Mitt Romney plans to stay on the attack in the race for the White House, but growing pressure from across the political spectrum to release his personal tax returns threatens to stunt the Republican presidential candidate's momentum.

The Associated PressRepublican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney pauses during a campaign event at Horizontal Wireline Services on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Irwin, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mitt Romney plans to stay on the attack in the race for the White House, but growing pressure from across the political spectrum to release his personal tax returns threatens to stunt the Republican presidential candidate's momentum as he courts voters across key Midwestern battlegrounds.

The former Massachusetts governor takes his fight against President Barack Obama to Ohio on Wednesday, building off fiery speeches in Pennsylvania the day before in which he accused his Democratic opponent of believing the government is more vital to a thriving economy than the nation's workers and dreamers.

"I'm convinced he wants Americans to be ashamed of success," Romney declared Tuesday in the Pittsburgh area as hundreds of supporters cheered him on.

Having spent most of Tuesday courting donors across Texas, Obama has a series of official meetings in Washington ahead of a two-day Florida campaign swing later in the week.

Democrats have pressed for the release of more of Romney's tax returns and hounded the Republican candidate over discrepancies about when he left his private equity firm, Bain Capital. Obama has been trying to keep Romney focused on matters other than the sluggish economy, even releasing a single-shot TV ad Tuesday that suggests Romney gamed the system so well that he may not have paid any taxes at all for years.

On Wednesday, the Obama campaign released a web video questioning Romney's claims that he had "no responsibility whatsoever" at Bain after February 1999, despite SEC filings that list him as sole owner and CEO through February 2001.

After being on his heels for several days, Romney launched an aggressive counterattack this week, punctuated by biting speeches, conference calls and a television ad released Wednesday that accuses Obama of "crony capitalism." The ad says Obama sent stimulus money to "friends, donors, campaign supporters and special interest groups," and charges that taxpayer dollars went to projects in Finland and China.

Romney has also seized on comments Obama made while campaigning in Virginia last week.

The president, making a point about the supportive role government plays in building the nation, said in part: "Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

Obama later added, "The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together."

At a Pittsburgh fundraiser Tuesday evening, Romney lashed out at the remark, a strategy his campaign says will be a theme for the week, if not longer.

"It's foolish on its face and shocking that a president of the United States would not understand the power of entrepreneurship and innovation," Romney said. "It is an attack on the very premise that makes America such a powerful economic engine."

For the often-reserved Romney, the fresh attacks marked a substantial escalation in aggression for a candidate who has recently struggled to answer questions about his business career and personal tax returns. The former businessman, who would be among the nation's wealthiest presidents if elected, has so far released just one year of personal income tax returns and promised to release a second.

That's a stark deviation from a tradition created in part by Romney's father, George, a presidential candidate a generation ago who released 12 years of his own returns.

A defiant Romney has accused the Obama campaign of using the issue to distract voters from the state of the nation's economy less than four months before Election Day.

But it's unclear if Romney's new strategy will be enough to change the subject, particularly as several prominent Republicans joined Democrats in pushing Romney for more transparency.

Late Tuesday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry — who challenged Romney for the Republican presidential nomination — became the latest in a series of high-profile conservatives to pressure Romney to open his finances. Perry, who has released his tax returns dating back to 1992, said anyone running for office should make public as much personal information as possible to help voters decide.

The conservative National Review urged Romney to release additional tax returns even though it agreed with him that the Obama campaign wanted the returns for a "fishing expedition."

"By drawing out the argument over the returns, Romney is playing into the president's hands," the magazine said in an online editorial. "He should release them, respond to any attacks they bring, and move on."

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said Romney will not bow to the pressure.

"The governor has gone above and beyond what's required for disclosure," Madden said. "The situation remains the same."

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, whose name has appeared prominently in speculation about Romney's choice to run for vice president, vigorously defended Romney's limited tax release stance in a nationally broadcast interview Wednesday.

"There is no claim or no credible indication that he's done anything wrong," Pawlenty, who was a two-term governor of Minnesota, said on "CBS This Morning."

Pawlenty accused Obama's campaign of "hanging shiny objects before the public and the press and the press is taking the bait."

"I don't think there's any secret to the fact that Mitt Romney has been successful and he's achieved success and he's paid a lot of taxes," he said.

Meanwhile, Romney's campaign was forced to apologize for a supporter's statement that questioned Obama's patriotism, underscoring the political risks associated with the newfound aggression.

In a conference call arranged by the Romney campaign, former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu told reporters he wished Obama "would learn how to be an American."

He later apologized for the remark.

"I made a mistake. I shouldn't have used those words. And I apologize for using those words," he told CNN. "But I don't apologize for the idea that this president has demonstrated that he does not understand how jobs are created in America."

The Romney campaign concedes that many voters may support the release of his tax returns, but it's unclear whether that's an important enough issue to change their votes.

At the rally Tuesday outside of Pittsburgh, Romney's supporters didn't seem to mind.

"I'm more concerned about what Obama does with my money," said Phil Kearney, a semi-retired 70-year-old Republican from Latrobe, Pa. "Romney's a rich guy. We all know it. God bless him."

U.S. stock futures fell Wednesday ahead of a second day of testimony from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Capitol Hill as the global slowdown manifested itself in a number of quarterly earnings reports from corporations.

The Associated PressIn this Wednesday, June 20, 2012, file photo, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is visible on a television monitor on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Futures augured a weak start Thursday June 21, 2012 on Wall Street with Dow futures nearly unchanged at 12,765. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.5 percent to 1,343.50. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock futures fell Wednesday ahead of a second day of testimony from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Capitol Hill as the global slowdown manifested itself in a number of quarterly earnings reports from corporations.

Dow Jones industrial average futures gave up 41 points to 12,696. Standard & Poor's 500 futures fell 5.1 points to 1,353.10 and Nasdaq futures declined 9.5 points to 2,577.50.

Bank of America's earnings topped most Wall Street expectations for the second quarter although revenue fell short. Profits declined for both PNC Financial Services Group and investment manager BlackRock.

Except for Bank of America, financial stocks mostly fell in premarket trading.

After the market closed Tuesday, Intel said a slowing global economy cut into its second quarter and warned that revenue this quarter will likely fall short of expectations. Investors will be keying in on second-quarter earnings from IBM after the market closes Wednesday. IBM is the world's largest technology-services company and how well it does provides a gauge of the global business appetite for technology spending.

American Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection in November, reported Wednesday that it is still losing money.

AMR's second-quarter loss narrowed to $241 million mostly because of $230 million in costs tied to its bankruptcy restructuring. A year ago, it lost $286 million.

A deteriorating business climate is palpable in China, where some of the country's biggest corporations are warning of profit declines nearing 80 percent.

On Wednesday, Air China Ltd., one of three huge, government-owned airlines, warned that profit for the first half of the year will fall by at least half from a year earlier. State-owned ZTE Corp., one of the world's biggest producers of telecommunications equipment, is projecting a decline of up to 80 percent.

After warning that a recovery was not yet stable over the weekend, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that the employment outlook "will become more complex and severe."

There are pockets where it appears a rebound is underway, particularly in the U.S. real estate market.

Homebuilders broke ground on the most new homes and apartments in nearly four years last month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Housing starts rose 6.9 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 760,000. That's the highest since October 2008. Construction of apartments also rose after falling in May. But the number of permits to build homes fell 3.7 percent to 755,000, down from May's three-and-a-half-year high. Permits for apartments fell as well, while permits for single-family homes edged up to the highest level since March 2010.

Despite the gains, the level of housing starts and permits are roughly half what economists consider healthy.

Shares in some of the nation's largest homebuilders rose in premarket trading.

In addition to IBM, eBay, American Express and Yum Brands, owner of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut report earnings later Wednesday.

Selectmen will discuss the next steps in the fire chief search at their meeting next week.

File photoMarshall L. Harris at work at the Monson Fire Department in 2002.

MONSON — Former fire chief Marshall L. Harris is back from retirement to lead the Monson Fire Department after the departure of George L. Robichaud.

Selectmen Chairman Richard Smith said Harris returned to the job on July 11.

“We’re fortunate and thankful to Marshall Harris for stepping up and helping us out,” Smith said.

Robichaud replaced Harris back in 2008 when he became chief. Robichaud retired on July 1.

Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan L. Miller said Harris was out on Wednesday performing inspections for the department and would not talk about the position until he is formally appointed by selectmen at their meeting on Tuesday.

Miller said the department bids Robichaud “a fond farewell.”

“He’s seen an awful lot through the years. We’re very proud of the work he’s done. No one could stay on forever,” Miller said.

Robichaud worked for the department for 44 years. He could not be reached to comment about his decision to retire.

Smith said the board also will discuss finding a permanent replacement for Robichaud at the meeting.

The last time the position was advertised, the salary range was $53,114 to $64,641.

The department has mostly call firefighters, as well as emergency medical technicians and an office employee.

Monson Fire Chief Marshall Harris

The Who's Olympic performance will be a tuneup of sorts for their American tour, which kicks off Nov. 1 in Sunrise, Fla., and will end in Providence, R.I., on Feb. 26.

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2010 file photo, Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete Townshend acknowledge the crowd after performing during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami. Daltrey and Townshend are taking "Quadrophenia" and other Who classics on the road for a U.S. tour in fall 2012, but first plan what Daltrey calls a great finale for the Olympic Games in London. The Who tour kicks off in Sunrise, Fla., on November 1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
AP Music Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are taking "Quadrophenia" and other Who classics on the road for a U.S. tour this fall, but first plan what Daltrey calls a great finale for the Olympic Games in London.

"We have recorded a piece of music that is a fabulous ending for the Olympics ... and just shows the great music that has come out of this country. This country has put some fabulous music out into the world," Daltrey said Wednesday as he sat next to Townshend. Both are British.

The Who's Olympic performance will be a tuneup of sorts for their American tour, which kicks off Nov. 1 in Sunrise, Fla., and will end in Providence, R.I., on Feb. 26.

The last time they toured the United States was in 2008.

During a wide-ranging video conference, during which they took questions that were sent in ahead of time, the surviving members of the legendary band were asked if they were planning to use holograms, like Dr. Dre did to lifelike effect with the image of Tupac Shakur at Coachella in April, for the late members Keith Moon and John Entwistle.

"I thought about it but everybody is doing it now," said Daltrey. "I don't know whether we need it. And it's only a gimmick. We were very good on gimmicks in the (19)70s but I think we can leave it alone now."

He also said the band did not plan to have guest singers as they did on their previous tour.

The double album "Quadrophenia," released in 1973, was the Who's second acclaimed rock opera ("Tommy" being the first). Written by Townshend, Daltrey called it "Pete's pinnacle."

The band will play the album in its entirety. A documentary about the making of the album, "The Who: Quadrophenia — Can You See the Real Me?" will be shown July 24 in theaters across the country.

The London Olympics start July 27 and run until Aug. 12.

Their Olympic gig will put them on an even bigger stage than their halftime performance at the Super Bowl in 2010. Daltrey said the closing performance "is not about The Who being on a TV show, it's about making great music that is apropos to the end of that event. ... I'm extremely proud of it."

Townshend also said he is working on new music. However, he added: "I don't know whether you can rubber-stamp it as Who music."

___

Online: http://www.thewho.com

The drought conditions are effecting farmer's ability to water their crops as well as local fire departments that depend on local rivers to replenish their pumper truck's tanks.

A big gain by Intel after it posted a strong earnings report drove up technology stocks, especially other chip makers.

By BERNARD CONDON | AP Business Writer

Associated PressU.S. builders broke ground on the most new homes and apartments in nearly four years last month, the latest evidence of a slow housing recovery. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that housing starts rose 6.9 percent in June from May to a seasonally adjusted. annual rate of 760,000. That's the highest since October 2008. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

NEW YORK — A new sign of recovery in the housing market and strong corporate earnings sent stocks higher for a second day.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 103.16 points, or 0.8 percent, to 12,908.70 on Wednesday, a strong showing for what has been a mediocre July so far. The index has risen only four times in the last 12 trading days.

"The market expects bad news, so when it doesn't get it, it rises," said John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. "Earnings haven't been disastrous for the quarter."

A big gain by Intel after it posted a strong earnings report drove up technology stocks, especially other chip makers. Those companies, plus industrials, were responsible for much of the market's gains. The Nasdaq composite climbed 32.56 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,942.60.

The government reported that builders broke ground last month on the most new homes and apartments in nearly four years. The 6.9 percent jump brought the number of housing starts to the highest since October 2008. The news came a day after a gauge of confidence among U.S. homebuilders jumped to the highest level in five years.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9.11 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,372.78. Amphenol jumped nearly 15 percent, the most in the index, after the maker of electronic cables and connectors reported second-quarter earnings that were higher than analysts were expecting. Its stock rose $7.58 to $58.94.

For several weeks, big companies have talked down prospects for big jumps in earnings, and Wall Street analysts have slashed their forecasts in response. At the start of the earnings season last week, they said earnings for companies in the S&P 500 would likely fall 2 percent, according to S&P Capital IQ.

Earnings are still expected to fall, marking the first quarterly decline in nearly three years, but several companies have delivered pleasant surprises nonetheless. Honeywell International, a big technology and manufacturing company, reported an 11 percent increase in second-quarter income Wednesday, more than Wall Street was expecting, thanks to higher demand for its products. Honeywell also raised its forecast for full-year profits. Its stock jumped $3.64, or 7 percent, to $58.18.

Of the 65 companies in the S&P 500 to report earnings so far, 43 have beat estimates, or 66 percent, according to S&P Capital IQ. That is slightly higher than the 62 percent long-term average.

"Many of the risks — an anemic European economy, a slowdown in Asia — have been factored into earnings expectations," said Talley Leger, investment strategist at Macro Vision Research, an investment consulting firm. "That's why we're seeing positive surprises."

Other earnings reports disappointed. Bank of America reported income that beat most analysts' expectations for the second quarter, but its revenue fell short. The stock fell 39 cents, or nearly 5 percent, to $6.59. Profit declined for PNC Financial Services Group and the investment manager BlackRock, sending both stocks down more than 0.5 percent.

Among the gainers Wednesday was Intel, which rose 83 cents, or 3 percent, at $26.21. Investors also piled into Vivus Inc., pushing its stock up nearly 10 percent, after the drug maker announced approval from regulators to sell a new weight-loss pill. Doctors consider the pill, Qsymia, the most effective of a new generation of anti-obesity drugs. The company plans to start selling it by the end of the year.

Madison Square Garden's stock lost 1 percent after the owner of the New York Knicks NBA team confirmed that it was losing star player Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets. The Knicks said they wouldn't match a three-year, $25 million offer for the player. MSG's stock fell 36 cents to $35.45.

In addition to housing news, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that its survey of the economy across the country showed modest expansion in June and early July, but that growth and hiring slowed in several regions.

In his second day of testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke did not signal any new stimulus is imminent, though he did say the Fed was looking at "ways to address the weakness in the economy should more action be needed to promote a sustained recovery in the labor market."

Treasury prices rose slightly as demand for low-risk assets remained strong. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.49 percent from 1.50 percent late Tuesday. Germany auctioned $6.14 billion in two-year treasury notes Wednesday with an average interest rate, or yield, of minus 0.06 percent.

Three stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was average at 3.6 billion shares.

McCain said Bachmann’s attack reflects ignorance and defames the spirit of the nation.

File photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated PressHuma Abedin, top, deputy chief of staff and aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, is seen during a meeting with leaders for the Open Government Partnership in New York last year. Republican Sen. John McCain is defending a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton against unsubstantiated allegations that her family has ties to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

By DONNA CASSATA

WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. John McCain on Wednesday strongly defended a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton against unsubstantiated allegations that her family has ties to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, repudiating charges leveled by another Republican, Rep. Michele Bachmann.

In a speech on the Senate floor, McCain praised the work and patriotism of Huma Abedin, a State Department employee who has been a constant presence at Clinton’s side. Without mentioning Bachmann by name, McCain assailed the attacks on Abedin, a Muslim, as an example of ignorance and fear that defames the spirit of the nation.

“Huma represents what is best about America: the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.” McCain said. “I am proud to know Huma, and to call her my friend.”

Bachmann, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, made the allegations in a June letter to the State Department as well as in a letter Wednesday to fellow Minnesota lawmaker Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat.

Bachmann said Abedin’s late father, mother and brother are connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and/or organizations. She cited foreign media reports and an outside study and added that Abedin’s position “affords her routine access to the secretary and policy-making.”

In her letter to Ellison, Bachmann wrote, “Given what we know from the international media about Ms. Abedin’s documented family connections with the extremist Muslim Brotherhood,” how was she not disqualified for a U.S. security clearance.

John McCain

McCain pointed out that Abedin’s father died two decades ago and that the congresswoman failed to provide “one instance of an action, decision or a public position that Huma has taken while at the State Department that would lend credence to the charge that she is promoting anti-American activities within our government.”

Clinton recently traveled to Egypt and urged President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi of the military to work together. The two are in a power struggle.

At the State Department, Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines called the accusations “nothing but vicious and disgusting lies, and anyone who traffics in them should be ashamed of themselves. I would hope that hearing the remarkable statement from someone of Senator McCain’s stature gives her (Bachmann) pause in doing so any further.”

In his letter to Bachmann, Ellison said the congresswoman, who was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, provided no information to substantiate her claims about Abedin. Ellison also is a Muslim.

McCain, who described himself as someone who understands the pain “when a person’s character, reputation and patriotism are attacked,” criticized Bachmann’s actions.

“When anyone, not least a member of Congress, launches specious and degrading attacks against fellow Americans on the basis of nothing more than fear of who they are and ignorance of what they stand for, it defames the spirit of our nation, and we all grow poorer because of it,” he said.

In a statement, Bachmann said the letters were being distorted and her intent was “to outline the serious national security concerns I had and ask for answers to questions regarding the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical group’s access to top Obama administration officials.”

Abedin worked for Clinton when Clinton served as a U.S. senator representing New York and sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. Abedin is married to former Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York.

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Brian Bakst of St. Paul, Minn., contributed to this report.

Storms moving across eastern Massachusetts resulted in about 30,000 reported power outages, most on the North Shore.

BOSTON — Storms moving across eastern Massachusetts have brought hail, high winds and heavy rainfall that flooded roads and brought power outages.

The National Weather Service issued a brief tornado warning Wednesday afternoon for the Lynn area on Boston's North Shore when radar indicated a possible tornado. National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Franck said it's investigating a report of a funnel cloud in Peabody just before 2 p.m.

Franck said hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter was reported on the North Shore.

In Lynn, District Fire Chief Jack Barry said the city was hit by downpours, high winds, isolated tree damage and golf ball-sized hail. But he said there were no confirmed sightings of a funnel cloud there, and no damage to indicate any destructive, sustained wind.

About 30,000 power outages were reported, most on the North Shore.

Sheriff Michael J. Ashe was honored for his contributions to the city of Springfield, Mass.

In other bus news, the bus fee will be $125 for the year, down from $210 last year.

File photo | The Republican

MONSON — School buses will be equipped with video cameras for the 2012-2013 school year, a move that officials say will make the fleet safer for students and drivers.

The School Committee recently approved paying Pro-Vision, of Michigan, approximately $36,000 to equip 28 total vehicles with the cameras, according to Business Manager Donald Smith. That includes school buses and special education vans.

The school buses will have three cameras installed, and the vans will have one, he said.

“This brings us into the 20th century, which is pretty nice,” Smith said.

Patrice Dardenne

At the School Committee meeting last month, Superintendent Patrice L. Dardenne explained that it had been a long-time goal of the department to have some kind of electronic monitoring system on the buses. Dardenne said in a follow-up interview that it adds a level of security for students, drivers, parents and the school district.

“We can better address issues when we can see firsthand what’s happening,” Dardenne said. “It’s very, very common to have the cameras in buses today. It’s something we’ve been trying to put in place for a while and we have the opportunity to do it, so I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

The district’s transportation director, Michelle D. Loglisci, told the committee that three bids were submitted, and Pro-Vision was selected. Prior to the year 2000, the district had cameras on buses, but they weren’t on all of the buses, and the cameras sometimes would be moved from bus to bus.

Loglisci said they can afford to buy the cameras due to fuel and repair savings as a result of the mild winter. The money will come from the fiscal 2012 transportation budget and revolving accounts.

School Committee member Joel Keller asked administrators how many times there were issues on school buses this past year, and was told approximately six. Loglisci said it is a top priority for her to install the cameras.

“The protection it provides for the district is long overdue,” Loglisci said.

The system includes an antenna, which will tell officials bus speed.

In other bus news, the bus fee will be $125 for the year; if a student gets the pass half-way through the year, it will cost $100. It used to be $210 a year, and there were various payment plans, including one-day passes, which made the paperwork difficult for the transportation office, Smith said.

“It’s a significant reduction in fees and we hope people take advantage of it,” Dardenne said.

Jones gained local notoriety after being beaten by former police officer Jeffrey Asher during a traffic stop that was caught on videotape.

Melvin Jones III

SPRINGFIELD - Melvin Jones III bailed out of a plea deal on a drug trafficking charge in Hampden Superior Court, according to lawyers involved in the case.

Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said Jones, who gained local notoriety after being beaten by former police officer Jeffrey M. Asher during a traffic stop that was caught on videotape in 2009, refused a pre-negotiated plea deal.

“I honestly don’t know why,” Mastroianni said after the court hearing.

Jones, 30, was charged with cocaine trafficking in 2010, the third in a string of alleged crimes he committed after the highly publicized beating.

Asher was sentenced to 18 months in jail for assaulting Jones with a flashlight on that night. Jones’ lawyer, meanwhile, said the FBI paid an informant, Kimani Anderson, to sell Jones drugs on videotape.

Anderson has since been charged with the 2011 murder of 16-year-old Tyrell Wheeler.

Jones’ defense lawyer, Jared Olanoff, said his client now wants to go to trial.

A trial date has been scheduled for Oct. 23.

An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m.

» An updated story has been posted

Updates stories posted Wednesday at 10:53 a.m. and 1:52 p.m.

LUDLOW — A daylong standoff with an armed suspect that began after firefighters responded to a blaze at a Center Street residence ended with multiple gunshots early Wednesday night.

An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m.

Just after 7 p.m., food and water was brought into the woods where police were negotiating with the suspect, identified to The Republican by police sources as retired Springfield police officer George Stuart, 71. Soon after that, a throng of press was pushed back, and an ambulance arrived. Suddenly, there was the sound of multiple gunshots, and all police personnel ran into the woods. The ambulance went into the woods, about 100 yards behind the house.

The fire, reported around 10:45 a.m., "fully engulfed" a building at the property, a town dispatcher said. The standoff situation began shortly thereafter. Reporters at the scene say the fire consumed a garage at 795 Center St.

The home at that address is owned by George W. and Rena J. Stuart, an employee at the Ludlow assessor's office said Wednesday.

Stuart once taught marksmanship to other officers. Police officials could not immediately confirm that Stuart was the suspect involved in the standoff.

Stuart, who spent 30 years on the Springfield force, retired in 1997 as a sergeant. Twice he won competitions as the state's top combat police marksman of the year. He runs a security alarm installation business at his Ludlow home.

During the standoff, Center Street was closed at the Rood Street junction, at Randall's Farm. Wilbraham police were assisting with traffic control. A state police helicopter was in the air overhead.

State police units – including K-9 and tactical units – were staging on Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road Wednesday afternoon. A tactical unit from the Springfield police department was also at the scene.

This is a developing story; MassLive.com and The Republican will have updated stories as our reporting continues.

Expected thunderstorms shifted to the south, continuing the drought in the area.

Photo by Sefton Ipock / Anderson Independent MailRyan Cook splashes into a pool of water at the end of a slide at Splashy Joe's Slip 'n Slide Water Park in Anderson, S.C., on Tuesday.

People suffered through the fourth day of 90 degree weather Wednesday but should expect a definite cool down for Friday.

Temperatures will remain on the warm side Thursday but are expected to top 88 degrees instead of the mid to high 90s most of Western Massachusetts experienced Wednesday. It will also be much drier so it won’t feel as hot, said Mike Skurko, CBS 3 Springfield meteorologist.

The cooler, drier temperatures are expected to continue though the weekend. Friday’s high is expected to be 79 degrees, he said.

The cooler weather also brought some isolated thunderstorms, but the line was mostly south of Western Massachusetts and hit Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York, he said.

“It is not much help for the drought,” he said.

It has weeks since the region has seen almost any rainfall. In July, there has been .06 inches of rain, well below the typical 4 inches for the month.

Police said a thunderstorm with heavy rain did go through East Longmeadow around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, but there was no significant damage.

There was some thunder reported in Wilbraham and Hampden, but no heavy rains, police said. No heavy storm damage was reported in Longmeadow.

The four days of hot temperatures have kept area pools and spray parks busy.

“The pool has been hopping since July 1 and the water sprays were at near capacity until (Tuesday). I think it even got too hot for people to come to water sprays,” said Teresa M. Shepard, director of Parks and Recreation Department.

But she said the spray parks were unusually crowded between 5 and 8 p.m.

The Chicopee Boys and Girls opened a spray park earlier this month and have been getting the most out of it, said Jason M. Reed, the resource development director.

“We are having the kids go out there at least once a day and our building is air conditioned,” he said.

Nearly 20 residents packed into the meeting to hear about Atlanta, Ga.-based Cornerstone's plans for the 14-megawatt facility at the Arooth property.

Associated PressThis April 20, 2011, image shows some of the 30,000 solar panels that make up the Public Service Company of New Mexico's new 2-megawatt photovoltaic array in Albuquerque, N.M. The array is one of five being constructed this year by the utility to help meet state renewable energy requirements.

MONSON — The Planning Board on Tuesday night opted to continue a hearing for Cornerstone Power Monson LLC, which is proposing a large-scale, ground-mounted solar project on part of a dairy farm at Upper Palmer and Macomber roads.

Planning Board Chairman Craig S. Sweitzer asked Cornerstone representatives to provide a stormwater management plan, and proof of liability insurance and financial security, for the next meeting about the project on Sept. 18. Cornerstone is seeking site plan approval from the board.

Nearly 20 residents packed into the meeting to hear about Atlanta, Ga.-based Cornerstone's plans for the 14-megawatt facility at the Arooth property, which would use approximately 56 acres of the 148-acre parcel. The project would feature approximately 48,000 solar panels. Once the project is approved, it should only take six months to complete, company representatives said.

The panels will not reflect light, and only absorb it, and there will be a small substation – the size of two or three refrigerators – on the property, surrounded by barbed wire, company representatives said. The rest of the project would be surrounded by a 6-foot high chain-link fence. The energy generated there would be sold back to National Grid.

Project engineer John Colagrande explained that the project will be unmanned and accessed through Macomber Road.

Cornerstone principal Daniel Somers said that the site would be maintained once or twice a year, and have little impact on neighbors. The maintenance would entail washing the panels with water. The grass underneath them also would be mowed regularly, he said.

The site would be surrounded by Eastern white pines and Northern white cedar trees, but some residents questioned that choice. Sweitzer advised the company to talk with an arborist about the best trees to plant as a buffer between the homes and the project.

Several residents spoke out against the proposal. Maureen Rossman asked Cornerstone to buy her property at 10 Macomber Road, where she has lived the past five years. Rossman, along with eight other neighbors, signed a petition requesting that an additional 100 foot buffer zone be established between their homes and the solar panels, in addition to the 75-foot setback already being proposed.

The petition read in part: "Although we support green technology initiatives and understand this project will benefit the town of Monson in many ways, this project will have a direct negative impact on our residences ... The existence of a solar farm in such close proximity to our homes will significantly reduce our property values ... We purchased our homes in this area of Monson due to the farm-like landscape. This will be forever changed. Our view of acres of beautiful farm land will be replaced by a sea of industrial solar panels."

Speaking in favor of the project was Nancy K. Klisiewicz of 5 Macomber Road. She said she would rather see the solar installation than a housing project there.

James E. Arooth, one of the property owners, said before the meeting that they plan to continue to operate the dairy farm, as they have approximately 200 acres total.

Arooth said he hopes Cornerstone buys the property. The area where the installation would be built is a corn field now, Arooth said.

The bill was spurred partly by the killing of Woburn patrolman John Maguire in 2010 by a three-time felon out on parole.

File photo

BOSTON — The state House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that eliminates parole for three-time violent offenders, cuts a list of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders and reduces the size of a school zone for certain drug charges.

An habitual offender initiative – called "three strikes" – includes 40 crimes.

The House voted 139-14 to approve the bill. The bill now moves to the Senate.

"I think it is a great bill," said Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo, a Springfield Democrat and supporter. "It targets the worst of the habitual offenders. We want habitual offenders off the streets and off the streets for good."

Reps. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera and Benjamin Swan, both Springfield Democrats, voted against the bill.

The Republican photo by Mark M. MurrayBenjamin Swan

In a speech, Swan said the bill falls short because it fails to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses.

Swan said a disproportionate number of inmates in Massachusetts are black or Hispanic.

"We have a long way to go to deal with the system we are attempting to deal with," said Swan.

The bill would eliminate the possibility of parole for felons convicted three separate times of serious violent crimes ranging from murder to child rape to certain types of assault.

Felons would have to be sentenced to at least three years in state prison for one of those crimes to qualify as a strike on their record.

The bill was spurred partly by the killing of Woburn patrolman John Maguire on Dec. 26, 2010 by released convict Dominic Cinelli, who was serving three concurrent life sentences when he was placed on parole in early 2009.

"Take a moment and think of the victims, the victims' families, the people who have to live with the crime," said Rep. Donald H. Wong, a Republican from Saugus, who supported the legislation.

The bill changes a so-called "school zone" violation that carries a two-year mandatory minimum sentence for possessing an illegal drug with intent to distribute. Right now, the violation occurs if the crime is committed within 1,000 feet of a school, no matter if school is in session. The bill changes the zone to 300 feet and says the zone violation does not apply between midnight and 5 a.m.

Rep. Eugene L. O' Flaherty, a Chelsea Democrat and a top author of the bill, said the current 1,000 feet has resulted in an unfair application of a criminal sentence depending on where the crime occurs in the state.

"You can't stand anywhere in my district and not be in a school zone," O'Flaherty said. "If you're in Worthington, you can stand in Worthington and you probably will not be in a school zone."

Both the House and the Senate approved versions of the bill last year. A six-member House-Senate panel worked for eight months to develop the compromise bill, which was released on Tuesday.

According to a summary of the bill, 16 mandatory minimum sentences for drug violations were reduced.

A mandatory minimum for trafficking between 36 grams to less than 100 grams of cocaine, for example, was reduced from 5 years to 3.5 years.

A mandatory minimum for trafficking in more than 100 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana was reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

Leslie Walker, executive director of Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts, said she was disappointed by the bill.

"There is no data to support this bill as anything that's going to deter crime, and anything that's going to positively impact public safety," Walker said. "This is an emotional bill, not a thoughtful bill."

The bill is under review by Gov. Deval L Patrick, a spokeswoman said.

Material from the Associated Press was included in this report

Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. drew a total of 79,200 in attendance to CityStage and Symphony Hall during its 2011-12 season.

Republican File Photo08/10/11 Springfield - Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray- Tina M. D"Agostino, interim President of City Stage. .

SPRINGFIELD — Tina M. D’Agostino has been named president of Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., the nonprofit arts organization that manages CityStage and Symphony Hall.

D’Agostino had been interim president of the group for a year. She was named to the interim post after the 2011 retirement of Cynthia J. Anzalotti. D’Agostino served as director of marketing for the organization from 2001 until 2010 and then as general manger.

Anzalotti had been head of CityStage and Symphony Hall for 12 years.

“The goals are to really continue on with our mission, which is to continue to bring high-quality professional entertainment to both CityStage and Symphony Hall,” D’Agostino said.

Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. drew a total of 79,200 in attendance during its 2011-12 season. D’Agostino said it was a disappointing result even though the total for 2010-11 was 77,292.

“We didn’t meet our attendance goals with a lot of events last year,” D’Agostino said. “Overall. I think the season went well.”

Many Broadway-type shows that tour will not come to Symphony Hall because the stage will not accommodate their large stage sets, D’Agostino said.

“So that means we have to adjust,” she said.

Both venues begin their 2012-13 seasons in October. The small CityStage, which seats 479, will feature “Shear Madness” in March and “Rocky Mountain High: A John Denver Tribute starring Ted Vigil” on May 16 and May 17.

Symphony’s Hall’s upcoming year features “The Pink Floyd Experience” on Feb. 8, “A Chorus Line” on Feb. 10 and “Fiddler on the Roof” on April 21. Symphony Hall seats 2,600.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a separate organization and manages its own ticket sales, D’Agostino said. Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. manages Symphony events and the building.

File photo | The RepublicanTina D'Agostino

The mayor said one personnel department, instead of three, ought to be able to handle the more than 2,000 employees.

The Republican file photo | David MolnarRichard A. Merchant, shown in this December 2002 photo, is city of Holyoke's new interim personnel director.

HOLYOKE — Former city official Richard A. Merchant has been appointed interim personnel director, but bigger changes could be coming, Mayor Alex B. Morse said Wednesday.

Morse said he wants to merge the personnel administrations of the city, School Department and Holyoke Gas and Electric Department to save money, if work is being duplicated, and increase efficiency.

“This is our opportunity to streamline and save taxpayer money,” Morse said.

The city has more than 2,000 employees. That consists of 1,340 school employees and more than 700 full- and part-timers in the police, fire, public works and other departments.

Merchant, of Southwick, formerly the personnel head in Westfield, Chicopee and Easthampton, will be temporary director of human resources until a permanent director is hired, Morse said.

On July 3, Morse terminated the employment of Adam Pudelko, who had been acting personnel director since January. Morse and Pudelko declined to discuss the reasons for that termination.

Merchant is working on a contract that will pay $30 an hour for 35 hours a week, which amounts to $54,600 a year. That contract provides no benefits, Morse said.

Merchant was director of compliance from 1992 to 1998. That means that in recruiting, interviewing and hiring of employees, his job was to ensure the city followed state and federal affirmative action rules.

He also developed diversity awareness and sexual harassment training and oversaw handicapped accessibility at municipal properties, according to a copy of his resume Morse provided.

Morse said combining the personnel administrations that now oversee city, school and Gas and Electric departments will entail discussions with officials and boards of the different areas.

The city is advertising for a permanent personnel director at a yearly salary of $44,180 to $61,200. But it was possible that could be delayed so merger discussions with department officials can take place, he said.

School officials are open to discussing merging personnel departments, but with the understanding that school staffing has specific requirements, said Devin M. Sheehan, School Committee vice chairman.

Those in charge of school hiring must be up to date on state and federal certifications required in various teaching fields when it comes to recruiting and interviewing job candidates, he said.

School personnel staff also are involved in collective bargaining for the nine employee units, handle grievance and sexual harassment issues, do the daily hiring of substitute teachers and do checks of potential employees in the state Criminal Offender Record Information system, he said.

“It’s a big job for the School Department,” Sheehan said. “I’m all for streamlining these services, as long as it doesn’t hurt these functions.”

James M. Lavelle, manager of the Gas and Electric Department, said officials there were open to discussing a combining of personnel administrations. The department employs 130 full-timers, he said.

Stuart was shot once in the mid-section and was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Updates stories posted Wednesday at 10:53 a.m. and 1:52 p.m. and 7:51 p.m.

This story was reported by staff writers Jeanette DeForge, George Graham and Patrick Johnson. Photographs in the slideshow at right were taken by Graham, Johnson and staff photographers Mark M. Murray and Dave Roback.

LUDLOW — A daylong standoff with an armed suspect in the woods near 795 Center St. ended early Wednesday night when the suspect, identified by officials as retired Springfield police officer George Stuart, fired the weapon he was holding, Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said.

“The situation ended when at least two shots were fired. Both shots were fired from the weapon the individual, Mr. Stuart, was holding,” Mastroianni said Wednesday night.

Stuart was shot once in the mid-section and was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Mastroianni said he did not have any information about Stuart's condition.

When Stuart and at least two police officers were walking out of the woods, Stuart attempted to harm himself, and other officers intervened and attempted to prevent Stuart from hurting himself, Mastroianni said.

Police sources said Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet and Ludlow police Chief James McGowan were with Stuart. Mastroianni, reached about an hour after the shooting, said he did not have details about exactly what happened.

An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m.

Just after 7 p.m., food and water was brought into the woods where police were negotiating with Stuart, 71. Soon after that, a throng of press was pushed back, and an ambulance arrived. Suddenly, there was the sound of multiple gunshots, and all police personnel ran into the woods. The ambulance went into the woods, about 100 yards behind the house.

Stuart is also a suspect in the fire that started the standoff, Mastroianni said.

“I knew we are dealing with the fire at his house. Ludlow police and state police and fire investigators are looking at it for potential charges,” Mastroianni said. “He clearly is a suspect.”

The fire, reported around 10:45 a.m., "fully engulfed" a building at the property, a town dispatcher said. The standoff situation began shortly thereafter. Reporters at the scene say the fire consumed a garage at 795 Center St.

The home at that address is owned by George W. and Rena J. Stuart, an employee at the Ludlow assessor's office said Wednesday.

Mastroianni said he did not know if Stuart’s wife was present at the standoff.

Stuart once taught marksmanship to other officers. Police officials could not immediately confirm that Stuart was the suspect involved in the standoff.

Stuart, who spent 30 years on the Springfield force, retired in 1997 as a sergeant. Twice he won competitions as the state's top combat police marksman of the year. He runs a security alarm installation business at his Ludlow home.

Neighbors on both Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road said they were shocked that the incident would happen in their neighborhood.

"You never know what can happen anywhere, but it's pretty quiet out here," said David Rey of Center Street.

Other neighbors said the suspect was going through a divorce and had been living alone in the home for several weeks. "He was a nice man. We never had any problems," one neighbor said, describing the house as well-maintained, with a fish pond in backyard. "I never thought that things were this bad for him. This is shocking me."

The neighbor continued: "I hope that this comes out even, and that nothing happens to him. That he comes out and surrenders and get what he needs. He was a good neighbor."

During the standoff, Center Street was closed at the Rood Street junction, at Randall's Farm. Wilbraham police were assisting with traffic control. A state police helicopter was in the air overhead.

State police units – including K-9 and tactical units – were staging on Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road Wednesday afternoon. A tactical unit from the Springfield police department was also at the scene.

During a game, the off-duty police officer reportedly called Crawford a "monday," which Crawford said he interpreted as a racial slur.

APBoston Red Sox's Cody Ross, right, celebrates his three-run home run that also drove in Carl Crawford, center, and Jacoby Ellsbury, left, in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Boston, Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

LEOMINSTER — A Massachusetts police officer was put on paid leave Wednesday after an internal investigation found that he directed a racial slur at Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford.

Officer John Perrault was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next Wednesday at which he could face more severe punishment, including being fired, according to Leominster (LEH'-min-stuhr) Mayor Dean Mazzarella and Police Chief Robert Healey.

Healey and any witnesses will present their case to Mazzarella at the hearing, and Perrault will be given a chance to respond, Mazzarella said.

Asked if firing Perrault was likely, assuming the hearing confirmed Perrault directed the slur at Crawford, Mazzarella said, "I don't know if it's likely, but it's certainly an option. Without hearing it all, it's hard to say."

Mazzarella said Leominster police are expected to be good representatives of the city at all times, whether out of uniform or out of state.

"Free speech doesn't allow you to start conducting yourself in that manner," Mazzarella said. "This guy's a cop."

Perrault, who is white, was placed on desk duty after the July 5 incident. He was described as a veteran officer with no prior disciplinary problems.

He was off duty and attending a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.

Witnesses said a heckling fan called Crawford, who is black, a "monday" before a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs. Crawford said he interpreted the word as a racial slur.

The word can be used as a derogatory term for blacks, and is often associated with Mondays being one of the least-liked days of the week.

Crawford was playing for the Double-A Sea Dogs while rehabilitating a wrist injury.

Crawford alerted stadium officials to the remark, and team management apologized.

Leominster police reached out to Crawford as part of their investigation but did not talk to him, Mazzarella said.

The mayor and chief also issued an apology to Crawford.

Crawford returned to action for the Red Sox on Monday night, in a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Threat of storms has passed, now much more refreshing weather awaits.

The threat of thunderstorms has passed, and skies will clear out in the next couple of hours. The cold front that sparked those storms across southern New England is moving further away from us. Behind this front, a less humid airmass will be dropping down from the north. By tomorrow morning it should be a much more comfortable start to the day than the past few mornings.

High pressure continues heading towards us on Thursday. Skies will be mostly sunny, and temperatures will still reach the mid-80s. While this number may seem "hot", the dewpoints will be about 10-15 degrees less than today, so it will feel a lot more refreshing out there in the afternoon.

Heading towards the weekend, we stay mostly sunny and dry. The humidity levels will also stay down as well, certainly in comparison to what we've had the last few days. Our next chance of showers and thunderstorms looks to hold off until Monday.

Tonight: Mainly clear skies, mild, becoming less humid, low 64.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, less humid, high 88.

Friday: Partly cloudy, more clouds south, cooler, high 77.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, seasonal, high 82.

Radar | 5 Day Forecast