also agreed to eliminate a foreman in the Department of Public works and replaced the job with two laborers who will work primarily in forestry.

“All-in-all this is a slight improvement from where we were,” Bissonnette said about the budget. “We are almost back to where we were before the recession hit.”

The budget, which is a $5 million increase over the previous year’s spending, will guarantee free trash and recycling services will continue, the police and fire departments will be fully-staffed and class sizes will stay the same in the schools, Bissonnette said.

Operating expenses were $83.1 million for fiscal 2012, or 20.2 percent of net sales, compared with operating expenses of $86.9 million, or 25.4 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2011.

SPRINGFIELD – Gun maker Smith & Wesson has announced record financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended April 30, 2012.

The Springfield-based company had an income from continuing operations of $26.4 million or 40 cents per diluted share for fiscal year 2012 which ended at the end of April, according to a news release issued Thursday. That is up $8.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, a year ago.

Net sales from continuing operations for the full fiscal year were a record $412 million compared with $342.2 million for the prior fiscal year, an increase of 20.4 percent.

Operating expenses were $83.1 million for fiscal 2012, or 20.2 percent of net sales, compared with operating expenses of $86.9 million, or 25.4 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2011.

Smith & Wesson President and CEO James Debney said in a written statement: “We are very pleased with our results, which include record annual and fourth quarter net sales and profits. In the fourth quarter, we continued to deliver strong sales growth with our world-class products, including our M&P polymer pistols and our M&P modern sporting rifles. Our M&P brand continues to be well accepted by consumers.”

For the most recent quarter along , net income was $17.8 million, or 27 cents per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $4.4 million, or 7 per diluted share, for the same time period last year.

Founded in Springfield in 1852, Smith & Wesson has more than 1,200 employees at its factory and headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue.

Before raising the pay, Bump commissioned a report to look at how salaries in the office compared to similar positions in the public and private sectors. That report — which cost about $29,400 — found that in general, workers in the state auditor's office were earning less, Bump said.

Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump Suzanne Bump is shown speaking in October 2010. (AP Photo/The Patriot Ledger, Greg Derr)

BOSTON — Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump is raising salaries for her front line and supervisory staff, a move she said will help the office attract and retain more qualified workers and improve her ability to guard against fraud and abuse in state government.

Bump announced the changes as part of an ongoing shake-up of the office since she took over from longtime auditor Joseph DeNucci last year. Bump said about 70 staffers have been let go since then. Others left on their own.

Filling those positions with top line investigators means boosting their pay, according to Bump, who said the increases won't require any additional tax dollars or a bigger budget.

"It's all about making the most effective use of our resources and moving from a system that rewards one for just being in a job for a long time to one that rewards performance," Bump said. "This is about bringing this office into the 20th century."

Before raising the pay, Bump commissioned a report to look at how salaries in the office compared to similar positions in the public and private sectors.

That report — which cost about $29,400 — found that in general, workers in the state auditor's office were earning less, Bump said.

"Overall our salaries fall below what would be expected for the office," she said. "Some are above. Some are way below."

She said in some cases the salaries are so low that she's had prospective employees turn down job offers after they've heard how much the jobs pay.

Bump said she's raising the salaries of three key positions: field officer, senior auditor and audit supervisor.

The study found that audit supervisors were being compensated 15.7 percent below the mid-point in the market. The office currently has 28 audit supervisors.

Bump said she'll increase their salaries by 15.7 percent. That translates into an average raise of $9,453, bringing their average salary to $66,917.

The same study found that senior auditors were being paid about 7.6 percent below the market mid-point. There are 24 senior auditors. Bump is increasing their pay by 7.6 percent. That means an average raise of $3,782 for an average annual salary of $53,416.

For field auditors, the report found they were being compensated 12.9 percent below the market mid-point.

Bump said the office hasn't had as much trouble attracting field auditors, who do the work of gathering information for audits, but has had trouble keeping them. She said two field auditors recently left because they found similar audit positions in other state agencies that paid significantly more.

Instead of a full 12.9 percent raise, Bump said she'll boost the pay of field auditors by 7.6 percent. That translates into an average increase of $3,515, for an average salary of $49,892.

Overall, the increases will mean the office will be spending $517,186 more on salaries. The increases will affect 98 people out of an operational staff of 138.

Bump said she'll pay for the increase in part by redirecting money DeNucci had used to supplement the budget of the Bureau of Special Investigation and instead force the bureau to live within its budget.

Bump she doesn't need more money or legislative approval to make the changes. She also said there are no collective bargaining issues.

"It's all about making the most effective use of our resources," she said.

Obama's declaration Thursday makes federal funds available for emergency protective measures for areas affected by the High Park fire in northern Colorado and the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs. Federal funds also are available for crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance for affected residents in El Paso and Larimer counties.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for Colorado, releasing federal funds to help areas affected by two deadly and destructive wildfires.

Obama's declaration Thursday makes federal funds available for emergency protective measures for areas affected by the High Park fire in northern Colorado and the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs. Federal funds also are available for crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance for affected residents in El Paso and Larimer counties.

Colorado Springs officials say the Waldo Canyon person has left one person dead and has destroyed an estimated 346 homes.

The High Park fire has killed one person and has destroyed 257 homes.

Felix Hernandez matched his career high with 13 strikeouts in a brilliant five-hit complete game and John Jaso's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth scored Casper Wells to give the Seattle Mariners a 1-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

View full sizeAP PhotoBoston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia swings and misses to strike out against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 28, 2012, in Seattle. The Mariners won 1-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez matched his career high with 13 strikeouts in a brilliant five-hit complete game and John Jaso's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth scored Casper Wells to give the Seattle Mariners a 1-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

Hernandez (6-5) tossed his fifth career shutout and was one of the first ones out of the Mariners dugout after Wells' belly-flop onto home plate. It was the third time in his career Hernandez struck out 13, the most recent coming on May 22, 2011 at San Diego.

Wells lined a one-out double off Scott Atchison (2-1) into the left-center field gap in the ninth. After an intentional walk, Jaso came on as a pinch-hitter. He lined the first pitch for Atchison into right field for a single and Wells was waved around from third.

The throw from Cody Ross beat Wells to the plate, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia lost the ball as he attempted to make the sweeping tag and Wells dived onto home plate for the only run.

Hernandez was brilliant for a third straight start in one of the finest performances of his career. It was his 19th career 10 strikeout game and the first time he's ever struck out at least 10 in consecutive starts. The last Mariners pitcher to accomplish that was Freddy Garcia back in 1999.

The only time Hernandez was tested came in the ninth. It was quite the challenge.

Hernandez struck out Dustin Pedroia on a 3-2 pitch to open the ninth inning. David Ortiz responded with a line drive back up the middle on a hanging curveball that sent Hernandez sprawling to avoid the shot. He got ahead of Saltalamacchia 1-2, but missed on the edges and walked him on a 3-2 pitch, allowing a runner to second base for just the third time in the game.

Newly acquired Brent Lillibridge pinch-ran for Ortiz once the slugger reached second. Hernandez fell behind Gonzalez 3-0, but fought back to 3-2 before Gonzalez fouled off the next four pitches. On the ninth pitch, Gonzalez hit a shot to deep left-center that Michael Saunders chased down just before the wall. Will Middlebrooks then popped out and Hernandez was left waiting to see if the Mariners offense could get him a run.

Wells' double came after Jesus Montero had weakly flied out to open the inning. Boston intentionally walked Justin Smoak to bring up Jaso, who led the team in game-winning RBIs. He jumped on the first pitch and Saltalamacchia appeared to have plenty of time to apply the tag, but reacted with disgust when he saw the ball on the ground.

Wells' double and winning run capped a night where he was a star both at the plate and in the field. Boston batters tested Wells twice in the eighth inning.

He took away a hit from Mike Aviles with a sliding catch for the second out of the inning. Moments later, Wells was racing toward the left-field corner and made an even better backhanded sliding catch while crashing into the padded wall for the final out of the inning.

Aviles was the only batter in the Red Sox lineup that Hernandez did not strike out at least once.

Boston starter Franklin Morales was just as good as the more accomplished Hernandez. Making just his third start of the season, Morales gave up just two hits through six innings with only one of those leaving the infield.

Seattle finally threatened in the seventh when Smoak dropped a one-out single into center and Morales let loose with a wild pitch that advanced Smoak to second. But Morales got out the inning on an infield ground out. He gave up just three hits and striking out seven and walking just two. It was his longest start of the season after going five and six innings in his previous outings, but he left unable to get a decision.

NOTES:

• Seattle CF Franklin Gutierrez left after a single in the fourth inning when he was hit in the face on a pick-off attempt.


• Boston OF Jacoby Ellsbury and OF Scott Podsednik will both begin rehab assignments on Friday. Ellsbury will be with the Red Sox rookie league club in the Gulf Coast League, while Podsednik will begin his rehab at Triple-A Pawtucket.


• Seattle's first-round draft pick, Mike Zunino, won the Johnny Bench award on Thursday night as the top catcher in college baseball.

The Department of Public Health said Thursday the infection was confirmed in a sample collected in Boston on June 20.

Infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus.

BOSTON — State health officials say West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito sample for the first time this year.

The Department of Public Health said Thursday the infection was confirmed in a sample collected in Boston on June 20.

No human cases have been reported. Six cases of West Nile virus were reported last year.

Health officials recommend that people use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves, pants and socks when going outdoors, and consider staying inside during the peak biting time for mosquitoes, from dusk to dawn.

People are advised to drain standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs near homes and make sure windows and doors have well-fitting screens to keep out the insects out.

A family member claims U.S. Rep. John Tierney sat in the boxes with bookies at Fenway Park and knew all the details of the illegal family gambling ring.

U.S. Rep. John Tierney, D-Salem, denies knowing of the family's illegal gambling operation as his brother-in-law alleged while walking out of court on Thursday, June 28, 2012. (Associated Press file photo)

BOSTON (AP) — A brother-in-law of U.S. Rep. John Tierney blasted him on Thursday after being sentenced to three years in federal prison for his role in an illegal offshore gambling business that led to charges against Tierney's wife.

The Salem News and the Boston Herald reported that Daniel Eremian said outside the federal court that Tierney is "a liar" and "knew everything."

A spokeswoman for Tierney said the comments were "bizarre, unsubstantiated and false" and a result of a family grudge.

The newspapers reported that Eremian said of Tierney, "He knew everything that was going on. He sat in the boxes with bookies at Fenway Park."

"Daniel Eremian spent the last several years telling anyone who would listen, including a federal judge and jury, that he was innocent of charges the government accused him of committing," said Tierney spokeswoman Kathryn Prael. "Now he is claiming both to be innocent and that John Tierney should have known that he was guilty. His claims lack both credibility and logic."

Patrice Tierney served a 30-day jail sentence last year after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns for another brother, Robert Eremian, a fugitive who has been indicted on illegal gambling and money laundering charges for running Sports Off Shore in Antigua.

Patrice Tierney testified that she and her husband, a Democrat from Massachusetts' 6th District who is facing a re-election challenger, did not know that Robert Eremian was running an illegal gambling operation. She said she was managing a bank account to help him care for his children.

John Tierney has said his wife was betrayed by her brother, believing his income came from selling or licensing software to legal Internet gambling businesses.

The two newspapers reported that Daniel Eremian believes his sister was forced to enter a plea agreement with federal prosecutors to save her husband's political career, and said that for Tierney "to throw my sister under the bus for his career was wrong."

"It shocks and saddens me to learn that my brother would say something so utterly false about me and my husband in a moment of desperation and anger," Patrice Tierney said in a statement. She said her husband "has been nothing but supportive."

"It is demeaning for my brother to infer that I am not intelligent enough, even with the counsel of a well-respected lawyer, to make my own decisions," she said.

John Tierney's GOP challenger, Richard Tisei, said Eremian's comments raise questions about Tierney's fitness to serve. Tierney has previously said Tisei was unfairly bringing his wife's case into the race. Tierney was re-elected in 2010 less than a month after his wife's guilty plea.

Eremian, of Boca Raton, Fla., and co-defendant Todd Lyons, of Beverly, were convicted in December of racketeering, conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and wire act offenses. Eremian was acquitted of dozens of money laundering charges.

Lyons was sentenced to four years.

Prosecutors have said the business employed about 50 gambling agents in the United States who had hundreds of customers. They said the business laundered more than $10 million in checks and wire transfers.

Eremian and Lyons were ordered to report to the courthouse on Friday to begin serving their sentences. Lyons and his attorney had previously declined to comment on the case.

The U.S. Labor Department says nearly $2.7 million will be available to assist 345 Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs at AdLife Healthcare LLC, Fidelity Investments, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., National Grid USA Service Co. Inc., Quantech Services Inc. and Sun Life Financial.

BOSTON — A new federal grant aims to help Massachusetts workers who have been affected by layoffs.

The U.S. Labor Department says nearly $2.7 million will be available to assist 345 Massachusetts workers affected by layoffs at AdLife Healthcare LLC, Fidelity Investments, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., National Grid USA Service Co. Inc., Quantech Services Inc. and Sun Life Financial.

The grant money, which was awarded to the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development, will provide job search and support services, as well as employment-related assistance.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said the federal grant will help connect these workers with jobs in "growing local industries."

Layoffs at Massachusetts locations for these companies are expected to continue through the fall.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will present 1,665 candidates for naturalization at the ceremony scheduled for Friday at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.

In this photo taken March 16, 2012, Martha Estrella and other immigrants attend an American history and civic classes in Chelsea, Mass., in preparation for a naturalization test. Hundreds of volunteers are helping qualified immigrants become U.S. citizens in time to register to vote in the November presidential elections. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)

BOSTON — Immigrant supporters are pushing to register hundreds of new voters during a naturalization ceremony for nearly 1,700 people in Boston.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will present 1,665 candidates for naturalization at the ceremony scheduled for Friday at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. U.S. Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler will administer the Oath of Allegiance.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition says about 100 volunteers will attend the ceremony to register hundreds of the new citizens to vote in the November elections.

The MIRA initiative marks the official launch of a series of voter registration and education drives seeking to register 5,000 new citizens to vote.

The group says the so-called FIGHT BACK: VOTE Campaign will also push to turn out 20,000 new citizens to the polls.

___

Online:

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition: http://www.miracoalition.org

The sight of a young boy pedaling a bicycle in the northbound high speed lane of Interstate 391 prompted numerous calls to state police.

These were the most-read stories on MassLIve.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now.

1) South Hadley crash victim pronounced dead by authorities [Conor Berry]

2) Springfield police release list of 37 level-3 sex offenders residing in city [The Republican Newsroom] (Photo gallery at right)

3) Sight of boy pedaling bicycle in high speed lane of Interstate 391 in Chicopee prompts numerous calls to state police [George Graham]

4) Ann Curry to announce her departure this morning on 'Today' [Ray Kelly]

5) Chicopee police charge 32-year-old Springfield resident Taurus Mitchell with attempted murder after he allegedly rammed girlfriend with SUV [George Graham]

The Tianshan news portal said the hijacking attempt was made just after the plane took off from Hotan in southern Xinjiang for the regional capital of Urumqi. The regional government news site said the six suspects were detained by police after the plane returned safely to Hotan but did not immediately give any other details.

BEIJING — Passengers and crew on a plane in China's far-western region of Xinjiang foiled a hijacking attempt by six people Friday, a government website said.

The Tianshan news portal said the hijacking attempt was made just after the plane took off from Hotan in southern Xinjiang for the regional capital of Urumqi. The regional government news site said the six suspects were detained by police after the plane returned safely to Hotan but did not immediately give any other details.

The flight's operator, Tianjin Airlines, said on its website that the plane returned to Hotan 22 minutes after takeoff.

The airline's report did not give details on the suspects, such as their ethnicity. Hotan has been the scene of recent clashes between ethnic Uighurs and authorities. The Uighurs say they resent government controls on their religion and culture.

China's government says it has invested heavily to raise living standards in Xinjiang and that the country faces an organized terrorist threat from radical Muslim groups in the region.

Here are the average energy prices in the Pioneer Valley for the week ending today.

Pieces of gravestones belonging to military veterans were found in the sidewalk at the corner of State Street and Concord Terrace, and further up State Street, abc40/FOX 6 has reported.

This aerial photo shows the destructive path of the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows subdivision area of Colorado Springs, Colo., Thursday, June 28, 2012. Colorado Springs officials said Thursday that hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the raging wildfire. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti)

• One dead, two missing as Colo. wildfires rage [MSNBC]
• Huntington driver to serve year for crash that killed Easthampton couple [Daily Hampshire Gazette]
• Belchertown man gets 44 months for luring 13-year-old girl [Daily Hampshire Gazette]
• The healthcare reforms we still desperately need [U.S. News & World Report]
• Maine's AG 'disappointed' by Supreme Court ruling [NECN]
• Two arrested in Springfield drug raid [WWLP-22News]
• It only took the Army 16 years and 2 wars to deploy this network [Wired]
• Veteran gravestones discovered in Springfield sidewalks[abc40/FOX 6]
• Read more News Links »


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